Christian Photographers Community

Come and join us this week and share with us your plans and thoughts for the week!  We sing, share and encourage other members here.

Hope to see you posting this week!

Thanks, Al.  And that is one of my favorite old hymns--so majestic!  Shiela Walsh sang it for us yesterday!

Ruth, thanks for asking.  And yes, Darrel got the garage door fixed.  Thank God for a husband who knows how to do stuff! 

I was right!  97% of the vote on Pastor Kris was YES!  It will take about six weeks for them to finish up things where they are (Fenton, Mo.) and get moved to Ulysses.  His wife is a nurse, and loves the elderly.  She has already applied for a job at the care home, where I know she will be a blessing.  God is so good!

This begins the final week of my fast.  And I have been so blessed, had so many breakthroughs, insights, and words from God--what a blessing!  And I haven't felt deprived at all, in spite of going to church dinners and other meals where all kinds of good but not allowed foods were available for the taking.  A friend said she wouldn't be able to do it, and my answer was that she could, if God told her to do it, because he adds His Supernatural to our natural.  This isn't my first fast, but is the longest and I have stuck to it faithfully.  It won't be my last! 

My thumb is almost healed!  Praise God.

Thank you Al.

Hi everyone.  We are a few degrees warmer than at this time the last few days.  IT is now 33 degrees and headed to 54 degrees today.  I see on the news how bitterly cold it is in the NE and I am sure Canada and am thankful to be living as far South as I do.

My schedule is light today with just my regular Monday men's luncheon on tap.  I watched/listened to the football games yesterday while I was finishing reading the George Bush book "Decision Points".  I found the book well written and very interesting to get the perspective of the world's most difficult job from someone who has held the job.  Now it is back to my ebook reader.

We spoke with our son and daughter-in-law last night.  Our daughter-in-law had gastic by-pass surgery 3 weeks ago and is progressing but has found it to be more severe than she had realized.  Our son is doing well with his college courses and has a 4.0 grade point average into his third class.  He takes one class at a time for a five week period and then begins another course.  It is an interesting way to study and makes a lot of sense as you can concentrate on one subject rather than three or four under the traditional college model. 

After church yesterday we went to lunch with the church group to a buffet.  It was after two pm when we got home and was glad to be able to rest for a couple of hours. 

Judy, I don't know whether you can get this to work without high speed but the Moody Bible Broadcasting station is available through the Internet at http://www.mbn.org/GenMoody/listenlive.asp?station=WGNR&rate=32. 

Al, thanks for the devotional on the trials and victories experienced by David.

Ruth, some of the TV dinners are very good.  I have eaten a few of them when Pat wasn't up to cooking.

Janet, it sounds like the Lord has sent you the pastor he wants for your church.  Sorry to hear that your mother continues not doing well.  Your event sounds like it was most enjoyable.  We were invited by our friends to attend the Valentine's Dinner at the big Baptist Church nearby for a delicious meal and a program put on by Janet Paschal.  We are looking forward to it.  Several years ago we attend a similar event with them and really enjoyed it.  They have huge crowds but you buy advance tickets that have a table assignment.  Glad your fast continues to go well.

Etta Sue, I would think scooping snow would not be a wise thing for Ivalou to be doing.  Hope your Bible study was enjoyable and productive.

Time to leave for coffee.

Down to -29F overnight.  Single digits only today and minus single digits tonight, then into the 20's tomorrow.  That will feel like a heat wave!!!   

Busy day today doing laundry, sweeping, making greeting cards and scanning a document of typed April 1999 of my testimony.  I had forgotten I did that and found it in a Bible. 

Our Small Group meeting was really nice last night.  There are 13 of us and we are going to study Max Lucado's book 'Out Live Your Life:  You Were Made to Make a Difference.'  I found it on Kindle and downloaded it to my Droid. 

Now I am going to go to Subway for a sandwich and then to Kitty's to see if I can work her computers....after I prepare my devotion for next week since Al did his this week! 

In Exodus it says that God hardened Pharaoh's heart.  Why would he have done that?  Any ideas?

In order to prove Himself strong on behalf of His people!

That is what I understand too.

It is minus 15C and snowing.  Perhaps a less cold night!  It was below -30C when John got up.

I spent three hours at the care home today.  Mom continues to lose ground.  I talked to the nurse on her hall and was advised to call my sisters and tell them to come, if they want to see her while she still knows who we are.  Sigh........

Janet: I will be praying for you and your family. (hug)

Praying Janet.

   Well here I am finally again and don't ask me where all the time has gone since I last posted and so many thing's have happened.    First of all I hope that you will all see that I have changed my email address and it is this       ngbrown@bell.net      We were having problems with the previous provider.

It is so good to read about some of the previous post's and I will try to stay up to date.

Judy B.  I am glad to see that you are doing well and getting stronger Will continue to pray for you. 

Larry.  Good to see that you and Pat are looking after yourselves and I do hope that your kids will be O.K.

Al.  Thanks for your devotional and how is your health are you still sleeping in a lazy boy or are you finally in your proper bed.


We have had a lot of different things happensince the last post but my health is good and had good reports from the doctor but my wife still needs a lot of prayer as she still has some very bad days but the Lord is so good to us and he does give us strength to help others with problem's.  So we must praise his name for this God is so good.

Etta Sue:  I must tell you that I always love the charactures that you have on your post's they are so cute and other's are very encourageing thankyou for them. 


Paul and Pat:  Thanks for the help to get back on and your patients big sis.

May the Lord Bless you all this week and encourage you all to be a witness to someone that they will see Christ in you.  Good Night   Gord and Noreen

It is always lovely to read the love and fellowship you all share with each other here.    Here in Sydney, we are in the opposite extreme of weather that you all talk about. VERY HOT indeed!

It's a while since I posted here so a quick update on my family is: We have one week of our Christmas Holidays left before my 6 sons begin the new school year. The 4 eldest boys are in High School and the two youngest in Year 3 and Kindy this year. My husband George, will be in India again this year for about 6 - 8 weeks, so once again I will draw on God's grace to run the household and family while he is away on his missions trip.

Last year I stepped out into my new business of website and graphic design, which I love doing. And at the moment I am writing and producing my church's Easter Musical which I've called, "Redeemer's Triumph'. It is a full stage musical production involving the whole church. I am planning a trip to Arizona (USA) in August to attend the Christian Film Festival as we are launching into Christian video production this year. I can't wait to take photos in the USA!!!!!!   

My passion for photography hasn't wained although I didn't do much with my camera in 2010. I so enjoyed getting out and taking photos for the 'Wheels' challenge. It was a lot of fun and very interesting.

Well, that's a brief update!

Many blessings to you all. 

You are a busy gal, Karen!  Love your drive! 

Janet, prayers are flowing for you and your family.  Sounds like your Mom is ready. 

Busy morning so far.  First of all, I heard a beep-beep that woke me.  It was the bottle gas truck delivering gas this morning.  It wasn't too bad for 50 days.  A lot more than I wanted but less than I expected!! 

Then I got a call from the heat pump fixer guys.  They are to come back tomorrow morning...the fifth time.  If the heat pump had been working during this time, I would have been a lot warmer and for less $$$ for sure! 

It's only money! 

I went to Kitty's yesterday.  I worked on her desktop in the basement...removing some programs and changing defaults.  She has so many photo programs on her computer that when she wanted to see a bigger version of a photo in 'Pictures', it opened in a program that she doesn't like to use.  So I fixed that for her.  Also she could receive emails on that computer but not send out.  Fixed that!

Kitty and I are hoping to go swimming tomorrow since we didn't go last week.  But getting the heat pump fixed is more important so if they are still here then we won't swim. 

Reading the Max Lucado book on Droid is great!  Love those little pages and not having to concentrate on where I am reading so much! 

Al:  Thanks for the timely devotion,

Janet:  About the garage door when we moved here we found out real quick that a new door was needed an older model
          reached the end of its time and yes the cable snapped a good thing the car was outside when it happened and
          there it stayed until the replacement took place - perhaps a week later.

          Thinking of you at this time.

Karen:  Are you in a safe part of Australia were there is no flooding, the whole thing is so sad.

Gord:    Good to you are back.

Larry:   The TV dinners are enough for me but not enough by a long shot for Mel. With only 2 in the house I find it so
           stressful (not sure if that is the correct word) to prepare 2 meals.

I have an appointment with a skin spec. this afternoon and  to be honest I am concerned.

Ruth let me know how the appointment goes.

It is hard cooking for only 2.  We either eat too much or not enough.  Getting John's meals ready for the road is easier as it is a larger quanity. 

Gord and Noreen stay well, keep warm and no shoveling snow!!!

Iwas wondering about the rain too Karen.  Stay dry!

Judy have all the girl left home now? Gosh i know what you mean about cooking for just two We always have left overs.

Thank you all for your concern ... we are safe and well and dry as we live on the outskirts of Sydney and missed all the torrential rain that fell in the north (Queensland) and south (Victoria). All the people we know in Brisbane were safe too, however one very dear friend's business was totally destroyed and now they have moved out of the city to rebuild their business.

We have never seen anything like this flooding before in our nation's history, particularly in the north where the inland tsunami hit and wiped out whole communities. The sheer scope of the flooding is unimaginable! It would have to be at least 2 thirds of our east coast. It will take years to re-build some places. We are small in number, only 22 million in our vast land, and all of us are deeply affected by what's happened, so please continue to pray for Australia.

Love and blessings,

If you think cooking for 2 is tough, try cooking for just one!   Speaking of which, my tummy is telling me it's time.   

I is a lovely afternoon here.  I did housework and cooking this morning, then spent time with Mom and Beth this afternoon.  Mom is sleeping most of the time, really winding down.  She is ready andd wants to go home to heaven, so I'm pretty sure she will go soon.  When one loses the will to live, they usually do not live long.  My sisters keep calling to ask me if I think she will last a while yet, and I told them they really need to come swee her now while she will still know them.  Nobody can say how long she has.  Thank you for the prayers.

My back is hurting again so I called and thankfully was able to get an appointment tomorrow morning.  I am to work on Friday and I know I can't with it hurting like this.

I'm going to try to get into some position to get some relief.  Back tomorrow!

Hi everyone.  I am really late getting here today.  Right after coffee I went with two friends to a new computer store probably about 50 miles from here up at Jefferson, Georgia.  It is the Tiger Direct distribution center and they advertise the world's largest retail electronics and computer store.  I was able to make it up and down about half the aisles moving very slowly and then felt my energy level ebb all of a sudden so made my way to the front, paid for my small purchase and found a place to sit and rest until the other two were through shopping.  We stopped and had a nice lunch. 

After a rest when I got home I went over to see my next door neighbor in the rehab center only to learn he was back in the hospital.  I just spoke with him on the phone and he was admitted yesterday morning with high potassium.  He hopes to go back to the rehab center tomorrow. 

It has been a rainy, chilly day here all day and now they say that tomorrow we probably won't be getting any of the snow that had been predicted or if we do it would not affect the roads. 

Janet, I am sure you probably dread to hear your phone ring with your mother being at this point at the end of her life.  I so well remember going through this experience with my father and then getting the call that my mother's kidney's had shut down and she had only a short time left and we were 1000 miles away.  We left early the next morning and drove it in two days and got there before she died.  It is always a trying time even when we know intellectually that it may be time to see them so.  I don't think we ever emotionally can accept that until after the fact.  Hope your back will be better after your appointment tomorrow.

Karen, good to see you posting again.  It has been a long time.  It sounds like you have a very busy life with family and your internet business.  Glad you weren't impacted by the terrible floods.

Ruth, sure hope your doctor was able to ally your concerns.  I am one who always believes it is better to know the facts than to anticipate as often the anticipation is wrong. 

Gord, it has been awhile since you shared a moment with us here.  I made a change on your email address in my book.  Glad you are doing well and thanks for your expression of concern for my wife and I.

Well, I am running out of steam so will say goodnight.

Karen:  Thanks for giving us a brief update about the flooding. I have never been to Australia but would like to go for sure   but the time to get there and most of all the $$$$$$ is the staler.    I will keep praying for Australia.

Larry:  Yes it is much better to know but I find it difficult to be calm I tend to worry and not trust in the higher power.   
          I was given a good report and the Dr. did show me if there was reason for concern I would fell pain and the skin
          would have a different feel as well.

Janet:   I hope your family does come to spend some time with mom.  Not long ago I felt the urgency to make a phone call
            to a Dear Aunt her first words when I called  "I have been waiting for you to call"   We Mel & myself chatted for
            a short time perhaps 10 minutes then a very few days later she had gone home to be with her heavenly father.

Marilyn:   We had leftovers for dinner, I had a few and Mel had the rest.

Al:  Thanks for the devotion - I love that song in a baritone voice.  Now I remember that name as I surely do remember reading a lot about the missionaries - someone was from Seattle or nearby because it had a lot of publicity.  Also, read a book several years ago - thank you for that information. 

JudyB:  Making that sweater will be a goal for you - good luck.

Ruth:  I had the Thai dinner in the Smart one frozen section tonight.  Too many carrots.  My crock pot minestrone soup isn't "done" so we couldn't wait for hours.  Prayer for you appointment.

Larry:  That battery app is from the Mac store & was free.  Prayers for your strength as well as your neighbor.  What neat thing did you buy from Tiger? 

Karen:  Thanks for the update.  I hope that all the flooding is over - such a huge tragedy for your country.

Suppose I might listen to the political stuff tonight - I wish there were short term limits especially when the politicians are doing a really crummy job. 

Ruth we  had leftover Penne in Spaghetti sauce and salad  with Grape Juice to drink.

mom just asked me to post and let everyone know that her modem isn`t allowing her to get into CP so she will be back later today or tomorrow.  She is cold and sore at the moment but she has more movement than expected in her shoulder according to the physiotherapist.  So she`s doing well. 

Waiting and waiting.  Heat pump guys were to be here between 8am and 1pm.  They aren't late yet but still not here!  Grrrr!  And Kitty and I were to going swimming at 1:30pm.  Not today! 

I usually don't watch Oprah but I did last week when she had her crew and 302 audience members with her in Australia!  What beautiful landscape.  Especially like Uluru!  Awe-inspiring!  I, too, have always wanted to go to Australia and see the roos and koalas!  But it is the $$$ that has held me back! 

I tried to get on CP earlier but it said 'page not found' for Thoughts and the Challenge.  So I figured the website was down.  I tried again and here I am!

   Hi to all Sorry for being away for so long.  My wife and I were busy with the grandkids and of course Christmas and the New Year but that is not a good excuse not to take time to post.

I did do a post the other day but I had forgot to change my email address so I had to call Pat and she has done that for me I hope.  I have gone over a few of the post's and they are always so good to read.

My new email address if you don't have it is  ngbrown@bell.net and I hope that this posting goes through this time. We have had a lot of snow and it is very cold whichis unusual being this cold in the Niagara region. well I must go for now as I am expecting someone to come any time.

God Bless you all the rest of this week.  Gord and Noreen

Good Morning,  I am back from the gym and my back is hurting  a lot, I don't think it was anything is did at the gym because it was hurting before I got there. I've taken a pain pill and am waiting for it to take effect  so I can get on with making the bed and  vacuuming a little bit. My vacuum cleaner that I brought her with me  from Ca is a light weight Oreck and I love it. Keith's is a heavy Hoover that I can barely pull or push.

Nothing much is new here it looks as if it is going to be another nice day. yesterday it was in the middle 50's it is supposed to be the same today.

etta Sue sorry that I have not called you I have been doing some crocheting  and have figured out a few things on the new phone but I still need to get  in touch with you on the market thing.

   Hi again to all.   The young man that was fixing my snow blower has just left and hopefully this will be the last time I have to call him.

Karen:  Hi it must be so hard for all those people who are where all this flooding is and they are looseing all there homes and possesion's we will pray for you and all of them.

Ijust got of the phon with Judy B. and she is still having pain but she is on the way to recovery and see's the doctor tomorrow and I think that she get's the stiches out. So continue to pray for her.

Carol.  How are you and your husband doing. I do hope well.

I must go again as lunch is ready and then we are going to the Y.M.C.A and my wifw does aqua fit and I go do a work out.  will look in later.  Gord.

My appointment yesterday went well and no need to return for 6 months he did say a year then changed his mind. Either way it was good news.

Mel & I will be going to Napanee ice fishing for the next 3 days he will be with 2 other fellows and perhaps I will spent some time with a friend of mine down there at least that is what I am thinking but who knows what will happen when I get there.

Thanks for the meal ideas and your thought on some of Smart Ones dinner packages.  I was chatting with a Weight Watch member and her leader suggested taking an apple adding caramel candy on top put it in the micro wave to melt  the apple is now 0 points and the candy was very little.

Judy:  Your recovery sounds encouraging, take your time and do not rush things.

    or tea

Gord:  Good to see you.  We are fine - learning to deal with his hearing distortion (he interprets words differently than what is actually said so many times).  Changing things in life & we have very good friends and family so that is a boost.  Sorry to hear that your wife continues with so much pain - not fair.  Thanks for the update on Judy.    back to you!

Larry:  I am listening to George Bush's book "Decision Points" - interesting on how decisions were made.  Someone who sounds very much like a Texan is the orator. 

Etta Sue:  We have always wanted to go to Australia - well, Don did get to NZ and Australia on business and of course, I couldn't go - it is a huge trip.  Save your pennies.  You never know.  One of our church missionaries is in Kuala Lumpar and I could visit her.  Wonder what that ticket would cost?  Janet has probably been there already. 

Well, it is almost 60 degrees outdoors so I am ready for a walk after washing/drying, helping Don with a shelving unit in the closet and too many things too numerous to mention. 

Hi everyone.  Another busy day and it is once again early evening.  Just did the normal Wednesday activities including attending Bible study and going for coffee with the group and then having lunch with the group.

Yesterday we discovered we had not received our monthly natural gas bill, thanks to a comment from our neighbor.  I checked last night and it would be overdue tomorrow.  So this afternoon I made the trip to the gas company and paid the bill.  They told me that no one in my mail area had received the bills that had been mailed at the time we had the snow ice storm.  I e-mailed several of my friends, who might be affected, and advised them of this situation. 

Tonight is choir.  It has been very chilly and rainy here today.

It appears I was the last one to post last evening and the first this morning, so Good Morning everyone unless where you are it is already past morning. 

Pat just left for a dentist appointment to have a cleaning and check.  I need to get the same thing scheduled.  Dental work is becoming so expensive that one shutters to think about having to go.

I have a friend coming over this morning to spend an hour or so working with me on something.  It is a beautiful morning with the sun out but it is only 28 degrees.  However, the wind isn't blowing.

Nothing else on my schedule for today and glad as the last two days have left me pretty tired.  I didn't want to get up this morning. 

We're having a heat wave!!!  It may even get up close to freezing today!   

This week's promise: Overcoming discouragement brings great blessing
What, me worry?

"So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes.


Matthew 6:25 NLT
Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.


Psalm 55:22 NLT


The mistrust of anxiety

Words of encouragement from the Master are always welcome. The stresses of life come upon us and a brother or sister in Christ reminds us that He is in control. He is sovereign, He knows when the sparrow falls, He numbers the hairs on our heads, He clothes the lilies of the field. He says not to worry about our life, and we welcome the suggestion as an encouraging pat on the back.

But how often do we view this verse as a commandment from on high? It may not carry the force of "Thou shalt not," and it may not have the emphasis of a "Go into all the world," but it is written as an imperative nonetheless. "Do not," Jesus says, and Paul echoes this injunction in Philippians: "Be anxious for nothing" (4:6). These are our liberating orders. We are told not to do something we hate doing anyway.

Dare we suggest by our worry that some catastrophe may slip by without His notice? No, "tragedies" befell Joseph, Moses, David, Jesus, Paul, and others, and God ordained them all for good. All of these surely could have worried, examining their circumstances while going through them. But looking back, we see God's perfect plan unfolding. Therefore Jesus urges, even commands: Do not worry.

Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.
CHARLES SPURGEON

"Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.
CHARLES SPURGEON "

How true that is!  So often I start to worry & fret about something - like the possibility of frozen pipes - and find myself weak and "shaky"!  But when I pray and convince myself that God is definitely in control I am able (eventually) to calm down. 

Heat wave!  It's suppose to get above freezing today in central Indiana!!

And I am thinking we all need to get a bus trip going for CP members so we can all visit Australia!!

Last evening at Bible Study we were told to pick up a book at a half price book store or such.  I found it on Amazon.com for $1.49.  And years ago, I read a biblical fiction and haven't found it since..I borrowed it and read it.  I found it on Amazon.com for $.01!  Now the bad part is there were each $3.99 for shipping but still two books for less than $10!  And I didn't have to leave the house.  Just have to walk to the mail box when they come!  And I do that every day anyway! 

Marilyn...that's okay.  I have used Market for so many things and then decide that's not what I want and go to settings..applications..and uninstall it.  I haven't paid for anything on Droid other than a Kindle book.  If you like games, I like 'DropWord'.  There are 5 rows of 5 letters.  You click on the letters to make a word by going up, down, left, right and diagonal.  When they match, those letters go away and new letter drop.  You can shuffle also.  My highest score is 444.  Fun to do while waiting of something or someone!  But call me anytime. 

Ivalou is gone for the afternoon and I am just vegging out!

Hi Janet,
I haven't been on for a long time, but after reading your post about fasting, I would like to know how long you have fasted and are you seeing God answer prayers.      I'm planning to do the same thing.    I want to see God's answers of prayers on a number of issues.   
God bless
Love Ruthie

Hi Gord, good to hear from you. Sorry to hear that Noreen is still suffering.    I will lift her up to our Father.   

Hi Judy, I heard that you had an operation.    Will be praying for complete healing.

   "Anxiety does not empy tomorrow of it's sorrows, but empties today of it's strength"   is so true.    We have to somehow leave our anxieties at the cross of Christ.    I have to remind myself many times of this.

God bless   
Ruthie

I posted that just as my friends came to take me to the Doctor.  I am so glad that It has blessed you folks.

Doctors report was good but with it came the warning to not push past the pain.  Being alone that is a warning that is hard to heed.  May I learn patience through this.

Ruthie good to see you,  Would love to chat sometime.

I will be back later
judy

Judy you said you are alone. Where are all the girls? Can one or two of them come to help you?

   Good afternoon.   If any one is looking at my profile and see's that I have a WWW ngbrown@bell.net please just ignore it as it was a mistake.  It will be removed soon.

Today is very overcast and trying hard to snow again.

Judy B.  Thanks for what you put on your post's it is very helpful for me and also to share with others.  How are you feeling today I do hope that the pain is down.

Again could you all please pray for my wife Noreen as she went to a bible study this morning and when she came home she could not do an other thing and also could not even keep her lunch down. As a care giver it so hard to see her having to put up with this and I Love her so much and to see her suffer I just wish that I had a magic wand and could make her better.

Talk to you all soon.   Gord.

Hello, Friends!

What a couple of days I have had.  Marilyn, I'm sure you remember the Nigerian guy who tried to get you caught up in a "romance scam", right?  Well....I could easily have gotten caught in a money laundering scam!!  It started out to be a little part-time secret shopper job, and then yesterday--Woah!!  I got a FedEx delivery of an envelope comtaining three money orders, each in the amount of $920.00.  I went to my email and had a message telling me I was to immediately deposit the money, then withdraw it, keep $400 for myself, then go to Johnson and 'evaluate' the Western Union place there, in the process sending the remaining money to the address given me.  My radar was really up by then!  I told Darrel there was no way  anyone could afford to pay $400 for that!  So after we talked it over, I took the money orders to the bank, asked to speak with an officer, and was immediately told it was a scam.  If I had cashed and forwarded, I would have immediatelybecome liable for the total amount, plus could be arrested as part of a money laundering scam!! 

They gave me a website to go to which gives step by step instructions as to what to do next.       (Continued in the next post.)

Sorry, can't stand the screen jumping! 

Anyway, when I got home, guess what?  In the mail was a USPS Special Delivery, stuck on an envelope.  That one contained a check made to me from GMAC in the amount of $2,380!!  We don't have any dealing with them at all, so knew it must be another part of the same scam.  The bank officer said the money orders (Albertsons) were either bogus or stolen.  I went to Garden with Pat today, so haven't finished dealing with the mess yet.  I probably will eventually take the whole thing to the police, although the bank guy said he doesn't think they will know what to do with it.  Oh, yes--the website laid it out just as I had been approached via email...and also said it is a ring in Nigeria and Eastern Europe.  I haven't had time to even report about the check yet.

Anyway, that's how easy it would be to get in lots of trouble!  I'm thankful I prayed and was warned about it, so was really suspicious.  The guy called last night (the Nigerian) and I hung up, then he called back three times and we saw the number and didn't answer.  This morning I found he had left a threatening message on the phone.  Darrel said he called several more times today.  Spooky!!

Ruthie, I will surely answer your question later.  Right now my back is hurting really bad and I need to try to relax for a while.

Janet:    WOW what people will not do thanks for the news flash

Mel did go to Napanee fishing but together we decided that I would remain home something told me that after all I would be happier at home, I have done such things before and have had no regrets.  

I went to Sears shopping then after picked up Auntie and had dinner out she enjoys getting out of the house.

Take care        Ruth

Janet:  I would call the FBI concerning any money scam because they are the ones working that crime.  They helped our daughter & son-in-law when his identity was stolen from a classmate. 

Gord:  When I wrote last night, I confess that I could not think of Noreen's name - thanks for posting again and I will certainly put Noreen into prayers.  May she have calm, peace of heart and and absence of any pain. Praying for you as well. 

Larry:  Our new Tom Tom GPS emits sounds when there is a camera, amd if we go over the speed limit and so forth.  Still, it doesn't tell us what side of the road an address is situated and that is what has been so unnerving when we are in places where we can't see the building.  That is why I love going to IKEA - they are blue and yellow and huge 

   Good evening to all.   I just got home a while ago from our church where we serve dinner to the needy in our City of Welland Ontario.  It is such a great thing to be able to volunteer to do this and I enjoy doing this so much  We have had people that come to this dinner who are now coming out to the Lord's house on Sunday and it is great to see them there.

Janet:  I am so sorry to here what has happened to you and I almost got involved with this but my kids made sure that I did not and I am so grateful.   I would go to the Police if they don't stop bugging you.

Carol:  Thanks for the encouragement.

Ruthie.  Hi it is so nice to see you on here again.  Hope that you will stay.
Well I will say good night as I have other things to do.   God Bless you all.   Gord.

Janet from what I was told, The police can't do anything about  those Nigerian scams. But it doesn't hurt to notify them and the FBI. Also  if you do happen to talk to the guy on the phone, tell him you are going to the press and Television  stations.
Those Money Orders and or checks area always bogus, either stolen or forged.

Es ist freitag.  Wir sind hier.  I'm going to take my friend Wesley to the VA today to reapply for his VA benefits.  Please pray that he'll get them.

Have You Been Able to Lift Up a Discouraged Leader?

Commission Joshua and encourage him, for he will lead the people across the Jordan. He will give them the land you now see before you.

Deuteronomy 3:28 NLT


Discouraged encourager

When people spoke with Pastor Larry, they couldn't help feeling better about themselves. But the community he worked in deteriorated. Many people left for better jobs and were replaced by transient families with fewer skills. Schools and stores changed overnight.

Larry felt alienated in a community that once embraced his encouragement. He was ready to throw in the towel. Then an elderly woman named Pearl visited him. "I've watched you for nearly 10 years as you consoled, shepherded, and ministered to this community. You've been an encouragement to everyone," she said.

"Then why are so many people leaving and being replaced by individuals hostile to God's Word?" Larry asked.

"God has brought them to you to grow in your ministry," Pearl said. "I believe God gifted you with an encouraging heart for a time such as this."

Larry thanked Pearl for her honesty, then excused himself to go home. As he approached his house, a family of three greeted him. "Thank you, Pastor," said the father. "We've been to three other cities but never really felt at home till we arrived here."

David Farr in God's Men.

Don't be discouraged; it may be the last key in the bunch that opens the door.
STONSIFER

All of the pastors and workers who read this, you are doing a good job, keep on keeping on.

Hi everyone.  Just back from coffee at the senior center this morning.  It is a beautiful day and to be up in the 50s.  Tomorrow we are suppose to hit the 60s.  

I apparently have pushed too hard this week and find myself in one of those tired cycles that I sometimes get.  I will stay home the rest of the day and basically rest.  

Yesterday afternoon another friend and I went to see my next door neighbor at the rehab center.  He is doing very well, says he is pain free, but can't put any weight on his one foot because of the broken pelvis.  He will be coming home on Tuesday with a wheelchair, walker, and other aids.  I know he will be glad to get home and he can continue the exercises they have taught him at rehab.

Janet, certainly glad you didn't fall for that scam.  One you would have deposited those checks they would have wiped out your bank account.  Getting something for nothing usually doesn't turn out very well, especially if it seems to good to be true.  Can you block the caller's number on your cellphone?

Gord, I am confused about your e-mail address.  Please send me a quick e-mail so I can get the right one.  I had changed it to the bell.net address and have lost track of the other one.  Sorry that Noreen is having such a tough time.  Sounds like your church is doing a very worthwhile community project.

Etta Sue, I have purchased a number of used books through Amazon and found I received them within a very few days.  Also, you might want to check out a free game program for your Droid called "Angry Bird's".  It is, or was, the number one game on the iPods and the Droid phones.  I have it and it is fun.  My friend also showed me the game on his Droid phone this morning.

Janet ~ you said

QuoteIt started out to be a little part-time secret shopper job.

Just what do mean and did you initiate this or what?  That is scary! 

Larry ~ I down loaded 'Angry Birds'.  First I thought this isn't fun at all.  Then I realized that on Level 1, you had to pull back the slingshot for the bird to fly!  Duh!  I will check it out more!  I would have to mute the sound if I were waiting in the doctor's office or wear ear buds!  Also I have found that deliveries from getting something from the web is really fast so I will probably have the books in no time.  Of course, on Kindle, you have them is seconds!

More snow last night here.  It stopped early in the morning so the roads were clear for those unfortunate people who still have to go to work each day!  Today is another do nothing day for me.  Just have to get the mail after it is delivered and that's it!  Maybe I will do something constructive and move furniture around in the living room....maybe not!

My Native American Flute arrived yesterday, I love the sound of it. I am going to meet with Nita on Monday so she can hear it, She wants to get one too.

Nothing new here. My back is still some painful not a whole lot like two days ago, but it still hurts.  So it looks like I won't be doing anything strenuous. I do have to bathe happy before his next Vet appointment  next Friday.

Etta Sue What I am looking for from Market on my Phone is something like a  Note/sticky note pad app that I can make notes to myself on. I haven't been able to find one yet.

Larry sorry to hear that you overdid yourself and are now in tired mode.

    Larry"  THE EMAIL ADDRESS IS RIGHT WHAT YOU HAVE BUT i WILL PUT IT DOWN AGAIN AND TO ALL OTHERS PLEASE IGNORE THE WWW. ngbrown@bell.net on my profile.    Email address  ngbrown@bell.net  I hope this does not get any one confused.

Have a wnderful weekend   Gord and Noreen.

Gord:  I got it - ignore the www as that is the beginning of a web site, not an email.  Hope your day is better for both of you two.

Don is at a wood carving group - he came home last time without doing anything & was ignored but I told him to go back and  ask a few questions - we shall see.  Everyone is very friendly in Arizona so I don't know what happened to him the other meeting.  We did our two mile walk this morning and I have been sleepy ever since coming back.  It feels so good to get out.

I made a mistake and did not bring enough yarn with me to finish this sweater so I am sure that there is not enough for sleeves.  Quilting group next week is taking pillow cases and cutting and sewing them for dresses to be sent to Africa.  Cousin was supposed to come for a visit this weekend and they changed to two weekends from now so we are at a dither without plans. 

Al:  It is Friday - but I don't know what the next part is in your note.  Have a lovely weekend!

First--Ruthie, I started on the fast by going 8 days on a complete fast (only liquids when really needed, like V-8 or half a glass of orange juice.  Lots of water!  Then I switched to the Daniel Fast.  This is eating ONLY foods which come from seeds; to make it simple, fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts.  No bread (leavened) no sweets, no meat or other animal products.

Monday will be the end of my three weeks of fasting.  And yes, I have had some marvelous revelations and breakthroughs in the Spirit, have had prayers answered and been protected from dangers, as in the scam attempt.  I highly recommend fasting, coupled, of course, with lots of prayer and time in the Word.  Good to have you posting again--now, don't be a stranger!

Thanks for all you friends' concern about the attempted scam.  I haven't done anything else yet, as had to work today and shouldn't have done that!  My back is hurting BAD again.  The nearest office of the FBI is in Wichita, and I will call them later if I get to feeling better.  I haven't called either the bank, the Post Office or the local police as yet.

Marilyn, that's what I said they told me, that the money orders and the check are either bogus or stolen.

I did get one more email today from them, saying something on the order of please contact us, where are the promises, we need you to get that money sent right away....notice, no mention of the original 'job!'

EttaSue, a secret shopper goes to a store, restaurant, etc. and just observes the premises, services, personnel, etc. and makes a report.  Usually you get paid very little money, plus, if it is an eating place, a free meal. (Well, you pay, then they reimburse you.)  That's what my past experience had been.

I saw on the news a little bit ago that this Egypt thing has cause Oil to go up to $200 per barrel, so I went  to the gas station and filled up my car and Keith is going to fill up the corvette and the Camaro. the TV said it might go up to$300 per barrel before this is over

It certainly has been wonderful to hear from everyone tonight. Still can't stay online very long at a time. Y'all have a good eveniing, friends.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  Happy to say I am feeling rested this morning and looking forward to a nice day.  The weather is just beautiful here yesterday and suppose to be even better today with highs in the 60s.  I do feel for the folks in the NE and all the snow they have had plus understand more is on the way.

Hi Ruth Ann, so good to see a post from you. 

Marilyn, I hadn't heard about oil going that high.  It sounds like panic is setting in on the part of the speculators.  I sure hope the commentators are wrong.

Janet, glad to hear that your fast is going so well.  I would think you wouldn't really have to do anything but tear up the scam papers since you took no action. 

Carol, hope Don has better reception at his next woodworking class.  It is sometimes difficult to be included in a group if most of the group already knows each other.  It sounds like you are going to have sometime the next few days to just relax and enjoy Arizona without having to entertain others.

Gord, very enjoyable talking with you last night.  Glad you straightened out the email address question.  Hope Noreen is feeling better soon. 

Etta Sue, I learned yesterday that you can tap the angry bird in flight and it causes it to break in more pieces.  I seem to be stuck on level II-3 but will keep trying periodically.  A friend yesterday showed me that his wife was at level 18 on their Droid phone.

Time for coffee and then am meeting a friend for a quick trip into Atlanta.  I should be home by noon and that will be it for the day.

Janet ~ I must be dumb.  How did these people get your mailing address and email address?  Did you sign up to be a secret shopper online?  Just don't understand how the two ties together. 

Marilyn ~ When you go to 'Market'  , search by clicking on the magnifying glass and put in 'AK Notepad'.  I have it and it is like it says...a notepad to write notes on to yourself.

Larry ~ I have only gotten to #7 and probably level 1 or maybe that is level 7.  Those are some nasty birds!!

Kitty and I are going swimming today and whatever else enters our mind.  Bob is going to a Purdue basketball game so she has the day off! 

It is suppose to get to 32 degrees today but so far, no sunshine.  So it will be a cold 32 instead of a warm 32...

Ruth Ann Good to hear from you.

Etta Sue you are so right a sunny 32 is warmer than a cloudy 32!!!!

John is home, and early this am he got a bag ful of ice for my shoulder and I was so surprised/happy that it relieved the pain.  I was able to get back to sleep and really rest.

Thought for today.  Are you discouraged in your Christian walk?  Think back in time and list all the times God has blessed you and answered prayer.  Write these times down in a journal so you can review and add to them as memory returns.  Keep on journaling, doodle, draw pictures, but keep track of blessings.  This is exactly what Joshua did as her reminded the Hebrews when they were discouraged.

Joshua said to the people, "This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ...I took your ancestor Abraham from the land beyond the Euphrates and led him to the land of Canaan. I gave him many descendents through his son Isaac.... Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I brought terrible plagues on Egypt; and afterward I brought you out as a free people.... With your very own eyes you saw what I did.... Finally, I brought you into the land of the Amorites on the east side of the Jordan. They fought against you, but I gave you victory over them, and you took possession of their land.... When you crossed the Jordan River and came to Jericho, the men of Jericho fought against you. There were also many others who fought you. ... It was not your swords or bows that brought you victory. I gave you land you had not worked for, and I gave you cities you did not build—the cities in which you are now living. I gave you vineyards and olive groves for food, though you did not plant them.

Joshua 24:2-13 NLT

Thank you Judy for those thought today.  I don't know how many times I have forgotten to thank god for the blessings I have received, Sometimes I  remember at night after I have been blessed all day long. wouldn't be nice if we  thanked Him immediately upon receiving the blessing.

Thank you Etta Sue, Now I have the app on my cell

Saturday, and another week has flown by!  Seems they go faster and faster and faster and.........whew!

Darrel had a trouble call to run in Hugoton today, so I went along and had a nice visit with daughter Diane at her store; then we took her, Mark and Abby to lunch.  Always so good to see them!  Jeff is on the building team for their church, and the team had gone to Garden City to look at a church there.  I am so thrilled their church is going well, and planning to build a new building.  They have outgrown their present one.

It is time to ice my back again!  We are making an emergency trip to Amarillo tomorrow to see Darrel's sweet mom, she is in big trouble with congestive heart failure, barely made it through the day yesterday and is back in the hospital again.

Praying for you both Hanet.

Pat you have a storm heading your way mid week.  Hope it by-passes, we will be free of it thankfully.

Went out and did a bit of shopping, while we were at it I grabbed a pair of $12.00 runners.  My last pair lasted me over a year, so that is not too bad.  We also put the car through a wash only to have the doors freeze shut.  Thankfully John had the strength to break the ice seal!  

Clear sky tonight, it will be cold.  We have been invited out to lunch tomorrow, it will be nice for John to not have to worry about that meal.  He is planning on being gone a full 7 days as he has next Monday through to Wednesday off.  My check up is Wednesday, so the earliest he will be going out will be Thursday.  That means another weekend alone. Oh well, thems the breaks with his kind of job, he has to get the miles in somehow.  

Enough rambling
Night all
Judy

Hi Gang Me Again. Got home this morning at about 1am and Judy and I sort of took it easy today and went out to do some grocery shopping and it gave Judy a chance to get out of the house for a while. Sun been shining all day here but still cold. Better that what I came home in last night It pretty much snow all the way up from Toronto to Temiscaming PQ where i lad to drop my load and pick up another trailer to come back with. Temiscaming is in northern Quebec about an hour from where we live. When I went to get heading home I discovered that one of the brakes on the trailer had froze with the cold and took me about an hour in the middle of the night to get it to release. second time this week. But thats part of the job when you travel the north country like I do. Other than that My week was uneventful travelling back and forth between Toronto and Cleveland OH. Appreciate everones words of encouragement for Judy. She is doing better that expected and for that we are thankful to our Lord for His healing power. Going to go tend to the fire and get ready to go to bed so we can get up for church in the am. God Bless everyone. Bonesy.

Another rough night for sleeping.  Stayed up too late and that has done me in, I now have my second wind!!!.

Church today and then to Tony's to celebrate his 50th birthday!  I don't mind telling people I am 68 but I really feel old when I think that my son is 50! 

So as Arnold would say, 'I'll be back!'

Hi everyone.  It was a very enjoyable day yesterday.  My friend and I had a nice trip to Atlanta and then stopped and had lunch together at the Golden Corral buffet.  Needless to say I wasn't hungry the rest of the day.  

I found an application to put on my android ebook reader that plays audio books and downloaded several.  Now whether I will listen to them or not is the question.  Just fun to be able to do it and have it work.  There were also many other applications and I picked out several but while it indicated they installed I didn't find them so maybe didn't do something right.

We will head to church in a little while and then this evening we are taking our friend, Rod and Betty, with us back to the church to see  Brad Sherrill's internationally-acclaimed PROPHETS - a one-man, multimedia performance.  He was at out church a few years ago with his presentation on the book of John and it was very moving.  You can find him on YouTube and he has a brief preview of his presentation available there.

Judy, sorry to see you had a rough night for sleeping.  Glad John is there to help you for a few days.  

John, always nice to see your postings.  I don't envy you having to deal with a big truck in bad weather.  I used to watch the Ice Roads show on TV about the truckers in Canada and all the problems they had working during the cold weather, which is when they were able to do the runs to the mines and oil fields up north using the frozen rivers.

Janet, do hope you find Darrel's mother improved when you get to the hospital.  

Marilyn, I expect we all are a little lax in expressing our gratefulness to our God.  

Etta Sue, last night I downloaded the paid version of Angry Birds but haven't been able to get it to work.  Think I will have to delete it and reinstall it.  My good friend, who was using the free version as I have been, purchased it yesterday and said it was a big improvement.  However, it isn't an improvement if it doesn't work.

We are to have another day of mid-60's weather today.  It is a bit overcast this morning but it already 41 degrees.  It was really nice yesterday.

Up and at it.  Finally slept and not too bad.  Church this morning and to a friends for lunch.  These folks at our church have been so kind.  I thank God for all of them.  I know they are praying.

It is a cold one today.  Clear skies last night and today. it looks like there are diamonds in the snow the sun is so bright.  Absolutely beautiful. I have wished I could take pictures of te sparkle.

Cimi has been told that we are going to work today.  She is now pouting because she knows she is not coming.  It is just too cold to leave her in the car for the length of time we would need to.  Dogs, and yes cats are so experssive as we get to know them and they get to know what specific words mean. 

May God be with you today as you spend time in His presence.  I have been thankful through the years for Church TV when going to church hasn't been possible.

We are meeting Keith's University roommate  for lunch today that is all that is on our docket for the day. It is 45° outside and it is supposed to be raining but the sun is out and it sure doesn't look like it is going to rain, however this is Oregon and you never know what  will happen 

G'Mornin everyone!  I just thought I'd stop by on next to last day of January!  Seems like only last week I was in Spokane celebrating Christmas with my daughter and granddaughter.   

Marilyn, it rained last night and through the night.  S'posed to be dry for the rest of the week, I hear.  Maybe a few (widely) scattered showers today, but no promises ... as you noted: this is Oregon. 

I got my front porch steps (re)built last week, and bought the paint for them and the porch, but the man who is going to finish the job wants to wait until we have a couple dry days before doing the painting.  That should be this week.

Of course, we have Groundhog's Day coming up ... who knows if the li'l creature will see his shadow or not.  (And what does that mean, anyway?)  

I have nothing on the agenda for today, so will just take it as it comes.  Probably bring in some wood for a fire later, though.   

Y'all have a good day and take care ... I'll be back (echoing Etta Sue and Arnold) 

We didn't go to Amarillo today, after all.  I called this morning and Darrel's Mom is a lot better, so we can wait a day or two.  That will let Darrel get an alarm problem fixed and also, we hope, recover more from this crud he has.  He doesn't want to go visit his Mom and take any chance of exposing her to it.  As it is, he will need to wear a mask when we go into the hospital.  And I hope my back will be a lot better, too.  My wonderful friend and chiropractor met me at his office yesterday and gave me an adjustment and put the electricity on me but it's still not 100%.  I will see him again tomorrow.

I have read all your great posts--Judy and Bonesey, glad Judy is doing well and that John can be there with her during this time.

Larry, glad you had a fun outing.  I wish I were a little more techy, but I'm not.  I know your computer and other gadgets give you a lot of pleasure and entertainment.

We had a guest pastor at church this morning, and a wonderful service!!


Now it's time for the ice on my back again.  See you later!

I am here....to save the day...There's a new place...it's on the way!!

It's neither yonder or there...it's here!