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QuoteIf you want to see God move in your life, devote yourself to prayer. Friend, God does business with those who mean business.

Jeanne, thanks for this Thought for the Week.  So true, about prayer.  :)

I also would like to make an announcement here.  Our good friend, Nita, has a sister who is walking the pathway of illness with cancer.  She has been told she has only a short time left to live.  However, she has been writing of her journey, on Facebook, and I have permission to share her writings here.  If you want to read some great writing, and be inspired by the faith and peace of this dear woman, then you shouldn't miss keeping up with Faye's journey. 
http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=12515.0 (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=12515.0)

Jane is there a link to her journal?

Here is a link to the photos I took of Harry our rescue cat. http://s224.beta.photobucket.com/user/tudogmom/library/Pets (http://s224.beta.photobucket.com/user/tudogmom/library/Pets)

The link is at the end of my post.

Good morning,,,no- good noon is more accurate.

Larry, Patty' s husband spent time in Iraq, also another deployment to Kuwait.  So this time a different direction.  And the family can go this time, that is a great plus.

My Nephew' s wife passed away early this morning.  So sad.  She has been sick a long time and was on a waiting list for a liver transplant.  Doctors took her off the list a couple of days ago, she was too sick to undergo the surgery.  Diana is with Jesus now and finally healed, Praise God!  Please pray for my nephew, Rick Poole.  (He is my youngest brother' s son), and the children.  They live in San Antonio, TX.

Jeanne, I too am thankful for a warm and comfortable home, with enough resources to meet all the bills.  I don't have a lot of wants as I grew up in a family of 7 children and money was scarce, so you learn young how to stretch the dollars.  This way, when you give yourself a treat, it is really special (like my recent gift to myself of this Kindle Fire HD).

Greetings to all others who stop in to visit today.
-- Janice

It has been a long time since we have attended such a little church  - and they do notice when someone is missing.  They all asked about Don right off.  He did better last night and right now I was going to suggest to him that we could drive to the local park and sit in the car just to get some fresh air this afternoon - then he just had a long coughing spasm.  He does need to get out though and it is going to be in the low 70's this afternoon. 

Friends called - he needs hip and knee surgery - just had a stent for heart.  They want to visit.  We can go there when Don is over this cold.  Our pastor at this church is coming for lunch next week - if we are doing OK. 

Thank you for the clickable to Nita's sister.  We can all learn from a good and faithful servant. 

Time to soak spit peas for a soup for tomorrow.  Banana chocolate chip bars are in the oven.  We have turned off the heat and now need to have someone check the air conditioner one of these days. 

There was a lonesome coyote across the street - hungry and looking for any scrap of food.  Hard to believe but there are cats outdoors here because I don't think people understand that wild animals live close to the community. 

As we pray we draw nearer to our Father.  THank you Jeanne for the devotional.

Hi everyone.  another very pretty morning here but we are to have a cold front move through this afternoon with 25 mph winds and colder temperatures the next few days.  However, it will still not be bad as will be in the 40s or 50s in the afternoon and the high twenties at night with no rain for the next few days.  Just the normal Monday men's luncheon (today at O'Charleys) and a meeting this evening.  I would have liked to see Atlanta beat San Francisco last night but for that game the better team won.  It will be interesting to see two brothers coaching the two teams in the Super Bowl.  I wonder if that has ever happened before.  Did any of you see that the original Batmobile, used in the old television series, was sold at action this last week for $4.6 or $4.8 million dollars?  That sort of staggers the imagination that someone has money to spend like that. 

Jeanne, thanks for preparing the new devotional thoughts for us for this week.

Jane, what a neat lady Nita's sister is to want to share her faith at this time.  It must be tough to know your days are few even when we are ready to go home to God. 

Marilyn, didn't you also have a photo or two of your rescue cat on Facebook?  I seem to remember seeing a photo or two. 

Janice, this deployment for Patty's husband should provide an interesting experience for the family.  The culture in Korea is quite different from ours I believe.  I only know one family from Korea who come to Atlanta occasionally to visit with my very good friend.  She is the head of the Precept Ministries in Korea and the man is a Presbyterian minister.  She speaks perfect English and he speaks very little English.  Pat and I were invited to take two meals with them when they were here.  My friend and his wife sponsored the lady through college and she calls them mom and dad.  Very sad that your nephew's wife was never able to get the liver transplant. 

Carol, do hope Don was up to going to the park and enjoying the outside air. 

Larry, that was a good and close game.  Darrel was rooting for Atlanta, too.  Which teams are going to the Superbowl?  That must be a first, for the coaches to be brothers! 

I felt better this morning, so went to the gym.  But I didn't overdo....20 minutes on the treadmill, and Kristi told me to stop and go home.  So I did.

Faye's messages are so uplifting and encouraging!  I find it really amazing that she is so upbeat and willing to share her journey with others, and I pray God will use it to help others, as I'm quite sure he will.

We should learn the results of Beth's CT scan today.  I so hope they found something they will be able to "fix" to help her.  Her attitude is so sweet it makes me weep at times.

I don't know what I am going to do today, but SOMETHING!   :)

Thank you, Jeanne, for the devotion.

Thanks, Jane, for the link to Faye's words.  Words of encouragement!

Marilyn, Harry is so fuzzy wuzzy!  Looks like a cat that would love to be loved!

It got cold during the night here.  And a wisp of snow this morning.  There is a white tinge on everything because the snow was tiny, not big flakes!  I am waiting on Jake to fix the heat pump and then I would like to go to Walmart and do some shopping!! 

That's about it!

Marilyn, that's a pretty cat!  He doesn't appear to be wild--is he?

No he isn't wild he is a lover. Loves to be held snuggled,and petted, and likes lots of belly rubs.

Larry that was  one fo the other cats you first saw on Facebook,. I did post all those pictures.s on Facebook yesterday of Harry.

Bad cold beginning.  I was able to get to the grocery store quickly this morning and bought necessary for our crummy colds, food plus honey and lemons which I boil water sip the three during daytime.  It does help.  The older we get , the worse a little cold overtakes our daily lives.  No one can come for a visit.  Watched old movies and knit today, slept a little in the chair. 

Larry:  We could see a lot of the car sales as they were on the local channels.  We are only a 20 minute drive from the sale area.  The man who built the Batmobile showed everyone all the features - what a creative idea.  They had two Lorean's gold plated - not sure if that is spelled correctly.  Cannot imagine.

Thank you for devotions and the song - another song I have not heard in such a long time. 

Hi, friends,

What a frustrating day! Yet, when I sat down to work on my Gratitude Journal, I realized that our Lord helped me resolve each issue, get to my doctor on time, and then have a nice dinner with my oldest son and two dear friends from church.

Sooo, all's well that ends well, as my grandparents used to say. :)

Yes, Larry, I own one of those lifting devices, but had not seen it advertised on TV - I was browsing around at Home Depot and found it there and then and there decided it was a must-have. It's helped me and several others. The piece of furniture is a double ottoman that looks like a leather covered cedar chest. It is not heavy, but is certainly good for storing little things that are needed from time to time, like warm blankets, etc. Since I use it as a coffee table, computer desk, etc., it really needs to be easy to move. I tried those silicone pads, but they weren't satisfactory. So, next is casters. :)

So, I easily tipped it over and began trying to get those casters onto it. Honestly, the wood under that upholstery must be "ironwood" to be so hard to get a screw into! Whew - it will take a while, but that chest will be upright and able to be pushed as I wish!

I'll be playing piano and singing for our devotional period tomorrow downstairs, then taking a friend to the doctor. And again to the doctor on Wednesday. And, AGAIN to yet another doctor on Friday morning early. So, looks like Thursday's gonna be catch up day - catch up on rest, catch up on data entry for SHIP where I volunteer, and, hopefully, catch up on giving my apartment more in-depth TLC. ;)

G'nite, friends,

Ruth Ann

Good Day... achooooo  still sneezing but I did sleep until almost 6 am. 

Ruth Ann:  What a great idea, your Gratitude Journal. This entire month has been phsyical pain and then colds for Don and myself.  But - it was meant to be, to slow down and enjoy the ride so to speak.  Of course, we do want to stop coughing and some of that is happening.  As to your storage ottoman, you may have already used an electric drill to open that for the castors.  Good wishes on that project. 

Hi everyone.  It was 27 degrees here when I awoke this morning and not to get above the mid-40s today.  However, the sun is shining brightly and it doesn't appear we have any wind out there.  I didn't have to get out early this morning as it was Tuesday and we no longer go to coffee on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  I do have a couple of things on the agenda today as will attend a meeting this morning and stop at the grocery store for a few items.  This afternoon the lady who is taking over my data processing responsibilities for the Senior Golden Games is coming by about 3:30 for me to help her with some questions she has. The applications for the games have been mailed so applications will soon be coming in to be processed.  She has the database on her laptop so will bring with her what she will actually be working on during the game's season.  That will likely be it for today.

Janet, Baltimore and San Francisco will play in the Superbowl on Feb 3.  It sounds like Beth has found acceptance of her situation and thus can find some serenity. 

Marilyn, I will check those photos out the next time I visit Facebook, not something I do everyday. 

Carol, it sounds like you now have the cold also.  Apparently the man who built the Batmobile is very well known in the car circles.

Ruth Ann, it is easy to let things get out of perspective when we are in the midst of them. It sounds like the casters should do the trick for you to be able to easily move the chest. 

Larry, you weather would seem tropical to us here in New York state.   ;D  The sun is shining, the wind is blowing and my outdoor thermometer registers 10 at 10:45 a.m. 

It is warming up here quite rapidly.  I went to the gym and did as much as I felt able, then stopped.  Kristi said that's what I should do, as I'm not quite over that cold yet, but lots better.

I stopped by to see Beth but she was sleeping so soundly that calling her name didn't rouse her, so I left her sleeping.  I went to inquire about the CT scan results, but they said they haven't heard yet.

It is about time to go to lunch at the senior center.  We haven't been there this week but will go today.

Ruth Ann, you do stay busy with your "taxi service", don't you?  You're such a blessing.  Hope you won the tussle with the hassock by now, and that you do have access to an electric drill to make the job so much easier.

Time to go--be back later!

It is day 2 of a really cold, cold snap.  I am keeping the damper open on the furnace to keep heat coming, however that means many trips to load the funace. 

As I was weeding out books to get rid of I came asross one that I hadn't read.  Peter Jenkins "Walk Across America". The first page looked interesting so set it aside to read.  Well I am now about half way through the book, Very interesting and his experiences are amazing.  I went to FB to check him out and he is doing a similar trip again with a 57 Chevy.  Looking forward to that book as well.  Larry if you haven't read this book I think you would enjoy it, not sure you can get it on your puter though!

Cimi is showing her age.  Al she does is sleep.  Her joints are bothering her, so I added salmon oil to her food and she is turning her nose up at that!  I may have to put it directly into her mouth!!

John is headed to Rome NY.  He is trying to get back in country today.  He is having problems with the truck, the "check engine" light is on and the coding indicates it is an exhaust problem.  With his truch the exhaust goes through a liquid called DEF, Diesel Exhaust Fluid, (I think) and it seems that this only happens in the really cold weather.  The question is what is causing the problem, is the fluid gelling of freezing.  So he needs to get back to Canada and to the Volvo dealership and find out. So this will hopefully will be a fast trip out of country and back in.....No big miles unfortunately. He was offered a 1000 mile trip to N Carolina that he had to turn down, and that is really the pitts!!!

Have a great day everyone!

Well, Jake didn't show up yesterday by 4pm.  I needed supplies at Noblesville that I didn't think I had time to do today after swimming.  So now the kitties have food and litter in case I get snowed in. 

Today I went to the pool and to Bob Evans for breakfast.  Once I got home I called Jakes...she said the appointment was today.  I don't think so.  The appointment was Friday and when they called to say he couldn't make it Friday, it was changed to Monday afternoon.  Anyway I told her as long as I had time to shower before he got here, okay.  If I have to leave at 4 and he is still here, I trust him to lock up and leave.

It is cold.  Only 12° right now.  It was down to 4° this morning.  We, meaning, Ivalou, Betty, Marge and I, are suppose to go to Outback Steakhouse tonight so Ivalou and I can use our gift cards from Kaye Don and Barb and they have to be used before Feb 10th.  Marge called last night and asked if we were still going.  Yes, why?  Well, she didn't think we should go it if was this cold out!!  I told her I don't want to do snow or ice or sleet but cold I can do!  Besides I am to pick her up at her work...it isn't too cold for an 80 yo lady to drive to work by herself!  So I told her unless I called, we are going.

Well, Ivalou called this morning saying it is too cold out to go.  (I think Marge and her are ganging up on me!) I told her that I was in Noblesville and I was very comfortable in the car...and that I can start the car before we have to go out and get in it!  She said but what if someone falls and they have to lay there on the ground?  I know  she is concerned but we can't wait until warm weather...I wouldn't want to lay on the ground if it was 50° out!  Besides she could fall going to the mail box or walking around in her house!  So as of right now we are going tonight!  I am confident in my car and my driving!  We should be home before dark or shortly after it becomes dark! 

I was venting...can't you tell?

Etta Sue, it is strange the gift cards have expiration dates on them.  Hope your enjoy the meal.  Is the pavement where you all will be walking icy?  Hope you get your heat pump fixed today as know you are getting a bit frustrated by the delays.

Judy, sure hope John gets back in country but surprised any Volvo truck dealer couldn't attend to the problem with his truck.  He and I discussed what happens with a breakdown and he was telling me about the very good service available for truckers. 

Janet, sure glad you are feeling better.  Hope you had a good meal at the senior center.  I still remember what nice meals the senior center in my folks town of Maryville, Mo. served.  When we were staying with the folks we often went there to eat with them as was one less meal preparation and the meal was reasonable for guests, which we were.

Jeanne, that is too cold for me.  Think I would just stay in the house if possible when it is that cold.

The lady I am suppose to help this afternoon seems to be running late so had a few minutes to come back and catch up on messages.  We are greatly relieved in that just this afternoon the trash haulers came and took away a huge pile of trash that our next door neighbors had put on the curb about two weeks ago.  It was too much for the regular trash men.  It sure looks better over there.  Fortunately I only had to look at it when I was coming or going but still it was becoming a bit annoying.  The trash service will send a special truck for large items or large amounts of trash. 

It's me again.  I just read this and wanted to share it with you all:


I'm a Little Tea Cup

Love this story or not, you will not be able to have tea in a tea cup again without thinking of this.

There was a couple who took a trip to England to shop in a beautiful antique store to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. They both liked        antiques and pottery, and especially teacups.

Spotting an exceptional cup, they asked "May we see that? We've never seen a cup quite so beautiful."

As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup  spoke, "You don't understand. I have not always been a teacup. There was a  time when I was just a lump of red clay. My master took me and rolled me,  pounded and patted me over and over and I yelled out, "Don't do that. I  don't like it! Let me alone," but he only smiled, and gently said, "Not yet."

Then WHAM! I was placed on a spinning wheel and suddenly I was made to suit himself and then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I yelled and knocked and pounded at the door. "Help! Get me out of here!" I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as he        shook his head from side to side, "Not yet."

When I thought I  couldn't bear it another minute, the door opened. He carefully took me out and put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. Oh, that felt so good! "Ah, this is much better," I thought.

But, after I cooled he picked me up and he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. "Oh, please, stop it, stop, I cried." He only shook his head and said, "Not yet."

Then suddenly he put me back in to the oven. Only it was not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I  just knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried. I was convinced I would never make it. I was ready to give up. Just then the  door opened and he took me out and again placed me on the shelf, where I  cooled and waited and waited, wondering, "What's he going to do to me  next?"

An hour later he handed me a mirror and said, "Look at yourself." And I did. I said, "That's not me. That couldn't be me. It's beautiful. I'm beautiful!"

Quietly he spoke: "I want you to remember. I know it hurt to be rolled and pounded and patted, but had I just left you alone, you'd have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. I know it hurt and it was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked. I know the fumes were bad when I  brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn't done that, you never would have hardened. You would not have had any colour in your life. If I  hadn't put you back in that second oven, you wouldn't have survived for long because the hardness would not have held. Now you are a finished product. Now you are what I had in mind when I first began with you."

The moral of this story is this: God knows what He's doing for each of us. He is the potter, and we are His clay. He will mold us and        make us and expose us to just enough pressures of just the right kind that we may be made into a flawless piece of work to fulfill His good, pleasing and perfect will.

So when life seems hard, and you are being pounded and patted and pushed almost beyond endurance; when your world seems to be spinning out of control; when you feel like you are in a fiery furnace of trials; when life seems to "stink", try this.

Brew  a cup of your favourite tea in your prettiest tea cup, sit down and think on this story and then, have a little talk with the Potter.

Thank you for sharing that lovely story Larry. Seems it was meant for me, as I am about to have a nice cup of peppermint tea to soothe a sore throat; the reminder that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" by the Potter is a good one.  Reminds me of a song we sang at my old church. 

You are the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me this is what I pray....

Change my heart, O God.
Make it ever true.
Change my heart, O God. 
May I be like you.....

(not the song in its entirety)

Bonnie

Though there isn't a great deal of snow on the ground, the air out there is definitely wintery!!  It's -21 degrees Celsius right now, which is about 110 degrees Fahrenheit. 

I had leggings on under my uniform today, for extra warmth, and even wore a scarf under my coat...not my favorite clothing item.  Even with all the extra effort, I was still chilled to the bone when I finally arrived home.

Carol, I hope you are feeling better real soon.

Etta Sue, I truly enjoy reading your comments about your day.  Seems you lead a very full life; praise the Lord.

Bonnie

- 21 is the same as - 5.8F... just to clarify

This book I am reading is amazing!  cant wait to get his oter books!  A Walk Across America!  a worthwhile read!

I'm sure glad  have a full pantry and freezer.  I'm planning on staying inside for the next several days - the temperature isn't expected to get above the single digits during the day and well below zero at night until at least Friday (at 10:00 a.m. my thermometer registered minus 5 F, or minus 20 C).  Then maybe more snow.  I can't imagine what it must be like for the homeless on the streets.  I am constantly praising God for my warm home and I include asking his protection for those who have no home.

Jeanne  YOu reminded me obout this song

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

The music is Here (http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/p/r/praisegf.htm)

It was so cold in the house this morning that the oil furnace kicked in.  That means it was 10 *C or 50*F .It was cold.  I have an electric heater in my room wo keep my firds warm.  So i didn't feel it till I opened my bedroom door.  I quickly added wood to the hot coals and the wood is now burning.  It will take time to heat up this old drafty house!  I am thakful that we have still a lot of wood to use.

More singing.

Thanks, Judy.  The Doxology is sung at every service in my church.   :thumbsup:

Hi everyone.  Just back from Bible Study with our associate pastor, who was filling in for our senior pastor who normally teaches the class.  We have been studying some of the hymns as to their Biblical inspiration and what they mean.  It is an interesting study.  Stacey learned yesterday, after spending about 8 hours at the ER and having another x-ray of the hip her hurt in her last fall that there is a minor break in one of the bones but not something that needs surgery and that time should take care of the pain.  She is suffering a lot and when she got to the ER her blood pressure was too low for them to give her any pain medication. They told it it would take about 6 weeks for the bone to heal so she has some tough days ahead of her.  I am planning to go down on Friday, with one of the housekeepers we use, to get her apartment clean and her laundry done.  We have put together some meals to take to her.  It was about midnight when they released her from the hospital but they were going to get transportation for her back to her apartment.  She had gone down in her power chair on the bus. It is a cool but beautiful day here in Georgia and it was 45 degrees as I came home from the church. 

Bonnie, I hadn't thought of that hymn about "You are the potter, I am the clay" for a long time.

Judy, I have a little electric heater I use in my bathroom as it can be pretty chilly on cold mornings.  I don't have to use it very long but sure appreciate it. 

Jeanne, glad you can stay in where it is warm. 

I spoke with Pat and Paul last night and we are looking forward to sharing a meal and visiting with them late Thursday afternoon and evening on their way home.  Yesterday afternoon I had a nice call from Gord.

 :) Hi To all.  I did post and I thought that I was putting it onto daily thoughts but it went to  the portion for prayer and info about Nita.  It is vary cold here and I know where Judy B. is is much much colder and I am glad that I am not up there.  I do pray and hope that all of you on C.P. are staying warm and are so grateful that we have heat.

Larry;  It was so good to talk to you yesterday and I do hope that you and Pat look after yourselves.  Please say hi to Paul and Pat when you see them give my big sis a big hug from her little brother.  HA HA. God's richest blessings. :coffee:

May the Lord be with you all during this cold weather. :thumbsup:

Our beautiful new granddaughter has started to gain some weight and we are so thankful to the Lord for that she was so tiny when she was born. Well God's blessings to you all.  Gordon and Noreen. :) :snowman: :cp: :bananadance: :pine:

Jake didn't show again yesterday.  I called the office at about 3:30pm and Patty told me he wouldn't be here and that she would write a note to call me this morning to set up another appointment.  Well, she didn't call.  I am getting pretty disgusted.  I am on the schedule but then others jump in front of me when they can't get here. 

And we all went to Outback Steakhouse.  No falls, no ice, no one suffered in any way other than stuffing our tummies!!  Actually Larry, it was an Outback Bonus Card.  It seems that Kaye Don and Barb purchase gift cards for 16 people from Outback Steakhouse for Christmas gifts.  With each purchase of X amount of dollars, they get an X amount of bonus.  I don't know how many of their family gets gift cards and who gets bonus cards but Ivalou and I seem to get the bonus cards.  They aren't in the cold, cold weather so they think nothing of us having to drive 20 miles for a meal in cold weather.  But we should have went last week when it was Florida weather in Indiana!! 

I am going to call Patty one more time.  I am at their mercy.  I don't know anyone else that services Mitsubishi Heat Pump/AC units.  So I guess I have to wait on them!  I am warm...it's just that it is costing me $$$.  I can't imagine waking up to house that is 50° like Judy!  That would take hours to heat up my house to where I could take gloves and coats off!! 

I have no place to go today.  It seems colder today than yesterday but the temperature is warmer but the sun isn't shining!  So no solar heat today either!  Just the furnace and fireplace.  I am blessed to have them, I know!

 :)  Etta Sue.  That must be a royal pain when these people do not show up.  I had someone try to  sell me a few years ago the same type of heating system and at that time we did not get it as there were to many people having problems with them.  I do hope that you can get it looked after soon.  God bless.  Gordon. :thumbsup: :cp: :bananadance:

All this talk about the cold makes me appreciate the mild weather here in our corner of Kansas!  We need only a sweater yesterday and today.  It's always subject to change, though!  :)  And I, too, am most thankful for a comfortable house and heat when needed.  I noticed in our paper that they are doing a survey to find out how many homeless people there are in this county.  I don't know of a single one, but there may be some.

Larry, thanks for the teacup story.  I had read it before, but it's good to be reminded how much we owe our heavenly Father.  He truly made us in marvelous and wonderful ways, and He knows what's good for us.  Sorry to hear about Stacey's latest trials.  She certainly has more than her share of them, and I wish we could help her.

No news yet on Beth's CT scan.  And we are NOT going to Amarillo tomorrow for Darrel, after all.  That doctor KNOWS he has a problem, yet he wants to put us off till Feb. 1 to even check on him again!  So we are going back to our family doctor tomorrow and requesting he refer Darrel to a cardiologist in Garden City.  That's 60 miles, instead of 200!  That doctor in Amarillo wants us to keep coming back every week, and we have told them that is a 400 mile round trip each time.  :ticked:

Curtis (grandson) called and wants us to meet him for lunch, so gotta get!  Later, kiddos!

It is freezing cold here as well! By reading all the post it seems like everyone is in a deep freeze. :snowman: Piled on the clothes and went out for a brisk walk anyways. I could walk on top of the snow so that made it better for walking. It felt good to get back in the house though. Some of the schools were closed today because of the wind chill this morning (-35). The kids in this district all had school. Must have been bitter waiting for those buses at 7Am.
Scrubbed floors this morning. No baking for a change, that will come tomorrow.
My inlaws are enjoying time in Florida. Hmmm I think they should have taken me with them! ;D  My sister is heading south too. She will make a stop over in NC to visit our niece and her family.
Well, just wanted to come in and say hi. I read the posts every day, just don't post myself as it is very quiet here.
God bless you all and keep you safe.

Etta Sue I have added a second lot of wood in the furnace and I am comfortable in a t-shirt.  John is still sitting in at the Volvo dealership.  He doesn't know what the problem is yet.  We (John and I) are suspecting something with the severe cold we are having.  This is to last at least another week. 

Larry glad you will be able to see Pat and Paul.  Enjoy your time.

It seems I have been on the computer all day.  This is the warmest room of the house, so I am getting 'puter work done.

Well just sitting here at the Volvo dealership with my truck They have diagnosed the problem as a pressure sensor with the exhaust regeneration system. This system removes most of the unwanted gases from the exhaust that goes into the air. My truck puts almost zero emissions which is good for the environment. I have found that it is a good cold start truck as well. It was minus 9 F here this morning and it started like it was summer time Very unusual for a diesel. Had a very enjoyable visit with Larry last week in Georgia when I was there. It gave us a nice time to get to know each other a bit. Hopefully we have another opportunity some time soon in the future. After keaving Larry I loaded the next day in Hickory NC and got caught in the snow storm in Virginia going over the mountain on I77. Ended up staying in a truck stop in Ft Chiswell as the northbound Highway was closed going up into West Virginia. I got snow again Monday here in Ontario and yesterday in and around Rome NY. Guess this is the winter for me to encounter lots of snow again. i remember a few years ago having snow to deal with evryday I was on the road throughout the whole winter. That year Ironwood MI got about 19 inches of snow over night and I came through there the next morning and it snowed from there right through to Sault Ste Marie. Sure makes one homesick for the trips to Florida that I used to do. Would love to get back on those trips. But thats a bygone era. Im thankful that we have a loving God who rides with me and keeps me safe over the miles. I leave the control of the wheel to Him and it makes it so much easier for me. Anyway enough said for now. Keep well everyone and God Bless. Bonesy

Good to have  you posting, John, and so glad you are safe!  Hope they get the problem with your truck sorted out soon and get you on your way home.

How a day changes things!  After deciding to just bypass that doctor in Amarillo and start over, the nurse called this afternoon to say they have scheduled Darrel for a heart cath in the BSA hospital in Amarillo on Friday morning!  So we will be going down tomorrow.  I called and cancelled his appointment with our doctor and told them we will re-schedule, as we still want to find a doctor here.  So if you friends would pray for safe travels and a good result for Darrel, I will really appreciate it.  Thanks.

I have a couple of sweet potatoes baking for supper.  Yummy.  8)

Mmmm Janet, I do love sweet potatoes!!

Another day in North Bay getting my automobile serviced..... I spent most of the day finishing off a book entitled "Hitting The Wall" by David Payne, a former pastor of mine from Aurora, when I lived in Oak Ridges, just north of Toronto. I cannot express adequately how useful this book is (or would be) to Christians who are in the midst of a valley and all they can see is in-scalable walls! I'm supposed to give a book review on it tomorrow afternoon........ a little behind in the preparation  ;)

The front struts have been replaced, the wheels balanced and the spark-plugs changed ..... however the module for the lights was, again, unusable..... he might be able to get one from Alberta..... let's see, that is about 2,000 miles from here. If that doesn't work we are looking at a retrofit  ......

Etta Sue how is the young may who had that awful accident doing. You haven't posted about him in a long time

Ruth I'm sorry they didn't have the correct part.  Perhaps check kijiji for a parts car, never know when you will need another part that is inaccessable.  Often the body is done but the mechanical parts are good.

Well I too finished a book.  Walk Across America was a fantastic book of searching, love, death, and faith.  I am now looking for the next book that he wrote!

It is late.  John is at the Guelph yard, truck is fixed, the problem was a blocked sensor.  It took most of the day to diagnose the problem and then fix it.  Now to see what the want him to do tomorrow, hopefully home for the weekend.

Janet know that we are praying.

Hi everyone.  Just back from a trip to the hardware store and need to rest for a bit before tacking a few housekeeping tasks around here this morning.  It is a nice morning and was 48 degrees when I went out.  We probably will have some rain tomorrow with the possibility of some icy rain but it sounds like most of it will miss our area and go north of Atlanta.  The lady who is taking on the data processing for the games is suppose to be here this morning at 11 am.  This afternoon we are looking forward to Pat and Paul Halbach stopping by to visit and having dinner with us.  So it is going to be a full day. 

Janet, they should get Darrel fixed up tomorrow and I will be thinking and praying for you all.

I have enjoyed all the postings but am limited on time today so going to bypass other comments, although could comment to each of you.

(WRITTEN BY A PASTOR)

I like many Americans was deeply saddened by the reelection of Obama on Tuesday, was quick to be ashamed of America and the people who voted for him and also questioned why God would allow this to happen. Today I started to reflect upon what happened and why. Then it hit me that I wasn't trusting God and He is still in control!

Perhaps God in his wisdom knew that Romney was not the right choice for us at this time. Perhaps God in his wisdom knew that whomever got elected was going to face huge problems and why shouldn't Obama be the one to shoulder that responsibility. After all he is the one who has misled, lied to the American people, and has further plans for the destruction of our Country as we have known and loved it.

He now has to "inherit" his own mess and can't blame it on someone else. The media would have crucified Romney over the next four years for "ruining" Obama's hope and change plans and blamed him for all the problems. I believe that our God will show this nation what happens when you allow Godless people to manage the gifts this nation has to offer and He provided for us.

I believe He will expose Obama once and for all for the failure he is and our corrupt media will not be able to save him. I also believe that Obama's attitude and treatment of Israel is not looked upon by God as obeying his command and Obama will have to answer for that. We have another Congressional election coming up in two years and maybe we can get rid of some of the democratic critters that occupy Congress today.

Maybe in four years we can run a ticket for President and Vice President like Paul Ryan and Marco Rubio. Maybe when America again suffers serious setbacks, people will realize what a weak and corrupt management team we have and be tired of it. I will not question God's wisdom or plans He has for us again, because He is in control and has always done what's best for us. We are reminded that prayer isn't always answered in the way we would like at the time, but God does answer our prayers in His time and in a way that is best for His children.

So, let's keep the Faith, lay our worries at His feet and trust God to take care of us!

This was on my heart today and I hope you all don't mind my expressing these thoughts to you. I am in need of strength, encouragement and understanding as are so many of the faithful and good Americans in our Country today!

PRAY FOR AMERICA !

I have posted the update on Janet's husband in Prayer and Praise.  Please keep checking that area folks.

Again another cold day.  The furnace is running, however I do have to add wood. 

Again we need to remember God is in charge only He knows the timings of things, This is HIS day, let us rejoice for that.

Hi, friends,

Well, it's time to fire up the "taxi" again. This time it is a work-in because her actual appointment was tomorrow morning. However, her primary care physician contacted the foot doctor and asked for an earlier appointment because of her condition.

So, I'll take the newspaper and plan to wait awhile for her to be worked in.

One of these days my eyes won't let me drive any more, and then I'll be extremely thankful for the person God will send my way to take me.

Y'all have a great day with our Lord. (And, try to stay warm and dry!)

Ruth Ann

Thank you, Marilyn, for asking.  Jacob is on day 323 of his recovery.  A doctor just last week said he isn't in a coma any more.  But he is still somewhat unresponsive.  He is home but has had many trips to the ER and hospitals mostly due to UTI's.  His temperature rises sometimes to 106° and all they can find is a possible UTI.  His Mom and Dad works but at alternate times and his brother, Tyler, helps with Jacob.  A wonderful lady in Noblesville is the head of 'take them meals'.  They have breakfast at home and then one other meal is furnished by someone.  Jacob eats yogurt/jello, drinks liquid from a straw and the cup.  He is showing joy when introduced to new foods.  He is still on a feeding tube that costs $8 daily!  I wonder if his problems now are due to the two strokes he had right after his accident!  His parents are so God loving that they know in their hearts Jacob will be healed.  Sheree's sister, Linda is my nephew's wife.  She said she has never seen Sheree down...never saying what if, or feeling doomed.  She always has a smile and seems as if everything is right.  She does miss Jacob's hugs and his 'I love you, Mom' statements. 

Now Jake.  I did not get a call from Patty yesterday morning as promised.  So around 2pm, I called her.  There was a message in Jake's voice stating...

QuoteHello.  You have reached Jake's Heating and Air.  We are no longer in business.  I hope this has not caused you any inconvenience.

What??  I happen to have Jake's cell phone number so I called that number.  Jake answered with 'Hello'...in a sad way.  I told him who I was and asked, 'What's happening, Jake?'  He said that he just can't get guys who want to work.  They either don't show up for work or they take way too long to get a job done.  He sent two guys yesterday morning to do a two hour job and hasn't heard from them yet and it was 2pm!  He said he was so frustrated that he is taking the day to decide what to do...close the door or continue? 

He did say that he has my part on one of the trucks and that he would get back with me to come and fix my heat pump.  I told him that I would appreciate that since I don't know anyone else that works on Mitsubishi units.  He said he would give me the names of companies if he decides to close the doors. 

I then told him I was sad that he is having to go through this.  And that all I could do was pray for him.  He said he really appreciated prayer right now because his mind is so befuddled, God needs to give him the answer. 

So I am still using my furnace for heat with my fireplace and solar heat for supplements.  I understand his dilemma.  I don't understand why guys will goof off when jobs are hard to find.  Maybe it is the attitude of the generation...I don't have to work...someone will take care of me!  Or I can do as I please, someone will get me out of my problems. 

I need to change clothes and go to Dollar General.  I have a few things I need to get before morning.

That is sad Etta Sue.  There are so many who need jobs but aren't qualified, others who have jobs but don't work wisely wasting time and the bosses money. It costs money to become qualified, in this economy the money isn't there.  I feel for those who want work and can't get it, disapointed in those who are qualified, but don't use the qualifications.  I hope he follows through on his promise to help.

We are both a wee bit better and celebrated by going out to a $2 breakfast at Denny's.  Used the AARP card for an extra $.99 for coffee.  Felt so good to get out.  It is raining a little here in Arizona. 

Bonnie:  Hi!  You always look so calm and relaxed in your picture - nice to see you posting.  Take care. 

Gord:  give a hey from us to Pat and Paul.  That is wonderful news about your granddaughter gaining strength and weight. 

Etta Sue:  Thanks for the update on the accident victim.  I am glad Marilyn thought of asking you regarding his progress.  good wishes on getting your heating serviced. 

JudyB:  Sad but true letter from that pastor. 

Janet:  Good news - take care and safe travel to you two. 

Etta Sue thank you so much for the update on Jacob, I will pray for him to become responsive.

No matter what our personal opinion is concerning the President, Scripture teaches us that we are to pray for those in authority.  I read a very interesting and thought provoking piece by Dr Charles Stanley in his "In Touch" magazine on Inauguration Day.  I thought you all might gain some insight as to how we can make a difference, as well as I did.  Perhaps some of you receive his magazine too.
Here is the article:

How to Pray for a President
   1 Timothy 2: 1-5

Christians have a responsibility to pray for those in authority.  When you talk to God about the President, ask that he will:
1.   Realize he has been given that position by either God's choice or His permissive will.
2.   Recognize his personal inadequacy for the task and look to God for the wisdom, knowledge, and courage to succeed.
3.   Restore dignity, honor, trustworthiness, and righteousness to the presidency.
4.   Readily forsake his political career and his personal ambitions if doing so would be in the best interest of the country.
5.   Reverse the destructive trends of atheism and humanism that try to dethrone God, deify man, and lead to an ungodly society.
6.   Respect and obey the Constitution – the protector of our freedoms.
7.   Reject all counsel that weakens our defenses against aggressors or endorses agreements that would do so in the future.
8.   Refuse to promote a way of life in which citizens become increasingly dependent on the government for their needs.
9.   Remember that he is accountable to Almighty God for his attitudes, motives, behaviors, and decisions.
10.   Resolve to help the nation again become a place of creativity, security, national pride, and individual prosperity, where God is recognized as the Source of all our blessings.

Leading a country is a very important, demanding job.  The President and other elected officials need our prayers.  But to be effective, our requests must be more specific than "Lord, bless the President" or "God, help our leaders do a good job."
The above list is a good way to start.   

Hi everyone.  It is to be rainy with some possibility of sleet, ice or snow but the indications are it will basically not have much effect on the Atlanta area or where I live.  After coffee this morning I will meet the cleaning lady at our church and we will head down to Stacey's apartment to get it cleaned up, attend to some errands for her such as her laundry, get her LIfeline set up and hopefully her computer back in operation.  I will also be sure she has sufficient food in the apartment.  They are telling her it may be up to two weeks before the scooter store can get the paperwork processed to come and fix her power chair.  So she is basically isolated.  We did add her to our son's ATT phone family plan yesterday and I got a new phone for her where she will have unlimited minutes.  Right now she is basically stranded without a phone as her Skype isn't working since her computer fell on the floor even though the computer is working. Pat and Paul Halback got here a around 5:30 yesterday afternoon and we had a lovely visit, including enjoying a very nice Chinese dinner.  We came back to the house and visited until about 9 pm when they got on their way to get into South Carolina before stopping for the night.  They wanted to get out of the storm possibilities this morning as they are coming in from the west, as usual.  I did meet yesterday morning with the lady taking over the data processing duties for the Senior Golden Games and hopefully got her on the right track.

Judy, thanks for sharing the pastor's thoughts.  I have to say I agree with him. 

Ruth Ann, you are being that angel that God is using in your friends life.  I am sure you have many friends who will do for you what you are now doing for your friends.

Etta Sue, thanks for the update on Jacob.  What an ordeal.  That must have been a surprise to find your heating man was no longer in business, although it sounds like he is struggling with his decision.  Hopefully he will finish up the jobs he has committed to. I think you are right about the attitude of our current young generation in some respects.  It is sad when people don't treasure their jobs.  Unfortunately, it has become more desirable to some to be on welfare than to work. 

Carol, glad you were feeling like getting out yesterday for breakfast. 

Gord, I did pass on your message to Pat and Paul yesterday evening. 

Good Morning Marilyn.

Janice, you are so right that we must pray for our leaders. 

Thank you, Judy ... Ihaven't heard that song for a long time, but it is very close to my heart since we sang it, and the choir sang it, for my daughter Jean as she was dealing with a terminal disease.  It has also appeared often in my life ... for myself as well as others. 

I had never heard that song, and find it easy to sing - I'll be trying to learn it to sing in our downstairs devotional periods on Tuesday morning.

I need to meet a plumber a bit later in the day, and that will kind of "do it" for the tasks for today, albeit an expensive one.

Then, I think I want to make fish for dinner along with mixed veggies and probably carrot sticks.

Son #1 has learned to make yogurt, so homemade yogurt with pineapple will finish off the meal.

Y'all have a great rest of the day with our Lord.

Ruth Ann

Good Morning or afternoon where ever you may be.

Janice thank you for posting that from Dr. Stanley, our president does need all the help he can get to change his thinking and his very left  progressive doings. If we bombard heaven with our prayers then God will hear and answer. I am thinking of 2nd Chronicles 7:14 " If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." KJV

I think Psalm 109.8 is a great verse for our President.  Look it up!  tsk..tsk   ::)

Well, yesterday I got a phone call at 1pm from Jake's mother/secretary asking me if I was going to be home.  Someone will be buy to fix my heat pump.  A few minutes later Michael drove in the drive.  By 2pm, my heat pump was working just fine.  And yes, Jake is shutting the doors.  Michael has a job to go to Monday and was recommended by Jake.  Sad! 

I woke up after a wonderful night's rest to white stuff all over the ground.  I ate breakfast and read my devotions and then headed to Kitty's house.  Less than a half mile away from my house a propane truck had backed off into a ditch blocking the road.  So I turned around in a driveway and got to Kitty's the long way around! 

Kitty asked me to help her crochet a Bearded Beanie!  It's a toboggan type hat but has a crocheted piece that looks like a beard fastened to it.  She sent me a link to the pattern.  Well, I got mine made but Kitty may have to start over...she crochets very loose!!  And I am going to re-write the pattern since I found some mistakes in it! 

I just got home after taking Ivalou's mail to her.  I stopped at the mailbox and then backed into her drive!  The beeping sound when something is behind your car sounded constantly!!  When I got out I noticed 4 circles on the back bumper...two of them were covered with snow/ice.  So I cleaned them off.  When I got back into my drive, I backed the car up and it didn't beep.  Those four circles must be the sensors and since two were covered, it sounded constantly....like a low siren! 

And this cold weather, I really do like those heated seats!!! 

Off to write a crochet pattern!!

 :) :thumbsup:  ETTA SUE:  Thank the Lord for answered prayer for your furnace and getting the right person there to fix it.  Praise his Holy Name.  I think that you had a good night sleep with having that fixed and also you would have peace of mind. :thumbsup: :coffee:

We have not been just as cold as the previous days thank the Lord as it was just to cold to go out I even plugged the van in through the night and it sure helps it warm up a lot faster in the morning.  Well I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend and may the Lord bless each one on Sunday.  God's richest blessings.  Gordon and Noreen. :) :cp: :snowman: :rocker: :pine:

Hi everyone. Dawn is just breaking outside and the weather report indicated we may have some fog but otherwise the weather is fine.  There was no rain or ice in our area or in the immediate Atlanta area so it wasn't a problem yesterday when I went downtown. 

The housekeeper who went with me  did a truly fabulous job at Stacey's apartment.  Not only did she do all the cleaning but helped with the laundry and also helped rearrange some of the storage and eliminated some of the clutter that was the carryover from Stacey's move to this apartment.  We got there about 10:30 and she worked hard until 2:30.  When we left it took around 30 minutes to go six blocks up Peachtree Road as there was a stalled car being put on a tow truck when we finally got past that point.  Since we had eaten no lunch when we got back to our local area we stopped in to a Chick-fil-A for a sandwich. 

Stacey was very delighted with the results of the day.  She is in so much pain that she isn't sleeping but a couple of hours at a time in her easy chair and getting from the chair to the wheelchair is very difficult for her.  She said this pain she thinks is worse than what she experienced with the broken hip and the pain medicine isn't controlling the pain at all.  She also told me she had fallen two more times, once over backwards when she was trying to fluff out a blanket to put in a chair.  She will be using her walker now in her apartment when not in the power chair.  She won't be able to call her doctor's office until Monday to see if he can prescribe something else to give her some relief. 

I tried to install the Lifeline but when I called for technical support I was told it will not work without a land line and number and she doesn't use a land line.   So we will explore some other possibilities but will send the Lifeline unit back.  I did find that her computer is OK but needs many programs removed and some routine maintenance done on it.  I set her Skype phone account to immediately forward any calls she gets on it to her new cell phone and we will eventually eliminate the Skype paid service.  Hope for a quieter day today with just the normal routine things after yesterday, which definitely wasn't routine.

Ruth Ann,  you can have no portion of that yogurt as I have no taste for it at all.  Hope you got fixed up with the plumber.

Marilyn, what an appropriate Bible quotation.  Unfortunately, our people seem to be headed in the opposite direction but that is no excuse for us not to pray for our leaders and our country.

Etta Sue, good heat at last and know you are relieved to have this chapter closed regarding the heat pump.  Interesting about the behavior of the sensors on your back bumper but that makes sense.

Gord, I did pass on your special greetings to Pat and Paul and they appreciated it.  Glad it is a little warmer up your way.

Time to leave for coffee at McDonald's.  I don't have to pick up my normal rider, Ed, as he has church this morning. 

Larry The hymn "Master the Tempest is Raging", seems so appropriate after your time yesterday.  Just remember the chorus says "Peace be still!"  He can still handle our storms.

John is heading out in a bit for a haircut and to pick up aome things from the store.  I don't know if O am gping with him or not.  He has a valid point, I havent been out of the house in a week so it is time to get out.  We will see.

Lets sing!

Judy, thank you for another of the hymns that often keep running through my mind.

We're still nowhere near the freezing mark - maybe next Wednesday.  Meanwhile, the water and drain pipes are a concern.  The very mild spell we had right after the last snowfall, combined with high winds, got rid of the snowpack.  And without that insulation the frost line at these temperatures goes much deeper than normal and pipes that aren't deep enough can freeze.  So I guess this is what the Lord has been preparing me for - short spells of sleep and some wakefulness before sleeping again.

The heat tapes under the trailer are some protection, but at 15 below or more, I don't trust the outside lines, so I stack a pile of towels under the faucet and keep a steady slow drip.  Then I put the wet towels on a drying rack over a floor eating vent and replace them under the faucet with the ones that have dried out.  For the drain into the septic tank, I run a couple minutes of hot water.  Sends my electric bill up, but that's better than having the drains freeze and having to pay for thawing them out. 

And spring will come!   ;D

Today is busy doing piddly things that need to be done.  I have read my devotions including the Sunday School lesson, I made my son his birthday card after finding a picture of him and his grandma that was taken 9-8-2000...the last picture taken of him and his grandma, I printed a Crocheted Necklace pattern that Tony's wife, Charlene said she would LOVE to have and now I am catching up online.  Later I would like to change the beard on the beanie I made yesterday.  Then fix potato soup for a late lunch.  Kitty sent me home with some fresh pineapple so that will be dessert! 

Then this evening is the 'Celebration of Life' for my friend, Rex, that passed away in Mexico in December.  His sister, Carole, called this morning to tell me that there will be food for everyone after the celebration so I sent out an email to all the class members with emails. 

I must mosey on....I am sure I will find things to do that isn't on my mind yet!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIbZgNcKRkU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIbZgNcKRkU)

I'm downloading it, Marilyn. It's the only way I will be able to see it. 111 MBs takes almost 20 minutes!!
Today I'm working on bookkeeping....... and because Everett cannot do the restocking of our outdoor furnace; looking after that, & dinner....  ;D 

Will come back in later.

I just finished watching the Presidential Inaugural Prayer Breakfast.... keynote address.

What a powerful speaker for the Lord!!

May America listen.

I Will Pray!!!!!

RuthV that was my reaction as well, The rabbi  told it like it is and used the word to backup everything he said. it was awesome. I hope others here will watch the video.

Unfortunately I cannot see videos on dial up. 

We went to the dump today, and I took my camera.  I got some pictures of the sunset, and of course snow.  Unfortunately my little nicon point and shoot has died.....at least there is a problem with the lense retracting.  I tild John to take it apart, it won't work so he may fix it, and if not I haven't lost anything.  I am enjoying my cannon, just need to learn better how it works.

Night all

Time to start a new week:  HERE (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=12525.)