Christian Photographers Community

Dear all here on CP, 

It has been a very long road the last 2 weeks as my mama went in to the hospital and came home with hospice, we have been watching her slip away from us since she came home.

My family have all left there homes and jobs to come sit with her, and thats what has been happening, we sit and hold her hand, we can't under stand a word she says any longer and she weights about 70 lbs.

I am having lots of feelings but trying to be a stong , Please keep my mama in your hearts and prayers.

Alma

    Hi to all. 

Alma :  We will remember you and your family at this time and I know how hard it is for you but the Lord will give you strength.

Larry:  Thanks to thd Lord for giving you safety and that you did not get rear ended.  Praise his name.

Judy B. : Hope that your arm is feeling better and that you will be able to use it soon.

Must go God bless you all.  Gord.

Today's powerful meditation from Oswald Chambers:



Sept 19           


"You are those who have continued with Me in My trials"  (Luke 22:28).

It is true that Jesus Christ is with us through our  temptations, but are we going on with Him through His temptations? Many of us turn back from going on with Jesus from the very moment we have an experience of what He can do. Watch when God changes your circumstances to see whether you are going on with Jesus, or siding with the world, the flesh, and the devil. We wear His name, but are we going on with Him? "From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more" (John 6:66).

The temptations of Jesus continued throughout His earthly life, and they will continue throughout the life of the Son of God in us. Are we going on with Jesus in the life we are living right now?

We have the idea that we ought to shield ourselves from some of the things God brings around us. May it never be! It is God who engineers our circumstances, and whatever they may be we must see that we face them while continually abiding with Him in His temptations. They are His temptations, not temptations to us, but temptations to the life of the Son of God in us. Jesus Christ's honor is at stake in our bodily lives. Are we remaining faithful to the Son of God in everything that attacks His life in us?

Are you going on with Jesus? The way goes through Gethsemane, through the city gate, and on "outside the camp" (Hebrews 13:13). The way is lonely and goes on until there is no longer even a trace of a footprint to follow—but only the voice saying, "Follow Me" (Matthew 4:19).

Let's all stay at the foot of the cross...

Thanks, Pat.  That song is an old familiar one from my childhood.   

I have been away and only returned last night after nearly 12 hours of driving!  Yup, I was tired!

I (finally) saw the doctor this morning about my cough/congestion/mucous, etc.  He has ordered an esophogram (Friday morning) to more closely determine the cause.  Also prescribed compression stockings which I was able to purchase from Rite Aid for less than half the price they would have been at the place he sent me.   

One of these daze I will find out what's happening to this ol' bod ... Well, I guess that's what it is "OLD"  Aaahhh me ... life goes on, doesn't it?

I have tons of stuff to do that not only waited for me while I was gone, but piled up and multiplied ..... 

Please take care of yourselves y'all!  I really get teary reading of all your needs and prayer requests.  Mostly all I can say is "Please, Father, take care of this -- and them." 

Gotta go .... I'll try to get back later.

Alma, prayers and thoughts going your way.  Stay strong, He will not leave you.

I think I must have used up half of today's energy yesterday, am really dragging through the day.  I'm looking forward to going to bed.    Not like me at all!

Larry, I'm thanking God for protecting you and Pat!  Being rear ended could have been a really bad scene, so glad you are safe.

I must get my bag packed for the trip to Denver with the Women of Faith group.  We are leaving tomorrow, and I am NOT ready.

Alma~I am most certainly praying for you and your family.  This is such a difficult time for you all and just compounds all that you were already having to deal with.  God is your strength, for sure, but I have a feeling you could use a lotta hugs right about now ....     

Janet said,

QuoteLarry, I'm thanking God for protecting you and Pat!  Being rear ended could have been a really bad scene, so glad you are safe.

My feelings exactly.  I thank our Father for what DIDN'T happen!

And Alma - it is so hard, but God never changes, and His love goes on beyond this time - and on into eternity.  God grant you grace to trust Him and walk with Him through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Hi, friends,

I almost can't believe it! The next 2 days are to be a complete vacation - the friend in Indiana that I'm visiting doesn't even OWN a computer.

Etta Sue, I don't know if we can get with you or not. Possibly lunch on Friday? If not, we'll work it in another time.

Y'all have a good rest of the week.

Ruth Ann

Thank you all so very much for the wonderful payers and love, I know mama would love knowing this, I always told her about PC and CP,

I am truely not ready to not to be able to talk to my mom again,  EVER!!   I just can't imagine this,

I told her to meet me in my dreams where we could walk and talk, but I still can't get this in my head.

I will keep you informed.

Love and blessing s to you all,

Alma

Oh Alma My heart goes out to you.  I am praying.

A funny story for you to lift your evening and morning.  We will have the grands again this weekend.  There is a concert that all the kids are going to, the cost if minimal....only $2.00.  My young grands have the tickets and plan on going.  I told them if their spelling isn't done I won't take them.  (They are Home Schooled)  the response was Nooooooo!!!!  So now I have to put action where my mouth is.  I hope they realize it isn't worth taking on this Gramma!

It is late, I am praying for the needs here.  I need to go and ice the owies.

I think the kids are finally getting it that they can't take on Gramma ... they say to me when they know the weekend is coming that they don't want to go to Gramma's but when they get home they tell me all about the fun that they have had while there.  Oh well ... I will take their response when they get home as being the more truthful one.

As far as the home schooling is concerned, everyone was concerned that I wouldn't have the dedication necessary to be able to do it.  All I can say is that I want this enough for all of us.  The kids aren't really liking it now that we have begun, only because it isn't as fun or easy as they thought it would be.  I am going to work on implementing more fun into the day, but it still has to be school and they still need to get their work done on a daily basis or they will have homework on the weekends.

Going to go for now, it's time for bed.

Night everyone
Hugs
Heather

The trip to east Indiana was great.  I know it helps Kitty to have someone to talk too while Katie is mesmerized by 'Little Einstein' on the portable DVD player!!  That 18 month old can be fussing and crying up a storm and you start Little Einstein to play and she is another little girl.  Spoiled??  Probably! 

Getting ready to go out the door and go grocery shopping with Ivalou.   In fact, she may in the drive now!!

Good Morning I am getting ready to go take care of Cliff. Yesterday was so hard sitting there listening to him discuss his final wishes with the Hospice worker with tears running down his face. All of us in the room were crying. I have met Cliff before the first time was when Lisa was doing my nails and he came into the shop with her son to talk to her. After that I would see him frequently in the shop and we would always laugh and joke back and forth.

A year ago Lisa told me that her father had brain cancer and would be having surgery and all the chemo and radiation that goes with it. Last month when she cut my hair she told me the tumor grew back and he had just had surgery again. He has been home now for 1 week with hospice.

He was such an active man, camping , hunting,  fishing, hiking this is so hard on his children and the grands. They always went on whole family camping trips  a few times each year. Lots of family members have been coming and going and will continue as his time gets nearer to the end. The Chaplain is coming today to minister to him and I will be praying for him often. I am praying for his salvation before he goes. Who knows he may just get better. God is able to do anything.

Gotta go now.

There is a wonderful  Tunisian egg recipe that I posted on Saturday It serves four and is delicious and healthy.
Chakchoucka

Hi everyone.  I have a very busy day today so will be very brief but wanted to check-in and read the postings.

Alma, many of us have experienced what you are going through and know that it is a very difficult experience.  The grief process helps us cope with our sadness and you know that Christ is there with you and your family each minute. 

Marilyn, it sounds like you will have a sad job as well but know that is part of your care giving work. 

JudyB and Heather, I am sure doing home schooling can be very challenging.  I admire you for doing it and standing fast when you lay down the conditions.

Janet, hope you have a restful and very enjoyable and spirit filled weekend.

Etta Sue, glad you enjoyed your trip with Kitty and the little one.

Ruth Ann, glad you are getting a couple of days off.  I hope you enjoy every minute of the time.

Jane, hope your tests disclose the reason for your hoarseness and throat problems.

Al and Gord (and others) thanks for your expressions of gratitude that we escaped being in the accident.  Our roads here are so dangerous that you never know when you take the car out of the garage what might happen. 

Larry, I'm so happy that you and Pat are alright.  It's really upsetting when something like this happens but isn't it wonderful to know that our Saviour is in control?

Wow!

Hi Heather!  Good to hear that you are homeschooling. 

I had another very long, miserable, sleepless night, and am so tired.  We won't get to Denver until well past midnight, so it's going to be a l-o-n-g day.

Pat, did you get my email?  I need to hear from you soon, and I know you are busy. 

Jane, have you had the tests yet?  Hope all is well with you.

I will be home LATE Saturday night, so all of you stay well, okay?

Oh, dear.

I phoned you Janet but Darrel said you left for Denver.  So, we'll chat when you get home.

Looks as if it's good for Lancaster and my friend says to order two tickets. 

Remember putting your face above a headless frame painted to represent a muscle man, or a clown?

Many of us have had our pictures taken this way, and the photos are humorous because the head doesn't fit the body.

If we could picture Christ as the head of our local body of believers, would the world laugh at the misfit?  Or would they stand in awe of a human body so closely related to a divine head?

Source Unknown

Dear all,

Mama went home to be with the Lord today just at 3:40 pm, we lost her.


To us we lost the best part of all of us, our mother, who gave us our wonderful lives and did so well for all 6 of us.

Thank you all for all your love, I return it to each and every one a hundred fold.

Blessings and Love,

Alma

Praying for  you family Alma. I know its rough going right now. So I have you in my prayers an a big hug for you too.

It went very well today with Cliff. There was so much company that he only got about 1 hour's rest all day long. We did tell a couple of people to come back in about an hour so he could take a nap, he would just get dozed off and  anther group would show up and disturb him. They would come in 3's and 4's at a time. It should settle down soon. he said that some he hadn't seen in a few years.

Thank you to all who prayed for my request and those who checked out the egg recipe that I posted that was viewed 46 times and no one left a comment but at least it got looked at. Hey it is so good you should try it.

Later

Hi everyone.

Alma, I send a hug as sometimes that is about all we can do in times of great sadness.  However, this is also a wonderful time as the family gathers to celebrate the life of our departed loved one as we recall the joys and, yes, some sadnesses of the many years past.  I will be thinking of you and your family in these days ahead and thanks for letting us know.

Janet, I know by the time you read this your trip to Denver will be over.  Hopefully the change of pace will have helped you sleep and you will have returned refreshed in body and spirit.

Marilyn, it is nice when people visit but sometimes they just don't realize that they may be hurting more than helping, especially if they make a lengthy visit.  Having been in the hospital a number of times I know I always appreciated the visits but on occasion was more than ready for them to end the visit.  Of course, we don't tell the peopole to leave.

Time to leave for coffee.  My neighbor is picking me up.

Alma said...

QuoteTo us we lost the best part of all of us, our mother, who gave us our wonderful lives and did so well for all 6 of us.

Your statement shows that she loved each of her children and each of her children loved her.  All who are left behind will be okay.  My prayers are for your Mother and her loved ones. 

Not much happening at my end of the world today.  Ivalou and I plan to go to a funeral home visitation this evening and probably out to eat somewhere.  Let's see....it is my day.  Years ago, we started the 'her day' and 'my day' in making the decision of where to eat.  If it is an even day, she decides where to eat.  If it is an odd day, I decide.  Today is an odd day so I had better get on my thinking cap!! It works for us!!

I have a Cheezy Cheeze Soup in my mini-crock pot.  It is beginning to smell soooooo good!

Hello everyone.

I have finally caught up on some of my emails and am here to say that Papa John says to say Hello to everyone.

Must get back to work.

Alma:   I extend my sympathy in the loss of your mom from time to time in the coming days and years you will have memories.

Larry:   There is folk that do not understand that there help or extended visits are not always welcome.

Today has been a busy day I did not have to work but I have done 3 loads of laundry and also we had a contractor doing a major job that if it had been done right 8 yrs ago it would not have needed doing today.   We also had  our septic pumped but that is maintenance anyway.   

I have one more bed to make then get dinner ready which will be leftovers  yummmy.

Heather what program did you use for your pictures?   

This has been one of those just right days nice and sunny with a nice breeze.

Ruth

Alma, I am sorry about your Mom.  Time will make things better and we will continue to pray for you and your family.

I have been rather ill the past while and not interested in posting....tho do come to read.  As Jane mentioned, age does that to people.  I will be 75 next week, so have a bit more of that than her....still, feel blessed to wake up each day.  It gets to be a rather slippery slope now and each year is a new adventure!

I read your recipe, Marilyn.  Looks great, but my tummy would really  have a problem with some of the ingredients. 

It is so wonderful to read Papa John's messages and they always are a blessing.  Have missed his positive posts and spiritual messages.  Please don't leave again, Papa John.

Wendy and some of the neighbours have organized a barbecue (street) to try and get Deer Park folks to know each other.  Lots of new people now and I hope they show up tomorrow.  They are trying to bring folks together and I hope it will not be a disappointing experience.  Lots of interest....they want to get a Christmas Light thing going this year and go out to sing carols, etc.  Not easy in this strange new world!  I must go and bake some butter tarts now.  People seem to like them.  Hope it doesn't rain, we are back to very cool, wet weather again.  Misty has her winter coat now!  I took mine to the cleaners today....

Pleasant Day/Evening and God Bless.

Liz

Alma, I join with the others in offering comfort you in your loss.  My mother left us in 1973.  She was 79 years old.  Now after all these years I am 80, older than she was, and we still miss her.  Love is something that continues through the years.  God bless you and your family.   

Psalm 119:49-50
49 Remember your word to your servant,
       for you have given me hope.
50 My comfort in my suffering is this:
       Your promise preserves my life.

Papa John

Alma I know how you are feeling.  Just remember she will always be with you in your memories.

This has been a difficult day.  The grands have been wonderful.  I am heading to bed very soon.

Praying for all the needs both spoken and unspoken.