Thoughts for the Week~August 17

[Etta Sue]

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Quote of the Week

I choose faithfulness...
Today I will keep my promises.
My debtors will not regret their trust.
My associates will not question my word.
My wife will not question my love.
And my children will never fear that
their father will not come home.

Max Lucado

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Morning Devotional...


Parables about Being Prepared
Matthew 25:1-30 NLT

   "Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.  The five who were foolish didn't take enough olive oil for their lamps,  but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil.  When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

   "At midnight they were roused by the shout, 'Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!'

   "All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps.  Then the five foolish ones asked the others, 'Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.'

   "But the others replied, 'We don't have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.'

   "But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.  Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, 'Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!'

   "But he called back, 'Believe me, I don't know you!'

   "So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.

   "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone.  He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.

   "The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more.  The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more.  But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master's money.

   "After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money.  The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, 'Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.'

   "The master was full of praise. 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!'

   "The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, 'Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.'

   "The master said, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!'

   "Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, 'Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn't plant and gathering crops you didn't cultivate.  I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.'

   "But the master replied, 'You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn't plant and gathered crops I didn't cultivate, why didn't you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.'

   "Then he ordered, 'Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver.  To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.  Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

With which of the people in these two stories do you identify?

   These parables describe the consequences of two attitudes to Christ's return. 

   The person who diligently prepares for it by investing his or her time and talent to serve God will be rewarded. 

   The person who has no heart for the work of the Kingdom will be punished. 

   God rewards faithfulness.  Those who bear no fruit for God's Kingdom cannot expect to be treated the same as those who are faithful.
The Best of the Bible--365 Must-Read Bible Passages

[Etta Sue]

I have to go with Ivalou tomorrow to get her car maintenanced and then get my driver's license and her license plate.  Then Kitty and I are going to get our pictures from the State Fair!! 

So I won't be home until evening tomorrow.

[melody]

Good morning. I am pondering today the wonderful services we had yesterday in the house of God. God is doing great things and I like the devotional today that ties in with what the Lord has been saying.
I want to have my priorties right and seek first the kingdom of God because this is the only thing  that is important and will last.
Seems pretty quite here today can I hear an Amen from you all
We have finished our patio and my husband has stained it and now i am ready to take my camera and sit in my swing a few minutes and see if there is a sweet bird that will come my way .
God Bless.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  Since I posted late yesterday there is not much to write about today other than I am grateful to be alive another day and to be able to share this wonderful website with such good friends, both long term and new.

I did go to coffee this morning with the men at McDonalds and really enjoyed it.  At lunch time I am going to meet with another group of men friends at the Lawrenceville Airport Cafe.  We have eaten there several times and always enjoyed it as can see a few planes land and take off from our county airport.  There is nothing else on the schedule for today.

We are not planning on going to the hospital today.  We have talked with our daughter this morning and am sure will do so several times during the day.  She gets very frustrated with the way things go a the hospital, especially the constant interruptions she experiences during the night that prevents her from being able to get a good sleep period.  She has experienced several problems with the nurses giving her medicine and then coming back to give it to her again because they haven't recorded the first dosage.  She is writing everything down in her Palm (sure glad I let her have it) so knows what she is given and when.  She has been in the hospital for two weeks and it appears she will be there for several more days (hope I am wrong about that).  One of her doctors has asked her a couple of times if other doctors have indicated she has COPD.  The surgeon told her that her lungs were really a mess from all the years of smoking.   She is using the patch to stop smoking again and says she will never smoke again.

Melody, it sounds like your new patio is very nice.  Hope you get to enjoy it a lot and that the birds soon stop by so you can get some pictures.

Etta Sue, it sounds like you have a busy day planned.  Thanks for the devotional for this week.

[Colin]

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=3f48e8a025f7f9d68391

Hi everyone from a sappling N. Ireland...we are drenched! Enjoy the video. I have lost trak of them...did I post in 12..cant remember!

[Carol]

Colin:  Sorry you lost your memory    I'll try to help you find it.   

Sarah:  When I need a paramedic, I'll call you - take care!!!!!

Pat:  It sounds like you are beginning to recover from this latest episode.  Yippee - Paul is coming to see you so that is helping you recover quickly.

We are tuckered - either tuckered in or tuckered out, I don't know which applies.  Don't even know the day of the week unless the calendar is right in front on me.  Did I mention that our former church in Littleton has set up a satillite in a school really less than 3 miles from us?  That will be interesting to go to - we have always loved helping start up a new church but I don't know if we have the energy for such a thing again.  The community church has a huge senior group with lots of activities and that looks really like a fun place too.  We put epoxy paint in the workroom area of the basement and that makes it easier to clean & vacuum when Don does his woodwork.  Looks so light and nice.  Don hung two more lights today - each one had its own difficulties but he got through it and I cleaned a sliding door really good so it would slide - what a concept.  It is in the basement & looks so much better.  #2 son & #3 son are coming over one night to help us take down all the window fixtures before the painters come - I am going to fix pizza for everyone.  At least the oven works here. 

Janet:  9 days until movers come.  We must stay overnight at the old house that has only the bed - no lights but there will be water for shower.  Then, we will turn everything down & movers arrive by 6:30 AM on the 27th.  Did I mention that they are closing I-25, a federal freeway, on the 28th for you-know-who to give his speech?  This is going to be chaos & we are glad to get through a day early. 

Best to all, I'll try to keep in touch. 

[Marilyn]

I suppose I better post something today. It has been overcast and dreary all day long, foggy and misty, 30% chance of rain tonight, I hope it does rain we sure do need it. there. More fires have started  in the Shasta / Trinity forest.

Not much new here today.

[Pat]

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=3f48e8a025f7f9d68391

Hi everyone from a sappling N. Ireland...we are drenched! Enjoy the video. I have lost trak of them...did I post in 12..cant remember!

Can you tell us where this video was filmed, Colin?  I recognize the opening church...

[Janet]

Pat, is there any way to get back the email notifications on here?  I get tired of hunting and hunting, then having to go to Firefox and type in the name of our site.  For some reason I rarely get a notification.  I sure miss them!

Carol, you and Don need about two weeks of peace and quiet, just to rest and recoup from all this work, when you get into you new digs.  Ridiculous that they are closing a federal highway for that.  I think that convention may be really something.  Someone on TV tonight said if you want to see the Clintons really riled, just let Obama nominate Kathleen Sebelious for his VP! 

Ooops!  Better not get political, huh?  Sorry.

Colin, what does sappling mean?  I hadn't heard that term before.

[Colin]

Thank you Carol for offering to search for my memory. I read your posts with interest...they are very moving. 
Pat my dear the video was shot in Glenarm. The "church" you saw is actually the entrance to Glenarm Castle. It was really misty round the coast that day but beautiful inland.
O Janet...you did make me smile this morning. If you stood out in the rain awhile, you would be drenched, soaked, pure sapplin that is. It's what we say anyway. 

Hi everyone else!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  So far we have had not rain but suppose to get some from the Tropical Storm Faye in the next few days.  We need a lot of rain to restore the lake where we get our water supply. 

The surgeon told our daughter last evening that they will put in the PICC line today and hopefully she will be dismissed tomorrow.  She has to stay in the hospital for 24 hours after the line is put in.  It looks like tomorrow may be a really long day for her and for us as she has to get refills of medications, get a couple of new prescriptions, and go to the central supply center.  The wheelchair will get a good workout tomorrow.  We have been carrying it in the car so we will have it when needed.

It is up in the air whether we will go to Atlanta today or just wait until tomorrow.  Our daughter said the last time they put in the PICC line she was really exhausted afterwards so we likely won't try to visit her today.  If we do go to Atlanta we will probably stay overnight again at her apartment.

I had a very enjoyable lunch yesterday with 3 other men.  I had missed these luncheons for the last couple of weeks.

Carol, I don't envy you trying to get around in the Denver area with one of the Interstates closed.  That is going to put a lot of traffic on city streets.  It sounds like your moving preparations are going well but a lot of work.  Of course, what you are doing is much easier to accomplish before the furniture and other belongings arrive.

Colin, all that rain is going to help keep Ireland green. 

Marilyn, you all sure don't need another wildfire in your forests.  Hope they get it put out quickly.

Janet, are you using the tabbed feature of either Firefox or Internet Explorer?  If so, you can create groups of tabls and that is what I do on CP and Seniornet.  Then I can open all of the discussions I follow at one time and click on the "New" button in the discussion and start where I left off.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day.

[Samantha]

Good morning everyone,

I've had a lot going on in my life that is keeping me away from the computer, but I try to check in as often as possible.

Hope everyone has a great day.

I have prayers requests for the day also.

Thanks, Samantha

[Marilyn]

Praying here Samantha

[Al Moak]

Larry - that wildfire Marilyn mentioned is about a third of the way between Eureka and Redding, and they closed the major highway between for a while because of it.  They've got it open now, though it's still limited to one lane, and with delays.  I don't know how many fires they've had over that way this year,  but it's been quite a few.  They're predicting overcast with fog and smoke for the next few days.

[melody]

Good morning.
It's another hot and sunny day here today not compaining just love it.
Colin I see you have posted another video , i will view it later- always enjoy them.
Larry good to know your daughter will be released from hospital tomorrow. Hopefully things will slow down for you now.
Today I am doing some bible study our pastor is away on vacation and I have been asked to do the devotional. I am doing 2 Chron. chapter 20 and speaking on prayer. When Jehosphat said I have no might of my own but my eyes are on you Lord. Prayer is putting our dependance and trust in God to meet our needs and give us victory.
hello Marylin Pat, Janet, Carol, AL, Etta Sue and to all have a great day

[Jeannine]

Good morning all,

Have tried to catch up on the reading, but still a ways to go. Just know I have been praying for all here.
It's been very busy at our house, my husband is home from the rehabilitation home and has had numerous appointments and speech and physical thereapy. He has finally gotten back up to 108 lbs from 93lbs when he came home.
I have had quite a few appointments as well since Aug. 25 is the day I go in for a total knee replacement. Also got an arch done for my mother, it leads into the back "garden". It will be larger in the years to come, the garden that is.
Michael has thoroughly enjoyed school this summer and has made great strides in using a button to communicate with and with his voice. And thank the Lord he has been healthy this summer too.
Well, off to see what else can be done before surgery.
Hello and God bless to all who come here today, to Janet, Melody, Pat, Paul, Colin, Al, Larry, Scottyboy, Ruth, Etta Sue, Marylin, Gabriel, gosh, I'm forgetting a bunch I know but then my memory is like a seive at times.... ...everyone. May you all have a God filled and blessed day!

Trusting In Him,
Jeannine

[Etta Sue]

Good Morning....for a few more minutes, at least.

Bright and sunny in Indiana.  The furgirls have been watching a beautiful Monarch on a Butterfly Bush outside my big window in the living room.  They sure are mesmerized!! 

This afternoon is Euchre.  Then I need to renew my driver's license and Ivalou needs to get new plates on her car.  The BMV was closed yesterday but is open until 7pm tonight.  Then I need some groceries. 

That's it for today!!!

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[Pat]

Hi Everyone!  It's

Dear Larry:

What's a PICC line?   Paul's and my prayers are going heavenward for you and your family.


Hi Melody! 

Thanks Colin!  That's exactly it!  I was drawing a "blank" but knew I'd been there.  (And so many times)  Thanks for showing these lovely videos.



Lots of little things to do today.  Lawn is crying out to be cut! Weeds from the city property behine are sneaking into my garden and they are covered with teeny "burrs" that catch on to his fur!     A bush outside the bedroom window needs trimming, burned out lights need to be replaced, and oh, a little load of washing needs to be done.   Yes, I was ill BUT I'm starting to feel better but Paul is here too so that sure helps me to feel better!!

Yesterday, Paul cut down so many little trees that were growing along and in the chain link fence that goes along the back of the property and it's so nice to have them gone...now for the weeds! 

Must go.

Have a wonderful EVERYONE!!!

[Janet]

Happy Tuesday to you, too, Pat!  Glad you are feeling better.  Say hello to Paul for me.

Larry, I am embarrassed to admit I have no idea what tabs are or how to use them.    But for some unknown reason I did get an email notification today! 

I spent two hours searching for some photos my youngest daughter wants, and still didn't find what she wants.  Maybe the ones I did find will do--I hope!

Then I went for my swim; half a mile plus 3 laps today.  Tonight is weight watchers, have no idea how I will do.  But I'm trying!

I have a mandatory meeting this afternoon at Park View, tonight the Red Hats are going to the movie Mama Mia together.  Sans the hats, thank goodness!

Good to read all your posts today!

[Marilyn]

Welcome Home
Ruth Ann

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Awwww - thanks, Marilyn. I'm not going to say much except Marilyn's right, I'm home now.

Very tired, and need to "unwind" but not certain how to do it.

More later,

Ruth Ann

[Pat]

Oh, a big Welcome Home from me too, Ruth Ann!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone. 

I also want to say "Welcome Home" to Ruth Ann.  We have been following your progress in the surgery and rehab.

Pat, a PICC line is like an IV except that it is more permanent and can be used for up to six months.  It avoids the constant need to be stuck with a needle every few days.  The one she had before was place in the upper inter arm and the little tube run through the vein down beside the heart.  I expect this will be the same.  There is also a port where they can draw blood for testing without having to do a new stick.  Her poor right hand and arm are about shot as they couldn't use the left arm or hand because the artery was removed from that arm.  We are still not certain if she will be able to come home late this afternnoon (as this depends on how much bleeding there is from the Picc line and last time there was quite a bit) and also whether she gets the orthopedic boot and walker that she needs today.  I don't think she expects to be able to be discharged today but we can hope.  This is day 16 for her in the hospital.

Janet, the tabs I referred to are a part of Firefox and Internet Explorer 7.  You use them to have multiple pages open at once and just click on them and the page you want is displayed.  I really enjoy having them to use.  I am guessing that you haven't upgraded to MS Internet Explorer 7 and, if not, I would encourage you to do so.  Have you ever used Firefox as your browser?  I have to say it is my favorite.

Good to see all of the other postings and Jeannine it sounds like things have been going better for you, which I am glad to hear.  Time for coffee and the beginning of a long and busy day as we travel to the hospital.

[melody]

How are you all today? I just finished my devotions and its starting to warm up so I figured now might be a good time to try to get in a good walk.
Ruth Ann  good to see you home I have prayed for you.
Thanking God for His faithfulness last night in bible study. I know the word God gave to me ministered to the people and God is so faithful.
Have a good day!!

[JudyB]

Melody you posted as I was about to!! I love your good morning. 

This is now Wednesday and

"This is the day that the Lord has made, Let us rejoice and be glad in it!!!"

I have Kassie sick again, same problem, her throat, she was off the antibiotics for a week before it all started up again.  I will try and see if I can get her into my doctor.

We are having a slow day again at the store.  There is a Kids Sweing class this afternoon and That will push the time along for me.  We have signed Kassie up for piano again, at the rate of $18 per half hour.  That is up $2 from last September.  Pricey, but she has a gift so we will continue.  Elizabeth has asked to take lessons in Dog Training.  That is $70 for 10 weeks.  Well she has a gift with young children and animals so we will do this as well.  She will need to find out when the class begins.

I must go, time to start work.

Have a great day and God bless.  Know you are all being prayed for.
JudyB

[Etta Sue]

I don't have anywhere to go today but I am busy at home.  Ready to hang the third load of laundry on the line.   

It is bright and sunny so all the laundry should dry easy today. 

I got my driver's license last evening.  They recently moved to a newer larger building.  Really nice and it only took 10 minutes to get my license...including the eye test and my picture taken.  Quick!  That's good.  I can remember waiting for over an hour to get my license. 

I have nothing on my agenda to do until church Sunday morning and a church picnic Sunday afternoon.

<OO> <oo> <OO> <oo> <OO> <oo> <OO> <oo> <OO> <oo>

[Carol]

The noise here is deafening.  Two guys are tearing up stained carpet & worn vinyl.  The street outside is being worked on as well.  Oh well, it will all end someday. 

Melody:  Love that huge cup of coffee or tea.  I drink both - usually coffee in the AM.  Thanks.  You have some beautiful artwork in here.

Oh joy!  Someone is pounding now. 

Two sons are coming tonight to help us take down all the blinds and other things in prep for painting at 6:30 A.M. tomorrow.  We are just going to be in the basement - it is a nice walk-out.  I set up our coffee table (overturned empty box) and camp chairs.  The radio may work - we can play music.  Some lights & now to find something to read and we are good to go.  Will stay in the basement for about another week - there is bathroom, a little bar sink, & little ref so we can microwave anything & make coffee & tea.  I will pick up pizza and salad - come on down!!!

Just reading a little of Daily Works and I hope to restart that habit.  It is always a good refresh.

[Janet]

WELCOME HOME, RUTH ANN!!I hope you unwind and get used to being there really soon.  You have been in my prayers.

Melody, your graphics are so lovely.  Etta Sue has some help with that, now! We have enjoyed hers for a long time, sure brightens things up in here!

My morning swim was a half mile plus 4 today, which equals 5/8 mile. 

I am dreading tomorrow.  We are taking Beth to Amarillo, and she is not really able to go.  She has been on her rear end for well over two years now, and the pain is becoming unbearable.  And she will have to be in her power wheel chair for the whole long day, with no relief.......   Poor girl.  She said the nurse looked at her today and said the skin is really showing signs of breakdown, yet nobody seems to have any answers for her.  I hope the doctors in Amarillo will at least have some suggestions. 

I need to pack a few items of clothing in case we have to stay in Amarillo overnight or longer.

Carol, your "camp site" sounds pretty comfortable, if not for the noise!    I'll be over for supper tomorrow night!  Or not!  But will give you a call when we get to Denver probably next month.

Larry, I hope they didn't have any trouble installing Stacey's Picc line today and that she will soon be home.  It's always so good to get home!

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hi, friends,

It's been a good day, but very busy. Visits from different persons at the home health care agency - phys therapy, that nurse's supervisor, and the social worker. The occupational therapist hasn't come yet.

While there was no time to get warmed up before he came, the physical therapist said my readings were excellent at 105 degrees of flexion and -2 degrees from being completely flat. Tomorrow the big exercise routine starts, since today was really an assessment day.

It was right at noon when the social worker came and I abandoned fixing a bit of lunch to meet with her. Well, I kept on falling asleep - even in mid-sentence! Finally we got the meeting over with and I took my blood sugar - yikes! it was only 46! No wonder I was falling asleep. It's been OK since then, though.

Was making a pasta/hamburger italian dish for supper when my next door neighbor brought over the most delicious tuna, mushroom, noodle casserole. So, I enjoyed her's instead and then finished cooking mine for tomorrow. I can't believe I'm a day ahead on cooking!

Y'all have a great rest of the day, friends.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  It looks like I may be the first to post today.  I am just back from coffee. 

Yesterday we did go to the hospital but did not stay downtown last night.  They did put in the PICC line for our daughter and she got the boot for her foot.  However, they wanted her to stay an additional night.  She is suppose to be released today.  We will not head down there until she has an indication of the time she will be released.  Last time it took us four hours to get through the pharmacy process but the doctor told her last night they will go ahead and get the prescriptions to the pharmacy and they should be ready when she is dismissed.  I will believe it when I see it.  She wants to stop by her apartment on the way back to our house so that will involve getting the wheel chair out of the truck again and getting her into the apartment building and her climbing 5 steps and getting back into the wheelchair.  It will all work out but sure it will be a very tiring day for us all.

Ruth Ann, it sounds like next time you better eat while you are talking.  Nice to see you posting and glad you are home.

Janet, I will be thinking about you all today as know this is going to be such a challenging trip for you all.  Hope the doctor is able to offer something positive. 

Carol, it is good you have a place to stay while all the work is being done.  How many days will it take them to do the painting.  Nice that you sons are able to help you get ready for the painters. 

Etta Sue, it sounds like your State has made the same type of improvements as has ours.  It used to be a real ordeal at the DMV but the last time I had to get my car plates or driver's license it was a breeze.

Judy, I am shocked at the price of piano lessons.  I remember that I took 7 years of lessons and had an hour lesson each week for fifty cents.  I think it was about $5 per half hour when my children took piano lessons and I thought that was expensive.  Sorry to hear of the return of the illness for Kassie.

Melody, what a stunning graphic.  Hope you had a good walk.