Christian Photographers Community

Nita praying as well.  See if you can lay down and get some rest today, you will need it.  As to the painting, yes God uses that to show us how creative we really can be.

I have one of the grands here today.  Kim is such a sweetie.  JC didn't come his behaviour was off and we didn't bring him.

Tonight is our Christmas dinner at church.  I always look forward to this time of fellowship.  People come from all around, and eat, fellowship and sing together with everyone  dressed up in their party best.

Well I must go, I have a huge pile of sewing projects in my head to ge tdone, so bye for now and God Bless.  Nita I will be praying as I sew.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

December oneth!  How can that be?

Nita ~ Praying for your loved ones.

Ivalou came over this morning and she is really jazzed.  Her grandson, Erik,  a Senior this year, has been accepted at Indiana University in the medical department.  Right now he would like to be a Physical Therapist!  Now that doesn't mean he will be going to IU...just that he can if he wants and the $$$ are there. 

Cold today.  So cold, I slept in.  That isn't hard for me to day lately!  I love to sleep!!!  It is only 29° right now!!  Brrrr!

Nita - I think your painting is great.  It is so suggestive.  That Cross appears in just the right way.

MEGAN REN'E KIRK....born at 9:45 am, Saturday, December 1.  Weight: 7 lbs. .25 oz., 19 1/2 inches.  And, of course, so beautiful that she takes my breath away.

Still no word from my niece about what the doctor said about Faye.

Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement.

Now I'm having a cup of tea and seeing if I get sleepy.  A nice nap sounds good.  Nita

Oh, and thank you, too, for the words about my painting.   You're so kind.  I will get better, you know.   blessings, Nita

Ooohh Nita ... CONGRATULATIONS!!
and
I know you are sooooo happy that part is over and can't wait to get that little one home where you can hug her and hold her and hug her and love on her to your heart's content.

Get some rest now ... as someone said "You'll need it!"

Ohhh, Congratulations, Nita!

What a lovely name too.

I love your painting as well.  Do you mean that this is ahead of me in these classes?  I can't paint!


Well, it's our Christmas Dinner tonight at church tonight too and I'm one of the "carvers" so I'm off to go and get ready for the evening.

We have a winter wonderland here on the island today!  It is supposed to continue for the weekend.....So slippery, lots of ice under the falling snow!  I hope that my granddaughter will be able to get home from work at 5.  Folks here are not the best drivers, even when conditions are good. 

Congrats Nita.  I am so sorry about your sister.  Have prayed for her. 
I like your painting.  Have never tried to paint on the computer.  Can I use PSP 8 for that....Must get back to drawing and watercolors again.  Seems that I am always busy,  with the house being turned upside down. Wendy is getting things changed for the new floors, painting, etc. in Jan.  Squeek (cat) comes down and sleeps on my chair during the day, trying to feel secure.  She is old now and gets upset easily.  Like me 

The music is nice, Pat.  So is that radio station.

Glad you are back, Janet.  Now if only Marilyn could get back on the internet!

We are doing something different this year.  Not giving any gifts, except to my granddaughter.  We are giving to the folks in need and also getting things together for the SPCA and staff.  Treats, food, etc. for the animals and something in the way of nice choc. for the staff.  Hope we don't get snowed in for the season.  So many of the homeless suffer.  We have more and more need all the time now.

Time to go.  I am going to deck the little tree, etc.  Seem like a good day for it, what with the snow and all.  Could someone give that link for the computer painting again....thnk it would be fun to see what it is all about.   

Pleasant Day/Evening and God Bless.

Liz

Hi everyone.  The day has slipped away and I don't seem to have accomplished very much.  Of course I started the day having coffee with my men friends at the local cafe.  We found the cafe had new owners today.  We knew there was a good possibility that would be happening.  Sure hope they are successful as the last owner wasn't doing very well although he had a very clean and nice looking place.  However, people didn't seem to care for his food and he had dropped back to just serving breakfast.  This is an older lady and her husband.  I think the place needed a women's touch rather than kids just out of highschool.

We then went to a meeting and out to lunch with several friends.  I took a short nap when I got home and have been watching several football games.  The school where I got my degree advanced today to the Division II semifinals next week and I was able to follow the game on streaming audio through the college radio station.  Technology is great.  My best friend is a Virginia Tech grad and his team won the conference championship for the Atlanta Coast Conference and will play in a major bowl game.

I spent sometime this afternoon doing comparison shopping on some things we want to get as gifts for Christmas.  It takes quite a bit of time but it certainly much easier than shopping in the stores.

Janet, I do have a suggestion for you in sharing your photos that are too much to share here.  I use a site called Snapfish, which is free except to buy at least one print each 12 months.  I have loaded almost all the photos we have that I have scanned or taken with a digital camera to this site.  You can create albums, put captions on them, and share them with friends.  They have tools that upload the photos automatically so it is very easy.  It is also a good safe backup place for digital photos, although I also try to keep them backed up on CDs or DVDs.  You determine who you allow to see your pictures and they receive an e-mail that invites them to look at the pictures.  There are other sites that work in similar fashion.  I have ordered prints from them and been very happy with the product.  In fact, I just ordered some, including an 8 x 10 last evening.

Nita, congrats on your new grandchild and so glad to read that all seems well.  Sorry to hear that your sister has new concerns with the cancer.  Your painting was very nice. 

Liz, we have had several Christmas times when we have really cut back.  However, this is a special year with our family all being together and we have the three little great grandchildren.  The major emphasis is on them rather than the adults.  We will all be together on Christmas day and this will be a first for our family in about 25 years. 

Etta Sue, that is good news about Ivalou and she will likely find she feels much better after using the CPAP.  I know Marilyn uses one and my wife used one for 7 years.

Janet, my wife can relate to your eye problems as her cataracts seem to be getting worse very quickly. 

Carol, when I see my neighbor I have questions for him about reviving snakes and who would do that. 

I posted a picture of the new Ms. Kirk in my gallery.

I did take a nap and now I feel even sleepier.  Going to bed early tonight I bet.
I'm going to love helping Kim out with the baby, but Paul, her hubby, has next week off too.  Perfect timing to be off work if it has to be.  The mill where he works was just one business that was hurt by the recent railroad closure here.

We are expecting a big storm.  Are your hatches battened down, Jane?  I just brought my little camp heater(propane) in just in case I lose power.  No electricity means no heat.  The storm isn't due until tomorrow, but just in case....

Janet, welcome home. I keep some of my pictures on Flickr.  I'm sure that works much like Snapfish, except they don't process photos, just store them.
I have family members who use Snapfish.  That way we, family, can go and look at the photos, and buy whatever prints we want.  I usually just look...and then download what I want.

Blessings,  Nita

  I hope Earthlink can give Marilyn some clues about why she isn't able to get online.

Everything is running slowly here on the computer - I am using the laptop while Don is downloading a program that was already downloaded but isn't there - into thin air.  Oh, it is so aggravating at times     Listening to tv replay of the debates this week.  Am sick to death of politics right now.  But - the former debates were worse.    Sipping tea.  

Pat  Don bought the PSP Photo X2 and it is installed.  I wrote a note back to the person who has the lessons and asking if this software fits her lessons.  Will see what she replies as I sure would like to get something started.

Nita:  Oh, how lovely for you!!!! Enjoy the newest baby .  Your picture is very moving - the rough sea looks like the average life of most of us.....but the cross is always there to pull us through.  

Janet:  I am so glad that I had the cataract surgery last year.  Having a laser touch-up in a week and that is all but it is great to see the mountains clearly.  I still use reading glasses though and so does my neighbor.  500 pictures - WOW, waiting to see them.  How are you two recuperating from your long trip?  

That is all tonight.  Carol

Nita, I just looked at the new Ms. Kirk's photo ....    She is really beautiful, and looks wide awake and ready to face the world.  I know you will be itching to get your hands on her -- and your arms around her -- Can't wait, I know!!   

Yup, the storm is upon us ... and my hatches are battened down.   

I love storms.   

Well, we had a wonderful Christmas Dinner at church this evening and then a little service afterwards with some carol singing as well.  There were about 100 out to the dinner and lots of strangers so that was really good.

Then when I got home, Andrew and Terena were just leaving so they saw me and turned around and came back and we've had tea together and now they've gone home.

I took about 80 photos tonight of all the folks at the dinner so the pastor will be able to print whatever he wants and put them on the belletin board for all to see.

I was the "chief ham slicer"!  HAHAHA

.

NITA how wonderful to have a new baby in the family.  Love on her and we will all be praying.  As our old pastor used to say, more will be cought than taught.

We too had our Christmas dinner at church.  What a wonderful time of felloship ew all had.  The lower auditorium was packed, no idea hopw many were there.  The food was delicious and the deserts.....well they stay with me, so I tried to behave.

We had Kim with us at the dinner tonight.  She is socute, very definite what she wanted to eat, and then anxiously waited for desert, when she was done eating she said to me, "Now I want to go home!" When we got home she willingly went up to bed and was assleep in minutes.

Jophn leaves early tomorrow for Wisconsin.  He will be going through the Saule, and heading right into the storm that is coming our way from Wisconsin.  Keep him in prayer as he drives this week.

Well I am off, have a good Lord's Day folkd and God bless.

JudyB

Congratulations, Grannie Nita!

I looked at the weather site this morning, and they're predicting winds of up to 40 mph.  I am personally hopeful that they won't be higher than that.  I still have very vivid memories of the Columbus Day Storm of Oct. 12, 1962 with its 100+ mph winds.

Congratulations, Nita, on the new granddaughter!  I haven't seen her yet but I will! 

It was a surprise when I entered the sanctuary this morning.  Our Christmas Music cantata was Friday, Saturday and tonight.  A dessert theater.  We have individual chairs instead of pews but the sanctuary was full of round tables with red or green table clothes and crystal candle holder centerpieces and eight chairs around each table.  We had wonderful music from the choir....probably 45-50 people.  I say 45 -50 because I know one lady said she would join the choir if our new choir director got 45 members and she was in the choir!!  But sitting at tables like that made it seems more cozy...more relaxing. 

Our month of December sermons will be on The Christmas Story--The Birth of Baby Jesus.  Like both ministers said, How do you make the Christmas Story new and improved?  But both of them did.  The sermon title today was 'Before Once Upon a Time'  Starting with page one of the Bible.  That was the beginning of Christ, right?  When God created earth?

It is really dreary here in Indiana.  Not too cold but dreary rain and dark and cloudy.  Nice napping day!

Hello again;
I have finally got caught up on the reading along with an extended phone call.  We are in the throws of a storm  Mel blew the snow in the drive way this morning and now he is saying that it is clare ice just not a nice day to go out.   

I have a roast of in the oven cooking waiting for me to go and add the potatoes carrots onions.  As for the dessert I have not decided on that.   

Like the rest here we to are getting ready for Christmas.

Ruth

Nita, I'm so happy for you--to have a new grandbaby.  Nothing is sweeter!

Thanks for the tips on storing photos.  I used to use snapfish, haven't been to the site in a long time so they may have deleted my photos.  I had a lot of them on there from Yap and  Palau .  I really hadn't even thought of them lately.  I must see what I can do.

I think the trip has caught up with me, I can barely hold my head up today.  Well, I guess I should have expected that, after spending 40 hours in transit!    I have a touch of sore throat and an aggravating cough; not going to church tonight.

Son in law Jeff (Abby's Dad) was in a play last night.  It was sort of a slapstick comedy, light-hearted and fun, and not too long.  We enjoyed it.  He really loves acting.

I simply MUST find time to practice piano before Tuesday, or my teacher will think I've forgotten everything she taught me!

Hi everyone.  We attended church this morning and then Pat and I just went to McDonald's for a quick lunch. 

It was a nice warm day here but they predict some rain during the night and then sunny but windy and much colder as tomorrow as we get the cold from up north. 

I spent several hours this afternoon working on the church website.  I am trying to get the homepage straightened out and in a shape I can work on it until it is redone by a professional early next year (hopefully).  I made a lot of progress but will need to work some more on it as it looks fine in Firefox but not Internet Explorer.

Tomorrow I have a busy day as have an appointment to get my pacemaker/defibulator checked.  This will be my first time with this practice, which is where my cardiologist is chief of that service.  Then I have a dental appointment in the afternoon to have a filling replaced that came out last week.

Sorry to hear you are having storms out west and hope they aren't too bad.

I am listening to wonderful celtic music on Pandora..... just finished two lessons of Paint Shop Pro and hope that they are alright.  Talking with children and trying to arrange to meet at a family pizza place next weekend for Don's birthday.  Had an email from a cousin and her runaway adopted granddaughter is still missing after about two weeks - very stressful.  Talked with another cousin tonight as well.  I treated Don to dinner and a play Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat what wonderful, professional voices we heard for this size little city.  It was such a good play. 

Etta Sue:  I think it was your state where a van carrying hockey players overturned and one youngster died.  It is so sad, and the children have to get to meets and so forth so it becomes quite dangerous for them to be out.  Glad that you liked your service. 

Ruth:  We really try to work around the weather & poor roads but sometimes have appointments that have to be met.  I know what you are going through - doesn't it seem to last for months on end?  Take care.

Larry:  You certainly are warmer than our temps.  Are you going to have Christmas or something around the day with the grandchildren once again?  It sounds like full days of hugging to me - what could be better?  I am taking an online class on a Paint Shop Pro and this time, I hope to actually finish and stay home to work on this -

Pat:  I sent in two lessons and stopped for tonight.  You must be way beyond me.  I still need to take the two-hour tutorial that came with the X2. 

Have to get up and get to the gym for water exercises that start at 7:30.  Then, must do some sewing on gifts and wrap the last few things & then I can start to open some decorations.  It just seems like we turn around and it is another nighttime. 

Carol

This is a c-c-c-cold day here today.  The storm has hit and another is on the forcast for tonight.  School buses have been cancelled,  cadets have been cancelled, as has piano.  That leaves small group and I won't be going, if everything else is cancelled I am not taking my chances for that.

I haven't heard anything from John, He is traveling the penninsula between Lake Superior and Lake Michigan.  The roads are only 2 lanes through that area, and the lake effect is treacherous.  Please pray God's safety over him.

We still have our grand daughter here, and looks like she will be for another day.  She has been such a joy to have around.

Well I have a lot to get accomplished.  This is a good day for sewing, and I have several projects on the go.

Bye for now, I will be back
JudyB

QuoteStarting with page one of the Bible.  That was the beginning of Christ, right?  When God created earth?

Etta Sue - No, Christ did not begin with the creating of the Earth, since He is eternal, just as the Father is eternal.  In John 1:1, 2 it tells us, "In the beginning was the Word (Christ)."  The verb "was" would be much more accurately translated "was being", or "was already being."  Our Lord Jesus Christ was always with the Father, and it was by and through Him that all things were created, but He Himself is not created, for He is God, along with the Father and Holy Spirit (not three Gods, but one God in three persons).  Don't try to understand the Trinity, because He is far beyond our understanding.  Just believe in it.  

Carol ~ If it was Indiana where the hockey players were in an accident, I didn't hear about it.  But then I am not a news buff either. 

Al ~ I guess I am not very good at words.  Yes, I know God, Christ and the Holy Spirit are one so Christ wasn't created.  But Christ is on page one of the Bible.  So that is where the ministers got 'BEFORE Once Upon a Time'.  Long before Christ was born as a human.  Thanks for correcting me. 

Brrrr!  The wind is terrible here.  Like Kitty says, How can the sounds of the waves in an ocean sound so peaceful but the winter winds sound so menacing?  Brrrr!  I muted my television several times last night...it almost sounded like a huge truck in my drive idling but when I muted the tv all I heard was the wind.  And this house is so sound, you seldom hear anything outside.  I even 'drove' my trash to Kaye Don's this morning.  And there is a skim of white stuff on the edges of the road and all.

I am going with Ivalou this afternoon for her to get her car maintenanced.  Then we may stop and see Judy B, my classmate, at the hospital. 

Kitty is waiting for her new camera.  It was in Indy last night.  Suppose to be delivered by noon today! 

Good morning!  I haven't even stuck my head out to check the weather yet!  But have been really busy, anyway.  I am going to eat lunch at school with my youth friend, Diana.  I'm taking her a doll from Peru, and we are painting little wooden snowmen; should be a fun time.  I wish we had a full hour to work, but make do with the time we have.

I also finished the gold leafing project I will be teaching on Saturday at my painting group.  It turned out not too bad.  I wish now I had left some of the painting out or used different colors, but everyone will use whatever colors she chooses, so it's okay.

I still feel draggy, but I just cannot seem to get a good night's rest, wake up around midnignt and stay awake for hours.  Phooey. 

Carol, I wish I could find time to work on computer lessons.  I seem to be chasing my tail!  And I have not one---correction--ONLY one decoration out for Christmas.  Whew!  Will I ever catch up?

I must run, talk to you later!

I forgot the new Thoughts for the Week.  I am ready to run out the door but will do it when I get back home. 


So sorry!!!

We have been having terrible weather here on the island.  Two days of heavy snow, now heavy rain.  Power was off for several hours yest. and keeps going off and on now.  Twice since I sat down to read the news on the computer.  We are lucky with having gas heat, and my daughter has a gas cookstove, so I went upstairs and had my tea last night.  Mine is electric   May end up doing that again, from the way things are going.

While waiting for the power to come on again, I did something that I have not done in awhile....wrote a poem.  Not much of a poem, used to write much better things....Anyway, the news sort of made me sad, so will do the same to you....

CHRISTMAS

Can you feel it?
A strangeness in the air.
People longing for relief,
Escape from world despair.

How sad a gift so real,
Is almost lost from sight.
The reason Christ was born-
To give Eternal Light!

     L.W.

Oh well, I did warn you it was mediocre.  Could expand the thought, but the power will probably go any minute, and more verse would only end up saying the same thing.



God Bless,

Liz

Liz, I think it's beautiful.  You should write more.

We are having stormy weather today.  I have my police scanner on, and there are trees and power lines down everywhere.  I can hear the stress in the policeman's voice when the dispatcher sends another line down alert.  They are running all over.  So far my DSL hasn't been down.

I'm staying home and keeping warm.  Just got a call from my daughter.  Mom, dad, and Miss Megan Kirk went home today.  Now the new adjustment begins with a brand new baby.  The last baby Kim had was almost 18 years ago.   I think they'll do fine.

Blessings, Nita

I am so sorry I am late in posting the new devotion .....but better late than not at all! 

To find a new Thoughts for the Week click on December 2