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I am ready to begin my trek to California for Christmas with (some of the family) just waiting for Dot to wake up.  She arrived here last night (from Spokane) and we will drive to Sacramento today for a few days with Joy and John and Bryan.  Then, Tuesday evening, my grandson Tim has tickets for us to see the Christmas service at his church featuring The Silhouettes.  This group was on America's Got Talent, and will be preforming at all sixteen (16) of the services at Tim's church.  He says all nights (and afternoon) are completely full ... a few walk-in seats still available. 

Wednesday Bryan and Joy will join Dot and me as we drive on to Lancaster, California where Candice lives and Becky has recently reunited with her sister.  The trip was originally planned so Dot would be with all three of her girls and all three of her grandkids for the first time in several years, but Jessica is not able to make the trip at this time.  Bryan is happy to be able to spend time with his cousins ... being an only child, and since returning from combat with the army, he really feels strongly about being with family.  Christmas is all about family, so this should be a very enjoyable time.

I finished one Chemo Wrap yesterday and started another.  The second one is yellows and oranges.  Lot brighter than the off-white to dark brown one! 

I loved my leisure day.  It was cloudy, rainy and windy.  A wonderful day to stay inside. 

This morning I took Ivalou for her blood work at the doctor's office.  Then we went to Steak n Shake for breakfast. 

This afternoon I am to be at the church by 3pm to help sort Christmas cards.  Then I am going on to Tony's house.  Charlene, Tony and I are going out to eat for our Christmas dinner.  I am hoping I get to see all the little ones that she sits for before they leave. 

That's about it from central Indiana!

We are leaving for Portland  in about 30 minutes. I have loaded the Corvette, taken the dogs to Puppy LOve and am just waiting for Keith to get here. See all y'all on Monday.

Janet we want to see pictures when you get the house done. I want to see the Jungle wall.

And we're still waiting for some of those travel pictures, too.   

Well, my friend's eye surgery went very well, the retina stayed attached this time, and the YAG laser procedure seems to be a success. We'll know when the bandage is removed tomorrow.

Thank you, Lord, for your goodness to your patient, and to all the rest of us, too. Please grant our friends traveling mercies, and give each of us a "strange warming of the heart" that will make us even more aware of Your presence with us.

In Jesus' Holy name,
Amen.

Kassie has gone to bed, I am settling down for a long evening's rest... John will be home soon.

Took RuthV and her daughter shopping today, both their cars are on the fritz.  I really enjoyed the company.  Fun day.  Ruth we need to do that again soon!

Christmas shopping is done a bit of knitting left to do.  Now to finish the house decorating and enjoy the season.

Have a great evening folks.  Those of you who are going to be away know you are prayed for.

Night all!

Yes JudyB, it was a marvelous day! It's not often I get a chance to get out; I do NEED to do it more. Thank you!!

Today I need to get my Christmas letter together. I tried to put it in my gallery and put a link here, but was unsuccessful on the first attempt. I will try again later.

First: coffee!! and breakfast.     It's currently 8:08 A.M.  -17C (1.4 F) and cloudy.

Hi everyone.  Earlier this morning I made a fast trip to the pharmacy at Kroger's to get Pat some cough syrup and some butterscotch drops to fight her cold.  Unfortunately, they now have to keep all of the cough syrup behind the service center counter and it wasn't open.  I did pick up something for her breakfast as she doesn't feel up to cooking for herself this morning.  This cold has really gotten her down.  Had a busy day yesterday but today should be much less busy. I have a meeting to attend later this morning and that should be it for today.

Judy, I bet you and RuthV had a good time when you took her shopping.

Janet, I think this is the first time you have told us the name of your book.  I like it.  Hope the painting of your mural as well as the kitchen work progressed yesterday.

Jane, hope your trip to Sacramento went without problem.  I am sure you will enjoy your time with family and so nice that you don't have to spend Christmas alone.  Our DIL has a friend who was going to be spending Christmas alone and so she asked if she could invite this friend to come with them to have Christmas with us.  The answer was certainly.  There is always plenty of food and we even have something for her that will be under the tree, if we ever get it put up.  You will get to see your new great grandchild--exciting time in Lancaster. 

Etta Sue, hope you had a lovely time with Tony and Charlene.  I bet the little ones are cute.

Marilyn, guess it will be welcome home when you read this on Monday or later.  Hope your trip was fun.

Ruth Ann, they are doing some amazing things with lasers these days.  The same is true with robotic surgery.  Glad your friends eye surgery went very well.

Judy, sure you will be glad to have John back for a couple of days. 

Sorting Christmas cards was fun.  I imagine we are the only church in Indiana with so many 'Z' last names.  Marge's husband and brother has the last name of Zeller and all their descendants!  Bet there are 20 families of Zellers!  And surprisingly, no 'J' families.  No Jones, Johnson or Jackson! 

Our Sunday School teacher makes the best cheese cakes!!  HE, not she, made us a Peppermint Cheese Cake.  So we had coffee and cheesecake after sorting cards!  Yum!

Then off to Tony's.  Tony was already home.  There were only two little boys still there.  Talkative little boys with lots of questions.  Who are you?  What's your name?  Where do you live?  Cute! 

And then we went to 'On the Border'.  What a surprise!  Mexican is about the only place Tony will eat out. 

I visited with them until about 10:30 and came home. 

This morning I got an email from Charlene.  It seems there was an accident in front of their home at 4am this morning.  A man was in an addition is west of them and this young man was going to his father's home.  Tony heard a beep...they have beepers on their drive so they know when someone drives in.  Charlene heard the crash.  She looked out the window and the car headlights were toward their house.  She yelled for Tony, he got dressed and went outside.  Seems a deer set off the beeper, then the man and the deer collided.  Problem was the man was scared and tried to go back home.  Tony called 911 and the man called 911 when his car died in the middle of the road.  The man was bleeding and they took him to the hospital.  The car was totaled...a Saab.  Three corner fence posts and some fencing was broken off at the ground.  Thank God, the man wasn't hurt bad!  The deer?  He went on! 

I got information back from Betty and Marge's family so I am making them birthday/anniversary calenders today for Christmas.  I would like to take them to church tomorrow but if I don't get them done, I know where they live!!

Doing some laundry and that's it!

Etta Sue, I haven't thanked you for the great collection of Christmas-themed animations you put in your posts. It certainly decorates our site beautifully every day.

Well, it's close to noontime, so time to think of a bit of food to eat.

Y'all have a wonderful, God-blessed day.

Ruth Ann

Hello from Portland the trip went just fine. good weather means it didn't rain on us.

"...But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."  Micah 5:3

Obviously, our lessons are not about partridges in pear trees or leaping lords.  Today I'd like to contemplate the prophet's appreciation of the fulfillment of their prophecies.  Of course, today we have the text "Book" and evidence of fulfilled prophecy recorded.  But, knowing a little bit about human nature, misgivings, and doubt, maybe, just maybe, Micah may have wondered when his prediction was going to come to pass.  Don't you think that Micah, there in Abraham's bosom, Paradise, would have been glad to be notified that Mary was espoused to Joseph, and they had to go to Bethlehem for the census?  Maybe he didn't know Mary and Joseph from Tom and Kathy!  But, when he was apprised that she was a virgin and going to have a baby—THE BABY—I would wager he got a little excited and maybe even relieved (if he was a touch insecure).

Now what about Isaiah?  He had foretold that a virgin would conceive and bear a son, and he ever predicted the little lad's name, who was the Lord, Immanuel (cf. Isa. 7:14).  Nearly eight centuries before Christ's birth this noble prophet had declared the miracle about the Messiah's birth!

I believe all the saints who had enjoyed glimpses of redemption's plan and had hope of a Messiah rejoiced at His birth.  As Abraham, "...not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off..."  And Moses who "...[esteemed] the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt..." (Cf. Heb. 11); all of Paradise's devout denizens rejoiced to see the birth in Bethlehem.
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wELL, HERE k STILL AM AT dUREKA cARE & rEHAB.  aPPOINTMENT LN THE 21ST AT THE RUROLOGIST FOR AN ULTRA SOUND.  tHEN, KF EVERYTHING'S ALLRIGJT, i hOLPE THEY'LL REMOVE THE CATHETER, REARRANGE THE ARCHETECTURE OF MY PROSTATE.  hOPEFULLY, ALL THAT WILL GET ME CLOSE TO BEING ABLE TO GO HOME!

How wonderful to see Al's smiling face and read his optimistic post. 

Al, be sure prayers are being said for your recovery, sooner than later, if it's the Lord's Will. 

Al, It is sure great to see you. I will pray for good results on the 21st. Will it not be great to get home for Christmas?

Sending love & hugs your way!!

(((Al, more hugs from Nashville, too!)))

We are praying, trusting, believing, and praising God for His love and care extended to you and Marbeth.

I'm back in from shopping, and going to turn in early, early this evening. Tomorrow morning's gonna be great at the church I will attend.

Love to all of y'all,
Ruth Ann

An early night for me, too.  After 2 "J" nights in a row I'm done in. 

Ohhh, how wonderful to see your post, Alan. 

We love you and miss you so much!  We will continue to pray for you.  Get well soon my dear special friend.

"...now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into."  I Peter 1:12b

Let's look quickly at the angelic perspective of the first Christmas pageant and present.  They really played a significant part and were not mere "bit players" like modern day; white sheet draped, coat-hanger covered wings, and their angel-haired replicas.

Of course, Gabriel's annunciation to Mary and the angel of the Lord's pronouncement to Joseph are paramount in the story.  However, let's rewind a moment and return to golden streets and crystal rivers and surmise the preparation.  We all recall that there was an angelic choir that sang the Babe's praises to lowly shepherds that first Christmas Eve.  When do you suppose that they found out they were going to be the opening vocal act to the greatest event of all time?  Now, I am not a musician, but I know a few, and they like to practice.  Matter of fact, I like them to practice too!  (It's usually better when they do some of that.)  You might think that their audience wasn't too sophisticated and they could just "wing-it" (sorry), but I believe they did their best.  For they were singing about the very BEST!

What the angels sung about and witnessed that day was something that Peter said they have a great desire to look into.  What is that you might ask?  I think the answer is redemption.  It might be forgiveness or grace extended to fallen man.  It may be salvation's sweet salve to the human soul, for they know nothing about the guilt of Adam's sinful family, and the dawn of redeeming grace.

Great to see Al posting.  I am praying all will be fine with you and yours. 

Yesterday was a great day of laundry, making two more calenders and printing them, talking/visiting to Ivalou and all the normal every day things.  Also TV and more crocheting in the evening.

And my night's rest was fabulous.  I may not even have a nap this afternoon! 

I am working the projector system this week and two more weeks so I have to go into church early.

Off I go>>>>>>

Time to start a new week.


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