Christian Photographers Community

GÔÔd morning!!

Happy Birthday, Michael!  What a blessing that you are 10 today!  Thank you, God!

Marilyn ~ I am sure hoping that Happy is okay and I pray that whatever enticed Bebe to attack Happy that she won't ever do that again. 

Janet ~ Sorry about your fall.  If it is the same leg as the one that was bothering you after exercise, then you surely had to do something harmful to cause a great fall.  Do be careful and if it continues 'talking' to you, see your doctor.  Remember most of them are out of the office this time of year so don't hesitate to go to the ER if necessary! 

Colin ~ You made me laugh when asking if my tongue was wore out.  I got my talking from my dad.  It had to be him because he was quiet.  (I took his talking from him)  Mom could talk an hour on the phone even if it was a wrong number!!  It was told to us that when Mom was born, she was tongue tied.  The doctor clipped her tongue and it didn't stop wagging since!  God Bless, Mom!  We sure miss all our loved ones that have passed away at this time of year. 

Pat ~ I just don't see what those evil people get out of posting their evil.  Sorry you are having to patrol the site but happy that you are.  They sure are a nuisance! 

Karen ~ What a wonderful family you have.  I want to thank you so much for posting your family photo! 

Carol, Jane, Nita, Jeannine, InspiredGal, Ruth Ann, and anyone else that happens by...even you evil ones...I want to say Good Morning and praying that you all have a wonderful day.

I got a call last evening from my SIL.  We are going out to eat and then exchange Christmas gifts sometime this afternoon/evening.  She said this evening but then said after an insurance man comes to their house.  I asked what time he was coming and she said after noon.  So I guess I am suppose to be ready to go out the door anytime after noon!  Hmmm!  I waited on her three times on Red Hat day...she can wait on me today.  No, knowing me, I will be sitting at the phone, ready and waiting so I can go out the door.

Hope you all have a good week!

I was posting at the end of page 12 on the previous thread.  I didn't see page 13 and posted my post.  Then it showed some previous posts before the 'post' would take.  THEN I saw where Pat ended yesterdays postings and started a new week.  Did you know that if you post on a locked thread that it goes to the next one?  Mine did!  I was so happy when I didn't have to 'compose' a new post!! 

Pat ~ The story of Christ's birth is always so inspiring to me.  I know it was all God's plan but if even one tiny thing didn't go as God planned, it would sure be a different world today....one with no hope, for one.

It is still ONE week to CHRISTMAS although my week starts before the most of yours!

I did leave some comments earlier on but they are in last weeks but in this week but not the begining of your week....  ugh...I am all confused!  :idiot:

Etta Sue!.....I am so delighted your tongue can motor! They tell you to post early for Christmas and when you post here early it gets desperate! :ticked:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL!

HAHAHA!  Etta Sue, I used the magic "split" button and split your post and made a new one and then used the magic "merge" button and merged your post with the new topic!  I knew it would work as your post was a couple of minutes after mine so it would be placed under the top one.

Kathy or as she's known on our site as Kaycee is having her birthday today.  She's busy right now taking her father to the hospital but she looks in here often.

Let's surprise her with some birthday greetings today!

Thanks once again, Pat, for all you do for us!  I pray those who post only evil material will leave us alone.  

It's beautiful but cold here this AM.  Gotta go work out.

Al, I am a bit envious of you---I've been told to rest, not work out.  :(  Better to rest for a week or so than to have to take 6 weeks off, or wind up with a permanent injury.  It just means I will have to guard my mouth.  (Both for what goes into it and what comes out!)  ;)

I've been to the care home, re-arranged Mom's pictures on the wall, so we could put up some special Christmas cards; took Mieka to visit, and Beth was having her bath.  So Mieka visited several residents who dearly love dogs.  They always smile when they see Mieka coming!  I also took back all the gifts I wrapped for Gloria, Beth's friend.  She asked me to wrap them for her.  Anyway, by the time Beth got to see Mieka, it was about time for me to get home, so she asked if Mieka could spend the day with her, but the nurse said no.  :'( OH!  Yes, Nita, Beth and Mom are in the same care home, on the same hall.  I'm glad they aren't in different facilities miles apart, as it would be difficult to visit as often as they need.

We are going piano shopping today!!  :thumbsup:  I'm so excited that Darrel is starting piano lessons on January 8.  We will soon have music in the house!

Thanks for the reminder, Colin.  Love your poem!

Happy birthday Karen/Kaycee!

We need to be leaving soon for Liberal, so see you later!

Ready, Set,  :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :hbirthday:!!


HAPPY  BIRTHDAY !!!
:groupwave:

<><Jeannine

Marilyn I am sorry to hear about the dogs. :'(  Sometimes there is no explanation for fighting.  Sometimes it happens to change the alpha role.   :clobber:

Janet.  I am sorry to hear about your fall.  Bruised hands and knees can be a real problem.  Take care.  Enjoy the piano.;D    I have longed for one.  

InspiredGal  I am sorry you have been sick.  Make your health your second priority, your spiritual health being first.

Carol. The mammogram is uncomfortable, but a necessary step to good health.  Just think, when this is done, and the all clear comes, you are then walking in to the New Year with a clean slate health wise.  That is on the plus side for having it done this week.

Colin Enjoyed your poem today, as I always do.   <3

Pat I do understand a lot of Dutch.... But your explanation to Etta Sue was a new version of double dutch!  :idiot: When I come down you will have to show me what you did!

Happy Birthday Kathy.  :hbirthday:
:groupwave:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATHY!

Hi Janet...sorry your leg is giving you bother. Glad you liked the poem. Take care.

Hi JudyB....Glad you enjoyed the poem...Pat did not make sense to me either...but then she is a genius on the old computer!

Take care everyone!

Hi Everyone...

I've been so engrossed with the news of the three climbers on Mount Hood and found it so sad when they found one body and now it's been decided that it's Kelly James of Texas.  It was indeed wonderful to hear the testimony of Kelly's brother saying how Kelly was a wonderful Christian brother and so he was our brother too and is now with his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Now, I pray that they find the other two alive.

Please read the latest prayer request from Dennis.

Click here (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=5842.0)

Isn't it strange?...

Isn't it strange how a 20 dollar bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to church, but such a small amount when you go shopping?


Isn't it strange how 2 hours seem so long when you're at church, and how short they seem when you're watching a good movie?


Isn't it strange that you can't find a word to say when you're praying but... you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend?


Isn't it strange how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Bible but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel or ZANE GREY book?


Isn't it strange how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or games but they do whatever is possible to sit at the last row in Church?


Isn't it strange how we need to know about an event for Church 2-3 weeks before the day so we can include it in our agenda, but we can adjust it for other events in the last minute?


Isn't it strange how difficult it is to learn a fact about God to share it with others; but how easy it is to learn, understand, extend and repeat gossip?


Isn't it strange how we believe everything that magazines and newspapers say but... we question the words in the Bible?


Isn't it strange how everyone wants a place in heaven but...
they don't want to believe, do, or say anything to get there?

Hi Pat...What "strange" thoughts you have had and oh so true! Sorry to hear about the climbers. Take care.

Good morning everyone!  :)

Pat, sadly that is so true!

Thank you all for your well wishes. I'm much, much better and hoping to go to the shops today. It's quite hot here so I'll aim to go out before the heat increases too much. Aside from Christmas preparations, I have an exhibition of my photos to set up in an Art Gallery about an hours drive from here, before Friday. So I'd appreciate your prayers for strength to get that done. The exhibition and sale goes towards raising funds for our return to India in 2007, and is an incredible God opened door.

As I read through this thread from the beginning and pondered the vereses I suddenly remembered that I had written a story about Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem, but from a Roman Centurions point of view.... hope you enjoy it. :)


There's Not A Room Left!

The centurion's menacing scowl signalled impending danger. No-one desired to be on the receiving end of his hostility, which had been brought about by a hot and frustrating day. Flavian's posting in Judea seemed to him to be a cruel, demoralizing demotion. "Stubborn, insolent Jews!" he hissed with anger as he sensed the palpable, seething animosity that was dangerously building and close to erupting beneath the surface of the Jews.

Augustus Caesar had ordered every man to the place of his birth, to be numbered in the census. All day long Flavian had contended with the parade of obstinate, bitter Jews. He preferred to be back in Jerusalem and enjoying a long hot bath. But, that would not be possible tonight. To his distain, he was stationed in Bethlehem until the census was completed.

The tiny town with its census swollen population, grappled a lodging crisis. I needn't worry though! A wry smile straddled Flavian's face, elated that he could enjoy the best lodging Bethlehem had to offer, while the Jews were left to fight it out among themselves, searching for accommodation in their own place of birth. The cruel twist of fate delighted the centurion.

"Another hour and the setting sun will dismiss this wretched god-forsaken day," Flavian muttered under his breath. His attention turned again to the arduous routine of counting men. The Jews nerves were frayed, their bodies bone weary. They had traversed from the Roman empires farthest corners.

Dust flung up by hundreds of passing travellers had congealed on Flavian's sweat covered face. The coarse Judean dust always made his skin itch. His fatigued mind drifted to pleasant memories of his own homeland - holidaying on the banks of the Tiber, his doting family and influential friends, the exhilaration of Roman entertainment and lavish banquets among Rome's elite citizens.

"NEXT!" The soldier's shrill demand snapped Flavian back to reality - the never-ending line of Jews to be counted. "NAME?" the soldier barked at the man standing next in the line.

"Joseph, from the House of David." was the measured reply, "And my wife, Mary." Five gruelling days travelling from Israel's northern town of Nazareth, with his heavily pregnant wife just culminated with these ten words.

Flavians attention was strangely drawn to the pregnant woman. He followed the couple with his eyes, as they left the census booth to begin the futile search for lodging. The congested village square was a concoction of men and heavily laden beast, all vying for a night haven. Flavian realised that the woman would deliver her child during the night. "Just another Jew destined to irritate me." he thought with replusion. Sudden exhaustion engulfed the centurion's soul.

******

The middle-aged inn-keeper was annoyed with having to constantly repeat the same phrase: "Sorry, there's not a room left!" Weary with the pressing demands of so many travellers, he rose from his hurried meal to answer the urgent pounding on the door. Happy to momentarily escape the noisy din of belligerent Roman soldiers and vexed Jewish guests, all clamouring simultaneously for their evening meal, he opened the door ready to repel the next inquirer. The innkeeper noted the traveller's question was identical to all the others, but the circumstances were different - the woman was with child, and the child's birth imminent.

"Shalom!" Joseph greeted the inn-keeper. "My wife is soon to deliver ... tonight! Do you have any room for us?"

Stroking his greying beard the man searched his tired mind for a suitable resolution to the immediate crisis. After a prolonged silence ... "Yes, well ... it's not a room ... a stable, but it's furnished with fresh hay."

******

The inn-keepers demeanour had captured Flavian's heart, still curiously watching the man and pregnant woman's desperate plight. Benevolent and courteous among themselves, even though they bear the brunt of vicious Roman dictatorship. Flavian pondered this stark reality. What is it that sustains them? Perhaps, we Romans are brute dogs after all? he mused, trying to fathom the corrupted 'justice' of the empire he so loyally served with his sword.
   
Observing that the man and woman were granted a safe haven to deliver their baby, Flavian sighed deeply. A sudden repulsion for Rome's strangling regime struck his heart, which was instead, being drawn irresistibly towards Yahweh, the Jew's God of Justice and Mercy.

Overcome by an acute inner heaviness, the Centurion quietly turned and trudged towards his own lodging for the night, the best hotel in town.


By Karen Elengikal
15/09/2005


Bless you all, In His unfailing love, :)

Hey there, all y'all!  I'm late getting here 'cause I stayed off line all day expecting a call from the mechanic about my car.   :-\  I finally decided to go ahead and make the call myself ... I should have my car home tomorrow.   :thumbsup:

Saturday I decided I wasn't in the mood to clean house and would rather go to the store (Dollar Tree) to browse.  When I got in the car I noticed the gas guage was nearly on empty and I only had 69 miles on that full tank!   ???  I drove to the nearest gas station -- not more than a mile away -- and the guage was definitely flat on empty! 

I asked the attendant to "fill it up" and prepared to write a check as I was told the power outage had knocked their computers offline.  Soon I heard her saying something about a fuel leak.

I got out and looked at gasoline pouring out from under the car!  She had put 10.1 gallons in and we watched as it all ran out!!!   I was told I couldn't move the car or try to start it because a spark could send us all into oblivion in an instant.  So .... The assistant manager was running around trying to sop up the spilling gasoline but that was getting him nowhere fast.  Finally, he got hold of his manager who told him to call the Fire Dept and have them clean up the spill.

Eventually, the fire department arrived in their big truck and began spreading kitty litter all around and under my car where the 10 gallons of gas (at $2.63.9 per gallon) was continuing to run out of the tank.

It took a couple hours for the tank to empty and for me to get a tow truck to come and escort me and the car to an auto repair shop.  Of course, there is nothing open on Saturdays (I learned that once before) so I could only leave my car and have the tow truck driver bring me home.

Several well-wishers  ::)  had advised me of all the dire possibilities that had caused the leak!  Could be a hole in the tank; a broken fuel line; someone had cut the line ... etc.   

Today I called the shop and the man told me "It's really very simple"  A small plug at the end of the fuel pump had corroded and given way ... They ordered the replacement part from the dealer @ less than $1 and the labor will be "not more than $20 plus the gas he had to put in the tank to get it to leak again ....  I'll have it home tomorrow.

All that excitement on Saturday --- even the fire department sending two trucks and standing around for hours in the cold waiting for a full gas tank to become empty.   So .... that's my story!   :) 

Several times during this adventure I was told "what a great attitude" I had about it all.  What else am I supposed to do?  I didn't have anything important to do or any place special to be so ... why not?  I could have been going some place important and/or been stranded someplace far from home.   God is so good to me ... He saw that everything was taken care of really close to home.  It didn't even start raining again until after I got home!

My goodness, Jane, what an adventure you had!!  And what a great testimony as God's child, not getting upset about it.  I wonder how many of us would have handled the situation as sweetly as you did?  Thanks for the story, well worth waiting to hear!  (((Hugs)))

We got home just a bit ago, had a really nice day.  At the music store, they had one electronic piano on the floor, and a used one in the back room.  Darrel liked the new one better, it had more "bells and whistles", but I didn't like the color of it.  They called it dark cherry, I called it black!  So after a bit of discussion, Darrel said he can use his organ to practice until they can get one in the color (they call it mahogany, it looks like cherry to me, and matches our entertainment center) we liked.  Anyway, it will be in before his lessons start on Jan. 8.  AND....Darrel collected his alarm bill from the owners of the store, which was half the cost of the piano!!  ^-^ ^-^  (I came back to say that they owed him a full year's bills, for three separate locations!! Wouldn't want you to think his fees are too high.)

Then we did some shopping, found some things for Mom and Beth.  They are hard to shop for, as there isn't much they can use in the home.  And my sweetheart bought me some new clothes........all in all, a good day.  And everything we bought was on sale, most for 50% off!  My kind of shopping!!

We stopped by Hugoton where I collected hugs from Mark and Abby---and Diane.  Curtis had to go back to Manhattan to work Tues-Wed-Thurs and will be home again on Thursday night.

Karen, glad you are over your illness, and Godspeed to you in the shopping.  I really enjoyed your story about Mary and Joseph!!  Bless you.

I just do NOT understand WHY anyone would want to go climbing a mountain in adverse conditions in December!!  Such heartbreak for their families....they are talking about it just now on the Bill O'Reilley show.

Time to look for some supper.

Well, although very different in content, I certainly enjoyed reading Karen's story, and Jane's account of her Saturday adventure.

Karen, the story was wonderful. We have a stained glass window in our church that depicts a centurion kneeling with upraised eyes in front of the cross where Jesus was. Thank you for the story.

Jane, God's amazing love for us is wonderful. I'm so happy that you were safely kept through this emergency, and that the car's repair costs won't be too bad.

Janet, take care of yourself. Colin, thank you for your wonderful poems. I've printed some out for giving to others.

Oh, how I wish I could remember everyone's names. May God richly bless you all.

Pat, thank you for this site. Moderators, thank you for your faithfulness. May each of you feel the Lord's strength as you work in this site.

Ruth Ann

Janet~Sounds like you had a busily productive day yourself!.  

I wanted to mention one other thing that my Father reminded me of:  Here in Oregon we are not allowed to pump our own gas.  If I had been any place else and that had happened I'd have no help and not a  clue what to do about it.  I don't have a cell phone so that would not even be an option.  

This way, there were people coming and going and offering "advice" and the station crew were so concerned about it all ... As I said: My Father takes good care of me!  

This was only the day following the episode with my outside water faucet breaking, and the development of a small pond in my yard!   :)  

P.S. Hi Ruth Ann  :hello:-- You were posting just ahead of me. 

Hi everyone.  It is late but didn't want another to pass without posting.  I didn't have time to check in yesterday and have had computer problems.  On Saturday I had the hard disk in the desktop fail.  At the same time I had trouble with my laptop.  Fortunately I have a third computer that I could call into service.  This morning my best friend came over and we were able to put in the backup harddrive I had cloned about 60 days ago and then were able to access the files on the disk that wouldn't boot.  I recovered hours and hours of work on the project for the adult day care center.  I forgot to copy off some new photos so will have to reconnect the old drive and try to copy over those files as well. 

We had a lovely evening yesterday as we had a congregational dinner at 5:30 pm and then the Christmas music program with the children's and young people's groups singing and then the chancel choir sang.  It all went very well and singing to the recorded music worked very well.  Our had gone to downtown Atlanta and picked up our daughter at her apartment at 3:30 pm and we had her back by 9 pm. 

I was just about ready to read messages here a bit earlier and the electricity went off for about 15 minutes.  It has been a beautiful day here with tempertures up to 75 again today so it wasn't weather related. 

I was able to contact my doctor today and get his approval to return to the new medicine I had taken for two months but stopped in November 24th.  The old medicine that I had been taking for angina just isn't doing the job.  I am looking forward to feeling better shortly as wasn't having any angina on the new medicine, which is called Renexa.

Jane, sure glad your car problem has been resolved.

There is much I could respond to in the postings but will pass tonight as am just too tired.

Jane, what an ordeal.  God id good....all the time.
Karen I like the different spin on the Christmas Story of yours,  may I copy it?  I would love to have a good friend read it during the Christmas Eve Candlelight service.

Janet that was a good trade ½ a piano for what they owed him.  I like those numbers.

Ruth Ann Good to read your posts.  Not likely John will be down your way for some time.  He no longer drives truck but I am coming to think he drives more now than he did the truck!

Larry get some rest.  I pray you will feel bettor with the new meds.

We have absolutely no snow.  This is such an unusual year weather wise, temperatures are high for us, (high fifty's F) and we cre able to leave the furnace off for ost of the day.

We are having a candlelight service on Sunday night.  It is usually only for an hour, but much enjoyed by all.

I am heading to bed.  Be back tomorrow.

May God give everyone a blessed rest tonight.
JudyB

Hi Everyone,

I'm not so busy today, but fought a headache and I have finally won  :clobber: .  Tonight, Midori will be treated to an Italian gourmet meal at a fine restaurant in Hiroshima.  I searched for a present and searched some more, then someone suggested a fine meal out.  <3  I reserved it, then told her I needed her help tonight with some "stuff", so she wouldn't make plans.

She's excited, and whenever food is involved, I get excited, too!

Hope to chat with ya, soon.

In His Grip,
Kevin

Karen, what a wonderful writing that is.  I so enjoyed it.  I hope that in time you'll share more with us.  Hopefully you've written more.

Jane what a horrible time you had.  I've been in situations like that and all you can do is pray, "Lord, help!"  (And he does)

Yes, Judy, no snow!  I can't believe that we probably will have a green Christmas!

Hi Colin and Kevin and Larry!

My goodness I should never start to mention names as for sure someone will be left out.


I'm so saddened by the situation in Oregon at Mt. Hood.  I just haven't been able to get them out of my mind.

Tomorrow, I'm meeting up with AnnaBanana!  She's visiting her family here and after New Year's she'll go back to England where she resides.

I'm sure hoping to get out and get more photos taken but this weather has sure put a damper on it for me.  Was hoping for some nice white snow!  ;)

Talk to you all tomorrow.

I hope Michael had a nice Birthday.

I hope also that Terry got good results from his tests.

And...  have you all bee to read the prayer request of Dennis for his dear little nephew?

I meant to say this to you, Karen...

Do you know of Mizoram in India?  It's to the east of Bangledash? (or is it Pakastan?)

Anyway, it's border to the east is shared by what used to be known as Burma.  We have many friends who live there.  My father used to be the driver of the Mizoram Choir that used to come over nearly every year to sing across North America.  And I still keep in touch with the evangelist who used to accompany them each time. 

Morning All,

Thanks Pat, Michael had a good birthday. He was kind've sleepy all day until Jerry came for the evening shift. Leeann does nothing with him because of her pregnancy  :idiot: , when I was pregnant with Michael I did everything. He lit up when Jerry opened the presents he got for him, 2 Mickey cd's and played them for him. Michael absolutely enjoyed that. ;D. Grandma gave him a Care Bear that reads a story. Our gift to him was early since his radio/cd/tape player died.

Jane what a wonderful testimony on how to handle "problems". And I too have been there with the car. Still am as a matter of fact, it does not want to start. Getting old I guess.

Larry I hope the new meds work quick, angina does not sound fun.

Kevin, good for you beating the headache. Hope Midori enjoyed the time out with you and the meal, sounds delicious.

Karen I loved the story and I hope you are feeling much, much, much better. 8)

Judy and Pat, we have no snow either, looks like a green/brown Christmas for us too. :(

Hi Colin, Al, RuthAnn and anyone else I forgot. I'm not real good at remembering names, just faces. I hope and pray everyone has a God filled and blessed day! See y'all later.

Trusting,
<><Jeannine

Good morning!  We have no snow, either, but some is predicted for later today, after freezing rain, which has already started.  The freezing rain we could do without!  That makes for treacherous driving.

Darrel is leaving for the bank and the grocery store.  He likes doing the grocery shopping, and I like letting him do it!  ;)

Hope is fading for the other two climbers on Mt. Hood.  Such a sad story, and I can't help thinking "for WHAT?"  But each of us makes and is responsible for our own decisions.

Kevin, I hope Midori is very surprised and that the two of you have a wonderful evening, along with great food.

Larry, it sure is a good thing you are so computer savvy---and having a good friend who is also is a big help.  My machine keeps freezing up, and I have to keep rebooting.  Aggravating.  :ticked:

Pat, I'm sending you a PM, since you didn't answer my email.  <3

Just a quick note.  I have been busy and still am with work for John.  so have just a minute.  John was listening to the news last night and aparently here is very little snow any where.  Even Russia is in for a green Christmas.  Strange.

Girls are doing well with their school work.  I am pleased.  Elizabeth has just about finish a grade level in ath and this is so good.  Perhaps this time next year she will be able to start the grade 9 level math.  That will put her back on target with her peers.

Well GTG and get more work done myself.
Love Judy

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!  <3

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 (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!  :lol:

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!  :thumbsup:

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.  :thumbsup:

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! :idiot: ;) 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! :uglystupid: :lol: 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! :uglystupid:

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. ;D

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!  :thumbsup:

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? ;D

In His Grip,
Kevin

Nope, Kevin ... I always get left out of the goodies ...  :-\   ;D

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?   <3

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.  <3

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?   <3

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 ...  :thumbsup:  <3

Gord Brown if you don't visit us every day, you won't see who has replied to you.

"Catch yerself on, lad!"

 Hi to all.  This is the most wonderful time of the year and I am so glad that Jesus is my Saviour.

My wife and I have been very busy and I am wondering how I ever had time to go to work. Our church did a live production of the nativity and it was so good to be a part of it. The fist two days we had over 100 cars drive through and the next week again we had a lot more.The church that I am going to is a very active and we have many different age groups and lots of kids.

It was nice to catch up on all the postings and to read what you all have to say and the encouragement.

May the Lord bless you all and have a wonderful  Christmas ord.

Pat, I just went to my "sent" folder and resent the email to your other email address.  Not that it matters now, anyway.

I really liked the Santa and Grandma story, Jane.  Also the forwards one, Pat.  It always irritates me a bit after reading a really good one to have the baloney about if you don't forward to xx number of people within xx minutes, you will have bad luck, etc.  So that's a good one!

I'm going to the gallery and post some pictures I took today of the ice storm damage here.

Pat  Very funny and you still have that crazy Irish way in youkeep smiling.  Gord.

It is quite still outside as this blizzard stopped everything.  The National Guard was called out to get people out of stranded cars even yesterday.  We never lost our power (our lines are underground).  The front walkway has a drift my height - 5 ft. 6 in. and I have not checked the garage but the streets are filled and I seen an abandoned car in the street.  We won't be shoveling as that is part of the homeowner's deal of more than 4 in. of snow and they hire young people.  Pray for those stranded as you know they have spent the night in their vehicles.

Al:  I hope that you have a decent dentist and he/she doesn't charge the price of a used car.  Our dentist owns horses - I always say that we are paying to feed those horses.  Yes, beware of the Black Ice. 

Janet:  SNow - well, the mayor of Denver said that everyone can stop Dreaming about a White Christmas!  All of our children are safely home but one & he flys in from Seattle tomorrow - the airport  has almost 5,000 people stranded out there.  Say, this is nice for you to be able to think about reading a book or relaxing. 

Pat:  Thanks for the funny one!  We all need laughter.

Carol

Hi Gord!

I have been thinking and praying for the folks on the Canadian west coast.  The winds are high and have destroyed so much.  The cost of repairing everything is going to be astronomical.  Do we have anyone here from the Canadian west?  The US west coast is battered as well. and we are green.  Hey you guys, send some of that snow our way!  I cringe when I think about the quantity we may get in the new year. 

Etta Sue, I have your email and thank you.  I am working on that now.

I am back at work, for John.  So I will close for now and will be back later.

Carol, I posted before I heard how bad it was in Colorado (I think).  Well, I know about the snow, I did, that was yesterday morning.  I always say that if I'm to get snowed in, I want it to be at home!  Probably everyone feels that way, though.  We might get a bit more snow today.  I'm glad you are home, and have power.  Stay safe!  Boy, how I would hate being stranded in an airport for days/nights!  :(  May God protect all out in the storm, and keep their spirits in positive ways.

Hey, Gord!  Nice to be part of a living Nativity.  The Methodist church here does that some years, but not this year.  Stop in more often, won't you?

I didn't get to sleep until 3 AM, so am kind of groggy this morning.  But I must get busy, as today Pat and I are going to the home to have Christmas with Beth and her friends, and Mom.  Always something to do, isn't there?

I wish you all a wonderful day.

Hi Everyone!

Great to see that you enjoyed the photos Deb! 

Gord, nice pic beside your name!  ;)

I see you're below zero, Janet!  It's so lovely here.  But we'll get our share soon of the snow.

Hi to everyone else!  So much rushing around.  I just got in from giving my friend her chemo injection.  Now, I have more Avon to pack!

Talk to you later.

Pat

This is a different tune to the one we are probably all most familiar with but I like it.

I am glad that everyone is enjoying my Christmas decorations in the heading of my posts.  I am trying to find a different one for each day.

Great Santa and Grandma story!  I hadn't read that one before.  And about the forwards....I don't forward any of them that tells me to send it to XXX people in XXX minutes or you will have bad luck.  If I do like the message, then I forward it but delete the 'send to XXX in XXX minutes or get bad luck'. 

I went to a new doctor this morning about my blood work Monday.  Seems everything is fine but my liver functions are elvated so she gave me samples of lower dosage Vytorin and I am to eat a big meal Jan 19 and then have a blood draw two hours later to see if my blood sugar peaks or what.  I really didn't understand that part but I will go have a big breakfast and then have my blood draw two hours later. 

That's it in central Indiana.  Rain today...better than that thick white stuff!

Good morning, EVERYONE!     <3

Just coming in quickly to say "G'day" before we head off this morning to set up my photo exhibition.

I must admit that I'm envious of those of you who have snow. I have only seen snow a few times in my life and it was so incredible to see, breathtaking!

Judy B - I say to my shame that I didn't have a camera with me on our journey around India in 1993.  :-[   :o  But the scenes are forever etched in my mind, such as agricultural land in Bihar State (North India) that had giant stork like birds walking around them. The birds were bigger than the people. In the same state I saw small grass huts on the side of the road with satellite dishes coming out of the roofs.  ;D 

I plan to produce a photo book of scenes from India after we return late next year. India is a photographers haven and with our ministry in remote places/villages, we have and will see sights very rarely witnessed by those outside those regions. :)

My kids are just getting up now so I need to rush - HAVE A BLESSED DAY EVERYONE!

In His unfailing love, :)


PS: Does anyone have the software program :  Greeting Card Factory Deluxe-5? I'm getting that for Christmas and can't wait to use it! :)

Hi Colin,

Hope you are well and warm.  I am both and enjoying my morning cup ...  :coffee:

Just speculating, but it is likely that Jesus was circumcised in Bethlehem, and not likely that they travelled too soon after that.  Would have been a little bit of a tough ride for the little Fella. :yikes:

And if that is what happened, then there would have been time for Mary's needs and responsiblitles to have have been met.

Joseph went to Bethlehem since he was a descendant of that area, and had to return for the census.  Scripture doesn't indicate that he was there at any other time, though it wouldn't have been strange for him to go back to his "hometown" on occasion.

After two years had gone by, all that crazy king Hedod knew was what his so-called scholars and priest were telling him; that a king would be born in Bethlehem.  And now it looked like this might have taken place, since Jerusalem was being visited by a caravan of royalty, or at the least "wise men", looking for a king, but not Herod.  These visitors were causing quite a stir! :groupwave:

After the stay in Egypt, Joseph was told to take his family back to Israel, and eventually settled in Nazareth.

For me, reading Matthew 2 with the thought that it is happenning about 2 years after Jesus' birth, makes it a bit easier to sort out.

But that's about it on thoughts from me--no breakfast yet.  Need a bit of fuel to get the gray matter stirrin'!

In His Grip,
Kevin

Quote from: Colin on December 20, 2006, 05:36:40 PM
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!

Hi Kevin...thank you for your reply. I am indeed well and warm. I think Kevin if we went along with the notion that the shepherds and wise men all landed into the stable at the same time it would not make as much sense. Anyway...I am still puzzled but I am not going to let it worry me. Gods words says it and I believe it and that is all I need to do! How are you getting on with your Christmas preparations Kevin...I cant find the question jey on this keyboard...i think it is made in Japan or somewhere!

Hi Pat...yes..half of what I say... you cant believe me and the other half is lies. ::)
See you ye wummin...ah wud tak that auld club ye hae oot fer me an' bounce it af yer auld block..casstin dispersions on mae character like that! :clobber:

Hello to everyone else!

Hi everyone.  Just a brief note this evening.  I just now caught up on reading and have to leave for a meeting shortly.  This was a busy day.  I finished my project of preparing the CDs for Calvin Cove and getting track lists prepared.  There were 6 different CDs and I made two copies of each.

I went to Calvin Cove and they had a very nice Christmas party with relatives of the participants.  We sang Christmas songs for about 20 minutes and then they had lunch.

I saw my urologist today as had had a PSA test a few days ago.  Everything is great and it continues to look like the cancer has been killed out.

I will try to spend a little more time here tomorrow.

Larry..... :thumbsup: :thumbsup: and thank you, God!  That is welcome news indeed.

Pat and I spent about two hours at the care home today, and Beth, Mom, and their friends really appreciated the little party we had for them.  They were also to have the residents' Christmas party at 2:00.

I came home and took a nap!  :o  Five hours is just not enough sleep for me. :sleepy:  I hope to do better tonight.

They predict about 3 more inches of the white for us tonight.  Curtis is on the road to home, so Grams is praying for his safety on the trip.

Weatherman says 40 and lots of thawing for tomorrow.

Thank you Pat for that beautiful hymn.  Personally, I think the music is even better than what we're used to.  I think majestic music goes well with majestic words.

Hey Al, glad you enjoyed that.  It's the tune we used to sing when I was in the choir at Jarvis St. Baptist Church many moons ago.

Talk about having a nap, Janet, I had one today as well.  I was just so tired.  Not sure why.


As I told you all, I was meeting up with AnnaBanana on Tues.  We've been friends on the internet for a couple of years but this was the first face to face meeting.

Want to see the piccies?

Here's Anna:

(https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.photography-cafe.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2Fnormal_DSCN4549b.jpg&hash=b09dbf94ae83c74f34737b831d7a41d10d2ed820)


One she took of me
(Hokey Diddley)

(https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.photography-cafe.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2Fnormal_Pat_P.jpg&hash=1492c251a6794bfae17578010487d725d78c3027)


And one of us hugging
It was as if we'd known each other for years!

(https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.photography-cafe.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2Fnormal_AnnaPat_P.jpg&hash=65b7870d263f472de0aa23bf25663755ae1403e1)

Here's one to sing...

Gord Brown will sing it for all of us.

Pat I do remember singing that as well, as well as the last carol you posted.  I am sure Gord did them both justice with his voice.

I have had contact with a girl friend that I have not heard from in over 30 years!  What a treat that was and is.  We will need to go to Sarnia to see her and her hubby.  He is a Christian Reformed Pastor of a church down there.  Last I knew where they where was about 11 years ago and they were in BC.  Sarnia is much closer.

Well I am going to head for bed.   This has been a long day
Love to all and praying for those on the west coast.
JudyB

What lovely pictures, Pat!  Where does Anna live?  I sure wish I could see you again!!

Yea!!  :)  Curtis is safely home!!

No news here, so "A Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

Quote from: Janet on December 21, 2006, 10:36:13 PM
What lovely pictures, Pat!  Where does Anna live?  I sure wish I could see you again!!

Yea!!  :)  Curtis is safely home!!

No news here, so "A Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

Hi Janet....   Anna lives in the North-East of England.  She married a fellow from there and lives over there.  Her parents live in Oakville, Ontario which is just to the west of Toronto.

How I'd like to see you again, Janet. 

Good Morning All,

Pat - I love that song Birthday of aKing. One of our choir members would sing it for us and he has an absolutely wonderful voice. He has since left because his wife is now a Pastor in a church about  an hour south of us.
      Great pictures of you and Anna  :thumbsup:

Larry - Praise God!

Colin, Kevin - Thanks for the "discussion" you two have had. I always wondered how that happened too.

A big Hi  to everyone else! Hope all have a God filled and Blessed day! I'll come back later when everyone else is up. ;)

Trusting,
<><Jeannine

:'( WOW ... I am sorry that I have not been around much things here have been busy and then I lost the link to the page but I am here to say HELLO & TO WISH all of you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS & I will return again soon and tell you what is new and also show you what I got for my birthday this week from my husband !!

Gotta run !!

<3 ME

Pat ~ What great pictures of you and AnnaBanana!  I know you had a great time together.  I wish I could see you again, too! 

Larry ~ Your Urologist presented you with a fantastic Christmas present!

I was thinking....Mary was told by an angel she would have a baby, the son of God and He would be named Jesus.  Joseph was told by an angel that Mary was pregnant and the baby would be named Jesus.  Both messages were outstanding enough in themselves.  I am wondering when Mary and Joseph would be talking small talk and discovered that they both had been told that the baby would be named Jesus, what each of them thought?  Wow!

Raining again and I am taking my g-nephew, Aaron, for breakfast and to the bank.  We haven't eaten out together for awhile.

Gotta run or I will be late at Aaron's!

Me again ... for those wondering what I got here you go take a look see and I will be back later !!

(https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv294%2Fgigglebear%2FMy%2520Home%2FDCP_1794.jpg&hash=3cc384c06dafbe644d5bb51661d1501767ea2d0e)

Quote from: Janet on December 21, 2006, 10:36:13 PM
What lovely pictures, Pat!  Where does Anna live?  I sure wish I could see you again!!

Hi Janet...  AnnaBanana lives in England up in the North-East in Sunderland.

Yes, I wish I could see you again too, Janet.  Somehow we'll manage it.
<3

Hi everyone on a rainy morning here in Georgia but it still isn't very cold. 

We had a small group turn out for the men's coffee this morning at the senior center but we had a nice time.  There were 6 tables pushed together  and so it made a big table and we could all chat with each other rather than  just the people sitting across from us or on each side as we usually have it set up. 

TBear, nice to see you posting again and that is a beautiful cabinet.  Do you have a lot of things to display in it? 

Pat, it is alway a pleasure to meet folks we have met online on SeniorNet.  It has been several years since I have had that opportunity.  It looks like you both had a nice time.

Carol, hope you and the folks out your way are seeing sunshine today and the digging out can begin.  I saw some pictures from Denver, including a series of them sent to me by my cousin who lives fairly close to the downtown area. 

Janet, your party at the care home sounds like it was much appreciated.  I remember one year when my folks were in the nursing home in Iowa that we had a little party (not sure it was at Christmas) where we were able to have a special meal in a private room with the folks.  Glad you were able to get a nap yesterday (you also Pat).  I missed my nap yesterday but usually I rest every afternoon, if possible. 

JudyB, a pleasant surprise to hear from your old friend.  A little something extra here at the holiday season.

Well, I have work to do on the database project I agreed to take on so guess I had better get busy.  A special hi to all those postings, or who will post today, that I haven't addressed.

Back from breakfast with Aaron.  Not too cold out the but rain and wind is fierce! 

Dark and gloomy, too!  Good day to curl up with a book! 

Good morning!  Today is a first for me!  I actually watched a movie---before breakfast!! :o I turned on the TV to watch the 700 Club, and the movie Twice Upon a Christmas was just starting instead of regular programming.  It was a cute, feel-good Christmas story.  Sometimes it is so nice being your own boss, and not having stuff you have to do at a certain time, isn't it?  :)

Darrel has a chiropractic appointment in Hugoton this afternoon, so I will go with him and get to see all three of the grands who live there.....well, the boys live at college now, but, anyhow..... :)

Has everyone completed their Christmas plans?  I need to go to the grocery store to get some ingredients for a dessert for Sunday evening, and for pies for Monday.  And if UPS brings the frames, I have some framing to do as well.  Other than that, one more gift to wrap, and I think that will be that!  I love Christmas more now than when I was pressured to do it all by myself.  Having grown kids is nice!!

It sounds as if there are still a lot of stranded folks in Denver.  I pray they can all get to their families for Christmas!

Pat, we will just have to make it happen.  No reason I can't see you---not like I'm tied down here and can't make plans.  We will work on it.

Larry, your coffee gathering sounds so nice.  I'm sure you have lots of friends.

Karen, nice curio cabinet!  Do you collect one kind of thing, or lots of different things?  Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Etta Sue, hello!!  Hi, Jeannine!

Just "floating by" to say Hi before I go away for a few days.

Wishing all a Happy, Healthy and Holy Holiday.

May the blessings of our Heavenly Father shine down on all and you receive the greatest gift of all this Christmas.

HIS love.

Love in Christ,

Joyce

Good morning, everyone!

It's wonderful to read of all your activities, good doctors reports and plans for Christmas.  :)

Today it will be very busy with last minute shopping for Christmas. My third son, Joshua, turns 10 on Christmas Eve, so we have a double celebration.  :cool:

Yesterday we finished setting up my photo exhibtion that will run for 6 weeks. All the proceeds go towards our return to India as missionaries. We had a wonderful day with all the children so wiillingly helping George and I with the work. :) We completed the day with praise and worship inside the Art Gallery!  :)

Here's a few pics of the Art Gallery, which is set in magnificent hilly bushland about an hours drive from our home.

(https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi73.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi202%2Fkarenelengikal%2FArtGallery2.jpg&hash=b8484fcb3328dd7ec97ff3f3d80296f3f3036730)

(https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi73.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi202%2Fkarenelengikal%2FArtGallery1.jpg&hash=84e37721cdc9eea9804c5f82739432f56d47a225)


May you all know His love, embrace, strength and help throughout this day!

Love, :)

Karen, it apears you have lots of good light for the exhibition.  I hope you sell out!!  God bless.

I have been out taking photos of the glories of nature, have a bunch compressed and ready to post.  By the way, how do you p;ost pictures in this thread?  :-\  Everything is sparkling in the sunlight, as the sun melts the ice and snow off every object outdoors.  It's just beautiful, and I love it!!

Now I see--the photos have to be much smaller to go in here, huh?  So I will go quickly and post four in my gallery---wanna come see?

Well Everyone is saying "gotta go"  I am stopping.  I have finished the shopping, groceries and all.  I am home for a quiet evening and weekend.

Pat where are you spending Christmas?  Want to come up here?   The weather is good for driving....it will only take about 5 hours....what about it?  We have a spare bed for you.

We took mother out shopping today.  She enjoys that.  We will pick her up for the candle light service then back here for the night and Christmas day.  I am looking forward to Christmas at home.  last year was at Bonnie's.

Well I am going, no running here, and will be back tomorrow
Love and blessings to everyone.  Drive safely 
Judy

Quote from: Janet on December 22, 2006, 03:19:32 PM
Now I see--the photos have to be much smaller to go in here, huh?  So I will go quickly and post four in my gallery---wanna come see?

I sure do - going there now to see them!! :)

Love,

Hi everyone..been reading all your posts and seeing how you are all getting on. I have not forgtten any of you! <3

Hi Karen from Australia...thank you for visiting my website and leaving your lovely comments. I do hope you sell lots of photos. I have hit a problem with my tunnel. I have broken all the pickshafts so I have went to look for some explosives. If you feel an eartquake...that will be me! ;)
I remember my farmer neighbour had a 40ft. chimney built in the middle of one of his fields. I said that was a funny place to have a chimney and he looked at me and said....Colin..it was meant to be a 40ft.well but the stupid eejit of a builder had the plans upside down! :uglystupid: :lol:

Hi everyone else!

Good morning! :coffee:

I hope that all are warm and spending time with loved ones.  I will be very busy, as you will, I'm sure for the next 4-5 days.  Your prayers for our ministry here are always appreciated.

On behalf of my family, let me say to All of You,

Merry Christmas!!!

In His Grip,
Kevin

Kevin:  I send my little prayer for your ministry. 

Pat:  Thanks for the verse today.  It is one of the traditions of this time of the year and so welcome.  What are you doing for Christmas.  That is so nice that you could only drive 5 hours to see your sister and family. 

i baked banana bread, sewed another quilt top, and packed my suitcase.  Have a long list of groceries needed and now we only must get shoveled out of here.  Not feeling ver patient about this - I should be ashamed as there are still thousands trapped at the airport.  Poor people.  Our oldest son was to fly in here today and he can't get out of Seattle until Sunday - even though he had a ticket but they overbooked by 100 people per flight & bumped him.  He flys so much that I am sure he could have pressured them to take him.

Carol

Hi y-all did ya miss me. (I don't think so) ya probably didn't even notice that I was AWOL for a few days. I've been here every day reading but didn't have anything to say other than the usual boring stuff about my plans for the day.

I've received some very nice compliments as well as gifts from my clients as well as from their families. I am just praising the Lord that I am able to be a servant of the Most High and do His work here on earth. I thank God for my good Health and ability to be able to care for His children who can no longer care for themselves.

I went by to see Fay yesterday and took her a fleece sweater jacket because I know how cold she gets during the winter. She is not doing so well as her legs are getting weaker by the day. She is 97 now .

TBear it was good to see you here today, and you have a lovely  Curio Cabinet.

Karen (Inspired Gal) I pray your  pictures will bring you  enough to finance your mission trip to India.

Janet How is your leg doing? Is it getting better?

Etta Sue you amaze me  that you can eat out so often and actually enjoy the meals. I would get so tired  of  those kind of meals unless of course it was always Mexican food. Then I could eat every meal out. :lol: I guess I just try to eat as healthy as possible and  restaurant food isn't my  idea of healthy food. Especially the fast food places. I also like Mediterranean type foods.

Larry glad to hear you got a good report from the Urologist. How is Pat?

I am making Vegetable soup on Christmas eve for the family,. Gilbert, Sarah and the two kids. Vegetable soup was a tradition in my family when I was young, My Grandmother always made Vegetable soup and Oyster stew and the rest of the family brought the  deserts and salads.  I decided to carry on the tradition. Except for the Oyster stew. I have never eaten Oysters so I don't know if I would like them. Any way this part of the family isn't  big enough to have all that food.

Well that's all folks I don't want to bore you.

Quote from: Janet on December 22, 2006, 03:19:32 PM
Now I see--the photos have to be much smaller to go in here, huh?  So I will go quickly and post four in my gallery---wanna come see?

Janet, when you upload to the gallery, then just use the URL of the intermediate one for here.  The software makes it 400 pixels wide and it's just perfect for in here.

Quote from: JudyB on December 22, 2006, 03:31:04 PM


Pat where are you spending Christmas?  Want to come up here?   The weather is good for driving....it will only take about 5 hours....what about it?  We have a spare bed for you.

Hi Judy...

I'm going up to Janice's.  I was also invited by Ian but after Janice invited me.  Thanks for the invite.  Not sure about my car either as I might need to be thinking of brakes.



Karen, Judy is my sister!

Thanks, Pat.  I will go try that in a minute.

We had supper with Diane's family tonight, always enjoy time with them.  And Abby came home with us, until tomorrow afternoon.  :)

(https://www.christianphotographers.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10012/normal_SparklingNature_006.jpg) 

Aw, nuts!  :ticked: That didn't work.  Oh, well, if you want to see the picture, click on my album.  :-[   






Edit:  It work, Janet, if you put img and /img in the brackets before and after it.

Nice pic, Janet.  Tell us about it.

I missed you Marilyn, but I've been scarce my self!!!


In case I don't make it back on to  post -


MERRY CHRISTMAS!


Samantha

Well I have to work the weekend, but I have Christmas day off 8)
I haven't been on line much, since my home system is still not set up. I bought a new computer, but have not had time to set up my DSL modem yet.
The Christmas cards are going out late this year, again. We tried taking a family photo at home this time with our digital camera, then taking the card to a photo shop to have custom Christmas cards made. Well they were ready the next day, but neither of us has been able to go and get them :'(
When I get my home system up and on line, I will post the photo here, but don't expect it before Christmas I'm too busy!

Good Morning to all.

Pat I do enjoy those great old hymns and they bring many memories from Sheppard ave.

Judy B. I did do some humming over those hymns but too late to be singing them and you can see what I said too Pat. Praying for you and John and the ministry.

Things are going well in Welland Ontario but it seems so unusual not to have any snow especially  whenI was able to just get a fantastic deal on an older snow blower that looks like new and it starts with an electric starter.  But I may not get to use it much if we dont get snow. It must be so hard for all the people who are stranded at airports and there whole Christmas plans are ruined.

Well I must get to bed as we have our family get together tomorrow around 1-00 p.m. so the Lord bless you all and if I dont get back on till after Christmas  have a great one and a happy New Year.  Gord.

Good Morning All,

I see that everyone is just busting at the seams with activities. I hope and pray everyone enjoys themselves and thier loved ones, and is so Blessed by it all.

Yesterday afternoon we had to take Michael to Emergency because his trach broke, he wasn't in any distress, as a matter of fact he was laughing about it. :uglystupid: Silly boy, takes after his mom 0:-). It only took a couple of hours and everything turned out fine. They also gave him an antibiotic cream to put on the site as it has a tiny scratch but still looks great.

Santa is coming this morning on his Harley to see Michael again this year, I'll try to get a picture of it to post. He sure is a popular little boy, and so very much loved by all who meet him.

Ok, gotta go. Everyone have a God-filled and Blessed day! Talk to y'all later.

Trusting,
<><Jeannine

Hi, everybody!  I will attempt to put that p;icture here, so I can tell you about it.  Thanks, Pat.......

(https://www.christianphotographers.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10012/normal_SparklingNature_006.jpg)

This is one of the icy pictures I took over the past couple of days.  It shows the bottom of our old satellite dish, all decorated with snow and icicles.  Every twig and blade of grass was encased in ice, and when the sun came out yesterday, it was a veritable winter wonderland.  A world of sparkling diamonds--thank you, God, for eyes to see the beauty in the midst of the storm!

I hope Michael has a great day, including the visit from Santa.  He reminds me so much of a little boy I spent many hours with in the Lakin hospital when I was driving a lady there for dialysis three days per week.

Abby and I have errands to run and gifts to deliver.  See you later!

Well, it still doesn't work for me.  Oh, well, I'm probably still doing something wrong.  Gotta run!

Pat ~ I am going to my sister's for Christmas day and it is only 70 steps!   ;D  ;)  I love living this close to Ivalou and Kaye Don. 

Colin ~ Loved you funny today.  Poor guy couldn't even read a blueprint right! 

Jeannine ~ On TV the other night showed a bunch of Harleys with Santas on them taking gifts to children.  Those big, burly guys...some of them are big and burly and rough around the edges...do have heart's of gold. 

Karen (tbear) ~ What a beautiful curio cabinet!  Can't wait to see it.  And do you collect certain items?

Larry ~ Your morning coffee get togethers sound like so much fun.  Women don't seem to do that.

Janet ~ Hi!  Your snowy icy photo is very pretty.  I love new fallen snow before it is drove/walked on.  And before it gets ucky brown from pollution.

Joyce ~ Hi there!  Glad you stopped in before leaving for a few days.  Are you going to Pennsylvania?

Karen ~ What a wonderful place to show your photos.  I, too, hope you sell the rafters!! 

JudyB ~ Again, I am only 70 steps from my sister.  Love it.  But even then, it can be cumbersome to carry lots of things over there. 

Kevin ~ Merry Christmas to you and your family as well.  You will be celebrating before we do so have a great time.  Don't eat too much!

Carol ~ I have seen on the news how much snow Denver has but also heard that in Canon City, there is no snow.  I sure do hope that everyone can get to their destinations for Christmas in your area but most of all, I pray for travel safety for all.

Marilyn ~ I did wonder where you were.  Thought maybe you went to a seminar about your business.  And yes, caregivers are special people and you deserve all the praise that you receive. 

Samantha ~ Merry Christmas to you, too!

Gord ~ Congratulations on your snowblower and I am sure you will get use out of it before March 21 when springtime is announced.

I don't have anywhere to go today.  Ivalou just called me and told me who she thought might be at her house Christmas day so she is going to the grocery.  I asked her to get me some milk since the expiration date on mine was the 19th.  I don't think it will be good 'til after Christmas.  So later today I will have milk delivery!! That's how us sister's work! 

Janet, you did everything right except you left off the "g" at the very end.  It's ".jpg" and you had ".jp"  So that's why you got the Red X.

I fixed it for you.

GORD BROWN!!!  I like your pic by your name!

I just want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.  It has been so long since I have visited here, I almost forgot how to do it.  You will have to forgive me to being so timid.  May God bless everyone of you with a wonderful Holiday Season.

Mary

Hi all,

One of the gifts my daughter has already got is a cell phone with camera.  I think she has an eye for photography as shown in the self portrait she made.  If I can get it on here I will.  She is only 11.



[attachment deleted by admin]

Good Morning I have already been for my work out at Curves, I have to leave for work in just a few minutes. But I wanted to come in here and thank Babycakes and Etta Sue for acknowledging  that I was here.  

This time of year has always been a tough one for me even as a young mother. Now that I am way older than that  and live alone with  my two dogs, it  seems to  be the same every year even though  Gilbert and his family are close by. It just isn't the same as someone living in the same house with me.

It seems that when I have reached out to others they don't even know I am around. I have come to think of you all as family and it hurts when I say things to others and they don't even bother to answer me.  So when I go AWOL again you will all know why.

Marilyn

Quote from: Marilyn on December 23, 2006, 12:10:37 PM
Good Morning I have already been for my work out at Curves, I have to leave for work in just a few minutes. But I wanted to come in here and thank Babycakes and Etta Sue for acknowledging  that I was here.  

This time of year has always been a tough one for me even as a young mother. Now that I am way older than that  and live alone with  my two dogs, it  seems to  be the same every year even though  Gilbert and his family are close by. It just isn't the same as someone living in the same house with me.

It seems that when I have reached out to others they don't even know I am around. I have come to think of you all as family and it hurts when I say things to others and they don't even bother to answer me.  So when I go AWOL again you will all know why.

Marilyn

Sorry, Marilyn.  :-[ As you know: I go AWOL most of the time.   ;)  That's just me, though.  I feel as Mary Frances expressed today "timid" although I don't know that I'd use that word for myself.   :) 

I live alone too ... not even any pets ... and it is a little rough around the holidays, but I really don't mind.  I know that today my daughter Joy, and Bryan, will be meeting at the home of Tim (Jean's oldest son) for a get-together with her entire family.  All four of her kids, their spouses and children will be there -- even Mike!  I told her to be sure and take lots of pictures because that's the only way I will ever be able to see them. 

That's just the way life is ... I love my quiet little home where I am alone with Jesus every day!  My Father takes such good care of me! 

On that note, let me tell y'all the rest of the story about my car:

I finally got to bring it home on Thursday evening.  The entire cost was $23.  That's $20 labor and $3 for the part and the gas they had to put in for me.  I am soooo blessed!

Hello Mary Frances!   :hello:  It's good to see you here!  I'm glad you remembered how to post here. 

Janet~That is an amazing photo--as are the others you have placed in the gallery.  I love such signs of God's love and artistry!

Etta Sue~I think it's really neat that you and your sister and brother live so close and can get together whenever you want.  My sister who lives in Missouri just wrote me that she moved into her own apartment (3 blocks from the house where she was staying) last weekend.  She says she needed her own space.  I do so understand !!   ;)

By the way, I really love all the graphics you invent and post here every day.  You are so good at such things!   :thumbsup: 

And COLIN~   What can I say but Thank You for all the great poems and fun jokes you bring to us each day.  Please have a very Blessed Christmas and enjoy your family to the fullest! 

I'm sorry to be leaving so many of you out but please know that I read all your posts and love you all as family.  God Bless You ALL!

Good morning from soggy Vancouver Island.  Golly, I thought everyone knew my home is on the West Coast..... :o

Storms still keep coming.  Fortunately rain rather than snow.  Tho' at this stage, wet in any form is not welcome.  High winds again last night.  Wendy said that one night Squeek (cat) was actually growling at the noise.  Ever heard a cat Growl??  Now me, I feel about ready to HISS!

Was a little ill so have not been coming to read until today.  So didn't know you were missing Marilyn...glad that you are back!  Like everyone, getting ready for the Christmas Day and doing a bit of baking.  Making dinner for the kids tonight as Wendy not well...in so much pain.  I am going to make some mince tarts this afternoon.  Made my 'much in demand' butter tarts yest. 

I live alone in my suite in the kids house, but sure rarely alone.  For which I am truly grateful, not happy without being around people for part of the day.  Like to be alone down by the water at the beach, or things of that sort.  Spent many lonely years living alone in my Condo, so this is nice way to end my senior yrs.  Read something sort of nice about the downward path.....

"Lord, now that you are letting Your servant depart in peace...for my eyes have seen your salvation.:  Luke 2:29-30

Went on to say how it takes a lot of faith to climb a mountain, but it takes just as much faith to climb down.  Can your faith carry you down the sunset trail to the very end, with joy in your spirit?  Yes, it is possible.  :)
With Christ as your guide, you and I will come to the end of life with pride behind us, love around us, and hope ahead of us.  That is bowing out gracefully.
                                           
                                          :)

Did anyone watch the Barbara Walters Special about Heaven....?  So many different thoughts and confusion about the subject.  Glad that we are not confused. <3

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone. 

Pleasant Day/Evening and God Bless.

Liz

Thanks for bailing me out yet again, Pat.  I went over that letter by letter three times and didn't notice the missing "g".  :-[

Marilyn, thanks for the pretty ecard, very nice.  We all feel "overlooked" at times, nothing unique about that!  Merry Christmas, anyway.  You are never alone, Jesus lives there with you, and in you!  :cool:

Jane, what a wonderful thing--for your car's bill to be so low!  God does look out for you, doesn't He?  :)

MARY FRANCES!!  Hello there---so good to see you again!  I hope you will feel 'emboldened' to come in and say howdy more often.

I am really tired.  Abby and I have been baking and making things to eat for hours.  Now I'm taking a break, then will do the pie crusts, may wait until tomorrow to make the fillings.

Liz, sorry you are still getting soaked up there.  Seems the moisture could be spread out more to those who really need it, but it doesn't often happen that way.  Hope Wendy gets to feeling better soon, wish she would try the products!  :-\  Try to stay warm and dry, and don't work too hard.

Etta Sue, I think it's just wonderful that you and your Sis (and bro) get along so well and enjoy each other.  That's the way families should be.

Babycakes, nice phone picture of your cute girl.  Boy, times have really changed, haven't they?  Even younger kids than her want cell phones now.  If used properly, I can see how they are a help to the parents, in keeping up with the kids.

I'm going to post some more photos, then rest a bit.

Well This must be the year for renewing acquaintences.  John has located our best man/maid of honour and they will be living about 2 hours from us ciome summer. 

We have had the girls baking today and we have cookies galore.  It is so nice to have them interested in the "feminine arts".

Marilyn I understand how you feel, been there done that, but you know our Lord does respond immediately. 

Your picture Janet is amazing.  I enjoy the photos, even though I don't alwaysl comment.

Gord enjoy the family, see if you can get some family pictures to post.  Pat can help you with that.  Hopefully we will be down your way soon.

We still are having lots of rain, no snow.   One good thing about rain is that you don't have to shovel it. Or in Gord's case snow blow it!

Well I am on a bread baking run so I will close and continue with that job.  I really enjoy baking bread.  (Especially with a bread machine!)

May your weekend be blessed.
JudyB

Hi everyone...finally getting time to post!

Marilyn...I know how it feels to be ignored...it is even worse to feel hated..to feel hated by your mother...to feel hated by your sisters and brothers...to feel hated all you life. I always knew from an early age that God loved me...but I waited for a long time for another human being to put their arms around me and look into my eyes..and say they loved me.....my precious Marlene! If I seem to ignore you Marilyn..I am sorry. Take care and have a Happy Christmas.

Hi Jane...trhank you for your very kind words and you too have a very Happy Christmas.

To all the rest..I consider you all my friends and perhaps sometimes when I am making you laugh with my jokes...it is then I am hurting the most inside..I thank God He give me a sense of humour and I can laugh through tears. I do hope each and everyone has a blessed and Happy Christmas. I was a little sick...well more than a little sick last night...but I am getting over it..even got the Ginger Wine made today!
It is lovely to see our new British Prime Minister posting here...Gordon Brown! :thumbsup:

Take care everyone...God bless!

QuoteWent on to say how it takes a lot of faith to climb a mountain, but it takes just as much faith to climb down.  Can your faith carry you down the sunset trail to the very end, with joy in your spirit?  Yes, it is possible. 
With Christ as your guide, you and I will come to the end of life with pride behind us, love around us, and hope ahead of us.  That is bowing out gracefully.

I really love that, Liz, and I certainly do long for the day when "pride is behind, love around, & hope ahead!"

Thanks Colin, Judy, Jane and Janet for the encouragement. I have  spent many years fighting with the old devil  and the spirit of depression I do a pretty good job most of the time staying upbeat in my posts and keeping busy with my life. But sometimes I get way down and  just have to  let my feeling be known to others. It helps to have others  to talk to about such things. I don't tell this stuff to my family, well to Gilbert, he is the only one I am that close to.

Janet I made that card myself I have been in a stationery group for over a year now, making pretty stationery's using PSP and HTML Kit.

I won't be going back to work until Tuesday, so nice to have a few days off even if they will be busy days.

TTYL

Hi everyone.  It is good to read all the postings.  Not feeling very good tonight so just going to check in to say I was here and read all the postings.  I will try to write a few more lines tomorrow.

Colin, I have noticed through the years, that the one who is the funniest is often the saddest at heart.  What a paradox that is.  But to be able to make others around you laugh, does that lift your spirits too?  Let us know if there are other ways we can help you feel better.  You have overcome so much in your life, and I admire you for it.  And I thank God with you, for your sweet Marlene.  :)

JudyB, I have been in the kitchen most of the day, too.  Baked 10 loaves of Friendship Bread, two pie crusts, and made a big dessert and a big Jello salad.  And I am tired.

Curtis met me out on the hill to pick up Abby, then I came back to town, Pat styled my hair for me--YES!!  I feel like a new woman!  Then I filled up the car, picked up more milk at the store, came home and cleaned up my cooking mess.  Whew!  I'm glad I don't have the entire meal to do.

Thanks, Judy, for commenting on my photo.  It feels like it's not worth the time it takes to resize and post them when people do not comment.  So I appreciate it.

For those of you who know my Beth, please say a prayer for her.  When we went in this morning, she was in tears, and said she thought John broke up with her.  Even though we know the relationship won't ever go farther, it has been so good for her to have a "boyfriend" and she is heartbroken.  And it's all over a really stupid thing someone said that offended him.  Beth had nothing to do with it!!  :clobber: :uglystupid: :idiot:  Anyway, please remember her in prayer.

Oh Janet  .. I am praying for Beth :'(  I had a call from my daughter (Dot) not so long ago with the same kind of tears -- her new boyfriend broke up with her.  I understand this is nothing like your Beth but it is the same sort of heart ache when you know it's not even anything about the one whose heart is broken.

Gotcha, Marilyn and Colin  I can definitely relate. <3   <3

Thanks for praying, Jane.  I just called Beth, and she and John were talking on the computer.  He says he will talk to her if she does not agree with anyone he disagrees with!  :idiot:  Oh, brother.  :P

I hope you will forgive me, folks, but Pat gave me permission to close up early tonight and go ahead and post the Thoughts for next week, as I will be away from home tomorrow night.  Also, I am having trouble, as my pc has a new tool bar, and I can't sem to copy and paste the headers or the songs.

ETTA SUE or AL----would one of you please put in the header for Christmas, and post the carol While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night, at the end of the Thoughts I have prepared?  Thanks so very much.

For the new week,  CLICK HERE  (http://christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=5846.0)