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BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
The One who created the valley is there with you! He has prepared the way through the valley. It is not a place of permanence, but a place of passage. He knows every twist and turn, every changing shadow, every den where danger lurks—that One is with you!

Focus on the light and not the darkness. God has made you to walk through shadows. When the shadow approaches, you must walk through. The One greater than death is in you! He is your Jehovah Shamah—the Lord ever-present. His grace is greater. His peace is purer. His devotion is dearer. Where Satan casts a shadow, our Sovereign Lord reigns supreme.

ACTION POINT:
This is a day of hope. Meditate on 1 John 4:4 throughout the day and ask God to give you a divine appointment to share this beloved truth with someone today.


From Love Worth Finding with Adrian Rogers.

A big AMEN to the above--and a big Good Morning!  to all who visit here today!  May you all be blessed with God's presence, peace and love today.

Hi everyone.  It is predicted we will be having some rain in the area later today, I think late this afternoon.  However, it is very cloud this morning. I am planning on going to church this morning but haven't learned from Pat whether she will try to go or not.  I know she wants to be it will depend on how she is feeling.  I did have a good day yesterday and really paced myself, although I had shopped at Kroger's but took it very slowly (as I seem to do most things anymore).  I did get three more small gifts wrapped so making progress on that front.  I got the results from my bone density test and the doctor wrote me  that the study shows Osteopenia,  which is a decrease in bone density, but not yet Osteoporosis. We are not recommending medication for this, just make sure you are taking 1500 mg of calcium a day along with a Vitamin D supplement.  Pat just asked me to fix her breakfast, which I did.  Even put a little cut up ham in with the eggs for something special today.

Janet, you get more done in a day than I do in two weeks.  Wow!  Sure glad John will now be able to spend time with Beth.  We watch the news quite a bit but have had to turn it off with the 24 hour coverage of the tragedy in Connecticut.  There is nothing we can do about the situation that has already happened and certainly been well covered other than to pray for the loved ones of the those killed and for the poor children who face having to go back into that school building or any school building.  Glad you got some rain.

Etta Sue, we have freecycle around here but I have never used it.  Sorry to hear you have a full force cold to deal with. 

Marilyn, glad you are liking Windows 8.  A couple of days ago on the free Kindle books they offered a book on Windows 8.  I got it but haven't looked at it yet.  Hope the snow stays away in your area.

Etta Sue, I wish you had said something about Microsoft Office as there are two free programs, Open Office and LibraOffice that work with Microsoft office files.  You can close a program by right clicking on the program tab on the task bar (usually at the bottom of the screen) and clicking on "Close".

Jeanne, thanks for the fine devotional thoughts for this week. 

Hope everyone enjoys a fine Sunday.

Thank you fpr the devotional Jeanne. That is a verse we tend to forget!

Time to sing.

Ah, Judy!  That's my favorite Christmas hymn!  Thank you.  :thumbsup:

Larry one thing that I nticed with Win 8 is that it came with Kindle already installed.

Hi Folks. Back again, 2 weeks in a row. We are having some not so pleasant weather in this area today so I am glad I don't have to go out on the roads today. We went into town last night for a while,and I don't know if it is the season with Christmas and all but it seems a lot of people check their brains at the door and leave without them. It is the season to be alert and sharp about your driving. Be defensive and not offensive behind the wheel. A defensive driver, drives so as to allow for the errors of others and thereby avoiding collision. Hope everyone is enjoying the season and remembering the birth of our Lord and Saviour. It is a busy time for most and we need to talk time to stop and meditate on the reason for the season. It's not all about gifts and baking and dinner and the hustle and bustle of the commercial aspect that this time of year has turned into. But rather it is about quietly reflecting upon our Sabviours birth and the start of His time on earth to minister to His people. Having said all this I hope you all have a blessed and joyous Christmas and time to rest in the comfort of His arms. I have one more week on the road and will then be home till after the New Year. Sure looking forward to this time of rest and spending time with my sweetie and family. It will be a nice time and change as most years in the past I have made it home for Christmas, usually arriving sometime on Dec 24 and gone again before New Years. Gods Blessing on you all Bonesy

G'Morning ... I really appreciate the devotional this morning, Jeanne.  There are certainly many valleys that some of my family members are going through at this time. The opperative word here is "through", and I am praying they make it soon.  This is becoming a mighty concern for this mom and grandmother.  :-\

I received an invitation to a family's dinner on Christmas, but I'm not sure I will attend.  At the moment I am not feeling that I would be good company.  We'll see as the time approaches.  I'd more likely enjoy just staying home by myself.

I finally put out a couple decorations for Christmas -- an 18' lighted garland in my windows, two wreaths (on one each door) and my little caroling Christmas girl that looks like my daughter Jean, who is singing in heaven now.  That's it.  Oh, yes, I changed the color of my candles from beige (for Thanksgiving) to red.  :)

I wasn't even going to do that this year but, since I have been playing Christmas records on my new turntable/radio/cd and tape player, I thought I should do something.... can't always be a grinch, y'know.

I pray each of you will have a blessed day with the Lord today and that all your health issues are waning and soon become a thing of the past.  I would also appreciate it if you could breathe a prayer for my family whenever God puts it on your heart.

P.S. Judy that carol is one that my daughter Jean could sing to perfection.  Thank you.  I also side with Jeanne ... that is one of my favorites   :thumbsup:

Thanks, Larry, but I'm always amazed at how much you continue to do, even with the diminished capacity of your heart.  But SO glad you pace yourself and know when to stop and just rest.  Hope Pat feels better today, as well.

I did go to Alco's (our only store of any size at all) yesterday and got some things for Grandson Mark.  Since he is moving again, has an apartment, he needed shower curtain and rug, comforter and sheets.  So I have all of his stuff ready and wrapped. Now I just need to get something for John, and I think we're set.

Larry, like you, we had to find something else on the TV, so opted for a Christmas movie last night.  It just got to be too much!

Jane!  So good to see you!  Bet your house looks lovely!

I need to call my youngest daughter, so talk to you later!

Hi everyone on a damp and chiilly morning here.  We have 100% change of more rain and perhaps thunderstorms today and we had rain all yesterday afternoon and into the night.  I just got back from coffee and a lady we know that also comes to McDonald's brought us all a big bag of Florida oranges that we split up among those present for coffee this morning.  So I came home with three nice oranges.  The housekeepers are here this morning and helping Pat put out some decorations and the tree.  We have dropped having them clean our offices today.  Mine is a mess with Christmas and really doesn't get dirty anyway and Pat hasn't been using her office very much.  Pat did go to church with me yesterday and then we went out to eat with the Sunday group.  I am going to lunch today with my Monday men's lunch group and we will be having Mexican.  I felt good all weekend, which was most enjoyable. 

Marilyn, I love reading on my iPad but don't really want to read a book on the computer although have the Kindle and Nook applications on them.  Yesterday I was looking for the book I got for free from Amazon about Windows 8 and didn't find it when I scrolled through the book archived on the cloud using the iPad.  So I went to the Amazon site and the Kindle orders listiing and immediately found it and also discovered they have an action under the little drop down to tell it to download to the iPad.  I clicked that and it was immediately downloaded to the iPad when I checked.  I will use that procedure in selecting books to read in the future. 

John, glad you can be home when the weather is bad.  I have tried to become a very defensive driver and am very careful in backing up to go very slowly and check and recheck for cars coming or cars behind also backing up.  Are you off the road until after Christmas?

Jane, I hope you will be able to be with others at Christmas time even if is friends and not family.  The only person we have any control over is ourselves and worry about other folks or things not in our control steal away our joy of life.  I am willing to bet your friends wouldn't have invited you if they didn't really want to share the day with you.

Janet, my sister lives in a small town in Northern Iowa and they have an Alco store.  Where I grew up we had Woolworth's and a locally owned same type of store for many years, which we often frequented because they were the only place to find any variety of things. 

Hi to all who have or do stop by today.

Good afternoon folks.  Snowing off and on here, very lightly. They are giving snow and rain for most of the week. Not what I really like just before the holiday with so many people travelling. We stay put, but I do think of others shopping and going to see families.
Baking that went out of the house is all done. The last was picked up this morning. A birthday cake for a 5 year old.
I don't do special baking for Christmas for us. Just what we would eat regularly.
There is just the two of us so we don't need all lot of sweets to nibble on.  I do make my own candy and will be making peppermint patties on Wednesday.
Great devotional this week. I enjoy meditating on those scriptures. "Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world!"
If any one is interested in the free office program I would go for the LibraOffice. I have had OpenOffice for years. It was a good office program.  LibraOffice is an off shoot from it. Apparently some of developers of OpenOffice left and started up this new one(LibraOffice). Unfortunately Openoffice is starting to go on the downslide so I would go with the LibraOffice.  I need to download it on this computer but I am waiting for a time that I have a good speed. I am on a "gated" satellite service and when you use more than allowed per day they slow you down to a dial-up speed. :(  Must get back to some house cleaning.
May God bless your day and guide your footsteps.

Good morning, friends,

It's a nice day here in Nashville, but rains and maybe even storms are coming this evening and tonight.

So, I'll get out and do what needs to be done, then come home and rest.

Y'all have a good evening,
Ruth Ann

I received some sad news today.  My friend/classmate in Mexico passed away yesterday afternoon.  We Skyped I would say around 4:30-5pm yesterday.  He seemed better than the week before.  Glad I got to talk to him.  This morning I got an email from his sister telling me to call her.  I did and she said that Rex's wife called her and said that Rex had a very good day yesterday...felt really good...talked to friends on Skype (found out that he Skyped with another friend in Lapel yesterday, too) and watched football with his step-son, David.  Later he got to feeling bad.  I don't know if he went to the hospital or not but he passed away yesterday afternoon (Mexico time) or evening (my time).  I will miss him but I know he is a believer so he is in no pain now and with God.

Yesterday was a busy day!  Whew!  Church, Sunday School, Open house next door to the church for the Youth Minister and his family, eating out with Betty at Steak and Shake, coming home and then Ivalou and I went to a 3rd birthday party for Tony and Charlene's g-granddaughter, Makena!  She looked so cute in her Cinderella dress.  Her Mom says, she wants to wear her 'bling' dresses all the time!!  Hard to get her into regular clothes!  And yes, she liked her 'bling' scarf I made her! 

I do believe that this computer is allowing me to have the oldest posts first.  Therefore, I can read 'down' all the time instead of up and down.  We will see if the notification email and clicking on it, brings me to the right post.  Before, it went to the last post and then I had to scroll down to find the first one after I previously read! 

I am getting used to Windows 8.  Seems to be a lot of back and forth but it is a change and perhaps all is good after all!  Marilyn...Larry...anything else I need to know about Windows 8?

And thanks for the heads up of OpenOffice.  My plans right now is when I am sure I have everything off of the old laptop, then I am going to re-install Vista.  Then let Ivalou 'play' with it.  If she likes it, then she can get her own internet and surf away!!  So if my old Microsoft Office doesn't work, I can download OpenOffice.  Does OpenOffice...once downloaded work without internet?

Dark and gloomy today.  I did get the car maintained with an oil change.  I told them I didn't think the heat was right.  Didn't seem to heat up the car like I think it should.  I told them that I have a new A/C condenser installed because it was ruptured...don't know how that happened and now it doesn't want to heat!  The people today checked and all they found out was it was about a fourth of a gallon low on coolant.  They added coolant and now it is hot!  He said it takes 2 gallons of coolant so being down an eighth would make a difference!

Hi Etta Sue, to answer your question. Yes, OpenOffice and LibraOffice once downloaded will work without internet. But if I were you, I would forgo the OpenOffice suite and go with the LibraOffice. They are both the same but LibraOffice is the newer version.

I have been to physical therapy and feel like an aching rag doll - and there is stuff to do in this house. 

Etta Sue:  Sorry to read about your friend in Mexico.  Hugs to you. 

Ruth Ann:  How is that cold?  Sending cyber chicken soup.   

Chrisle:  I see that you are not a baker at holiday time.  I used to bake cookies every night from  Thanksgiving on and so many breads for all exchange with neighbors or just plain gifts.  Not any more.  None of us need all the sugar but I did make the fruit cake and have portioned it out a little at a time. 

We have no television as Comcast cut us off a week ahead of the dates we set up.  It is nice and quiet and Don did get to watch the Broncos win their 9th out of 11 games record-setting may I say?  Everyone is wearing orange.  I have fixed a prescription hassle that has lasted since the first week of December - the same glitch as last year.  Today is just a great feeling of gratitude for getting things done. 

Many of us are facing trials this Christmas season and the carols on the radio don't really reach our soul.  I am posting this one for those folks who are in a tempest.

We are just home from Liberal, where I think I got the rest of the Christmas shopping done, and we also took grandson Mark out for lunch.  I looked across the way in the restaurant and saw a couple I have known since our kids were young.  They live quite a ways away, but we all used to go to the same church, and developed close ties there.  Anyway, I spoke to them and we talked a little; I asked if they knew I had written a book about Beth.  They said yes, they had heard about it and would like to get a copy; so I told them I had some in the car.  So another book was sold, and an old friendship re-kindled.

Darrel wasn't feeling very well when we left, so I drove to Liberal, and he drove home while I slept!  But I'm still sleepy.  I was glad Kristi didn't work me too hard this morning!

I haven't seen nor talked to Beth and John yet today.

Thank you for posting that song, Judy.

Yes, many are dealing with terrible tempests. That's one of my favorite songs dating back from my childhood where I was so bullied. I often played that song to relax me after getting home from a tempestuous school day.

Ruth Ann

Busy day yesterday still working with the new laptop.  I found out that my external harddrive did it's job but retrieved things that had been deleted two years ago and did not add things that was put on my old laptop recently.  So maybe tomorrow I will sit them side by side and check.  Sure don't want to miss any pictures or important documents.  I got an email today saying that my 'The Print Shop' was shipped yesterday...that's the program I use for my calendars and that is a must!  And yes, the external HD did not transport the new calendars...I had to use Flash Drives to do that! 

Today is Euchre at a restaurant in Noblesville.  We will eat and then the restaurant allows us to use two tables to play Euchre. 

Then tonight is Meal on Us.  One of the ladies is going to meet us there and then she is driving and taking us to see Christmas lights in Noblesville.  They have a contest and with a map, we will see 12 homes decorated for Christmas!  That will be cool.

Then I don't have anything on my schedule that I must do until Christmas Eve service and dinner at Ivalou's Christmas day.  Of course, there will be swimming and grocery shopping.  Then after that nothing is scheduled until January!

Hi everyone.  It is a sunny 50 degree morning so far.  Since I don't go to coffee on Tuesdays I was able to sleep in until 8 pm this morning. We just got back from taking Pat over to Kaiser so she could get an xray of her bad knee that the doctor needs when she sees him on Jan. 8th.  I plan on attending a meeting this morning and that will pretty well be it for the day.

I had one of the best Mexican meals yesterday I can remember having in a long time.  I got a take-out order so Pat didn't have to make her dinner last night.  Pat did get the house decorated, as much as we are going to decorate, with great assistance from the housekeepers yesterday.  She just decorated the family room and hallway but it looks very nice and tastefully done.  Our little tree is just right for us and we have used it for several years.  She had left the lights on it last year and said that was really the way to go as made getting it put up much easier.

Chrisle, the peppermint patties sure sound good.  I expect after all the baking you have done up to this point you are glad to turn the oven off for awhile.  I agree with you on the LibraOffice.

Ruth Ann, it sounds like what we have had the last couple of days is moving up your way with the rains.  Hope you are feeling better today.

Etta Sue, so sorry to learn of your sad news.  If seems that it isn't too uncommon for someone to have a fairly good time before their last day.  It sounds like you are doing well with Windows 8--no suggestions from me.  Yes, I believe OpenOffice, since it is loaded on your computer, is not internet dependent. (I see Chrisle had already given you the same answer.)  Glad you got the heat back to normal in your car. 

Carol, I have lost track of why you are cutting off Comcast?  Are you still in Arizona?  The Broncos are having a record setting season just as the Atlanta Falcons are.  They sure showed they are a legitimate team with their blanking of the Giants Sunday. 

Janet, what a pleasant surprise in meeting up with old friends and the selling of the copy of your book is certainly a bonus.  I am sure with John being with Beth you don't have the worry of the normal day. 

This was sent to Don via the internet.  He sent it along to all the children and friends.

Eleven Days Before Christmas


Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38 a.m.

when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.

Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air,

they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

They were filled with
such joy, they didn't know what to say,

they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.

"Where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.

"This is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."

When what to their wondering eyes did appear,

but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.

He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.

Then He opened His arms and He called them by name,

and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring.

Those children all flew into the arms of their King

and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,

one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.

And as if He could read all the questions she had

He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."

Then He looked down on earth, the world far below,

He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe.

Then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,

"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"

"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"

"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"

Then He and the children stood up without a sound.

"Come now my children, let me show you around."

Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran,

all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.

And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,

"In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

We are home in Colorado and leaving on Saturday because all of our children will be away and most leave on Saturday as well.  Gathering Friday night.  I am not going to be upset about this Christmas - we know of a church service in Arizona and celebrate the birth of Christ peacefully. 

So, cleaning, washing, ironing, packing - you name it.  Also had a physical therapy session yesterday and trying to do the exercises - it is painful enough to take Ibuprophen but has to be done so I will balance better.  We have neighbors coming tonight and other neighbors coming for breakfast.  It is sunny and warm here and snowing just a few miles north so we are going to get the storm soon - airing out the house & cleaning everything.  There is a huge bag of donations in the garage.  The box that fell on my head was too heavy with Christmas wrapping paper and such so I purged the paper today and felt better.  We do not need heavy boxes over our heads in the storage room. 

Ruth Ann:  It is upsetting to read that you were bullied in school.  We didn't know the term then but one popular girl pointed out my freckles and red hair and said that my house looked like a barn - it was the tradional Swedish red with white trim and we rented an apartment on the 2nd. floor  so it was big but really plain.  I don't know your circumstances in the past - just glad that you are here and your posts are always filled with gracious gratitude.  Hugs to you.

Carol I posted that on Facebook for others to see.

About the bullying...I absolutely understand, and had I known about suicide back then, most likely would have taken that route to get away from the kicks, epithets, cruelty, and emotional pain my tormentors caused for all of the first 8 grades in school. Now, I'm so thankful that I'm here and able to participate in such a loving group.

Judy, thank you for the songs. I'm not familiar with the last one, but the accompanying harp music is lovely - I've played it several times.

Thank you for your kind posts today. I think I'm feeling better, but still have 7 more days of antibiotic to take. Thanks to a good doctor, I hope my sinuses will be completely over this infection by that time. The cough lingers, but I understand that is the way that this virus leaves people - with a lingering, deep cough.

At any rate, it's a point for gratitude that we have wonderful doctors, great medicines, and an even GREATER God Who loves and cares for us, whether sick or well.

So, tonight, I'm throwing in my lot with the Great Physician! :)

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Hi from a snow covered Vancouver Island.  Thanks for the nice devotional Jeanne.  Also thanks for the lovely music Judy. 
I hope that you will spend the day with your friends, Jane.  Life and sadness is easier when not alone.This time of year is always hard for me also as for years we have not known where my son is....or even if he is alive.  So I go on praying for him and trusting that God will take care of my son.  I also prayed for your family.

The kids have colds and Wendy had a painful treatment on her poor little body today.  So while they were in Victoria I made up a big pot of Chicken soup and a pan of buttermilk biscuits for them.  Chicken soup really does make some of us feel better! 

A lovely surprise from the art site I belong to...they gave all members a $10 credit for one of their videos.  So I got the one on painting birds in watercolours.
They are two talented artists from New Zealand And are ago generous with their time and gift.  The site is www.paintbrush.com.  Janet, you might find it of interest.  Always room for more knowledge........

Time to go and round up my cat.  Misty loves the cold weather and snow.  But what do cats know?????  The neighbours cat, who  lives here, prefers to curl up and sleep on my chair.....at least it was my chair!

Kind of sad that so many people are worried about the 21st.  Makes me even more grateful to be a Christian.

God Bless



.

Larry, you're right!  When John is here, I almost feel I have a mini-vacation, as don't feel I have to go to the home every day.  He came in this morning while I was reading my Bible and having an early cup of coffee, and we had a nice little visit.  Then I made breakfast for him and he headed to McDonald's to get Beth a yogurt parfait.  He said he gets her one every morning he is here!  :)

Carol, thanks for sharing "Eleven Days Before Christmas" with us.  I know God is able to bring good out of even the worst things.  Prayers for all the families affected continue.....  Did I understand that none of your kids will be with you for Christmas?  But you did get to spend time with them recently?  Whichever, I do wish you a very happy Christmas.  Where are you going?  You mentioned packing.

Etta Sue, your relaxed Christmas season sounds very nice!  Mine won't be as hectic as usual, and I do enjoy having the family around me, whoever can get here.

Liz, good to have you posting!  I'm so sorry to hear about your missing son, I know that must be really hard to bear, so try to give it over to the Lord every time you think of him.  Your love continues to follow him, wherever he may be.  Hugs to you, dear one..... <3 :aaah:  Thanks so much for the link to the art site, will check it out when I finish this post!

Ruth Ann, bullying is such a terrible thing.  I was bullied in school, but not to a great extent, and it is so painful.  It made me feel unworthy and self-conscious for years.  I can't imagine anyone mistreating such a sweet person as you, though!

Judy, thanks for posting the music, even though I cannot play it on my laptop, and I haven't any other computer.  I must remember to have one of my techie grandsons find out why it won't play.

Do any of you know what it signifies if you have protein in your urine?  My grandson who took his physical hoping to join the Air Force, had that show up, so more tests are needed before he can be accepted.

I need to email another story to the Ulysses News!  See you all tomorrow!

Kids are so very cruel, as you and Beth know, Janet.

I think the bullying is one of the things that really shaped my life. I determined that NEVER would I be a bully, and NEVER would I allow anyone to bully me when I grew up. The teenagers tried some of it, but I wouldn't allow it. And, to this day, I abhor bullying and those who think it's okay to be bullies. It's NEVER EVER ok to participate in bullying.

Oh, my goodness, I'm speaking so sharply tonight. Please accept my statements from my perspective, and if God has helped any person who participated in this to reform, please let me know so I can encourage you to work toward no more bullying anywhere.

One of the wonderful things my parents did for me was to train me in playing the piano. That instrument and the challenging musical works I was given by teachers and by choir directors helped me to cope.

I have an unspoken request for prayer this evening. Thank y'all for remembering this when you prepare to rest today.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Praying for all the requests tonight. I have been moving furniture for Christmas and each night I wind up struggling with pain.  I too struggled with bullying right through and past school.  I never told anyone, I thought the bullies were right. I too would have taken the suicide route if I had known about it.  Thankfully I am here today.

I am posting early todays carol.

Thanks to our Lord, we are here today and able to come to this refreshing place.

It's supposed to be a lovely day here in Nashville, with temps rising to about 60 degrees.

I awakened early, got a good bit done, and am ready to go do a few errands.

So, y'all have a good day with our Lord,
Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  Just back from coffee on a sunny and crisp Georgia morning.  I decided not to go to Bible Study today.  They have been studying the scriptural background of the Christmas Carol "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and I missed the first two weeks of it.  The group is leaving after the study is completed to go to eat together at a special place that features southern cooking.  The lunch is $17.  It is in an old mansion and there is a lot of walking involved so neither Pat nor I need that this year.  So other than wrap up a couple more packages, which will complete the wrapping for this year, I don't have anything else planned for today.

The Postal truck just delivered two large packages from Pat's sister with gifts for us.  Pat thought we should go ahead and open them but I think we should wait until our gift exchange so we an anticipate what the gifts might be.  They are obviously the same for each of us and certainly unexpected but appreciated.

Carol, thanks for sharing that touching piece about the children.  I guess it must have been Jenny who was in Arizona and I had gotten confused.  With you both living in Denver and traveling quite a bit and involved with family sometimes I mix up the details.  You will have had your Christmas with family before leaving and planning to enjoy the real reason for the season in Arizona.  It does sound like your plate is full up until the time you leave. 

Ruth Ann, I didn't know about the bullying you experienced.  I had a little of it but certainly not for eight grades.  When I was in the 7th grade a distant cousin who went to my one room school bullied me to the point I had a fight with him and I was not a fighter but had had enough.  It took me several years to like him again.  Then in high school after a basketball game a member of the opposing team came over to our bus and attacked me (I don't think I had even touched him in the game) and gave me a back eye.  I was totally shocked. 

Liz, so sorry that you don't know where you son is and know that must be very difficult.  However, I would imagine he knows where he can find you.  We just don't control another person and can only turn them over to the care of God.  I didn't remember that you were a painter.  Interesting how cats take over and occasionally share with us of their possessions.  :)

Janet, I am sure John gets a lot of satisfaction in being able to get what Beth likes to eat.  You can download a program called "Quicktime" that will play alot of the hymns that Judy posts.  Windows Media Player should play the mp3 and midi files.  Here is a link for Quicktime:  http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/ (http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/).

Judy, it appears that many of us were bullied to some extent.  Like Ruth Ann I took piano lessons, which as a boy, set me up for some ridicule but my revenge was to be a better student and never going along with the gang attitude.  I have to wonder if we haven't ended up much more compassionate and caring about about others from some of our own experiences that were very painful.

Larry, I agree that 'walking a mile in their moccasins' makes us more compassionate and understanding.  Nice of Pat's sister to send you gifts!  Thanks for the link, I am downloading the media player now, as I do enjoy listening to the songs on here.

At the gym this morning, after 20 minutes on the treadmill, we played "Pickle Ball" for about an hour.  It was fun, and a great workout--I was wet all over!  Even my head sweat, and I don't like that, because I just got my hair done yesterday. :-\  Oh, well, the exercise is so good for us!

I need to go to the care home to find out about what company Beth was assigned to, for the new thing taking the place of Medicaid.  Ours is called KanCare and there are three or four different companies doing it.

Have a great day, friends!

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Good Morning everyone, Sorry to hear about the bullying. I wasn't bullied during my school years but by the men in my life, which is something that is in the past and In prefer to leave it there and not talk about that part of my life anymore. I am not the same person who put up with that bad behaviors back then, I no longer live in fear of my life.  With that said I will wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

Janet, Ivalou and I got to the restaurant to play Euchre.  All 8 of us ordered our lunch and just as the salads were being delivered, Jan got a phone call.  Her Mother, in Florida, passed away around 10:30am.  Her Mother, Jane, was 93 and Jan was down to see her in November after her mother had fallen and broke something.  Jan told her that after Christmas she was bringing her back to Indiana.  Jane said 'No way!...I am not going back to Indiana.'  Well, she is but not to live.  Jan left to see what she needed to do to get her back to Indiana.  All the arrangements are made and prepaid so I think all she would have to do was go to the funeral home where those arrangements were made. 

So we tried to find someone to come and take Jan's place but we ended up playing with a 'dummy'.  I need to see if there are Euchre rules with a dummy online! 

After I took Janet home, Ivalou and I went to church for 'Meal on Us'.  Evelyn met us there and then we got in her car.  She drove around Noblesville while I navigated her with a map to see 12 homes decorated with lights for Christmas! Beautiful!!!

Then back home.

Today as I was 'soaking' in the bed, getting ready to get up, my doorbell rang.  The neighbor across the road...where the flag is...brought me a mini-loaf of some kind of bread. 

Then I got busy with the busy-ness of the day doing nothing but being busy.  Nothing on the schedule today.

Carol, I do want to thank you for posting that about the children in heaven.  I only wish some of the parents read that.  So comforting.  It is so hard to lose someone anytime but it seems that losing someone at this time of year is worse.  And no parent should lose a child...anytime!

Janet, so glad that John is there with Beth.  I can picture them in my mind's eye together and that makes my heart smile.

Liz, I can see your cats.  One outside being adventuress and the other being a cat...napping! 

Ruth Ann, prayers are for your concerns.  I am so happy that we got to meet again.  Next time we will spend more time together!!

Larry, glad that you and Pat got your decorations done...at least, what you wanted the most.  I will be and am praying that Pat's near future surgery will be easy for her!

JudyB, thank you so much for the music that fills our hearts and souls.  When I am cold down here in the lower 48, I think of you in the upper north and then realize...if Judy can survive that cold....I can survive this cold!

Christle, I am sure that your house smells wonderful whether it is baking in the oven or cooking on top of the stove.  Our sense of smell is one of God's gifts!

Bullying!  I don't remember being bullied at school....just remember being picked last a lot of times.  I think I was well liked but not as an athlete.  At my little school if the girls didn't play sports, then there wasn't enough for the guys to play so we girls were drafted also.  But at home, it was a different story.  My brother was the bully to me.  He picked on me all the time, tripped me, hit me, called me names, made me cry, etc.  And worse, I think Mom ignored it!  I love all my family but it could have been happier memories growing up.  I don't remember Ivalou doing anything negative...in fact, I don't remember growing up with Ivalou...Kaye Don dominated those memories and they are bad! 

The evening Kaye Don and Barb got married and I was in the line to congratulate them for their marriage, Barb looked at Kaye Don and said, 'You are never to be mean to Etta Sue again, you hear?'  Kaye Don said 'Yes!'  And he never was mean to me again. 

Wow!  That brought back bad and good memories!

Windows 8.  I read somewhere or someone said that you have to shut down your laptop...not just shut the lid.  Well, lately I have been just shutting the lid and I like that so much better.  When I open the lid, all the files and browser windows and everything is just like it was when I shut the lid!  I don't have to open them all again!

Now to go search where I changed the sounds to sound like a drain pipe...water dripping and such! 

Amazing stories in here.  Blessings all around!

We had our closest friends (neighbors) here for breakfast.  One has terminal cancer and he is at peace - this morning he said that he has been told to evangelize and speak out so he had our attention and it was a lovely time with him at the table.  What a privilege to know this man.  We are afraid of losing him when we are away. 

Liz:  I did not know that you have a son missing.  It has to be a heavy load you are carrying and good that you can talk about this in here.  My prayers for you. 

JudyB:  Those school years should have been happy for you -  now you have a super family and live a much happier life than the bullies. 

Larry:  We are off to Arizona.  One 2nd. cousin has already written and he left early from Minnesota.  It is 14 degrees F. here today and we have had two blizzards.  After fixing breakfast for neighbors, we had dental appointments at noon and Don drove through a blizzard.  Lots of wind but only about 6 inches of snow I think.  Drifts are about three feet high.  It is getting warmer for the next two days so we shouldn't have trouble on the freeway. 

I feel really old & it is because of doing some physical therapy - good grief, who thinks up these awful stretches? 

This has been a long day for me.  I decided to move my desk into a different room.....that has meant moving other furniture as well.  You can never just move one thing, there is always a domino effect!  Thankfully I am nearly done. I will finish up tomorrow.  This is intended as a surprise for John, and he doesn't have his laptop with him this trip so there will be no clue!

I enjoy posting the carols.  It really is a pleasure to see you folks enjoying them!

Night all and know that I am praying for the needs expressed here.

Good morning, friends,

It's to be SUCH a busy day. So, I'm just peeking in to say I'm okay and that I hope your day will be filled with the rich blessings and mercies of our Lord.

Ruth Ann

It is still chilly here on the island and snow seems reluctant to leave.  Does give a nice Christmas setting tho'...
Wendy spent yest. helping an 86 yr. old friend who gathers grocery money and gifts to give to needy families that are in the area.  Wendy helps her get a discount at a store, many many groceries, gift certificates and spent the day in cold rain, helping to load and take them to her house, where other friends help with the process.  Also toys for the children.  These are all really families who need the help.  So many times that is not the case.  This lady, like Wendy, is in a great deal of physical pain.  My SIL also helped, as did my GD.  I spent the day doing work here for my daughter as not possible to go out in the cold and help.  Jean has done this work for years, despite illness and operations.  She is truly doing God's work, as is Wendy.

Carol, I keep forgetting to thank you for giving me the name of a good Bible app.  Really like the Olive Tree.  I plan to spend the next year doing reading each day.

Larry, I am not a serious artist like Janet, but do enjoy painting in watercolour and acrylic paint....also watercolour pencils.  As for my son, it is not quite that simple.  He got into drugs at a very early age and I was powerless to control the situation.  That, with a mental problem, caused problems with the law for him and a steady deterioration, until in his mid twenties, we simply lost contact......But it is what it is, and I have a wonderful daughter, SIL and GD, so many blessings to be grateful for....

It is sad that so many people are living in fear of the end of the world.  They should have read the end of the Bible.  We are not to know the date when Jesus will return, only to be assured that he will and then the world will truly change for the better.  That is something to look forward to with gladness, not fear!

Time to join Jane in the corner.  For some reason I seem to need to post right now.  Mostly come to read and enjoy all your adventures and find comfort in knowing there are other Christians out there. 
So a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all from me, my family, Misty, Billy Bob and Sqeek.

God Bless.

This laptop is getting to be expensive.  First I had to download new Microsoft Office, second I had to order a new The Print Shop and now I ordered the new Corel PSPX5.  None of the discs would load on the new laptop!  The guy that designed that feature on DVD's should have the same destiny as the guy that put arsenic in Tylenol years ago.  It causes us all a lot of expense and unnecessary ill-spent time!!  (Climbing off my soapbox now)

Yesterday was a great day of doing nothing. 

Today!  I plan to go to the pool, buy some under $3 a gallon gas, eat a Mexican lunch/dinner and get in some groceries.  I can't get in the pool until 2:30pm so I am not rushing.  Oh, yes!  And taking my black and white chemo wrap to the hospital!

It is quite windy today with rain.  Only 42°.  But from reading Facebook last night I was expecting that thick white rain when I woke up.  So what we have could be a lot worse!!! 

Hi everyone.  It is going to be a rainy day and turning much colder throughout the day with it to get into the low 20's by morning.  We are apparently on the northern edge of the this storm going across the SE so hopefully won't have any severe storms.  The first thing I did this morning was make a fast trip to Walmart.  I had never purchased the calcuim with vit. D that the doctor has prescribed for me and we needed some milk, bread and fruit.  Fortunately, they were not yet very busy.  I didn't use the cart this morning as felt walking some would be good for me and knew exactly where I was going and took it slow.  Last evening Pat and I went out to eat at Chili's and had a very good dinner but ate too much.  Glad we went when the weather was nice rather than tonight.  We will stay in the rest of the day.

Janet, I had never heard of pickle ball until this last year when they added it as a demonstration sport in the Senior Golden Games.  I believe it was a success and will be added as one of the permanent events. 

Marilyn, somethings we need to leave in the past and so glad that life is good for you now.  Merry Christmas to you but will you not be posting more before Christmas? 

Etta Sue, we never know what each hour will bring to our lives.  Sorry that Jan's mother passed away but 93 is a good old age.  I know of no reason why you would have to shut down your Windows 8.  I just close the lid and it goes into sleep mode. 

Carol, thanks for the info on your upcoming trip to Arizona.  It sounds like it is time to get away from Colorado for awhile.

Judy, moving furniture is hard work and I hope you haven't hurt your shoulders.  Do you use those slider pads?  I find they really do work well.  I don't have the lifting device but my friend bought one and sure I could borrow it is needed.  However, I don't think I will be moving any furniture in the future as my heart doesn't like it. 

Good Morning, Ruth Ann. 

Liz, there are many kind and caring folks who do things for others and get little recognition.  However, one of our TV stations does feature community events including some on those doings good deeds for others.  I just read that 54% of the over 120,000 school children here in our county are now eligible for free or reduced cost breakfast and lunch at school. and our food banks are overloaded with needs.  Liz, believe me I can relate to some of what you experienced with your son although we have been fortunate enough to not have lost them and now enjoy a better relationship with them than we have ever had since they have been adults.  I am very glad you are posting.  You know you are among folks here who really care for each other and I am confident we don't judge each other either, just love them as they are.

Today is a work day again.  5 bookcases needing the shelves washed.  I have put it off till now, but need to get at it.  It is amazing the amount of dust a wood furnace creates.  We need to get new filters into the furnace that will help.

Larry i have to do it all by hand, and yes need prayer for my shoulders.  wrenched them badly yesterday.  Today should be easier I am leaving the moving of the piano further for John to help with.

Time to sing!

Well, what a day this has been!  Started out without TV, internet, or telephone.  There was a local outage experienced by the company that supplies all three. Thankfully, the gal that comes to put my shoes on in the morning came, so that was a tremendous help!  I'm glad I had no emergencies during that time, as I wouild have had no way to call for help.

Such good, newsy posts today!  We went to the gym, and since what they had for lunch at the senior center didn't appeal to us, will likely not be going out again until 6:30.  At that time, I will go to the Care Home for Christmas carol singing.  Then their party is tomorrow at 2:00, so I will be going back for that.

Jane and Liz, if you girls stay in that corner, I guess we will all just have to come and join you!  Please do keep on posting; we love you and wonder about you when you stay away.  So good of dear Wendy to help others, even when she has such physical problems.  Yes--everyone needs to read the Book!  Then Friday wouldn't hold even a tinge of fear for them.  And if Jesus should call us home on Friday, what a joyful day that would be!  Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

I finished wrapping the last of the gifts we had to wrap, so now I will be thinking about food preparation......need something for Christmas Eve, then Christmas day!

Al, so glad you were all right until the power was restored.  That can be scary for one in your situation.  You didn't mention a service for Marbeth (or maybe I missed your post).  Did you get that all taken care of okay.  We like to know that all is well with you.

We had a terrible blizzard last night, but thankfully, it lasted only a short time, and there wasn't much snow.  But what came, came sideways!  Visibility was near zero!  It was late in the evening, just getting dark, so we were in for the night already.

It's time to eat a bite of lunch.  See you later!

Al You may have to get one of those emergency notification units where you push a button if there is an emergency.  They operate on rechargable batteries, and recharge as they are plugged into the hydro.  YOu have to push the button whe n you get up as well as when you go to bed.  It will give you peace of mind knowing someone is as near as the push of a button. 

Hello friends,
I hope all are doing well today.
Etta Sue,  sorry to hear your friend in Mexico passed away.  I guess that was quite a shock.

We had a terrifically fierce windstorm yesterday with wind gusts in the 60s.  Plenty of dirt in the air, but no precipitation at all.  I heard on the Albq news this morning that a big chunk of the roof flew off the First Baptist church here in town.  Earl and I were members there 1957 - 1963 when the church started a mission church.  We moved our family to the mission and in one year it became an independent church as workers were needed for teaching, etc.  We stayed for 39 years and were the last charter members who left.

Al, Glad you didn't have an emergency.   How are you doing healthwise now?  I know you miss your Marbeth. 

Ruth Ann & Judy..I am sorry you were bullied when young, there are memories there yet and they still hurt.  Perhaps that is why the Lord has graced you with a servants heart, you are so kind and helpful to so many others.

Hasta Manana,  -- Janice

Thank you Larry for the Merry Christmas wishes, I am here every day but sometimes do not post.

It has been  nothing but heavy Rain and wind for a few days, yesterday there wasn't much rain but there was wind.  We had water in the laundry room/pantry this morning and don't know from whence it came. then when I opened the garage door to go to the gym the driveway has so much water that it was about ready to come over the two inch lip  and into the garage. Keith got out there and  cleaned the driveway drain so by the time I got back home the water had drained off. Our driveway slopes down from the street.

Our neighbors across the street are  having their annual open house today so we will be going over there after Keith gets home from work, he says there isn't much to do at work so he has been working on the track lighting the last few days, adding light and adjusting them.

We will be leaving for California on Monday and returning on Wednesday. We are doing Christmas Eve at Gilbert's house then Christmas Day at Sarah's mother's in Eureka.

I was wrong about that roof .  it didn't fly off, just peeled. Sara (gr dtr) brought in my newspaper and here is the story.

www.cnjonline.com/digest/blownover.html

A bit of fun tonight with our song,  we are under a winter storm watch!

Hi everyone.  After a rainy day yesterday it is a cold and windy day here today.  My neighbor has a big sleigh and seven reindeer in his front yard that he made as a Christmas decoration.  The wind was so strong last night it knocked over the reindeer.  It is suppose to stay windy all day today with some gusts up to 40 mph.  We had about everyone in in Friday coffee group there this morning, which was nice.  One of the men brought in a treat for everyone to go with the coffee.  If Pat decides to go in a little bit I will drive her to a meeting at our church and then will go back and pick her up when she is ready to come home.  She might go out to lunch with some ladies after the meeting, which I hope she feels up to doing.  I have a number of tasks to do here at my desk and found one more Christmas present to wrap for Pat so want to get that done while she is out of the house.  That will be it for today as don't expect to go anywhere else.

Judy, it sounds like you overdid with the furniture moving.  My grandmother always used a rug so something hard under the legs of her furniture when she moved it.  The visiting nurse is suppose to be looking into getting one of the emergency call devices for her.  If that doesn't happen I think we will  arrange for it as she is reaching the point with the falls that she needs it even with the pull cords she has in her bedroom and bathroom to signal an emergency.  If she were in the kitchen or her living area they would not be accessible.

Al, it is frightening not to have a phone.  Do you have an emergency cellphone to use?  Glad you have someone to help you with your shoes.  I usually have to help Pat with the sock and shoe on her back leg. 

Janet, it sounds like the care home has been keeping you busy but it nice that you participate in the events with Beth.  Glad you didn't get caught out in the blizzard.

Janice, glad you didn't have the snow to go with the strong winds. 

Marilyn,  glad you are going to be with your family for Christmas.  It sounds like you have had more than a sufficient amount of rain.

Well, we got the snow and wind that Janet sent our way!  It actually started while I was in the pool yesterday.

I got some $2.88 a gallon gas!  Wow!  Who would think how much joy that gives someone?  Later I noticed on Gas Buddy that it was raised to $3.19!! 

Then I went to Noblesville and had a Mexican lunch at La Casada.  Then to Marsh's for groceries...my list was at home on the counter but I did remember everything on the list and then some! 

Leaving Marsh's, the radio was stating that a thunderstorm would be in the area in the next 30 minutes.  So I decided to take my chemo wrap to the hospital and then go to the pool.  I did and as I walking into the building where the pool is, the clouds to the west were almost black, rolling and rolling with lightening in them and thunder!  Whew!  Glad to get inside...poor Hawaii was outside though!  People coming in after me were saying how bad it was. 

The new skylights over the pool showed rain, then sunshine, then cloudy again!
When I left, it wasn't bad.  Thank God, it didn't hail as that was a possibility.

Then last night after dark the wind started!  Howling wind and snow!  I noticed that the front porch bulb is out!  Not changing it until it is above freezing!  And it is only 24° right now!  So Santa's head that is on that light won't be lit up until that bulb is changed!

This morning it is white out there but I still see blades of grass and corn stalks.  The flag across the way is blowing straight to the southeast!  My deck needs swept but....

I am glad that I got everything done yesterday and I have no where to drive until Sunday morning to church!

Well, here we are on the 21st of December and the world is still here!   :lol:  So much for the Mayan calendar.  ::)

It snowed over night and we got about an inch - it looked pretty for a while.  Now it's quickly melting away and there a very brisk wind.  The next few days and nights will probably be on a roller coaster with the low teens (or possibly single digits here) at night and then into the 30's or 40's during the day.  And maybe even waking up to a little snow on Christmas morning.  Another of those forecasts of "look out the window and see what's there". 

Etta Sue, it did look as if the weather were heading your way!  The snow is all gone here except a bit on the north sides of buildings.  You certainly had an eventful and busy day yesterday!

Larry, were you talking about Stacey when you spoke of getting the emergency button?  I decided you must have meant her.  I hope both you and Pat are feeling good today.

We have been to the gym, came home and cooked breakfast, both have showered and are now ready to go to lunch!  I certainly do not feel hungry again yet, so probably won't be eating much.

Jeanne, hope you can just stay in and stay warm!  You do get some wild weather there, don't you?  Well, Kansas does, too, but ours is always very unpredictable.  However, the weather people have gotten much more accurate in their predictions than they used to be.

About the Mayan calendar--I got an email today that said "The Mayans were wrong!  So you'd better get out and get those Christmas gifts!"   ;) :D :lol:

Janice, always good to see your posts!  Hope you are doing well and looking forward to an enjoyable Christmas.

Judy, hope you don't overdo any more with the furniture moving!

Marilyn, hope you have a good trip, and Merry Christmas!

Time to go!

Well, I thought I had posted.

At any rate, I was exhausted after getting in at 2 am from picking up my trucker son at a truck stop about 50 miles from home late last night.

So, with foggy brain, I accomplished some duties, then fell asleep in the big comfy chair, awakened briefly after an hour's rest, and went on to bed for the remainder of the afternoon.

Now's time for normal folks to be in bed, but I'll be preparing to leave for our Christmas celebration tomorrow at about noon eastern time (I live on central time, so it's an hour earlier by my body's clock.) ;)

Now, to go make that cornbread dressing and prepare the sauce for our potato salad.

Then, it will be time to rest a few moments. Y'all have a wonderful Christmas with our Lord, and I'll be here as often as I can the next few days.

Love to all, and Love to our Lord, Who made Himself a tiny babe to come be with us here in the flesh. No wonder He understands our troubles and sorrows, and no wonder He planned to provide us a way to His Father, through His death.

Lord, we praise you tonight!

Ruth Ann

(https://www.christianphotographers.com/community/d/10690-2/2012+Christmas+Letter+++.jpg) (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/v/RuthV/2012+Christmas+Letter+++.jpg.html)

This is the letter I sent out this year. I wanted to share it with all CPers. May God be your guide and best friend in 2013.

Ahhhh Ruth Ann.  you are experiencing the life of a truckers wife!!!  MAny times as wives we do that to have our husband (or you for you son) home at the end of the week.  I feel for you my friend.  Thankfully John now brings his truck home, those late night runs don't happen any more.  As your son gets experience, he will go on his own and be able to regulate his hours more. Also John is on electronic logs and they dictate when he will stop for the day.

I am thankful John got home safely last night.  The roads were slick and the company doing the road work doesn't keep it up.  On one hill 3 trucks were stuck going up as John headed home.  His advise to them was to park it till the winds died down, as they would be dealing with white out conditions.  All 3 had spun out on the hill.  The company responsible for cleaning the roads has been levied heavy fines with strict guidelines to follow.  Just wish they would follow those guidelines.  Many accidents because of the lack of follow through.

We have a beautiful winter wonderland outside.  I love how a Colorado clipper makes everything so beautiful.  Still it reminds me that God's white is whiter.  Whiter than snow, yes whiter than snow, Lord make me whiter, whiter than snow.

Hi Ruth!  Love your letter and Pictures!

Hi everyone.  When I drove to coffee this morning it was 32 degrees.  Our furnace came on throughout the night so we knew it was pretty cold.  Fortunately, it didn't get down into the 20's that had been predicted.  However, the wind blew all night long but it is quiet this morning and the sun is out and it looks like it will be a lovely day.  There were just four of us at coffee this morning and we stayed for about 90 minutes as no one was in a hurry.  The fellow I pick up each morning to take to coffee, as he cannot drive, gave me a Christmas gift of a big bag of individually wrapped Russel Stover Pecan Delights that is more than a pound and a bag of home made sugared pecans that his wife makes each year and they are delicious.  I didn't have a great day yesterday but so far this morning no angina so plan on staying home the rest of the day and take it easy.  The Atlanta Falcon's are playing a Saturday night football game against Norm's Detroit Lions.  If they can win the game they will get a bye for the first round of the playoffs. 

Etta Sue, Kroger's had gas for $2.99 yesterday.  I hope it continues to go down in price.  Did they let you be in the pool with lightning in the area?  I seem to remember we had to get out of the pool at the Y when it was lightning.  It sounds like you had quite a stormy day yesterday.

Jeanne, the 21st also was the first day of winter.  I sure didn't spend anytime worrying the yesterday would be the end of times.  Will you be with family or friends on Christmas?

Janet, yes I was speaking of Stacey for the emergency alert button.  I did not feel very well yesterday and just now sensing that the angina is starting again today with pain in the middle of my chest.  It isn't severe but makes me tired and uncomfortable.  I just hope it doesn't last all day and evening.

Ruth Ann, being out at 2 am is too late for folks our age.  :)  No wonder you were exhausted.  Hope you have a great time at your Christmas Celebrationl

RuthV, thanks for sharing your pictures and brief Christmas message.  Yesterday I sent out our very brief Christmas greeting via email.

Judy, glad John made it home safely on those bad roads.  It sounds like they need to find a new company to maintain the roads.  It sounds like you will definitely have a White Christmas.

RuthV, your friends must be very pleased to receive your newsletter!  A great job and thank you for sharing it with us.

I just had a lovely phone conversation with #1 son and his wife.  With my family so spread out, I am especially grateful for cell phones with hours of free long distance - we're a very talkative family, so those minutes can really mount up!   :lol:

Larry, I'm praying your angina discomfort/pain/whatever disappears and you have a comfortable and restful day.  Maybe you shouldn't take a chance on the excitement of waching that football game.   ;D

RuthV:  lovely Christmas greeting with photos!  I wish I knew how to do those things.  Sigh....

I finally did write a brief letter and printed out a few to send to family and a few close friends.  NOT to everyone I know, as I did years ago!  That postage mounts up so fast now!

Larry, glad you will be taking it easy today.

Jeanne, glad you got to talk to your son!

Judy, glad your John is home safely again.

Ruth Ann!  Goodness, girl!  Those are terrible hours for you to be out and about, but glad you can be with your son.

Darrel and I went out to breakfast today, taking John along.  He said he is taking Beth to Garden City to Walmart today.  That's a HUGE job for one person!  If I hadn't so much to get done here, I would have gone along to help him.  I know he will be totally worn out when they get back.   :-\  And so will she....  :-\

There is a play here in town tonight that I think I will attend.  Sounds interesting, and we don't often have that kind of entertainment here.

Darrel has gone to buy some mouse poison.  He saw a mouse run across the floor and under a closet door a little while ago!  :o  Nasty little critters come in from outdoors when the weather gets cold.  Just one of the "perks" of living in the country!  Yuck.

Time to go put more clothes into the washer and dryer!

It seems to be an eventful day after all.  First I replaced the light bulb at the front door.  I noticed it was out and last evening when I checked, Santa's head was gone!   :o   I found it between the planter and the front window.   ::)  I brought him in to dry out from the snow.  So today, I used clear packing tape and taped his head back together...he's about 2' x 3'.  So he is hanging back up on the front porch light for all the travelers to see when they go past my house after dark!   <3

Then I printed the last calendar for the year!  I asked this person if she had any additions but I haven't heard from her.  :'(  I told her last Sunday if I didn't have the additions that I would print the calendar as is Saturday before Christmas...today is that day!   :thumbsup:

Then my doorbell rang.   :D  FedEx.  My Corel PSPX5 is here...installed with all the free downloads and updates!   ^-^   Looks like PSPX4 so there wasn't an instruction booklet. 

Now I am back to business with this new laptop. 

Our snow is still here on the ground...it hasn't gotten above freezing yet!   :snowball: I was cold in the night so I changed my bedspread to a heavier one for winter!  It is bright and sunny and the wind isn't near as strong as yesterday so it feels warmer even though it is still only 28° at 3pm.

I don't usually post twice a day on the message boards but just read something a friend sent me and wanted to share a beautiful Christmas story with you all.  (You might want to have a tissue at hand.)

Santa and Sarah"

 
 
  Three years ago, a little boy and his grandmother came to see Santa at the McAllister Mall in Saint John. The child climbed up on his lap, holding a picture of a little girl.

  Who is this?" asked Santa, smiling. "Your friend?

"Yes, Santa,' he replied. "My sister, Sarah, who is very sick," he said sadly.
 
  Santa glanced over at the grandmother who was waiting nearby, and saw her dabbing her eyes with a tissue. "She wanted to come with me to see you, oh, so very much, Santa!" the child exclaimed. "She misses you," he added softly.

  Santa tried to be cheerful and encouraged a smile to the boy's face, asking him what he wanted Santa to bring him for Christmas.
 
  When they finished their visit, the Grandmother came over to help the child off his lap, and started to say something to Santa, but halted.
 
  "What is it?" Santa asked warmly.
 
  "Well, I know it's really too much to ask you, Santa, but.." the old woman began, shooing her grandson over to one of Santa's elves to collect the little gift which Santa gave all his young visitors.
 
  "The girl in the photograph... my granddaughter well, you see ... she has leukemia and isn't expected to make it even through the holidays," she said through tear-filled eyes. "Is there any way, Santa, any possible way that you could come see Sarah? That's all she's asked for, for Christmas, is to see Santa."
  ....
 
  Santa blinked and swallowed hard and told the woman to leave information with his elves as to where Sarah was, and he would see what he could do. Santa thought of little else the rest of that afternoon. He knew what he had to do. "What if it were MY child lying in that hospital bed, dying," he thought with a sinking heart, "This is the least I can do."
 
  When Santa finished visiting with all the boys and girls that evening, he retrieved from his helper the name of the hospital where Sarah was staying. He asked the assistant location manager how to get to the Hospital.
 
"Why?" Rick asked, with a puzzled look on his face.

Santa relayed to him the conversation with Sarah's grandmother earlier that day.
 
"C'mon.....I'll take you there." Rick said softly. Rick drove them to the hospital and came inside with Santa.

They found out which room Sarah was in. A pale Rick said, he would wait out in the hall.
 
  Santa quietly peeked into the room through the half-closed door and saw little Sarah in the bed.

  The room was full of what appeared to be her family; there was the Grandmother and the girl's brother he had met earlier that day. A woman whom he guessed was Sarah's mother stood by the bed, gently pushing Sarah's thin hair off her forehead. And another woman who he discovered later was Sarah's aunt, sat in a chair near the bed with a weary sad look on her face. They were talking quietly, and Santa could sense the warmth and closeness of the family, and their love and concern for Sarah.
 
  Taking a deep breath, and forcing a smile on his face, Santa entered the room, bellowing a hearty, "Ho, Ho, Ho!"
 
  "Santa!" shrieked little Sarah, weakly as she tried to escape her bed to run to him IV tubes intact.
 
  Santa rushed to her side and gave her a warm hug.
 
  A child the tender age of his own son -- 9 years old -- gazed up at him with wonder and excitement. Her skin was pale and her short tresses bore telltale bald patches from the effects of chemotherapy. But, all he saw when he looked at her was a pair of, huge blue eyes. His heart melted, and he had to force himself to choke back tears. Though his eyes were riveted upon Sarah's face, he could hear the gasps and quiet sobbing of the women in the room.

  As he and Sarah began talking, the family crept quietly to the bedside one by one, squeezing Santa's shoulder or his hand gratefully, whispering "Thank you" as they gazed sincerely at him with shining eyes. Santa and Sarah talked and talked, and she told him excitedly all the toys she wanted for Christmas, assuring him she'd been a very good girl that year.
 
  As their time together dwindled, Santa felt led in his spirit to pray for Sarah, and asked for permission from the girl's mother. She nodded in agreement and the entire family circled around Sarah's bed, holding hands. Santa looked intensely at Sarah and asked her if she believed in angels.
 
  "Oh, yes, Santa... I do!" she exclaimed.

"Well, I'm going to ask angels watch over you." he said. Laying one hand on the child's head, Santa closed his eyes and prayed. He asked that, God touch little Sarah, and heal her body from this disease. He asked that angels minister to her, watch and keep her. And when he finished praying, still with eyes closed, he started singing, softly, "Silent Night, Holy Night....all is calm, all is bright." The family joined in, still holding hands, smiling at Sarah, and crying tears of hope, tears of joy for this moment, as Sarah beamed at them all.
 
  When the song ended, Santa sat on the side of the bed again and held Sarah's frail, small hands in his own. "Now, Sarah," he said authoritatively, "you have a job to do, and that is to concentrate on getting well. I want you to have fun playing with your friends this summer, and I expect to see you at my house at McAllister Mall this time next year!"

He knew it was risky proclaiming that to this little girl who had terminal cancer, but he "had" to. He had to give her the greatest gift he could -- not dolls or games or toys -- but the gift of HOPE.

"Yes, Santa!" Sarah exclaimed, her eyes bright.
 
  He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead and left the room.
 
  Out in the hall, the minute Santa's eyes met Rick's, a look passed between them and they wept unashamed.
 
  Sarah's mother and grandmother slipped out of the room quickly and rushed to Santa's side to thank him.
"My only child is the same age as Sarah," he explained quietly. "This is the least I could do." They nodded with understanding and hugged him.
 
  One year later, Santa was again back on the set in Saint John for his six-week, seasonal job which he so loves to do. Several weeks went by and then one day a child came up to sit on his lap.
>
"Hi, Santa! Remember me?!"

  "Of course, I do," Santa proclaimed (as he always does), smiling down at her. After all, the secret to being a "good" Santa is to always make each child feel as if they are the "only" child in the world at that moment.
 
  "You came to see me in the hospital last year!"
 
  Santa's jaw dropped. Tears immediately sprang in his eyes, and he grabbed this little miracle and held her to his chest. "Sarah!" he exclaimed. He scarcely recognized her, for her hair was long and silky and her cheeks were rosy -- much different from the little girl he had visited just a year before. He looked over and saw Sarah's mother and grandmother in the sidelines smiling and waving and wiping their eyes.
 
  That was the best Christmas ever for Santa Claus.

He had witnessed --and been blessed to be instrumental in bringing about -- this miracle of hope. This precious little child was healed. Cancer-free. Alive and well. He silently looked up to Heaven and humbly whispered, "Thank you, Father. 'Tis a very, Merry Christmas!
 
  If you believe in miracles you will pass this on...I did!

Oh the power of prayer!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jeanne, happily the angina stopped after I slept a bit this afternoon and hasn't come back this evening.  I don't get excited about the games so will watch the football game but appreciate the suggestion.  I do have a friend who says he gets so nervous watching some games he has to turn them off.  I did have a nose bleed late this afternoon that took me over an hour to get stopped but I know my blood is thin and I know why it bleed so nothing to worry about.  Glad you had a nice long conversation with you #1 son and DIL.  I had a nice conversation on the phone with my sister and BIL earlier this evening. 

Janet, while the trip was probably hard on both John and Beth it is wonderful they can share that experience.  Those little mice get cold this time of year. 

Etta Sue, you did have a busy day.

I called Ivalou to wake her up this morning.  Yesterday she said she wanted to go to church.  That's what she has said for the last few weeks.  Hope today is her first day back to church since her shoulder surgery!

It looks to be another bright and sunny day in Indiana.  The snow is still on the ground but spotty.  I can see grass and the pavement is clear.  It is cold...27° but hopefully will warm up during the day. 

I am praying that everyone has a blessed Sunday with our God!

And here we are at the last Sunday of Advent, only two days until we celebrate the birth of Our Savior. 

All morning I've been thinking about Mary.  So young, yet she certainly must have witnessed other women giving birth and she must have been well aware of what was ahead for her.  What discomfort she must have felt, riding on a donkey, and what misgivings she must have felt at having to leave her home and family.  She knew they would be among strangers, and as it turned out without even the help and comfort of those strangers.  By the time they were directed to a stable, she must have been already in at least early labor.  She certainly didn't know, as we do now, how miraculous that birth would be and what glory those humble hours would bring to the world.

Thank you God! 

Hi everyone.  It is an overcast and chilly morning but no wind here in Atlanta so not too bad outside.  I just got back from the grocery store as Pat had several items she needs for the Christmas dinner or that we needed in general.  I was able to use the electric cart but it had a mind of its own and when you stopped it wanted to keep going.   Tomorrow morning I will go to Publix to get the breads for the ham sandwiches we will be having for our Christmas dinner. I think we will go to the church service this morning and then find someplace for lunch.  Pat was feeling better yesterday and hopefully will have a better day today.  I didn't feel very well yesterday morning but after a long rest and nap in the afternoon I had no further problems yesterday. 

Greetings every one.
Thank you,Larry for posting the Sarah and Santa story. Yes, I did need those tissues.  When I read the mall name and city I had to take a double look on that. That is our nearest city and a mall we shop in. Quite a coincidence.
Hard to believe Christmas day is so close! I missed the church activities this year. Everything is held a night and I don't like to travel our country roads by my self in winter after dark. Every year I seem to get more nervous to travel on wintry roads.
Plan on making an apple pie tomorrow for our Christmas dinner.  Thinking today that it will be 2 years tomorrow that I retired.  Only making one pie compared to the 500 to 600 I used to!
Turkey is thawing safely in the fridge. Also will make cranberry sauce tomorrow. I like to add an apple to mine.
Going to wish everyone a very merry Christmas today in case I don't get a chance tomorrow.
I am on every day reading but I don't always post. This is a wonderful forum. So glad that I came across CP. It is a blessing!
May the Lord Jesus be first in your life. Enjoy the season with your family and friends. If you are alone... remember, "it is HE that doth go with thee". He is there at the mention of HIS name! We are never really alone.
God bless and "Merry Christmas"
Christina

Quote from: Chrisle on December 23, 2012, 12:13:41 PM
I am on every day reading but I don't always post. This is a wonderful forum. So glad that I came across CP. It is a blessing!

Christina

I was introduced by JudyB. I, too, come on every day, and am truly blessed by the CPers who post. I laugh and tear up and add to my prayers daily for you all.

God Bless you all as you celebrate our Saviour's birth.

Hi everyone for a second time today.  I won't have much time in the morning as after coffee will have to head to Atlanta to pick up Stacey, after a quick trip to Publix and that will take up the morning.  Pat and I did attend church this morning and then went out with several friends for lunch at the Chinese place the group likes very much.  It was after 2 pm when we got home and I was ready for a nap.  Pat did talk with our DIL this afternoon and they are planning on being here on Christmas Day as she is feeling better.

RuthV,  good to see your posting and God Bless to you and your family.

Christina, I can't even fathom having to make 500-600 pies.  I don't blame you for not feeling comfortable driving on winter roads.  Thanks for the good Christmas wishes and you know I send them back to you as well.   

We will be leaving for California in the morning, going to Gilbert's tomorrow evening  then on o Eureka to Sarah's mom's on Christmas. We are staying in a motel in Arcata.

 :)  Hi to all.  I am finally here again and have gone over a lot of your wonderful post's.  I have busy with the kid's moving out to there own place and then we have had to help my daughter baby sit as she has had to work and her husband is working at the same time.

My wife has got a date for surgery for a new knee replacement and we will appreciate your prayers. The date is the 17th of January at 8=00 a.m.   Life has slowed down a little bit but still got a lot of things to get out of the garage. :thumbsup:

Larry.  Please be careful with that old ticker as your family needs you around. Pray and hope that you Pat have a wonderful Christmas. Thanks for your greeting.

Judy B. and Bonsey.  It is nice to John posting and to see that he is home safely I sure know what some of the things that John was saying about people chucking out there brains when driving. May the Lord be with you all in the north and that you also have a wonderful Christ filled Christmas. By Sis, :)

Ruth V.  Nice pictures and I am glad that you have all the snow.  Hope that you are all well and also have a beautiful Christmas. :thumbsup:

Pat.  Hope you come on site.  Noreen and I wish a fantastic Christmas and a wonderful time with your family.  God's richest blessing's.  Gordon and Noreen  Love ya Sis. :ppie: :cp: :pine: :bananadance:

Happy Christmas Eve, everyone.
It was good to be in Church yesterday, as always.  I noticed in the bulletin that the Christmas musical (which I missed due to being sick on the night of the actual performance) will be broadcast from one of the Amarillo TV stations tonight.  I look forward to enjoying the program after all. We get that on cable.

I hope all of you will have a wonderful (full of wonder!) Christmas.  Our pastor's sermon yesterday "How do you celebrate Christmas?"   Encouraging us "not as the world celebrates".  I wonder how long before "they" think we should not even call it Christmas any more...in many ways they already do...but it could get worse I fear.

I am going to make my refrigerator rolls today so they will be simpler to do tomorrow.  I have a spiral ham to bake, and Elaine will bring some side dishes.  GrDtr will make a baby food cake. Only a few of us will be here.  Husband and son both passed away, and son' s widow awaiting hip replacement in early January so she can't come from Lubbock. 
Just to be together is enough for me...details are not so important.  When you reach my age, my rule is 'Keep it Simple'!  I turned 80 recently...I never thought I would live to be that age..my mother didn't. 

Merry Christmas, everyone!
-- Janice

Happy Christmas Eve, everyone!

I have been up since 6, doing stuff to prepare for tonight and tomorrow, for the meals.  I baked a big cherry pie with cherries from our trees, have two crusts ready for the coconut and lemon pies.  I may wait until morning to make those, as they are better when really fresh.  We have the chili made for tonight; we are having enchiladas for supper tonight with Beth and John.  Diane will be bringing side dishes to help out tomorrow.  We will cook two big beef roasts, do a big pan of mashed potatoes and make gravy, and fill out with other things.  Oh, yes, I have the deviled eggs made, too.  So I'm making progress, anyway.  We need to concentrate more on Jesus, and less on food and gifts!!  :-[

Janice, so good to have you posting!  And Gord, Chrisle, RuthV--and our regulars, Larry, Marilyn, Judy, Jeanne---and those who will pop in to post later!  I wish you all every blessing from our lovely Savior who came to be born as a tiny baby all those years ago in Bethlehem.

Ivalou went to church...she stayed for Sunday School...she went out to a Chinese restaurant for lunch with us.  I took her to the bank for her to get some money and we stopped at the Drug Store for her to get some RX's that were ready for pick up!  Big day for her.  And she said she needed to get her sidewalk salt in the house for bad weather.  So I did that and filled her 'shaker' half full so she could handle it.  I am so happy she went to church...I sure missed seeing her beside me there.

I had emailed Kitty to tell her she could bring her pictures over and I could convert them for her.  She took .raw pictures with her camera and couldn't get them to load on her PhotoShop.  So with my new PSPX5, we got the job done.  I thought there were only 6-7 but there were 91 photos!  I have never used 'batch' but I got the job done one at a time!  She brought me a Gingerbread Man and some Christmas Mice that she makes!  She's a happy camper and said she changed the setting on her camera to .jpg!!

Then after that I popped some corn and watched TV.  The house seemed to be getting colder and colder.  I discovered the heat pump was throwing out cool air...not lukewarm but cool.  So I turned it off and set the temperature up on the furnace.  I called my heat pump man this morning.  He is coming Wednesday afternoon to see what is wrong with the heat pump! 

Sounds like everyone is getting ready for Christmas Day or their Christmas Dinner together with family and friends.  All I am making is a batch of Chocolate Pecan Brickle today.  And tomorrow I am making Mac and Cheese.  I even put on the recipe to start it 1½ hours before it is done.  Thanksgiving I was running late!  Now all I need to know is when we are having Christmas Dinner at Ivalou's!

It is gloomy dark day today.  I have all my Christmas lights on and I am sure that the people driving by can see them.  Looks like it might be raining...it's 35°.  We are suppose to get snow Wednesday evening...inches of snow but I don't know how many are predicted!

Hi everyone.  I awoke to a rainy downpour but it basically stopped at daylight, as it often does here.  I went to coffee at McDonald's and then to the grocery store for some last minute things and just as I got back home to put away the groceries it started to downpour again.  I then left for Atlanta and had some rain but not too bad other than the spray from the cars and trucks ahead.  Traffic was really quite light so had no problem and a few minutes ago we got back home.  I am eating my lunch and will try to read and write on the message boards while doing so.  I am ready for some rest this afternoon.  I do have a meeting to attend this evening. 

Gord, glad to see your wife has a date for her surgery.  We are hoping Pat won't have to wait too many weeks after seeing the doctor to get her other knee done. Your house will probably seem very quiet with you family now in their own home.

Janice, how nice to be able to see the musical that your church did on TV.  I have never heard of a baby food cake.

Janet, it sounds like you all are going to eat very well tomorrow.  Lemon pie is probably favorite although it is hard to decide as others are really good as well.

Etta Sue, that is a lot individual pictures to deal with.  I image there is a setting on her camera to to have something other than .raw for her pictures.

Merry Christmas to all my CP friends (family). 

Please pray for my son' s widow, her name is Kat.  She called me a few minutes ago from a hospital in Lubbock.  She was in for emergency surgery.  She told me about 2 weeks ago that she had a spider bite for several days and she finally had to lance it.  I was concerned about it and asked if she knew what kind of spider, no, she said. 
She was scheduled for hip replacement early January, but they won'' t do that now with this much infection.
That poor girl has been through so much...my son her husband died last year, then her son had to have a heart transplant. 
Not a very good Christmas for her.

Thanks for praying...Janice

Time to start a new week Here! (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=12475.0)