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Morning Devotional...

Psalm 43

Sometimes God doesn't answer prayer as quickly as we think He should. That's especially true when we're in difficult and painful situations, In fact sometimes it seems like we've waited a very long time and there's still no answer.  

It wasn't any different for God's people in David's day.  Some of them came to the temple to worship early in the morning with heavy hearts, sometimes even with hearts that were completely misunderstood by others. They came, after all, as they were - with all their daily problems and difficulties.  

As the psalmist expresses it here, sometimes - whether dealing with nations or individuals - it seemed like people were so unjust that they couldn't or wouldn't deal understandingly with anyone. In fact they might even be downright deceitful in their dealings. In any case, in such circumstances, sometimes  it seemed as though God wasn't looking after them, as if He had deserted them and wasn't hearing their crying.  

But there was nowhere else to turn either. He was, after all, their only Source of help, and there was no where else to turn.  It was with these things in mind that the worship leader had the people sing in urgency,"Oh send out Your light and Your truth!  Let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle!"  They desperately need to know  they're not just in an earthly tabernacle, but that they're truly in the Presence of their caring God as well.

The wondrous thing is that God answers a prayer like that!  In fact the leader leads the people in anticipation of that answer.  He sings, "Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and on the harp I will praise You, O God my God!"

Actually, the leader wants the people, when they finally leave the temple that morning, to believe that God always does send out the necessary light and truth.  He has them sing, "Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me?  Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God!"

Have you had experiences like that?  Do you ever feel as if God isn't answering your prayer, as if you've been deserted to an unjust and deceitful world?  Actually, it may be that God knows it's necessary for you to have feelings like that.  Sometimes, in fact, God may leave you in that situation for just a little while in order to create in your cold heart a real anticipation of what it will be like to be in His presence and blessing again.  

Of course He may also do it in order to move you to pray, to beg for His light and truth - perhaps because you had thought you could get along without them for a time.  Whatever your case, join the worship leader: call on God - again - for you shall "yet praise Him, the help of your countenance and your God!"  Pray today for a soul sensitive to His presence, a soul needing that presence and a soul glad for it when it happens!


Al Moak


Here's a hymn that reflects these thoughts.  Just click to hear the music.

I had this posted but deleted as AL had started the new week.  Thank you Al for the message tonight.  Waiting for answers to prayer can indeed be hard,

Here is what I posted.

Well I have been away from the house since about 4 this afternoon.  We had a call from Doug to come over for dinner.  We had steak (I had lamb), veggi stuffed potatoes, broccoli and (for the first time for John and I ) Sushi!!  It was a feast. 

We got home to feed and water our chicks, dogs and bring in Dana.

Gord tried to call you back, but the line was busy.

This verse has always kept me from wanting "things"  I listen to the youth of today and they always want more....
Philippians 4:11 NKJV  Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

Church was awesome.  We have one jokester in the church and every once in a while he will get up front and tell a joke with a members name in it.  A few weeks ago he asked what Betty's middle name was.  So today he told a joke about three ladies in the church...Etta Sue, Ivalou and Betty Lou (her middle name is really Ann).  Etta Sue, Ivalou and Betty Lou went out west to a dude ranch.  The foreman told them that it would be $100 each to ride a horse.  Ivalou said, 'You are putting us on, aren't ya?'  And the foreman said, 'That will be an extra $20 each!'  I sure didn't know when we gave him Betty middle name that we would be in his joke also.

After church eight of us ladies went out to eat.  I got home around 1:30pm.  I got so sleepy that I shut off the computer and went to sleep.  Ivalou was to get me at 4:15 to go to her son's house for a birthday party.  I woke up at 4:13!!!  She was waiting for me in the drive! 

Now I am wide awake at it is 4:39 AM!!!  So I am up in the wee hours of the night. 

Today we are going to a church member's home for a Bar-B-Q for lunch and this evening is church council.  Also Kitty is to be home today.  Her and Bob have been on vacation to Hilton Head!

Good morning, I, too, am up very early.

You've been asking about the 15th...well, I've been really over-working to try to get the old house emptied before my son comes to take possession of it. Well, he's probably in the air as we speak - will spend tonight in Alabama with my grandson and wife -- they're the one's who're having my son's first grandchild and my first greatgrand.

Next, while he's here (until the 15th), we'll be busy transferring ownership, setting up insurance, getting electricity, water, grasscutting arrangements made, etc, as well as starting the work on the house.

Whew!! Makes me tired just thinking what I've done the last few months. Now, I need to finish up my apt, too, so that he won't think I'm just "camping out" when actually, it's that I need to finish unpacking and storing the stuff I plan to try to keep. May still need to weed out some more "stuff."

I laughed and told someone the other day that I think I'm going to enjoy retirement, now that's about to really happen. <wry grin>

It's certainly great to see our new posters. Isn't it wonderful how love naturally grows as we meet new friends. So, welcome to our website, and also welcome to our hearts!

God's blessings be upon us all.

QuotePhilippians 4:11 NKJV  Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

JudyB:  This should be sent to our politicians -

Al:  I hope that your medication helps the leg problems.  Is there any chance of you getting a hospital bed or mattress  that would lift you legs to be more comfortable?  Enjoy the baptism day that is planned at the river. 

Dentist this morning - I am bringing a book on CD so that will help the boredom.  Two caps are being fitted & apparently, I grind my teeth at night.  Don never notices. 

Carol you are right... There is so much discontent out there, everyone wanting more or different.  Never satisfied.

We have rain today.  UG  but it is needed for the garden.  Thing is we need the heat and sun as well. 

Gotta run.

Al I have a hospital bed here you can have... Just don't know how I would get it to you.

Good morning!  It is sort of overcast here in Wichita this morning.  Beth ate her breakfast and now is taking a nap.  Needs lots of sleep for healing her poor body.

Darrel will be heading back home later this morning.  I am trying to stick close to Beth in hopes some of her doctors show up to discuss plans.  

Al, much good food for thought in your devotional.  Yesterday's sermon at the church we attended was from Daniel 9, where Daniel prayed for his people, and the pastor likened it to the state of our country today, and how we need to pray just such a contrite and repentant prayer.  

Judy, we used to raise lots of chickens, too, but since it is just Darrel and I now, I told him we can just buy the few we need.  Too much work when it comes time for killing and cleaning them!  Ugh, I hate that smell.

Daughter Kerri and her husband are trying to raise some guinea fowl.  They have eleven at this point, and hope their big dog won't kill them when they are big enough to run free.  They are hoping the guineas will eat lots of the ticks, which are bad this year up there.

Mark picked me up and shook me, I was hoping it would help my back.  It popped once, but didn't really help it.  Then he gave me a pretty good back massage.    But I really need Dr. Saxon.

Marilyn, sorry you're having pain and problems.  But I find myself avoiding doctors as much as I possibly can--except for my chiropractor.

Ruth Ann, I am counting the days with you until the 15th!  Thanks so much for your call on Saturday.

Carol, how did the work at the cabin go?

Guess it's time to find a bite to eat.

Thanks so very much for your concern, but a hospital bed wouldn't do it.  It's not just that I need the legs raised, but that I can't turn onto my left side for any great length of time, due to pain in the hip area.  It's being worked on.  Pray for success.

Al, Beth can't stand being on her left side for more than a few minutes.  Of course, being quadriplegic, she cannot turn either way, so must be turned often to avoid pressure sores.  She prefers lying on her back.  The trouble with Neurofibromatosis is that even after losing the use of the limbs, they still are super-sensitive to pain. 

I do hope you get your hip fixed so you can sleep wherever you like.

Hi everyone.  I have the house to myself this morning as Pat has gone to help with Bible School at the church.  She volunteered to help with the snack time.  It has been several years since she has done that.  She is having a lot of problems with spasms in her lower back so hope she can stand up to this activity.

I took my laptop up to coffee to see if my friend, Rod, could help me figure out why I was having certain problems.  Of course, when I tried the programs there they ran.  It reminds me of taking the car to the mechanic and when you get there they can't hear the problem or duplicate it.  After coffee, we went to the church to walk.  They are starting summer school this week and many parents and children were arriving to either register or sign in and they are also having a camp this week that uses the gym.  We were able to walk upstairs.  I only walked about 5 rounds as it was really bothering me this morning and that has left me feeling very tired.  I am actually sitting in my easy chair as I write rather than at my desk and will probably stay here this morning.

Janet, so glad that Darrel was able to spend the weekend and that you were able to get away for awhile and see other family.  I hope it was a refreshing and renewing time for you and this week you will get some definitive word as to when Beth will be able to be moved closer to you all.

Al, glad to hear your report of progress with your legs and other health issues.  Hope the baptism goes well today.  I have never witnessed one done in a river or lake, only in churches.  Al, thanks for the new devotional and the hymn posting. 

Judy, we have some rain forecast for us all week and sure need it.  I was noticing this morning how dry the yards are and they are turning brown.  Did you like the sushi?

Carol, good idea to take a book on tape with you.  I am having the basil cell carcinoma removed from my face on Wednesday morning and there is apparently a lot of idle time involved with that as a bit of tissue is removed and then has to be checked until they can detect no more cancer cells.  I will take reading material and my Palm with the MP3 player with me.  I need to get a new set of headphones that are small and portable to use.  Anyway, hope your dental appointment goes well today.

Ruth Ann, I know you must be looking forward to your son's arrival and getting the business affairs related to your house finished.  Is your son going to live in the house or just rent it out?

Etta Sue, have a bite of Bar-B-Q for me.  I really enjoy meat fixed that way.  Maybe I will have some Bar-B-Q for lunch to day when I eat out with my Monday men's group.  We are eating at Ruby Tuesday's.  This will be my second visit there is three days as Pat and I ate there on Saturday.

Marilyn, sorry to read of your constant pain.  Sorry to hear of your neuropathy.  This is giving our daughter so much pain.  She is now up to 1800 mgs of Neurontin/Gabapentin a day and while it helps it doesn't stop all the pain.   

Gord, you are such a fortunate man to be able to spend so much time with your family and the grandchildren. 

Hi gazzab and Ruth.

Larry I loved the sushi.  A new experience, but an enjoyable one.

Al Still praying for you with your pain,

Marilyn I'm Praying

Janet I am sorry for Beth and all the pain she is in, but I am also glad that Darryl was able to spend the weekend with you.

Everyone else not mentioned know that you have been prayed for today.

Hi, everyone.  Lots going on I see.  What a comfort to know that the creator of the universe is our Father, and knows all and cares about all we go through.

Pat, I wanted to tell you that I watched the video of Paul Washer preaching.  It was so powerful, as Don said.  He doesn't pull punches, does he?  Whoever did the video editing did a good job too. 

I watched the video as well....Yes it was powerful

Having looked there appears to be a number of his sermons or parts thereof on the net, which video are you talking about and i will try and get a view myself

Regards

Gary

   Hi to all.  Yes it is good to be able to enjoy our family and our grandchildren they are so much fun and to see them progress so quickly it is hard to believe.

Our weather has been very weird you never know what it is going to do.  Today it was raining then the sun would come out then it would get very dull and black.  I was out with my son and we were in the next city beside where we live.  It was raining so hard that we could not get out of the van so we were talking and all of a sudden there was the loudest bang that I have ever heard of thunder and also the lightening I actually jumped in my seat.  This weather is crazy.

Al:  Thanks for the devotional and of course the hymn was great.  Won of my favourite ones.

Larry:  Hope you continue to look after yourself.

Pat and Paul.  How are you both doing ?   When will you be back in Guelph.

Judy B.  I will try to get you tonight.

To all others have a great week and don't forget to pray for each other.  Love ya.

Gary, if this works, here it is.  I haven't done this before, so we'll see....edit:  It worked!  It will take you to the video Pat posted.


http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=8668.msg135860#msg135860

The Doc called in a 90 day prescription for all my meds to the mail order place, ordered a mammo, lab tests for CBC, thyroid, B-12 and Vitamin D. Trying to find the cause of my neuropathy. He upped the  Neurontin/Gabapentin for the neuropathy to 300 twice per day instead of only once. He recommended that I get a  steroid shot in the thumb joint instead of surgery for now to see if that helps and for how long it will help. So that is the results.

Marilyn, I'm glad you have a doctor here now.  Also hope you find out a reason for the neuropathy.

Wasn't today nice?  Not much wind and warm.

     Nita.  Thanks for putting that link to Pat's link to the You tube and is he ever a good preacher also Pat thanks to you.  Good night to all the night hawks.

Thanks for the link - i will try and watch it this evening after work

Gary

The Bar-b-que was great.  There were 31 people there.  If I ever decide to have them here, I hope someone pinches me and wakes me up!  That isn't my thing to do. 

I got a call last evening from Tony.  Tony, Charlene, Brian, Thomas, and Ralph, (Charlene's brother, nephew and dad) are with them on cycles on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Four cycles.  Sunday it was raining and Ralph went off the road.  He wasn't hurt and the bike only has scratches on it but it took 6 people to get it out of the ravine.  He went down about 15 feet from the road and down is an operative word.  It was muddy and they all kept sliding down but finally they succeeded.  Ralph was shook up but okay.  He is in his late 70's.  So say a prayer for all of them in their travels.  I just wish that God would tell Tony and Charlene to travel by themselves.  Seems none of these five riders agree on what to do when.  That isn't a vacation to me.

Today I am doing laundry and Kitty is coming this afternoon to watch last weeks Bachelorette.  I need to get lawn mower gas and mow sometime today also. 

Hi everyone.  Just finishing up my lunch.  This morning I had to take Pat to the doctor.  Last night she had such severe muscle spasms in her upper back that she was sobbing.  She sat up most of the night with a massage cushion to her back.  Hopefully the medication will give her relief.

I have to leave in about 90 minute as have an appointment to see the surgeon regarding repair of the hernia I have.  It is an hours drive so always try to allow an extra 30 minutes as most of it is on the Interstate and you just never know what you will encounter.  That will be it for today.

Janet:  Hi - I am glad that Darrel was able to visit and that Beth is napping.  The cabin is at 8500 ft. so it is exhausting to work there, at least for us.  We can walk & do alright but painting was tough & there is a lot more to come. 

Larry:  So sorry for Pat and her back just as she wanted to help with the children at church.  It is hard to give up things.  Now you have an appointment today.  We have one car in for check-up - Don is making an 11 page memory album of his family to give to the children - I need to do same & will after our trip west.

Marilyn:  It sounds like they have a reasonable idea of how to help your thumb pain and so forth. 

Al:  Thanks for the explanation - still in prayers. 

Here, sun is out, clouds are building.  I hope our daily storm doesn't hit while being on the road but all the regular working people have to endure these weather patterns. 

Al, that song had been running through my mind, and I was wishing I could remember the words.  So while the music played, I sang the song to Beth.  Thanks!

Yesterday is in competition for one of the longest days of my life.    It was wait and wait and wait and wait, from 7 AM until 7 PM, for doctors who never did show up!    And today is shaping up as another of the same kind.........

The nurse is in here, flushing Beth's Malancott drain with Sprite.  That still seems strange to me.    But, whatever works, right?

I think it might be time to go have something to eat.  Beth has kept me really busy today.  She is having arthritic-like pain in her legs and hips, like she doesn't have enough, already.    So every few minutes I am rearranging her legs and propping her legs and arms with pillows, or helping them change her or get her on a bedpan.  Poor girl.

Darrel is tring to get the mess with Alltel sorted out.  They admitted that mobile-to-mobile is free, so that has to be wrong, what they charged us last month.  I really miss talking to family and friends freely.    He (Darrel) said it should be sorted out by tonight.

Gotta fix those legs again.  See you later!  Thanks to those who have been so faithful with those get-well-o-grams!! 

Hi, Carol!  I see you posted during my time-consuming, word or two and then jump up, post!

Day 40 and counting........

Oh Etta sue Perhaps the fun is in the disagreeing!  Good job he wasn't hurt with the fall.

Janet that is awful that she is in still more pain.  Are the painkillers not working?  Know I am praying for you all.

I have read all the posts and am praying where needed.  Have a good day everyone.

Etta Sue - upper 70s?  Good grief!  I'm in my mid 70s, and I'm afraid I won't do any cycling at all.  Wow!

Went to see the Vampire lady today and she got blood out of a vein that  I didn't think was working anymore. he even got 4 vials of blood out of me, hallelujah.!!!!!!!!!!! Back to the doctor for results on the 7th of August and the Mammo is scheduled for 17 August.

Quote from: gazzab on July 06, 2009, 04:42:14 PM
Having looked there appears to be a number of his sermons or parts thereof on the net, which video are you talking about and i will try and get a view myself

Regards

Gary

Gary, here's my post again that I posted last week:







I just took ten minutes to watch this video. 

I pray as I post this that many of you will take the time to watch it and listen to Paul Washer as he speaks about Jesus Christ being everything to us.

It is a quiet morning here on CP. 

We have a rainy day, Elizabeth and I are feeling the weather.  We have jobs to get done, some outside but they will have to wait.

Have a good day everyone.  and God Bless.

Good afternoon!  I was late getting up this morning.  Cloudy and dark.  My bedroom was dark so the sun didn't wake me up.  (That my story and I am sticking to it!) 

Kitty came yesterday afternoon and we watched The Bachelorette.  When she was leaving she was saying she was going to fix a pork roast on the grill outside...then remembered she left a pot of green beans on the stove!  So she left in a hurry.  She left a message later saying they were scorched on the bottom but she spooned off the good ones and they ate them anyway.  How many of us has done that? 

I got the yard mowed and the mole hills buzzed off yesterday.  Seemed like I was in a cloud of dust all the time.  I do have one trap that I had set and it had went off.  Hope I got the little bugger!  I don't see any now hills today in that area of the yard!  Ivalou mowed also so I called her afterward and asked if she would like to go to McDonalds and eat.  Sure!  So off we went, dust and all! 

Tonight is Beef and Boards.  Under 'Smoke on the Mountain' you may click on About This Show and read what it is about.  You may also click on Buffet Menu and see what good food I will be eating this evening.  This is best show all year in my estimation.  So funny.  Lots of singing and instrument playing!

Hello.  I guess I thought things were boring or something, so [I livened them up a bit.  As I was walking back "home" last evening, I was enjoying the beauty of nature, fresh air and sunshine........then the sidewalk jumped up and hit me!  Both knees and both palms....OUCH.    It really, really hurt.  Some people were following me down the walk, so they asked if I needed to be taken back to the hospital.  I refused, and once I felt a tiny bit more in control, they helped me up and I walked on to R.McD's.

I put a bag of ice on it for about an hour, it felt better, until the feeling came back.  Darrel said (of course I called him) that he thought I should get my insurance cards, call Security to take me to the emergency room and get it checked, so I did.  After they X-rayed my right knee and my back from different angles, and I waited for the results, they said nothing was broken, thank God!  So security took me back.  They gave me two prescriptions, but I have no car here.  Anyway Shirley/Tisie had planned to come see me this morning, so she took me to get the pills.  I did sleep in a while this morning, had called the nurses station to tell them they would need to feed Beth her breakfast.

After too much walking on it, I am back at the hospital, think I will go "home" and ice my knee, take some pills and lie down.  Darrel thinks he needs to come take me home, said I am just getting too tired.  And I am.

Sorry this is all about me, I promise to do better next time.

Oh Janet I am so sorry you had that fall.  Keep the ice handy and the pain killers.  We are friends/family and we can handle it being "all about you".

Judy is right, Janet ... we need to care for, and about, each other.

QuoteDarrel thinks he needs to come take me home, said I am just getting too tired.  And I am.

I agree with Darrel ....

Jane this is a tug of war for Janet.... Not sure I could decide.  I do agree with Darrel though.

I know, Judy .... I would be hard pressed to make that decision, as well.  Sometimes it takes an "outside" person to make the decision for us.   

You are right. 

Oh, Janet.  I'm so sorry about the fall.

Maybe if you gave yourself permission, and listened to your husband's counsel, you could go home for just a few days?  Just maybe 2 or three..and let someone take care of you a little bit?  If you let the nurses know you were leaving, I'm sure they would have someone to care for Beth.  Would Beth call them when she needed them?  She's probably been there long enough to do that when you're gone. (I meant that to say "IF you leave". )

Bless Janet, Father.

Hi everyone.  We have had a sunny and then rainy day here.  In the last two afternoons we have had over 2 inches of needed rain.

My friend, Rod, went with me to Atlanta this morning to have the MOHS procedure done on the basil cell carcinoma.  I was told I had to have someone to drive me back home and Pat certainly couldn't do it the way the muscles in her back are going into spasms.  Fortunately, we only had to stay there 2 hours as the doctor got the cancer and then clear tissue on the first go around.  This doctor has been performing this procedure for 20 years and trained with Dr. Mohs when he was an intern.  I have a big ugly pressure bandage above my lip, which I am to leave there until Friday morning.  I have felt tired this afternoon but there is only minor pain and Tylonol is taking care of that.  I didn't have to have any stitches put in as it was a very small area.  About 4:30 today the doctor called to see if I was getting along OK--this doesn't happen very often.

Janet, so sorry about your fall.  You sure didn't need more on your plate.  I can certainly understand Darrel's concern for you and how difficult your decision as to what you need to do must be for you.  However, please remember we must take care of ourselves to be helpful to anyone else.

Etta Sue, I sure used to enjoy going to a dinner theater when we lived in the Kansas City area.  I am not aware they have any of them in our area.  We do have good professional regional theater in our county and a major theater company in Atlanta.  We just don't take advantage of the opportunities we have for things like this. 

Carol, it sounds like your new cabin is going to be a lot of work but should be very enjoyable when you finally get it ready to occupy.

Larry, how is Pat doing?  Is her back any better today?

It sounds like you had a good doctor do your procedure.  20 years experience gives you a good feeling, I imagine.  So many of the doctors look like they're right out of med school.  I want to call them, "honey", and pat their hand.

Etta Sue. LOL    I had some of my very own "beautifully scorched" vegetables last night.  I did the same as Kitty.  I was able to save lots of them (mixed frozen)but we could taste that delightful hint of scorch.

Janet:  That must have been a moving sidewalk - so sorry.  I am so glad that Shirley was there to help you.

Larry:  It certainly sounds like you have an expert doctor for your lip surgery!  Trained by the inventor physician. 

Don was unable to get his sleeping pills delivered by the time we leave next week.  He will be SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE!  I shouldn't joke about it - he has had sleep problems for years.  I finally got in touch with my brother - he doesn't call back so I have had to call & leave three messages.  We will meet on his birthday for a day.  I do love him. 

Am so excited that a neighbor asked me to go with her to the Women's Bible study that begins in September - I was planning to go alone but this will be so nice. 

Janet, shame on that sidewalk, treating you that way!    Praise the Lord you didn't wind up with any broken bones.

I have to join the chorus of "you're overtired and need a rest".  If you break down you'll be no help to anyone, only an additional burden and I'm sure that's not something you'd like.  I'm sure that, although Beth will certainly miss having you constantly at her side, she will understand.  You need, physically and emotionally, some "Janet time" and some "Janet and Darrel" time.  Please take some time off.  Maybe this is a "Let go and Let God" situation. 

Love ya!

Larry how are you today. I trust the lip is doing better today.

Janet how are you feeling today.  Did you get any sleep?

Good morning everyone else.

Janet, Janet, Janet!  So sorry to hear of your fall.  I would think you would be pretty weary by now.  I know you have a lot of time on your hands but also it is a totally different routine than you are used to having.  Take some advice.  Listen to Darrel.  You need a bit of time for Janet!

Larry ~ Glad you have a good surgeon and he took good care of you.

The dinner theater was a hoot last night.  So funny.  We all laughed until we cried.  Best show ever! 

Today is our luncheon for the Class of 1960.  I have no idea who all will be there.  My classmates are the worst ones to not let anyone know anything.  I did call our class sponsor and I will be picking her up and taking her to the luncheon.  Mrs. Noggle graduated high school with my parents back in 1931.  I think Mrs. Noggle is 95.  She was younger than Mom and Dad because she skipped a grade or two...they used to do that back then.

I had better go get ready!

Hi everyone.  

Judy, I am happy to be able to say that I sleep like a baby last night with no pain when I would wake up and it feels fine today.  I thought I had taken Tylonol in the late afternoon but when it got to hurting later in the evening and I started to take more Tylonol I discovered that I had apparently taken my evening heart medications instead.  So took some Tylonol and soon the discomfort was gone.  I have to keep the area covered until tomorrow morning.  Guess I just had a senior moment and habit kicked in when I went to take the pain medication.  No harm done.

I did go to coffee this morning and sat at a corner booth with my back to all but my two friends who sat opposite of me.  I have a phyiscal this afternoon so will have to be among people again today but that is just the way it is.  I am not going to let the bandage slow me down.

Nita, Pat really is no better with the muscle spasms in the lower back.  The one area in the upper back that was causing her the significant discomfort a couple of nights ago seems to have been taken care of with the muscle relaxant.  She is contacting the doctor again today for a different medication, which he had indicated he would prescribe if the first didn't really help as hoped.  

Today is Pat's birthday and we had planned on going out to eat but will delay that until she is feeling better and I get rid of this bandage.  

Carol, it does seem that some days things come in a series.  Guess this a part of being human and life giving us challenges.  It sounds like you got both problems dealt with in a timely fashion.

Jeanne, I agree with you in the "Let Go and Let God".  

Etta Sue, sure hope you have a wonderful time at the reunion today.  I am sure all that laughing last night at the play was very good for you all.  Laughter is great medicine.

Hello!  I am happy to report that my knee, though sore, is much better today.  I walked over here again this morning.  It hurts some, but not bad.

I am ready to take everyone's advice to go home for a few days, and that's exactly what I would do IF anyone would give us some answers.  All they will say is that Beth needs to be here until the wound vac is off.  The case worker came yesterday to talk to me--finally--and she told me no insurance company will pay for Beth's transportation back to Ulysses, because it isn't an emergency.  She is not able to sit up for the four hours plus that the trip will take.  Said an ambulance transfer will cost thousands of dollars--self pay!----so......anyway, they do have some companies who have stretch vans they can haul patients in on gurneys, and they charge $500, so I told her that we will go that way, then.

I will ask more questions today, and if it appears she will be here for another week, I will call Darrel to come get me.  In the time it will take him to drive here, I can thoroughly clean my room at Ronnie Mc's and be ready to go.  My concern is, if I leave, they will call the next day to say Beth is being released.  I am tired of living in limbo here. 

There is a woman across the hall who yells "Help!  Help!  Help!" all day and all night.     Like it was for the little boy who cried Wolf!, nobody pays any attention to it.  Glad she isn't closer to this room.  Poor thing.

Larry, so glad the doctor did the job in one go!  I hope Pat gets to feeling better really soon.

Etta Sue, wish I could have gone to the dinner play with you, I love those!  The theater here in Wichita, which had been going for many years, closed its doors recently and cancelled its final scheduled play.  Such a shame.  It was called The Crown Uptown.

Beth is really lethargic today, she has been sleeping since I came.  She roused enough when John called to mumble a few words.  She says she doesn't feel bad, just tired.

A painting friend I have, her mother lives here in Wichita, and she is coming to take me to lunch today.  So I will have a nice break.

Beth's lunch just arrived, I need to try to get her to eat.  See you later.

The last two days we have had a stray cat coming for breakfast and supper. Tuesday morning when I took Bebe out to pee the cat was on the big deck and came right over to me on the small deck off the master bedroom  for pets.

Last evening when Keith was putting out some food for  that cat I  put a tube of flea drops on him ( the cat not Keith). He is a cute little black and white cat that doesn't have a tail. We have seen him around the neighborhood  for months but this is the first time he has come looking for  pets and food. Keith calls him "Grubby" because he has a black patch  on his chin that looks like he has a dirty face. I will try to get a picture of him. Fritzy loves to look at  him through the glass and will roll around on his back and make cooing noises at the other cat.

Marilyn:  You are such a softie for stray animals.  How nice of you to care for the lost cat. 

Tonight, I have to stop - was trying to download audio books to our MP3 to listen to books in the car.  Good grief.  The print is so small that even reading glasses don't help in most of the instructions.  What instructions?  I have been in Google & Youtube looking for instructions - things are a little clearer now  but not what they should be.  I need one of the grandchildren over here.   

Don felt a little dizzy for some odd reason so he has taken it easy today.  He says that he is perfectly fine now.  We are going to be dog sitting for two days and that is all that is going on here. 

Janet:  Thinking of you. 

Larry I have not been on much lately, but I did see that it is Pat's birthday.  Would you wish her a happy Birthday for us here at CP?  I am praying about her back that she will know the presence of our Lord throughout the day and night-time hours.

We had a great time yesterday with all the class members.  There were 17 class members at Golden Corral and a class sponsor.  28 people in all.  I took pictures and made a video and uploaded it to PhotoBucket so all the email class members can see it.  We decided that the second Thursday of each month we would all go to Golden Corral for lunch at noon.  So no more just 60 Chix luncheons.  Will save making phone calls to everyone to tell them where we are going...to those without emails. 

Then Kitty and I took Mrs. Noggle home...the class sponsor.  Then we went to Carmel and purchased matboards for our State Fair entries and Kitty picked up some prints at a camera shop.  We were dying of thirst so we had chips and salsa at Don Pablos.  I asked Kitty about the swimming facility in Carmel that she talked about in the spring.  So we went there and both of us bought a year pass to swim.  We are going swimming this afternoon!  Ivalou is going with us!  They have indoor and outdoor swimming areas.  I would give you the website but even with DSL, I haven't gotten to it yet.  It freezes up Mozilla Firefox. 

Got to run.  Doing laundry also.

Hi everyone.  Happy to be able to report the bandage if off my lip and it appears to be healing well.  Just have to put pure vaseline on it three times a day.  This morning I put a bandaid over it but took it immediately off as it looked worse than the area itself.  

When I had my physical yesterday, which went fine, the doctor gave me a prescription for some stronger muscle relaxant for Pat (she had e-mailed him with the request before I went and he looked at the message when I told him about it and immediately gave the prescription.)  The pharmacy was very busy and it took about an hour to get it filled but it seems to have helped her.  She said she is feeling better this morning although not recovered.

We had coffee at the senior center this morning and it was such a nice day that we did our walking in the park, which is adjacent to the senior center.  It was cool and a slight breeze and the humidity wasns't too high.  The rest of my day is clear as have no appointments or planned activities.  After the last three days of doctor appointment, a quiet day is welcome.

Janet, it sounds like you are getting things worked out.  That will be a long trip back to your town for Beth but the van where she can be stretched out and not have to sit up sounds like a good solution.  I hope you can get some answers and be able to go home for a few days.  Glad you had the opportunity to go out to lunch yesterday.

Marilyn, the word will get out in the animal kingdom that your place is where they can get a meal.  

Carol, hope you were successful in getting the audio book on your mp3 player.  My friend Rod's wife listens to book she downloads from the library and puts on her mp3 player.  My wife has listened to hundreds and hundreds  of audio book over the last few years but doesn't like to use earphones so uses her computer or a portable player.  

Judy, thanks for your words regarding Pat.  We are still looking forward to a special meal out to celebrate our wedding anniversary and her birthday when she gets to feeling up to going out.

Etta Sue, it sounds like you are getting things organized so your lunches with your classmates won't be a lot of work for you.  

If any of you are thinking of upgrading to Windows 7 operating system, which will be released in October, the half-price pre-release sale ends at the end of the day tomorrow.  I am thinking of ordering a copy and found an offer on Amazon this morning for the Home Premium Upgrade version for $49.  That is more than a 50% savings.  Here is the link if you are interested:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002DHLUWK?ie=UTF8&tag=pcpitstop&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002DHLUWK

Oh, it was so nice to go out to lunch yesterday!  She took me to the Wichita Art museum, where they have a small cafe called The Muse.  It overlooks a lovely area by the river. The food was wonderful and served so attractively.  After we ate, we went through the galleries and looked at the paintings.  There was one by Mary Cassat that I liked, and several more lovely ones.  I do not care for non-representational paintings, and there were a lot of those.  

And this morning, Mary came back and took me to see her chiropractor.  I sure hope it helps my back, I needed it.  Mary is such a blessing, and sharp as a tack at "double pretzels".....That's what she told me is her age.    It took me a few seconds, then it hit me--oh!  She is 88!

Larry, glad your lip is healing well.  Hello to everyone here, and a special thanks to Etta Sue for your faithfulness in sending those get-well-o-grams, also to Jane!  

Still no difinitive word on how long.......this is day 43.........

Well, we thought we were much richer this morning (ha, ha).  Marbeth received a check and a letter in the mail telling her that she was a $1,000,000 winner of the Pepsi/Readers Digest sweepstakes.  The check was drawn on a bank in Grand Rapids, Mi, and it had a company name of the Kent Company, also in Grand Rapids.  The check was for $5,000.  It had no request on it for personal info., anything like that.  Just a check.  But, inasmuch as most companies don't give money away, I Googled the company.  Come to fine out that the giveaway is a fraud.  The company doesn't have that account at that bank, and the check is worth nothing.  How I don't know, but they probably get sensitive information when you try to cash the check.  Anyway, thank the Lord, I looked into it before trying to cash it.  

So if anyone gets one of these - don't cash it.  You won't get anything anyway.

Well AL it was a nice couple of minutes of dreaming.

Janet, so lovely that you had such a nice diversion from daily hospital meals.

Larry, thanks for the link to Amazon's page.  I still have WINXP, and have been thinking I need to upgrade since I can't afford a new computer.  That's a good price.  I know nothing about Windows 7, but have read many complaints about Vista.

I'm always leery  about things like that, Al.  Skeptical is the better word.  I search out everything.   I know there are some who would have gone right down to cash it.  I wonder what information they can get when the check is refused? 

Nita, my friend Rod wrote me yesterday that he had heard that for Windows XP you will have to be a clean install and therefore couldn't use an upgrade copy on anything but Vista.  I will see him in a few minutes and see if I can get more information and then will post it here.  I am not sure that I will buy it under these conditions as I like my Vista machine and I haven't seen why the hassle over it.  

I have done some more checking and found there is a Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor Beta that will check your computer.  Here is the link:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/thankyou.aspx?familyId=1b544e90-7659-4bd9-9e51-2497c146af15&displayLang=en  I just ran it on my XP computer and it said I would need to perform custom installion of Windows 7 and then reinstall my programs.  After running this Advisor and seeing the results I am going to let this offer pass without action on my part.

Larry ~ Is Windows 7 the upgrade since Vista?  I haven't heard anything about Windows 7.  But I am very pleased with Vista and my desktop has Windows XP.  Pleased with that also.  Next purchase will probably be a wireless printer, scanner, fax machine. 

Kitty, Ivalou and I went swimming yesterday.  The parking lot was full!!!  So many people.  But we all got changed into our suits and went out by the pools.  There are about 4 areas from kids pools to lap pools and even the Lazy River.  We were in the water about 2.5 hours.  Then off to the showers and get dressed. 

Kitty said she would go get the car and pick us up at the front.  Ivalou and I waited and waited.  Finally I looked at my cell and Kitty left a voice mail saying there was a car accident in the parking lot and would be up to get us as soon as she could.  Seems an elderly man was backing out of his space and saw Kitty and started to pull back in his spot.  Kitty told him to go ahead since her car was beside of him and it would be easier for her to get out once he moved.  She wasn't in her car yet.  The elderly man back out and was ready to go forward.  Then she notice a pickup truck backing out of his space...she yelled, STOP!  But the driver backed into the elderly man's car, pushed him into Kitty's car and the car next to her.  She said if she hadn't have moved she would have been pinned in between the cars.  She has a scratch on the rear bumper but the car next to her had lots of damage.  Hope they found out who that person is?  And of course, the driver of the pick up said it was the elderly mans fault!  Duh!

When Ivalou and I got home we went to Waffle House to eat.  I was so tired last night so I went to bed early and slept soooo good.

Ivalou is coming over for lunch.  I have a pot of smoked sausage, green beans, potatoes, carrots and onions on the stove.  Hope she gets here soon.  I am hungry. 

Raining in Indiana off and on.  We really need it.

We did get the mp3 loaded with an audio book & now will attempt to get it to work on the car radio.  Meanwhile, we are enjoying dog sitting for two days.  At 6:10 this morning, I was walking Loki and it brought back a lot of good memories of all the dogs we have sheltered. 

Al:  Good for you for being on the alert for scams.  They sure do find senior information much too quickly.

Larry:  Good that your lip is healing, your physical went well and that Pat has a good muscle relaxer now.  Take care.

Janet:  How nice to get out and have a trip to the art museum.  Lunch as well. 

We had the longest time of lightning here last night that I have seen in years.  Frightful for anyone on the streets. 

Etta Sue, Windows 7 is the next generation after Vista and will be available on October 22nd.  I have done more research this morning and while my computer will handle the requirements of Windows 7, I am not conviced the Upgrade version would work on an XP machine.  I have decided to not proceed with purchasing the reduced price upgrade and stay with what I have, which works perfectly well. 

Larry, I had already installed and ran the upgrade adviser when I saw your post about it.  I got the same message as you....would need a custom install.

I know that Windows XP will soon have no support, so need to do something, I guess, but I can't afford Vista, so guess I'll just have to stay with XP.

Carol, lightning can be both exciting and scarey.  I remember seeing lightning storms that would go on and on.  Not here on the coast, but inland where my sister lives.  As we were not out in it,  it was a great light show.  I feel for all the dogs too that had to go through yours.  Did you have thunder too?

   Good evening to all.  We have had company for the last two days and we had a wonderful time.  The friends that we had were from our old church in the city of Toronto and it so nice to have them and to catch up on all the news about the people in our old church.

Today we had a very bad thunder storm and very heavy rain and the sky got very black but then it cleared up and we went to a bird sanctuary and a reptile museum and other specious of animals.  It was very interesting  to see the different types of birds that they had and the colours of them were so beautiful.

Larry:  How is your wife Pat feeling I do hope some better and what about yourself are you o.k.

Pat and Paul:  Hope all is going well and both of you are healthy.  God bless big sis.

Well must go for tonight may the Lord be with you all tomorrow and have a wonderful day in his House.

Well it is late.  John came in this afternoon and is leaving tomorrow morning.  I lay in bed stewing because I didn't have enough prepared for him for his meals.  Well they are done now.  and now I will be able to sleep.

Today was a lovely day, windy but that is good as it keeps the bugs away.  I got the mowing done and Elizabeth let the dogs loose so I could mow around their dog house.  John built a contraption to feed the birds in, and it holds about 2 of the large bags of feed.  They have done well, these birds, we were told have a higher mortality rate to the others we got and we haven't lost one yet.  They are getting big, and getting their feathers as well.  Another week and we will be able to take down theheat lamp.

Well I am off to bed Night / morning everyone.

I am ready for church.  Ivalou called and said she wasn't feeling good so isn't going to go to church.  Hope it wasn't my lunch yesterday.  I feel fine.

So I may go to WalMart after lunch today.  I have a few things I need to get in. 

It rained nearly all day yesterday but the sun is out bright this morning and not a leaf stirring. 

I pray that everyone has a God-filled day! 

Hi everyone.  We have sun this morning but rain possible later in the afternoon.  I will be going to church but Pat isn't feeling up to it.  She has taken another muscle relaxant and sometimes they cause her to feel "loopy" she says and other times they don't.  The spasms don't seem to be getting much better but she is comfortable when she isn't on her feet.

I am going to stop at a Chinese place to get something for lunch.  We have never gotten food from there but my friend, Rod, has and said yesterday they had sesame chicken that was the best he could remember ever eating. 

Nita, I have played around with the Linux Ubuntu 9.4 software and believe it can do basically everything I would likely want to do on the computer so don't think I would hesitate to use it if.  It uses Firefox, Open Office and has music and video players and just about everything else, including a graphics program.  It had the drivers for all of my printers, about which I was surprised.  You no longer have to know Linux commands to use it as it has a nice graphical interface.  It is free.  Just something to keep in the back of your mind for future reference.  I have it installed on an old computer although you can load a version as a program, which I have done on my laptop. 

Judy, you are certainly having good results with your birds this year.  Must be all that tender loving care.    It sounds like John had a brief turn around this week.

Gord, nice that you could have good friends visit with you.  Thanks for inquiring about Pat and I provided info above.  I am doing fine.  The site of my skin cancer is healing nicely and I was even able to shave over the area this morning (carefully).  The swelling is going down and in a few days it should just be a memory.

Janet, sure hope Beth is experiencing improvement on a daily basis.  Maybe this will be the week where you all will get good news.

Larry - I'm not a doctor, and that's for sure. But the problem Pat has sounds like a chiropractic problem with the lower vertebrae in her back - possibly even a partially slipped disc.  Maybe it would be good to have it checked out by a chiro?

I am in a hurry but waiting for the dryer to quit.  So much to do - we did get to the 7:30 AM service once again and the speaker was excellent with a sense of humor.  She has a doctorate and heads up the Adult Ed. department at this huge church.  We have been going through "The Creed" for a month and it has been so interesting.  Don and I memorized The Creed as youngsters as all Lutherans do and it has always meant much but each line by line with explanations is really an absorbing study.  They say Hades in this church while we were always saying Hell and I wonder why the difference.  "He descended into Hell".  Communion today and that means an extra basket is at the doorway that goes towards helping anyone in the congregation - there are so many in the military and too many out of work, all sorts of things.  A fine and easy way to collect for those needs. 

Picking up grandson from hockey practice - yes, Sunday mornings are hockey for the kids and isn't that the worst shame?   Makes me riled.  Then, a BBQ for the whole family today at one son's home and hopefully the sky will cooperate.

Nita:  The dog sitting went so well and I have never minded taking one of the dogs out but this place we have to have a dog on a leash as there is no way Don or I could catch one if a coyote or fox came by - Loki was calm during the storm but you can imagine that a lot of animals ran away in the storm.  Don't you something think that he thunder is God talking?  There are so many people living on the streets in the city and even suburbs - it must be just awful for them.  Would love a dog here but we still travel too much and then going out to the street & along the open space would be easy but we have a walk-out basement and those stairs would not be the right thing for us at this age.

Don felt a little dizzy the other day and had me drive.  This morning, he has gone back to bed to try to catch a late morning nap before we pick up g-son.  Concerned but not worried as we head out on a very long trip.  I will check in along the way.  We leave Wednesday. 

   Good afternoon to all.   We had a good service at church.   I was on the praise team and I enjoy it so much.   About 2-30 a.m. this morning I had to get up and go you know where but I  maybee tripped or just fell over and hit the back of my head on the wall also hit the right shoulder and cut the back of my leg this getting older is the pits.  I don't think that I have actually broken anything but it sure hurts.    Please pray that this or things like this happen again

Hope that you have a wonderful week and do take it easy.

Carol:  It is funny that you say that Don had a dizzy spell that happened to me today and I always think that it could be the start of a seizure but I pray that it is not.

      Have a great day.   Gord.

No, Gord, you don't need those again. 

So sorry you fell.  Hope you get over it quickly.

It's Sunday and that's means time for a new devotion and new week.  A nice clean place for you all to post will be found here.