Christian Photographers Community

hey everyone
i can't help but laughing it is 62 degrees outside and we are under a winter storm WARNING!!! is that not crazy? well thought i'd come speak my thoughts on that and hopefully give youa good laugh. i laugh and it sounds funny (like a dying duck!) ttyl
Sarah

I pray for Pat's eyesight to be completly restored.  Blessings for you, Pat.  

Wow I leave for a few hours and come home and our Pat is having trouble seeing. I think I have heard of that kind of thing but can't remember what it is called. Well actually I do but I will not confess  that over our dear Pat. She is going to be just fine, it is only stress.

Trying to get some cards addressed this afternoon. I wasn't going to send any out but changed my mind a couple of days ago. I am already getting cardsa form friends down south and other places. I also need towrite a few letters to go with the cards.

WELCOME JULESwe are so glad to have you join us here. Please pull up a chair and tell us all about yourself.

Shall we all join in on a little Jingle Bells.




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Early morning wake-up call - could I please fill in today, the girl I work with/for had a very bad sore throat.  Only an hour to get ready and clock in, but I made it.    Now I'm not sure about tomorrow.  She says she feels better and will probably go in, but will call me if she can't.  So I'll set the alarm just in case so I don't get caught in such a mad rush again.  No big deal, if I don't need to go in it just gives me that much more time for bible study and prayer.

A pretty day today.  A little warmer but still below freezing and when the sun began to go lower around 3:00 ....  brrrrr!  I am so thankful for our warm little trailer.

Have been trying and trying to post and it keeps cutting out and disappearing.  Some elf is working his mischief again!

Will try once more to post this Christmas Story as it is rather interesting.  Think I will do it in two parts....just in case.

THE CHRISTMAS ENVELOPE

(author unknown)  from Sowing Seeds Ministry

It's just a small, white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree.  No name, no id, no inscription.  It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past 10 years or so.
It all began because my husband Mike hated Christmas - oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but the commercial aspects of it - overspending...the frantic running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle Harry and the dusting powder for Grandma - the gifts given in desperation because you couldn't think of anything else.
Knowing he felt this way, I decided one year to bypass the usual shirts, sweaters, ties and so forth.  I reached for something special just for Mike.  The inspiration came in an unusual way.  Our son Kevin, who was 12 that year, was wrestling at the Jr. level at the school he attended; and shortly before Christmas, there was a no-league match against a team sponsored by an inner-city church.  These youngsters, dressed in sneakers so ragged that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented a sharp contrast to our boys in their spiffy blue and gold uniforms and sparkling new wrestling shoes.
As the match began, I was alarmed to see that the other team was wrestling without headgear, a kind of light helmet designed to protect a wrestler's ears.  It was a luxury the ragtag team obviously could not affford.
                       (cont,)

Hello to every one  

I am so sorry our dear Pat is not feeling well.  I do hope and pray she has a quick recovery.    
Pat   we need you so take it easy and come  back to us rested and fully healed.

I know many of you read Oswald Chambers and I strongly recommend you get the web site on your favorites where you can read it, if you do not have a copy of "My Utmost for His Highest".  My copy is well worn, and it has never gone out of style.

Larry thanks for the quote you left with us today.  I have a habit of rating some of the daily devotions of Oswald Chambers, as to how I personally feel about them.  I do not have any that are not worthy of reading over and over, but this one has a high rating for me, it has three stars by it in my book.

Oswald Chambers put the message of our salvation out there in a way that opens your heart, soul and mind to the understanding that God intends for us to learn and tell others about.  Oh I feel Oswald Chambers was a true spokesman for God.  Amen.

I do not care what your political feelings may be, but did you all know that President Bush reads "My Utmost for His Highest" along with the Bible every morning.  
     

(2)
Well, we ended up walloping them.  We took every weight class.  And as each of their boys got up from the mat, he swaggered around in his tatters with false bravado, a kind of street pride that couldn't acknowledge defeat.
Mike, seated beside me, shook his head sadly, "I wish just one of them could have won," he said. "They have a lot of potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them."  Mike loved kids - all kids - and he knew them, having coached little league football, baseball and lacrosse.  That's when the idea for his present came.  That afternoon, I went to a local sporting goods store and bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to the inner-city church.
On Christmas Eve, I placed the envelops on the tree, the note inside telling Mike what I had done and that this was his gift from me.  His smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year and in succeeding years.
For each Christmas, I followed the tradition - one year sending a group of mentally handicapped youngsters to a hockey game, another year a check to a pair of elderly brothers whose home had burned to the ground, and on and on.  The envelope became the highlight of our Christmas.  It was always the last thing opened on Christmas morning and our children, ignoring their new toys, would stand with wide-eyed anticipation as their dad lifted the envelope from the tree to reveal it's contents.
As the children grew, the toys gave way to more practical presents, but the envelope never lost its allure.  The story doesn't end there.  You see, we lost Mike last year due to dreaded cancer.  When Christmas rolled around, I was still so wrapped in grief that I barely got the tree up.  But Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope on the tree, and in the morning, it was joined by three more.  Each of our children, unbeknownst to the others, had placed an envelope on the tree for their dad.  The tradition has grown and someday will expand even further with our grandchildren standing around the tree with wide-eyed anticipation watching their fathers take down the envelope.  Mike's spirit, like the Christmas Spirit, will always be with us.

Well, there was a post in between the two parts, but I hope some of you found the story of interest.

Hope and pray that Pat will be okay.  She does so much for so many.  Time to take a rest.

God Bless.

Liz, I am sorry looks like I posted while you are writing the second part to the story....

I know every one here can just scroll by and finish the story.    

It is a great story,  thanks Liz for posting it.  Gives a meaning to Christmas presents, I think.

As you know.... I live only a ten minute drive from Pat.  I called her about an hour ago.,....she still cannot focus properly, and promises she will contact her eye doctor tomorrow if things don't improve.

I told her that you are all concerned., and are praying for her.

This probably should be posted in the Prayer Section.... but I'm sure you don't mind me putting it here.

Sonja - I sent you an I.M., and I am waiting for your reply, so I can call Pat.

Jeanne:  I always feel so encouraged when I read your posts.  You always remind us on how much we should be thankful for....even for cold blustery days!...LOL

Boots:  Nice photo!

Jules:  Welcome to C.P.   Please come in and tell us about yourself.  Arkansas eh?  How is YOUR weather?

Since alot of people are posting their favorite Christmas stories.  I'll post one of my favorites:
Maybe when Pat gets back we should have a separate category for this!
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 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 Maria 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.
I've learned that it s not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life that counts.

Take this one to heart and think about how blessed we really are.  Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks  in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.    I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Liz:  What a moving letter that you wrote!  I read it a couple of times., and then read it aloud to my husband!  I would like to copy it, and perhaps include it with my Christmas cards next year.

It certainly has a wonderful message.

Thank you for posting it here.

- Judy

Two wonderful Christmas stories, both bringing a very large lump to my throat.  Thank you Liz and Pinkie.

That was a great story Pinkie.  Thanks for posting it.  Did I ever mention that my maiden name was Pedersen?  My parents came from Denmark.  I don't know how to ride a motorcycle tho'....!

Pat: You and your helpers put so much time and effort into this wonderful site so please please get well I WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU.

Sonja CONGRATULATIONS  

Looking at the sky late this afternoon we had a big stormy looking sun dog and then this evening the moon also has rings the color of a storm,  perhaps a big ugly one.

Also early this eveing we met Sue at Tim Hortons, it is about the half way point for the both of us to meet for a time of sharing.


Ruth

Still nothing from Sonja?

All right you guys, y-all made me cry, my cheeks are all wet and my nose is all stuffed up over the two Christmas stories.

I transferred the photos I took at church last night to my computer and will continue to edit them tomorrw and maybe I will get them posted tomorrow night. I wrote a few Christmas letters and got some cards addressed and ready to mail now I need stamps. I still have 5 more gifts to get and I am all set for Christmas.

I am calling it a night as I am bushed.

Later Gators

I'm headed to bed, too, still praying for our dear Pat.

Liz and Pinkie, thanks so much for those wonderful Christmas stories!

Maybe tomorrow Sonja will hear the results of her MRI.  She will let us know, when she does hear!

Good night!

ENOUGH OF THE CHRISTMAS STORIES ALREADY!!!

It's bad enough that I sit here glued like some kind of zombie, but NOW I'm sitting here glued like some kind of crying zombie.  jeesh.

Hahahah.  Just kidding.  I love them.  It serves to remind me what a miraculous time Christmas is.  It is late, and I have to get an early start on a long day tomorrow, so I will probably be heading out of here soon.

Take care, and I hope to hear good news from Soni and Pat tomorrow.

Liz..........

I find as my years roll by I am touched much more deeply by stories like the one you just told.  I had to pause and take a gulp before I finished the last of it.  Thanks for the emotional blessing.

Pinkie..........

Thanks Pinkie.  It was touching.



Sleep well everyone................

I've just logged in and it looks like our sis Pat is still not too good. Get welll soon sis. I'll close this thread and if you give me half an hour or so I'll open a new one.

LOL