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Now hope does not disappoint....Romans 5:5

Recommended Reading - Romans 15:4-13

In his book, Your Attitude, John Maxwell tells of a town in Maine that was proposed for the site of a great hydroelectric plant. A dam would be built across the river and the town submerged. When the project was announced, the people were given many months to arrange their affairs and relocate. During those months, a curious thing happened. All improvements ceased. No painting was done. No repairs were made on the buildings, roads, or sidewalks. Day by day the whole town got shabbier. Long before the waters came, the town looked uncared for and abandoned, though the people had not yet moved away. Without hope, the town deteriorated. One citizen explained: "Where there's no faith in the future, there's no power in the present."

Our hope is a real attitude based on an assured future. Certain inevitable blessings are ahead of us and nothing can cancel or deter them. We work on ourselves day by day, we stay immune to discouragement, and we persevere with excitement because the future is just as bright as the promises of God.

Hope is never ill when faith is well.
John Bunyan

I will bring All Natural Whole Wheat Mini bagels, Cream Cheese and  some Home Made Red Pepper Jelly and a Gallon of Ocean spray Cran-Grape Juice.

Jeanne, I really enjoyed the Thoughts.  Good to ponder.....

I will bring my appetite!  Ok, and some sliced tomatoes, amd a cucumber and onion salad, too.

I need to take a little nap, as we invited friends from church over for supper, and I need to rest a little before I get back to the preparations.  Will be back later, if not, then tomorrow!  

Hi, friends, I'm "vegging out" this afternoon after a good sermon at church and then "dinner on the ground" (ummm, actually, it was in the fellowship hall  )

Y'all have a good evening.

Ruth Ann

Those sound great Marilyn.

This should be a great Garage Party in Etta Sue's garage! 

A couple of days ago when I was walking one of the dogs I got to a certain lace  and I smelled something  like  it was dead.
Yesterday the smell was stronger and I could see something  in the bushes so went and looked. I saw something black and some hair. I sure thought it was a person, So I rushed home and told Keith and we got in the car to go see what it was in case we needed to call the police. It turned out to be three deer that someone had killed and left there.

One of the neighbors close to there came out to talk with us and told us the police had been there to investigate. Well let me tell you they either need to bury them or take them away because the smell gets worse by the day. I sure hope they can find out who did that and arrest them. That is an awful thing to do, to those poor  deer.

Jeanne Thank you for the devotional.  There are times when we all feel hopeless.  But as the devotional says we need to stay immune to discouragement..  That can be tough.

Thank you for the reminder.

Yes, the dead deer carcasses need to be disposed of properly.  Around here, deer are becoming quite a highway hazard.  You can get killed by hitting a deer, and they are so bad about jumping out right in front of your car.  It happened to me, to my son in law and to my grandson; also to my best friend, so I know.

Well, life is full of surprises, and today I had a most wonderful one!!  I was taking the nap I talked about taking earlier, when the phone rang.  It was Diane, telling me that Mark had decided to be baptised tonight, and could I come?  So I hastily called our friends, postponed our supper with them until tomorrow night and left for Hugoton.  We drove down right to the Oklahoma line, where a couple from their church live.  They have a lovely big swimming pool inside a nice building.  Three were baptised.

The pastor said that Mark talked to her this morning and said, "I've only been dry cleaned."  She said "WHAT?"  And he repeated, I've only been dry cleaned, and now I need to be baptised!  Ha ha.  Mark is 24 years old, so this Grandma was overjoyed to know he is thinking about the Lord and wanted to be baptised.  I knew he had accepted Jesus years ago, but hadn't been baptised.  God is SO GOOD!!!  

They then (after the baptismal service) had a wonderful meal, chickens and sausages grilled, and all kinds of good stuff to go with it.  That small church is growing rapidly, bursting at the seams and ready to go into a building program.  They have their land bought and paid for already.  I would love to attend there, but we aren't sure we want to drive the 60 miles each time.  God will let us know what He wants us to do.

Hi everyone.  Had a nice quiet and restful weekend.  Yesterday we had a good church service and then we did go out with our usual Sunday group for lunch.  I think there were 11 of us.  I came home and took a nice long nap.  I just didn't feel very good yesterday so went to bed rather early and watched a couple of old TV programs using Netflix on my iPod Touch.  Then had a good nights sleep.

The housekeepers and lawn people come this morning. 

I do have my men's luncheon today at a Mexican place and then this evening we are meeting friends at a Mexican place for dinner and then to one of the couple's home to play Mexican Train.  The man, whose home we will go to after dinner, is having back surgery on Wednesday.  It was suppose to be today but was postponed. I will have to eat lightly at lunch as we meet at 1 pm and then we are to be at the evening place at 5 pm.  Certainly can't eat two big meals.

Janet, it is wonderful that your grandson was baptized last evening.  We just never know what is going to happen during any given day.

Marilyn, deer are in abundance here in Georgia also.  They no longer have any natural predictors in urban areas.  Several years ago our daughter hit a deer but fortunately she wasn't hurt only the hood of the car.

Jeanne, so good to see you posting again and thanks for that fine devotional thought.

We have a 9 month old little spaniel that we have fallen in love with.  He will make a great retriever.  He loves to have his ball thrown for him and will go hunting till he finds it.  In the mornings he will find a ball, bone or corncob for someone to throw for him.  He has chosen Dad as his master (Alpha) which is really great. John loves to throw the ball and has a better throwing arm than I do!!!

Y'all please pray for our grandaughter Joie (pronounced "Joy") and her friends on the isle of St. John (U.S. Virgin Isles).  The fringes of hurricane Earl are bearing down on them there, with high surf, high winds, and flash flood possibilities.  The warnings are for today into tomorrow.

Father, You are the Protector and Shield for Your children.  We ask you to keep Joie and her friends safe during this storm, and let them see Your hand in it all. 

Another awesome time at church yesterday worshiping our Lord. 

Baptisms are awesome...another believer for God who will spread the Word.

Deer?  They are everywhere here also.  Along with Canada Geese and Mallard Ducks!  All three have been much more plentiful in the last 25 years.  And it is scarce to see a rabbit or squirrel anymore! 

Ivalou still doesn't have full use of her right arm/hand so she gets a super short haircut now.  She says, 'I have to wear lipstick so people will know I am a girl!'  Never had to do anything one-handed.  It was bad enough when I couldn't talk for a week....twice!!

Ivalou and Teresa were greeters at church and they both stayed for Sunday School.  The three of us then went to a BBQ place for lunch.  Really good. 

When I got home, I got caught up online and then took my book to the front bedroom...hoping for a nap.  Well, I finished the book and then it was time to get up and find a bite to eat.  So no nap. 

Today I plan to do some house cleaning.  I think I will re-arrange the living room...I can clean better when I do that! 

And I got on the scales this morning.  I think I had better bring celery and carrot sticks to my Garage Party!!  Time to cut back on the eating...  But you all bring what you want...I can look at it and drool...

Well, phooey.    The devil sure likes to try to steal our joy.  I think I had mentioned that Beth's friend wanted to take her to church and used our van, and that the rollers on the door jumped out of the track and then she couldn't close the door.  Anyhow, when she tried to close it, the rollers dug deep into the paint the whole way, and the top ones scraped the bottom of the window glass off.  Today, when Darrel and I went to take it to the repair shop, the window had fallen out and shattered into thousands of pieces on the garage floor.  A new one would be $600 plus installation, but the man at the glass shop said he thinks he has a used one we can get for $250 installed.  That is, IF it is for that model van.  I don't think we will be allowing others to use the van in the future.  Too costly.  Not that I feel it was Jennifer's fault, but Darrel has always felt strongly about loaning any vehicle of his to anyone.  I guess he's been burnt before doing that.  It is so nice when John comes to just let him use the van to take her places, though.  We will see.

I need to get busy, as the friends who had planned to come eat with us last night are coming tonight, and this place is NOT company ready!  

I am really looking forward to next weekend. Since Gilbert and family probably won't be home I will spend all my time with Willa and other church friends in the old neighborhood. We are going to my home church on Sunday morning,then in the evening we are going to a potluck and worship service at her daughter's church after prayer meeting at  our own church. I love to praise and worship the Lord. Next weekend is really going to be special for me.

I had thought that maybe I wouldn't go if the kids were not going to be home, but Keith told me I would disappoint Willa, that is so true. Besides that I need to  get out of here of a couple of days. I spend so much time  here in the house or close by that I get crazy and beg Keith to  take me somewhere, anywhere for the day when he wants to stay at home and relax after working all week. .

Marilyn why not go exploring yourself?  Find new friends and folks you can witness too.  You are there for a purpose, you may need to get out of the house to find that purpose.  Get to know other ladies in the area, especially those who are housebound with little children.  They probably would love another adult to talk to!.

Lets Sing

Judy I do get out and walk everyday with my dogs, and talk to the people I see. I do know my neighbors too.  What I really need to do is get myself in church here and not just wait until I am in California to go to church.

AMEN to that Marilyn!!!

I am all ready to leave.  Kitty said she would be here around 9am.  Today we are celebrating my birthday.  I know it is early but Kitty is hoping she will be in Myrtle Beach on my birthday...if Fiona doesn't come near Myrtle Beach.  So we plan to take pictures at Eagle Creek Park on the west side of Indy.  Then have lunch at Rick's Boatyard...a restaurant on the banks of Eagle Creek.  Then go swimming.  Sounds like a great way to celebrate a birthday.

Yesterday, I got my house cleaned.  It looks so nice and smells good, too!  I don't know why I put that off but I certainly do. 

I am off and outta here!  Everyone have a great day!!

Good morning from the sunny southwestern Oregon coast. It was pretty foggy when I took the dogs out at 7AM sun has just now come out. I am back from  the Fitness Center, changed my clothes re brushed my hair, swept the kitchen, made the bed and vacuumed the bedroom. My back is still hurting bothering me so that is all I am doing today. I  think I just might  get the gel ice pack out of the freezer and lay on that for awhile.

Rain has been predicted, it rained a little the night before last and some yesterday. I don't see any clouds that look like rain in the sky yet but that can change in a split second.


I took the E collar off Happy so he could have breakfast then he his behind the couch and I couldn't put it back on him,When I got back from the Fitness Center I saw he has a wet place on his tail,. I put the  collar on him and examined his tail, he has chewed a place  there and there is some blood there. I put medicine on his tail and now he has settled into the sleeping mode down in the big bedroom. He goes back to the vet on Friday and I am hoping that the Vet doesn't give me some expensive medicine. I have sure spent a lot on that  dog in the last 6 months.

Good morning, all.  It's a beautiful sunny day here on the left coast.

Jane, I tried to call you.  Will you call me when you get a chance?

Almost into September and into Fall.  It seems this summer was very short, but I'm always ready for new seasons too. 

Have a God-Blessed day.  How can we not?   NIta

Hi everyone.  It is warmer here today but still in the 80s.  I am not sure where the day has gone but just now getting to the message boards to year.

Yesterday when I got home from coffee Pat told me our daughter had called from the ER at the hospital across the street from her apartment.  She had taken herself their on her wheelchair after having increasing chest pain at 2 am.  The blood tests showed she had not had another heart attack and she went back to her apartment about 1 pm.  We are planning on having her here overnight on Friday.

I am filling in for the chairperson at a business meeting last night and have been trying to get ready.  I had a call from the secretary about noon and she told me she had been called out of town and didn't think she could get back in time.  So the meeting will have substitutes in two of the spots. 

Janet, sorry to hear of the window in Beth's van.  I agree with Darrel that it is a good policy not to lend a vehicle as if something happens the borrower feels bad as does the owner. 

Al, that is a fearsome hurricane and sure hope your granddaughter and family are not adversely affected by it.  It sounds like the East Coast of the USA may be in for some tough days ahead. 

Marilyn, we found out that pets can be very expensive when we had our cat.  To add a bit from what others have said, I found when I had time on my hands and felt up to it that I really enjoyed doing some volunteer work.  Just today I finally ended by involvement with our computer learning center when I wrote to the President to take me off the active list and consider me an alumni.  I know that I can no longer participate in classroom activities.  I will still help a bit with some monthly updating of the User Group webpage and attend some of those meetings. 



 

Vehicles, pets and homes can be expensive.  Especially if you have all three!!

We have a heat wave going on up here in the North.  Usually the temperature is around 70 at this point of the year and today when in North Bay it was 93.  I enjoy the heat, but I can just imagine what winter will be like, if the cold makes record breaking lows.......

We were out and bought a certain little 10 year ols some school clothes.  Jeans a top and a hoody.  She looks so nice in them with her blond hair!

Kids want to go swimming.  I am off be back later today.

Who is this 10 year old,Judy?  You are full of mysteries! 

I have been watching off and on all day, the progress on the extension of the road in front of our house.  Up until now, this was the end of the road, but now it will go another couple of blocks to the west and back out to the pavement to the north.  That huge machinery has been shaking the whole house!  It will be different to have a house right in front of us.  Up until now it has only been CRP ground.

I think I was interrupted before I got my voting done in the challenge.  Guess I will go back and try again.

I'm Sorry I thought I told you before I was taking my grand children out for lunch and then to buy something for the.  The 10 year old is Kimi.  I will be posting pictures of her .........When my puter is working better!  She is heading to bed now and goes home tomorrow.

John is home tonight.  He was put into a new to him, badly abused truck, about a month ago.  The company felt if anyone would keep it going till the lease was up it would be John.  Well on the beginning of the trip he always scales (weighs) the truck to balance the load and make the tractor and trailer legal.  As he was weighing the truck the clutch dropped and he had to function till he got to the dealer without a clutch.  He called and we picked him up.  Last night was a short night sleep wise so he will have the opportunity to get some rest tonight.  Hopefully me too.

Must go Night all
Judy

Is God's mercy in your life evident to others?

All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT

Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12 NLT


Clothed in mercy
It happened during the darkest days of Europe's history. Hitler was sweeping across the land promoting his contempt for Jews and his plan to exterminate them from the planet. Many countries were easily conned by his propaganda.

But Denmark had a king that wasn't so easily taken in. He received Hitler's edict concerning the armbands that Jews would be required to wear.... So he went out on the balcony of his palace and began reading the edict line by line....Then when finished, he tucked the note away and reached into his pocket, pulling out a small yellow armband. The king slipped it onto his coat sleeve. Over the weeks to come, thousands of Danes found ways to acquire these yellow armbands and wore them whenever they went out in public, just as the Jews were forced to do. As a result, Hitler's men found themselves in a constant struggle to separate the Jews from the non-Jews in Denmark.... Compassion is a trait within us that is very near the heart of God.

Good morning, friends. I'll be working several hours during this quiet time of the night. My mouse has been acting up, so had to purchase one, in order to get this work done. So, tomorrow afternoon, on goes the "blackout" mask, and Ruth Ann's going to take a bit of "beauty rest." 

Y'all have a great day (when you arise).



Ruth Ann