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Morning Devotional...

Psalm 23. "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want."

Having been a shepherd, David was very, very familiar with the work of shepherding.  For that reason he naturally likened his relationship with God to the sheep's relationship to their shepherd.  It was a close, caring relationship that he knew very well, and it truly satisfied his heart to think of Jehovah as his Shepherd.  He wanted all the people of his kingdom to share in that satisfaction, that happiness of relationship.

One day early in the early morning, therefore, he went to the tabernacle to meet those who were gathered there to worship Jehovah.  He went as their worship leader, their kantor, and when he led them in the first line of the morning psalm the words reflected his own relationship to his loving God.  He sang,"The Lord is my shepherd." Every worshipper repeated the words, thereby establishing in their hearts that God was their Shepherd also.

And what a loving, caring Shepherd their God was!  David got the people to sing about it some more when he had them repeat, "I shall not lack.  He makes me to lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside the still waters.  He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake."  So the people also all found themselves confessing that God does all these things for them as well!  It's beautiful praise to a loving, caring God!

Then, having experienced dark and desperate times as well as good times in his walk with God, and knowing that such times are the lot for every one of us, David led all the people to confess their Shepherd's loving care in those times as well. He sings, "Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me!"

David knows that his God is a loving Shepherd in ALL the situations of life, whether in the presence of deadly enemies or loving friends.  He knows that he'll ALWAYS be safe in his Shepherd's care.  No wonder  he sings about it!  And the people, with a new and blessed realization of the goodness of their God, gladly sing it after him.  They joyfully sing out the fact that their situation (their "cup") is overflowing with the Shepherd's goodness ALL the time!

Then comes the final chorus, the final confession of God's lovingkindness.  They sing, "surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!"
 
Can this be applied to you as well?  We should begin by praying to be aware of His loving, shepherding hand at all times, and in every situation of life.  Sometimes we're so blind!  But by His Spirit He'll help us if we ask.  Then let's go on to pray that we'll be as sheep are to their shepherd - following Him, trusting him and loving Him all the time!  And let's give Him thanks for both rod and staff in every situation - even when, like sheep, we don't really understand!
Al Moak

Great devotional Al!  We were talking about this passage of scripture yesterday.  Our pastor says that he thinks "goodness" and "mercy" are angels that go with David, but someone else said that there are 3 angels following David -  "Surely" (Shirley), "Goodness" and "Mercy" !!!!   Pray for us, Lord knows we need it!!!!!!!!


Merry Christmas to all who come through.  Gotta go finish my shopping.

Later
Samantha

Good Morning everyone. Here I am waiting for my breakfast to cool of to a desirable temperature so I can eat it. I am having a s scrambled eggbeater and chicken patty sandwich with cayenne pepper on it and a glass of soy milk.

I am going to work for a couple of  hours this morning to help Fran get ready for her family. Then I am going to Willa's to pick up my homemade Potato soup. She use to work for Samoa Cookhouse for  20+ years and makes the best potato soup she volunteered to make it for me. I may not tell the kids who made the soup.

Checkout this video it is so cute.

Animal Choir

Below is the still with all their names

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Hi everyone.  Just finished wrapping up the last two Christmas packages and a birthday package for the Dec. 28th birthday.  This is the first year for so many years we haven't had to mail packages to our granddaughter and family.  We are all looking forward to tomorrow and reliving the joy of Christmas through the eyes of three pre-schoolers.  I am sure this will be a long day for them.  We will load up the truck of the car later today so tomorrow all we will need to do is put the food in the truck and be on our way.  Fortunately down here we don't have to worry about bad weather or snowy roads.  It is very chilly here today but the sun is shining.  I think Pat has a pie to make and a green rice casserole and I don't know what else. 

We had some very sad news this morning concerning the son-in-law of two of our very good friends with whom we go to church.  He and his wife were at a Christmas party probably Saturday night and he told his wife they needed to leave as he wasn't feeling well.  Something happened on the way home and he died.  He was just in his forties and they have a young son. 

Marilyn, it sounds like you have a very good friend to make the soup for you.  Hope your family has a good get together and enjoy the soup.

Samantha, thanks for the chuckle this morning.

Al, excellent devotional.  I had never heard that scripture presented in that manner.

Janet, it is nice that Mieka still remembers us and I am glad you were able to chat with her.  This Internet is really something.

Carol, I had never heard of this Vicks treatment either until a few days ago.  I used it again last night and feel pretty good this morning and slept well.  If I can ward off a cold I am certainly willing to give Vicks the credit.  Congrats on your new vehicle.  I understand your comment about putting up your feet after making the rounds.  However, your new vehicle should eliminate some of the uncertainty of driving in the mountains.

Janet, sorry to hear that part of your family had to turn back in the storm but it sounds like they made a good decision.  I see the newscasts of the cars off the roads and many wrecks and know that for many people their holidays are being destroyed or certainly dampened.

Janet, you mention your family tradition as to when you open packages and it reminded me of our family tradition of passing out the packages and then we wait for our turn to open the gifts starting with the youngest.  I was thinking that we will be at our granddaughter's home and they have the right to have their own traditions and so grandpa will try to keep his mouth shut if they do it a different way.  We also had a tradition that we didn't do the gift exchange until the food was put away and the dishes all done so that the kitchen didn't have to be tackled later.  Those were long minutes sometimes. 

Etta Sue, it has turned colder here also but guess it should be at Christmas time. 

Since it will be tomorrow evening, if then, before I get back to post I want to go ahead and wish all of my CP friends a very Merry Christmas.

My, what a difference a day makes.  I was dreading walking my trash to the end of Kaye Don's drive but today it was really quite pleasant.  The wind has been fierce for over a day. 

Last evening I went with Ivalou to her church for their Christmas Cantata and a cookie/punch reception.  Ivalou's church is small...75 to 100 people.  Last evening the church was packed and there were 22 in the choir.  The title of the presentation was 'One King'.  The minister's wife, Ruth And, was the choir director.  What wonderful music portraying our One King from birth to his crucifixion and his raising to life again and our hope of joining Him in Heaven.  Simply wonderful. 

It sure was cold and windy when we left church but this morning it is so much nicer out! 

Since I only have to travel to my Christmas dinner by foot 70 steps to the east, I will be here tomorrow morning.  I pray that all the travelers that are coming to join their families in celebrating the birth of our Christ has a safe drive and all the others they come into contact with are safe as well.

Janet, if you talk to Mieka again, do tell her hello.  I changed my status from 'invisible' to 'back' so maybe she will see I am back, too!  She sure does get around....Germany, hunh?

Happy Christmas Eve, everybody!  I just played lazy this morning, made coffee and sat watching Christian programs in my pajamas!  Nice!  Now I'm dressed, have pie crusts in the oven and ready to get more things ready to go.  We will go pick up Beth after lunch and go to Diane's.  She is working at their store until 3:00, then we will finish dinner, eat, clean up and then to those packages!! 

Larry, I also like to get the kitchen work all done before the gift opening.  We also like to play games when we get together.  Beth especially---that is her favorite part of the holiday.  She loves board games, etc. even though now someone has to help her.

Etta Sue, I surely will say HI to Mieka when she pops up again!  She said she loves working in the children's home in Germany, and helped get it going.  They have 40 children there now, but have the capacity for over 100.  She said the home in Lhasa was heartbreaking because they will not let them do certain things to help the kids.  I don't understand all of it, but am glad she is able to help and is so happy doing it.

Marilyn, soy milk?    I'll pass!  I like "real" food!  The kind God made!    Hope you have a great Christmas.

Al, I enjoyed that take on the 23rd Psalm.  I love studying about David.  That is the subject of our adult Sunday school class right now.  We are in 1 Samuel.

I am looking forward to playing with that new ggbaby today!!  She is so responsive now at 3 months.  Babies are so sweet---I'm sure all of you grandparents agree with that statement, right?

Larry, I am so happy about your Christmas with your family, and pray all goes very smoothly, leaving only happy memories for each one of you!!

Time to get those pie crusts out of the oven!

We are packed & ready to leave and just waiting for the dishwasher to end so I can put everything away.  The UPS delivery truck is never here when we want it to be right here - I ordered the new Josh Groban CD and one other thing so got a free delivery and all of this has been sitting in Commerce City, CO for three days because we had notice this would be delivered today.  Well, I understand that some folks would be upset if something came a day early - not I.  So, we may have to ask a neighbor to pick up our package as the road is getting thicker with traffic.

Snow & cold here, not snowing now.  We have a safer vehicle but I don't want anyone coming near it.  "Step away from the car"....... I actually heard that when an alarm went off in a parking lot as someone must have touched an alarmed car.  Thought it was great. 

A wolf has been found just west of Denver going up the hill - probably hit by a car.  Our DIL spotted a wolf on their property several years ago near Grand Lake - and she does know what a wolf looks like so I trust her report.  That should end all these people saying that there are no wolves in this state. 

We are so excited and looking forward to tonight and tomorrow.  I told my daughter to have the kids run around a lot today - go sledding to run off their energy.  They are good in church but not good for the cousins to sit next to each other.  We always sat between the children in church and always entered the building with the warning "if I even look at you.........  they were good and rarely had to be taken outside. 

Listening to Classical Christmas music on Pandora. 

Larry:  You have exciting time this week too.  I am so glad that you feel well. 

Janet:  Soy milk is natural too - I buy soy all the time because milk isn't good for me to drink anymore.  They make a nice chocolate soy milk.  You & my Minnesota cousins - I can't even get them to try it.    Merry Christmas  to you & the family.  Say hello to Beth!!!!

Have a safe holiday everyone. 

Carol

Marilyn, that breakfast probably never did cool down.  It had cayenne pepper in it, and you can't cool that!  Sorry. I should have warned you it wouldn't.  Please don't spew out any hot words on us now!

OK Al  quit pickin' on me.

Did anyone watch the video  of the Animal Choir?  It is so cute.
Merry Christmas

 Marilyn, I tried to open it but it wouldn't.   I really wanted to see it.   I saw Tyson and Rocko in there.   I'll keep trying.

I drink soy milk too.  I really like it and it doesn't have the cholesterol that cow's milk does.  I like the chocolate too!  yummy.  And vanilla.  and regular.  I can't get my kids to try it, but I think it's great.

My granddaughter is living here now.  She is with her dad and his family tonight.  There was some friction there, so I'm glad that they're ok now.  It was funny.  She hadn't been speaking to her dad.  Something happened that really hurt her and she just wasn't talking to him.  Well, yesterday we were out shopping and decided to stop at this one store.  It just came up and we stopped.  As we walked in, there was her dad and his girlfriend walking right toward us.  We all stopped and I started talking.  And then everyone was.  I was so glad.  Angel was really up and happy after that where she'd been depressed and breaking into tears earlier.  I told them it was meant to be that we all went to the same store.  God knows just how to do what needs to be done.

Angel is 8 months pg now.  The baby's dad took off. They talk on the phone, but I don't think he'll come back when the baby is born.   She needs her family, and especially her dad now.

Kim, my daughter, is busy with little Megan, born Dec. 1.  We're going to have babies all over here pretty soon.  New life is precious.

Blessings y'all.  Nita

Marilyn - I had trouble with the video also.  It would play for less than a tenth of a second, then it quit.  Then I couldn't even get it to come back.  I figured it was because it was made for a windows machine, and I have a MAC, but I don't know.

Merry Christmas! 

Have a Blessed Christmas Everyone!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

A really lovely poem Jeannine.

Al and Nita that video is also on my blog you can see it there.Scroll down past the still graphic.

Gilbert and the children came over last night but Sarah stayed home cooking for today.  Her parents kitchen is all tore up as they are remodeling their Victorian and had a Granite counter top installed, plus the plaster is off the walls down to the lathe. We had a very nice time , they were here a little over an hour, I even got a rare compliment from forest on how good the soup was.

Marilyn ~ Your clickable the other day didn't work for me either but when I went to your blog, I saw that very cute video!  Great job! 

Janet ~ Thanks for letting us in on Mieka and her job with the little kids.  I can only imagine how wonderful she is with kids.  She is wonderful with adults here on CP so why wouldn't she be great with little ones?

Jeannine ~ Loved your Christmas Morning poem!  Simply great!

Well, it is all over but the shouting.  Ivalou and I went to the Christmas Eve service at her church.  The choir sang, the little kids sang and the minister gave a short talk.  Great seeing people I have known for years.  This person is wondering if I will change churchs soon.  Every time I go to Clarksville Christian Church, I wonder if this will be MY church soon.  I know someday it will when I tire of driving 25 miles to church and 25 miles back.  Just when is the question.

According to the TV, I see there are a lot of people west and north of me that are having a very white Christmas.  Not so in Indiana.  No snow on the ground and the sun is shining so bright!  It is cold but sunny! 

I pray that everyone who has loved ones that are traveling this time of year, travel safely.  May God protect everyone during there travels to loved ones (even if it is 70 steps to a neighbors!) 

May each of you know the joy of our Lord's advent today, and may our God give to each one a blessed new year!

I have my ham in the oven, I have been eating more potao soup, mmm it sure is good.

I have just been sitting around here at the computer reading various things and watching the tV. Lots of interesting things on today. Currently I am watching the CNN Hero's presentations. What a tear jerker of a program. I shouldn't have put on my make up I will have to touch it up. 

Well I am just rambling on here for lack of anything to talk about. Sorry about that.

Merry Christmas to all!  I hope that everyone has had a wonderful day.  We finished dinner a bit ago and the kids invited the next door folks.  Her husband had to work today and so she, two kids and her MIL came over to share the turkey.  It is nice to have people share dinner on Christmas Day.  They are still here, but I don't like to intrude on their company all evening....so took a powder!!  Will go back up and help clean up the rest of our dishes when they go home.  We did some things by hand as they don't all go in the dishwasher.

Light rain during the day....no snow.  I read in the paper that we have only had snow 5 times in 52 years here on the island.  Vividly recall a couple of those 5 times as I had to make the journey from other parts. 

There has been some lovely Christmas music on the TV, watched the Morman Tab. choir, a service from Marble Church in New York, wonderous music from Vienna, etc.  Did not go to church last night as no longer enjoy standing outside at the end of the service, having a candle lit time outdoors.  So curled up with my cat Misty and stayed warm!! 

That is a beautiful poem that you wrote, Jeannine.  I have thought about you and Michael many times and pray as well...

I also had to go to your blog for the animal choir, Marilyn.  It was fun, thanks.

Time to go.  Pleasant Day/Evening and God Bless.

Liz

I want to let you all know that I am not the one who made that video of the animal Choir. Adele from SN made it.

I had a very nice time  at Sarah's parents house, the gift opening was chaos  with all of us in the small family room. kids filling the middle of the floor with paper and gifts all around them and adults trying to keep them from getting their stuff mixed up with the other kids stuff. I got home about 5:pm with  the ham bones for the dogs and a piece of leftover ham for them to share. Sarah' gave me some  dog bone cookie cutters and a small  a baking pan that will fit perfect in my toaster oven. What a perfect novelty gift.

I have to work today but no Curves this morning as they are closed today. I was awakened very early by the sleet hitting my window. It has since stopped and I haven't looked out to see if the grass is frozen it is still dark out there and I can't see anyway without going out there.

Hi everyone.  We sure had a busy day yesterday.  We left our house at 8 am and drove to Augusta to my granddaughters.  The kids had had Santa Claus and things were in a turmoil but the children were very happy.  Around noon we had the gift exchange among the adults and the children got their presents from the grandparents and great grandparents and great aunt (our daughter).  We gave them a red wagon and the grandparents, among many other things, gave them battery powered cars that you drive.  These are outside toys and large.  The five year old took to his well, the soon to be 4 year old great granddaughter was petal to the metal regardless of what was in front of her and the little two year old wasn't too sure about his.  I don't think I have ever seen such an array of toys.  old, conservative great grandpa just kept his opinions to himself but I really sort of felt sorry for the children in that they were over whelmed.  Of course this was the first Christmas that the grandparents had ever been with their grandchildren or participated in Christmas with them.  We also had lots of good things to eat.  The kids were too excited to eat.  Our son had to go to work last evening so we all left about 2:15 and that got us home around 5 pm.  I was so tired, and fighting a cold, that I went to bed about 6:30 and slept throughout most of the evening as well as the night.

Today I will take our daughter back to her apartment and hook up her Internet, which will give her a phone ability.  I am hoping the MagicJack phone adapters come in the mail today but if not she can use Skype until I can get the adapter hooked up.

I have some website work to do on the church website today.  Beyond that I am going to take things relatively easy. 

Marilyn, it sounds like you had a lovely day yesterday and it is wonderful that Sarah's folks include you in the family gathering.  I see where the potato soup was a hit. 

Liz, I watched the Morman choir on Christmas Eve and saw the Norwegian singer Sissel sing.  She certainly has a beautiful voice.  Only recently had I heard any of her work.  It was nice that your neighbors were invited to share the meal with you all.

Etta Sue, glad you had such a nice day with Ivalou.  It sounds like you feel very much at home at her church.  I don't think I would like to have to drive 25 miles to church although I know it is hard to leave a church we really like and the people we come to know there.

I hope all of our CP friends had a lovely Christmas and will maybe have a few days to rest up before the new year begins.   

Good morning!  I came in and read yesterday, but didn't post.  I was tired, and other than making dinner for us and my sister, her son and two little girls, didn't do anything much.  Just rested...   Sometimes we need that.

We had a lovely evening with Diane and family, but like Larry, I felt they really overdid Christmas!  Goodness.  Abby got a whole new wardrobe of clothes, and such nice ones, too!  Of course, she's shooting up so fast that she outgrows everything in 6 months' time.  I got to hold and play with little Alexis, and Beth had a good time, too, I think.

Our "coolest" gift was a digital picture frame from the kids.  Mark had loaded it with photos, some that he had, some he took off my computer, so it has a great variety of photos of them, family events, and some of our Peru trip.  Neat! 

My bro-in-law's Mom died on Christmas eve, so they will be here briefly with both their kids and their families, on the way to Plains, Ks. for the service tomorrow.  Dorothy had been in really bad shape and with Alzheimers, for a long time.  She didn't even know any of her family any more.  So they are rejoicing that she is now in the presence of the Lord, with a new body and a new life.  That doesn't mean they aren't crying for the loss, and reliving lots of memories.

Liz, glad you had a nice Christmas.  I think you work too hard, but that is true of a lot of us, I guess.

Soy milk------one thing about CP that I love is how everyone chimes in when a comment is made like I made the other day.  I really mean that!  Now I am determined to give soy milk a try!    I guess sometimes we have an opinion just from the thought or sound of something, before we give it a chance.  I shouldn't do that----I always had my kids at least take one bite of something before saying they didn't like it!  Could be, the result will be "I do!  I like green eggs and ham!  I do, I like them, Sam-I-Am!!" 

Curtis, Toni and Alexis are on their way up to see us, so Grams better get off the computer before they arrive, and comb my hair! 

Janet if you decided  to try Soy milk I would suggest you NOT get the plain, try the chocolate first then the one called Very Vanilla by Silk.  After that you can try the vanilla and maybe  the plain. I prefer either of the two Vanilla's. The chocolate is nice for a treat.

It  surre is hard to  type  accurately with this clumsy brace on my hand.

Well, it's all over but the shouting.  Ivalou didn't have as many yesterday for dinner as she had for Thanksgiving but there was plenty of people and too much food.  I came home around 7 last evening and was still too stuffed to eat again.  I watched the Parade at Disney that I recorded yesterday morning and then another show and went to bed to read. 

I tossed and turned all night...must have still been stuffed.  Will I ever learn? 

This morning I have all my Christmas put away...even the bows on my deck are in the garage.  Ivalou's daughter, Teresa, spent the night.  Her other daughter, Jo's youngest wanted to stay but Jo didn't want to come back today.  Lydia got really upset so Teresa whispered to Jo that she would bring Lydia home today if she stayed.  Those tears dried up pretty quick!  So I have been to Ivalou's and visited with them again and to tell Teresa and Lydia good bye. 

It is still bright and sunny in Indiana.  Really pleasant outside.  45°.  Teresa brought her dog...I can't remember the breed...bugged eyes...smashed in nose!  Mr. Jeeves loves it here outside because he has all this room to run!  He goes out and runs around Ivalou's house, then mine and back to Ivalou's and then Kaye Don's.  City dogs don't have that much room to run....

Marilyn, have you ever tried Soy Slender?  For anyone watching carb intake, it only has 4g and 3g fiber, so net carbs is only 1 for 8 oz.  I really like it.  The only place I can find it here is in the Fred Meyer health store section.  It seems to be lighter than regular soy milk too.

Janet, I'm the same about trying new things.  Very seldom will I unless I'm convinced it's good for me.  I have to have a reason. lol  It's good to be willing to try new things at any age, I guess.   It's easy for me to get stuck in my own snuggly rut. 

I'm doing some spring cleaning today. lol  I'm making boxes and sacks of things to give to Hospice.  It's sure easy to have too many things!  I'm leaving my Christmas tree up until after New Years, but am already packing room decor items.

The end of 2007 is soon approaching.  On with 2008!  The Lord has already been here, and has designed our steps for the next year.  My heart's desire is that I not walk foolishly or get out of step in the Holy Spirit's leading.  I don't want to miss one thing of what He has planned for this next year.

ok...back to my cleaning.   Then I need to give Tyson a bath.

Remember the fold up wooden dryer racks?  Well, my power bill just keeps climbing and I wanted to get one for drying some things instead of using the electric dryer.  I priced one at $24.99.  I was expecting maybe $14.99.  I'll check at Walmart and see what they are charging.

Just so  many very important things to share. HAHA   Blessings, Nita

Please pray for my sister, Faye.  I just got a call from my sister, who is headed there now.. Faye had some kind of reaction to the chemo and is in intensive care.  There have been so many bad things happening in her cancer.  In the hospital her epidural came out and it took two days of pain for them to realize it!!  She had a terrible reaction to the pain medication they gave her after that and hallucinated, thinking the hospital was evacuated and they forgot her. And now this.   

I'm back to let you know that Faye is out of the woods now.  She had gone into anaphylactic shock and her blood pressure had "bottomed out".  Evidently it wasn't the chemo itself, but something they added?  Anyway, they resume treatment, cautiously, tomorrow.  Thank you for praying.  Nita

Nita, so sorry to hear about your sisters health problems.  Will be praying for her over here in my corner. 

Hope every one had a Merry Christmas and is doing great.

Later,
Samantha

Goodevening

I fogot that it has been several days since I was last here.   We spent Christmas with out daughter and friend along with our Aunt a quiet but lovely time, then for New Years our whole family will be here sort of like Christmas and New Years combined but the dinner will be chinese and whatever special sweets we produce, the time together is what is most important.    

Perhaps I should put some vicks on my feet along with the socks as I have a touch of the cold.  We woke up to frost on the trees etc along with a heavy fog that left around noon but I understand that we are to get snow tomorrow.  The temp goes up and then drops to the bottom.  

Best be on my way      Ruth

We had a quiet Christmas morning, just the wife and I and Smokey.
From now on she's "Dog Mom" and I'm "the Dogfather", and have t-shirts to prove it.
After dinner over at my inlaws we came back to find smokey was not a good dog while we were gone. He got into one of the presents and ate the contents.
It was a gag gift for one of our nephews. a 4 oz. package of "Reindeer poop" (candy)
We called the emergency vet number, and fortunately 4oz. of chockolate covered peanuts is not toxic for a dog smokey's size. WHEW! We figure he was angry at us being gon so long past his dinner time. The irony of the dog mom and dogfather t-shirts just hit me. Smokey is so like a little child, but we still love him just like real parents.