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Morning Devotional...

A Summary of Life
Ecclesiastes 12:1-14  NLT

    1 Don't let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and no longer enjoy living. 2It will be too late then to remember him, when the light of the sun and moon and stars is dim to your old eyes, and there is no silver lining left among the clouds. 3Your limbs will tremble with age, and your strong legs will grow weak. Your teeth will be too few to do their work, and you will be blind, too. 4And when your teeth are gone, keep your lips tightly closed when you eat! Even the chirping of birds will wake you up. But you yourself will be deaf and tuneless, with a quavering voice. 5You will be afraid of heights and of falling, white-haired and withered, dragging along without any sexual desire. You will be standing at death's door. And as you near your everlasting home, the mourners will walk along the streets.

    6Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don't wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. 7For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.

    8"All is meaningless," says the Teacher, "utterly meaningless."

   9Because the Teacher was wise, he taught the people everything he knew. He collected proverbs and classified them. 10Indeed, the Teacher taught the plain truth, and he did so in an interesting way.

    11A wise teacher's words spur students to action and emphasize important truths. The collected sayings of the wise are like guidance from a shepherd.

    12But, my child, be warned: There is no end of opinions ready to be expressed. Studying them can go on forever and become very exhausting!

    13Here is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is the duty of every person. 14God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.
In what way can you remember your Creator today?[/size][/color]

A life without God produces a bitter, lonely, and hopeless old person. 

A life centered around God is fulfilling; it makes the "evil years"--when disabilities, sicknesses, and handicaps could cause barriers to enjoying life--satisfying because of the hope of eternal life. 

Being young is exciting, but the excitement of youth can become a barrier to closeness with God.  However, those things that most young people live for (sports, sex, popularity) become increasingly unimportant with old age.

Make your strength available to God when it is still yours--during your youthful years.  Don't waste it on evil or meaningless activities that become bad habits and make you callous.  Seek God now.
The Best of the Bible--365 Must-Read Bible Passages[/i]

Ivalou had two of her granddaughters here from Ohio.  Tomorrow she has an appointment to have her eyes checked after the lazer being done.  So instead of me staying with the girls while Ivalou goes alone by a driver coming and getting her, I am taking all of them to the doctor appointment.  And of course, we will stop and eat somewhere on the way back.  Also we may go by and get Alexis so she can have a day or two with Lydia. 

So I will be scarce until tomorrow afternoon.

   this is something i have always liked. probably most of you have heard of 'footprints' anyway. les
                                                               FOOTPRINTS
one night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the lord.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints
He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him, and he questioned the lord about it. 'Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life,
There is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.'
The lord replied,' my precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.

Hey there ... In about 30 minutes I will be starting out on my adventure with my daughters.  I will meet Joy at the Eugene airport and we will drive (all night) to meet Dot at the Amtrak station in Seattle in the morning.  All the places we will be staying have DVD as well as other really nice amenities.  I am bringing some DVD movies and the popcorn so that part of our time is accounted for.    

Hopefully I will be able to access a computer here and there so I can check in with y'all. 

I am looking forward to a good time of fellowship and bonding with my (all grown up) daughters.  God is sooooo good -- all the time. 

Thanks for your prayers.  I'll be back ..... promise!   

hello, I am home from work and it's only 2 am here.... tonight after we got finished working we went out and played in the sprinklers at a nearby place... it was fun... something i  really needed to do... just relax and have fun.... except for i fell and now my knee and wrist are sore... oh well little fun with a little pain ain't bad they should be better in the morning..... well i need to get to bed i need to be up in 4 1/2 hours to go to a meeting.... so ttyl
Sarah

Morning everyone!  Sounds like we all have a busy day today.

Loved the devotion, Etta Sue! Thanks! 

I am up early getting laundry done before the kids get up. 

Hey Mieka, just wanted to say hi if you happen to be reading this. 

Off I go to burn some dvd's.

Soni

laundry -- that's on my list today as well -- but my kids are already up. 

have a great day, yall!  gotta go get breakfast!

Not sure what I am doing this morning, I think I may be taking Jan to the Mall in Eureka to do some shopping and lunch, Then on to Versal's after that.

Thank you Jesus I Fay has decided to give me Thursdays off, so I won't be working 3 jobs on Thursdays anymore unless she needs me.  She is also taking my hours down to 3 a day intead of 4, that will hurt financially but God has shown me that it really won't be as painful as I first thought.

I am finding out that being without MediCaid ( MediCal in California) and having to buy health insurance  is going to cost me. However I am getting my bills paid off so that won't be too painful either.

Now I need to get moved and settled down I have paid the rent for 1 more month, The university starts up again August 17 so Please Lord  help me find that place you have for me and the dogs.

TTYL

I know that it has been a long time since I have been around !! But there has been a lot happening at this end so I wanted to share a few requests with you first ...

1. My daughter has a friend from school who she is really close to well the other day we had gotten a e mail from her teacher telling us that her friend from school ... well her mother had died and friends she was only 43 years old and so ... we are sure that it was hard on her friend.  So, do keep that family in prayer please as this friend has a younger sister & I am sure that since she was the closeset to mom that it will be hard on her !!

2. We have placed the FOR SALE SIGN UP at our old house & well we have started to get calls about it & I have been showing to some families. The 1st family wanted to get it on LAND CONTRACT but we had to turn it down and then we showed a young family of 4 yesterday and they seem to like it but nothing as of yet from them. Then, just about 1/2 hour ago another call came in and the person said that they would get back with me about wanting to see it so ... keep this in prayer that we can sell it !!

3. We are going on vacation the end of the month out East to visit my family & WOW I cannot wait for this trip & to have a MAINE LOBSTER ... I can almost taste it !!  Also .. on our return TRIP home we will get to see our SON who was to come up here to see us & so that should be a fun meeting for sure so keep that in prayer that we have a good meeting with him & so I will get pictures too.

4. I will not be around much after today as I want to get things ready for the trip & I have a lot to do before 3 am Saturday - July 23 comes around so ... I ask you to keep me in prayer that I can keep everything in check & that we have a safe trip & when I return & back online August 3 I will have all sorts of news to share so STAY TUNE !!

So, take care my friends & I shall see you all when I return & I do miss all of you very much & I do think of all of you often & keep all of you in prayer. Also would like to say WELCOME ABOARD to all the new members that we have gotten over the last few months sorry that I have not been around to give you the PROPER WELCOME but I am TBEAR & I am sure that you will all have a wonderful time here !!

Till next time ...

PS: I posted this in the PRAYER REQUESTS to but it got ignored so I thought that maybe I should place it here so that you all can see it so take care & see you soon !!

QuotePS: I posted this in the PRAYER REQUESTS to but it got ignored so I thought that maybe I should place it here so that you all can see it so take care & see you soon !!

You didn't get ignored Karen I was there and prayed for your needs but did not post. I don't always post when I am praying for someone. So please don't feel that your requestes have been ignored. You did the right thing to post it in Prayer Requests and I am sure that others have also prayed for your requests.

A hearty THANK YOU to those who have been praying for us.

I have had one of the most stressful weeks of my life, and am feeling worn out and weepy today, but praising God that we all made it through and are safely back home.  Darrel's surgery went well, no ill effects that we can tell yet.  Beth's appointment...........well, Dr. Usala was very unhappy with her condition.  He put her back on the steroids, and wants to see her again in four weeks.  She has a tumor growing on her pituatary gland in her brain, besides the ones inside the spinal column.  He could find neither reflexes nor pulse in either of her feet.  Her potassium is low, so he prescribed that for her.  We are waiting to get the results of both the MRIs, then will see what Dr. Cone and Dr. Usala say.  She has to see Dr. Plumlee here in the morning.  I know God is in control, but still it is hard..........

I had a lovely chat with our sweet Mieka this morning!  She is back in Malibu for the summer.  It was great to talk to her again; she is such a darling girl.

Jen, I understand about the new pregnancy.  But many, many young moms have faced similar dilemmas, and thing DO work out, even when we can see no way.  The new little one will bring you much joy, and before long you will wonder how you ever got along without him or her.  Hugs and blessings to your little family.

Etta Sue, I don't mention it often enough, but your cute graphics really do brighten up the place here; and I enjoyed the devotional today, too.

I took Beth to meet her friend and baby for lunch; then to do some banking business.  She didn't want to take the wheelchair, and that was a BIG mistake. She barely made it back to the car, with me stooping down to move each foot for each step.  I'm exhausted.

I pray Jane has a blessed trip and wonderful times with her family.  We all need those times of reconnecting and refreshing.

I am going to rest a little bit, I think.  (If I can.)

I don't have long, have to get ready for work, was called in and I hope will also be sent home early as I am scheduled to open tomorrow morning.

Janet, how distressing all this negative news must be.  I haven't (nor do I want to to be truthful) walked in your shoes and so therefore can only imagine how you are feeling, but I have a huge cyber hug and kiss for you.

Karen, I too saw your request in the prayers section but was pressed for time and did not post, but your were in my prayers.

Hi Mieka, hope you stop in and say hello if you get a chance!

Jen, what a shock your second pregnancy must have been, but as Janet said, I'm sure it will turn out to be a blessing.

Soni, can I send you some of my laundry?  It seems to be a never completed chore these days.

Pat and Ruth Ann, I hope you are both feeling better today.

Hello to everyone else I've missed.

A bit of thunder and lightning here but it seems to have passed over now.  I must get going and get ready to get out the door for work.

Yesterday I posted a photo  HERE and today I posted a link to more info about the photo.

Thank you, Sue.  I need a lot of hugs and kisses today.

Marilyn, I saw that photo, wasn't sure what it was about, but very colorful and interesting.  Sure would cause a person to look up, huh?

My Abby called, today is her birthday and she wants us to come for supper and birthday cake.  That will cheer me up, for sure!    I can't believe that child is already EIGHT years old!  I must get off here and wrap her gifts.  She is having a little party with her friends on Sunday.  She chose to wait because her best friend, who was also born on the 14th, is away with her family on vacation and will be home by Sunday.

I did lie down and had a good nap.  I think I needed it, because I do feel better now.

See you all tomorrow!

Janet, such a stressful time for you.  But it's good to know that there are many praying for you.  Thanks for the report.  It sure doesn't sound good.

Yes, it was so nice speaking to Mieka today, wasn't it?  I miss seeing her posting in here.

Well, I've just turned on my computer.  I had to turn it off very quickly as we had one powerful storm.  Many of my plants are broken.  But we sure needed the rain.

Lauren had sneaked out while I was out just now checking the plants and raspberries and when I came back into the house, there was a dead mouse on my living room carpet!  YIKES!!  I can't stand them.  I think she must have caught it outside and brought it in.

Well, It's over the back fence now.

Now, I've off to our Gallery to see the photos that you've all added.

Welcome back, Janet!  You are one tough person!  (hug) hang in there! 

Janet My heart breaks for you.  I will be praying for strength for you and your hubby. 

We have had a break in the temperature, the humidity is for the most part gone.  That is a blessing.

Our garden is growing well, tomatoes are in good bloom, as are the zucchini, beans, and peas.  We already have peppers on the pepper plants!  I will try the watering thing again tonight....... John will be monitoring that so I won't be i trouble again.

Well have a good evening folks

Oh God, You know all about Janet and her Beth.  You know the stress and heartache, Father.  Oh I pray You'll let them know in no uncertain way that You are there, that You care, that Your love is enough for anything and everything through Jesus our Lord.