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Trading My Sorrows

I'm trading my sorrow
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

I'm trading my sickness
I'm trading my pain
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

Chorus:
And we say yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Amen

I'm pressed but not crushed persecuted not abandoned
Struck down but not destroyed
I'm blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure
And his joy's gonna be my strength

Though the sorrow may last for the night
His joy comes with the morning

JudyB ~ I'll tell you like I tell my son...when the pain gets to hurting too much then you will get something done.  Tony just sees the chiropractor weekly!  Helps for a few days then the pain is back. 

Thanks to the ones who commented on our new church plans.  Just wish it was done and we were going to service in it this Sunday!  Wishing my life away!

Today Kitty and her friend, Bendi, are going swimming.  That should be fun! 

I love this cooler weather and I love to sleep!  So with that being said, I will confess that I didn't get out of bed until 10am today! 

Bright and sunny and not a cloud in the sky! 

Ya know if I could arrange it for next summer in the 6 weeks while Kass is at camp I would do it.  Perhaps I should find out who the Dr. is and see what he says.  Thanks for the push Etta Sue.

I am heading in to the Bay soon, I have a few things to do.  groceries and such.  Be back later.

Good afternoon:  I went for the Wed. morning coffee and left hubby home sleeping. One of the things talked about at coffee was have someone going door to door asking to check your hot water heater followed with a sales pitch on how a replacement would be better etc etc and yes
we signed on the dotted line, thank goodness for being able to cancel within 30 days,   I made the phone call to cancel. Changing would not have made anything better in fact it would have been more money.   Then I made another phone call to cancel another middle person with the gas billing so now we will be paying the gas company direct and at present they are less $$$.

I picked up the mail and what a build up, you would think that we had been away on a vacation but to catalogues from Sears will fill the box fast.

Soon I will be leaving to prepay for a mystery bus trip on Sept. 25Th with the church should be lots of fun. Last year it was wonderful.   

Etta Sue:  I enjoy the cooler nights for sleeping as well, a good night is also a much better day
Judy: Is this your shoulder and when did it happen.
Larry:  You are faithful at remembering all of us when you come to visit.
Marilyn:  Good to see you.

It was good to be at bible study at last.  I don't believe I have ever studied Judges before now. 

Time in my sewing room too and that has been so nice. 

Three gals from Thailand came to church and they were selling beautiful handwork for very little - they have a conference in San Francisco next week.  I need to get to my neighbor today because I borrowed $20 from her just to purchase things being sold for Good Works.  The missionary we support is having paperwork problems they go to Indonesia. 

Ruth:  Good for you & I am so glad that you were able to cancel.  There as too many slick deals around.  Your mystery bus ride sounds so interesting. 

JudyB:  I hope you can wait for the six weeks next summertime but if not - it will work out alright.   

I think I've been in this apartment too long - I'm c-o-l-l-l-d! So, out comes the sweatshirt, even if it IS about 90 outside.



Ruth Ann

I have been here to read on the run so didn't post.Well Keith is gonna go to Portland for this weekend but doesn't know if he will leave tomorrow or Friday. Then from there he is going to meet his lifelong best friend  in Sunriver at their vacation home. He should be back late Tuesday or on Wednesday, depending on how soon his friend makes it to Sunriver.

I have a cake in the oven tonight, we just got the kitchen cleaned up from supper. I hand wash all the plastics and did the pots and pans too, Keith dries the dishes. He is such a sweetie.

I will be getting my flue shot tomorrow, I went to get it taken care of today but the computers at Medicare were down, probably overloaded with people trying to get approved for the flu shots.

Have you experienced God's comfort in times of sorrow?

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.

Psalm 30:11 NLT

Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return to Jerusalem, singing songs of everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be overcome with joy and gladness.
Isaiah 51:11 NLT


Mourning to joy
Have you ever danced at a funeral? That would be unthinkable, absurd. Funerals are times of reflection, sorrow, and mourning. We expect funerals to bring sadness and tears, not joy and celebration.

We mourn for many reasons, and each painful loss tears our emotions and causes us to regret past actions and missed opportunities, to wonder what might have been. Certainly nothing hurts more than the death of a loved one—we miss our fiance or spouse or child or parent or friend, and we long to hear that familiar voice and feel the person's touch.

Through the Scriptures, however, we learn that, one day, God will turn mourning into gladness and sadness into joy. That is God's plan. Because we know him, our ultimate destiny is heaven, and we have the solid assurance that one day all sickness, death and sorrow will be banished—we will be perfect and complete. All of this earth, including our pain, is temporary, but our joy will last forever.

Kitty's friend, Bendi, went with us swimming.  I swam 18 laps of which half were freestyle.  Getting better.  Then after all that exercise we went to Chili's and loaded up on chips, salsa, queso and Diet Pepsi!  Diet tastes better. 

I am ready to go out the door to take Ivalou for her bone density exam.  Then we will have breakfast somewhere.  Then whatever else we find to do. 

Vvv-roooom>>>>>>

    Hello all 

A day of gentle rain, I will be getting caught up on all of the jobs left undone, laundry being one.

Sitting here just delays all of off I go.     Have a great day

Etta Sue  what is queso?

We have had a buzz and hum on our phone line for a long time.  I finally had enough so reported it.  It is finally fixed.  No like Ruth I am off to do other things.  It is raining here too. 

Have a God day everyone.

Hi everyone.  I read messages yesterday but if I recall didn't post. 

When I got up yesterday morning I discovered that my computer power supply had died during the night.  I know I left the computer on as had been working on it at 9 pm when I finished cloning my hard disk.  Late yesterday afternoon I purchased a new power supply and put it in but couldn't get the computer to boot up from the hard drive.  I assumed I hadn't done something right in the installation.  This morning my best friend, who is a computer whiz, came over and we worked all morning trying to get it fixed.  Finally, a screen came up that told us to put in the Windows 7 install disk and then select the repair option.  We did that and the computer booted.  Don't know why but it worked and seems to be fine now. 

Ruth, glad you were able to cancel out of the contracts.  Some salesmen can be so convincing.  I am very suspicious of door-to-door people unless I know them.

Marilyn, it sounds like you and the dogs will have a quiet weekend.  I will also be away on Saturday and return Sunday afternoon so my wife will have the house all to herself. 

Carol, we enjoy our Bible studies on Wednesday mornings with our pastor.  We spent an hour delving into the cleaning of the temple from John, Chapter 2, yesterday.  It sounds like you got some good buys.

That's it for today.  Hope everyone enjoys a nice evening.

Judy Queso is Cheese.

Thank you Marilyn. 

Kassie has decided that she wants a BIG formal 16th birthday party.  No boys!!!  That blew me away, but only one girlfriend.  She has asked adult friends instead.  So we will have to see what transpires.  Pat you are invited!!!  I guess I will have her send out invites if she wants it formal.

It has rained pretty well all day.  Larry I would take your weather over this any day.

Hi, friends,

I was shopping today and found 2 nice folding chairs (director's chair style) that were very comfortable. Well, they already were marked down 25%, but I noticed one of them had some small stains in the seat. I mentioned to the lady at the register that I'd buy the stained one if they would give me a good deal on it. WOW what a good deal. They let me have it at 1/2 the marked-down price. Son, now I have a nice chair in my auto trunk that I can use at any time it's needed for a pittance.



G'nite, friends.

Ruth Ann

My it is quiet here today.

I am leaving some muffins, bran with dates like my dad made, and a full pot of hot coffee.  Wonder who will be at them first!

Whew!  I thought I had spelled 'queso' wrong.  Marilyn, thanks.  I know you know more about the Mexican foods and its spelling than I do.  This queso was spicy...not the white cheese that I usually get.  But it was good!

Yesterday, Ivalou got her bone density test done and then we had biscuits and gravy at Perkins.  Neither of us had anything else to do so we came home.

My house smells so good.  I just got two loaves of Pumpkin Bread out of the oven.  Tomorrow is the church bake sale at the Farmer's Market. So my contribution is Pumpkin Bread.  Ivalou is baking Fudge Brownies.  I will take them all to the church a little after 4pm and then Ivalou and I will go to Lapel to the Lion's Club Annual Fish Fry.  It is always so good and lots of fun to see people you haven't seen for years!  

Ohh  Etta Sue Leave a piece of pumpkin bread here I would love a piece!

Hi Everyone...

I've had a very busy week.  Paul arrived last Saturday, just in time to go to our church here for a Potluck Banquet.  We had our 10th Anniversary celebrations all weekend and what a wonderful weekend it was!

Today, I had two new windows installed and that's wonderful too as they were the only two left to be replaced from the originals.

Paul and I had some plans for the coming week up here but last evening he had a sore spot at the top of his leg.  Then he went to bed and at 4:30 am woke me up to say that his whole leg was so painful and when we looked, there were two red areas below his knee and the top spot had gotten much larger.

So, he left here at 6:45 am this morning to get across the border to see a doctor.  It looks like cellulitis to me but of course, we don't know.  Anyway, by the time he got to Springville, NY, he had a fever so he's now gone to the hospital.

I'm just sitting here waiting for the phone to ring to find out how he is or where he is and for how long and what the outcome is.

Please pray for Paul.  I couldn't go with him as these windows had been ordered back in May to be put in today and now they are in.

Oh Pat I am praying  here. Etta Sue did you save some Biscuits and Gravy for me. I love Biscuits and Gravy but I don't get to eat it very often.

Pat I have been trying to talk Keith into having double paned Vinyl windows throughout the house. This house still has the drafty old aluminum framed windows and it get so cold in this house in winter. We also need to have the carpets  professionally cleaned. I shampooed them earlier this year but it didn't make much difference.

I go to the ENT on Tuesday and Internist on Friday. I wills sure be glad to get all the Dr appointments over with and only go once a year for the annual appointment.

Keith is leaving this afternoon for Portland, the Sunriver he will be gone until Wednesday.

I got my flu shot yesterday and I think Jane is getting hers today while she is at her Internist's appointment  for the results of all her tests.

Pat:  Praying that Paul will be diagnosed correctly and that medication will help him quickly.  I don't know anything about what you thought might be happening to him.  What a challenge you two have with medical services and I don't understand why he has to come back to the USA.  When Don had his sudden hearing loss in Canada, we did wait all day but a very nice doctor spent time with us explaining the situation.  Our insurance covers out-of-country and perhaps Paul can add that to his coverage. 

Ruth Ann:  I can relate to your feeling chilly when the air is running.  We need AC but it is too much sometimes.  You can now be known as "The Negotiator" with your chair deal!   Good job! 

Tile is up in the bathroom & they just ran to buy the grout for today.  This entire job may take a lot longer than we were told.  They are doing a really nice job so that is most important.  A multi-bean soup is simmering in the crockpot.  So far, it is only veggies but I may add some meat. 

Hi, friends, I've been working on the look of my living room. It feels so much more "homey" with coordinated throws and pillows, etc.

Now, the challenge will be to keep it nice 'n pretty. 

Y'all have a great rest of the day.

Ruth Ann

Well, I'm finally getting here.  Pretty much out of breath, as usual, but since Marilyn mentioned my Dr. appointment I figured I'd best be checking in.

Doc says my heart is fine (I already knew that) and I should not have to have another treadmill/stress test the rest of my life.  Now, the results of the blood draw were a bit different.  I'm anemic and low on vitamin D ... and need to lose some weight (well I guess I knew that too!).  I got my flu shot and a pneumonia shot to go along with it.  Doc says it's recommended for people over 65.  I said I guess I managed to get past 65 and he exercised his great bedside manners and said I sure don't look like it!  He doesn't get any extra pay for that. 

So ... It is basically all the stress I've endured for the past several months (or more) that has effected my weight and hair loss and fatigue.  Although, I guess anemia would do that too.  My thyroid is okay and liver and kidneys are, too.  I'm just moving into the category of "elderly" .... I'll see him again in six months.  Let's see if I can lose a couple pounds and get my iron and vitamin D count up. 

Date muffins and pumpkin bread I would like right now but it is to late in the day for coffee but a glass of water would be fine.

Pat:  Keep us informed about Paul. 

Yesterday I had said that we cancelled a couple of contracts just a few minutes ago a fellow from one of the companies was at the door trying to get us to change our mind and yes they had all the reasons why we should not cancel isn't that the way with things?

My to do list is now complete what a wonderful feeling. Now with the days natural light I will be sitting down to do more of my counted cross stitch. 

Hi everyone. 

Pat, so sorry to hear of the sudden illness that Paul is experiencing.  Sure hope it is nothing serious as sure it would be hard for him to slow down for a little while.

Jane, it sounds like your problems will be treatable and that overall you got a very good report.

I will be brief tonight as have not felt well today.  We did go down and have lunch with our daughter but I had to ask Pat to get the car and drive us home.  I rested and felt better but after being up for awhile think I will retire shortly for the night and hope to be back to normal in the morning as plan to go out of town as I mentioned yesterday.

I am home again, just finished reading all the great posts on here.  But I need to take the messages off the phone and see if anything on there needs attention.  So I will just say hello for now and talk more later.

I did take my laptop on the trip but had problems, so it didn't really work out for me.

Welcome Home Janet...I have missed the "blue" print!!!  LOL  Sorry the laptop didn't work out but hope the rest of the time was good.

Hi everyone.  Just waiting to go to coffee and then expect to leave at 9:30 for the less than 2 hour journey to where I have a commitment this weekend. 

I did get a good night's sleep and do feel better this morning and sure hope it lasts.  I will try not to overdo today but can always go back to my motel room if feel the necessity.  I am looking forward to the weekend.

Janet, glad to see you home and sorry to read you had problems with your laptop. When we went to Savannah at the end of July the motel advertised wi-fi but they didn't have a strong enough signal to allow me to get on my computer.  It wasn't a serious problem.

Hope this is a great weekend for everyone.

Have you known the comfort of God's presence?

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.... Be silent, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. The Lord Almighty is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.

Psalm 46:1,10-11 NLT

There is a place of quiet rest near to the heart of God, A place where sin cannot molest, near to the heart of God.

O Jesus, blest Redeemer, sent from the heart of God, Hold us who wait before Thee near to the heart of God.

There is a place of full release near to the heart of God, A place where all is joy and peace, near to the heart of God.
Cleland Boyd McAfee


Finding comfort in God's presence
Where do you turn when unexpected tragedy strikes? Cleland McAfee, a Prebyterian minister in Chicago, had just received word that his brother and sister-in-law had lost both of their daughters to diptheria within twenty-four hours. Grief-striken, McAfee couldn't think of deep theological issues; he could only think of verses in the book of Psalms that brought comfort and rest to those who sought refuge in the Lord. As he meditated on God's Word, he wrote the words and music to this simple hymn, "Near to the Heart of God."

At the double funeral, outside the darkened, quarantined house of his brother, Cleland McAfee with a choking voice sang this hymn publicly for the first time. The following Sunday, his church choir sang it from their pastor's handwritten copy.

I have a free day; the first in about two weeks!   

Yesterday was very hectic; worked at a client's place (at which time I realized I had left my purse at home!!), driving carefully home, visiting a neighbour, grocery shopping, picture taking and then waited for visitors who were expected between 4:00 and 4:30 P.M.

Unfortunately, they were not able to come so Everett and I went to hear Ava Olsson, Holocaust Survivor and Author of Unlocking the Doors, at a church in Powassan. She gave a gripping talk and a compelling message against intolerance. She also talks at schools and told us of many incidents where bullying was stopped!

Altogether it was a fruitful, if not tiring day!

Hello to all my friends on CP. I am praying for all of you who are facing health issues. For semi-young fogies of 66 & 68, Everett and I have been blessed with good health.

Reading about all the great baking many are doing, reminds me I should make and freeze some zucchini and blueberry loaves before my blueberries are unusable!