Christian Photographers Community

No snow here either.  But with the weather being so warm, I awake with a lot of frost on the ground making it look like snow.  I walked to the mailbox this morning and it was crunchy under foot. 

Yesterday was Christmas with us kids...Kaye Don, Barb, Ivalou and I.  We went to 'On the Border' for lunch/dinner...it was in the afternoon.  Then Kaye Don had a gift certificate for Dick's Sporting Goods.  He got a neat depth finder for fishing.  You cast out the transmitter and the receiver on your wrist looks like a watch but it shows and tells the depth!  Neat.  Hope it works for him.  He loves to fish. 

Then we went to Ivalou's and opened out gifts to each other. 

Christmas is almost over.  I don't have any presents under the tree to give to others.  But I have put all the presents that I have received under the tree.  A Christmas tree without something under it just isn't right! 

Jane ~ I love your positive outlook.  I try to be that way but sometimes I fail. 

Karen ~ Loved your story of Christ's birth. 

Janet ~ Glad Darrell found the right piano for you and him!  Can't have a piano that doesn't match the rest of the decor, can we?

Jeannine ~ Sound like Michael had a wonderful birthday.

Pat ~ Have a great time with AnnaBanana today!  Your meeting will be great!

JudyB ~ I will be going, I hope, with Ivalou to her church for candlelight services.  I have done that each year since living here.

Kevin ~ Glad you fought the headache and won!! 

Larry ~ Glad you got your desktop fixed.  Computers have a mind of their own sometimes.

Ruth Ann ~ Enjoy your time off from work! 

Colin ~ Where are you? 

Today is Euchre Club.  We are having a pitch-in dinner and I have my Cornbread Salad ready to go out the door.  Then I am done until Christmas day!  Another dinner that day!

Good morning everyone, from a wet Sydney!    We have very welcome rain, a blessing in the midst of our nation's worse drought.

I so much enjoy the rich love and fellowship here at CP. It brings peace to my heart to enter this site and to sense the tangible peace and love.

It will take me a while to get to know everyone by name, so please forgive me if I don't mention all your names - all of you are very special people! 

Colin, I'm so thrilled to know that my stories and testimonies have been a blessing to you. (Just wondering Colin, how much have you dug of your tunnel to Sydney???).

Pat, I would have loved to visit Mizoram and the other Eastern Indian states of India, but during the years that I was there, those states were forbidden to visitors from outside of India. For our honeymoon, George and I travelled 5,000 kilometres around India by train and while we were in Dehli, we attended a conference that had a huge mass chior from Mizoram, and they were fabulous!!!!!!! Such richness in culture and incredibly gifted in music and song. I hope one day to vist that region of India.

JudyB, you are more than welcome to use my story. And I'm glad that you all enjoyed my Christmas story. Yes, Pat, I have many stories and I'll be happy to share them here with you all as the ocassion arises. All my stories and articles can be read at any time at my FaithWriters.com profile page: http://www.faithwriters.com/member-profile.php?id=14095

Larry, I pray that your new medicine will again make you feel much better. I too have had heart problems and understand how tiring and difficult heart issues can be.

Thank you everyone for your love and concern over my health. Each day there are improvements. Yesterday I wasn't able to go shopping as our van broke down, but I didn't mind as it was very hot. Today I'll be concentrating on framing photos for the start of my exhibition on Friday. My kids are getting excited about Christmas, especially my 3rd son Joshua, as he turns 10 years old on Christmas Eve! LOL!

May His love and abundance be with each one of you today,

Well it is almost 5:00 and I am now done with the work for John. Tedious and tiring.  I a still missing postal codes! 

Etta Sue I have emailled you.

Karen I would love to shrink and fit into your suitcase on your trip!  Please post your pictures I for one would love to see them.

Has anyone heard from Meika lately?  I have been thinking alot about her, wondering how she is doing. 

Also Pat have you heard how Judy Mc Kenna is doing?  This has been a difficult year for her.

The weather man seems to be saying that snow is coming from the west.  The farmers need the snow to raise the water table in the spring.  Could we be in for a major drought?

Well I must go, I am expecting John home soon.  He took his mom to the doctor this aftenoon. 

Love and prayers to all
Judy B

I had a nice time at the curves Christmas party last night and received some Curves socks, a beautiful ornament and  some notepads that are for each month of the year. I will never use that many  in a year. 

Tonight is the company Christmas party  for Univera. Someone is picking me up at 5:30.

Hello to everyone, I didn't post in here yesterday although I did post in  the prayers and another thread.

Happy's ear is a minor scratch, I finally was able to get the dried blood washed out yesterday with the help of Bill across the street to hold him for me. I used some antibacterial  ear wash from the Vet left over from when he had an ear infection earlier this year. He is due for a bath now.

We had hard frost all over everything this morning and there was still frost on the grass that was in the shade when I got home at noon. and on all my plants on my front porch.

Later

JudyB ~ I have emailed you back! 

Hi everyone.

Jane, did you get your car back yet?

Does anyone know what frozen fog looks like?  That's what they've been having some places in Oregon.  I was wondering what kind of pictures you could get of that.  Does it fall to the ground or just hang there the way fog does? 

My daughter is coming pretty soon.  She lives in Eugene and is going to spend a few days before Christmas.  Her son, my grandson, lives here in Coos Bay, so she wants to spend time with him and visit her mom too.  And her sister, and her brother, and her friends. 

blessings,  Nita

I am able to read the posts, although missing some words.  I had my 2nd. cataract surgery this morning - it really went as slick as a whistle, some itcy feeling & still not able to focus in that eye.  The doctor will call soon as he always calls everyone after surgery.  Tonight, Don is in charge of finding something in the freezer for dinner.

Etta Sue:  I just love your sparkling Christmas tree at the head of your posts. 

Judy B:  Great news that the girls are doing so well with schoolworrk.  Snow - we are anticipating a winter storm tomorrow - especially in the afternoon.  I will send it on to you.

Kathy:  Happy Birthday to you.

Jane:   Good to read that it was a minor problem after all with your gas tank.  Whew - what next?

Janet:   You call that resting?  Put your feet up lady and grab a book.

Larry:   I hope the return to your old type medicine helps you. 

Colin:   I didn't forget you! 

I will check in some other day when I can see better.

Carol
t

Everything is still blurry but this shall get better.  Am so bored.

Carol

Quote from: Nita on December 19, 2006, 07:01:18 PM

Jane, did you get your car back yet?

Does anyone know what frozen fog looks like?  That's what they've been having some places in Oregon.  I was wondering what kind of pictures you could get of that.  Does it fall to the ground or just hang there the way fog does? 

Not yet, Nita!  I called today and they told me the Dodge dealer had sent the wrong part and they were "researching" with a Dodge tech to find this very specialized cap.  It won't be tomorrow, but probably the next day.  I told the man I won't be going any place.   

Frozen fog is much like what we know as black ice.  It freezes on the ground ... that's what I heard anyway.    

Talk atcha later .........

Hi everyone.  Had a busy day and stayed home other than to go to coffee and then my friend and I went to Sam's Club to get some CD labels as I had run out.  We bought a big package and split them. 

I spent a good part of the day trying to finish up my project for Calvin Cove.  I just about have all the CDs, labels and lists that identify the tracks on the CD for each of the 6 sets of songs, hymns and Christmas carols.  It has been quite a job but something I had committed to do.  This will be my last week to volunteer weekly at the adult daycare center so wanted to be sure they had music that will accompany their singing.

We had another truly glorious day here and it was so warm that Pat had the house open this afternoon for awhile.  We just finished watching a Harrison Ford movie that was pretty exciting.  It was called Firewall. 

Carol, glad your second eye surgery is over and that it went well.

Jane, hope they find the part you need for your car.  Isn't it amazing how often the wrong parts are sent initially.  It seems I hear this over and over.

Nita, Etta Sue, Pat and others,  it sounds like we all are experiencing very warm weather.

Marilyn, hope you enjoyed your party tonight.

JudyB, we are having candlelight services on Christmas Eve.  There is an early one for families and an eleven o'clock one.

InspiredGal, sorry to hear you have experienced heart problems.  I have been battling mine for close to 20 years. 

Janet, is Darrel getting a full size piano or an electric piano.  I have both but find I really enjoy playing the electronic piano as it has a full keyboard and the touch of a piano.  It is a Yamiha that I have had for several years.  Unfortunately, I don't have a place to leave it set up but it is lightweight and I can put it up on my office when I want to use it.

Guess it is time to bid everyone a good night.  We don't have Bible study for the next couple of weeks so will have a little extra time here at home tomorrow.  We are having choir practice tomorrow night.

Carol, I did more of nothing today than I have in a long time!  I'm just not very good at it.   We have had rain off and on all day, and it froze on everything except the ground.  The ground is still pretty warm, but if it continues to drizzle, I think we might have lots of downed power lines.

Larry, Darrel is getting a full sized Yamaha electronic piano.  As you said, they don't weigh much, and don't require tuning like a regular piano, if I understand it right.  And the lady did say they have the touch of a piano, which is a plus.  We will call the repair guy and have him see what it will take to repair the other one, and probably give it to Abby, as she is taking lessons, but only has a keyboard on a stand, and it isn't a full sized one, either.  I know the folks at Calvin Cove will miss you, but you do need to take it easier.

I think this has been the first day in a long time that I have stayed in all day, except for a couple trips outside to the mailbox!  My leg was hurting, and since it looked as if it could get icy, I wasn't taking any chances.  I hope to get out tomorrow, though.

Carol, glad your eye surgery went well, hope all is clear shortly!

Karen, I have been to your web page and read some of your writings there.  Very good!  I will be going back to read more in the coming days.

See you all tomorrow! 

QuoteNita, Etta Sue, Pat and others,  it sounds like we all are experiencing very warm weather.

Larry, we aren't having warm weather here.   We are iced over every night.  I think it was only in the high 40s today.  Your door open??  It is warm and nice there, huh?

Jane, sorry you haven't gotten your car back yet.  You ever think how often these people send the wrong parts? haha  It's happened to me too.  After awhile I just figure that's the standard reply.  And it's ok.  We know who's really in charge of things arriving when.  (by the way, I have another invitation for you.  Kim and paul are having their Christmas party  Saturday, open house, 4 to 10.  Call me if you want to go and we'll get there at the same time)

Frozen fog is black ice?  Sure hope it's all gone tomorrow when we leave.  I'm going to try to be on the road during the no black ice hours. 

I'm ready to get comfy, read a bit, watch tv, and turn in.  Night ,everyone.  Nita

It is still difficult to focus.  Now I can understand what a limited sight person deals with daily and it must be a frustrating life for them. 

Larry:  I love to read about your coffee meetings with your pals. 

Janet:  There is a reason these things happen - it is meant to slow us down so we can stop and think about something in our lives - I truely believe that is why some things happen. or at least we should believe that is the reason. 

Jane:  I do know what frozen fog is and to me it is when there is an evening fog and in the morning the trees are covered with ice.  Black ice - yes, I once drove sideways across a bridge with the children in the back of the station wagon - that was some black ice!  Let us hope that your car is better than ever when it is returned.  Stay warm.

Carol

Jane, Nita, Carol - yes, we used to have lot's of "black ice" in the Portland area.  It can come from "frozen fog" or drizzle, or rain, etc - all of which we had lots of in that part of Oregon.  The reason it's called "black" ice is that you can't see it coming, since it's the same color as the pavement.  It's slick as oil, and I can fully relate to crossing a bridge sideways!  You just have to drive very, very slowly, 'cause you never know it's there 'til you hit it.

Well, today I have to go (at 8:30 this morning) to the dentist for a "post and crown," which includes a root canal.  I'm looking forward to it so much (not).  Pray I'll be able to navigate afterwards!

Hi everyone...just had the above poem published in one our local newspapers. My friend Joe who writes the Church Page, has me as his resident poet and calls on me when he wants a poem done for a special occasion! He tries to give me good notice so I will have time to write the poems. I am glad about that!

I have read all your posts...ice...snow...aches and pains...car trouble etc...even digging tunnels to Australia! I think that is ME who is digging this tunnel...I have half a hole dug! I was looking at Karens site map and it looks as if she is living in the middle of the desert! The first time my friend Cedric saw a piece of sandpaper..he thought is was a map for the Sahara Desert!  I asked him what he would take to the desert to keep himself cool. He said a car door for if it got too hot he could screw the window down for cool air! As a keen gardener but with a bad back... I am going to employ Santa to work for me this summer. Yes.....he can HO HO HO all around the flower beds!
Ok...I do my best!

It will soon be turkey time. I know you Americans had them for Thanksgiving but Christmas is our big day for eating them. I asked Marlene one time why she tied the turkeys legs when she put it into the oven and she said it was to stop it from kicking the roast potatoes about!

I have a serious question...When Jesus was born..He was taken to be circumsised after eight days.. I think I am right in saying the wise men were never at the stable but visited Jesus at a house. I just cant work out in my head the sequence of events...the circumcisim...the flight into Eygpt etc. I probably am stupid here and I am overlooking the facts.

Well...God bless everyone and take care whatever you are all doing!

GÔ¿ÔD Morning!! 

Another fairly warm for December morning in central Indiana.  Frost is everywhere until the sun hits it and melts it.  Again I walked to the mailbox on crunchy grass and my resin porch/deck creaks like it is breaking when I walk on it.  We may just have a White Christmas after all....until the sun melts the frost! 

I didn't keep notes so I won't comment on everyone's post.  But I do remember Colin mentioning his friend, Cedric.  Colin, that was my father's name.  Cedric.  The 'C's' pronounced as hard 'C's'.  Kedrick!  Mom's name was Ruby.  Funny, with all the kids and grand kids and greats and great-greats there aren't any little Ruby's or Cedric's.  Wondery why? 

I think I need to give half of my 'do nothing' days to Janet and Janet needs to give me half of her 'do everything' days and we both would be better off.  I have changed the bed linen and done a load of laundry already so I have accomplished something.  And I walked to the mailbox!  Wow!  Two things today!! 

Etta Sue, I must say again how much I enjoy your graphics.  Very pretty wreath today! 

SNOW!!  SNOW!!  WE HAVE SNOW!!  Beautiful, white snow!  Not a lot, but any moisture is so welcome here.  Soon I am going to go out and see if I can find some scenes worthy of photographing.

You're right, Carol, sometimes we do need to just 'be still and know that He is God.'  I do wish it were easier for me to do that.    I still have much to learn.

I think I will take Mieka to visit Beth today, since she didn't have much time with her the other day.  Also, I need to find out which day this week they are serving a good lunch, as Pat and I are going to have them serve Beth, Mom, Gloria and the Molbys, plus us, in the family dining room, and we will have our Christmas with them at that time.  Of course, we will take Beth with us on Christmas day, as well.  I know, I know.......TMI.  Just thinking through my fingers, I guess. 

After the trip out, I think I may just curl up and watch a Christmas movie, or read a book!!!  What a concept!!

Good Afternoon All,
Just a quick note, Santa came to visit just now. Look in the gallery, Michael and Santa had a great visit.

Trusting,
<><Jeannine

Etta Sue,

Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my flowers.  Both are inside in a clear vase, accenting our sideboard.

Gripped,
Kevin

Jeannine~ How wonderful!  I just looked at the photo in the gallery and can see total enjoyment on Michael's face -- Santa's as well  What a beautiful Christmas moment for you all.  

Colin,

You wrote...

I have a serious question...When Jesus was born..He was taken to be circumsised after eight days.. I think I am right in saying the wise men were never at the stable but visited Jesus at a house. I just cant work out in my head the sequence of events...the circumcisim...the flight into Eygpt etc. I probably am stupid here and I am overlooking the facts.


Stupid, you are NOT.  It's a good question.

Some scholars think that the visit of scholars took place a couple of years after Jesus was born. I know that messes up most children's Christmas plays, but is likely the way it happened.  It was then that the "trip" to Egypt happened. Maybe. Perhaps.

In His Grip,
Kevin

Hi Kevin....i would need to read up on the Jewish law. Jesus was born. After eight days He would be circumised....would this have been done in Bethlehem....I do not know how long Marys purification was but I know she went to Jerusalem with Jesus and Joseph and then they returned to Nazareth. Yet the wise men went to Bethlehem and found the child in a house...it does not say the stable. Jesus could have been two years old by this time and Herod did slaughter children up to two years old. Then Jesus and his parents went to Egypt. If Jesus was in Nazareth...is it possible He and His parents returned to Bethlehem two years later...and why. I am just trying to work this all out in my mind. I am in no way doubting God word. Have any of you any more thoughts on the matter.

God bless!

Colin, it has always been my understanding from the Scriptures, and from what I was taught, that yes, Jesus was circumcised after eight days.  I don't know how long afterward it was that Joseph was warned in a dream (angel again?) that Herod would "seek the young Child, to destroy him."  Joseph was told to take the young Child and Mary, his mother, and go into Egypt until told it was safe to come back to Bethlehem. 

I understood Jesus was about the age of two years when the Wise Men found them in a house and presented to Him their gifts.  And that probably doesn't clear up anything for you!

Services were canceled tonight at our church, because of the weather.  It isn't bad at all right now, but a lot more snow is predicted.  From the "ticker" on TV, looks like most all the churches in the area are canceling services and events tonight.

The search for the climbers on Mt. Hood has been suspended because of more bad weather.  Now when they resume, it will be a recovery operation. 

Denver is really getting snow, as much as three feet predicted!!  Carol, how about your area?

I took a few photos of icicles (sp?) today, and frost/ice covered trees.  Lots and lots of branches broken off, even more than the tornado caused.

I'm going to the gallery now! 

Yup, there's another storm heading our way here on the west coast .... Hopefully not as severe as the last one.   

This story was sent to me today and I thought I'd like to share it with y'all:


I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb:

"There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her "world-famous" cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything.

She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus?" She snorted...." Ridiculous!
Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it
makes me mad, plain mad!! Now, put on your coat, and let's go."

"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second
world-famous cinnamon bun.

"Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days.

"Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car. "Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping.  For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, and the people who went to my church.

I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's second grade class. Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out to recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough; he didn't have a good coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat!

I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real
warm, and he would like that.

"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.

"Yes, ma'am," I replied shyly. "It's for Bobby."

The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible). Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy.
 
Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk.

Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."

I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma.

Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.

Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes.

That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were
just what Grandma said they were: ridiculous. Santa was alive and well,
and we were on his team.

I still have the Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $19.95.

May you always have Love to share.    And may you always believe in the magic of Santa Claus in your life...

And more so, may you always have Christ with you daily, knowing the gift of giving is the blessing of his presence.

I had an email sent to me today that when I started reading it, I believed it was serious!  HAHAHAHA!


A Christmas Thank You...

With Christmas almost upon us, I'd like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to all of you who have taken the time and trouble to send me "forwards" over the past 12 months. Thank you for making me feel safe, secure, blessed and healthy.

Extra thanks to whoever sent me the email about rat crap in the glue on envelopes - cause I now have to go get a wet towel every time I need to seal an envelope.

Also, I scrubbed the top of every can of coke I open for the same reason.

However, because of your genuine concern, I no longer drink Coca Cola because I know it can remove toilet stains, which is not exactly an appealing characteristic.

I no longer check the coin return on pay phones because I could be pricked with a needle infected with AIDS.

I no longer use cancer-causing deodorants even though I smell like a water buffalo on a hot day.

I no longer go to shopping centers because someone might drug me with a cologne sample and rob me.

I no longer eat KFC because their "chickens" are actually horrible mutant freaks with no eyes or feathers.

I no longer worry about my soul because at last count, I have 63,214 angels looking out for me.

Thanks to you, I have learned that God only answers my prayers if I forward an e-mail to seven of my friends and make a wish within five minutes.

I no longer have any savings because I gave it to a sick girl on the internet who is about to die in the hospital (for the 1,387,258th
time).

I no longer have any money at all, in fact - but that will change once I receive the $15,000 that Microsoft and AOL are sending me for participating in their special on-line email program.

Yes, I want to thank you all so much for looking out for me that I will now return the favor!

If you don't send this e-mail to at least 144,000 people in the next 7 minutes, a large pigeon with a wicked case of diarrhea will land on your head at 5:00PM (EST) this afternoon. I know this will occur because it actually happened to a friend of my next door neighbor's ex-mother-in-law's second husband's cousin's beautician.

Cheers!

Cool Warm story, Jane!  Thanks for sharin'!  Did you get Grandma's recipe for world-famous-cinammon buns?

In His Grip,
Kevin

Nope, Kevin ... I always get left out of the goodies ...     

Thanks, Pat ... I think I've read that one before, but it's a good'n

P.S. I don't know why that story got trunkated like that ... could you fix it for me?   

Quote from: Janet on December 19, 2006, 11:02:15 AM


Pat, I'm sending you a PM, since you didn't answer my email. 

Janet, I never got an email from you.  Can you check what address you sent it to?

Hope you're feeling better after that horrible fall. 

Quote from: Jane Walker on December 20, 2006, 09:15:54 PM

P.S. I don't know why that story got trunkated like that ... could you fix it for me?  

I had to fix the one I just posted too as the endings of the rows were all in the wrong places so you just have to delete the empty spaces.

I'll do it for you.

Thanks, Pat ...