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Morning Devotional...








"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." (Matthew 11:28-29, MSG)

Friend To Friend

C.H. Spurgeon wrote, "God often sends us trials that our graces may be discovered, and that we may be certified of their existence. Besides, it is not merely discovery, real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials. God often takes away our comforts and our privileges in order to make us better Christians. He trains His soldiers, not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers, and climb mountains, and walk many a long mile with heavy knapsacks of sorrow on their backs. Well, Christian, may not this account for the troubles through which thou art passing? Is not the Lord bringing out your graces, and making them grow? Is not this the reason why He is contending with you?"

Like C. H. Spurgeon, the Bible tells us hard truths.  It doesn't paint a rosy picture.  It actually paints a thorny picture.  It promises hardship. It assures us that in this life there will be troubles...times when we find ourselves caught between faith and a hard place.

Christianity is no free lunch. Faith in Christ doesn't shield us from troubles but it does help us through them. There are natural tensions here.  Questions that beg to be asked:

         

• Is God really all loving? Yes.
• Is God always good? Yes.
• Will we each find ourselves caught between faith and hard places? Yes.

Many television preachers, churches and groups will tell you differently, but the truth remains: faith is an anchor of hope for the believer. Jesus spoke of the hard times we would face. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33, NIV).

I don't have all the answers to life's hard questions, and I don't know why His hand brings healing to some and not to others, but I do know that when we take our burdens to Jesus, we can experience peace in each hard place. God is always faithful, whether we are delivered from our hard places or through them.

As Christians, we have faith in a person, God.  Faith in and of itself is meaningless, but faith in an all-seeing, all-knowing, all-powerful, loving heavenly Father means everything...because - though our problems come and go - He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 ).

I'm not sure what hard places you face today, but God knows exactly where you are and what you're facing. When you find yourself between faith and a hard place, even in the times when you don't know what to pray, turn to the Lord. God hears every cry and loves you deeply. He's placed two Scriptures on my heart to share with you:

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

"But now, this is what the LORD says--he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." Isaiah 43:1-3a

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, Thanks for the reminder that I never have to walk through a trial without You. Help me to trust You in everything...even when I don't understand. Today, I bring _____________ to You and ask that You would move powerfully in and through this burden of my heart.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Thank you, Jeanne, for this week's devotional message.  I've just read through it and find it so timely and a good reminder for us all.   ;)

Want to sing?  Use the  buttons to turn music off if you wish.

Thank you, Pat!  I don't think anyone does a better job than Bing.

Amen  and Amen

Thanks Jeanne!

Don

Good Afternoon everyone. I am learning animations and now how to resize them to much smaller. I am through with  my Christmas shopping, Buying two cameras our of my own Christmas  money  is about all I can do as I still need to  make the trip down there and also get my Oregon drivers license before I run out of $$$. Someone said to me "Why are you using your Christmas gift for practical things?" my replay is I would have used it for practical things anyway.

Thank you Jeanne for the timely devotional. although it was written years ago is is  just for today. It all depends on how each person receives the message.

Hi everyone.

Jeanne, thanks for the new devotional thought for this week.  Pat, that is a very pretty presentation visually of Silent Night.

It has been rainy and cloudy here today.  I think we are to see the sun again tomorrow.  It will make our trip downtown much more enjoyable. 

I went to church this morning and then picked up bar-b-que lunches for Pat and I as she didn't want to cook today. 

Good postings since I last posted.  Janet, that sounds like quite a suitcase you got at your painting group.  They say laughter is the best medicine.

Good evening!  I will post this and then I am headed to bed.  A sore throat is trying to attach itself to me, and I am trying my best to head it off, using prayer, zinc and vitamin C.  I didn't sleep well last night, so will try to get to bed soon.

The reception for Toni was nice.  And Abby's program was really nice.  The gal who directed it really did a super job with the kids.  There was a large group of kids, most of them stood in rows on one side of the stage and sang songs at the appropriate times, and Abby and several others were the 'actors.'  She played the part of the teacher, and the play was wonderful in that the story of Christmas was clearly explained by Abby's character, and the progression was that the kids went from a selfish attitude about the gifts under the tree, to hearing her explain Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and the plan of salvation; a couple of them prayed to accept Jesus.  Then they asked if, instead of opening the gifts themselves, could they take them to the shelter and give them to others who had nothing for Christmas.  I was praying in my heart that each child there will remember the things they learned while doing that play, and that each will truly accept Christ and live for Him.

I feel bad that I didn't get to see Beth today, so must go see her tomorrow.  I still haven't figured out how to be in two places at the same time!  :-\

Oh!  Marilyn, you asked about Beth.  They did get her problem solved, or at least for the time being, with suppositories.  Thanks so much for thinking of and praying for her.

Jeanne, good devotional, and thanks.  Pat, I still can't get any of the music to play on this laptop.  But the graphic for Silent Night is very nice.

Larry, hope you have a good trip tomorrow, and stay safe!

Good night, friends.

Janet  you  will probably have to hook speakers up to your laptop or use a head set.

Why is there a line at the top here that says I need to install  the missing plugins which is Quicktime is  that to hear the  music that Pat posted?

Finally had time to read your devotional.  Excellent message.  Thank you for that.

yes, that is a good one, Jeanne.  Now I just have to take it to heart.  I mean that I have to say to the Lord, "Thank You, Lord, even for this trial, this sorrow, this difficulty, for I know You mean it for good to me and for glory to You."  Oh may I be more concerned for His glory and my growth than for my immediate comforts.  Oh make this true for me, my Lord.

Janet said...

QuoteI still haven't figured out how to be in two places at the same time!

That's my problem!!!  I am constantly forgetting things.  I have already been home twice this morning.  First to get my pills that I forgot to bring last night.  I printed the Euchre tallies and made two cups of milk with dry milk.  The second time over was to get my pills that I forgot last night and the first trip today!  And I brought breadstix and cheese from Pizza Hut Saturday.  I couldn't find them and figured I left them in the car.  So went to the garage and they weren't there either.  So when I went back home the second time, I found them.  In a bar stool...with INKY teeth marks on the box.  Inky had knocked them off the bar into the bar stool!  Yes, about the time I figure out how to be in two places at the same time, I will be home and coming here twice a day instead of going home twice a day! 

I called the doctors office this morning to get an appointment for Ivalou to get a blood draw and the message was 'The number you called is not taking calls at this time.'  Never had a message like that before! 

Thanks, Jeanne, for the devotional today.  Great message.  And I love Bing!! 

Etta Sue, I'll bet it is because it is because of the Christmas season.  We have messages like that up here all the time.  We can never leave a message.

Well this day has moved on at a fairly fast pace.  I am wanting to get some baking done today for Christmas.  I will have Heather and her family as well as Doug and his family here Christmas Day.  Mother is coming as well. So it will be a noisy busy day here n the farm.  I am going to suggest all the kids go sledding after dinner so we all can get the dishes and food all put away.  Perhaps by then we will have a rink made up and some can go skating.

Decorating the house seems to be put off by the day.  Today through to Wednesday night will be in North Bay at concerts and such, so the earliest will be Thursday.   It seems everyone else is done!

Have a great day I have baking to do.

Well I finished my shopping, I got a pk of 20 batteries for Forest who is 9 and Savannah who is 13½ to share for their cameras. I also bought Keith another  jar of peanuts, he goes through about 5 jars of unsalted peanuts a month along with his must have cake and ice cream. I bought marshmallows to may some Rocky Road fudge to take to the family when I go down, I will make them a loaf of Banana bread, too. I got some mini loaf pans but I think I will make them a regular size loaf. Maybe some small ones to give as presents.

I need to spend less time on this computer. my back right between my shoulder blades has been hurting. I sure needed that yoga class this morning, my back felt real good afterward.

Well I better get busy, I have not done a thing today except go to yoga  fix a couple of sandwiches for lunch and go shopping. I did look at some tops for me but  nothing really jumped out at me.

Jeanne:  Thanks for your wonderful words.  There is  a Reason for the Season

Marilyn:  You didn't have a top jump out at you?  Well, that is OK - it would have been a lively shopping trip. 

We just had someone come and fix a broken spring on our garage door.  It is much too much for us to work on these things anymore.  thankful that we can pay for it.

Yep Carol if it doesn't jump right out at me  am not  going to buy it.
It has to jump off the rack into my basket or onto my arm.

Hi, friends, I've had physical therapy, hunted up a new recipe I want to try, and now's time to get my kitchen ready to tell it goodnight!

;)

I'm certainly enjoying that music. Y'all have a good rest of the day.

Hi everyone.  It looks like I am first to post for this new day. 

Yesterday was a full day.  We took Stacey for an important appointment that she had at 1 pm.  We got her there on time and then waited until 2:20 for them to call her name.  There were some really interesting people in the waiting room.  It was 4:15 before we got home. 

Pat had a quilting guild Christmas party last evening but I had a quiet evening in my easy chair. 

Today is a meeting this morning and then we have been invited to a Christmas luncheon.  I think that will complete our special Christmas activities.  We still need to wrap and mail the Christmas packages to our great grandchildren and to our granddaughter and her husband. 

Well-I guess I be number two for posting, hehehe! Larry you got me beat by 7 minutes... :) :) :)

Want to share with you my friends-my dauighter is in early labor-she called this morning at 6...I went to check and yep surely is in labor...I'm so excited...my 1st is having her 1st....Perfect timing as her Drs appt was at 11:30 today...God really knows how to time...I praise and thank Him for all his wonderful works...

And you My Friends I wish for a rejoiceful, blessed, happy day... :) :) ;)

I had a crazy-busy day yesterday and didn't make it in to post.  Beth called me just as I was walking down the hall to her room.  ;)  She asked me to meet her at Alco at 1:30, as they were taking them there to do a little shopping.  So I went, and they arrived exactly at 1:29--I was surprised!  She got a few things.  I couldn't manage both her wheelchair and a shopping cart, so I just put the items on her lap, and we managed.  She didn't get that much, but it was nice she could get out and choose a few things herself.  That took a chunk of my day.  And of course, there are always so many things to do this time of the year!

I may not be back for a couple of days, so you kids try and behave, will you?  and that includes YOU, too, AL!!  ;) :)

Well, today is Euchre!  And guess what?  Ivalou is going and she is going to play!  We got the cards out last evening and she shuffled, dealt them out and held them in her hand and played.  Euchre is only 24 cards to shuffle and only 5 cards to hold in your hand so that is great!  She is excited to get to go out. 

After Euchre is Photo Guild for me.  So I won't eat with the Euchre group and another lady is bringing Ivalou home.  I am taking my Cornbread Salad to Guild and will probably be driving there by myself since I probably won't get to Kitty or Cherie's by the time they leave.  Busy day! 

And I finally talked to the doctor's office and Ivalou's blood draw for her kidney functioning will be Jan 4.  She gets to go to Ohio with Jo between Christmas and New Year.  Now...where can I go?  I wish I had someone to go to a motel with a heated pool for a couple of nights.  But will probably just sit home and think of all you people who are having to take down your decorations before relaxing again!

That's it for this neck of the woods!

Treadmill is done and sipping coffee and listening to a local station - the story should be national but most won't pick up the real news.  Don is still asleep because he had a long time of being awake - even new sleeping pills have no effect.  My back is iffy for some reason this morning. 

you have to be a very strong Christian to step back and give thanks when things are going sour.  It brings a feeling of contentment when you really need that peace of mind. 

I made two French Canadian meat pies for Christmas Eve and they are frozen.  My freezer is packed and there are so many more things I would like to bake.  Again, no pumpkin at WalMart so that will be interesting to see if I get to bake pumpkin bread this year.  Tonight is grandson's concert; my two quilting groups had luncheons and neighbors and friends keep inviting us - I had to "learn" a new card game and made it through - now some others want us to learn Mexican Train.  We have never been game players and now muddle through because everyone else wants to play these games.  January is the month when we have invited everyone at different times to visit as this is too busy right now. 

Janet:  It is just great that Beth could get out - I like the ALCO stores, they have nice fabric.  Baking Vanilla Raisin bread today - for gifts. 

Carol Thank you for filling in the missing ingredient on my Christmas Eve menu.  I want to have a peaceful night with John and the girls and that will do it for us. I too can make it ahead!!

Good morning everyone.  We have a Christmas Eve service at Church, as well as a concert on the 20th.  That is the limit of our Christmas traveling.

I am going out to get new tires on our van today.  Kass has band practice today so that will leave me some time to do a bit of shopping.

We had snow again last night.  No bus cancellations though.  Tomorrow the temperature is to drop and the frigid temperatures of the prairies will hit.  I am not looking forward to that.

Pat I had a nice conversation with Paul last night.  I do enjoy his calls.

Well I must run i have a pair of slacks of Dougs to mend. Wish our mother was here she had a knack for mending a right angle tear.  Thankfully it is a small one..

Have a great day everyone

Good Morning, Please excuse  while I snivel a little bit here this morning. Last night I returned a call to Gilbert, He suggested that I come  down on Christmas day rather than the day before because Christmas morning was when they had their little family Christmas before going to Sarah's parents, but I was welcome to  be there too. He will let me know. I told him it would be too much for me to drive down on Christmas morning  go to Ann and John's for Gift giving and dinner then go to the nursing home to see Fay, spend the night and drive back home the next morning. That it would hardly be worth the  $$ I would spend on gas to even come down at all. So that is  still up in the air.

Then he tells me that when he told Sarah what I got the kids for Christmas she said that was what she wanted to get them. As it turns out the camera I bought for Forest is not what he specified, he wants a Canon Camera; for heavens sake, the kid is only  9 and wants an expensive camera that I can't afford anyway. Then he tells me that Savannah already has a camera that is much better than the one I bought, so could I please take them back and get something else for the kids.

I did let him know how disappointed I was and he told me he would call me today and let me know what I could get for the kids.
By the time I got off the phone I was so disappointed that  now I don't even want tog o there  for Christmas. I can't afford the expensive gifts that   they and  the other grandparents can buy as it is Gilbert and Sarah are going to shop on credit cards because they don't have the money either. I just can't keep up with the Jones; (yes that is really Sarah's parent's name) and I have never even tried. I just wanted to get the kids something they wanted and wouldn't want to return because they didn't like it.

Well now that I have vented I will go back to my corner and pout some more. I am so disappointed.

Marilyn be thankful that you have contact with the family.  Many have fragmented families and that is heartbreaking. Be thankful for what you DO have.
What about a gift card then they can get what they want.

Judy I know what it is like not to have contact with family members I have 4 other  older children that I haven't seen in about 16 years. I only have contact with one of them. My daughter never ever has returned any of my calls when I have had to leave a message on the machine. As far as the two oldest sons I don't even know where they live or have phone numbers for them.

Don't you think that I know the heartbreak of fragmented families?  I am living it!!!!!! I  am so thankful for  what I DO!!!!!!! have, This part of my family is very important to me.

I"m sorry, Marilyn.

I can't even imagine that after going to buy the presents you've bought.  I truly am sorry.  Were you going to go down on Christmas Eve?  Was that what was planned first?

Pat I was planning on arriving there on the afternoon of the 24th. and coming home on the 26th so as not to wear out my welcome. I would have loved to stay until Sunday. Keith is  staying home  and caring for all the animals. Over Thanksgiving we boarded the dogs and stayed at a motel while we were there so it turned in to be an expensive two days.

The kids have a small house and not really enough room for  more than one overnight guest. As it is I slept on the floor on an air mattress when I went down over Labor day. Keith is doing the drawings/plans/blueprints for them to  remodel and  put a second story on the house.

Pat  am sorry to whine here but I  was so disappointed after than phone call, and also hurt by Judy's comment.

Don't worry about whining, Marilyn.   That would be such a sad phone call.  I know how I'd feel if I received it after I had made all my plans.

Something kind of nice to read...




The yellow shirt had long sleeves, four extra-large pockets trimmed in black thread and snaps up the front.  It was faded from years of wear, but still in decent shape.  I found it in 1963 when I was home from college on Christmas break, rummaging through bags of clothes Mom intended to give away.

'You're not taking that old thing, are you?' Mom said when she saw me packing the yellow shirt..  'I wore that when I was pregnant with your brother in 1954!'

'It's just the thing to wear over my clothes during art class, Mom.  Thanks!'  I slipped it into my suitcase before she could object.  The yellow shirt be came a part of my college wardrobe.  I loved it.

After graduation, I wore the shirt the day I moved into my new apartment and on Saturday mornings when I cleaned. 

The next year, I married.  When I became pregnant, I wore the yellow shirt during big-belly days.  I missed Mom and the rest of my family, since we were in Colorado and they were in Illinois .  But, that shirt helped.  I smiled, remembering that Mother had worn it when she was pregnant, 25 years earlier. 

That Christmas, mindful of the warm feelings the shirt had given me, I patched one elbow, wrapped it in holiday paper and sent it to Mom.  When Mom wrote to thank me for her 'real' gifts, she said the yellow shirt was lovely.  She never mentioned it again.. 

The next year, my husband, daughter and I stopped at Mom and Dad's to pick up some furniture.  Days later, when we uncrated the kitchen table, I noticed something yellow taped to its bottom.  The shirt! 

And so the pattern was set.
 

On our next visit home, I secretly placed the shirt under Mom and Dad's mattress.  I don't know how long it took for her to find it, but almost two years passed before I discovered it under the base of our living-room floor lamp.  The yellow shirt was just what I needed now while refinishing furniture.  The walnut stains added character. 

In 1975 my husband and I divorced.  With my three children, I prepared to move back to Illinois .  As I packed, a deep depression overtook me.  I wondered if I could make it on my own.   I wondered if I would find a job.  I paged through the Bible, looking for comfort.  In Ephesians, I read, 'So use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will be standing up.' 

I tried to picture myself wearing God's armor, but all I saw was the stained yellow shirt.  Slowly, it dawned on me.  Wasn't my mother's love a piece of God's armor?  My courage was renewed. 

Unpacking in our new home, I knew I had to get the shirt back to Mother.  The next time I visited her, I tucked it in her bottom dresser drawer.

Meanwhile, I found a good job at a radio station.  A year later I discovered the yellow shirt hidden in a rag bag in my cleaning closet.

Something new had been added.  Embroidered in bright green across the breast pocket were the words 'I BELONG TO PAT.' 

Not to be outdone, I got out my own embroidery materials and added an apostrophe and seven more letters.

Now the shirt proudly proclaimed, 'I BELONG TO PAT'S MOTHER.'  But I didn't stop there.  I zig-zagged all the frayed seams, then had a friend mail the shirt in a fancy box to Mom from Arlington , VA.   We enclosed an official looking letter from 'The Institute for the Destitute,' announcing that she was the recipient of an award for good deeds.

I would have given anything to see Mom's face when she opened the box.  But, of course, she never mentioned it. 

Two years later, in 1978, I remarried.  The day of our wedding, Harold and I put our car in a friend's garage to avoid practical jokers. After the wedding, while my husband drove us to our honeymoon suite, I reached for a pillow in the car to rest my head.  It felt lumpy.  I unzipped the case and found, wrapped in wedding paper, the yellow shirt.  Inside a pocket was a note:  'Read John 14:27-29.  I love you both, Mother.' 

That night I paged through the Bible in a hotel room and found the verses:  'I am leaving you with a gift: peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't fragile like the peace the world gives.  So don't be troubled or afraid.  Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again.  If you really love me, you will be very happy for me, for now I can go to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do, you will believe in me. 

The shirt was Mother's final gift.  She had known for three months that she had terminal Lou Gehrig's disease.  Mother died the following year at age 57 

I was tempted to send the yellow shirt with her to her grave.  But I'm glad I didn't, because it is a vivid reminder of the love-filled game she and I played for 16 years.  Besides, my older daughter is in college now, majoring in art.  And every art student needs a baggy yellow shirt with big pockets.

I have been trying to post here for several hours!  Each time I hit the "reply" button, I got the message that the page could not be found!   >:(

First of all, Marilyn, I want you to know how badly I feel for you after reading your post!   :(  I'm so sorry that, with just one phone call, your plans and happiness could all be shattered.  I know how you felt after shopping for the kids, and what you went through to get just the right gifts (even had to go back to buy batteries).  I don't know what to say right now.  I pray you will find a place of peace over this, and get some rest.  I do understand.   :aaah:

Pat, I've read, and enjoyed, the story of the yellow shirt before, and it is a good one. :thumbsup:  Thanks for sharing it again.

I have been having a difficult time of it lately.  I just feel very "blah" and seem to want to sleep all the time.  What's up with that?  Of course, I KNOW it isn't anything to do with that "o" word!!  :D

Speaking of "that word" Today is my grandson's birthday.  I can hardly wrap my head around the fact that my grand son is 36 years old!  How did that happen?  Where have I been while that little blond headed boy turned into a man and father to three boys of his own. I almost feel like Rip Van Winkle .... :D

I've been at this computer long enough, I think .... gotta get up and change positions at least.

Marilyn, my heart aches for you.  How hurtful that phone call must have seemed.  I pray the Lord will give you His own peace and comfort. 

For those of you who remember Suzanne Harris, I put a note in the sympathy and Bereavement folder. Her husband passed away.

Judy B:  Do you eat your meat pies cold or hot?  We prefer hot.  You are a good mom!

Marilyn: So sorry for your disheartening telephone conversation.

I have been feeling "down" about my own family because we have always gone to church together and this year four of them have to work and they have said they want to relax and not go through that part of our celebration.  So it goes, we as parents & grandparents try to work everything out to please so many. 

I am just going to do as we have been studying in here ----give thanks for every sweet thing we have and time together.  It won't be the same this year - maybe they will miss going to the service. 

Off to a concert as soon as Don gets home - which he can barely stand to "hear" as it is distorted but will try hard to hear it and smile at our gifted grandson.   

Carol I have them Hot.  With all the trimmings.

Well I have the tires changed, a part that is needed bought and Doug is doing s tuneup for me, so I also have the plugs and wires.  It has been a busy day.  Kass came home with me and proceeded to play her Sax.  She is quite good, you can actually hear the melody that she is playing.  Not just squeaks and squawks.  This is her second year.  She is planning on continuing on with music through to the end of High School.

The weather is cold, We are going through wood quite fast.  Thankfully we have a lot cut.  

Have a great night everyone

I'm really tired, and my mind's full of things to ponder.

Much love to each of you. We'll miss you while you're away, Janet.

Ruth Ann

Praise God!  Ivalou did great playing Euchre yesterday!  It was such a delight to see her having fun with all of us and laughing.  I had to leave early and go to Photo Guild.  What food!  Wow!  There were probably 75 people there.  Then we had three shows.  One couple went to Tahiti last July and showed us a Pro Gold Show where you put your photo in and then there are beautiful transistions and music.  What beautiful scenery.  Then another went to England, Scotland and Paris and showed us another show.  And one of the members asks the members to send her up to 6 photos and she takes those photos and puts on a Pro Gold Show.  Such talent in the Guild!  I know that show was at least 20 minutes long!

Today is PT for Ivalou this morning and a perm for Ivalou and a haircut for me this afternoon.  I imagine we will be eating out this evening. 

Christmas.  Christmas has always been a stressful holiday for me.  Rush..rush..rush.  Buy gifts, wrap gifts, decorate, cook, schedule, plan...and I have only had Christmas dinner at my house once in my married life!  After joining church a few years ago, I really enjoy the Christmas Cantatas/Programs and the Christmas Eve Candlelight services.  That's the meaning of Christmas...not all that other hubbub stuff.  And for gifts...GREEN!  Green fits all sizes!  And that sure takes out the stress for me.  I haven't even heard from Tony and Charlene.  We usually go out to eat somewhere and give each other Gift Cards.  She has been sick and had her appendix out so I don't even know if we will go out to eat anywhere.  But I understand.  They have a lot on their plate this year as well as I have.  And Charlene is to have a new granddaughter this week.  If not, labor is to be induced Sunday!

Hi everyone.  Finally we have a sunny and nice day here. 

I attended the Bible Study with the pastor this morning and this will be our last one until January 13th as he is taking a couple of weeks off right after Christmas.   Tonight is our last choir practice until after New Years so things are going to slow down a bit for me.

Since Pat didn't attend the Bible study this morning I decided it would be a good time to do my Christmas shopping for her.  What I wanted to get for her they no longer stock so had to change my plans.  However, I found three things that I hope she will like.  I will go out shopping with her this afternoon so that she can ride the electric cart and I can get things off the shelf for her.  Being on her feet very long cause her a lot of back pain and this helps.  We still need to get Christmas for our youngest great grandchild, who lives not too far from us and something else for our daughter. 

Marilyn, I am sorry that your plans haven't worked out as you had hoped.  Please don't let this ruin your peace of mind and serenity at this time of the year.  Next year don't tell anyone what you have purchased and then if they don't want the item they can take it back.  :)  I do hope you will be able to see your family at sometime during the holidays.  Perhaps you could go sometime between the holidays and the grandchildren would then enjoy a second Christmas with you. 

Etta Sue, good news about Ivalou being up to playing cards and enjoying the afternoon out. 

Carol, maybe your family will change their mind at the last minute and attend worship with you.  It does sound like they will be with you on Christmas. 

Judy, sounds like you are keeping very busy up your way.

Pat, I hadn't read the yellow shirt story before.

I have had heather's Husband here overnight,  Today he is baking his famous cinnamon buns for me for Christmas. I asked for a double batch.  He has also made to braided egg loaves,  Absolutely yummy.  I am freezing them till Christmas eve when I will slowly thaw them then he will add the toppings when they get here Christmas day. 

Now for a question...How much of a cup is 1 stick of butter?

1 stick of butter is 1/2 cup

Thanks Pat!

Marilyn:   I like Larry's idea of being with family.

Don is in the basement working on something secret.  I just spent time loading two stories on my MP3 - it is nice to have something on and it doesn't disturb Don as the t.v. would - although he doesn't say anything I know that extra noise tires him.  The concert was so good - 8th graders and our g-son had two trumpet solos.  We have also been running around picking up bed rails & headboards for beds at our cabin - for guest rooms there.  We found good deals on Craig's List but you have to be careful in checking things out.  Am baking Challah bread today.  It is a rich milk and egg bread. 

Larry:  Just being with the family is super.  Because of work schedules, I don't think church will work out this Eve for the group and three of the families will head up to the mountains after we eat even though it is late or they will go very early in the morning. 

Last night was our Bible study Christmas party and potluck supper. Everyone had a great time.

Tonight is our church board dinner, so I'm to pick up our vision-challenged pianist at 5:45. "Won't be much time to dawdle today!" :)

Y'all have a great rest of the day.

Ruth Ann

I am going to go as planned on Christmas eve whether they like it our not. I want to give the  kids their  gifts when they aren't opening others  when mine will just be put to one side and forgotten. If  give them on Christmas eve then all they will be getting are mine.

We were pleasantly surprised last evening.  Around 8pm, we heard car doors shutting.  I was crocheting so got myself unwound and went to the door.  Twenty-three people came in the house from church...caroling!  Ivalou's family room is a log room and all those voices sounded so great!  What a lovely surprise!  

We both got haircuts yesterday.  I told Ivalou that I thought she was getting a perm and she said so did she.  But Sandy just cut her hair and mine.  Then we went to Perkins to eat.  I needed cat food and Ivalou wanted to get a couple of small gifts for Marge and Betty.  So she had a big day yesterday.  

We got the Lifeline necklace yesterday but I need to get it hooked up today for her.  Then we test for distance and make the first call to Lifeline.  I am thinking then I might get my pink slip and told to go home.

Lots of things to do really for me.  I have to bake some beans for a funeral dinner tomorrow at 11am.

Challenge # 39 is now closed to entries and open to voting. You have until Dec 24'th to cast your vote.  Choose your 10 (ten) favorites and then click on "Submit".

I would like to encourage everyone to go vote whether you entered a photo or not. The participants worked hard to get these great shots and they deserve a vote!

So click on the link and go vote.

http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=9262.0

Don

Good Morning I am just running through here on my way to Yoga class. Gotta go now.

I am heading out to get a transmission check done.  We have a spare but need to know what is going on with this one first.

I slept well last night, so well that I didn't hear this alarm this morning.  Girls woke up in time to run out the door. they were on time for the bus.

I have to run
In Him
JudyB

Well you talk about a fickle vehicle.  The transmission didn't act up once while the mechanic was test driving it!!!  Oh well the problem will show itself, I just hope not while I am away from home!

Marilyn thank you for your IM's.

I have had a time of it getting the house warm.  I am having a time handling the cold this year.  

I bought a book today called "Touching Wonder" by John Blase.  It is an amazing look at Christmas.  If you have the opportunity to buy this small book, 122 short pages, do so.  It will be well worth the $$ spent.

Charlotte Church is on Vision TV right now, I would like to hear her.  She has a beautiful voice for a 14 year old girl.

Good Night, rest well my friends

Hi everyone.  Not much to report on the rainy and windy and chilly day here in Georgia.  Once again there are flood watches in certain areas on North Georgia, not where I live.

I spoke with our son and he and our DIL will come over Christmas morning but return home later that afternoon.  So we will enjoy however many minutes they are here.  At least the family will be together for Christmas.  We had hoped they would stay for a couple of days but they have dogs they need to get home to care for as the dogs are getting elderly and need a lot of attention.

I am having lunch today in Atlanta with a man I worked with for quite a few years.  He just retired last year, although he and I are basically the same age.  We are eating Mexican food at a good restaurant.

Time to get ready for morning coffee.  Hope everyone enjoy the day.

Good to see you  Larry.  I hope you are feeling better.  Have been praying for you.

Girls are off, I was up late keeping the fire going last night.  It too removing the ashes our to get it going better.  House was warmer this morning.  I guess we are going to have to let is die and remove most of the ash then restart.  That is not a choice way to operate.

I will be back later.  God bless

Judy - I think you were trying to say that your fire just won't burn when the ashes accumulate.  Sounds to me like you need to do exactly what you said - let it go out, remove the ashes, then restart it all over again.  Sounds like a lot of work to me.  We have natural gas for heating here, and I'm pretty glad to have it. Electric costs too much.  We have a mobilhome, so don't have a fireplace, though I kind of wish we did.  But, thankfully, we also have relatively mild winters here.

Yes Al, I was half asleep when I wrote that!  LOL  I wish we had a fireplace as well. Our Dad had 2 fireplaces in our home, often the one upstairs was lit on cold days like today.  Mother used to put up on the mantle a village scene.  I miss that aspect of Christmas decorating.  Today the girls will decorate.

Well, Al and Judy ... I live in a mobile home and don't have a fire place, but I do have a wood burning stove that needs the ashes cleaned out regularly!  :-\  As for decorating for Christmas --- I just changed the color of the candles I have out!  They are red now (some green and a couple purple ones) ... were beige and white/orange for Thanksgiving ... could be any color after the holidaze ... maybe blue and white with rain forest scent and/or french vanilla ....  ;)

I've been given two little Christmas decorations, so that will be the extent of my decorations this year. My apartment is still not put back together after the recent maintenance work. They're coming Monday, and hopefully won't find anything else they need to do!

Love to each of you.

A busy day.  I left Ivalou's before she was up.  Got the beans baked and a shower.  I was trying to print big envelopes, 9" x 12", on the Epsom and it wouldn't print the envelopes for anything.  And on regular paper it was portrait instead of landscape and I had landscape ticked.  I noticed the time and had to get dressed and get the beans to church. 

I went to Office Depot for more envelopes, Walgreens for a pill carrier...I lost the last of three of mines somewhere last evening.  Got small ziplock bags...at least, I will only lose pills now!  And I ate at White Castle for lunch. 

I came home and tried the Epsom again.  It printed an envelope but was still portrait.  I changed something and it was fine!  So I printed 10 more.  Then to the desktop to print some more Christmas Cards.  Things are falling in place now. 

I went out to get the mail and took Ivalou's to her house.  I asked her who was coming tonight, Linda or Jo?  She said, 'No one!  I am staying by myself!'  That was news to me.  I don't know if this decision was made today or before.  She has been secretive and a little testy with me this week.  So when I came home, I unpacked my over night bag.  If she wants me to stay at night, she will have to tell me again.  I know there will be lots of things that she can't do and I will have to do them and I will be glad to do so.  But it will be great to visit next door instead of visit my own home!  The girls are like stamps today...sticking right to me! 

I am relaxing now and then I have to put a Cornbread Salad together for the Stevenson Christmas Dinner tomorrow at my niece's house.  It will be minus Kaye Don and Barb!

I still don't know who won 'So You Think You Can Dance'.  I was watching it when I got a phone call last evening from Ivalou and saying that Marge and Betty wanted us to go to the visitation at the funeral home and then out to eat.  I will find out the winner sometime today, I hope!

What?  No one posted after me yesterday?  Was the site down?  Did all the white stuff around the country clog up the lines? 

First covering snow for Central Indiana!  It is beautiful.  Every twig is covered with the white stuff! 

Today is the Stevenson Christmas Dinner and Ivalou is hesitant in going.  She is afraid she will fall on the snow.  What if it gets icy?  So I think I have assured her that I would back my car in the drive, sweep off the drive, put down salt and help her to the car.  What about at Robin's house?  I told her if it was cleared off there, I would call on the cell for someone to come out and help me with Ivalou!  So I think she is going. 

Now she isn't sure about church tomorrow either. 

No Makena Grace yet either!

Hi everyone.  Still no sun here but at least the rain has stopped.  I read yesterday that 2009 will go down as the wettest year in this part of Georgia since they have been keeping records.  This certainly should help restore the water tables. 

We heard from our son last night that his wife has decided to stay home at Christmas to tend the dogs and this will allow him to spend a couple of days with us.  He plans on driving over on Christmas morning.  It has been a long time since he stayed with us.  We will miss his wife but are grateful that he will be here. 

I attended a meeting this morning and plan on staying in the rest of the day.  We have a fireplace in our home that is in pristine condition as we have never had a fire in it and don't intend to do so.  It is a prefab.  We have had several other houses with fireplaces and used them very little and they are very inefficient in terms of the heat escaping, although I agree they are nice to look at.  Wood here has become very expensive.

Etta Sue, it sounds like Ivalou is ready to test what she can do on her own.  Hope you were able to get to the reunion.

Judy, I am sure your prayers have helped as I have been feeling good this week.  I think the increased medicine has also helped.   

Larry that is good.  God gave us doctors to do His bidding with the knowledge they have gained.

All is white here, not as white as the white of God's forgiveness.

Etta Sue, you have a busy life.  I love to read of your days events.

John came home last night I was able to fit in picking him up in between dropping the girls at our pastor's and picking them up.  They had a wonderful time of eating great food and fellowship.  We go for dinner on Sunday at 6:00, and very much looking forward to that.  This is something the pastor does with all of the congregation during the Christmas season. 

A friend has fixed our snow blower.  The girls hand shoveled the last dumping of snow.  It will be easier now.

We are heading to North Bay to get John's medications out of the truck.  At the same time we will finish up the last of the shopping.  That will be the end of preparations, as far as shopping is concerned.  I still have baking to do.  John will help with that this weekend.

I am off for now, In Him
Judy

I guess I have nothing to say, except:  BRRRRRR!  (https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi240.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fff293%2Fpairajeans%2FFun%2520Gifs%2F9.gif&hash=542088aeff50b4aeeeb4ebd1741199813f4769e6)

I'll second that!

I got this quote from our cousin.  He posted it on Facebook!

He that loves a tree, hates the worm that consumes it; he that loves a garment, hates the moth that eats it; he that loveth life, abhorreth death; and he that loves the Lord hates everything that offends Him. -William Couper

Good words, Judy.  :thumbsup:

Well, it sure sounds as if Washington, DC has been dumped on with the snow.  Paul is at the old house there and thinks he's going to drive to Winchester to take probably the last or second to the last load from the house to the new one.  I told him that the news says to stay off the roads but not sure if he will or not.  :eek:

Our snow is still to come in this area.  Everything is white here but more is on the way.

My daughter is in Asheville, NC which seems to have been dumped on.  She has been looking into places for me to move to, to get me away from the winters here in the north country.  Now I'm wondering....   :lol:

LOL yes there is snow everywhere.  I am wondering about Florida.  Has it gone that far south?  anyone know?  I have friends traveling south to Florida, and she has asked that we be praying.  Yes I am praying for their safe travels, could you add your prayers to mine!

Yes, indeed, Judy.  Glad to add my prayers. 

A younger cousin by 4 years has esophagus cancer and prognosis is grim - I can still see him as a curly blonde youngster.  He fell off a dock once and the black lab saved him - brought him all the way home soaking wet.  I am feeling sad about cousin Paul. 

Pat:  A good friend does not drive and her husband was driving her back home from Washington - in Idaho there was a big snowstorm and he kept on driving, was hailed down by a trooper who said the roads were too slick to drive.  This friend's husband said he was going to go anyway and then the trooper said he would arrest the driver if he did not stop and take shelter.  So, he was forced off the freeway.  Sometimes, one of these angels just stop the momentum whether we like it or not. Praying for safety and a healthy Christmas for you and Paul. 

I made more bread this morning, and Don is cleaning in the garage.  We have so much recycles that we end up going to a bin plus putting out our own big laundry basket of recycles every other week.  All the packages are wrapped and now only to get the tables ready.  Don's high school friends invited us to lunch yesterday - he has become a Vegan (that means no meat, dairy or anything).  She is Vegetarian now.  I think they believe that they will live much longer - it is really strange.  She did have a delicious soup. We did not tell them that we are giving Omaha steaks to our children for Christmas.  At least we could talk politics and other things. 

Larry:  I am so glad to read that your son is coming to visit at Christmas.  It will be wonderful for you to have him all to yourself.  I mean - it is so rare that we get to speak to our children alone - not that we love the spouses any less but it is the idea of talking to your own child who is now an adult.  Blessings to you & Pat.   

I was just looking through some old "Thoughts" and found this from Melody!  Wonder where Melody is.




It's raining here today 46 degrees. But thank God for all His blessings.
Thanks Al for this song very appropriate.
Merry Christmas to All!! <3
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Posting for Paul...




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I was here this morning and tried to post but couldn't get the reply box to load.  Strange.

I have not been doing so good for a few days, but am much better now.  I hope by the middle of next week I can go out again. (Just in time for Christmas.)

Larry, how nice it will be to have your son for a couple of days.  Enjoy!

Pat, sounds as if you are in Guelph now, right?  I sure miss talking to you.

I still don't know if my youngest and her family are coming for Christmas.  Guess I will have to call her again.

I am missing the dinner on Beth's neighborhood tonight, but just couldn't go.  I hope she understands.  I will make it up to her later.

Carol, what all kinds of stuff do you recycle?  I can't imagine having so much to recyclye.  So sorry to hear about your cousin.  There is so much sadness all around, it's hard not to be drawn in by it.

Hey, Judy!  Sounds as if your Christmas preparations are about done!  Good for you.

Etta Sue, Ivalou's getting a bit testy with you is a good sign.  It shows she is wanting her independence back, and I am betting she will be just fine on her own.  It's wonderful how you have stood by her, and still are.  You're a wonderful sister.

Darrel is frying chicken for supper, sure smells good.

Well I am not doing  so good at all, I spoke to my son and told him I was coming on Christmas eve, you can guess what he had to say. Oh well. My DIL's mother's oven is broken so my DIL is doing all the cooking and  I guess I would just be in the way. He  said something about me driving there and back in one day in the past, but he misunderstood something I said about driving down in time to get to work a few times. but I didn't ever drive both ways in one day.

I am going to go sit in the corner now and cry.

This is a praise song I heard tonight.  We need to remember the words.

What a great song Judy, I wish I could hear the
music that goes with those words.

Marilyn sorry to hear of your trouble with Christmas plans.  I wish I could get the music for this song... I heard it for the first time tonight.

Have a good evening.

Time to close the week out.  As we approach Christmas lets focus on our Lord.
HERE (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=9308.0)