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Morning Devotional...



A Word from Ken

Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.
--Psalm 34:2-3


I've never written one of my wife's devotionals before, but I wanted to do it today.  July 3rd is our anniversary.  I wanted to write about the time Joni survived a struggle against double pneumonia in the hospital.

Those nine days in the hospital were extremely difficult for Joni.  They were difficult for me, too.  I felt helpless, unable to do much for her except to press on her abdomen to help her cough.  I stayed at the hospital every night, making sure she had someone to be her "muscles" when she needed help breathing.  Quadriplegics like Joni have limited lung capacity, and many don't live through such an ordeal.  It's amazing she recovered.  Obviously God has much more work for her to do.

And me, too.  For all these years, we've shared a marvelous mission together.  And underline that word together.  Joni and I were never more "together" than when she and I were battling against her pneumonia in the hospital.  One would think a feeling of togetherness would occur over a candlelight dinner or a romantic vacation.  But isn't it just like God to strengthen our unity, deepen our commitment, and breathe fresh romance into our marriage through, well... dealing with pneumonia in a hospital?!
           

* * * * * * * *

The sense of being together is never stronger than when you are in the trenches with a loved one battling a common enemy side-by-side.  Stressful situations canbring us closer together.  Ephesians 2:22 says, "And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."

Father, help me find someone today with whom I can exalt your name.  If an affliction, disappointment or illness is separating me from a loved one, give me the grace and wisdom to embrace them in the midst of hardship.  I want to be built up "together" with them... all for the praise of your glory.

Blessings,

Joni and Friends
www.joniandfriends.org

Pat:  Thanks for the beautiful story of Joni and her husband, Ken.  It is refreshing to read the touching and faithful words in this more and more secular world.  Thanks again.  Hugs to you.

Fire crackers in the neighborhood - every year - it is illegal but the law doesn't apply to those people. 

Our deck is still wet after being stained Sat. morning - something must be wrong with that formula although it is a good brand & we used it two years ago. 

Larry:  Grandson won one game out of the almost dozen he kept wanting to play - the cribbage I mean. 

Janet:  Always knew you had a great heart  - that was great news for you and Darrel.  good luck with the new little pet. 

We took our grandson to a state park this afternoon to watch miniature planes & the annual fee jumped from $30 to $60 so a lot of people turned around.  Sad to see.  It wiped out our cash but we do use the park and now will really use it more. 

Larry:  32 is very young.  My prayers for Stacey and her health.  Thanks for that comment on my brothers - I still love them.  My cousins are much closer and in both families they share faith and prayer with us so we don't feel left out at all - I guess it is the way our lives have been planned. 

Marilyn:  Your son still may come for a visit - hugs to you. 

Pat, a beautiful tribute from Ken.  As many of us know, the health problems of a loved one can certainly add to our devotion - both for the spouse and for the Lord.   :thumbsup:

I can really understand Ken's words about being in the hospital with Joni.  For me, it has been Beth more than Darrel---but those times do bring you together in new ways, and cause you to realize how very much you love them!

Thanks, Carol.  New puppy is doing very well; Darrel is working on the housebreaking bit, with moderate success.  He still hasn't chosen a name for her, wish he would get that done!

When I got up this morning we had no water.  Simple fix, but makes you appreciate water, for sure!

I was hoping to hear from Shirley today, but nothing so far.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, EVERYONE!!  And may GOD continue to bless AMERICA!

Good morning, friends,

Not much to offer from Nashville - I'm abiding by doc's orders to rest & rejuvenate this weekend.

May God be with our troops who endure so much for our freedom. AND, may God bless America and its leaders.

Also, may God be with our Canadian friends' country! You have a large, diverse country, and may God bless Canada's leaders.

Lord, be with us all today I pray,
Amen

Hi everyone on this 4th of July.  I watched the Peachtree Road race for the wheelchair division this morning while I had breakfast.  They are really an inspiration.  The racers go right by the apartment where my daughter lives.  She went out to watch some of the racers but came back in as it was too hot.

I have my Monday men's luncheon at 1 pm today and a meeting to attend this evening so it will be like a regular Monday for me and not a holiday.  Just back from coffee.

Janet, perhaps it was the Google Chrome browser.  I have been using it as my preferred browser for sometime and really like it.  

Pat, thanks for the devotional.  Very inspiring.

Carol, we have the same people in our neighborhood concerning firing fireworks.  I heard quite a few being shot off last evening and probably be a lot more tonight.  For a couple of years the people living next to us at the time would fire off a lot of them.  I have no idea whether the current family will do so or not and hope they don't.  At least we no longer have a pet that gets very scared of the noise.  That is quite a stiff fee to use your park.  With a lot of people out of work I am sure that higher fee would preclude a lot of people from using the park.

Janet, I remember so well the many times we visited the farm and Dad would have to get into the small space under the house to work on the pump for the water.  I am sure he didn't enjoy that at all but was just one of the things that was and had to be dealt with as there was no city water system.  At least we had very good and plentiful water on the farm.

Yes, Larry, that's it--Chrome.  Thanks.  All Darrel had to do was take the cover off the wellhead and using a long stick, tap something down there.  The renter left his water running on the yard all night, that's what caused it.  And we do have really good water and seemingly plenty of it, thank God.  I was listening to a couple of men in the waiting room at the doctor's office in Amarillo who were talking about us not being able to drill for oil, even though we have hundreds of years' supply....and then one of them said that WATER will be the big problem soon in the USA.  I thought to myself, well, for sure, we can't drink OIL.

I did go walk early this morning when it was lovely and cool.  It felt wonderful.

Fireworks!  With the money that was spent on fireworks in the addition that I was in last night, I could have bought a 2012 Luxury car with all the bells and whistles!  Such a waste of money!  Where Ivalou and I went, Chris has been un-employed for almost a year.  Only Crystal works and they are buying a new home, two cars and have two children!  Fireworks was a waste of money!  Besides there were too many little kids running around where Chris was shooting off the fireworks.  Scared me!

I got to see Brenna Rose..Rose is her middle name!  She was only 36 hours old when Mommy and Daddy came into Crystal's house.  They were only home from the hospital an hour!  Melissa looked great.  She said she felt wonderful!  No stitches so no driving restrictions so she said she is planning on going a lot this week!  Melissa is a hair stylist so she had a bow in Brenna's hair...her long, not 21 inches long, hair!  ha!  And noise didn't bother her a bit. 

Crystal's son, Connal, is 6 years old and he screams, shouts, yells, whams, bams, and slams!  Old enough to know better but Mom and Dad only talk to him in a calm voice and doesn't get his attention plus they don't follow through with what they tell him.  'You are going to your room if you don't stop screaming.'  He keeps on screaming and they ignore him!  Not a child I could be around for long without opening my mouth!

Tonight is the pitch-in at another niece's home.  Keri lives on Morse Lake northwest of me.  Ivalou and I have been there before on the 4th.  The fireworks are beautiful over the lake. 

Rainy today.  Wasn't suppose to do that according to the weather guessers!! 

Since Hawaii has a compass in it, I plan to put my old compass in Ivalou's car and adjust it.  And get her lawn chair out of the back of her car. 

And after last nights meal I am hungry for watermelon!!  There is a fruit and vegetable market on the way to Keri's so I am getting a watermelon!!

Good Morning Everyone...

I'm so happy that you enjoyed the little devotional today.  It meant a lot to me having spent many, many days with those I loved in the hospital just trying to comfort and encourage.

I've been enjoying watching the television of Kate and Wills (Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) aka Prince William enjoying their tour of Canada.  In a little while they are going to take place in a Dragon Boat race against each other!!!  That should be fun!  And Prince William is also going to fly a helicopter doing some rescue operation not done outside Canada and he hopes to take the maneuver back to Wales with him and pass it on to his RAF group where his every day work is flying helicopters.

Really nice to see the Royals being welcomed by all.

Etta Sue, I had a sister-in-law who didn't follow through , too.  My kids always knew that whatever I promised, good or bad, it would happen.

Pat, every news clip I see of Kate and Will, she looks as though she is thoroughly enjoying everything.  They are certainly a lovely couple. 

I just had to come back and share this story that a friend of mine just sent me.  I thought it was very good.

What a wonderful way to explain the need for Bible reading.  Thanks, Larry!

That is wonderful Larry Thank you!

Hello ALL,
SOrry i haven't been in to post been busy busy busy.... we are working on moving (YAY) and dad starts his new job tomorrow (he is nervous) soon the rest of the family will be moving too but we have a while to get things packed and ready to go.... we had a very quiet 4th of july being that the sell and ignition of fireworks was banned in our county and just about every county around us (i think the closest display was the lazer light show in amarillo or maybe woodward/hays.) not sure but i know it hasn't quiet seemed the same. BUT the residents have saved a lot of money this year and ALSO lots of lives/work of firefighters/land and homes. We are in such a severe drought that we cannot afford to really even be driving our cars down the road for fear of the slightest spark of anything lighting thousands of acres of land on fire let alone shooting fire up into the air for celebration. So anyways Ruth has went to sleep and i need to so i can get more stuff gone through tomorrow have a good day.
Sarah

Sarah, the nearest fireworks I know about were at Lakin last night.  I don't know why they allowed them, but so far, I haven't heard of any fires because of them.  Where is your new location to be? 

Well, guess who is going to work today?  Debra talked me into helping out one day a week for a while, and today is the day.  What was I thinking?  Barely any sleep last night, so a nap will likely be in my afternoon.  I had really bad dreams last night when I did doze off.  I do not like that!  When I woke, I prayed.......

Beth is really getting worn out.  They try to do too much while John is here.  And while I understand that, it is pretty hard on her.  Yesterday I could barely understand her at all.  I'm sure John must be tired, too.  He leaves tomorrow.

Larry, I really enjoyed what your friend sent you, thanks for sharing it.

Have a wonderful day, everyone!

Hi everyone.  It was a relatively quiet 4th in our neighborhood.  My immediate neighbors apparently did not fire off any fireworks and the noise I heard sounded like fire crackers in the distance.  There were several civic displays cancelled until tonight due to rain in isolated area last night.  We didn't have any in our area.  We have a thirty to forty percent chance of rain everyday for the next week. 

I guess we will be computer shopping again today or tomorrow as Pat's laptop died on her last night.  She uses it a lot when she is watching TV so know it has become very important to her.  She has never had her own new computer.  This is turning into an expensive month for electronics as we got the new TV, DVD and now a new computer. 

I had a need for my smart phone yesterday when we got the place for our men's luncheon and found it closed.  I was able to look up telephone numbers of three other places, two of which were also closed, and then contact the other two men who were joining us for lunch.  It really saved a lot of confusion.  I will probably find more and more uses for the data plan as I get used to using it.

Janet, hope you have a relatively easy day at work.  Just hope this doesn't become a creeping schedule where you will soon be working several days a week.  Remember that "no" is a complete sentence and no explanation need be offered.  I am sure Beth will have lots of good memories of these last few days that John has been there to brighten her days.  Hopefully more rest when he is gone will restore her to a rested state.

Thank you all for your comment on the piece my friend sent me.  I thought it was really good and you all were the first persons I wanted to share it with after my wife.

Sara, sound like you will be very busy getting ready to move.  Is this a distant move.  I know moving is always a challenge but also a bit exciting.

Pat, glad you are enjoying the Royals visit to Canada.  Wouldn't it be tough to be observed every time you step out of your house? 

Etta Sue, undisciplined children are tough to be around.  If the parents can't exert influence over them when they are small what is their life going to be when they become teenagers.  We all need boundaries to help us know the acceptable limits.  We took our children out often to dine or to other places and they did, as all children do, sometimes misbehave but they were immediately removed from the scene until they had calmed down. 

Just about time to leave for coffee.  I think the gym may be available so we may walk some laps this morning.  It has been several days since we walked as the church has been having summer camps for the children since school was out.  I will have to check the schedule but think this was an off week. 

The 4th of July fireworks over a lake was awesome.  The fireworks lasted about a half hour.  Some new ones this year.  Even a few Smiley Faces for the kiddies!  Then leaving was a bear!  So much traffic.  I had to go north and west to come south and east!  Normally would be a 25 minute drive took almost an hour!  But it was worth it.  And my Candy Crackers were a hit! 

Larry, loved the Coal Basket Bible.  I sent it to my minister.

Janet, just so 'NO!'

I don't make long distance calls on my land line.  But this month I had one on my bill.  It was to a small town north of me.  When I called to dispute, he called the number.  It was to a fax machine.  I got credit for $3.55 for less than a minute call!  Expensive call!

Today I have swim rehab.  I have rehab twice this week and a hair cut.  That's it! 

And I want to mow the lawn today!

Larry:  perfect story about the coal basket being cleaned after numerous times.  Sorry that Pat's laptop quit on her - with electronics it is always something. 

Etta Sue:  Your swim routine sounds very good for body and soul - refreshing and healing.  What fun to see and hold a newborn.  Yes, the couple is in trouble when they let the child be in charge. 

Pat:  We have seen some of the pictures of the Royals as well.  It is great that they came to Canada. 

We had numerous blackouts in the entire area last night right after dinner just at dusk.  One was a half hour long so I do have plenty of candles and lots of flashlights and I could knit and we just chatted missing the last part of a movie.  Who cares what happened at the end of the movie?  Finally finished the sweater coat knitting and it looks OK - will be used a lot after October. We do have an emergency wind up radio with a cell phone charger but it wasn't needed.  Boy, do we ever rely on electricity & water too as Janet would say. 

I have had an enjoyable time mowing the front portion of the lawn.  We have again this year a pair of hawks nesting in our eves.  They are not red tail, as they are too small for red tail and there is no "red tail"!  I have watched them fly to the bush and come back with food for the baby(ies).  When the come back they land on our hydro pole before going into the nest.  What a treat this has been! I wish I had a camera that would take quality distance photos.

Now to have a late lunch and get on with finishing the back portion of the lawns.

Hi everyone.  We enjoyed a nice rain last evening and it sure has greened things up once again.  The yard people were here yesterday afternoon so the yard looks very nice this morning.  We are having the house pressure washed today and the three sets of shutters painted a copper kettle color.  We have always had them a blue color, if I recall correctly, but blue really fades in the southern sun. 

Stacey is back in the hospital, at least overnight, with an asthma attack and a very high heart rate.  She called after 9 pm to let us know she was there.  We plan to go see her tomorrow and hopefully she will be out of the hospital.

I am going to Bible study this morning but Pat is going to get her driver's license as it expires tomorrow.

Etta Sue, glad they gave you credit for the wrongfully charged call.  Sounds like you had a fun fourth until it was time to head home.  The older I get the more I dislike big crowds.

Carol, my good friend is going to take the laptop home with him after coffee this morning and see what he thinks.  It hasn't been sounding well for some time and we have had lots of use from it.  Another friend showed us a new emergency radio he bought from L.L. Bean that recharges on solar power but also has a crank on it, it has an emergency LCD or LED light and a place to recharge your cell phone. 

Judy, you are something to enjoy mowing your lawn like you do.  You must really enjoy being outside. 

Have any of you seen the news footage of the dust storm that hit Phoenix yesterday and even caused a power failure.  That must have been terrible.

Well it's that day again - shopping at Winco.  I'm also hopefully going to get a blood draw today for a PSA test - may have to have something done about it, as I've had to get up every hour and a half at night lately.  Not fun at all.  And then I'll be going to the opthamologist (sp?) next Monday, probably to find out exactly when the cataract surgery will take place.  If I had my way, they'd put me in a hospital room and take care of the prostate and the eye all at the same time.  But I don't think they'll do that.

No, Al, I doubt they will do that!  But it would be nice if they would; might as well get it all done at once!  I pray you will get good reports on both situations.  But, having 'been there, done that,' I can assure you that cataract surgery is nothing to fear.  Painless, bloodless, and over quickly.  Then just wear those dark glasses as long as you are told, and you will be blessed with having much clearer eyesight once again.  Now, on the prostate, I have no experience!  ;)  :D  But Darrel has surely had more than his share of it!  Recently, he called his urologist AGAIN, and was told to take the antibiotic 4X per day for a month (Had been taking one a day for over two years, and every time he went off them, the infection returned within three days!)  He did that, then took two a day for another two weeks, then one a day for two weeks.....and, Praise God!  So far, the infection hasn't returned again.

Larry, I think that handy dandy flashlight with the extras might be a good investment for most of us!  Has all the bells and whistles---flashlights aren't what they used to be!  8)  Nor is much of anything else in this electronic gadget world.  I sure hope Stacey is better by now and back home from the hospital.  It's so good she is close and can get to the hospital on her own and you don't have to make the drive each time.

Today John leaves to go home to New York.  I know they will miss each other so much.  Just wish there were some way they could be together...... :'(

Today is Red Hats day, they have decided to go to a little restaurant about 15 miles out in the country which is run by the Mennonites and have pie and coffee.  I expect some will go earlier and eat lunch too.  Don't know what I will do yet.  John's plane isn't until around 4 this afternoon so I have time.

Work went well yesterday, but I do not want to work many days a month.  I have just so much energy, even though more than lots of people my age, and don't want to use it all there!

Please send up a prayer for John's safety as he travels home, and for Beth who seems to be near exhaustion.  I expect she will sleep for a week!

Al I hope the date for your eyes come up soon.  The other problem, like Janet I know nothing about.  Thankfully john doesn't have that problem....yet

Janet It is good that John and Beth had a good time together,  She can sleep when he is gone and savour the memories.

Larry isn't the rain wonderful!  it washes away all the dust and leaves everything refreshed.  We had a thunder boomer around 7 this morning and then the rain with more rumbling.  It is over now and everything looks so refreshed.

I have a bit of mowing left but will wait a bit for everything to dry somewhat  before I start.

Yesterday JOhn was part of a challengehis Volvo, a Peterbilt and an International.  They had to weigh at a DOT scales in Milton, drive to Windsor, then back to Milton re weigh and have fuel added to bring the trucks back up to their starting weight.  The Peterbilt and International companies flew in their "experts" to drive and "tweek" the engines and the Volvo decided to trust John.  They tweeked the engine and yesterday off they went.  The winner of this challenge will get a contract for power units to bring the company up to quota, so this was a BIG deal.  When they got back to Milton they were all about equal in fuel. 186 Litres and one was 185.5 Litres.  That was according to the scales.  But according to the on board computers John was the winner at about 2 - 3 Liters lower than the International and 5 Liters below the Peterbilt.  So in realit although in John's mind he won,  there realy was no clear winner.  He had a lot of fun with this.  The Fellow from Chicago for International drove back with John and would like John to be a test driver for their units....and has told Laidlaw to hold JOhn close to their chest as he is an excellent driver...Well we KNOW that!

Kassie has to work today.  From 1 - 9.  Tomorrow is physio. and after that she is going to a friends home and out on a date with the boyfriend.  Home by 10!

Got to run.  Haven't eaten yet and my tummy thinks my throat is cut!

Swim rehab was great yesterday.  A few different exercises were added.  I haven't weighed but I know my clothes aren't as tight as they were.  That's a plus! 

And I got my watermelon!!  Even on sale.  And my favorite kind.  A seedless watermelon.  So good!!  Also got corn on the cob!  Love summer foods!

I got the yard mowed.  Parts of the lawn barely needed mowed.  It only rained a little for the whole week so the grass didn't grow as much.  But it is done for another week.  Looks nice.  Also did some weed eating along the drive. 

After that was a shower, some watermelon and watching TV.

Today is a do nothing day!  Yay!

About the only time we have power outages here is when someone has an accident and hits an electric pole.  Then it isn't out very long.  I remember used to, if the wind blew very much, we didn't have power.  Same way with satellite TV.

Watching the fireworks the 4th was very restful.  It was the drive home that was stressful.  It seems Hawaii has wider blind spots than the Malibu.  But...yesterday morning, I raised the seat!  What a difference!  I feel like I am in control of Hawaii now!  So much better!  Love those power seats!!

And I stopped at Verizon.  I had a minor problem with the Droid.  1) Slow to show my icons after closing out a program.  Drew showed me how to clean out the cache and set the program to 'Force Close' when done.  2) Also asked about Kitty's Latitude that always shows her about 4 miles from her home in the middle of a field when she is home!  He said she needed to uninstall Latitude and re-install it. 3) Also how much it would cost to have Verizon as my internet provider for my laptop and desktop.  I am thinking about giving up my land line phone but I also would have to change my email address everywhere.  I would save $20 a month.  4) And I asked how easy or hard it was to get Bluetooth to work with Hawaii and Droid.  So Drew went to the parking lot with me and I have Bluetooth working on the car and Droid now.  Now I need someone to call me while driving.

Just what do you 'see' when you have cataracts?  My right eye...well, no matter what, it is out of focus...like looking through water.  The left eye is clear and sharp.  Right eye is fuzzy, out of focus and would be vary scary if both eyes were the same.  I wouldn't be driving at all if both were the same.  Even with new glasses the right eye is the same as with my old glasses!  And, I, too, don't know anything about prostrate problems...not even a husband with the problem!

I don't know what it would be like to have a friend stay with me a week and being so tired but I felt after VBS, I could sleep a week.  Friday night I slept better than I have for years!  Since then, I am back to normal...normal for me, that is.  Up every 2-3 hours.  Too hot.  Too cold.  Turn from one side to the other.  Angle across the bed.  Kick a foot out.  Throw the covers off to cool off.  Then get chilled and put the covers back on.  Fight for a pillow from Ali.  Every night's a battle!  And that's with the ceiling fan on.  Without it on, I probably wouldn't sleep at all!

But I know the fun that all had at VBS was so memorable!  Just need to remember how tiring it was when VBS time comes around next year!

Well, I must get busy doing nothing!

Etta Sue Check this out.  HERE (http://www.herzig-eye.com/cataracts-toronto.htm?n&gclid=CLv6j--F7akCFcbBKgodqwmDbA ) It tells the signs and symptoms.  Perhaps you need to get that eye checked!

The temp hasn't risen like I expected, I will be wearing a sweater today!  The clouds and dreariness is back!

I think I am following you around Judy

Thanks for the eye info you gave to Etta. Have to check it out; my DIL father has the problem, my son had a new lens put in but is having problems, and lastly,I will admit I HAVE to have my eyes check --same problem as others are saying.

Judy, I'm glad you posted about John!

I, myself, think that John is the best driver ever!  I have every confidence in his skills and many years ago when putting him through the bus driving skills at Langdon's came to this conclusion.  I had no doubts at all about the results of the test run yesterday and now I hope that they will declare him a winner!

Today's from Joni are very meaningful to me:



Two Lenses

Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.  For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.
--Lamentations 3:32-33

The Lord took no pleasure in my broken neck.  Like any father who has compassion on his children, it pained his heart to see me hurt.  Yet at the same time, it pleased the Lord to permit my accident.  My spinal cord injury was something he sovereignly designed in and for his good pleasure.

God's ways are so much higher than ours, he has the capacity to look at the world through two lenses -- through a narrow lens and a wide angle one.  When God looks at a painful event through a narrow lens, he sees the tragedy for what it is.  He is deeply grieved.  In Ezekiel 18:32 he says, "I take no pleasure in the death of anyone."  God feels the sting in his chest when a child dies of cancer or a husband is killed in an accident.  However, when God looks at that same event through his wide angle lens, he sees the tragedy in relation to everything leading up to it, as well as flowing out from it.  He sees a mosaic stretching into eternity -- it is this mosaic with all its parts, both good and evil, which brings him delight.

* * * * * * * *

In the span of a single verse, the Bible asserts "the Lord brings grief," yet "he does not willingly bring... grief."  God tried this out on himself.  He willed the death of his own Son, but he took no delight in it.  God saw how Jesus' death would demonstrate his incomprehensible mercy, as well as bring his people to glory.  God often wills what he despises because -- and only because -- he has a wide angle view on the world.

Lord, too often I have only a narrow-lens view of my world -- give me your perspective and may I rejoice in the beautiful mosaic I will one day understand.

Blessings,

Joni and Friends
www.joniandfriends.org

Pat, that is beautiful!  I'd never heard that, but I truly believe it.  Oh that we would trust Him Who sees the end as well as the beginning.

Hi everyone, I guess I have been AWOL for a few days here. I really haven't been all that busy that I couldn't  post but I have   lurking here several times per day. I took a few days off from my creative efforts, I just didn't feel very creative. I had planned to do more crocheting and on more days than I actually did.

Keith worked some more on cleaning out the garage and we took a whole trunk full of balls to Goodwill, basketballs, footballs and tennis balls, a few Frisbee's and two Badminton  sets. Like Keith said with three boys growing up here there were lots of balls around. I think he may want to take down the Basketball hoop too except that it is embedded in cement on the side of the driveway.

I re-potted some starts of the Christmas/Thanksgiving/Easter cactus. I never know what to call it because since I moved it over to the south facing windows it blooms several times a year. The two big ones that Keith has, one is at the office, originally came from his grandmother and are very old and root bound, and already is large posts, they need to be in something as big around as a half barrel but that would be too deep.

Another big thunderstorm and this is daily.  But - the picture of the huge dust storm hitting Phoenix was really terrible.  It must have been difficult to even breathe. 

Larry:  My prayers for Stacey for rest and full recovery. 

Pat:  another great message through Joni and thinking of the almost two years of under employment that some of our family is experiencing, I want to hang on to the thought that the Lord takes no pleasure in their strife but there are good things to look for during this experience.  I know it is nothing like a paralyzing life-changing incident but it is hurtful especially while raising a family.  Many thanks for the message. 

:cheer:Congrats to Judy B's guy for winning the driver's contest!!!!

Al:  Be sure that you bring a driver with you every eye visitation as you never know if they are going to dilate your eye.  It would be nice if they could just fix everything while you nap.   

A 2nd. cousin sent an old songbook that once belonged to my grandfather - It is called Rodeheaver's Plantation Melodies and my grandpa wrote the date - 1935.  (Homer Rodeheaver wrote a personal message on the front and the first song  is copyright 1918 "Standin' in the Need of Prayer".  All spirituals - it is just an amazing little book with both song and music.  Can't wait to get the grandchildren together and see what it sounds like with them. 

That sounds like a fantastic hymn book. I know at least one of our membership that would like to play and sing through it!!!

Carol, your brought back some memories from looong ago.  Once year, when I was in grade school, there was a presentation for the public and the two 1-through-4 schools learned a special song - everybody sang.  One year it was "Standing In The Need of Prayer", another year "Go Down, Moses" and another year we learned "Little Brown Church In the Vale".  And, oh yes, "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot".  Can you just imagine the reaction to having any of those in a school program today?

Carol, I would love to hear your family sing-along!  I really love those old spirituals, cannot remember where I learned them, but I know a lot of them.  What a treasure the old songbook is, lucky you!  I mean, blessed you; since I don't believe in luck.

Good for John!  Good truck drivers are becoming scarce, and really great ones rare!  Congratulations!

Well, John has gone home and I think both he and Beth will do a lot of resting now.  He doesn't have to go back to work until Monday, so will have a little time to unwind.  He is such a blessing in her life.  Such a small guy--110 pounds!--but with a tremendous heart.

I appealed to my publisher to move us up in the lineup if there is a possible way, and received an encouraging note in return.  They said there are ways to speed things along once we get into the production process; and that if someone should drop out, they will move us up.  Praise God for giving us favor!!  I can see that Beth is losing ground and she is so excited to see her book, and wants to be able to attend a few book signings with me.  I am hoping some rest will restore some of her strength; she is so weak now I have a lot of trouble understanding her speech.  :'(  But God is good and He is in control.  I am NOT one who praises suffering or feels God causes it; but I know He loves us and wants the best for us.

When I went for my walk earlier, it was just beautiful outside, nice and cool, partly cloudy.  I'm sure it will warm up rapidly.  So sad about the dirt storm over Phoenix--sure there was lots of smoke and ash included in it.

Hi everyone.  It is going to be another hot and muggy day.  The only thing we have on the schedule is to meet our daughter at Uncle Julio's, a very nice Mexican restaurant for lunch as she helps us celebrate our 49th wedding anniversary today.  

Our daughter did get dismissed from the hospital yesterday morning and then spent several hours waiting to get prescriptions filled at the public health hospital.  It was after 6:30 last evening before she got them and was back in her apartment.

Al, don't envy you on having your nights so interrupted.  It sounds like it is time to do something about the problem.  Almost everyone I know, including my wife, who has had cataract surgery said it was nothing to be concerned about.  

Janet, glad Darrel is doing better on the infection situation.  I know he has had to fight quite a battle.  Hope John has an uneventful flight home.  Seems the three weeks have flown by.

Judy, great honor for John on the truck driving.  I didn't understand the contract for power units.

Etta Sue, we got a letter yesterday from our power company almost apologizing for the number of outages we have had this year but that there has been a 68% increase from normal in the number of bad storms we have had which has caused outages.  That is certainly not the fault of the power company and they have done a good job under some tough circumstances.  When your eye doctor last tested didn't he/she speak of the cataract situation of your eyes?  Since my cataracts are at a very early stage I can't assess your situation and perhaps others can speak from experience.

Pat, the "Two Lenses" is really deep and must say my mind can't readily get around this idea. It certainly provides a way to deal with what seems to be a contradiction and a question often asked.

Marilyn, my lack of feeling creative is measured in years not days.  Glad to see you posting.

Carol, that sounds like a very valuable book especially with the personal message.  I hadn't thought of "Standing in the Need of Prayer" spiritual in a long time.

Janet, hope you can get the publishing date updated.  Isn't it unusual to have cool mornings this time of the year?

Every time I see someone post a song on here I wonder if anyone has the music and lyrics to 'Ancient Words'.  I think it is becoming my favorite song.  I found it today on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouTgX9hcwk4&feature=player_embedded) by Michael Smith.  I have saved it to my computer.  Now to convert it to a .mov and take it to church in case some day they would like it on the overhead screen. 

Two Lenses.  I think I can relate to that.  I remember Mom saying 'something good always comes out of something bad'.  I don't know where she heard that but it seems so.  You may not see it immediately but sooner or later, you will.  That's looking at things through a wide angle lens instead of the narrow lens.  Or the cup is half full instead of half empty.

Thanks for the cataract website.  I have been told that I have the beginnings of a cataract in my right eye.  I also think something else is going on.  I wake up...every thing is normal.  By the time I get to the kitchen, my nose is running and/or stopped up.  I blow!  Yuck!  Then my eyes water.  By the time I get to the living room and start my Bible devotions, I have blown my nose 2-3 times and wiped my eyes that many times also.  Then sneezing begins.  I may sneeze a half a dozen times in a row!  My right eye especially feels like there is 'matter' in it all the time and sometimes there is! 

Allergies?  Cataracts?  Sinus problems?  And oh, yes.  Coughing with results, too!  I go to my Nose, Ear and Throat specialist the 11th.  I will tell him all of this, too.  It has been going on too long!

I remember singing 'Little Brown Church in the Vale' and 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' in school.  Haven't thought of those songs for years!!  Memories!!  Ah!

And I hope Janet gets the book published soon.  I am so anxious to get a copy of my own and read it! 

I think I forgot to congratulate John in winning his trucking challenge.  If he thinks he's a winner, I do, too!  Congratulations!!

Where we played Euchre the last time, the lady has two Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving cacti.  They are huge!!  And she does have them in half barrels on 3 foot high pedestals and they hang to the floor!  I don't think I have ever been there and there weren't blooms!  And she has them in a south window with lace curtains...so not direct sunlight but diffused sunlight!  When she wants them moved it take two MEN to move them!!

I got overwhelmed today of thinking about some bushes that needs trimmed.  A neighbor boy does yard work...his dad is a landscaper...so I called him.  He is to come tomorrow afternoon.  I have about 8 bushes that I want cut down to about 8-10" from the ground and let them grow back up!

I may go with Kitty today somewhere.  She is having DVD's of her high school class duplicated for their 50th reunion.  If they are ready today, then we will go get them.  I also want to get a bath for Hawaii.  She is dirty.   :'(

Like Janet, I don't believe God causes suffering.  But I do believe He allows it and, if we let Him, uses it for good.

I have an appointment in Glens Falls with the hearing aid place this afternoon and following that I'm going to the main office of my bank.  Someone in the bank goofed - fortunately in my favor, but it needs to get straightened out.  There was a deposit made two days ago of almost $13,000 that certainly does not belong to me.   :D

I just love this book of old "negro" spirituals.  (that is what they are called) and this is a precious piece of history.  Send me an email if you want to know the names of all the songs.  I will type them all out and send one email to the group.  Yes, "Go Down Moses", "Swing Low" and all are here. 

Janet:  We are not a singing family but grandchildren play instruments of trumpet, keyboards, piano and guitar.  It sounds as if Beth is really exhausted and she needs a lot of sleep to catch up - blessing to her and you. 

A huge storm yesterday afternoon.- we are in the midst of monsoon weather so this is normal.  On my walk, I saw several big limbs down and one young tree.  We spent the morning changing insurance on the house & autos. 

Jeanne:  It would be nice if the bank lets you keep the money -  not a chance. 

Just came back to share another piece that a friend sent.  I know I have read it before but certainly worth rereading as it shows the glory of Gods creation.

Carol, I would love to have the names of all the songs!  Snf how fun that will be to hear your grandkids play them!

Jeanne, maybe someone really wants to bless you!  :)  ;) Wouldn't that be wonderful?  However, you are wise to get it checked, for sure.

Larry, the wisdom and creativity of our awesome God continually amaze me.  Thanks for sharing that.

I got updates from Eli and Shirley, so will copy and post them!  :)   :thumbsup:

Well the bank error has been corrected and the money is being taken out of my account.  I asked if there might be a "good citizen reward" but that just brought a laugh!  :'( 

Jeanne.... :clobber: to the bank!

Date: Tuesday, July 5, 2011, 10:24 AM

The team had a laptop that we've been carrying around for a while now, and this last week we got what they call a "dongle." It's just a usb drive with a sim card in it for internet use. That beening done, I've decided to write a letter to you guys within the bus. Right now I'm in the bus on a bumpy road. You guys ever been to the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland? Yeah,that ride has nothing on this ride. In this one you have kids on the side of the road chasing you! It's pretty legit!

This week has been the best week yet! Grandma is doing amazing and we added a new member to our team. Her name is Natalie and she's pretty cool as well. Grandma has really hit it off with her and they talk all the time. Grandma is now the grandma of so many people here. The Malawians have started to call her "agogo", which means grandmother in Chichewa. This week she seems like she's into her grove. I could see her staying here. Ha ha! I don't think that that will really happen, but grandma's love for what she is doing here is really cool. I too love this place. I've been thinking about what it will be like to live here in a year or two, and it's a pretty awesome concept!

The first village that we went to this week wasn't really on my radar. I just wasn't that into it. I don't think that I even preached in that village. I think a lot of me not really doing anything was due to the fact that it was soooooo cold. Me and Tim lost our sleeping bags on the way to the village, so we took a tent rain protector, a couple of blankets, and put on as much clothes as we could. None of that helped at all. We froze like another. For the second night in that village, i went to the next village and bought us blankets....not use. It was just as cold and not fun at all. I don't think that me and Tim got but 2 hours of sleep each night...The second night, we had to burn the medical waste, so we just stood out there and kept ourselves warm for a while.

This second village that we went to was actually called Korea, Malawi in the Phalombe district. I thought that in itself was really funny! This village was the best of the villages that we have all be to. We got to the village relatively early and got to sit and listen to about 20 choir songs before we realized that we didn't have to listen to so many--they were trying to entertain us while we sat there--we thought we were obligated to sit there.Regardless, we sat there for about 2 1/2 hours! That night we showed the Jesus Film and me and Tim got smart and slept on the bus.That was a lot warmer!!! The second day, we decided not to have a church service, but just went straight to the Medical Clinic. During the Medical Clinic we got to pray for a demon possessed epileptic. We knew because she was having trouble saying "Yesu Kristu." We prayed for her and lead her and her mother to the Lord and she stopped shaking! It was amazing to see. I got to lead her asking for the Holy Spirit and we told her that she was Christ's and that Satan does not have claim on her any longer. That's what it's all about! Ameni! During that clinic Grandma got to cut charms off 10+ kids and we talked to many who had charms ourselves! After the med team, we chose to walk around for a while. In both villages almost all the water wells that they had were broken, so Natalie, Shelby, Tim, and I decided to find the nearest one that worked...it was a 5 minute bus ride to that well...grrr! After that, me and Tim decided to hit the Chimbuzi (toilet) and we felt very wierd around two guys who kept starring at us. We told Peter (our interpreter) and we began speaking to the church pastor about it. Before we could talk about one of the guys, the guy left, but the other guy was a mute man. So we talked about him for a while, and then decided to talk to him with the help of Wendy's sign language skills. He didn't know real sign, but Wendy could decipher a lot that he was saying by the general motions. We found out that he had been sitting there staring at us waiting for us to pray for him. We did as he ask us to and actually found out further that he had a stomache ache and some kind of ear ache. We prayed, then cleaned out his ears and gave him some Tums to help relieve his stomache ache. It was super cool to just minister to the guy because the village has a stigma with deaf or "dumb" people...they wouldn't give him a minute out of their day. I think God used us to minister to even those who people have ostracized! We then prayed over a young mute boy who couldn't speak, but could hear. We didn't see any results within him, but I told him to continue to try to say "Yesu." I'm prayng for his complete healing (I would appreciate if you guys do too). After that we chose to show the Passion of the Christ, but not before a public witchcraft charm burning--accompanied by a sermon!!! I preached and had an altar call for anyone to step up and renounce witchcraft, and we had one lady come up and cut off some charms that were placed on her baby. I felt that I needed to give her a word that God was proud of her...It was pretty amazing...She walked away with a stronger faith in God for her family's wellbeing. We then burned the charms after the sermon and we had the entire village's complete attention. Tim then preached on healing and then introduced the film. The night ended with an amazing bang! People reacted to the film very well!!!

Today, I got to preach on the Foursquare Gospel (thanks for the notes Dan Stewart) and preached on what the life of a Christian looks like. Tim preached after me on Psalm 23 and the Lord's Prayer....it was intense. This whole village was intense! We're pumped and ready to be in Blantyre for a quick rest up time, maybe we'll buy ourselves some new sleeping bags. After that we're totally ready to take on some more villages!

Continue to pray for us and thank you so much for all of your support! We only have 3 weeks left and we want to leave with a bang. Love you guys and thanks!!!

Eli

Dear all at home,
We are enjoying a couple days rest and good food here at Grace and will be leaving again tomorrow to minister in two more villages.  It has been a very rewarding and interesting experience to be here.  The people are so open and hungry for the Word that they will  sit for hours on the ground listening to the preaching and teaching.  Our interpters are really great to work with as well.  Wonderful men and one woman of God.  They work hard, know technology,preach and teach, etc.  We reallly enjoy them.  They are good to answere our numerous questions about the culture and country as well.

I have taken lots of pictures, but the batteries were down on the video camera when I went to use it.  I had to wait until we returned here to get them recharged, but hopefully I will get some good video this week.

Eli sent a long e mail as we were returning the other day, ( its hard to keep track of the days here.)  so I don't want to repeat the same thing he wrote to you.  I hope you got it.  He was sending it to Leanne and ask her to send it to all of you.

We went to the "wood market" again to buy gifts for people at home.  The "merchants" all swarmed around me and got into a fight over who was going to sell to me, so I left without buying anything.  We are going back today so I hope to have better luck.  Wendy had to rescue me from the center of the fight and get me to the bus. It was confusing and frustrating to say the least.

Eli, Tim, Wendy and I bought some fabric and ordered African style shirts made yesterday.  There numerous men sitting on the sidewalks at their tredal sewing machines, waiting for business.  We will pick up the shirts today.  They have beautiful fabric here in the Indian shops and it is resonable in price.  The problen is that you have to buy four or six meters at a time.

I hope all is well at home.  Its strange not having any news about what's going on in the country, the weather, or you.  We are usually so busy, we hardly have time to think about it.  I am keeping a good written record of what's happening with us, so hope to write that book.  Some of the other team members have promised to make a contribution to it as well.  That will be great to have other prespectives on it all.

Good bye for now.  Keep us in your prayers.  Every day or two, someone is sick, the bus breaks down or we can't find disel fuel for the buses.  We have been having to buy it from the black market.


Shirley

Janet, thank you for those wonderful letters from Eli and Shirley.  Their trip seems to be having some great success.  Praise the Lord.   :thumbsup:

Well, I didn't get  $13,000 added to my account, but I did get a check in the  mail (highly unusual).  I had already paid what I  thought was a deductible to the optometrist here in McKinleyville, but then  our secondary came through, so I didn't really owe it.  We got $16, which I gladly accepted.

Carol - fear not, because they've already instructed me when to have another driver, etc.  There's  wonderful sister in our church who has vollunteered!  Thank our Lord for His people who show forth His character!

Yesterday Kitty and I went to Anderson.  I got a bath for Hawaii and then we went to the Family Christian Store.  I wanted to see if they had Michael W. Smith CD with 'Ancient Words' on it.  They didn't.  Then we went to Hobby Lobby.  Kitty got a bunch of stuff.  Then to Fazoli's for pizza and a coke.

I got home and a few minutes later I got a call from Kitty.  She was almost crying.  She has worked so hard on this DVD for her 50th Class Reunion.  It seems the duplicator could only copy 10 DVD's and now he can't get the rest to copy.  So I went over to help Kitty.  We made a video for her software program.  Then I burnt another by simply using the Autoplay pop up.  It worked.  And only took a few minutes.  But I couldn't do it again!!  I do believe her computer is jinxed!  So she is going to take the original one of last night to the duplicator and see if that one works!  I will be so glad when she gets these done! And I know she will be super glad. 

Her g-daughter comes today for 11 days so Kitty won't get anything done!

Rehab, lunch and haircuts today for Ivalou and I.  Then the neighbor boy is to come this afternoon.  But it is cloudy and has rained.

hi to all, just lurking around, hope all are well.

Awesome thoughts, Larry, thanks for sharing, I found it interesting and fascinating...I love stuff like that..

Our Heavenly Creator did an awesome job with HIS creation, earth and all that is in it....

Amen, Joyce, He surely did!

I slept well last night (am so thankful for that) woke at 7, went to walk for 20 minutes before it gets too hot, home to shower, and still got to my chiropractic appointment by 8!  :)

Larry, I think it was you who asked about cool mornings here--it would be a really rare event for it not to cool off at night.  That is a real blessing, to have the repriev e from the heat at night.  If one gets up early, the mornings are just delightful!

I don't have a heavy day today, just hair app't, then lunch with Pat to celebrate my birthday (late) and need to go see Beth and sort out some things at the home.

I miss my Mom......... :'(  But I am so happy for her, know she is having a wonderful time up there!

Hi everyone.  It is going to be a hot and humid day in Georgia with only a possibility of showers.  We had to have our Friday Men's Coffee at McDonald's this morning as the man with the key to the senior center has come down with a cold.  We had only a small turnout.  Nothing else on the schedule that will require leaving the house, other than to get the mail.  Will just work on a couple of things that need attention here in my office.

Jeanne, it was nice while it lasted but if it is too good to be true then it is not true.  I hope the bank at least thanked you for alerting them to their problem.

Janet, is Eli an ordained minister or a lay minister?  What a story and experience he is having. 

Al, $16 is better than zero dollars and to get it expectantly is nice.

Etta Sue, check out Amazon for the CD you want.  Too bad about the DVD duplicator.

Hi Joyce.  I thought that was an awesome piece as well. 

Janet, sometimes it doesn't get too cool here at night.  Glad you get a reprieve from the heat.  It has been so long since I lived in the midwest that I had forgotten about it cooling off at night.

Yesterday evening I took our new DVD player back to Sam's and got a refund.  Neither Pat nor I were really happy with it.  I will just get another Roku box for the bedroom, which will be about half the cost.  We have a perfectly good DVD player in the family room to use for discs.

Larry, I don't think Eli is ordained yet.  He attended a college out in California for two years, graduating this past Spring.  You can tell by his writing that he is very young and inexperienced; but he is certainly enthusiastic!  If he can retain his zeal and still get the experience and wisdom he needs, he should be a real warrior for the Kingdom!  His dad (Shirley's son) was killed in a truck accident when Eli was only four, and he was raised by his Mom, who is a Mexican national who speaks little English, so his upbringing was different from most.  But he did get into a good church, and had a lot of support from his school, church and extended family.

I cannot wait to hear Shirley's story!  As Etta Sue commented, she is a good writer, and does check out her facts, too.  I did a Google search on guinea worms and found Eli didn't have the story straight; but they are a dangerous creature!

Anyway, I wanted to pass their updates on to you just as written.  Hope you are enjoying them.

I just got this and think it is worth our time and thought:

Scripture: Philippians 4:13
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" NKJV

The dictionary has much to say about the words negative and positive.

Negative:
Lacking in constructiveness, Lacking in helpfulness, Lacking in optimism, Lacking in cooperativeness, or the like: "A man of negative viewpoint."

Positive:
Emphasizing what is laudable, Emphasizing what is hopeful, Emphasizing what is good; Emphasizing what is constructive. or the like: "A man with a positive attitude toward the future."

For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer in the Bible for it:   
 
You say: "It's impossible"
Jesus says: All thing are possible (Luke 18:27)   

You say: "Nobody really loves me"
Jesus says: I love you (John 3:16; John 13:34)   

You say: "I can't go on" 
Jesus says: My grace is sufficient (II Cor.12:9; Psalm 91:15)   

You say: "I can't figure things out"
Jesus says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)   

You say: "I can't do it" 
Jesus says: You can do all things (Phil 4:13)   

You say: "I'm not able"
Jesus says: I am able ! ! ! (II Cor.9:8)   

You say: "I can't forgive myself"
Jesus says: I forgive you (I John 1:9; Romans 8:1)   

You say: "I'm afraid"
Jesus says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Tim. 1:7)   

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"   
Jesus says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)   

You say: "I don't have enough faith"
Jesus says: I've given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)   

You say: "I feel all alone"
Jesus says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Heb. 13:5)   

Prayer: Father empower me with the words to say to myself and others that are positive, hopeful, good and constructive. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

What a blessing to read the Thoughts today. Many thanks to each of you who contributed.

Marilyn, my teenage son got into a cleaning frenzy one time during freezing cold weather, and the huge pineapple plant I had grown from just a pineapple top (it measured almost 3 ft. across at this time) and my beautiful Christmas cactus hanging basket were frozen. Then, one thing and another seemed to interfere with getting a start of either of those plants. Just recently I saw some one sale, but needed to wait till the $ were more plentiful, so I hope to get another one soon. Y'all treasure those plants and the memories that come with them, and, since the basketball post is set in concrete, maybe it will be a good reminder of great times had playing at that post. :)

I've read that passage in Lamentations many, many times. In fact, just a few verses above 32-33, are those that I have in my signature. I found that passage - beginning with the first verse - at a time when this young single mother was trying to "herd 3 teenage boys like herding cats" and rear the little one, play piano for church, and work. I've often thought long and hard about verses 32-33. The grief is most certainly painful, but we are promised that He will never leave nor forsake us.

I would like the "new every morning" verses to be read from the Living Bible at my funeral.

Lately, seems like I've been dealing with a deep need for total quiet, but God's mercies have been renewed afresh to me just this evening.

Father, how much I thank you.

Janet:  I will write a note to myself to send on the names of the songs.  Anyone else?  Love the last post about all things positive.  This nation needs positive thinking - maybe this is our test.

Etta Sue:  You are a whiz kid with all of your techie stuff.   :) 

Carol include me in that list please, and I will speak for Pat as well!

An insurance claims adjuster is sitting in my drive as I am typing.  Yesterday while my head was wet and the beautician was cutting my hair, a lady came in the shop wanting to know whose red car was in the cul-de-sac.  It has been hit!   :o  Hawaii was hit.   :(  When I parked Hawaii, I said to Ivalou 'I hope whoever has this SUV beside me doesn't leave first and if so I hope they straighten the wheels before backing out.'  The lady didn't.  17 days old and Hawaii has a boo boo!!  The driver's back quarter panel is dented and scratched.   :'(  And a tiny bit above it.  I am thankful it isn't worse but....it's my brand new car!!  And thank God, the lady didn't drive off and that she has insurance.  I put a picture on my FaceBook wall.

I also got my bushes all trimmed yesterday by three neighbor boys.  It only took them an hour and fifteen minutes.  Well, worth the money spent!  Looks very nice! 

Tony called and he is coming today to grease and oil the two lawn mowers.  Also a tire is losing air on the Honda mower.  It will be good to see him.  Haven't seen him for awhile.  He was in the Smokies last week on his cycle so he will have some stories to tell me, too. 

That's it, folks!

Laundry day today.  There are three streets in our mobile park.  We live on the middle one, then there is an upper one and a lower one.  The laundry room is on the upper one, so the task that falls to me is to load the laundry basket into the car, take Marbeth up to the laundry room, unload the backet, carry it into the laundry room, bring her coffee about an hour and a half later, then go up and get her and the laundry an hour or two later.

Hi everyone.  While at coffee this morning we had a brief bit of rain, didn't even notice it until we saw this little girl come in to McDonald's with her little umbrella.  We did have a nice shower yesterday afternoon, which was unexpected. 

Today is Pat's birthday so will be taking her out for a late lunch to celebrate and to a place called Mimi's, which she has selected.  It is the place we tried to find the other evening and didn't but now know where to turn to get to it.  I got her a planter of miniature roses this morning and she seemed to like them.  Of course, the new TV was the major part of her birthday. 

Janet, appreciate your sharing the special writings from a far away place and a different culture.  I am sure Eli and Shirley will never forget their experiences and it will likely change Eli's life.  He sounds like a fine young man.  Janet, I loved that reading.  I have seen it before but is probably one we should read daily.

Etta Sue, I am sure they will be able to fix your new car up so you won't even be able to see where the boo-boo occurred.  However, that is a shame and know you must have been a bit upset.  However, you had no control over the situation.

Quote from: Al Moak on July 09, 2011, 09:07:58 AM
Laundry day today.  There are three streets in our mobile park.  We live on the middle one, then there is an upper one and a lower one.  The laundry room is on the upper one, so the task that falls to me is to load the laundry basket into the car, take Marbeth up to the laundry room, unload the backet, carry it into the laundry room, bring her coffee about an hour and a half later, then go up and get her and the laundry an hour or two later.

What a lovely job you do with Marbeth!  I'd like double cream in mine, Al!

Etta Sue, I'm so sorry about your new red car.  Something similar happened to us many years ago and it was a red car as well!  It was a Renault (remember those?)  We picked the car up at the dealers and then drove to Fabricland to buy some material for a sewing project.  

While we were both walking around the store, a man came in and asked who owned the red car parked out front.  Jack quickly said, "I do!" and they both left the store with me following.  This guy had pulled into his parking spot and banged in the passenger door and the back door and the back fender!!!

I thought that I saw "Murder" in Jack's eyes!  LOL  I grabbed his arm and said, "He didn't need to come in and announce his error!!!  He could have driven off!!"  It turned out too that he was driving a rental car and was from British Columbia.

The insurance covered all the expences but what a terrible thing to happen when our precious new car was only about 2 hours ours!!!  Over the years, that part of the car did discolour in the sun and we could always see the repair area but today there are so many more fantastic paints for autos, etc.  so I'm sure the boo boo will all be fixed and no one will know.

Good morning to all y'all.   :D 
I am happy to announce that I now have high speed internet!  :thumbsup:

It was a wait of over a year, but I got it installed yesterday.  I know I will be glad it finally arrived.  The tech came in from first checking the junction box outside and said "I notice you are on dial-up ... you are going to be so happy with this!" and he held up the box with the modem.   :)

Already I have enjoyed doing things on the internet that I have previously only wished I could do ... who knows where this new found "speed" will take me.....   :D

Etta Sue,  I saw your post on facebook.... I feel so badly for you.  I know how that sort of thing can ruin your day.   :( 

Pat, I drove a Renault for several years ... In fact, that's the car I traveled back and forth from California to Oklahoma in before finally getting my little Neon. 

Not much going on here, on the south coast of Oregon ... beautiful blue sky and sunshine ... I will be back later to chat with you all!  (make that all y'all)  ;)

Oh Etta Sue, I am so sorry your Hawaii has a booboo, and at such a young age!!
Hope she will be as good as new when the repairs are completed.

And Pat, your new car was even newer when catastrophe hit!  I can just see murder in Jack's eyes too!  :-)

In a way, this reminds me of my losing something almost immediately after getting it.  Not a car or anything physical.....I got a new credit card, in my name, and had it less than a week when it disappeared.  I just knew it had to be in the house, but I could not find it.  So I had to call the credit card company and sheepishly tell them that I had already lost my card....they did cancel that number and sent me a new card in a few days.
Our great grandson came to visit, he is 5 years old.  He went to find his flip flops when it was time to leave, and they were under the edge of the bed in my computer room.  He came up with the credit card in hand and asked, "What's this?"  

Al, what a helpful hubby you are!  I know Marbeth values your help and consideration.  But I must say, your description of laundry day sure makes me appreciate the laundry room in my house!  (Laundry closet, rather).  
But I sure remember the days when we did laundry out back of the house, as a girl, and used the old scrub board....oh my, "wash day, mad day" is what we used to call it.  For a family with 7 children, it took all day, and I was the oldest girl and had my share of the work.  

My window of typing is jumping again...and I do not have a laptop, so I don't know why it does this when I fill up the window and continue to type.   Enough to make me dizzy, so I guess it is time to say adios.....
Hello to every one who comes in today.

I've been there too, Janice, with "lost" credit cards.  Then feeling so silly when it's found.

Now...  If only I could find my passport.... 

Larry, I hope both you and Pat enjoyed her birthday lunch!

Etta Sue, sorry about the boo-boo on your shiny new car!  Be bad enough if you did it yourself!  Maybe that was the Holy Spirit telling you not to park by that SUV.  Hope you don't have to be afoot too long while repairs are made.

I remember laundry day at home...we did have a wringer washer, though.  And a long set of clotheslines; when they were full, we hung clothes on all the fences.  We always had pinto beans on laundry days!  When my first child was born, I washed cloth diapers by hand in the bathtub.  Or had to load baby, carrying basket for baby, all her needed gear, plus the laundry and everything needed for that, and drive to the laundromat.  I was so happy when we got a washer and dryer I would have even been happy for them to have been plumbed into the living room, and I am not kidding!  Today I enjoy doing the laundry, it is so easy and convenient.  But I rarely do any ironing!  I snatch them out of the dryer and hang them up quickly!

I spent the morning at the senior center helping with a garage/food sale we are doing to help a boy go to national competition in Phoenix.  Rocky plays drums, plus three or four other instruments.  They are renting our big house, but I have known the family for years.  Rocky started drumming at a year and a half, using an empty coffee can and two pencils!  At two, he played 'drums' on the back of the pews at church with his hands, at three they bought him a drum set, at four he began performing in public, and now, at 14, he is very, very good on the drums.  I sincerely hope he wins the competition, as it will mean a good scholarship for college for him.  His whole big extended family were there this morning, working in the kitchen making burritos and brisket sandwiches.  Rocky came out of the kitchen every 30 minutes or so to play the drums for us.

Pat!  You have misplaced your passport??  Ouch!  Don't you need that every time you go back and forth between the US and Canada?  Well....I can't believe it, but I have lost (misplaced) my flash drive with my whole book on it!!  I have been praying and searching, praying and searching....I know it HAS to be here somewhere--but WHERE?  :o

This new puppy is keeping Darrel busy!  I think we need to have a name contest--any suggestions?  Whatever I suggest, he doesn't like, and what he suggests, I don't like, so poor baby is still nameless!

I think I will see what I can find to do to make myself feel useful.

Under Pets, we need to have some photos of this new pet, Janet.  Then maybe we'll get some name suggestions. 

Can't suggest a name without seeing the wee thing and seeing if our name suits it!

LOL

Yes, Passport is in the house somewhere.  I must find it.

Grocery shopping was the activity for this afternoon and I'm beat.  It sure does "take the starch out"  of me these days.   :o

Janet how about "Dilly" For the new Chiweenie's name.

Janet, I would suggest "Cassie" for the little pup's name.  Or Cindy?  Dogs can have people names too.  My grandmother had a cat named Agnes, but I don't recommend that name! 

OH no, Pat.  Not your passport!  You need our Sidney to find it for you, he has found several things for us (gr gr son, mentioned earlier).  Earl lost one of his hearing aids and we looked everywhere.  Sidney found it on the floor near the front door.  I guess he is just closer to the ground and that's why he finds things. 
You and Janet both need a Sidney around! 

Larry, I, too, hope you and Pat enjoyed her birthday lunch, and you had no trouble finding the place.  You are fortunate to have so many places from which to choose, for a special meal. 

Jane, congratulations on getting high speed Internet.  You will love it!

What part of Okla did you live in?  Where I grew up in Arkansas was near Okla, TX and LA. 

Janice, I was in east central OK ... just about 60 miles from Arkansas .... and south of Hwy 40.  Wetumka, in Hughes County.  I used to "locate" it by telling people it was between Wewoka and Weleeka...if that wasn't clear, I'd say "between Henryetta and Seminole ... McAllister and Shawnee ... Tulsa and Oklahoma City"  Eventually they'd "get it"   ;D

Hi, I'm back home after a day of answered prayer/marvelous food pantry donation for a really hungry family - adults had cut down to 1 meal a day to feed the children.

I got a phone call asking me to come to an apartment to check for what could be donated "especially for God's people." The couple were cleaning out the deceased person's apartment and knew I did some charitable work.

How wonderful to hear amazing, exciting, happy prayers pouring from the head of the household where I stopped. I rolled down the window, the person was in the yard, and said, "Hey, do you wanna go grocery shopping right here in your driveway...if so, please bring out some bags to take your choices inside." I heard such prayers as

Father! You knew just what we needed and provided everything and more.

Lord, how can I thank You for Your overwhelming Love and Generosity! You EVEN sent us unopened vitamins to help build up our health!!

...and many more - then the remainder of the foods were distributed to those others who were low on funds and needed specific items. He even provided the unopened exact brand name of over the counter medication a doctor prescribed for a widow who lives on meager funds, partial blindness, advanced age (nearly 85), and very frail.

It's time for a thanksgiving prayer this evening.

Ruth Ann

Such a blessing to be giving food to those who are in need and they give thanks to the Lord. 

JudyB:  I asked Pat to forward the list to you - your email is hidden.  That is OK

We went out for a Chinese dinner with our good neighbors who invited us to their church - where we have been attending since moving here.  We will see them early (7:30) service tomorrow where an entirely new message of several weeks long is beginning.

Ohh, Ruth Ann, what a wonderful time you had!  How lovely to have these donations.

Thanks Carol.  I got your email and sent it to Judy!

What a great day yesterday!  First the claims adjuster was here at 8:31am to check out the damage to Hawaii.  The lady looked awfully young but said she has worked for the insurance company for 21 years.  So I have the estimate and the check to get Hawaii fixed. 

Tony called shortly after I was up and said he was coming to work on the mowers. 

I called a body shop...owned by my second cousin's husband and kids...been in business since the '60's and has the contract to work on all of Hamilton County Sheriff's department vehicles.  I had to leave a message and no call back yet.

Tony came and started working on the mowers.  I got RoundUp in my sprayer and sprayed my landscaping rocks and around some trees.  I swept out the garage and the floor of Hawaii. 

The mail lady brought me my certified letter so I can now go to the BMW to get the registration for Hawaii and the title in my name. 

Tony and I went to Pizza King to pick up a pizza for lunch. 

A great few hours and a lot accomplished!! 

I am on the projector system again this Sunday.  I could go to a family reunion today but I think I am going to opt out! 

Tomorrow is rehab, my Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor, lunch, BMW and may go to the garage and give them my estimate.  Tomorrow night is church council meeting. 

Busy, busy, busy! 

Congratulations, Jane, on your DSL.  I know you love it already!

Hi everyone.  slept in this morning until an unsightly 9 am.  However, feel nice and rested this morning and other than attending church and eating out for lunch will continue to rest the remainder of the day. 

We had an enjoyable special meal at Mimi's yesterday.  It really isn't that far to so for a special occasion.  I am sure we will go back.  It is a French cafe and they had very good French bread.  I brought home about half of my meal.  Pat said what she ordered was a little dry and she wouldn't reorder it in the future.

Stacey spent all day at the hospital being treated but was released last evening and three new prescriptions.  She called this morning and sounded much better than yesterday so hope the worst is over from the episode.  With the condition of her lungs any thing affecting them is cause for concern. 

Pat and Etta Sue, I expect anyone who purchases a new car drives around with a concern in the back of their minds about not having a wreck or something happen like you both experienced.  At least it wasn't a moving experience and metal can be repaired.

Jane, as I have written a couple of other places I am so happy for you to finally be able to have highspeed internet.  Now if only that would become available for Judy.  When we lived in Alaska we bought a little Simca car.  It really was so underpowered and just a piece of junk but was in our price range at the time.  We brought it back to the lower 48 when we moved and I drove it from Seattle back to Missouri and we continued to use it for quite awhile.  It was rather fun to drive, as I remember. 

Janice, I wish I had a suggestion as to why your non-laptop screen is jumping but don't.  It is funny how lost things turn up after you have given up and taken action.  At least it hadn't been stolen or used or no harm done and the company probably hears that many times everyday.

Pat, don't you have to show the passport to go back and forth to and from Virginia? 

Janet, your washing day stories bring back many memories of growing up on the farm.  Mother's washing machine was in the storage house (we called it a coal house as there was a bin at one end of it) and she would have to heat the water in the house and carry it out to do the washing and then get clean water for the rinse cycles.  How easy we have it today in comparison.  I remember having to take clothes off the clothes line, especially on blusterly and very cold winter days.  Don't you have your book still on your computer?  If so it is a simple matter to copy it again to another flash drive.  Also, if you e-mailed it to the publisher look back at your sent e-mails and just download the file to your computer.  Guess you are going to have to name the dog "nameless".  :)

Jeanne, I agree about how stressful grocery shopping is.  I think it is walking those long isles. 

Janice, we found the place without difficulty since we had the address and had looked at the directions before we started out.  We had been within a half block of it before but it was on a side Blvd and we didn't know to turn there. 

Ruth Ann, what a marvelous day you had by being willing to do this.  You brightened folks lives in more ways than physically with the food. 

Carol, I would never get my wife to church at 7:30 in the morning.  Of course, with choir I couldn't go that early either since we don't sing until after 11:15.

Etta Sue, your day sounded like a whirlwind.  Glad things are moving on getting your car fixed. 

Ruth Ann you mentioned having a pineapple plant that grew really large.  5id you ever have pineapples on it?  I have a plant that is rooted, I am wondering if it will ever bear fruit?

This is a quiet lazy day. Nice for a change.

Good morning!  It is such a pleasure to get here so quickly and be able to greet you all.   ;)  Yup, I really am enjoying this high speed.   :thumbsup:

Janet, I had a friend once who called their dog "Deog"  (pronounced D O G)!  That'll work.  My girls and I had a cat when we lived in the apartment ... we had to register it with the management and hadn't named it yet ... they wrote down "cat" and that was its name from then on!  Later, Dot changed it to "BC" for black cat!

We have a mystery here in our little neighborhood.  Our resident swans hatched only one egg a couple months ago, and they were so very proud of their little one ... They'd parade him/her up and down the lake and always kept him close to the parents.  Well, since early Friday morning, their baby has not been seen.   :-\  The parents swim back and forth, the length of the lake, seeming to search for him/her.  It is a sad time for us all.   :(

Possibly a hawk made off with the baby.  It wouldn't be a raccoon because there are some unhatched eggs in the swan's nest and a raccoon would have taken those before the little swan.  The male swan is so fiercely protective of their area that no person would have been able to get close enough to take their baby .... Like I said -- it's a mystery, and a sad one at that. 

Well, that's my concern for the day ... my life is pretty dull otherwise.  I like it that way, though.   :)

Y'all have a great day for yourselves, and I'll be back to check on you. 

Quote from: JudyB on July 10, 2011, 12:34:17 PM
Ruth Ann you mentioned having a pineapple plant that grew really large.  5id you ever have pineapples on it?  I have a plant that is rooted, I am wondering if it will ever bear fruit?

This is a quiet lazy day. Nice for a change.

Yes it will grow a pineapple if you can keep it growing long enough

The proof is in the PICTURES (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=11862.0%5B/url)

Don I've never seen pineapples growing like that ... that's amazing (to me).

Quote from: Jane Walker on July 10, 2011, 02:04:04 PM
Don I've never seen pineapples growing like that ... that's amazing (to me).

I called it my Wallmart pineapple because that is where i bought the pineapple to get the start.

Thanks Jane!

Thanks for the suggestions on puppy names.  Darrel wants to call her Sue and I said NO because that was the name of his first wife!  :o  I'm not jealous, never even met Sue and that's been many years ago; just don't like the idea.  I thought of Donna, because our cat is named Dinah, and those go well together.  I like Cindy; Beth had a dog named Sindee.....Well, I will think of something, I guess.

Larry, I remember during bitter winters bringing in Daddy's Levis, frozen stiff enough to stand on the floor a while before they thawed and "wilted".  Then we hung them over the backs of chairs to finish drying.

I want to share the verse from my birthday card from Beth.  It was late as she has to have someone take her to pick one out, then wait for someone to put the name on and sign it for her.  But it made me cry:

Front:  For My Mother, with thanks for always being there

Inside:  
You always have been there for me
No matter what I've needed,
You've comforted and sacrificed,
You've helped an interceded.
I think back on the many times
When I've felt down or lost.
When you did all you could for me,
No matter what the cost.

My life's been changed in many ways
By your warm and loving touch,
I'm very grateful, Mother,
And I love you very much.

Happy Birthday
I love you,
Beth

It is beastly hot here today, was already warming up when I walked at 6:15 AM.

Larry, thanks for the suggestions.  Mark came by yesterday and found the book in my sent mails, got it back on here, but now I don't know how to find it.  Will call him and ask.... :-[

What a lovely verse, Janet.  So touching.

Janet, I can well understand that the verse in Beth's card made you cry.  It's great, too, that folks will help her, taking her to choose the card and adding the name and signature for her.

It's that time again.  Go here: http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=11866.msg164813#msg164813