Christian Photographers Community

Hi y-all. I got off work early today at 11.AM so I came home and changed into my workout clothing and took off for Curves. As I was preparing my dinner/lunch, my Skype rang and it was Jerry2 from SN calling from New Zealand. We had a nice conversation I spoke with him and his wife Ann.

Since I got back home the sky has become  all overcast, It was a beautiful day before that. I will have to dress warm to take the dogs for their walks.

Judy is John not going to drive trucks at all anymore. His job sounds interesting.

I'd better go walk the dogs before it starts to rain.

TTYL

Hello Everyone,

Tonight and tomorrow night, I will be preaching to many young couples who will attend one of two Christmas services at the chapel where I perform weddings.  Here in Japan, Christmas is quite an event, but for the most part the Japanese have no clue about the meaning of Christmas.  If it weren't for Christmas (the holiday) and our wedding chapel, it is likely that most of these young people would never step foot inside a church, nor ever make the acquaintance of a Christian.

I will tell them tonight and tomorrow night about God's love and His Son Jesus Christ.  Your prayers are appreciated.

In His Grip,
Kevin

Kevin I am praying for many salvations as you tell them about Jesus' love.

Thank you, Marilyn!

Gripped,
Kevin

Hi, friends,

I drove about 2 hours each way to see friends whose son had to have life support removed. They are at peace about the situation and it's a wonderful thing that he must have had some premonition that his death was near, for he wrote them a card and mailed it, and in that card he testified to them and also begged forgiveness for his past trespasses against him. They received the card in the mail after he was life flighted to the hospital and following extensive brain surgery he became completely nonresponsive, so eventually the life support was removed. I pray for his quick passing for both his and the family and friends' sake.

It's so chilly here in my office, that I must get offline and go cover up head and ears. Brrrr!

Y'all have a good evening.

Ruth Ann

Kevin, I am praying that many of the young couples accept God's wonderful gift of forgiveness and salvation.  What a great start to married life that will be for them.  Bless you for being a willing vessel of God's love to them.

Ruth Ann, it is cold in your office---at home?  Or at work?  Brrrr!  So sad about the young man, but good that he mended fences while he was able to do so.  Was he in an accident?

The light parade was pretty nice, but boy, was it ever cold!  Our weather had been nice until today, now they sway it will warm up again tomorrow.  I took some pictures, will see if I can remember how to post them.

Hi from a very chilly island.  Still lots of snow and ice in the yard and on our street.  Not what one expects in sunny BC.  Not certain what we can expect....read in today's paper that Global warming means Victoria will be under water if things remain unchecked   Alas, I can't swim!! 

I have been enjoying some of the treats brought back from Maui.....coffee, candy, etc.  yumm!  Went to Victoria today and battled the crowds in the mall.
Will wait for Boxing Day sales (day after Christmas) to purchase anything much as that is when the prices go d-o-w-n.  Like your day after Thanksgiving in US.  Wendy & Ralph were sure amazed at the sales and how folks waited for hours to get into the stores....They had never been in the States for Thanksgiving and not used to folks wishing one another 'Happy Thanksgiving'.  Interesting how different some things are...

Misty won't go outside in the snow.  She absolutely refuses to stay outdoors in the cold.  So sleeps all day and plays all night and drives me round the bend.  Got hold of my Christmas ornaments last night...I finally put up my little tree, etc.  Hope that Squeek doesn't come down and join in the fun!

Bought a new mouse for my computer and it surely makes life better.  Also got all the problems out of the system....took me much thinking and research to solve the problems.  Now know much more about the inner working than wanted to learn. 

Time to go.  Love reading all the posts and listening to the music.  I must go and watch Anne Murray at 9 P.M. as there is a special with Glen Campbell as guest. 

Pleasant Evening/Day and God Bless.

(where is Colin today?)

Liz

Hello all!  I'm karmat, remember me??? 

Just wanted to pop in and let you know the Shuford's are plugging along.  The kids have been sick, but seem to be on the upswing from it.  Hopefully, everyone will be healthy for Christmas.

Travis is so excited he can't hardly wait.  Every day we have to talk about how many more days it is, etc.  I probably should find our advent calendar so he can "count it down."

Kristi is growing like a little weed, and is learning one or two new words every day.  She also gets extremely frustrated when we don't understand her.

Sorry, I'm not in here much.  I think of you all often, and pray for you.  May God strengthen, bless, and keep you during this holy season!!!

Love "youns"
karmat

Hi everyone....have been reading all your posts and praying for you all. Guess I have been a little depressed and dont feel like talking much. Take care all of you.
God bless.

We are back from a week in Sedona, Arizona in a drive yesterday of almost 900 miles within 15 hours.  Never again. Don feels very weak - I drove & he did sleep for almost three hours on the trip & said all the time of how good he felt & he wanted to go straight through - well, after an hour here at home he was so exhausted.  Now, he is sleeping - he needed an extra blanket last night & didn't wake me - I have many extra blankets in the guest rooms & cannot figure out why he didn't go downstairs to find one.  I feel terrible that I slept while he felt so cold. 

We had such a nice visit & in a beautiful place with massive red rocks.  The entire area does have churches but there is such a spin on the mystic things associated with the rocks, very sad that peple believe such junk.

Etta Sue:  Sorry about the mistake on the Amish Bread recipe.  We had to leave here 1/2 day early & it was a hustle so I didn't get back to you.

Praying for Judy Mc.  Not fair.

Judy B:  I missed something in the Amish Bread recipe.  What does John do in his new job?  Is he now home much more?  Stay warm & cozy.

Marilyn:  Fantastic news on your mysterious lump. 

We actually found a radio station with Christmas songs in AZ but sad to say not here.  We listened to a book on tape - "A Walk to Remember" by Nicholas Sparks.  A sad story but about miracles after all. 

Carol

Karmat!  So good to see your face in here!  How's that "other" Shuford?  Does he still live?

Carol, it's great to have you back!  And I hope Don gets rested up soon.  Sometimes when I feel cold, I don't want to get up to get another blanket because by getting up I would get even colder.  I know, doesn't make sense, but......
It is a shame what some folks believe today.  So sad that if they do not come into the truth, they will be left behind, and not enjoy heaven for eternity.

KARMA!!  Good to see you, girl!  We miss you around here.  Give that big Shuford and both those small ones a hug from me, will you?  And do stop in when you can, we love hearing from you.

I got stamps this morning, so my cards are out in the mailbox---at least those I had ready.

There is an interesting program on TBN right now, like a documentary of the events of the birth of Christ, from today's perspective.  Like they said there is a 3 man diplomatic delegation coming to see what is happening, and something about the planets lining up and making such a powerful light, appearing as a star.  When they talked about the 3 wise men, they showed cars whizzing along the highway near the dead sea.  Hmmm......        I'm always amazed at the masses of people all over the Middle East.

Colin, have you ever seen a doctor about your depression?  A lot of people have a chemical imbalance, and can be greatly helped by prescriptions.  I just hate to think of you being depressed, and hope you will find help for it.  No one should have to live under that black cloud.  I was very depressed at one time, but it didn't last very long, for which I'm so thankful.

Hey, Liz!  Keep your rowboat handy!    Personally, I do not believe all the hype about global warming.  But I do know we have cycles of wet and dry years, and just now you seem to be getting the wet, while we are stuck in the dry.  Things should reverse soon!  Glad Wendy and Ralph are home from their nice warm holiday.

The pain I had yesterday only lasted maybe 10 minutes.  But today my back feels better than it has for several months.  Could the pain be from mending myself? 

I forgot to mention about Judy Mc...right, it just isn't fair.  She has suffered enough.

Karma!!!!  Glad to see you back for a spell.  Good the hear the little ones are on the mend.  Give all three 'kids' hugs from me. 

Janet ~ I am not believing all the hype about global warning either.  I believe it about as much as I did about all the problems we were to have for New Year's 2000.  Nothing happened!!!  Did you see Oprah one day this week?  Our past vice-president was talking about global warning.

I helped Ivalou make a bead and safety pin angel ornament.  Her Secret Sister says she likes hand-made ornaments.  Ivalou isn't a hand-maker anything except sewing.    

It's cold.  Last night was to be the coldest night so far this season.  I was chilled watching TV so went to bed early and rose last this morning.  The bed felt so warm and good! 

Well I finally made it in to post something, I have been here to read  earlier a couple of time. I went for my workout at Curves then straight on to Tai Chi, when I got back home I folded the sheets I washed earlier and cleaned the bathroom and Kitchen. Still have to do the living room and my bedroom.

Carol Glad to see you back I am not believe a lot of things lately, Global Warming to start with.

Hey Karma good to see you again girl. Tell Nards to drop by sometime too.

Back to my  quilt and cleaning.

Later.

Hi everyone.  We had a very enjoyable day today.  After coffee with the men at the senior center, I went to our SeniorNet Volunteer meeting with my friend Rod.  Then at noon, the director of the center had a lovely catered luncheon for the volunteers and their spouses with turkey, ham, dressing, salad, rolls, and apple cake with a caramel sauce.  It all was really good.  She had also provided an entertainer who played music and sang some songs and played the guitar.  Pat joined me at lunch time.  I came home and took a nap.

in about 90 minutes I will head down to Atlanta to pick up our daughter as she is spending the weekend with us.  We have a busy weekend planned as there is always a lot to do when she is here.  She will attend the Sunday School Christmas party with us tomorrow night and Sunday School and church with us Sunday.  It is so nice to have her attend with us.  I consider this another of God's many blessings to us this year.

Carol, glad you are home but hope you don't do that long of drive again.  We decided sometime ago that 8 and possibly 10 hours in the car was enough for one day and then rest is required.  Several of you spoke of being cold during the night.  A few years ago I discovered the electric blanket and I can't imagine being without it as I am always cold and it keeps me nice and warm all night long.

Karmat, glad you stopped by and I assure you were haven't forgotten you and your family.  Know this is an exciting time for the little ones.

There were a number of postings while I have been writing but this is way to long for today.

Someone sent the following to us yesterday and I wanted to share it with you all.  It will bring a smile or chuckle to you I think and is appropriate for this time of year.

Gold, common sense and fur

My husband and I had been happily married (most of the time) for
five years, but hadn't been blessed with a baby. I decided to do
some serious praying and promised God that if He would give us a
child, I would be a perfect mother, love it with all my heart and
raise it with His word as my guide.

God answered my prayers and blessed us with a son.

The next year God blessed us with another son. The following year,
He blessed us with yet another son. The year after that we were
blessed with a daughter. My husband thought we'd been blessed right
into poverty. We now had four children, and the oldest was only four
years old.

I learned never to ask God for anything unless I meant it. As a min-
ister once told me, "If you pray for rain, make sure you carry an
umbrella."

I began reading a few verses of the Bible to the children each day as
they lay in their cribs. I was off to a good start. God had entrusted
me with four children and I didn't want to disappoint Him.

I tried to be patient the day the children smashed two dozen eggs on
the kitchen floor searching for baby chicks. I tried to be under-
standing when they started a hotel for homeless frogs in the spare
bedroom, although it took me nearly two hours to catch all twenty-
three frogs.

When my daughter poured ketchup all over herself and rolled up in a
blanket to see how it felt to be a hot dog, I tried to see the humor
rather than the mess.

In spite of changing over twenty-five thousand diapers, never eating
a hot meal and never sleeping for more than thirty minutes at a time,
I still thank God daily for my children.

While I couldn't keep my promise to be a perfect mother. I didn't
even come close. I did keep my promise to raise them in the Word of
God. I knew I was missing the mark just a little when I told my
daughter we were going to church to worship God, and she wanted to
bring a bar of soap along to "wash up" Jesus, too.

Something was lost in the translation when I explained that God gave
us everlasting life, and my son thought it was generous of God to
give us his "last wife."

My proudest moment came during the children's Christmas pageant. My
daughter was playing Mary, two of my sons were shepherds and my
youngest son was a wise man. This was their moment to shine. My five-
year-old shepherd had practiced his line, "We found the babe wrapped
in swaddling clothes." But he was nervous and said, "The baby was
wrapped in wrinkled clothes."

My four-year-old "Mary" said, "That's not 'wrinkled clothes,' silly.
That's dirty, rotten clothes." A wrestling match broke out between
Mary and the shepherd and was stopped by an angel, who bent her halo
and lost her left wing.

I slouched a little lower in my seat when Mary dropped the doll rep-
resenting Baby Jesus, and it bounced down the aisle crying, "Mama,
Mama." Mary grabbed the doll, wrapped it back up and held it tightly
as the wise men arrived.

My other son stepped forward wearing a bathrobe and a paper crown,
knelt at the manger and announced, "We are the three wise men, and
we are bringing gifts of gold, common sense and fur."

The congregation dissolved into laughter, and the pageant got a
standing ovation.

"I've never enjoyed a Christmas program as much as this one," Pastor
Brian laughed, wiping tears from his eyes. "For the rest of my life,
I'll never hear the Christmas story without thinking of gold, common
sense and fur."

"My children are my pride and my joy and my greatest blessing," I
said as I dug through my purse for an aspirin.

Larry, that is the sweetest, funniest story!   Just what this day needed.  I laughed out loud.

I'm sitting here eating dark chocolate and reading the posts.  I don't want to eat the chocolate, but I've read it's really good for me, so I have to.   This is Cadbury's.  I wonder if Dove has dark chocolate?   The things I do for health!

Colin,  I understand.  Remember we're here.  Your poetry speaks for you, even when you're feeling quiet of conversation.  ((a sister hug for you)).

laters,  Nita

Thanks Larry for sharing that story with us...it has made me laugh and really cheered me up. It is cold here too and I do not know when it last stopped raining!
God bless all.

Hi Colin...

It's snowing a wee bit here but no rain.  It's minus 8 C a little while ago.  Not sure what it is now.  Very chilly

.

I can barely get a note in here.  They are working on Yahoo Messenger & it keeps flashing and stops my typing.

Nita.  Dove makes a smooth Dark Chocolate.

Larry:  So right to drive fewer hours.  We paid for it today.

Marilyn:  They need your faithful spirit in those places.

Carol

Well, the story of my son's friend was finished today. And, it finished in such a touching manner. (Janet, he must have had an epileptic seizure and fallen down a long flight of steps - that's what caused his fatal injury.)

My son had been at the hospital day and night for several days. Being a registered nurse, he realized the end was very near this morning and let the family know they should all get to the hospital.

Not long after they all arrived, my son felt impressed to begin singing "Amazing Grace." All of them being both christians and musically talented, they joined in.

For 8 days this young man had lain in bed - no movement, no facial expression changes, no life support, no brain waves, no response to stimuli. Well, as they were nearing the end of the last verse of the song, he slightly lifted his head, smiled "the sweetest smile" my son said, and breathed his last. At the moment he was exhaling for the last time, a ray of sunlight broke through the clouds and illuminated his face.

What a way to go.

Ruth Ann

Wonderful!  First a chuckle out loud from Larry, then a quiet tear of happiness for the young man's family in Ruth Ann's story.  Where else could we all share these things??

I've had another busy day, and tomorrow is my painting Christmas party in Dodge City, so will be another busy one.

I hope you all stay cozy, dry and happy all weekend! 

I came back to tell Nita --- you don't need to suffer alone, I will have some dark chocolate with you.  I'm health conscious, too! 

Did someone say Dark Chocolate? A friend gave me a bar the other day it was decadent I enjoyed it very much.  I too am Health Conscious.

Good Night all.

Quote from: Colin on December 08, 2006, 07:49:55 AM
Hi everyone....have been reading all your posts and praying for you all. Guess I have been a little depressed and dont feel like talking much. Take care all of you.
God bless.

Colin, I totally understand and I have a place for you right here beside me in the corner...C'mon over and we will "observe" together... Christian love, my brother... 

Hi guys....Cold morning here in N. Ireland and more RAIN is forecast. My two sons bought themselves the new Nintendo Wii with a sports disc which has tennis, golf, baseball, ten pin bowling and boxing on it. You play the games with a wand which works by infra red. If you are playing tennis say...you stand faceing TV and wave the wand about as if you had a racket in your hand to hit the ball. It is absolutely brilliant and great fun. Any one looking in our window going by would think we had gone mad standing waving our hands around us like lunatics. It is hilarious!

I had another phone call this morning from a lady looking for my poems. She had heard my name and phone number being given out on a radio programne. I give her my website address. Another lady awhile ago had got some of my poems and one of them ended up being read out at a funeral service for a friend of hers. The phone call this morning was so lovely to get and we had a pleasant chat. God is blessing me.

Pat...you are getting it cold! Wrap up warm my friend. Another lovely song you have posted.

Ruth Ann..I read with tears about the young man dying. One of my sister's had a son die in similiar circumstances. He was only into his teenage years I think. He was going to pick horse chestnuts and walked from behind a bus into the path of a car. He was brain dead and was on a life support machine. He was my sister Joy only child and what she was feeling when she had to make the decision to turn the machine off..I will never ever know. It was so tragic.

Nita and Jane...thanks for your understanding. I will be ok.

I think all chocolate should be brown...I cannot bring myself round to eat white chocolate! I hate the look of it. Daffodils should be yellow and chocolate should be brown and that is the way I feel about it!

Hello to everyone else and God bless to you all.

Ruth Ann ~ What a wonderful gift from God for the parents of that young man.  God gained a son in Heaven and the parents received a smile as he was home-going. 

Nita ~ And I heard when they make dark chocolate they squeeze all the calories out!   

Larry ~ What a hilarious story.  I can only imagine a mother with four young ones.  Probably a never ending comedy!

Colin ~ You sound more chipper today.  Keeping looking up! 

Carol ~ My driving is about 8 hours and definitely a stop every 2 hours or so.  My eyes are what gets tired...they get dried out from the heater or the A/C.

Jane ~ I would love to spend time in your corner with you.  Neither of us would get a word in crossways!

Marilyn ~ How about coming to Indiana and doing some house cleaning for me?  I could use a hand!

Janet ~ You seem to be busy all the time and I can only imagine how busy you are in December when nearly everyone is busy!  Keep it up...keeps you young!

Pat ~ It is cold here but suppose to warm up today.  I am ready for some warmth.  Here I am, hardly every chilled and I have been chilled sitting in my own house this week.  Brrrr!  (I sent you a PM...did you get it?)

Today is my 60 Chix luncheon.  We are going to Cabbage Rose...a tea room in Pendleton.  Hope it is decorated for Christmas...we wanted a Christmasy place for lunch today.  I think there will be around 9 of us.  Nice number for visiting. 

Adding all the comments here together will give us the answer to the problems of raising children.  You have to be "health-conscious" to do it.  You eat 8 ounces of dark chocolate first thing in the morning, and then a booster 2 ounces at noon.  I think my wife (motheer of 6) will agree.

By the way - Larry - that story should also be useful in boosting the spirits of child raisers.  I don't think it will actually boost their energy levels, though.

Larry:  We talked about these long trips before & did decide to stay at motels - it is always, we have to get over the pass before it snows or something like that so it was a mistake.  Live and learn learn learn.  Reading the funny letter from the mother of four - we had 4 children in six years.  I regret that at the early times the feelings were too often of being overwhelmed with work and the teenage years were not always the cup of joy but overall, it was a blessing not anticpated and still is now.  I always thought they were brilliant children because they could dream up ideas no one else on earth had ever thought - believe me.  One of the wildest ideas was - I came through the door after work - early - and there was a full sized snowmobile in the living room.  The excuse:  Mom - we won't get oil on the carpet, it is too cold to work on it outside.  How they got it into the house?  I don't even want to know.     They could make my heart stop at times. 

Ruth Ann:  What a beautiful ending to life - it must have lifted the spirits of everyone in the room.  A cyber hug to your compassionate son.

Colin:  Hello to you being quiet in the corner! Do you drink coffee or tea?  I have tea in the afternoon.

Al:  You have six children?  Bless your heart!  And, they were PK's - pastor's kids.  We go to the railing in our church for communion & once I caught the boys playing with their matchbox cars while we were supposed to be waiting for their blessing - the young pastor just smiled & blessed them & the congregation laughed - boy, did they get a talking to that day. 

The holidays always put me in a reminiscense mood. 

Carol

Good Morning I have a bit of time here before I go to Curves for my Saturday workout. I got in an extra day this week and Praise the Lord I am just  ½ lb from where I started so I lost the 5 lbs that I had gained in the first month. It sure pays to exercise and to eat right.

God is so Good all the time. I was sitting here fretting over my bills since I have not worked for Ruth for two months while she recovers. But another Praise the Lord here as He  worked it out for me and  I will have some left over. I just laid it all out before the Lord in my prayer time and He gave me the answers as I went online and checked my savings account. God is so good.

I Have to get back to tying my quilt today I had to take out several rows  because I had it going from both ends and got a big wrinkle in the middle. I won't do that again. I was trying to keep it off the floor as I tied it. Oops I think I may have just repeated myself.

Time for me to go now.