Christian Photographers Community

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!   

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.   

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!    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!      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!   

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!   

Then my doorbell rang.     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!    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.

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.

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.

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!