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Are you looking for rewards on earth?

"...we who are still alive and remain on earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever."
1 Thessalonians 4:17 NLT

Awaiting our day

"The story is told of an old missionary couple returning to the States after many years of thankless service in Africa. They happened to be on the same ship to New York as President Theodore Roosevelt, who was returning from a big game hunt in Africa. As the ship pulled past the Statue of Liberty and into the dock, huge crowds were gathered to welcome him home. The press was out in full force, and thousands of people had come to get a glimpse of the president.

In the middle of the chaos, the aged missionary couple fought their way through the crowds with their large suitcases in tow. Silently they hailed a cab and made their way to a cheap hotel. The missionary sat on the bed and said to his wife, "It just doesn't seem right. We gave our lives to Christ to win souls for the Kingdom in Africa, and when we arrive home there is no one here to meet us. The president shoots a few animals and receives a royal welcome."

His wife sat beside him on the bed and said softly, "That's because we're not home yet, dear."

It may seem at times as if our work for Christ is going unnoticed. Faith doesn't bring a lot of praise on this earth. But that's only because our trip is not yet over.

Our day will come, you can be sure. And when it does, the ceremony will last for an eternity.

from Embracing Eternity by Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins and Frank M. Martin (Tyndale) p 346[/color]

Many days I recall this story and think of the reunion still coming.

    Hi Judy.   Thanks for the devotional  and it is so true that we are not home yet.

We had a good day at church as we became members today then later in the day we went to Noreen's sister's place for a beautiful dinner then went to a Salvation Army Concert which was also very encouraging and there was a very strong message telling people that they need Christ.  Praise his name for this.

Have  a great week to all.

Here it is Monday again already!  Do you sometimes wonder how it will be in heaven, when we no longer have TIME to pace our lives?  I really can only imagine!

We will attend a funeral at 10:00, then tomorrow another funeral at 10:00.  Beth wishes she could go today, but the church it is being held in has lots of steps, making access for her chair impossible.  She understands that, but still feels bad that she can't go.

The wind is blowing AGAIN today.  Sigh...........  But God is still in control!

Thanks, Carol.  I'm doing okay, and will try to keep your kind words in mind when things seem to overwhelm me.  And you stay safe up there in the ice and snow!

Judy, I also love that story about the missionary couple.  And we aren't home yet, either!  Thanks for the reminder.

Carol - you said,

QuoteAl:  Hello!  How are you and Marbeth?  It always looks like storms begin in north CA and then they dump slippery stuff in the hills. Are you staying warm?  and, well?

We're doing pretty well here.  You're right - the storms come in from the northern Pacific, dump on us, then continue on accross to you.  The difference is, though, that you get it in the form of snow, while, for the most part, we get it in rain.  You can have it - we don't want it.  We lived in Philadelphia for a few years, and we had our fill.
The average here on the northern coast is 50 degrees high and 40 degrees low.  Once in a long while the low gets down below freezing, and the high gets up to 60, but both are rare.

Hi everyone.  It has turned cold here and suppose to get some rain this afternoon and evening and then again tomorrow.  I don't have to get out again today other than to attend my Monday Men's Luncheon. 

For the first time in about 6 weeks I had some chest pain and a little dizziness starting Saturday and more yesterday morning and then in the evening.  However, I slept well but just not feeling up to par this morning.  I seem to be making a lot of mistakes, which is very frustrating, but know it is probably due to less blood getting to my brain.  At least I hope that is what it is. 

Al, we are like you in that we don't get much snow.  However, we do have colder weather in the winter and hotter weather in the summer.

Janet, two funerals in two days is really alot and I don't envy you having to attend two. 

Gord, it is nice to see you have found a new church home and Noreen was able to attend and join with you. 

Judy, thanks for the devotional message.  It is a good one. 

Carol and Etta Sue, guess I need to find something to use the front of Christmas cards on.  I expect to receive fewer cards this year as didn't send any last year and don't think I will again this year.  I just don't have the energy to tackle the project but do enjoy hearing from friends.

When Pat and Paul were here a few days ago Paul told me of a radio station they enjoyed, which is available over the Internet as well as in some local radio markets.  It is called BBN radio for the Bible Broadcasting Network.  Here is the link:  http://www.bbnradio.org/WCM4/Default.aspx?alias=www.bbnradio.org/wcm4/english  They play the old time Christmas hymns and not the contemporary and have inspirational items and programs as a part of the schedule.  I have listened to it several times and am really enjoying it and glad Paul told me about it.  I have an application for my iPod Touch and can listen to it on the Touch.  Carol, if you are interested, just go to the Apps on the Touch and search for BBN Radio and you will find a free app to access the Radio Station.

LAry You may need to call your Doctor again.   Praying

We have a bit of snow.  I expect that by tomorrow it will have melted.

For those who would like to do something with their old greeting cards, here is what I found online. St. Jude's Ranch It seems when I searched that other sites were saying that St. Jude's had enough but St. Jude's site doesn't say that! 

Kitty and I left earlier than usual today to go swimming but first I needed some items at WalMart and then we ate at Wendy's.  Then swimming and she wanted to stop at Big Lots...a discount store that I hadn't been in yet.  They opened in Noblesville last summer and I guess I just forgot it was there.  Lots of things in there that are really nice!  By then Kitty and I were thirsty so went to McD's for a coke! 
I got home just before dark!  A fun day!

Hi everyone.  We have a foggy, damp and dreary day and there are some bad storms coming in from the West that will be here this afternoon.  It will be a good day to stay home.  Just back from coffee and have somewhere I need to go for about an hour at 11 am but after that don't have to be outside.  Sounds like an exciting day. 

Happy to say I am feeling good again and back to my old chipper self.  Guess that is it for today.

I hope your happy, chipper self stays with you Larry - I like the sound of it.  Now if you could find a happy, chipper, YOUNG self, why then I'd get some from you.

Quote from: Al Moak on November 30, 2010, 11:07:33 AM
.....  Now if you could find a happy, chipper, YOUNG self, why then I'd get some from you.

Count me in if there some of that going around!   

A damp, raw day today, raining and supposed to continue overnight and into tomorrow.  One of those day you just can't seem to get warm enough.  Looks like most of the east coast is in for some rough stuff for a couple of days.

Hi Everyone!

Here we are at Paul's brother and his wife's home near Orlando.  What a lovely time we've had so far.  We had quite a surprising visit last night with one of the ladies on Seniors and Friends.  We were travelling down the I-75 and I noticed "The Villages" and remembered that Bev and Chape Pratt moved there from Vermont so we telephoned them just to say "Hi" and we ended up having a lovely supper with them and then we stayed the night there.  What a time renewing old memories!

Now we're at Paul's brother's home and I'm getting to know his lovely wife, Sally.  (Maybe she'll register on here!) 

Larry, hope you didn't wash the sheets! 

What a dreary day in Indiana!  Cloudy.  Overcast.  Cold.  Misting rain.  A great day to stay inside and keep warm. 

I have been doing some laundry and working on Christmas cards.  Taking a break now. 

I took Ivalou's mail to her and she found me the address of where we are going Saturday for the Stevenson Christmas.  I've been there before but it is in an addition and all those homes look alike so I need an address to put in the GPS and find it. 

Not much news today.  Just trying to keep warm!

Pat it is wonderful that you are having a great time.  Did yu get to the gulf?  I will keep a lookout for Sally!

We are having wet and foggy weather.  I expect the snow to be gone soon.  Have a great evening everyone.

I hope I will not need to attend another funeral for a while!  I helped with the dinner for the one today, and we served a BIG crowd of relatives.  They were very appreciative, and we were glad we could do that for them.

I visited Beth, went by to visit my friend Dee, and got back home around 3 this afternoon.  Then......I took a nap!

Larry, glad your chipper self is back, and hope he stays with you! 

Etta Sue, I found Self at my house, and she did get some cleaning done. 

Pat, good to read that you are having a good time on your travels.  When are you coming to Kansas?

Flood watch and high wind warning.  Doesn't that sound exciting?     We're supposed to get up to 2 inches of rain and winds are expected to be from 20 to 30 miles per hour.  But at least temperatures today will be around 50 F.  Once again, thank you Lord for a warm dry home.

Self does a great job once Self decides to show up.  I just wish Self would show up more often! 

Well, thick white rain in Indiana!  I guess we shouldn't complain.  First noticeable stuff this season!  And it is December today!  It is pretty.  The ground isn't fully covered yet.  It is snow that is coming down sideways!  So it isn't thick.  Probably bite-y out there with the wind! 

But I am taking Ivalou to the doctor's office for a blood pressure check and to talk to Andrea.  Then we are treating ourselves to Chinese food at King Chef...our favorite Chinese restaurant!  And if Ivalou needs to go to WalMart or Marsh, they are both nearby the restaurant. 

Kitty and Bob have been on again off again for 5 days in going to St. Louis and Sikeston, MO, because of the weather!  Of all days, it is snowing and they are going!  In one day, the day we went swimming, she was on plan 'F'.  Bob would say they are leaving, then not.  Back and forth.  He just doesn't know what all a woman has to do before going on a trip!  It would have to be 'nay' or 'yay' with me...no wishy washy with me!

Better get going to Ivalou's.

Amen to  what Jeanne said.  The warm, dry home is a merciful gift from our Father.

Hi Everyone...

Finishing with our lovely visit to Paul's brother and his wife this evening and tomorrow morning, we'll go to the Epcot Centre and then to Judy and my cousin's home for the night tomorrow night.

Janet, I wish!!!!!

Hi everyone.  A beautiful day here but cold.  It was 33 degrees this morning and currently is 43 degrees.  However, the sun is out.  We had a miserable day yesterday with lots of rain in the afternoon and evening.  Not too far from here (maybe 10 miles or so) they had 50 homes destroyed or damaged with what was apparently a tornado.  Fortunately there appears to have been no injuries or loss of life, which is a blessing from God. Also many roads were flooded and people stranded for quite awhile on the Interstates and other roads.

Perhaps some of you heard on the news that they made the biggest drug bust in our county and apparently ever in the USA of a meth house.  It is in an area where we often go by in a home in a neighborhood.  It was valued at $44 million dollars worth of drugs seized. 

Pat, upstairs here is just as you left it and will remain so until your return visit, which we are looking forward to.  Hope you are having a great time at Epcot as it is quite a place.  There is a lot to see there.  I always enjoyed riding through the gardens where they grow produce without soil.  Glad you were able to stop and see Beverly and her husband and then have a nice visit with Paul's brother and his wife. 

Al, happy to say that chipper has remained today as I have felt really good both yesterday and today.  Looking forward to choir tonight as we have only three more rehearsals before our Christmas Cantata on the evening of December 12th.  We attended Bible study this morning, then coffee with our friends and then out to lunch.  We came home and had a nice nap.  My electric blanket felt mighty good.

Etta Sue, I prefer my white rain as shampoo and not the frozen kind.  Hope it doesn't last long up your way. 

Jeanne, I think you all are getting the storm that went through the South yesterday as it was headed up the Eastern seaboard.

Janet, providing lunch after a funeral is such an act of respect to the family on behalf of the deceased.  I know how appreciative I was when that was done for us after my mother's funeral.  It gave the family a time to visit that doesn't exist prior to the funeral.  That "Self" is really a busy person and really gets around! 

Hi Judy.  Hope you are not having too much snow and cold weather up your way.

Hello all at CP
I just completed voting on the  Mini Challenge #51 - Butterflies, Birds and Beasts and, so far, only 15 have voted.
JudyB. I was in Sundridge around 2:00 P.M. and they were having quite a snow shower, however by the time I came on our road, we were just getting rain. It's currently 1 degree C (33.8 F)

Ruth I know...at least you don't have to shovel rain!!!!!

Hello everyone:

It is cooler with a few flakes of snow but not enough to stay. 

It seems that every day is a busy one but is that what it is like when we get older?
It was coffee this morning then off to do some shopping at Canadian Tire. Yes we left a dollar or two behind. We have had a deer and fawn  as decorations but added two swans they are beautiful.
I finally got the Christmas Tree in place a smaller one that sits on a table. With the family getting smaller we do not need anything large, in fact just enough to look pretty.

The expected phone call arrived this evening at present the family is planning only a memorial service in a couple of weeks.
They have been through a lot in a short 3 months as this was so sudden. Cancer I must add was the reason.

Time to go and check some other sites out.   

Larry:  The chipper guy!  Hurrah!  I saw those pictures of wind devastation.  Terrible for the homeowners.  I am sorry but I just don't know how to get the apps to go to a radio station.  Must be doing something wrong.  I did listen to my Pandora songs that came from the laptop though and that music was very nice.  Listening to a real evangelical pastor's book - Strobel is the author.  He is all for testimonies & actually going to knock on doors.  I would rather do the behind the scenes work 

Jeanne:  Do you have a wool sweater?  I found a good wool shirt & use it when I just can't get warm. Wrap a long scarf around your neck, even in the house - no kidding.  It helps.  How about longies? 

Janet:  That would be terrific is Pat could make it out to Kansas.  It is nice of you to help with the funeral food. 

JudyB:  Is your favorite truck driver home now?  Bet he was really chilly in northern Minnesota.  It can be cold so suddenly.  I am still trying to knit that pattern.  Are you making it now?  I have one dropped spot in the back & am going to just somehow pull it together from underneath & mend it & do hope it doesn't show. 

I think Thanksgiving should be changed to either October or February.  It is too close to Christmas & this year is such a busy year.  All week, both of us have medical & dental appointments.  So far, so good.  My teeth are OK after the fall - they have been aching.  Everything aches.  I had a prescription pain gel that the insurance only paid $1 and we paid the other $28.  Just giving thanks that we could pay for the prescription but next time will look for something OTC. 

Bible study has one more meeting until Jan.  There is one woman who just has to get into politics so much that it disturbs me - even though I almost agree with everything she says.  She has been at that table for ages so it will never change. 

Ruth:  Just read your note and I am sorry for the family going through a funeral at this time of the year.  It was the same with my parents and Don's parents - we always think of them over the holidays.  I was just reading Ecclesiastics about "Time".  Timing is not our choice, is it?  Hugs to you.   

Carol, I dress with layers all winter.  Right now I'm up to three!  LOL  I even have one sweater with a hood and find that when it gets really bone-chilling and nothing else helps, if I wear that hood (yes, even in the house) it does make a huge difference.  Keeping the humidity up when the heat is on helps a lot, too.  Don't worry, I've lived in this climate long enough to know how to cope.  It's just that now and then the "gripes" get the best of me - and I should know better.   

I know I enjoyed my lunch at King Chef.  I have been going down the lunch menu and eventually trying all the meals.  Yesterday was my first to try seafood with Chinese.  The Chicken and Shrimp was delish and now I am wondering why I haven't tried seafood in Chinese before.  With the Chicken and Shrimp was fried rice, an egg roll, Hot and Sour Soup and Hot Tea.  And of course a fortune cookie.  I didn't have enough to bring any home but Ivalou had Beef and Broccoli for supper also!

I am making Chocolate Bread (Paula Dean recipe) for my part in the Stevenson Christmas.  There is a spread that calls for Hot Fudge and Butter.  Ivalou and I stopped at Kroger and I found the Hot Fudge.  Now I need more flour.  If I don't get to the store, maybe I can borrow from Ivalou!  Convenient to have her next door!

Bright and sunny today but only 29 degrees.  Not much wind though.  I am hoping to make some spaghetti for lunch and then work on my Christmas cards this afternoon.  Ivalou wants me to help her with her cards also.  She will sign her name and I will address the envelope and put the card in the envelope and seal.  Her hands just don't work together sometimes.  Love my sister and feel blessed to be able to help her. 

Ruth, I'm so sorry you have lost another family member.  Cancer and Alzheimers are such awful thieves!  (((hugs)))

My mom is failing pretty rapidly.  She is almost blind now; I have to get my face within 8 inches of hers for her to recognize me now.  And her hearing is very poor as well.  I asked her yesterday if she is getting homesick for heaven, and she said, "Yeah, I am."  I don't know what happened after I left, but about 2 hours later my sister Jeanie called me to tell me the Home had called to tell her they were having problems with Mom.  Seems she threw water on one of the nurses, and yelled at them that they never give her anything good to eat.  Jeanie called Mom's doctor and made an appointment for her, but I don't know that he will be able to do anything for her.  She isn't sick, she isn't in pain---she is just old, tired and discouraged.  And who wouldn't be, in similar circumstances?  Her world is dark and silent, most of the time.  I called my eldest sister to tell her that if they can, they should probably get down here to visit Mom soon.

I slept later than usual today, now I need to be getting around!

Hi everyone.  It has been a chiilly, sunny and busy morning.  After coffee and a quick trip at the grocery store I went to walk at the gym but didn't do well as after 4 or 5 round I brought on left arm pain and had to stop.  It has taken all morning but now feeling OK again and looking forward to a rest period.  Shortly after I got home the septic tank people came to clean it out.  They were here 30 to 45 minutes and all was well.  We had had no problems with it but didn't want to take the chance.  Fortunately there is nothing else on my schedule.

Janet, so sorry to hear that you mother is failing.  Hope the doctor can help her.  Glad you were able to get a little more sleep that usual as sure you could use it.

Etta Sue,  speaking addressing Christmas card I have used labels for the addrsses for a good number of years.  It assures the mailman can read the address and makes the addressing of envelopes easy. 

Jeanne, the hood sounds like a wise idea.  For years I didn't wear a cap or hat except in the coldest of weather.  I do now and find it really makes a difference as we lose a lot of heat through the tops of our heads.

Carol, there are two ways to get apps on your iPod Touch.  I prefer to go to the Apps program that comes on the Touch and then search for what I want such as a specific radio station.  There is also a good program called iheart radio that gives you access to a lot of different programs.  When an item comes up in the search just click on it and you will go to that page.  You have to take a specific action, including signing on to your account with iTunes even if the app is free, before it will install it.  I think once you do that you will find it works well.  I just put another app on my Touch for Moody Broadcasting and am enjoying their station.  I used to listen to their programs and music all the time and then lost touch.  The second way is through the iTunes program on your computer and then plug in your USB cable into the computer the and Touch and sync the program.  Also, going directly thru the app program on the Touch can be used to keep the applications you have up-to-date.  Hope you understand what I am saying.  It is harder to explain than to do it. 

Hi RuthV and Judy, I saw your postings.

Larry:  I just printed your answer so I may refer to it since I don't have "total recall" these days.   
Thanks for all of the options. 


We drove one son to our two newest & favorite thrift stores where he did find a newish desk lamp for $2.50 and then we treated him to a Vietnamese noodle bowl.  All day long, I have been running errands and just now sipping coffee.  I had a mammogram first this morning, and should finally be set for a year on tests and all. 

We raised our children to be very independent and boy does it come back to rattle me at times - who on earth would ever tell their parents that they prefer to go to another church Christmas Eve?? OK, I can get over this too for it is time to think of what to be grateful about & they are gathering as usual so we do have many thanks. 

Janet:  Your mom just has to be frustrated with the limitations now & I am so sorry that she feels this way.  Take care, there will be an answer for you.  Hugs & prayers for moms. 

Tomorrow is Don's physical & that is way up north in town.  Not a drop of snow in the forecast so this week of driving has gone smoothly.  I am not getting anything "done" around here & no sewing with all of these appointments.