Christian Photographers Community

Janet:  Know that you are love just by reading the posts of all your friends in here.  So many have gone through similar trials and they know exactly how you feel.  Try not to over-do and take time to rest - read the good news we turn to in stress.  Accept all the kind offers of help and keep on communicating.
Blessings to all Beth's family and friends. 

Hi Everyone.  It is going to be another nice day here in South Carolina with clear skies and getting up into the low 60's this afternoon.  I won't be picking up my friend at the assisted living facility to take to coffee this morning as he has a dental appointment.  However, I will go downtown for coffee and then to the Church for the Wisdom Class.  Then later this afternoon plan on going over to Joann's to pick up something Pat ordered this morning that we can pick up in the store.  Unfortunately it is across the street from the Augusta Mall so traffic may be a problem.  That will be it for today.  Pat wasn't feeling up to going to the Church dinner last night so I brought her home one of the meals.  Scott and Jennifer came out after the meal and they played Farkle again. 

We watched a few shooting stars last night that were early in the evening.  It was spectacular (after several nights of cloudy weather).  The big shower was at 2 AM but this was worth the viewing even early. 

Don is up - not feeling up to par.  We have non-refundable plane tickets  - on Saturday morning for Denver destination - home. 

Nita: How are you faring?  Nice to see you posting. 

Janet, I lost my link for here but thanks to one of your loving members, she brought me back.  I am so sorry that this date will forever bring sadness to your family, but hopefully the Christmas Season will help you find happiness that Beth is in the best place of all, God's arms.  So much of your life has been spent taking care and caring for Beth and no question your nerves will have trouble relaxing, it takes time.  When we've had to be tough for so long it takes about as long to unwind.  Let the tears flow (and now I will be silly, but that's the way I am).... be sure to drink plenty of water.  Did you smile?   

What ever you need to do that helps the pain, just do it.  God understands even if family & friends don't.  I just took some holly & tinsel, a small gold wreath & put a solar Santa in the middle to my parents vase where they are buried in MO.  In MY world our loved ones are always with us.  I will take something for Cas closer to Christmas, the mausoleum where his ashes are only allow live flowers & I want him to have fresh ones then.  God Bless & give you strength for the days ahead.

So good to see familiar names, I think of y'all often but life stays busy.  Ruth Ann, my brother in law is still going strong, can you believe it? We talked this week.  My e-mail is still the same if you get a chance...  Shirley/Tisie

Tisie ( Shirley )...
... good to see you hopping over from the other side...

Jeanne Lee...
...happy to see a ( welcome ) posting from you, does that mean you are now away from that big building with people wearing hospital gowns? I sure hope and pray so...

Hi Everyone. We are to have cloudy day today with a high of 57.  The housekeeper will be here later this morning.  I plan on staying home all day.  I put our Christmas check in the mail this morning for our great grandchildren and their Dad. 

Yesterday mailed the Christmas package to Pat's sister.  I had expected there to be a line at the Post Office but there was only one person ahead of me in line.  I did go to coffee with the fellows and then attended the Wisdom group.  Then later in the afternoon I went over to Joann's Fabric to pick up an artificial poinsettia that Pat had ordered to put in the container we have on the front porch.  They had it on sale for 70% off and it is quite a nice looking flower and puts some color on our porch.  All I had to do was show the cashier the order number and the item was sacked up and available in the cashiers area.  I didn't even have to sign anything so was in and out in probably 5 minutes or less.   

Carol, they said the best time to see the meteor shower in our area was between 1 and 3 am.  That was not going to happen.  So sorry to hear that Don is not feeling up to par and you all having to travel tomorrow.  I hope he is feeling better today and will be feeling OK by tomorrow.  Traveling is hard enough when one feels good much less doing so when not feeling well.

Shirley, nice to see you joining here in this discussion. 

Jackie, I seem to have missed the posting from Jeanne Lee.  Where did you see it? 

Larry Hanna...Link...

http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=13695.msg195039#msg195039

Janet, I am still praying for you and your family during this sad time.  you were wise to prepare for the service in advance, the hard part of choices that have to be made, etc  I had no way of knowing my son was going to die, it was a shock, but God provided.  Van was almost 50, was married but no children, and they lived in Lubbock. The autopsy showed that he had a stroke. We had a long wait, about 6 months, before the autopsy report came. Then my dear hubby passed 11 months later.  His was expected though, so much heart disease and diabetes.
Praying for strength for you and peaceful heart.  I hope you can get enough rest. 

Hi Everyone.  It is a bright and sunny but cool morning here in South Carolina.  It is suppose to get into the mid 50's this afternoon.  I plan on attending a meeting this morning and then stopping at Aldi's to replenish our fruits and vegetables and get a couple of other things.  After resting this afternoon I will probably watch one of the bowl football games.  Yesterday was a day to stay home and take things easy. 

Jackie,  thanks for the link.  I may be mistaken but I think this message from Jeanne may be an automatic one when someone joins the Christian Photographers site and not something she has done recently. 

Janice, you know the pain of losing a child.  When we lost our daughter it was not unexpected but still a shock as it came only a few days after we had celebrated her birthday.  I knew she would be cremated so didn't have to make any big decisions at the time and we had the memorial service three or four weeks later.  I also hope that Janet will now be able to rest. 

Larry Hanna...
...never considered that..." automatic..."

Hi Everyone. It is going to be another nice day getting up to 60 degrees this afternoon.  Pat and I are going to Sunday School and Church and then go out to eat.  So it will be pretty much our typical Sunday as far as we know now. 

Jackie, hope you and all who visit here today will have a pleasant and restful day. 

I am "running on fumes" so this may be short.  Beth's memorial service was so beautiful--so many loving tributes to a life lived with courage, integrity, forgiveness and love in the face of great struggles and pain.  Our wonderful, caring chiropractor spoke, and was eloquent, even though fighting tears. There were a lot of floral tributes, and the monetary donations for the organizations we chose are still coming in.  She looked so beautiful--no more pain wrinkles, brow perfectly smooth, and so peaceful looking.  We are blessed by so much love, so many prayers upholding us.  Like Larry, the many hugs are so special and will be long remembered.

Becki, one of Beth's two best friends, and her friend who came with her from Fargo, North Dakota, to help her drive, left tonight to go back home.  They were the last guests to go.  We went to the care home this afternoon and let Becki take any of Beth's clothes she wanted, also a few other items.  John was with us, and also wanted her to have them.  That much less for us to deal with tomorrow when we will try to empty her room.  It's going to be very hard for me, I think.  But we need to do it quickly--we have until Friday night,  but Darrel's sister who broke her leg at Thanksgiving is not doing well at all.  Her husband called me today to tell us she has bowel blockage and the doctor told her she must choose immediate surgery or hospice care.  She chose surgery, and he said IF she survives the surgery she will likely have a colostomy.  So it appears we may have to go to Amarillo again soon. I was hoping for a day or two when I could just relax and not HAVE to do anything.  Sigh.....

All four of our grandsons made it home to serve as pallbearers for Beth.  It wasn't easy, as one is in the Air Force, and Mark is in Florida.  The other two were a cousin and a friend.  We have a wonderful, loving family,
even though one sister and Beth's only brother chose not to come.  That's their problem and I am not going to grieve over their choices.

Janice, I wanted to tell you that when the call came and we went to the home, when I opened her door, they had put the pretty quilt you made for her over her, and had the lights down, and had soft, beautiful piano music playing on her little stereo.  It made a really hard few moments of shock much easier to bear.  Thank you again for your loving gift of sewing!!

And I have other sad news for all of us.  Our dear Pat Scott Halbach sent me a text from their hospital.  She said she was lying on a stretcher, had just had a cast put on her right arm after falling in her kitchen and breaking her arm, from the wrist upward.  But she was praying for ME!  What a beautiful Christian friend!  And I'm sure our Jeanne is still hospitalized.  I need to call and check on her again.  So much to do; so little time!  Shirley/Tisie, so good to see you message--thank you so much!

Hi Everyone.  We have an overcast day but it really isn't cold as the morning started out in the 50's and we are to get to 66 this afternoon. There is a low percentage that we will get some rain today.  We had a wonderful Church service yesterday as our choir, with the assistance of several readers, the the Lessons and Carols service.  There was some beautiful Christmas music I had not heard before and the soloists were very good, as was the bell choir. 

Following Church we went to the Dairy Queen as we hadn't been there is quite awhile and they serve quickly.  They were having a customer appreciation day with a special area marked off for the children with the big balloon type play toys and the most realistic small railroad train that took the kids on rides around the roped off area.  They were also doing some really nice face painting for the children. They had a couple of employees out front greeting people in costumes like a big ice cream cone and another as a duck, which must be their mascot.   As I purchased our food  they asked if I would like to enter their drawing.  I said sure and put my name and telephone number on the ticket and put it in a box.  I was shocked that while we were eating I heard my name called and I had won the drawing.  The price was a certificate for an 8 inch Ice Cream Cake.  We will save the certificate for a special occasion.

Today should be a very quiet one as nothing on the calendar.  I do need to write a brief Christmas email and get it sent. 

Janet, thanks for letting us share a bit in your experience and the service.  It sounds like it was a beautiful service and seeing her without the pain expressed in her face would have been helpful.  I have never understand how family members and good friends could stand and speak during a memorial service and not break down with emotion.  I guess I am just too emotional. When my mother passed away they asked us to leave the room for a few minutes.  When they asked back into the room the bed had been made with a Bible opened and a rose laying on it.  The Chaplin for the nursing home spoke for a few minutes and it was very nice and some of the nursing staff came in to support us.  It was very touching and very comforting.  May God give you a sense of peace during these next days and weeks. 

Thanks for telling us about Pat's fall and broken arm.  That poor lady sure didn't need more pain in her life.  She is a wonderful Christian lady and a wonderful friend to us all.  I am also praying for Jeanne and Joan as they struggle to breath.  So sorry that Darrel's sister is not doing well and hope she can survive the surgery. 

Good afternoon friends.  I thought I would post a hello before I go get a haircut.  My hair grows so fast, it begins to look like a bush on my head!  I need it to look better than a bush by tomorrow as I have to go to the church and get my picture made.  The church is putting together a new directory and wanted new pictures made of the members. 
I have to go to Amarillo again this Thursday to get another injection in my right eye.  My checkup last week showed a little improvement from my last injection, so that was good news.
Janet, thanks for the report on Beth's service, glad to hear how special it was.  Wish I lived closer so I could attend.
Better go now!  Bye.

I went for my eye Dr. appt this morning here are the results.  Vision hasn't changed much at all. However, There is a piece of vitreous gel that is still attached to the macula pulling it upward, that hasn't changed from my visit 6 months ago. So far everything is looking either the same as last time of just a bit better. He had me get a hot pack to put on my eyes 1-2 times a day. The tears are forms as a mixture of oil. and water. The oil is produced by glands on the eyelid. As we age the oil begins to dry up. that is why I need to put the hot packs on. then wipe the eyelashes with a warm clean cloth or some pads he had me get. The cataract has grown some but not enough yet to have it removed. removing the cataract will not change the macular degeneration one way or another.

Janet, it sounds like a very nice service. Still praying for all y'all. I did read about Pat and saw her in the hospital bed on Facebook.

Hi Everyone. We are in for another very nice day with it getting up to about 70 degrees.  I had a very good nights sleep and the schedule is clear for today.  About the only thing I did yesterday was to make a quick trip to the post office to mail off a small package to a dear friend.  Of course, one never knows what the day may bring.

Janice, our Church here had just finished a directory when we arrived three years ago and we bought one to help us identify people and names.  I don't know how often they have one made but perhaps in another couple of years.  Pat dislikes having her picture taken so doubt we would appear in it anyway although we did have our picture in the last one that was made at our old Church.  I expect you are not looking forward to Thursday with the long trip and then the shot in the eye.  Sure glad there is some improvement noted.

Marilyn, it sounds like your eye appointment went well and sure glad there wasn't a change in the macular degeneration.

I forgot to put in the link so you can read Beth's obituary, if you want.  It is:  www.garnandfuneralhomes.com/obituaries-and-commerations.  I tried four times; it doesn't turn blue, but I'm sure you can find it if you want.

I had a nice half day with my sweet Abby today; we went and got manicures and pedicures.  Then I went with Darrel and we got chiropractor adjustments, so I hope to feel better tomorrow.

I'm still feeling weary and teary.  We both woke up at 1:00 and couldn't get back to sleep, so got up at 3:00.
That makes for a long day.

Talk to you tomorrow.

Hmm.....maybe the reason it didn't turn blue is because I was using green!   

Janet; I have been seeing a chiropractor almost every week for some time and it is caused by STRESS BIG TIME, Like you I am trusting that things will start to smooth out. 

As the year is coming to a close I try to have one large calendar so off we went to find one, then took time to have a bite to eat before arriving home for the evening.

I went for foot care and while there I bought a new pair of winter boots a lot of money but the old ones are one there way to the garbage.

Ruth G

janet that was a very nice obituary for Beth.

Hi Ruth , Good to see you here again.

Janet...
...found it, this really hit home for me...complications of, including MS, I am aware of what I have to come, being " progressive "...Such a young age for ones life to be over, she was so young, too young to be taken so early...
Janet, anyone who loved-loves animals, whether pets or wildlife, and particularly dogs, has a special place in my heart...for that alone, your Beth is sure to be rewarded...   


http://www.garnandfuneralhomes.com/book-of-memories/3371570/Brandt-Hamelin-Beth/obituary.php       

Hi Everyone.  It was 60 degrees at 7:30 this morning and will be close to 70 this afternoon.  Yesterday was just a beautiful weather day.  It was so nice that we decided to go out for our dinner last night so we went to the Pizza Hut for the buffet.  The only thing special on the agenda for today will be dinner this evening with Jennifer and Scott.  As there is no dinner at Church tonight we will likely go out to eat and then come back here for some visiting. 

Janet, I just read the obituary for Beth.  Nice that you could spend time with Abby and do hope you feel better today after the chiropractor adjustment yesterday. 

Ruth, I also hope your stress will be lessened soon.  I hope things will smooth out for you before long.  I keep a calendar on my desk page holder where I see it often and keep track of appointments.  I also keep appointment schedules on my smart phone, which is handy to refer to when making appointments at the doctor's offices.

Jackie, I see you posted the direct link to Beth's obituary.  Since I write as I read I hadn't seen it and put in the same link as searching the funeral homes website but went back and removed it as you had already put in the link. 

Hi Everyone.  After a lot of rain yesterday we have a bright and sunny morning.  We expect to get to about 60 degrees this afternoon.  We did have an enjoyable time with Scott and Jennifer last evening.  The main item on the agenda for today is that Pat will get the third shot in her back this morning.  I may make a quick trip to Walmart for a couple of things later today and that will likely be it. 

Hi Everyone. It is to be another partly cloudy day and get into the high 60's.  I plan on staying home today as about wore myself out yesterday.  I made a trip to Walmart and there were no electric carts available so I had to walk.  I had to go from the pharmacy area to the auto section and then to the grocery isles, where I had to walk several of the isles to get the items we needed.  By the time I got home I was beat.  I even slept in a bit this morning.  Pat did get the shot in her back yesterday and seems to be feeling better this morning.  However, she couldn't sleep last night and after about 2 hours in bed she got up for the rest of the night.  She had taken a nice nap before dinner last evening. 

Jackie, are you OK?  This seems to be the third day with only me posting and that doesn't make very interesting reading. 

I just read this and it touched my heart and I want to share it with anyone who cares to read it. 

Two Babes in a Manger--In 1994, two Americans answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach morals and ethics (based on biblical principles) in the Russian public schools. They were invited to teach at prisons, businesses, the fire and police departments and a large orphanage. About 100 boys and girls who had been abandoned, abused, and left in the care of a government-run program were in the orphanage. They relate the following story in their own words:

It was nearing the holiday season, 1994, time for our orphans to hear, for the first time, the traditional story of Christmas. We told them about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem. Finding no room in the inn, the couple went to a stable, where the baby Jesus was born and placed in a manger. Throughout the story, the children and orphanage staff sat in amazement as they listened. Some sat on the edges of their stools, trying to grasp every word.

Completing the story, we gave the children three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger. Each child was given a small paper square, cut from yellow napkins I had brought with me. No colored paper was available in the city. Following instructions, the children tore the paper and carefully laid strips in the manger for straw. Small squares of flannel (cut from a worn-out nightgown an American lady was throwing away as she left Russia), were used for the baby's blanket. A doll-like baby was cut from tan felt we had brought from the United States.

The orphans were busy assembling their manger as I walked among them to see if they needed any help. All went well until I got to one table where little Misha sat. He looked to be about 6-years-old and had finished his project. As I looked at the little boy's manger, I was startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger.

Quickly,  I  called  for  the  translator  to  ask  the  lad  why  there  were  two  babies  in  the manger. Crossing his arms in front of him and looking at this completed manger scene, the child began to repeat the story very seriously.

For  such  a  young  boy,  who  had  only heard  the  Christmas  story  once,  he  related the happenings accurately - until he came to  the  part  where  Mary  put  the  baby  Jesus in the manger. Then Misha started to ad-lib.

He made up his own ending to the story as he  said,  "And  when  Mary  laid  the  baby  in the  manger,  Jesus  looked  at  me  and  asked me if I had a place to stay. I told him I have no  mamma  and  I  have  no  papa,  so  I  don't have any place to stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with him. But I told him I couldn't,  because I didn't have a gift to give him like everybody else did. But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I had that maybe I could use for a gift. I thought maybe if I kept him warm, that would be a good
gift." So I asked Jesus, 'If I keep you warm, will that be a good enough gift?' And Jesus told me, 'If you keep me warm, that will be the best gift anybody ever gave me.' So I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and he told me I could stay with him' - for always."

As little Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of tears that splashed down his little cheeks. Putting his hand over his face, his head dropped to the table and his shoulders shook as he sobbed and sobbed. The little orphan had found someone who would never abandon nor abuse him, someone who would stay with him - for always.  And the Americans? They had learned the lesson they had come there to teach - that it is not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life that really counts. We should all give thanks for the people that "keep us" - in life - and for all of God's many blessings to us: freedom from want, life, love, togetherness.


Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
-Author unknown

Little Misha, for once in his life he felt loved, wanted and had a use for someone...and that use was nothing compared to the life he once had to endure....It gave him the hope that he so long craved for....Very touching and I am assuming a true story Larry Hanna...I do hope he finds his forever loving home with a couple he can truly regard as parents...

I guess in some ways I can or should associate my start of life in a similar way to him as I wasn't wanted by my birth mother and believe I was placed in an orphanage for the first couple of years of my life while the adoption procedure took place by my birth father and his childless wife who I will always associate as my mother...

....this is one Christmas present we are allowed to exchange without upsetting the person who gave it......

Larry that story is so touching, it brought tears to these eyes. We are leaving for California tomorrow so I won't be around for a few days. Plan to return on Tuesday. So in the meantime, I want you to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

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Larry, sorry there wasn't an electric cart available for you to use.  Thank you for the story of little Misha.  Could you email it to me?  I'd like to make some copies to include with my Christmas cards,
and not sure how to print from here and get only what I want.  Thanks.

Another sad day for us.  Darrel's only remaining sibling, his sister Dolores, passed away this morning in Amarillo,
Texas.  It was she who fell and broke her leg at Thanksgiving time when we went down to see them.

And more bad news for me.  My eye doctor called to tell me the macular degeneration is accelerating in my left eye, and has gone from dry to wet or vice versa, anyway to the worse kind.  I'm to see a retina specialist in Wichita on Dec. 29 for a consultation and possible for the first injection in my eye.  Sigh......BUT God is greater,
and I know He still has good plans for me.  This very tough month/year will soon be past, and I know I'll be able to smile again.  I am smiling now, but through tears.

Marilyn, have a good trip and a wonderful Christmas.  Stay safe!  Very pretty card!

Jackie, what are your plans for Christmas?

Thank you for showing Beth's obituary.  Janet, many hugs to you!   

Our DIL  JUST left after staying several days, working all the time via phone and visiting her former nearby company.  She is picking up our son at the airport now and they are driving  to their cabin until return g here for Christmas.  Everyone is  coming on
Friday.  We dog sat for two days and I did get baking finished  even with a snow day.  We were all going to the cabin but it is too high elevation for Don this year.  All is good for him in Denver though as that is a blessing.  All the children live i n the area.

Hi Everyone.  It is another overcast morning but not very cold.  This is going to be a pretty busy morning as will attend a meeting this morning and then stop once again at the grocery store for a few more items.  I thought I got everything on my trip to Walmart but that was not to be.  Our simple Christmas dinner has now turned into quite a production.  However, I am sure I will enjoy it.  Pat isn't having to do all the work as our granddaughter likes to cook and our son makes his green bean casserole and I make the 5 cup salad.  Pat will fix the ham in the Instant Pot as it takes only a few minutes as it is already cooked.  Jennifer is make the dessert and not sure what else. 

Jackie, I assume that is a true story on Misha.  That was a very nice graphic and so true.

Maryilyn, I hope your trip to California is without incident and you and Keith have a good time.  Thanks for the Christmas wishes.

Janet, I will send you the story via email.  Sorry to hear of the additional sadness in your lives now.  So sorry about Darrel's sister.  That is bad news about your eye.  Hopefully the shots will greatly slow or stop the degeneration of the eye.  I am also hoping that this next year will be a much better one for you and for my wife.

Carol, glad to read that Don is doing OK in Denver.  It sounds like you have some nice family time ahead.