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Morning Devotional...



The much-loved Christmas song "O Holy Night" paints the scene of the world welcoming the long-awaited Savior.

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!

It recounts that powerful moment when the Messiah appeared, the hope of the world coming to earth as a baby. But what caused Christ to step down from heaven and live among us, God in human form?

Long lay the world, in sin and error pining
'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

Did Jesus come to make us happy? Did He come to make us good people? No, His mission was much deeper than that. Jesus sacrificed His life to save us from the death we deserved so that we could know Him and live eternally. His mission was salvation from sin; His motivation was love.

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices
O night divine, O night when Christ was born.

This Christmas, how will you live in response to the greatest act of love the world has ever known? As you come before the Lord this week, ask Him to reveal more to you about His precious Son, His costly sacrifice, and His great gift of salvation.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, open my eyes to the magnificence of Jesus' birth. Teach me about the power of Your sacrifice and show me the depths of Your love this Christmas season. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

This time of year brings thoughts of happiness as well as sadness for some. People without families, the homeless and those who have lost a loved one. We need to keep these people in prayer. This time of year also brings more suicides than any other time of year. Helplessness and hopelessness rum rampant this time of year. In fact I have a friend whose power  has been off for close to 3 weeks now, the bill was $100 and now to have it turned back on is $795. I see her helplessness and hopelessness in her Facebook postings. On top of this she has 2 kids on about 10 the other an autistic boy of about 17.

Just keep them in prayer as they try to get some help, all seems pretty hopeless right now for her she has contacted every agency and church in the area and  hasn't found any help yet. It really hurts my heart the my church congregation  doesn't have the funds to help her either.

All I am asking here is to keep this family and others in the same situation in your prayers.

Thanks for that information, Marilyn.  Of course, though, she is not helpless and should not be hopeless - Jesus is there if she just turns to him and trusts him.  God is in charge and has His reasons for this poor family's load   I will be keeping them in my prayers that God will soon show them the way.

That's awesome Jeanne. Thank you

Jeanne, I don't know how to get the photos from my phone to my computer!    Larry has kindly tried to tell me, but I've been dealing with a very unpleasant situation with a person I thought was a friend--until I made the mistake  of loaning her money.  Now she is texting me really snotty and unkind stuff.   

Maybe tomorrow I won't feel so muddle-headed and can do something about it.  (I hope)  Sometimes I wish I didn't even have a computer, but then I remember all of you sweet people, and know how I would miss being in touch with you.

Hugs to all.

Janet, I'll pray for a solution to the problem with your friend.   

About the pictures on your phone, I think they can be sent directly from the phone.  I've received several from my daughter-in-law that say "sent from my i-phone".  If you can send an email from your phone you should be able to attach a photo to that.  But don't ask me how.  I know nothing about smart phones.   

Hi everyone on a cloudy morning but to have mixed clouds and sun this afternoon.  We are suppose to get up to 59 degrees around 3 pm.  It appears there is little chance of more rain.  The only activity on the schedule for today is our weekly dinner at church.  The menu tonight is grilled hamburgers and hot dogs with all the trimmings and dessert.  This will be our last dinner at the church until January 4th.  Yesterday I did pick up the groceries Pat had ordered online from Walmart and also made the quick stop at Aldi's mainly for fresh vegetables. 

Jeanne, I really liked your devotional thoughts on Christmas that you shared for this week. 

Marilyn, I am sure your friend is feeling desperate with everything backing up on her.  There are many people who are very stressed at this time of the year and that is sad as this should be a joyous time of the year if we keep the focus on the birth of our Savior. 

Janet, I also know from long experience not to loan money to a friend or family member.  If I am going to help them it will be a gift with no expectation of repayment.  This avoids my developing a resentment.  I am not responsible for another's debts and therefore I have no reason to feel guilty by saying no.  If you didn't have a computer we would be the losers in not being able to be a small part of your life and you a part of our lives.  Things don't usually seem as dark and impossible as they do the night before.  At least that has been my experience.  To email pictures off of your phone find the little icon that says Photos (I believe this is a standard iPhone app and not an app we add to the phone.)  At the top of the page click on the word "Select" and then touch one or more photos you want to email to yourself or someone else.  Then touch the little rectantular box with the arror pointed up and it brings up a variety of options such as email or Facebook or Message.  Just select what you want and it will attach the photos to the email or send them to Facebook, etc.  If you are emailing them to yourself or someone else just put in the email address and add a subject and then any message you want.  The photos are already attached to the email.  I hope this helps.  It sounds much harder than it is.

Thank you so much, Jeanne for opening another "Thoughts for the Week".  My situation for the past few weeks has been difficult and a steady increase in my prednisone which helps the illness but doesn't help with other stuff! 

Marilyn, I'm praying as well about your friend.  This is so sad.

  Wishing my "To Do" list would disappear today. 

Ruth Ann:  So nice to read that you are better.  The idea of putting in an order and having the trunk loaded with groceries is really nice.  We have used that on our trips when returning to the house and it does help with the first-day-back-home list. 

We will be staying in Tucson and not taking our oldest son and DIL up on their offer to drive us back to Colorado for Christmas.  Reason being - Don is doing well with altitude here and the other is the trip is exhausting even sitting in the back seat.  That offer was so sweet.  I am having off and on sadness on not being with everyone - and sit down with devotions to keep my focus on what to be thankful about these days. 

Our good and faithful friend of 93 years young is gone - we went to the nicest memorial and all of her five sons spoke plus they had a power point viewing that was perfect. 

Don is in midst of quite a few medical appointments - another reason we opted to stay put over Christmas.

Don spotted one quail so we put out a quail block of seeds - the doves seem to like it.  Flowers are still blooming here but the color is dimming.  Two nights of freezing is this week so we will cover at least three little fruit trees. 

Larry:  Your idea of putting Pat's recipes in a book is super.  I couldn't get the sausage muffin recipe.

Pat:  Prednisone is pretty strong medicine.  It can be a great healer.  My prayers for the meds to work and get you back into a pain-free life again.   

Hi everyone on a bright and sunny Thursday morning.  I am having a laid back morning as my schedule is light for today.  I don't have to pick up my friend for coffee this morning as members of his family are taking him out for lunch as his Christmas present.  I will go to coffee in a little bit and afterward stop at Office Depot for some printer ink.  I must get it today to take advantage of the $10 off coupon we got with the purchase of Pat's chair a few days ago.  If Pat can get her shoe on this afternoon we may go out to eat for our main meal of the day.  If not it may be chili for dinner tonight.  We had a nice time with Scott last evening.  After the dinner at church the santuary was open for a special service and Scott wanted to see the interior of our sanctuary so we stopped in briefly and he was most impressed with the interior of the church.  This was a big step as he hasn't wanted anything to do with the church for many years since he lost his baby son over 20 years ago.  Hopefully one of these days he will return to church but that has to be his decision. 

Pat, I sure hope your message was an indication that the pain is lessening for you from your illness.  I continue to pray for you. 

Carol, we have been very pleased with the online ordering from Walmart and just stopping to pick it up.  I know you are sad not being able to be back with your family for Christmas.  Perhaps you can still share in it through the use of Facetime or one of the other video calling apps.  It can almost be like being there.  I am glad that Don is doing well with the altitude there in Tuscon.

Jeanne, your little graphic tells me that it is cold up your way. 

You're right, Larry.  It's cold here.  And expected to get much colder for another day and night.   And then maybe above freezing for a day or two, but with snow/rain/sleet... 

Larry:  We use Skype a lot - this year the children are all scattered but they will be in touch for sure. 

Minutes ago, I had a warning supposedly from Microsoft and this laptop was taken over by flashing warnings to call a phone number - an 800 number.  Don't call that number.  We kept working on this and went to Control Alt-Delete to shut it down and it did shut down.  Bringing up the computer again, it seems to be fine.  We have read all about these tricksters going after your money - so beware as it does appear to be legitimate but it is not. 

Don is going to do a full cleaning on this laptop today.  Off to the doctor.  Thanks, Jeanne - please stay warm.  80* here today and freezing on Saturday. 

Thanks, Larry, for the detailed instructions on sending an email from iPhone.  I will attempt it later.  Busy day today, gym, then Circle meeting/Bible study at church, now a little time, then I have another event to make food for and get Christmas cards ready to take along.  Whew!!

I went to town (here) yesterday, determined to get some Christmas shopping done.  But I just didn't want to; I wasn't in the mood; there is nothing any of us need, etc., etc., so I finally gave up and came home with very few items.  Sigh..... I don't know why I'm feeling so out of it this year!  I just want to sleep through it.  But on the other hand, I want to be with my family members, too. 

Pat, I'm so sorry you still are having problems.  I wish there were something I could do to help.  Of course, I know the most important and valuable thing is prayer, and I am doing that!  Love you!

I am feeling so sleepy I can barely keep my eyes open!  What's up with that? 

Sending love and warm wishes to all of you today!

Good Afternoon everyone, Freckles and I  went  to our hospital visit with the Furry Friends today. Six teams go the first, third and fifth  Thursday to visit the patients. We were teamed today with a Black standard Poodle and her human.   

Pat I know that Prednisone can really do a number on a person. My Mother had to take it for years. I hope you do not suffer the same consequences she did.Well I know you wont because you have lots of prayer warriors in your corner.

We are going to California for Christmas to spend the time with Gilbert and family like we do every year. We have people praying for us that the road will not be icy, no rain or snow to deal with while we travel.

6:00 a.m. -10^o F. actual temp.

I saw that thermometer reading and went back to my blanket cocoon.

Hi everyone on a cold, for us, morning.  It is now up to 32 degrees after getting into the high 20's last night.  Not much on the schedule for today.  The housekeeper will be here this morning.  I have no plans to go anywhere today.  I have things ready to fix Pat's breakfast and have already made my sandwich for lunch and also for tomorrow.  I also fixed some celery sticks.  I think we will likely fix a pot of chili for our dinner tonight.  The BBQ was tasty yesterday. 

Carol, I have used Skype often in the past and it worked very well.  I expect most of us have had that same flashing screen.  It is nothing but a scam although it is frightening since we read about malware taking over our computer and locking our files. 

Janet, we seem to be more in the Christmas spirit this year than we were last Christmas.  I need to get my Christmas email card ready and sent as well as getting the Christmas check into the mail for our great grandchildren.  I think I will take care of that today. 

Marilyn, a standard Poodle is a fairly large sized dog if I remember correctly.  I am sure your hospital visits are greatly appreciated by the patients.  I expect you are counting the days until you head for California. 

Jeanne, reading of the very cold temperatures you and many others are experiencing make me so glad we live in South Carolina. 

Yes Larry the standard Poole is a larg/;tall dog but usually only weigh about 65lbs unless they are over weight. 

Also I am getting anxious to head south  about 210 miles. The weather there is the same as here though, Gilbert is about 8 miles in land from the coast,

It is 36° here this morning. Brrrr. at least we don't have snow. It is down to about 1,000ft. We are at 60ft. here. When we go south  we go right down the coast along the ocean most of the way.

Hi everyone.  We are looking forward to it getting up to the mid-60's today and staying in the 60's through the night and then into the 70's tomorrow.  It didn't get out of the low 40's yesterday.  When I read the temperatures many of you are enduring I am certainly not complaining.  I think the main activities today will be to get Christmas mailing done, including taking a small package to the Post Office.  I also plan on making some more sausage muffins for Pat and probably a few more kitchen duties. 

Marilyn, 65 pounds is a large dog.  I hope you will find the roads clear all the way to Gilbert's. 

Last night I attended the Care Home Holiday dinner (combined Thanksgiving and Christmas)  Beth wasn't feeling well at all, and barely responded to me or to her faithful friend Mindi who came, along with her husband.  I'm glad it isn't tonight!  We are having wild weather, snowing and blowing, very cold, and getting colder each hour.  It was 9* when I got up, and headed down to at least -9 by midnight, and in the morning, they predict -9 with wind chill of -20!  B-r-r-r-r!   

We had tickets to the play at Dodge City tonight, but aren't going.  We all decided a dinner theater wasn't worth the chance of being on the road in these conditions, even though we all do enjoy it so much.  Three couples usually go together.

I finally started wrapping gifts today, and my back is complaining.    I kept hoping the elves would do it while I slept, but the little guys haven't shown up! 

I'm surely glad my daughter came last weekend, or she wouldn't have come.  I know she wouldn't get on the highway in this--and of course, we wouldn't want her to!

Jeanne, good idea to enjoy your warm blanket cocoon!  I don't blame you one bit!

I just ate another bowl of the good stew Darrel made, now I'm headed back into my studio to do more wrapping.  I have nev er enjoyed wrapping gifts.    Does that make me a Scrooge? 

We sold our 5th wheel trailer to a friend the age of our grandson Mark.  He lives over in Johnson, 22 miles to our West.  We hooked it up and took it over to him yesterday, and he has a high school friend who was to be there today to help him work on it this weekend.  I hope they are able to get the roof back on the half we scalped!  Glad to see him and wife have it, I think they will enjoy it probably more than we ever did.  We enjoyed it a lot when we used it; we just didn't use it much at all.  I hope that friend made it over here from Wichita to help him!  Thank goodness, he has a friend who is letting him work on it inside a huge building, which is heated to around 40*  That helps a LOT!

Back to the wrapping.

Hi everyone on a beautiful 65 degree and so far sunny morning here in South Carolina.  We are to get up to 71 degrees around noon time. It was a very nice day here yesterday.  I watched my Alma Mater, Northwest Missouri State University win the Division II National Championship in football yesterday afternoon.  The game was being played in Kansas City, Kansas and it was extremely cold and the field was so covered with snow you couldn't even see the lines on the field. 

I did have a productive day yesterday as got the Christmas wrapping done and took one box to the Post Office.  There were only about 8 people ahead of me and it didn't take more than 8-10 minutes before I was waited on as there were three clerks working.  I also got my Christmas Letter prepared and emailed.  Yesterday afternoon I made more sausage muffins for Pat and also made the peanut clusters that are so easy and so good.  Pat made them last year and they are very good although very sweet.  I plan on sharing some of them with my neighbors as the recipe makes about 4 1/2 pounds of candy. 

I plan on a quiet day this afternoon.  I will go to Sunday School and Church but Pat will not be going as the gout isn't any better and her foot is swelling.  She plans on calling the doctor's office tomorrow.  I will bring home something for lunch then rest and watch football this afternoon.  One of the game this afternoon will be played in Chicago and I read that they expect it to be the coldest conditions in which a pro football game has ever been played. 

Janet, so sorry that Beth wasn't feeling well and couldn't enjoy the Holiday dinner.  I know you must be terribly worried about her.  It sounds like you were wise to skp the play as you could have gotten there and found it had been cancelled for last night due to your bad weather.  I don't enjoy wrapping gifts either and really don't do a very good job but it seems I am always the one doing most of the wrapping.  This year there were only three gifts to wrap.  Did you scalp the roof as you were taking the man the 5th wheeler trailer or had it been that way for sometime?

Good morning from frigid, frozen SW Kansas!!  Our temp was -18 when I got up, now it's heated clear up to 2*!  Our water is frozen, so Darrel was afraid for us to go to church, thinking it might thaw sooner (still hasn't) and if the pipes are busted, flood the house.  I have been praying earnestly for it to PLEASE not flood our house AGAIN.   Our high is to be maybe 31*  The sun is shining brightly now, so it looks a lot better, at least.  We haven't had this cold a temp in over 20 years here!  It used to be fairly common to get to -20, but not for a long time.

Larry, we scalped the roof off the 5th wheel back in July, when we went to visit my sister.  We waited for months for Lon, who did our big remodel after all the water damage, to come fix it, we were going to just give it to him, but he didn't get it done.  He has found the love of is life in Topeka, so was driving there every week and spending three or four days, and getting farther and farther behind on his jobs.  He finally called me and said he just wasn't going to be able to get to it.  He had nowhere to keep it under cover until the repairs could be done, and he was moving to Topeka to marry the gal.  So we sold it very cheaply to a young man who used to live just down the road.  He was very thrilled to get it, and very appreciative.What happened was, we went under a railroad underpass that was only 12' 4" and that trailer needs a full 12 foot clearance.  It wasn't marked so one would notice it, and they told us several campers or other trailers do that every summer.  Good deal for Hutchinson, as they then gave us a ticket for inattentive driving, and we had to pay a hefty fine.    Not a happy day!!

You folks may actually be seeing some photos from Janet soon!!!  Thanks, Larry!!  Thanks, Jeanne!!

Posted by Judith on Facebook...


"Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" was written by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie. It was first sung on Eddie cantor's radio show in November 1934. It became an instant hit with orders for 100,000 copies of sheet music the next day and more than 400,000 copies sold by Christmas. On December 18, 1996, I asked The Lord to direct me in writing a song to tell children Who REALLY is The One Who knows them, sees them, and cares about them, so I wrote this song, "Who Knows?"

Judith's talents seem to be unlimited!  Thanks!!!

Janet, thanks for the great photos.  I took some doing and I had to get it done kind of by the back door, but they're all posted HERE

Hi everyone.  After a day when we got to the high 70's today will only be in the 40's.  We had rain all of last evening and it is raining again this morning.  Fortunately it is not cold enough to give us any ice.

We had a lovely Church service yesterday with "Lessons and Carol" being used with nice different reading and a lot of Sacred Christmas music.  It was a long service as it ran over about 15 minutes past our normal time.  Our Chancel Choir, the Bells and the primary age children's choir sang along with a several instrumental accompaniments. 

The only thing on the schedule for today is my Monday noon meeting.  We are having a briefer meeting today with a social occasion afterwards with finger foods. 

Janet, sure hope you have no broken pipes as you have experienced that too much.  Thanks for the info on the 5th wheeler.  I expect you had mentioned it at the time but I just didn't remember the circumstances.  The fine added insult to injury.  I hope the young man fixes it up and enjoys having it.   I just viewed the pictures that Jeanne posted for you.  You are such a wonderful artist and I also enjoyed seeing the pictures of you, Beth, John and the other folks pictured.  Thanks for sharing them and thank you Jeanne for posting them. 

Judith, I have been missing your postings but appreciate the new graphic that Pat posted.

If you need a little uplift today be sure to watch this video that Lloyd sent me the link to:   http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=7lfaSmDxVZQ

Cold here too at 38° right now. Going to the Chiropractor at 10, Freckles will be going with me.  I will be starting back at the gym next month when my medicare advantage policy kicks in, the silver and Fit program is only accepted at one gym in the area, it is a women's only gym.

Yesterday was the December potluck at church. I really don't like that I have gained a few lbs more than I find acceptable. I definitel.yh will be cutting out desserts and watching what I am eating and the caloric in take.

The cold weather blast is terrible for everyone isn't it?. I just hope the weather is good for my drive south., not that far south either the weather is the same there as here.

Hi, friends,

I was at the foot doctor today and am rejoicing that in 3 weeks I can wear my shoe again, and that the infection is well.

It was a very cold day today, so I got as much done as I could just in case it continues to be very cold.

Our family had our Christmas gathering last Saturday. It was wonderful to see everyone, and to enjoy the good food.

Y'all have a good day with our Lord.

Ruth Ann

Well, it was ONLY -10 this morning!  And praise God, none of our pipes burst!  I am so very thankful for that!

Larry, thanks so much for the nice comments on the photos.  Jeanne, a million thanks to you for posting them!  You two are so special, and I appreciate you so much for all you do to keep our site running.  Pat, I do hope you can find some answers for your pain and that you can get off the prednisone soon.  Have you researched the Paleo diet?  I have been reading some on it, and they claim it helps with many physical problems.  I just so want you to be well and able to enjoy your life again.  Love you!

I went to school this morning, and read my book Wheelie and Runt to six classes of third graders.  They doubled up into three classrooms.  That a lot of kids!  They were so attentive and seemed to really appreciate my coming.  The teachers projected the illustrations in the book on a screen so they could all see them as I read.  I gave them time to ask some questions, and they had some good ones!  Then they all thanked me and applauded.  Sweet!

After I got home, Darrel and I went to Hugoton to listen to Lexi and Chelsea play in their piano recital.  They did well.  Then to Liberal for hearing aid repairs and some shopping--then back to Moscow for the little girls' Christmas program, so we had a full and busy day.

Now I hear my pillow calling!   So I will say,  Good night!  Sweet dreams!

Hi everyone.  We had a very chilly and damp day yesterday with the temperatures in the 40's.  It looks like today will also be in the 40's with no chance of further rain today.  Pat was able to get an appointment with the PA at our Primary Care Doctor's Office for 10 am today.  Her toe apparently is feeling just a little bit better but the side of her foot is still swollen and hot.  There is nothing else on the schedule for today.  We had a nice little party after our meeting yesterday.  The dish I had taken full of peanut clusters came home empty and several asked for the recipe.  I did fry chicken last evening for our dinner and that was a first for me and I sure made a greasy mess on the stove.  I told Pat that in the future I would be preparing chicken baked or in the crock pot and when she wants fried chicken I will get it and bring it home, which I often do. 

Marilyn, you have the will power so I know you will take off those extra pounds and getting back to the gym should help. 

Ruth Ann, I am sure you will be counting the days soon so you can wear a shoe again.  Certainly glad the infection is well as know that is difficult to stop for a diabetic.  Will you be having a Christmas Day all by yourself?

Janet, good news on your pipes not bursting.  I bet that was a joy to go and read your book to the third graders.  It is nice that you can participate in the activities of your great grandchildren and they will never forget you were there for them.  I still remember playing in the annual piano recital.  It was a nervous time.  You did have a busy day.