Thoughts for the Week~Sept. 22

[Pat]

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Morning Devotional...


Mercy for the Believer
Alistair Begg

Have mercy on me, O God.
Psalms 51:1

When one of God's choice servants, William Carey, was suffering from a dangerous illness, the inquiry was made, "If this sickness should prove fatal, what passage would you select as the text for your funeral sermon?" He replied, "Oh, I feel that such a poor sinful creature is unworthy to have anything said about him; but if a funeral sermon must be preached, let it be from the words, 'Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.'" In the same spirit of humility he directed in his will that the following inscription and nothing more should be cut on his gravestone:

WILLIAM CAREY, BORN AUGUST 17th, 1761:
DIED-
"A wretched, poor, and helpless worm
On Your kind arms I fall."

Only on the footing of free grace can the most experienced and most honored of the saints approach their God. The best of men are conscious above all others that they are men at best. Empty boats float high, but heavily laden vessels are low in the water; mere professors can boast, but true children of God cry for mercy upon their unprofitableness. We need the Lord to have mercy upon our good works, our prayers, our preaching, our offerings, and our living sacrifices. The blood was not only sprinkled on the doorposts of Israel's houses, but upon the sanctuary, the mercy-seat, and the altar, because as sin intrudes upon our holiest things, the blood of Jesus is needed to purify them from defilement. If mercy is needed to be exercised toward our duties, what will be said of our sins? How sweet the remembrance that inexhaustible mercy is waiting to be gracious to us, restore our backslidings, and make our broken bones rejoice!

[Jeanne Lee]

Wonderful devotional, Pat.  We are weak and we do indeed need the mercy of our Heavenly Father at all times.

[JohnB]

Hi Folks. Hope all of you are well. Just read through all the posts. So nice to see all of you interacting here on CP. Well I'm getting an extended weekend as the truck is in the shop and I think finally getting to the bottom of the problem. I have been saying all along that I thought the problem was in the computer and they are finally going in that direction and have ordered a new Light Control Module for the truck. Hopefully they will have this completed tomorrow. Judy is not complaining at all about my extra time at home. Had a very enjoyable visit with some friends from the past.They are a couple in ministry. Him being a pastor and she went to high school with Judy a few years back. We had a great time of catching up and comparing the years we were not in contact. We were blessed by their visit as they stayed with us for 2 nights. Judy and I seem to be reconnecting with friends from the past lately which has been great. Weather is starting to cool here now and the trees are now really starting turn colour with the yellows, reds, browns, oranges etc. This is a nice time of year here but it also means that winter is around the corner. Going to go for now  Blessings everyone.

[Marilyn]

Good evening everyone, it has been raining here most of theday and the wind has started to gust quite a bit. Not much new around here at this time, i just wanted to check in to say hello.

John it is always good to reconnect with old friends.

[Jeanne Lee]

John, it's always a pleasure to see a post from you and I know when I see it that Judy is happy.  Because I know it means you're home!     I hope they find the problem with the lights on your truck.  I know it can be dangerous for you and others on the road when they don't work right. 

Marilyn, always good to have you check in, even when there hasn't been much activity to report.   

Fall is definitely making an appearance here.  Down into the 30's at night and struggling to reach 60 or 65 during the day.  Sunny and gusting winds with some trees losing leaves that haven't changed color yet. 

[Carol]

Thank you for devotions. 

Fall is here and we are home as it is snowing up the hill.  The cabin - really a 4 bedroom house - is totally empty.  We have not closed the sale and they sent a message that the exterior needed to be re-stained immediately.  Not possible.  It is too cold now - they must want money.  Our son is going to mediate that issue and I am praying to stay grounded on this matter.  We left some important and rather expensive things for the new owners and did so much to make it almost perfect then to receive this demand so late in the game sent me to a dreadful "down" time for a little while.

Ruth Ann:  It is very thoughtful of you to mention the displaced people in this flood and wash out region.  We know that "Feed The Children" is here with a lot of trucks as there are so many poor people who have lost really everything and probably cannot rebuild.  Some roads may never be rebuilt or are years down the timeline. 

Jane:  Do hope you have more computer time and for sure I wish the best jobs for everyone. 

I do have a sweet story.  A farmer living near some homes that were about to be swamped with flood water went to his field and turned on the spigot of water from the creek to flood his fields instead of the homes.  He is a hero to the homeowners as he lost his crop.  (I don't know exactly how he flooded his own crop but it was a selfless and thoughtful act of mercy). 

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone on a beautiful Monday morning here in Georgia.  It was actually cool this morning and I put on a sweater for the first time at McDonald's.  We went to "Always Fresh" restaurant yesterday after church with 5 other friends and the food was so good on the buffet. I ate a lot more than I usually do but we won't go there often as it is quite a few miles from here.  I just have my usual Monday activities but am feeling rested again so that is helpful.  Pat really dislikes the Windows 8 on the new computer so think I will trade her computers.  Mine is fairly new and has Windows 7 as does her laptop.  I will just have to move her files again and load the games onto my computer and then switch them.  It will just take a little time.  It will take me a couple of days to get this done depending on how much I work on it. 

Janet, great idea on showing us the cards.  I know Darrel will be delighted to not have to deal with the catheter and can understand why he might be hesitant to get out in public very much.

Pat, thanks for the Thoughts for this Week. 

John, hope they find and fix the problem with your truck.  However, probably nice to enjoy and extended weekend.  Always nice to reconnect with old friends. 

Marilyn, as always good to see your posting. We didn't get any rain yesterday. 

Jeanne, also always good to see your posting as well remember when you went into the hospital and disappeared from us and we were all worried for you.  It sounds like fall has found you. 

Carol, you are probably right about the new buyers trying to get a reduction in price or some money from you all.  That should have been in the contract.  Selling, as you know, is always a nervous time as until the paper is signed on the dotted line something can go wrong. 

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  I see no one has posted here since I did yesterday morning fairly early.  Pat has gone to Kroger's for some groceries and later this morning I will go to a meeting and that should pretty well do it for the day.  Hope everyone has a nice day.  It is very overcast here but don't think any rain is forecase for today.

[Pat]

Good Morning Larry!

I wonder where eveyone is.  It's a lovely day here in Guelph.  A bit chilly but not too much.

I'm waiting for a call from the dr. to see if I can get in to see her.

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Good afternoon, friends,

Well, here I am. I wanted to go to the devotions this morning, so set the alarm and God caused me to awake even before the alarm. When I walked in to be refreshed, they pressed me into service at the piano! Some of the choruses I had sung, but never saw them in printed form until today. However, He helped me to easily sight read them and play without difficulty. Isn't God good! He sees our need and supplies his strength, mercy and grace.


A sweet friend that I take to the doctors was at church Sunday morning. As she was getting into a car to go to lunch with us, she suddenly had such a pain in her left ankle area that our pastor and one of the men in hte church had to lift her into the car. Now, she's hospitalized with the leg broken. She's really elderly, so I wonder if that leg just broke on its own without stresses. I think I'll go out to see her this afternoon.

Well, must close and try to get a few things done before leaving the apartment.

Much love to everyone,
Ruth Ann

[Jeanne Lee]

Ruth Ann, your friend's bone may very well have broken without any real cause.  That's one of the things my doctor warned me about when my osteoporosis was first discovered.  With the last five years of treatment, my bones are hopefully getting stronger.

[Janet]

I wanted to check in with you folks here before going to town to do some errands.  We went to Liberal this morning, where Darrel saw his doctor, got the catheter removed and another testosterone shot.  He is having trouble with leakage and may for several weeks, they told him.  But there was NO sign of cancer in any of the tests!!  PTL.  He is still not to lift more than 5 pounds, no driving, no exercise for at least three more weeks.  But he is doing well.

Carol, what a loving and sacrificial thing that farmer did, to save his neighbors' houses!  Wow!  He will have some stars added to his crown, for sure!  Sure hope the issue re the staining gets resolved in your favor!!

Larry, I haven't yet heard anyone liking Windows 8!  But I sure have heard a lot about people disliking it!  I don't want to deal with it, for sure!  It sounds as if they need to scrap it and start over!

Yesterday was BAD here--winds of 62 mph!!    UGH.  But today is really nice! 

I must get some things done, and stop procrastinating!!

[Gord Brown]

   Well I will try again to send this.  Noreen and have been busy between going to physio and also doing things with the family and birthdays with my granddaughter and her Mum  

Noreen goes 3 times a week for physio and I go once then doing things with the grand kids has kept us very busy.  We have had some mixed weather but today was a very nice day.  John it was nice to read your post.

Well it is very late and I do have to get up to go do my volunteer so I must go to sleep.  God's richest blessings to all and may you all have a wonderful week.   Gordon and Noreen.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  It started to rain this morning a little before 7am and is suppose to have light rain on and off throughout the day.  We attended Bible study at the church and then spent and hour at Dunkin' Donuts with friends.  As soon as I finish my lunch I will rest for a couple of hours.  Pat has an appointment for a massage this afternoon, something she has never done before, and sure hope it gives her some relief.  When we got home I called the theater and purchased season tickets for the five remaining shows of the season.  Nothing else on the schedule for today and Pat says we will probably have a frozen dinner this evening. 

Pat, hope you got to see your doctor.

Ruth Ann, too bad about your elderly friend and the broken bone.  Pat's 97 year old aunt has had two broken hips the same way where the bone just appeared to break.  Glad you were able to read the music at your devotional service. 

Jeanne, hope your bones have become stronger.  I have been taking calcium plus vitamin D everyday.  I don't have osteoporosis but something a stage before that. 

Janet, glad that Darrel is doing well even if there is a continued annoying situation but it sounds short lived and normal for the procedure.  I understand there is suppose to be a change issued to Windows 8 that will address some of the concerns people have with Windows 8.  Pat has decided to continue on with the Windows 8 rather than switch computers with me so will put that project on the back burner as it can always be done in the future.

Gord, getting to those physio appointments can really fill the day.  Do you get to both do your physio  appointments at the same trip?

[Gord Brown]

 :)Hi Larry.  Noreen has her physio app. three times a week but mine is only on Monday and at a different place.  Hope all is well.  How is your daughter doing?  Talk to you soon.  By the way where is every one today?   Gordon.

[Pat]

Hi Everyone...

Yesterday...  lab and doctor...  Then to bed early.  High BP problem and never had that in my life!

Today, drove to Purolator to get something returned and now making Quiche Cups to Go so have 15 minutes till I go to the oven.


Hi Larry and Gord!

[Jeanne Lee]

My roof, 21 years old, is in need of repair.  I searched the local Pennysaver News and the Yellow Pages for roofers and got seven names/phone numbers.  Three numbers are disconnected.  One from out of town is too busy and doesn't want new business this far.  Three were local and I left a message for each one.  Of those, one has so far returned my call and made an appointment for tomorrow to give me an estimate.  Sigh!

[Pat]

I had my roof replaced a few years ago and they put on a 25 year roof so I'm sure it will do me!

[Marilyn]

Hi everyone, I thought I would stop by for a few minutes to see what all y'all have been doing. On Monday we had 53 animals in  for surgery, I worked the recovery bed alone  for about 10 hours.  Two of the volunteers that usually are there to help me weren't there, one was sick and the other dealing with family problems so the receptionist and her husband were a great help in carrying the dogs back to the kennels  because I couldn't leave the bed unattended. Yesterday was 35 animals and today was 16 so I got home at 1:30 today. Monday night I was so tired I wasn't abut to do any cooking when I got home so I stopped for a Little Caesars pizza on the way home.

Carol how nice of you to leave  some nice things for the new owners and I don't think  they should have demanded the staining .

Larry and Janet I don't have any problems with Windows 8. Well one thing Firefox keeps freezing up and a window pops up telling me to either continue or stop the plugin. I don't know how to fix that or what is causing it. I could re-configure my computer but that would wipe out all my programs and put my computer back to the way it was when I bought it. This computer is one of the new All in One's no tower everything is in the monitor and the monitor is very lightweight. I opted not to have the touch screen.

[Janet]

Good evening, friends.  It's been quite a day for us here.  We had to go sign some business papers, go to the bank, go get a tire on the car checked, etc.  This has been Darrel's worst day yet, and he was in so much pain, then took too many pain pills and was really zonked out.  So he slept for hours in his chair, while I got some framing done and worked in my studio.  Oh, yeah, there were meals to prepare, too.    Then I went to see about Beth, and fed her her supper, went in to see Maxine but found her asleep.  Back home, got the mail and had a letter from the lady who organizes the trips with the Hugoton bunch, and discovered that they have changed the dates!    Instead of leaving on October 18, we are leaving on the 10th!!  This means changing three doctor's appointments, plus other things.  She said "I thought I marked that out on all those flyers!"  But she didn't change it on the one we got.  Oh, well, in the overall scheme of things, this is a small thing, a minor inconvenience.  But it does mean that Darrel has 8 days less to recover than we had planned on his having.

I have read all the posts, and wish you all a really good night of sleep---and myself too!!  I really do need it!

See you tomorrow!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  Here it is 8 am and still basically dark outside as guess it is still overcast.  It rained lightly off and on all day yesterday.  Pat went yesterday afternoon and had the first massage she has ever had.  She tolerated it well and has set some appointments as the therapist feels she can help her with some of the pains she is suffering.  This morning a friend is picking me up and we are going out to breakfast here in my little town.  Pat is going to the Senior Center a little later this morning to meet a longtime friend and they plan to go out to eat together for lunch.  It has been a long time she they have seen each other.  This evening we have a cake to take to our church as there is a special dinner tonight for disadvantaged high schooler's in the high school that is very close to our church.  Some of our church members go to the school after hours and work with these young people in tutoring or just being a friend who cares.  There will be another dinner for them at the end of the school term. Last year there were over 200 young folks who attended the dinners. That will be it for today. 

Gord,  Thanks for the info on your different places for physio treatments.  Stacey isn't doing very well and has gone into a deep depression.  The doctor yesterday got her lined up for some help starting with an appointment today and increased the anti-represented medication she is on. 

Pat, sorry to hear that you now have some BP problems.  Hope medication will soon have those under control. 

Jeanne, it seems that owning a home always generates some new repair that is needed.  I think we have our roof situation under control as had a new roof put on a couple of years ago.  Now I need to probably have the springs in my garage door openers replaced before they break and Pat wants a new stove (she needs it) and some new flooring in the kitchen.  Also our AC/Furnace and hot water heater haven been in service since we moved here almost 18 years ago and are running on borrowed time.  We also have some window glass that needs to be replaced as moisture has gotten between the two pains.  We need to get started on some of these projects and guess today would be a good day to do so although whether that happens or not remains to be seen.  Hope you find someone who will do a good job at a reasonable price. 

Marilyn, that is really a lot of animals in surgery in one day.  No wonder you were very tired.  Glad the case load slacked off.  I can tell you really enjoy your volunteer work at the clinic and know they are glad to have you there. I haven't used Firefox for several years since I found Chrome, which I really like.  I occasionally have that same message about a plug-in becoming non-responsive so close the window or app and reload and it seems to take care of the problem. 

Janet, is this an overnight or more trip that you plan to go on?  It sounds like it could be a big challenge for Darrel as he is still in the recovery period.  I sure hope today finds him feeling better than yesterday.  You sure have full days and get a lot done.   

[Janet]

Ahhhh......another day the Lord has blessed us to enjoy!     Mine started early, as Kristi is still testing us and wanted me to come in at 6 so she could check my blood sugar.  I have never had any problem with that, and it was a good number.  I could have done it myself with Darrel's monitor, had I remembered in time.    Anyway, she was going home to eat her breakfast, so I went to McDonald's for coffee, and then back.  She still wasn't back, so I walked around a number of blocks, for 30 minutes, sat in my car a while, then came home, as she still wasn't back.

Now the guys are here to work on the house again.  I really hope they can finish before we leave.  Larry, this trip is for ten days, so I really do hope Darrel is much better by then, as it would be very uncomfortable for him if he isn't much improved.  I suggested he do some gentle stretching of his leg, but he said, "No way!"  He thinks it would hurt too much, but he does need to do it to get improvement!

Larry, sorry to hear that Stacey still is having such severe problems.  I suffered from depression for a short while years ago, and know what a black pit that can be.  I was (am) so thankful my pastor came and prayed for me EVERY DAY until the depression lifted.  He was such a wonderful pastor and servant of God.  I look forward to a good visit with him in heaven.  He died from liver cancer at the young age of 46 and the church was devastated.

Since this is a metal building, I don't expect to have any roof problems, but we have had more than our share of other ones!    Jeanne, I hope you can find an honest roofer who will not overcharge you for the work needed and will do a really good job.  Not fun, especially on a limited budget. 

Marilyn, it is good that there are people like you who have a heart for creatures.  I'm sure you are blessed because of your willingness to give of your time in that way.

It was chilly while I was walking, and feels like Indian Summer, my favorite time of year.  But we haven't had a frost as yet.  Do you suppose we will get two Indian Summers this year?  We have been wondering if we might have a pretty severe winter.....time will tell.

Thank you to those who have returned the questionnaires.  So far, I have four of them, so must find time to start writing!  And those of you who haven't received them---it is only because I do not have your email address!  So please send those to me, as we do not want to leave anyone out!

[Marilyn]

I went to the Dr. this morning, She is so pleased with my weight loss, I am at my first major goal now. I am.2 past my goal at 149.8 lbs. She gave me a steroid inject in the Trochanteric Bursa (lift hip area) for the bursitis that has plagued me for about  year or more. I am to be a couch potato (her words) for the rest of the day.  I stopped taking the Celebrex about a month ago to see if the weight loss would  help the arthritic right knee,sure enough my knee loves the weight loss too. She prescribed a very lose dose blood pressure pull to alleviate the symptoms of Primary Raynaud's Disease in my left hand. So I am down to taking only 3 medications plus the Spireva inhaler. Hallelujah I am so glad to not be taking some of the pills anymore

Janet I hope Darrell heals quickly and is able to stretch out his leg without pain

[Carol]

We keep packing the extra things that are in the house because of merging stuff from the cabin into this house and every day is another trip to Sal. Army.  I actually went in and looked around and found a perfectly new book on Psalms.

Pat:  The meds for BP should help you quickly and if there is any way you can walk or treadmill, that has always helped me.  I still take a med for BP just to be on the safe side though.  Best to you!  We went over to Jenny & Bobs this afternoon and sat outside on their patio - so nice.  A young hawk kept appearing to check on us. 

Marilyn:  Congrats on your weight maintenance!  One son was helping in the cabin and being particularly careful and said "that is just the way we are" - meaning leaving a place in good order. 

Larry:  Will pray for Stacey - that she will conquer this frightful feeling. 

Got a SKYPE call now.  Later Gator.

[Pat]

IF I take a medication for BP, then my travel insurance will go sky high so I'm hoping that they can get it down without going that route. 

[Carol]

FYI, both "Feed the Children" and "Samaritan's Purse" drove many truckloads of supplies to the flooded areas and their volunteers also joined in on cleaning - just thought you might like to hear about that little tidbit.  We had no idea that the Sam. Purse group did this work as well as what we see before Christmas time. 

[Carol]

Pat:  Try sitting quietly and breathing deeply - it helps me at any doctor's office - I will pray for you.  I do hope you can walk daily. 

[Pat]

Thank you Carol

[Janet]

I did send a contribution to a group helping in Colorado.  Just wish I could do more.  And I know that Operation Blessing helps out in disaster areas, including there.  Too bad the media do not give credit to these wonderful organizations.

I am up since 5, will go get my hair done at 8, then to gym.  I much prefer to go to the gym first, but Pat wants me to come early for her to do my hair.  It will all work out.

Pat, I agree with Carol, walking (or any exercise) is a big help in lowering blood pressure.  And of course, so is getting rid of stress in your life, which I understand isn't always possible to do, at least on our own.  But God.....   Hugs to you.

I have started writing the Biographical sketches of our members, using the ones I have back.  Pat, I will contact you later, as I have some questions.

Darrel is up early today, too, but feeling better!    God is good!

We had another very strange occurrence here yesterday afternoon.  We both were sitting in the living room dozing, and were startled by a loud vehicle noise out front along with a loud THUMP!  And when we went to check, we found a hole the size of a baseball, plus attendant cracks, in one of our new windows in the addition being built!  It is a double-paned window.  The screen has only a small dent you can feel, the outside pane is broken, inside pane intact.  No evidence of a rock or anything outside......very strange.  It was 97 degrees with winds of about 65 mph at the time, so if it were a lighter weight object, I guess it could have blown away, but then how could it have broken the glass?  Hmmmmm....... And was it done intentionally?  If so, WHY?  I have prayed about this, and am waiting for directions.  We no longer have a glass company in town, so will have to find someone who can put the new glass in.  If it were only a single pane, it would be easier.

Okay, back to my chores!  See you later!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone on a beautiful sunny morning in Georgia.  At the senior center this morning they were taking the shingles off and it as really noisy.  Glad to be home and away from the noise.  The only thing left on my schedule is to attend ROMEO's at lunch time and glad because feeling weary today.

Janet, I am working on my questions but it will still be awhile.  That must have been a really extra large cup of coffee that Kristi had at McDonald's.  ")

Marilyn, congratulations on your weight loss and sure hope the steroid injection helps the pain. 

Carol, nice you could get together with Jenny and Bob and enjoy being on their patio.  There are many charitable organizations that come to the relief of those in need in a time of disaster and I agree it is a shame we don't hear or read more about them. I have a good friend who does volunteer work with the Red Cross and is on call certain times to go to the scene of a fire or other disaster in a given area regardless of the time of day or night.  When Sandy hit the NE he went with other Red Cross volunteers and spent three of four weeks there helping out. 

Janet, that certainly is a mystery as to what broke your window.  Is there a little grey cloud over your house?