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Morning Devotional...





But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9


I am cheered to know so many of you are with me on this. We are going to go to the New Testament and be Bible Christians. We are going to sell out to God and not the devil. We are going to pray more, read our Bible more and attend prayer meeting more. We are going to give more and break bad habits by the power of God. We are going to become Christians after God's heart. We are going to be protesters in an hour when the smooth, sickly, slippery, rotten, backslidden, degenerate, apostate Christianity is accepted. We are going to stand for God, to act like simple Protestant Christians, to act like our Presbyterian Scottish forebears, to act like our English Methodist forebears, to act like the dear old Baptist who broke the ice in the creek and baptized people in the freezing water. They had a saying in those days, "Nobody ever caught a cold getting baptized in the ice." God Almighty saw to it that nobody ever died of pneumonia. Those Protestant forebears made these two nations, the United States and Canada. They made this continent. Are we going to be descendants of which they should be ashamed? Or are we going to say, "Lead on, we are following. You followed Jesus Christ, and we are following you." John Thomas was a dear old Welsh preacher I used to hear. While he preached he would raise his hands and say, "You supply the grit and God will supply the grace." He was right. You've got the grit; God has the grace.


Through the centuries God's people have experienced His grace. He doesn't give it to us in large cartons to be stored somewhere until we think we need it. He gives grace day by day, moment by moment, just enough as we in our weakness look to Him.


Lord, I feel so inferior to those giants of faith who have gone on before. But You remind me that out of their weakness they, too, trusted You step by step.

From Devotions By Dr. Tozer

Hi everyone.  It is going to seem very strange to go to church this morning and not head for the choir room.  Pat will not be going with me today as she is still battling this bad cold.  She did seem to get a good nights sleep so hope she will be feeling some better today.  Nothing else on tap for today after church.  I will probably go somewhere to get something to bring in for lunch for us.

Etta Sue, I don't think I have ever heard of a peppermint cheese cake.  Scary event to Tony and Charlene.  These deer can do great damage and make night time driving dangerous.

Al, glad you could make another posting and do hope you will be able to go home soon.

Don, thanks for the devotional thoughts for this week.

.... Thank you Don  .... so true. Multiple times I have gone for Him for His grace.... knowing I don't always display the grit!

I've had a busy day. We were picked up at 8:30 A.M..... and didn't get home until 5:30 P.M.  What a blessing to have friends who can help in times of need! Tomorrow, I am picking up one of those friends (I have her vehicle) and we are heading back up to North Bay.

I'll drop in, on my way back home, to check on how the repairs (actually... retrofit) is doing on my car.

God bless everyone in C.P. I'll see you tomorrow night.

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Here is our Christmas Letter I would like to share with you, all my friends on 

Ruth, I've downloaded your letter, and will read it tomorrow.

Today, I drove to Cullman, AL for my great grandson's christening ceremony. What an honor to be asked to attend!  I do SO much love my grandson and his lovely wife, and their two precious little sons.

Now, since it was a one-day turnaround, I'm ready to not set my alarm tomorrow morning.

G'nite, friends!

Ruth Ann

"And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ."  Matthew 1:16

Joseph had much more than a minor role in the first Christmas pageant.  His contribution to God's divine plan was not insignificant.  There is not a lot known about him, but it is obvious that he was a fine man, caring husband, and would be a good surrogate father to the Saviour of the world!  Matthew 1:19 records the facts that he was a just man and had Mary's good name and reputation at heart.  However, the angel of the Lord again interjects his reason into the mind of Joseph in a dream.  Joseph is for the most part a silent partner in the life of Jesus' earthly family.  As a matter of fact, he only has a small speaking part, and the only word he gets to say is—Jesus! (see vs. 25).  If in this life the only name you ever know, the only One you ever call is Jesus, and He responds to your earnest plea, happy you will be.

From a practical platform can you imagine what it must have been like for this young couple, madly in love, soon to be wed and then to be confronted with this unsuspected, unprecedented predicament?  I can see tears, hurt feelings, hopelessness, resolve, and his decision is made to put her away, but God intervenes.  Joseph submits to the Word of God!  He adjusts his life, plans, and future to coincide with the overriding plan of God.  He backed off and let God do in Mary's life what was beneficial for all mankind.

Joseph stayed true to God, faithful to Mary, and a wise leader in the home the Saviour grew up in.  He followed Heaven's leading in the many moves he made in the days ahead also.  His would be fine example to follow down the road of your life.

Hi everyone.  Not much to write about today.  It was a much cooler day here yesterday and it is 31 degrees here now but suppose to go up to 61 degrees today.  The housekeepers will be here this morning and will help Pat finish her Christmas decorations.  She got a lot of that done yesterday although had to push herself to do it a little at a time.  She was feeling somewhat better from her cold.  My Monday Men's Lunch group are going to the new Olive Garden that opened a few days ago in our area.  I am looking forward to their soup and salad.  This evening I have a meeting to attend and that will fill out my day.

RuthV, you must be having some extensive work done on your car.  It seems they have had it for quite awhile and expect you feel that way also.  Thanks for sharing your Christmas letter.

Ruth Ann, nice you could attend the christening ceremony. 

Judy and Pat, thanks for sharing the Christmas Carol and the article.

Ah, Cullman, Alabama!  That's where we used to have to get off the interstate when we went south to my husband's family in Anniston, Alabama.  Later when I-65 was finished between Cullman and Birmingham, we would stop in Cullman at the flea market on the west side of the interstate.  Loved their assorted bags of fruit and big bags of whole pecans!  And also the Ave Maria Grotto.  I think that is the name of the grotto...all miniature tour of churches in the olden days.  If you looked close, you might see a green glass window...it was a broken Coke bottle.  Or maybe the stone walk was broken china tea cups. 

There were so many at church yesterday I thought the church was going to collapse!  How wonderful to see all the people and the church didn't collapse! 

Are churches in your area fore-going their Sunday Service next Sunday on Christmas day?  Some are here but not Clarksville Christian Church.  We are having Christmas Eve service AND Christmas Sunday Service.  But no Sunday School.  So if yours is closed, you are welcome to come to Clarksville Christian Church to worship our Lord on His day!

After Sunday School we went to Logan's Steak House for lunch.  Then I went to Dollar General.  I found everything there for my contribution to Ivalou's Christmas dinner so now I don't have to hit the big stores for that!  Also I got some rock salt for when it gets slick outside.

We have been so fortunate so far to not have bad weather...yet!  It is a given..we know it will be here.  Wouldn't it be nice to have a covering snow Christmas Eve and Christmas day?  That would be wonderful....and low gas prices for those who will be traveling on Christmas. 

The rest of yesterday I spent napping, then watching TV and crocheting.  My yellow-to-orange Chemo Wrap looks beautiful!  So bright and cheery! 

I don't have anywhere to have to go today!  Dreary out so I think I will just stay inside and hibernate! 

Love the Shepherd song.  Love almost every one of the Christmas songs... especially old and traditional.

I was on the phone promptly this morning to fix a mess on my meds - Sunday evening, the drug company called and thankful that they told me a new script would be almost $300.  I told them no, thank you - so had to call dr's office this morning & glory be - I talked to a person to get things straightened out.  Whew! This has been a month of real upsets between drs. office and my prescriptions.  My regular one is only $7 for a three month supply so the $200 plus whatever would be staggering as you can well relate. 

This is so funny.  I pressed some back arrows and was reading all the notes and thought I had lost it - my mind.  Looked at the date and it was way back in 2003 if I remember correctly.  Karmat was there - we miss her. 

Must keep slugging away here.  Keep well everyone.  There seems to be a lot of coughing going around. 

Today is one of those days I wish I could have hybernated in bed and enjoyed a good book.  Couldn't happen.

I am glad you are enjoying the carols....I think 2 - 3 a day isn't too much do you?  You can always skip by them......

Baby's room in in process.  Being an old century house the walls needed repair.  That is being done today.

Have a good day and enjoy getting ready for the birthday.

Hi everyone We are back from Portland, had a good visit except for yesterday when I woke up  dizzy, The BPPV with one ear was the problem. However I had to stay laying down until it was time to leave. Keith and the boys prepared breakfast and Keith brought me a plate  and Orange juice downstairs.  I feel better today, however when I went to the gym I couldn't stay long because I was feeling pretty weak so I only did a few on the machines and left after about 10 minutes.

Thank you Don for the wonderful devotional.

Judy when is the baby due? I think you will designe and awesome room for the baby.

Keith's son Craig gave us some photos they took of the baby and a DVD of the pregnancy and birth. Corey gave us an awesome stainless steel designer series programmable  Crockpot.  I had made Banana bread to take up with us then I made Stephanie a pr of earrings and gave her a pendant that Gilbert made for me to take to her.

It's so good to hear from everyone. Today has also been a very busy day, so will wait till tomorrow (ummmm - I see that's actually "later today!!") to give a better report.

Love to everyone,
Ruth Ann

Looks to be a dreary day today in central Indiana.  Raining.  Not cold cold but cool. 

I thought I would get my second Chemo Wrap done but I didn't.  I forgot that each round is more stitches.  I have 6 more rounds and this one will be done also.

Today I am driving Ivalou to her appointment with her Nurse for follow up for her bloodwork last week.  I don't know if we are going to eat or not.  Up to her. 

Then this afternoon I want to go back to Noblesville to the pool and take Chemo Wrap Number 1 to the hospital. 

Hi eveyrone.  Yesterday turned out to be an extremely busy day for me but went very well.  We did enjoy our luncheon at Olive Garden, although it was packed and we had a 30 minute wait to get seated.  When we left about 2:30 yesterday afternoon there were still people waiting to be seated.  This was a bad week to go into the area where the Olive Garden is located as it is on a major traffic lane and it was bumper to bumper.  Fortunately, I just had to cross it at a light.  Today should be much lighter.  I stopped at the bank this morning to get cash for some gifts and have a meeting to attend later this morning and then should have the rest of the day free.  Pat is taking her sewing machine to be serviced at the quilt shop before they go out of business. The housekeepers were able to help Pat finish up the decorating and put away the boxes that hold all the things to decorate.  I must admit the house looks very nice and ready for Christmas.  We have a few packages to wrap and then should be pretty well ready except preparing some food. Pat is feeling better today from her cold and also from the little gout attack she experienced yesterday.

Etta Sue, wonderful to see a packed church.  Our church is not experiencing that problem.  Our church is having services on Christmas Day as well as two Christmas Eve services.  I do not plan on attending this next Sunday as we are having the family in and they are here for such a short time.  My son did call to ask whether they could come over a bit early Sunday.  I also Pat will need some assistance in preparing the food and table for the day.  We have a tradition of finger type foods rather than a formal meal.  However, we did get a couple of hams to bake for sandwiches and will have other goodies as well.  No one will leave hungry.

Carol, you have had a terrible time with your meds recently.  Hope this gets things straightened out. 

Judy, the time frame is short for posting the Christmas Carols so I think it is great you are posting more than one a day.

Marilyn, sure hope you are feeling more chipper today.  That was not a good way to end a nice visit. 

Ruth Ann, you sure posted early this morning or should I say night.  I see you and Judy both posting in the very, very early AM.

Yes Larry I am feeling more "chipper" today, I am back from the gym and had a real good workout., makes a person feel great.  We went to pick up our meds last evening, when we got home I realized that on of mine had a discrepancy in the instructions saying to take one daily on Monday and Thursday. There were only 24 pills in the bottle for 90 days. I called my doctor's office this morning and they will get it straightened out.

Well hi everybody.  Nothing new here.  Supposed to have an appointment with the urologist tomorrow, and hope he will do enough so that this catheter can be removed.  Then, with physical therapy, I shoulc be able to go home.  Ah, how great that would be!!!

Yeaterday was a difficult day for Kassie and I.  My nephew posted this verse on face book and even though they are may favourite verses I certainly was not "Thinking on these things."

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,
whatever things are noble,
whatever things are just,
whatever things are pure,
whatever things are lovely,
whatever things are of good report,
if there is any virtue and
if there is anything praiseworthy—
meditate on these things.

How easy it is to become bent out of shape, and to forget this verse.

It looks like we are going to have a white Christmas for the first time in the 16 years we have been here. So this song is appropriate.

Good Morning AL  So good to see you on site today.  May God bless you both as we continue through this Christmas season.  God bless you and Know here in the north you are being prayed for!!!

Hi, friends, after putting close to 600 miles on the car and me Sunday and yesterday, I "got permission from myself" to rest in until very late today.

Sunday was such a wonderful day with my grandson and his family while the baby was being christened, then afterward in the church's fellowship hall with homemade chili with all the trimmings (made by my grandson himself) and then a homemade chocolate pie made by one of my grandson's wife's family members. How great to be loved and accepted by all of them.

Then, yesterday was a fast trip to Chattanooga to meet my daughter in law and little granddaughter who brought a complete Christmas for that grandma and her 2 grandchildren who live under such difficult circumstances. Fortunately this year, they will have a WONDERFUL Christmas, and it will be peaceful, with those causing so many sorrows and worries being safely away until past Christmas Day.

Now, it's time to go to WalMart to pick up an online purchase that came in for pickup yesterday. Then, maybe a bit of pizza before returning home.

It's cloudy and drizzly today, but temps are in the 50s, so it won't be too bad weather to travel. The WalMart trip will be about 24 miles round trip.

Love to everyone, and I'll be back soon!

Ruth Ann

Hi Al Willa tells me that her Son In Law George Kauffman has been in to visit with you. He isn't doing very well and  needs lots of prayer. It will be  so nice if you can go home. Praying for ya bro.

Hi everyone.  I just watched a beautiful and meaningful video that I thought you all might enjoy.  It is about 12 minutes long but the story is beautiful and the scenery breath taking.  A beautiful movie please watch to the very end !!  Sound on please.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/YBIwCdvhgX4?rel=0

Al, so good to see your posting and know the days must be very long for you but you can look forward to getting home. 

Ruth Ann, your continued good work for others is truly inspiring.  Give yourself the gift of rest.

Judy, it is interesting that your haven't had a white Christmas since you have lived where you do.  Maybe this will be the year. 

Marilyn, sure nice to read that you are feeling better today.

Would you believe that our middle son called this morning and said something in the order of ,"mom, I was just thinking about the peanut brittle you used to make at Christmas".   Children always and forever.... so after 4 grocery stores, I have enough raw Spanish peanuts to cook in the karo syrup.  Needed 8 cups of the peanuts to make enough for the four families.  Good grief.  Love the children! Just finished cleaning my sewing area and packing. 

Larry:  Sad news when a quilt shop closes because there are very few new ones to take its place.  Yes, the traffic is insane - parking lots are almost the worst places.  Will check out the movie now.

Al:  My prayers are that you get home very soon - I will root for Christmas.

Judy:  I wasn't even thinking about a baby coming to your house until you mentioned working on a room.  When is the due date?  We have a white Christmas here & a bit more is expected - children are sliding on the hills & it looks like a lot of fun.

Marilyn:  My cousin has a problem with vertigo usually when she is under stress & when her company comes and stays for two and three weeks at a time.  She forgets the exercises and it happens again. 

Ruth Ann:  It is very nice that yourself let you have permission for a nap.   

Hmmm..........seems I haven't been getting my email notifications again, so I got behind in here!

I have read all and am caught up now.  Will check out the video tomorrow, as I am falling asleep on my keyboard now.

I did lots of cleaning today; the workmen weren't here.  At least now my dining table looks Christmas-y!  I just couldn't stand not having anything of Christmas in sight!

We had a wonderful 10 inch snow, were snowed in until the road grader came by and then our renter came and shoveled tracks through the driveway so I could get out.  Bless him, Lord!

Mary headed back toward Dallas yesterday morning; I am wondering how far she got.  I tried calling, no answer!

I'm heading to bed, will be back tomorrow!

Hi everyone.  A rainy morning in Georgia and 58 degrees.  I am certainly not complaining when I see all the snow out across the country.  Today is Bible Study day but I don't think Pat will be going as she is still fighting the cough from the cold and felt it wouldn't be wise to get out and get wet in the rain.  If she doesn't go I probably will skip the coffee time at Dunkin' Donut and just come on home.  I have no other particular plans for the day so will just work at a leisurely pace.  Yesterday when I came home from coffee Pat said her laptop was doing strange things.  The screen was there but nothing worked.  We quickly figured out it was her mouse that she had worn out.  I had another one handy so plugged it in and she was back in business.  She gives a mouse hard use as plays a lot of games with a lot of mouse clicking.

Carol, you are a good mother making your family peanut brittle.  Pat used to make it but hasn't for a long time.  We use to have a recipe to make it in the microwave and it worked very well.  I did have some peanut brittle on Saturday when a friend gave me several pieces.  Having company come and stay for two or three weeks sort of fits my classification of a boarder without paying rent.

Janet, I was wondering about you and all the snow in the midwest.  It sounds like you got a good one.

Time to leave for morning coffee at McDonalds.

I was wondering...has anyone heard from Mieka lately?  I even checked on FB to see if she was on there and didn't find her.  Just wondering.  I miss her jolly posts! 

Today I am taking Ivalou for groceries after we eat at Woody's.  Then Tony called and came by for a chat!  Love that! 

I told Ivalou I would be at her house at 1pm so I had better get going!  Takes awhile to get a coat on and walk to the road and to her house.  It rained all night and the yard is sloshy!  They sun was shining for maybe 10 seconds but cloudy once again!