Christian Photographers Community

Oops!  I got behind in here somehow.  I am working at the fair again today, but wanted to say hello.  I will be back later and post the latest update from Africa...am so relieved my sister is getting great medical care in Johannesburg, South Africa and will be home soon.

I have skipped over a lot of posts as must get out to the fair to assist the judge...I promise to read each one carefully when I get back home.

Beastly hot here....106 yesterday!  I'm really glad I do not have to be working outdoors at the fair!  I feel for all those with the livestock, and the livestock, too!

Hi everyone.  A quiet day here as no place I need to go today.  May get some rain later and it is going to be hot and humid.

Janet, hope where you are judging is air conditioned.

Ruth Ann, wonderful work you are doing helping others and benefiting your church.  A friend recently gave Pat a lot of material which included 6 cut out quillo's (which are a little quilt with a built in pocket where it can be folded up and placed in that pocket.  There was a lot of other material as well.

Judy, sad about the falcons but nature often seems very cruel to we humans.  It is God's plan however.

That video makes me cry every time!  Sure cleans the head out and fills up your heart!  Logan is something else. 

I am driving a black Nissan Altima.  Hawaii should be done tomorrow some time. 

Ivalou's birthday is Friday and we have rehab.  I am wanting to take her to a restaurant in a town south of Noblesville for lunch....thus me driving!  I think she has been there before but I haven't.  I just know they are known for great breaded tenderloin sandwiches...yum!!!

I have clothes hanging on the line.  Since my bushes are trimmed and I can get to my lines, (an umbrella clothes line) I decided I can hang out my clothes again instead of running the dryer!  My light bill almost doubled from last month to this month, so I would rather not use my dryer than not use A/C!! 

Ivalou's daughter, Jo, went home last evening.  This morning Ivalou got her driveway sealed.  Mine didn't need it this year!  Ivalou's car is sitting by my garage.  Every time I look out a south window, I wonder whose car is that!!!

I made a chicken salad for lunch.  Sounds so good! 

Hot and hazy today!  Not as high of temps as Janet but it is the humidity that gets us in Indiana!  It is to get to 94 degrees but with the humidity the heat index will make it feel like 108 or 109!  Stay inside weather.  My grass is turning brown so no mowing until it gets a good soaking with rain!

Larry, you posted while I was composing.  Remember the dish clothes I knitted for my neighbor?  She said she would give me a quillo for the work.  I haven't seen it yet, tho! 

Going to be HHH the next two or three days.  And I absolutely must get to the store so I'd better get started before it gets any hotter.  If I don't melt in the meanwhile, I'll see you later!   

Hi Pat, thanks for sharing that message from Logan

Can you post that on facebook; I would love to pass it along to others.

thanks

Whew!  I made it out and back before the really hot, sticky stuff hit.   And I haven't melted at all - not even any of the extra pounds.   

Hi Joyce...

I did post it on Facebook just before coming here to post it.  If you can't get it, let me know.

Etta Sue, can you please send me some of that chicken salad?  Sounds just about right for me.  What do you put in it?  I have 1/2 a cooked chicken breast that I brought home on Sat. night from the Swiss Chalet that I couldn't eat as I was too full so that sounds just about right for me to eat maybe tonight.

Janet, stay in the A/C!!!  I'm just taking a wee rest from cleaning out the cupboard under my kitchen sink (what a job!!!) and then washing the kitchen floor so came in here to sit in front of the fan to cool down a little.

Thanks, Pat

Howdy one and all I want to thank  those who have clicked like on my Grafx by Marilyn Facebook page. I am working on getting more  images added  but I am only choosing those not made from a tutorial only those designed by me.

I went to the  Farmer's Market today and bought some spinach, Broccoli and Cucumbers. I sliced the Cucumbers and made Marinated Cucumbers, I also baked a German Chocolate Cake, it is cooling and I will get it frosted before Keith gets home for lunch.

Not much new around her. It is a beautiful day here on the Oregon coast. 64°, it is supposed to be windy this afternoon.

Pat yesterday I cleaned out the silverware draw and that was sure a job too. there was stuff that had been spilled in there and didn't get seen until the liner got moved. Probly spilled in there long before my time here.

Well, I got my cupboard done!!!

I keep on opening it to look at it and see if I'm pleased with my job, Marilyn!

And are you, Pat?  Pleased, that is.    It does feel good to get a dreaded chore done, doesn't it?

I am just home from the fair.  I wasn't judging today, I am the Supt. of the Art department, so was assisting the judge.  If I were to judge here in my hometown, then I couldn't enter my work.  I entered five paintings and got 4 blues (first place) the Judge's Choice, a grand champion, and Overall Grand Champion!  Not too shabby, huh?  I entered Abby's Dance scrapbook I had been working on, and it also got a blue and a Grand.  Beth wanted to enter some of her little stuffed pigs, they got a blue, so she is happy!  And the painting my friend did of Beth's dog got a blue and a reserve grand!  I am a happy camper tonight! 

There is a talent show at the fair tonight, I might go back out for that, since it is inside where it's air conditioned.  It was so cool in the room where we were toay that it made my nose run!  Felt good to go outdoors---for about 45 seconds!

I love that clip about little Logan.  What a mighty man of God he alrady is!  God bless him.

Now I will go find that update and post it, then I'm going to rest a while!

Date: Wednesday, July 20, 2011, 5:06 AM

Hey guys!

I don't know when the last time I was able to update, so I'm sorry if I've kept any of you in suspense. It's been a couple of crazy and emotional days. I think that the last time I updated "y'all" was when my grandmother popped out her hip for the second time...well, we rested that weekend, and my grandma did it again in the first village. Thank God that we thought about getting her some constricting pants because those things kept the hip in place for the most part, yet it still popped out and I had to make a big decision. I met with Tim after getting Grandma all set, and decided that I would go back to the states then and get grandma home...Tim decided to come with and we left that village for Blantyre. When we got to trying to figure things out, it ended up being about $8000 a person for a flight back to the states....we didn't have the money, so we relied on the insurance to get Grandma home...unfortunately, I couldn't get on that flight either and she has had to go alone. She was okay with that, especially since she was going to be able to stamp her passport in South Africa. They flew her there to set her hip and let her rest. The hospital she is at currently is the best in all of Asia and Africa, so I'm confident that she is doing well. We actually got a phone call today of the paramedics telling us she's in high spirits! Oh, by the way, she has her own private plane with a doctor, a nurse, and 3 paramedics who are with her at all times. One is from Australia, another from Germany, another from Zimbabwe....and so on...they make her laugh all the time!

After that ordeal, Tim and I went back into the villages where we kind of felt out of place, but ended up really liking! I got to preach this last Sunday at a sunday service and it ended up being one of the best sermons I have ever preached. I went up to the front thinking that I was going to preach on something that I had prepared 2 weeks ago, but I felt it necessary to preach on Matthew 14 and Titus...I used the word "money" a lot...I noticed it while I was up there preaching, but thought nothing of it. I guess it was really on my mind...I mean $8000... Regardless, I preached on grace, greed, and the need to walk on water toward Jesus and how as Christians, we need to stop asking for Jesus to take out hand every 5 minutes as if we were still 2 years old. Talked about faith, and the need to be in Unity with each other. It was a long sermon that I came up with on the spot. Quite honestly, I was super scared, but the Holy Spirit really did a work. Snoya, my interpreter, told me after I was finished that it was one of the best sermons that he had heard...and then after the service, he told me that some of the people in the church were really touched and moved by it. Apparently, the past of the church used to be the district supervisor of the Foursquare District and he did not want to show up to the church because he has misappropriated funds from the church. He was kicked off the board and it had created division within the church members and the other surrounding churches. I had no idea about this and here I was preaching on money and the need to have grace on our pastors and congregations. After the service, we also found out that the church pledged $20,000 MK in order to repair things within the church.
I was just overwhelmed. Really. God did a great thing that day, and in ways that I never knew he could do by using me. Here I was thinking that Malawi just needs "to get saved" and our little team really preached to a congregation with really "american church" issues. I love that and I love the way God has worked through us here!

I wanted to leave you with that story because it really gives glory to God and I also want to thank you all for supporting us. We've shown the Jesus Film, the Passion of the Christ, done medical clinics, had health education seminars, had marriage seminars, pastoral seminars, built an attic for the church in Blantyre, and so much more. You're support and prayers have really gone a long way! Oh and before I forget, Tim and I talked to the Foursquare Malawi President and General Supervisor last night, and he told us to come be missionaries. He's going to tell the council about it next month, and he will be praying along our side in order to see what God's next step is. Tim and I are ecstatic! God is good!

Again, I love you guys, thanks for all the prayer and help and I'll see you guys back in the states after my horrible down time in Rome this weekend...Ha ha! I'll try not to be so "down" there.
--
Elias R. Garman

Janet thank you for the great uplifting  letter from Eli.

Bless his heart, Janet. How very thankful you must be for him and his faith and ministry.

It will be good to hear from Shirley when she arrives in the States.

Thank you so much for keeping us in touch.

There's lots of dust flying in Mabel's apartment, so each time I work in there, I need Benadryl and a great shower. Such blessings we receive - a warm shower when we need it. And my cousin took 2 of us to Subway for a sandwich treat. How NICE of her!

Must go - I'll be out and about to take my son for a medical test tomorrow morning.

Y'all have a wonderful rest of the day with our Lord,
Ruth Ann

I just got this!!

Subject: Riots in Malawi

Just wanted to ask you guys to pray for our safe exit from Malawi. Yesterday on 20 July the people of Malawi began to protest the government and the president who has become another typical African dictator. There's a forex problem in the country where the president and his administration demand $150MK for every US $1, but in actuality the value is set at $190MK to the US $1. Because of this there's a fuel crisis occurring in Malawi because company's are asking for payment in US, but the conversions don't match up. Alongside that, the president and the ruling party have made it illegal to publish anything negative about his administration along with taking away the right to protest. Because of that, the British government has cut off all relations with Malawi, creating an economic crisis due to Britain's major aid and resources. Its really just a bad time for Malawi and their political arena. Taxes have been increased up to 20% and people can't get what they need along with increasing prices on everything.
Like I said, rioting has begun and we are right in the middle of it all. A couple of people have been killed and severely injured within the country. The police are all over the place and the government supporters have been advised to go around with machete knives and "control their countrymen." We've heard gunfire and seen blockaids everywhere and have seen cars on fire.
At the moment Tim and I with 3 others are heading north to go to a wildlife park and then head into Lilongwe to fly out of the country. So far there are riots still going on in Blantyre and the other major cities. As we were passing through the city of Zomba, we drove right through a crowd accidently who started to chuck rocks at our moving van. Thank God we got out of there.
We are trying to zip to the rural areas to get out of the commotion. We will be safe in the national park and I'm asking that you keep us in prayer as we enter into Lilongwe tonight and leave tomorrow. The other team is stuck at the hotel for today and will be doing the same as us tomorrow.
I know God's got his had upon us and that we'll be completely safe. I don't really think were in any danger as Americans...I think for the most part the people know we support their rights and the government isn't going to try anything that would cut ties with the US.
Again keep us in prayers. We love you. Thanks again for all the support and I hope I've given you a report that doesn't scare you or worry you. We're encouraged and know God has us in his care. We all have a peace about it.
Again, love you guys.
Elias Garman
Request from Tim and Wendy: forward this message onto those which can pray for us.

Wow!  There is never a shortage of things for which to pray, is there?  Especially in these last days.....so many, many needs.

Father, I pray for my dear sister Shirley.  Thank you for her heart that is always tender toward You, for her life that has been lived in love and service to you.  Thank you for your constant protection over her, for your provision on this journey, for her safe flight to South Africa, and for the wonderful care she is receiving there.  I ask that you continue to protect and hold her until she is safely home in Kansas.  What a lot of rejoicing that will bring, and so many lives will be touched by her stories of this chapter in her life.  I praise you, Lord, for all you are doing for and through Shirley.

I pray for Eli, Tim, Wendy and the rest of the team who are still in Malawi.  Shelter them under your mighty hand, Lord, and bring them safely out of that country, to Rome, and on home to the USA.  Bless all their efforts there in Malawi, and multiply them mightily; may untold numbers of the African people come to a saving knowledge of Jesus through their efforts.  Bless and keep the team, Lord, and bring them safely home.
In Jesus' Name, Amen

Hi everyone. Another hot day and a trip to Atlanta in store in about an hour.  Yesterday I was able to arrange a meeting over lunch with the Humana insurance representative to see if that might be an alternative for Stacey.  We will meet her at the Shepard Spinal Center and eat in the cafeteria where we will be able to talk.  That will be it for the day. 

I was in a state of shock this morning when I filled my car up with gas and the bill was over $50.  Don't think I ever had it be so high at a fillup. 

Janet, Eli and his group sure didn't need this uprising on top of all that they have been through.  I will be praying the Eli and the team that they experience no problem with the rioters.  It seems the whole world is beginning to erupt in war and discord.  Glad that Shirley is in good hands.  Congratulations on all of the Blue Ribbons and Grand prizes.  I must say I am not surprised having seen a few examples of your wonderful artistry. 

Ruth Ann, it almost sounds like you need to wear a mask to protect yourselves from the dust. 

Pat and Marilyn, it is nice to get things all straightened up and then be able to enjoy seeing the results of our work. 

Marilyn, I saw the invitation to Grafx but must admit I didn't click on the link.  What exactly does this involve?  Is it just showing the work you have done?  I thought maybe it was a social network and I don't need to add anything else to do on the web. 

Jeanne, our challenge these hot days is to stay as cool as possible.  We have to be out in it a bit but never for long.  Does the HHH stand for hot, hot, hot?

Etta Sue, clothes hung out to dry always had such a nice clean smell, particularly the sheets.  Have you seen a quillo before?

Janet, what a shock to see that latest from Eli.  Everything had seemed to be going so well! I'm praying that our Heavenly Father place a hedge of protection around Eli, Tim and Wendy, and also other missionaries working in that part of the world, and bring them all safely to their homes.


Larry, HHH stands for Hazy, Hot, and Humid.  It's often used in the TV weather reports around here, or referred to as "a triple H day".  But Hot, Hot, Hot would fit too!   

What an uplifting email from Eli and then the second email is so scary.  I am thinking they will all be glad to be back in America!

Pat, most chicken salads in restaurants have cut up grapes and chopped walnuts in them but I didn't have either.  So I put onions, sweet pickles, eggs, mayo and mustard in mine.  I used chicken from a can but cut up chicken breasts would be terrific also.  I guess you could put whatever your taste buds want or what you have in your pantry!

Today is the 20th anniversary of my husbands passing.  Sometimes it seems like forever...other times like yesterday.  I sure miss him and his companionship. 

I am waiting on the body shop to call me and tell me that Hawaii is ready to go! 

I thought yesterday was hot here but the actual temp today is to reach 99° and the heat index is to be between 108 and 113!!!  That is certainly stay inside heat!  I wouldn't like having to work in that heat!  My son works outside.  Hope he knows to hydrate!!

Do you need a grin today?  While we were taking entries at the fair, in the art department, a little boy of ten or so wandered up and was looking at the paintings we had hung up.  He said, "I really like that one of a Grandma and Grandpa!"  (Pointing to a portrait of Darrel and me.)  My helper said, "That lady painted that."  (Pointing at me)  I turned, and the boy asked me if I had painted it, and when I said yes, he said, "You're a really good painter--for your age!"  Hmmmmm..................   

  

Gotta love it, Janet .... as Art Linkletter said "Kids say the darndest things."

Thank you, Lord for Your loving care over our friends in Malawi. May the missionaries, and the Christians, experience safety in the midst of this chaos. Only You can give strength, wisdom, discernment, and protection for all involved. I pray this in the blessed name of Your dear Son,

Amen

May y'all have the wisdom to help guide Stacey in her insurance choices. I hope you're doing all right - this heat is dreadful, isn't it.

Janet, what a cute story.

Well, it's been a really busy day for me - I took my son for a test, then as I was pulling into my apartment parking lot, I got a call from the man I work for sometimes - "Help! I've just had a call from my client and they're asking for the new proposal to be sent to them today."

So, up the elevator to the 13th floor, down the hall, into my little computer area, and I started working on it.

And, I had arranged for two really sweet friends of mine to check Mabel's closet. I knew at least one of them could wear many of the items, and so they were headed this way, when my cousin called - really nervous, and wanting to know when the ladies were coming. Fortunately, I have call waiting on my cell phone, for while Nancy and I were speaking, the ladies called to say they were in the building. So, I saved my file, sent the rough draft to my "boss", went to the proper floor to them to meet Nancy.

While waiting for a call from my "boss," I plopped down into a chair and helped them with their clothing selections, which also really eased Nancy's tensions, and when my phone rang with my "boss" needing some revisions, they were chatting away as I returned to my apartment.

End of the story...my "boss" is satisfied, the client has already received his e-mailed file (so they're satisfied, too), and Nancy has returned home very thankful my friends lifted a heavy burden of stress over those clothes.

A win-win-win situation!  Thank You, Father.

Ruth Ann

Larry that link is only to the Facebook  page where I am uploading the  images that I have designed. You can look at the pictures is all or comment on the wall there or on individual pictures. I don't have many up yet. But please go there and click the link button..

All the protests, rioting, etc. in Malawi are individually and collectively under the sovereign control of our Lord - and may therefore be disguised blessings to advance His Kingdom.  What a LORD we have!

I just got this---I am so glad Shirley is not there with them any more, but is in a safe place!  Not a good place to be, with a dislocated hip, for sure!  Eli is glad his grandma isn't there now, too......



Airport was closed today. Things are getting worse...we may have to politically evacuate. We're in the hotel. Need prayer for guidance, wisdom, and safety. Ill keep updating...
Elias Garman

Al, your reminder of God's plans and will falls right in with yesterday's email message from the Adrian Rogers files: 

Have you ever wondered why Jesus "constrained His disciples to get into a ship, and to go before Him unto the other side" (Matthew 14:22), knowing that a storm was going to brew shortly after they set sail? Why would He send them right into the teeth of a stormy gale?

Because He wanted them to know that He was sufficient for them. He wanted them to worship Him. Your storm is nothing but a superhighway to bring Jesus to you. It is the vehicle that moves you from a head knowledge to an experiential understanding that God is Who He says He is.

It was Andre Crouch who said, "For if I never had a problem, I would never know that God could solve them. And I would never know what faith in His Word could do."