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                                  GOD'S SPECIAL PLACE

Read Luke 2:1-7
[Mary] brought forth her first-born Son...and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. --Luke 2-7

As a young girl in the late 1920s, Grace Ditmanson Adams often traveled with her missionary parents through inland China.  Later, she wrote about those trips and the crowded places where they stayed overnight--village inns full of people coughing, sneezing, and smoking, while babies cried and children complained.  Her family put their bedrolls on board-covered trestles in a large room with everyone else.

One snowy night, they arrived at an inn to find it packed full.  The inn-keeper expressed his regret, the paused and said, "Follow me."  He led them to a side room used to store straw and farm equipment.  There they slept in a quiet place of their own.

After that, whenever Grace read that Mary "brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke2:7), she saw the event differently.  While some described the innkeeper as an example of uncaring, sinful mankind who rejected the Savior, Grace said, "I truly believe that Almighty God used the innkeeper as the arranger for a healthier place than the crowded inn--a place of privacy."

Through eyes of faith, we see God's provision for Mary.  Look for the ways He provides for you. --David McCasland

Wait on the Lord from day to day,
Strength He provides in His own way:

There's no need for worry, no need to fear,
He is our God who is always near. --Fortna

Hi everyone.  We are a chilly 27 degrees this morning but sunny.  When I came home from coffee found I couldn't get my garage door open.  We had a power outage that lasted an hour.  We were getting our coats on to go to the library or a bookstore when the power came back on and the furnace kicked in although my office still is chilly today.  I am certainly not complaining, however, when I watch the news and see so many folks in the NE experiencing such difficulties with the weather.  We had the perfect snow storm as the roads and walks remained clear in our area. 

I did attend church yesterday and we had only 50 or 60 people in attendance and a choir of 8.  We did not do the anthem we had prepared as our director was ill and we didn't have enough voices to do it justice.  I came home and rested awhile and then took our daughter back to her apartment.  So things are getting back to normal.

I have nothing else planned for today other than watch some football late this afternoon and again later this evening.  Georgia Tech plays Army in a bowl game at 5 pm and the Falcons play today.

Janet, thanks for the devotional for this week.  That is an interesting slant on the story of where Christ was born and the role of the innkeeper.

Janet that has given a totally different perspective to Christ's birth.  Thank you for the devotional. 

Today is a quiet day that John and I are enjoying together.  God Bless all of you .

It's wonderful what God can use to show us something in a new way.  Thanks for that, Janet.

We only got about 2 inches of snow overnight, and although we still have an "advisory", it's mostly now for the wind.  In fact, the sun is shining!   

I got the above story enclosed in a Christmas card.  I couldn't stop thinking about it, and how it does change my perception of Jesus' birth in a stable.......maybe the best place, after all.  Mary certainly needed privacy, and that was provided.  Glad you enjoyed it, too.

My house guest left about 11:15 today.  She is a delightful gal, had been here since about Wednesday of last week, but was out "pitching" all day on every day until Saturday.  (She sells perfume.)  Anyway, I was typing the devotional and listening to her, thus the errors.  I think I have them all corrected now.

It was about 20* this morning, but is now up to around 40*.  And we still haven't had enough snow to register.  I surely don't want a big blizzard, though!  But if one comes, I hope we are home!

Beth had a good Christmas.  When I went to get her, one of the nurses stopped me and said, "If Beth's hair looks bad, I didn't do it.  But if she looks good, I did it.  Just kidding, she looks gorgeous!"  This gal was doing the ladies' hair, just as a loving service to them.  She said she wanted to apply some makeup for Beth, but ran out of time.  So Mary (our guest) did that, and Beth looked SO nice.  She was able to stay until after 8:00 in the evening before asking us to take her back.

See you later!

Thank you, Janet, for the devotion.  I love the different slant about the birth of Jesus in a manager in a stable.  I am sure it was much quieter than an inn full of people and a lot more private in order to give birth to the Messiah. 

And Larry, our Cantata was beautiful as yours was beautiful.  There were 25 in the choir, a narrator and the choir director.  No orchestra...the music was on CD.  Ruth Ann, the minister's wife and director, sure does get results from our choir.  We snickered though when it was asked that the choir come to the stage...a third of the congregation when up on stage to sing!  Loved it!  And I sent the link of your website and your cantata to Ruth Ann.  I know she will love it! 

Also I wasn't suppose to run the projector yesterday but Ruth Ann called me about 40 minutes before church to ask if I could run it.  The woman that was suppose to run it called to say she had to work yesterday morning.  So I got a quick training since I hadn't done a cantata before!

All is over for Christmas...even the trash was just picked up!  Since I didn't have much decorations out, it didn't take me long to put it all away.  My bows are still on the deck but hopefully they will be stored in the garage again by Friday when our temps are suppose to get way up there in the 50's!!

When I receive pictures of family and friends, I put them on my fridge with little magnets.  It was getting so I had to bend over to put them on there...9 years of collecting.  So I took all of them down...cleaned the fridge and I am starting over with the pictures I received for Christmas.  Already, I am giving the fridge a double-take...not used to a bare fridge front! 

I watched 'Sound of Music' again last night and today on Oprah is to be the cast of 'Sound of Music'.  I am recording it. 

I have already been to Lapel today.  My niece, Teresa, made me a bunch of ham (bologna) salad for Christmas and for some reason, I can't eat ham salad sandwiches without potato chips ON the sandwich and ON the side!  So after the bank, I went to Dollar General for potato chips and my flavored water! 

Then Tony called and asked if I was home.  I said, 'Yes!  Are you coming to see me?'  'Yes.'  'Well, I will see you in a few minutes.'  He said, 'Sooner than that.  I am in the drive and called to make sure you were home before getting out in the snow!'  He didn't bring the snow blower so I still have lots of snow on the drive.  I wonder if I would use a snow blower if I had one?  Naw!!

Everyone keep warm!!

Etta Sue once you would get a snow blower and tried it you would be sold.  We love ours, just I can't use it with my shoulder problem.

Looks like everyone has had a busy day hee at CP.  RuthV has had company and had had and still has a busy week ahead.  John heads to work tomorrow, and I am finishing up a job I started.   

Praying for each of you my friends as I settle in for a long winters nap!

Yes, it looks like everyone was busy away from CP yesterday.  Good for them....bad for us! 

Today is SAMS.  We are all going to Olive Gardens.  Jane called and she is driving today.  She said Ivalou wasn't going since she was sore from when she fell!  I didn't know that!  Said that Ivalou was putting something under the Christmas tree and got over-balanced and fell Sunday sometime.  I was over there for lunch.  Hope that Jo was still there to help her up.  And Ivalou took the trash herself yesterday morning to Kaye Don's drive way.  She said she was fine...just sore. 

Other than that...not much news to talk about. 

Oh, yes!  Janet, I am going to share your devotion at SAMS today.  They look to me to bring something to read...funny or serious.  I love your devotion and just have to share it!!

Sharing that devotion is a wonderful idea Etta Sue.  Have a good day.

I am back on this website. I called Frontier this morning and the tech took over my computer and fixed it, it took about 40 minutes. Thank you Jesus.



We went to California for Christmas, however I fell on Thursday and hurt my right knee AGAIN, Not bad but it does hurt still especially when I touch it. Friday  after checking into the motel acrosss the street to have Gyro's on Pita bread. I love those Greek Gyros. After a nap we went to Gilbert's for supper ad gifts. On Christmas day we went to Sarah's parent's house for dinner and gifts. On Sunday we went to church in McKinelyville coming home after church.

Gosh it is good to be back here. I doubt I will even try to get caught up on the reading though.

Janet I went backt o read the devotional, what a great story. Also gald that beth had a nice Christmas and got her hair done up nice too.

Etta Sue what is SAMS?

Larry i saw on TV about all the snow in Atlanta and know that you are only about 30 miles from there. Did you get a lot at your place.

Hi Judy How is all of your brood doing?

HOORAY!!!  Marilyn, I'm so glad your problem getting here was solved!   

Hi everyone.  We have a beautiful day here today.  It was very chilly here this morning and we had to sit away from the windows at McDonald's as it was too cold there.  By noon it had warmed up a bit.  Most of our snow is gone. 

Marilyn, it was god to see you posting again as it was about time to send you another email with the postings.  Our snow is about gone and we only had maybe an inch or two but in our area the roads never became slick or unpassable.  In fact it was just a perfect white Christmas snow as the ground and trees were covered but the walks and roads weren't.  That wasn't true all over Atlanta.  Glad you were able to be with your family for Christmas.

Etta Sue, a couple of years ago our choir did a cantata using a CD and our director vowed she would never do that again as didn't have the control she wanted in her directing.  I thought it went well as an alternative to hiring an orchestra but know we won't do it again with this director and that is fine.  I thank you for sharing the link with Ruth Ann.  I must admit I hadn't even thought of it.  By the way, I have heard some lame excuses but that one as to why you can't eat ham salad without the aid of a potato chip takes the cake.      I shared that with my wife and she said she thought it made a lot of sense.

Janet, so glad the Beth was able to enjoy the day with you as know that must mean a lot to her.  It was nice of the lady to fix hair for the residents.  When my mother was in the nursing home they had a beauty parlor and my sister assured that she had her hair fixed each week and had nice looking clothing (although that part was difficult with the laundry situation).  I am surprised you didn't get some snow from that storm that came across the country which gave us the snow and then up the East coast.

Jeanne, sounds like you were lucky with the snow situation.  It looked to be pretty bad in other parts of New York state.

Judy, sure the holiday with John at home went too quickly. 

I got notice that the first book I had requested for my ebook reader was available for download.  However, when I went to the library site to download it there is a message they are having a problem with their software and it was temporarily unavailable.  They will only hold the book for two days before it is released for someone else so will have to keep my eye on it and hope it is fixed by tomorrow.  I am about half way through reading a Zane Grey book and enjoying it.  I don't think I had ever read a Zane Grey story before. 

This will be a very light week for me as we have no Bible study this week or choir on Wednesday and nothing on the schedule until Saturday morning other than going to coffee early each morning.  I will enjoy the change of pace.

Hello, everybody.  It's been a busy day, but a couple of hours ago I started having chills, aching and coughing, and have a headache.  Ugh.  Mom is having more problems, I spent time with her, then went to the doctor with her.  Her legs are swollen and weeping, they have wrapped the right one in Ace bandages and are having her sit in her recliner so her feet can be elevated.

I feel so bad, am going to try to get a little nap.

Janet, I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling well.  I'm praying for your quick recovery.

Marilyn Welcome back.

Larry- Zane Gray is very similar to Louis Lamour.  I have most of his books and will keep them as they contain a lot of history intertwined in the fiction.

I will join Jeanne in praying Janet.

I'm praying for Janet too.  I've always loved to read Zane Grey and also Louis L'Amour, It seems that when I do read  either of them the reading goes so fast. I used to read at least 1 book a day but I haven't done any book reading in quite a long while other than my Bible and what I read online.

Janet your post sounds like the beginning of a commercial for cold medicine, LOL I know  that what you are feeling isn't funny but they way you said that  tickled my funny bone. I will pray for your mother too.

Welcome back, Marilyn.  Did they tell you what they fixed?

I watched her fix it she had control of my computer. She  went in to the command mode then  ipconfig and pinged this site using different codes until it worked.

Stopping by, just for a moment, to let y'all know I've been there and back again!  I arrived home in Coos Bay about 6 p.m. this evening, after leaving from my daughter's in Spokane nearly 12 hours earlier! I had a long lay-over in Portland on the return trip, though, that is what took the time.

It was/is raining here and I had to drive home from the Eugene airport in the rain AND in the dark for most of the way!  I really dislike driving in the rain after dark!     But I did make it home safe and sound, and called my daughter at each stopping point to let her know I had made it that far safely.   

I had a very nice visit with my daughter and granddaughter in Spokane and enjoyed other of their friends while there.  They are still waiting for the storm that was predicted to arrive ... I think it went north of them.  Oh, well.

I'll be back as I have time and check up on all y'all ... until then I need to take a break and rest my weary bones.   

Hi everyone.  I got up a bit earlier than usual this morning so have had time to read the postings and do my e-mail before going to coffee.  As far as I know my schedule is completely clear for today, a little holiday period restful time) and I will enjoy it.  Need to prepare some reports and work out a budget for next year for a group I am involved with as this will be needed a week from today.

Janet, sorry to read that you are catching something.  Hope it is better today.

Jane, glad to see you are safely home.  I agree with you on driving at night, especially if it is raining since that makes the road even harder to see.  It sounds like you had a nice time while you were away.

Judy and Marilyn, I am enjoying the Zane Grey story and will read more of his books.  I am spending a lot less time on the computer so am having more time available for reading.  I used to spend all day on the computer and all evening too.  I don't do that anymore as now have only one website that I maintain and it is low-maintenance most of the year.

Jeanne, hope your snow will be melting.  We are suppose to get up to 50 degrees today so should think all of our snow, which is already gone except in protected places, should disappear today.

Yeah!  Marilyn is back.  And Jane is back, too!  Sorry to hear that Janet is ill.  Glad that Jeanne isn't in the storm.  And Larry is cautious of the cool weather there.  And JudyB is still in the deep freeze but staying warm. 

I am thinking about going swimming today.  I haven't been since Nov 30th.  It will all depend on how fast I move.  If I can't leave by 1pm, then I will stay home. 

SAMS stands for Senior Adult Ministry.  Actually should be SAM's.  Kind of a weird name.  Seniors are adults!  Really it is for the old folks in the church to get together for a meal other than at church! 

That's it, folks!!

Good Morning Yay!! Jane is back home, I have missed seeing her for the past week each morning at the fitness center.

It is cold here this morning and there was some very tiny little pieces of sleet when I took the dogs out just before dawn. At first I thought it was the wind blowing hard through the trees until I noticed the salt like  stuff on the deck rail.

Janet how are you feeling today, I prayed hard for you a few times during the night whenever I woke up and  before I went to sleep the first time. There are a lot of home remedy type things out there. You sent some about Honey and Cinnamon, I think it was a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon to a tablespoon of honey. If you  can find that I sure would like to have it again, I accidentally deleted it. Then there is the cider vinegar and honey mixed half and half for coughing taken by the tablespoon, I know it tastes yucky but it sure worked for me.

It is about time for me to get myself out to the car and on to the  gym.

Marilyn, it's so nice to have you back!  And thanks so much for the prayers.  I was awake a lot last night, tried to pray, but my mind was all a jumble.  I think I was feeling overwhelmed by dealing with Mom's and Beth's conditions.  I get so tired of hearing, "there is nothing we can do....."  But God understands, He loves them both and He is in control.  I have spent the day trying to get myself psyched back up to my usual cheerful and optimistic self.  I did go to Beth's eye appointment with her, heard the same mantra as usual..nothing we can do.  

Thanks you each so much for praying for me.  It is very much appreciated, and I can tell when someone is praying for me.  Love you all!

They are saying we will get some cold weather in the next few days.

WELCOME HOME, JANE!!  You were missed.  Glad you made it safely through the rain and the dark!

Darrel is telling me my hamburger is ready!  See you later!

Etta Sue we are in a thaw today.  It has been at 0*F and over all day.  didn't bother to even light the furnace till about 7 this evening.  This is unusual for the time of year but we are expecting a storm for Friday.  Tomorrow RuthV is running her son south to Toronto, and will be turning back home the same day.  I hope they stay ahead of the weather. That will be about a 10 hour round trip.

Larry if you can get it from the library find the lamour book "Last of the Breed"  It is my all time favourite and I am sure you will enjoy it as well.

I had a panic on my hands.  I lost specific embroidery floss and a wonderful pair of embroidery scissors that were given to me.  I have hunted high and low.   Thought it meant that I would have to buy all new floss.  I prayed that god had His eyes on the floss and would He put my eyes onto where I had put the project.  I sat down in my chair and saw a package sticking out from under the top of the coffee table on the ledge under it.  Yes It was all the supplies for my project.   God is good, the answer came quickly!

Have a great evening everyone.

Janet:  Sending my prayers for your health and strength for the months and years ahead.

Larry:  Snow in Atlanta - I thought that was the Deep South!  Glad that you had a nice visit and good Christmas.   

We are now in Arizona after our son told us that we just had to leave as planned and he does have daily visits from friends and family.  Our daughter plans to stay a night over the weekend and cook all day then freeze more dinners for him.  He is getting around rather well and pain is  controlled - physical therapy may start soon. 

We had the best ever weather driving down to the east of Phoenix area and now spending time setting things up.  The computer needs a new microphone so we can use SKYPE. Wanted to visit with a cousin and she is sad because friends are coming for the next three weeks.  She gets company over the next three months and we hardly can get together anymore. 

Here, there is rain today and snow in some of what they call higher areas so it will be beautiful and they really need the rain in Arizona. 

Pat's and my cousin posted this on his wall on Facebook.


"If we all under accused, over confessed and over forgave we would have a surplus of peace. Instead we over accuse, under confess and under forgive, creating a surplus of strife." ~R.c. Sproul Jr. ~

Just think if we were to follow this for the New Year.....Make it our way of life.....What would change for us???

My did I have some reading to do!!!  As JudyB mentioned I have had my son visiting; we went down and picked him up on the 23rd. Tomorrow we take him back to Toronto and plan to be back late tomorrow night (I had not heard of the impending storm!)

We had my daughter, my four grandchildren, my son and a couple, who are dear friends for Christmas dinner. Everything turned out wonderfully even though I discovered afterward that the carrots never made it to the table 

May God bless you all. Thank you all for the postings. What an encouragement it is to see how God works in the lives of those who put their trust in Him!!

Hi everyone.  I have the house to myself for a bit this morning as Pat has gone to have breakfast with a friend.  This is the friend that was ill the day they had it planned before Christmas.  Last night Pat was feeling well at all and we had a coupon for a 2 for 1 at Burger King.  So I went to use the ticket for the Whopper sandwiches and when I went through the drive through the person said I should save my coupons as it was Whopper Wednesday and you got two for $3.  Couldn't beat that.

I did get a few of my things on my list done yesterday.  However, had to think to myself that it is a good thing I don't work anymore as my production level is way down and it took me a long time to accomplish these things.  However, there was no rush so no problem and since I work for myself guess I won't get into trouble or get fired. 

Our weather is a bit warmer today and suppose to get up to about 60 tomorrow but we are to have rain later today or tomorrow.

I think I mentioned that I had gotten a Logitech Harmony Remote for Pat for Christmas.  It is great and now I am able to put away five remotes and just use the Harmony.  Pat loves it as do I as only have to push one button to turn on the device you want and it does the rest. 

RuthV,  my wife has done what you did with the carrots on occasion but there always seems to be enough to eat without the forgotten item and it can be served at another meal.  Hope the storm holds off until you get back from your trip to Toronto.

JudyB, glad you found your  embroidery floss and scissors.  It is strange how things just disappear and then appear.  I will try to keep that L'mour book in mind.  I am really enjoying the Zane Grey book I am reading.

Carol, nice to read that you had a good trip to Arizona and now can enjoy the warm weather.  We usually get very little, if any, snow here in Atlanta.  It is all gone now although on the news last night they had a report of people snowed in up in the North Georgia mountains and running out of food. 

Janet, I understand your concerns about your mother and Beth.  Just stay in today as only God knows what is going to happen tomorrow.  I know that is easier said than done but I find it has helped me a lot.

Marilyn, it is good to see you posting again.  I take that you and Jane go to the same gym.

Etta Sue, our local Methodist church as a SAM's group and they have offered us a donut when we are there walking at the gym. 

Time to get to work on a couple more of the items on my list.  Also a lot of good football games on today and tonight.  Sure I will probably watch a couple of them.

Larry yes Jane I an go to the same gym we joined together as it was something we had been talking about when I was still in California, it just took us both awhile to   get it in the budget. In fact i will be leaving here shortly to go there.

Today I am going to get some of the household bills set up to pay online. Keith has been writing checks for them, and using the office stamps to mail them. It is much easier to pay them online

Well time to go. See all y'all later. Oh it was sure good to see a post from RuthAnn.