Thoughts for the Week~Feb. 24

[Etta Sue]

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Morning Devotional...

Jesus Answers Questions
Luke 20:20-40 NLT

  Watching for their opportunity, the leaders sent spies pretending to be honest men. They tried to get Jesus to say something that could be reported to the Roman governor so he would arrest Jesus.  "Teacher," they said, "we know that you speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think. You teach the way of God truthfully.  Now tell us—is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

   He saw through their trickery and said,  "Show me a Roman coin. Whose picture and title are stamped on it?"

   "Caesar's," they replied.

   "Well then," he said, "give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God."

   So they failed to trap him by what he said in front of the people. Instead, they were amazed by his answer, and they became silent.

   Then Jesus was approached by some Sadducees—religious leaders who say there is no resurrection from the dead.  They posed this question: "Teacher, Moses gave us a law that if a man dies, leaving a wife but no children, his brother should marry the widow and have a child who will carry on the brother's name.  Well, suppose there were seven brothers. The oldest one married and then died without children.  So the second brother married the widow, but he also died.  Then the third brother married her. This continued with all seven of them, who died without children.  Finally, the woman also died.  So tell us, whose wife will she be in the resurrection? For all seven were married to her!"

  Jesus replied, "Marriage is for people here on earth.  But in the age to come, those worthy of being raised from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage.  And they will never die again. In this respect they will be like angels. They are children of God and children of the resurrection.

  "But now, as to whether the dead will be raised—even Moses proved this when he wrote about the burning bush. Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, he referred to the Lord as 'the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.'  So he is the God of the living, not the dead, for they are all alive to him."

   "Well said, Teacher!" remarked some of the teachers of religious law who were standing there.  And then no one dared to ask him any more questions.

How do you really feel about living forever?

   The Sadducees came to Jesus to say something they could refute.  Even so, Jesus did not ignore or belittle their question.  He answered it and then went beyond it to the real issue. 

   When people ask you tough religious questions, such as "How can a loving God allow people to starve?" or, "If God knows what I'm going to do, do I have any free choice?" follow Jesus' example.  First answer the question to the best of your ability; then look for the real issue--hurt over a personal tragedy, for example, or difficulty in making a decision. 

   Often the spoken question is only a test, not of your ability to answer hard questions, but of your willingness to listen and care.
The Best of the Bible--365 Must-Read Bible Passages

[Gord Brown]

    Good early Monday Morning to all.

  Al and Etta Sue.  Thank you for youe Devotional's they were excelent and much appreciated.

Judy B.  I will try to phone you as we are going away.

The Lord's timing is so wonderful as we have had a trip planned to go to Florida for a long time. My wife has a family friend that is like an aunt to her and ahe has tried to get us to come for many many years so we are going.  As you all know that Noreen my wife has had much pain with her back since surgery 5 years ago and the Lord has revealed to us a clinic in Florida that specializes in fixing many types of problem backs.   We are very excited but also a little scared as it is so expensive but we know if it is the Lord's will that will all be worked out.  Our government may pay some of it so our first app. is the 12th. and the 13th. of March so we ask for your prayers.

We also ask for you to pray for our safety as we travel by air and on the road.

I have gone through the post's and will pray for you all and for each specific need.  All I do hope that you contiue to get better sleep and Larry drive safely on the way home.

I will not be on C.P. till the end of March as I do not have a computer but if I do I will try to get to  send some info.

So please do not send any emails after the 27th. of Feb. thanks.

God Bless you all.   Gordon and Noreen.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  Just a brief note today as we are about ready to go out to breakfast and then we will pack up the car to be ready for the next leg of the trip.  We will just be driving about 2 hours or so today. 

Gord, all of the libraries have computer with Internet access and it cost nothing to use them.  I have done this many times when I haven't had a computer with me.

I have read all the messages but don't have time to make individual comments as the group is ready to go to breakfast and I need to put my computer away. 

Larry

[Janet]

Happy Monday, folks!  I'm just stopping by for a minute to say hello, am going to help my hubby work today.  Please pray for our safety as this job requires standing on the top of a 10 foot ladder to hook up cameras.  Thanks!

[karmat]

Hello all!  It sure is Monday.

I'm waiting for the dr to call back.  Little Miss Kristi just decided to swallow a penny!  I can't imagine what would happen to this child if she was ever unsupervised.  So, such is life in the day of the Shuford's/

Other than that, not much happening.  Gotta run.

Take care.

[Marilyn]

Karma I think the Dr. will tell you not to worry that the penny will just pass on through.

I am ready for work, have to stop and get gas at the bottom of the hill before going to work. Think small hill. We do live at the edge of the coast range of mtns.

Sun shining at the moment, Surprise!! I see I am going to have to mow again when it dries out just  a little bit. This rain then sun is pulling the grass right out of the ground LOL. 

[Al Moak]

But there is a problem in planning to mow as soon as it dries enough - it isn't going to dry.  It will keep on raining.  We live in the north wet part of California, right next to the greater Northwet of Oregon and Washington.  I for one am thankful, though, not to live in colder climes, where snow replaces rain and ice replaces wet.

I'm going to Mad River Community Hospital today to get Xrays of this hip of mine.  Hopefully it'll make it more possible to accurately diagnose whatever my problem is.

[karmat]

Can't believe ya'll are thinking/talking of mowing the grass!!  Wow.  We've still got a few weeks reprieve from that, anyway.

The dr. hasn't called back about my one penny kristi.  I'm not too terribly concerned.  She is eating lunch right now, and has been her "normal" active self all morning.  If she starts complaining of a stomach ache, or it hasn't "shown itself" in a few days, I'll press the doc a bit more.  Until then, though, we're just chalking it up to Kristi being Kristi. 

Until then. . . . .

[Pat]

I had a child always swallowing things...straight pins, coal, ets.

Give her lots of bread or cookies so that this will surround the penny and help it through the bowels. 

[Al Moak]

Nowadays, with Kristi, there's a certain "scent" about her.

[Pat]

No mowing of grass here till after May 24th weekend at least!

[Pat]

Nowadays, with Kristi, there's a certain "scent" about her.

HAHAHAHA!  Al, that is a good one! 

[Samantha]

  Karma, when my son was 3, he took a sales circular we got in the mail and chewed on it and then took a small piece and stuffed up one nostril.  Well, when it got up too far it went to hurting him, which is when he let me know what he did.  One quick trip to the Dr.'s office fixed him right up.  It took me and 3 nurses to hold him while the Dr. pulled it out.  There was no way I could have removed that by myself!  He was doing that because some girl at church told him she did that when she was younger!     Kristi sounds like a typical 3 year old. I'll be praying for her that the penny doesn't bother her in any way.  Don't you just love being a mother of small children?  Or older children for that matter.  There is never a dull moment in my house.

Later,
Samantha

[ScottyBoy]

         A few years ago, my friends little brother shoved one of those little flat batteries up his nose! He had to go to the doctor to get it out.

His mom must have been really mad.

[Ruth Ann Bice]

And, I gave my oldest (probably about 4) a small box of raisins. Half went up the nostrils, and the other half into the ears!

Of course, the doctor chuckled all the way through the extraction process. 

[Janet]

Karma, when Beth was about 18 months old, she swallowed a 1/4 X 1 1/2 inch bolt!!  I didn't know it until it showed up in her diaper!    A great niece swallowed a needle, and it gave her appendicitis and she had to have surgery.  Sharp objects are so much more dangerous than a round penny!  My grandson Curtis, when he was little, found a penny in the toy box, put it in his mouth, got it stuck in his throat, and when I saw him, he was leaning over, drooling and turning red!  I gave him a quick Heimlich thrust, the penny popped out, and boy, was I relieved!

I hope Kristi soon devalues by 1 cent!  How is Nard?  I miss that guy!

Pat, are you up to your ears in plans and arrangements? 

[Al Moak]

Apparently I never swallowed much money when I was little, 'cause I don't seem to be able to reach any now.

Well, I had my xrays, and now I'm just waiting to find out what I'm supposed to do next.  I've been doing reasonably well, though, and it's just possible that the lifts in my left shoe are doing what they're supposed to do.  It's the waiting that drives me bannanas (or nuts, or wacky, ...).

[karmat]

Nothing has turned up yet.  :/  When the nurse called me back to tell me what the doctor said, we had a good laugh about "techniques" to use if she wasn't potty trained yet.  She's not (actually, she refused to be, but that is another story), so it is pretty straightforward.   If it has not surfaced by Thursday or Friday, though, we are to call back and make plans from there to see where it could be.  The joys of motherhood!

Bernard is very, very busy at work.  He says he is almost back to "normal."  Apparently, the downward slide before his heart surgery was a bit worse than he thought.  It has taken him this long to get back to feeling like his old self (his surgery was in April of last year). 

Hope all of you have a great day!  Thanks for the stories -- all of them were an encouragement.  Sometimes I wonder what God was thinking when He gave me kids. 

[JudyB]

Pat remember one of your little ones swallowing a pin?  When I was little (about 3 or 4) I used to swallow marbles, I don't think mom or dad ever knew about that.  The novelty soon wore off.

Busy at work these days, We had a very noisy muffler and that is now fixed.  I thank God for this job.

Al Hope you get to the bottom of the problem with your hip.  I understand the waiting problem  it does drive one nutz!

Must run work to do.

Blessings everyone.

[Pat]

Yes, Judy, that was Ian over in Ireland.  It was when he swallowed the straight pin that I started checking his diaper for it and found so many other things!!!!

It sure was something to view the x-ray and see that straight pin shining so brightly on the x-ray on it's way through his bowels point first!!

[Pat]

WD-40

Received in an email today...

"I had a neighbor who had bought a new pickup. I got up very early one Sunday morning and saw that someone had spray painted red all around the sides of this beige truck (for some unknown reason). I
went over, woke him up, and told him the bad news. He was very upset and was trying to figure out what to do, probably nothing until Monday morning since nothing was open.

Another neighbor came out and told him to get his WD-40 and clean it off. It removed the unwanted paint beautifully and did not harm his paint job that was on the truck. I'm impressed! WD-40 who knew?

Water Displacement #40.
The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts.  WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a 'water displacement' compound. They were successful with the fortieth
formulation, thus WD-40. The Corvair Company bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts.

Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you.

When you read the 'shower door' part, try it. It's the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door. If yours is plastic, < BR>it works just as well as glass. It's a miracle! Then try it on your stovetop...Voila! It's now shinier than it's ever been. You'll be amazed.

Here are some of the uses:

• Protects silver from tarnishing.
• Removes road tar and grime from cars.
• Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
• Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making it slippery.
• Keeps flies off cows.
• Restores and cleans chalkboards.
• Removes lipstick stains.
• Loosens stubborn zippers.
• Untangles jewelry chains.
• Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
• Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.
• Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxid izing.
• Removes tomato stains from clothing.
• Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.
• Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
• Keeps scissors working smoothly.
• Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes
• It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor! Use WD- 40 for those nasty tar  and scuff marks on flooring. It doesn't seem to harm the finish and you won't have to scrub nearly as hard to get them off. Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks.
• Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly! Use WD-40!
• Gives a children's play gym slide a shine for a super fast slide.
• Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of h andling on riding mowers.
• Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.
• Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open.
• Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.
• Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.
• Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
• Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.
• Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.
• Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.
• Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.
• Removes splattered grease on stove.
• Keeps b athroom mirror from fogging.
• Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
• Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
• Removes all traces of duct tape.
• Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain.
• Florida 's favorite use is: 'cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.
• The favorite use in the state of New York WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.
• WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a LITTLE on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. Also, it's a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose. Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not allowed in some states.
• Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch.
• WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag.
• Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and re-wash. Presto! Lipstick is gone!
• If you sprayed WD-40 on the distributor cap, it would displace the moisture and allow the car to start.
• Keep a can of WD-40 in the kitchen, it is good for oven burns or any other type of burn. It takes the burned feeling away and heals with NO scarring.

The basic ingredient is FISH OIL.

[Marilyn]

I see I'd better check in to let y-all know I am still here reading all your posts and praying where needed. The only excuse I have for not posting is that I have been preoccupied. It is beautiful outside today and I will be getting out there to walk  the dogs in a little while.

Yesterday I bought some organic Red Lentil and Curry soup and OMG it is so good. I am going to have some more tonight and also a salad. I have 2 lbs to meet my goal that I set  1½ yrs ago to get down to 160lbs from almost 180lbs. I have lost 13.50 inches and 9.30 lbs of body fat. WoooHoooo!!!Hallelujah! I have been eating a lot of fruit and veggies and soup at least once per day. Trying to stay away from the sweets, but not to successful at that as my clients have me doing a lot of baking and eating sweets.

[Etta Sue]

I'm baaa-aack!

It sure was nice while it lasted. 

First, let me tell you about my fall!  Picture this.  The alarm rings.  I get up, brush my teeth and hair...not the same brush, get dressed, and load my arms with my purse, camera bag, pillow and overnight bag.  I am on my way to the garage.  There was snow on the drive with tire tracks.  I suddenly with both feet, slide forward...then backward..then forward...all the time trying to move my upper body opposite of the direction my feet were moving.  At last, I realized that I was not going to stay vertical.   I fell.  Right on my back.  At least, I held my head up.  My backside stung...my left elbow stung.  I tried to stand up but it was impossible.  So I scooted to the edge of the drive and stood up in the snow.  Everything worked.  I went on to the garage and drove my car to the deck.

Now that I think about it...why didn't I have my outside lights on?  Duh!  It was dark...6:30am.  I came back in the house and got my big suitcase, put it in the trunk and drove to Ivalou's and loaded her stuff and off we went.  The first stop, I checked my elbow in the restroom.  Sure enough...bummed up.  Big red spot and blood. 

The next day, my neck hurt from holding my head up and the sudden jolt.  When I got to Florida I noticed a dark blue spot on my left 'cheek'!  Now all is fine. 

Florida...ah, Florida.  Beautiful weather...no rain until the night before we left and it wasn't a long rain or cold either.  Lots of food in Florida.  Lots of sunshine.  And Larry, we were leaving St. Pete as you were arriving.  Ivalou and I went to the mini-bash for SrNetters.  Pictures on SrNet. 

I made a miss Q almost to Nashville on the way home.  The little man (GPS) didn't tell me to make a legal U-turn, just directed me to a US highway.  I drove and drove on this highway...stops and starts...over 60 miles.  Finally I stopped and got the big atlas out and was north of Nashville and fairly close to I-65 near White House, Tennessee.  So west, I went.  Otherwise, the little man wanted me to go on US31 through Kentucky!  We saw snow on the ground at the 17 mile-marker in Indiana on I-65!!  We didn't get home until after dark and I was bushed.  I brought everything in and changed clothes to watch TV with my feet up.  I notice something move out of the corner of my eye.  SNOW!!!  Great big quarter size flakes just floating to the ground.  Beautiful but in a few minutes everything was covered. 

Today it has been snowing but sleety snow. We were suppose to go to Beef and Boards but cancelled out.  Going Thursday night to see "West Side Story'. 

That's it.  So happy to be away for awhile but happy to be back home.

Thanks, Pat, for posting the devotion for me.  I owe you one!

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

[Etta Sue]

How do I get to the Gallery?

[Janet]

WELCOME HOME, ETTA SUE!!!  We missed you, glad you had a good time and got home safely.  Bummer about your fall, but happy no serious damage was done.  Now you can really emphasize with Jane! 

Our piano teacher has decided to try a different method of teaching me.  She is so thrilled with Darrel, brags and brags on him (I'm proud of him, too) but it makes me feel quite inadequate.  Maybe I should just stick to painting!

My first day at the new job is tomorrow.  Hope I like it and do well.

Pretty weather, cool but not as windy here today.

Talk to you later!

[Carol]

We are home - Tuscon is just under 1,000 miles from our home and we made it in a day and half of driving.  We sure don't rise and shine as early as we used to when travelling. 

Janet:  Good luck with your new job.  You are so brave, I don't think I could get a job now.  Unless, it would be a lot of talking and good coffee to boot.

Etta Sue:  Welcome back, sorry about your scarey fall.

It snowed all last night but when we drove through the state of Colorado, the roads were clear all the way home.  The mountains were spectacular.  Loads of snow and we will have water in many areas this year and even heard that this will bring Lake Powell up 50 feet.  That lake is still under normal measure.  Our oldest son said that this was the first weekend in months he has not had to plow at the cabin.  Actually, he has one cabin for sale but prospective buyers have not been able to get there during the week = snow has been too deep this year.

We are bragging on one grandson - besides being such a good boy, he is number #1 in goals and assists in the hockey league.  All of us know who the real #1 is in our lives  and, he is being brought up to be humble in accomplishment and thankful as well.

I just love parts of Arizona in wintertime but most of all, going there gives us a chance to be with good and faithful friends and relatives.  It was really important that my good friend and I had an entire evening alone so she could talk extensively about their son who died 3 years ago.  Many tears for sure.

Pat:  I haven't had time to read all the posts.  Sorry, I did not catch photos of the birds.

Carol

[Ruth]

I have just finished reading all of the posts from this weak.  Not really to much around here except I am  sick and tired of the telephone marketers. I think they are all trying to sell windows and doors. 

The only other not so new thing is that we are getting more snow.

Have a great evening.     Ruth

[Pat]

WELCOME HOME, ETTA SUE!!!

Great to have you back.  So sorry that you fell though.

[Pat]

WELCOME HOME, CAROL!!!

Great to have you home too!

[Jane Walker]

Welcome home, Etta Sue and Carol ... Looks like our CP family are all finding their way back to the nest.  I think Larry is on his way, as well.     

Sorry about your fall, Etta Sue ... I sure know how that feels.   

I have appointments in the morning ... first an EKG, then to the lab for a blood draw and then to have another chest X-Ray ... I think I'll be ready for breakfast after I'm through there!  This is all just in preparation for the Gastroscopy on the 7th.  No biggie.