Christian Photographers Community

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Happy Birthday Jeanne Lee and Ruth V.

We had a storm last night while I was at Photo Guild.  I watched TV when I got home and then tried to get online.  No internet.  None this morning either.  I called my provider.  Waited 23 minutes to speak to someone.  She didn't help.  But said it wasn't inside the house.

Then today was Euchre and when I got home, I had internet.

Ivalou has a corded telephone with two handsets.  Neither of them was working after the storm.  I fixed them by taking the battery out and plugging it back in.  Then I had to reprogram the directory, time and date.  Got that done. 

Also I was printing with the desktop printer and it quit on me this morning.  So I had to finish printing with the laptop and the Epsom. 

I am going to Battle Creek, Michigan, tomorrow to deliver a Memory Book to one of my classmates who is in a wheelchair.  So I called to reserve a room.  The lady told me at least 4 times how much it was going to cost me and I finally had to tell her that I was in a hurry and to just give me a confirmation number.  She still rambled on but finally I got the number and a number for something else that I don't know why.  Then she wanted me to take a quick survey.  I told her no that I was in a hurry!  I wish business people spoke understandable English!!

Oh, yes!  Happy Belated Birthday, Jeanne and Ruth V. 

Now to go pack so I can leave early in the morning.  I must remember to go to the ATM and get some money also.  Was going to do that on my way home from playing Euchre but I didn't drive!

We had the opportunity to meet up with John as her rolled through town.  We decided on going out for dinner, and had a good time together.  There was so much on the plates that we have enough for tomorrow!  Not sure what the rest of the week holds for him.

I have other work to do, so bye for now.

I think I missed something awhile back, Judy maybe you can answer something for me. When did we start get new devotionals every day? Sometimes more than one?

Hi, friends, I'm back from the eye doctor with the great news that there is no diabetic retinopathy, despite my being diabetic since 1973. Thanks be to our Lord.

I'm very tired, so will go in, lie down, and listen to the President's speech.

Much love to all.

Ruth Ann

We don't They are promises and some like them so I post them.  Don't you like them?

Sure Judy the are fine. I was just wondering why so many.

I missed a day, The promises are so great, that I felt they should be shared.  I don't always add the stories with them though.....

Ruth Ann, that is wonderful news!  As for the speech, we skipped it, two hours of that is way more than we can tolerate, especially since we can't believe hardly anything that comes out of his mouth.  Just my opinion, of course, but has proved so in the past--many times!

Darrel got new glasses recently, he also has no signs of retinopathy, praise the Lord!

We have a fierce wind blowing here today, it is overcast and cool.  I hope  the wind doesn't blow away any chance for rain!  The trees are really whipping out there, and the house (we live in a metal building) is squeaking and groaning.

Today is the day we leave for Cozumel!  I think we have most of our gear together, plus extra for the Crawfords.  They have some, but not four complete sets.  Saturday is my birthday, and I plan to spend part of it under water!! 

Hi everyone.  Just a couple of minutes to write before leaving for Bible Study with the pastor this morning at the church.  

Pat saw the ENT doctor yesterday and he said there was no sign of infection and that nothing futher was required at this time.  We were both greatly relieved with that news.  

Ruth Ann, that was indeed good news you got from the eye doctor.  Our daughter recently had her eyes checked and no diabetes related problems at this time.  

Etta Sue, hope you have a good trip today and enjoy your visit when you present the Memory Book.  It is very nice of you to deliver it in person.

Janet, sure hope you can convince your doctor to stay in your town.  It would probably be very difficult to get another one there.  Hope you have a wonderful trip and get to do a lot of scuba diving.

Good Afternoon everyone. I have been here 3 times to read but just went on and did other things. I completed a tutorial and did a Photoshop lesson, mopped the kitchen floor and fixed  lunch of leftover Chinese take out from Monday  night's supper.

This afternoon I am going to the Framers Market in Coos Bay (just down the road a piece) and over to the Episcopal Church for a minute. Then back home to walk the dogs. I put their flea med on them this morning. Grubby is in the Master bedroom  sleeping on Happy's very large dog bed that sits on top of the mini trampoline. We don't use that bedroom until it is much warmer weather, with that high ceiling it is so hard to heat.

  Bye for a while, everybody!  See you in a week or so!

Hello from Battle Creek, Michigan!!


I got here around 11:30am so it didn't take as long as I thought.  203 miles according to my GPS.  Wanda and I have talked and talked and talked some more!  I think we had all the problems of the world settled but when we continued talking, the problems started all over again.  Just like housework.  Never ending job. 

I ate dinner at Bob Evans and now I am in my room.  I need to travel more.  It took me an hour to get internet.  The wireless was going but the internet wasn't.  It was so simple I won't tell you what I had to do to get internet! 

I don't know what time I will leave to go home in the morning.  Not going to set an alarm.  And I will have my GPS take me home by way of State highways instead of the internet.  More of a leisure drive. 

Greetings Friends

There used to be that program called "The week that was" or something to that effect and boy, have I ever had one! God is showing me so much that my eyes can hardly keep up, but my heart can!
I was asked to a wonderful Senior luncheon last Friday and this was with a group of seniors I had never met. In fact, I only knew one person there and she practically had to drag me over there. I am so happy that I went. Besides the great speaker that we had, I got a chance to meet some really dynamic and energetic seniors, doing a whole lot of stuff.  I gathered up as much material as I could and since this was held in a church, I decided to attend this past Sunday and lo and behold ran into co workers from the past and I got hugged and got a chance to hug and suddenly things in my life seemed a lot fuller.
Oh, I have had some success with the book and even with being on a local television program a few weeks ago, but my nest is emptying and the enemy has been trying to convince me that when the last one leaves, I will be totally alone.
What a lie that is. We are never alone. God provides company for us in many different ways and look, we even have our Internet friends to chat with if we feel lonely, but if we didnt have that, we would still have the camaraderie of our Lord and Savior. Thats got to be the best there is!
I am happy to announce that I am going to a Christian women's retreat next week and in July I plan to visit my hometown, Chicago.
Oh! I saved this for last....
When I was at the senior luncheon, I met a very special lady.
Guess what? Her name is Zenobia. It was the first time we had actually ever met someone who shares our name. Of course, we traded phone numbers and she is a writer too. She says that my getting the book done has inspired her. I also met with another lady who wants to collaborate on a play. We did one before in the 1990's. How fun! God is so good to us.
Please pray for a dear friend of mine who is facing risky surgery. We used to be sweethearts a long time ago, and now we are both alone. He lives in Chicago and we went to high school together. He is a concert pianist and has found that there is a tumor growing rapidly in his lymph nodes. The surgery will take five hours at the least and he has been given a shady prognosis, so we talked today and I reminded him of God's love and mercy. I plan to see him while in Chicago.
I have known him since we were fourteen ( me) and sixteen and we have kept in touch over the years. He is now sixty five.
Well, I pray that you are all well, and as promised I am trying to get here as often as I can. You are all special to me.
Blessings Galore, Zee

PS I have embarked on yet another adventure. I planted in the community garden this year. Tomatoes, carrots, onions ( red and yellow) as well as Collard greens and Forget-me-nots in honor of my deceased children. We have had a lot of rain and as this is my first endeavor, my neighbors are lenient with me.
I will take photos and try to post them here. You all know how awful I am at posting photos. Took me forever just to add my own. You are the experts, so I hope I do not embarrass myself! 

Zee, Hello!  Isn't it great how God provides?  How can one be alone with God in their presence?  We all have ups and downs.  I truly believe the downs are so we draw closer to God so He can help us. 

Wanda and I had great conversation...almost 8 hours of conversation.  One of the first things she said was she never had good memories of Lapel High School.  I will admit that the girls had a click.  I don't know how I was accepted into their click...I was the only one that didn't attend all my school years with the others.  As soon as Wanda said that, I told her that I was truly sorry that she doesn't have fond memories of Lapel and that I would love your forgiveness if I caused any bad memories for you.  I got an email this morning from Wanda stating that our few hours together diminished those memories.  Kids can be so cruel and I am in sorrow to think that I might have added to her sorrow many years ago. 

I am still in Battle Creek but heading south in a few minutes.  God got me to Battle Creek safe...He will get me back home.  I don't want Him guiding me.  I want Him driving and me in the passenger seat! 

Hi everyone. 

So nice to see you posting Zee as it has been quite awhile. It sounds like have been busy and are getting ready to try some new adventures in your life.

Etta Sue,  hope you had a nice trip back home.  It is sad when people feel they have been left out of the group.  I worry sometimes that folks reading here may get the false idea that we are a clique here on CP but nothing could be further from the truth.  This is always a welcoming and caring place if folks will let us know they are looking in.  Hope you enjoyed the back roads.  It takes a little longer but certainly is less stressful.  The last time we went to Florida we stayed on the State routes until we got to the Florida border and enjoyed the leisurely drive and saw some different places.

Hope that Janet and Darrel got off on their adventure and that they have a great time.  For me scuba diving would be the last thing I would want to do.  A fish might nibble on my toe.

Marilyn, they are starting a couple of farmer's markets in our area.  We haven't visited any of them but my friend always has a big garden and has good produce from it. 

I had coffee and then walked at the gym this morning.  We are getting ready to host the two couples with whom we play Mexican Train this evening.  We always eat out so the hostess only prepares an easy dessert.  Pat had a lemon pie in the freezer and I look forward to that.  She doesn't even have to cook it.  This morning she is making her own mayonnaise for the first time.  This way she will know what is in it.  Hope it turns out well.

Zenobia, how great to see you posting!  Thanks for bringing us up to date with what's been happening in your busy life.   

Etta Sue, you are probably on the road just now, and I have you firmly in the arms of Jesus as He bring you safely home.

Janet, it sounds as though you will have a wonderful week at Cozumel, and I'm also praying for the Lord's safe keeping for you and Darrel.

Yesterday I had a wonderful visit from my pastor.  We got so involved in our conversation that I completely forgot to offer him the fresh coffee I had waiting!     This morning I put the finishing touches on the monthly financial reports for our county American Legion Auxiliary meeting tonight.  I always breathe a sigh of relief when the figures all match up like they're supposed to.   

Jeanne I know you were very relieved when all the numbers matched up. I hate when they don't and I have  look for the mistake, usually mine. 

Not much new here today. Yesterday I couldn't find the  Farmers Market. After calling Nita I discovered that I was looking on the wrong side of the street and not even looking in the right direction. I will go on Saturday.

God has been so good to me and I am thoroughly blessed. I am so happy that God brought Keith into my life, He is the best thing that has ever happened to me. You all know the kind of life I had before I received Jesus into my heart. I had been abused by every man that I had ever been with. 'nuf said.

Thank you Jesus!!!

We are in Grand Lake in Grand County, Colorado right now.  Just a tad closer to heaven, don't you think???
altitude:  over 8,000 ft.

Terrible drive yesterday that took us four hours instead of less than two.  The roadwork had everyone going from three lanes to one, uphill and trucks were struggling as they couldn't get a good run at the hill.

JudyB:  I think John is away too much - you called him a HER     Just joshing with you!  Take care.

Don painted a kitchen door yesterday and it dried very quickly but today is too windy so we came to the village  - not many boats out on the lakes.  I bought a little kit of wool fabric to make Christmas ornaments - hand stitch.  My neighbor will help me understand the directions. 

A dear cousin in Sweden died from cancer.  It pains us so much when things happen and we are so far away - she had a top job in the country in social services and was a sweet woman.   Also, our friend who had a stent put in for heart pain is not out of the woods yet and may need open heart surgery.  Last night, the issues were on my sub conscience much too much and I finally dozed off abut 2 AM.  Not good.  We always have a little trouble with the altitude too although we don't want to admit it and don't think about it until we go upstairs carrying a load of something - then, whoosh, it is back to reality & we are not spring chickens anymore. 

Hello Al:  You mentioned Marbeth would be coming home.  Thinking of you and prayers for you situation.

Gord Brown:  Never forgetting you either. 

 

Hello Everyone.

Life has become so busy, busy for me that my visits here seem few and far behind but I always enjoy reading the back posts to try to catch up.  I just am so thankful to Judy for looking after our little "coffee shop" by being a wonderful moderator in this area.  Thanks for the hymns you have posted and I've so enjoyed the promises you've added.

Our "Thoughts for the Week" topic is just that--a place where we can share special spiritual thoughts, hymns, what we're doing, where we're going and just a nice, "Hi there" from our many members.

Thanks Judy!

I was reading an email earlier from Joni (Joni and Friends) and I thought that today I'd share it with you.

It's entitled, "Be a Blessing"



Be A Blessing

I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.
                                                  -- Genesis 22:17-18

         
Make me a blessing, make me a blessing,
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.

Would you like to have assurance that you are enjoying the Lord's favor? There is a way to know, and it's simpler than you might realize.

The clue is in the Scripture for today. God was in essence saying, "Abraham, I am blessing you so you in turn can bless all nations. They will receive something through you, and it is in this way that you will know that my hand of favor is upon you."

For us, the surest evidence that the Lord's hand of blessing is upon us comes when others are blessed through us. When we encourage friends and family in the midst of our trials, we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God's hand of favor is on us. The best part is that those who are being blessed are at the same time being drawn closer to the Lord.

To be blessed by God means being drawn deeper, higher, and further into his heart. Being blessed means feeling his favor, his pleasure, and his delight. It means understanding him in his ways. What a gift to pass on to others!

Is the joy of your relationship with Jesus overflowing to those around you? Is their walk with him different because of you? Is their prayer life growing because of you? Has their witness gone up a notch because something about you has rubbed off on them? If so, rest assured. God's blessing is on you.

* * * * *
　
Lord, the best blessing you can ever bestow on me is Jesus. Help me to get to know him. In turn I'll pass on the blessing that results to others.

Totally frustrated.      

I have had 3 posts ready , hit post and there they sit.  I left the last one for an hour and still it sat.  I have shut down 4 times, and all to no avail.  I am wondering if this will work this time!

Pat Thank you for your words.  Much appreciated.

Kass has one exam left, science.  she knows the work and will be fine. She is doing better this semester. Less stressed.  I had a call this morning and she starts work tomorrow after school, at noon.  She has also volunteered at the food bank.  This will go toward her volunteer hours for school as well as cadets.  We picked up a computer for her from Freecycle.  All we need to buy is a mouse!

Yesterday we had a day of rain, all day with no let up.  Today the sun is shining and it is pleasantly warm. 

Kass and her friend are going swimming later.  This girl is amazing.  A strong Christian and high moral standards.  We both love her to bits.  They go to school together, and will be working together this summer.

Well got to go

To those who have not heard

My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else. I have been following the plan spoken of in Scriptures, where it says, "Those who have never been told about him will see, and those who have never heard of him will understand."


Romans 15:20-21 NLT

Hi, friends,

I'm pretty tired tonight. Two friends came to help me get the apartment ready for my grandson & his wife to come Saturday, bringing their little one - my very FIRST great grandson. You don't think I'm happy do you!!!

What a sight it must have been - something was going on in every room. Before they left, I fixed them a bit of lunch and we enjoyed our conversation.

Y'all have a nice evening.

Thanks be to God for His Unspeakable Gift of our Lord Jesus Christ and for the Comforter He sends also.

Ruth Ann

Good evening Ruth Ann.  It was wonderful talking to you the other night.  John has headed to Indianapolis and will Lord Willing be home Saturday.  Unfortunately he rarely goes down your way. 

I took Kassie swimming tonight.  This is becoming a nightly event.  She enjoys swimming with friends.

I am weary, so will be heading to bed really soon. 
Have a good night and rest well!

I wish I knew John was coming to Indy.  If he is on I-69, I am about 4 miles from it.  Would love to have a cup of coffee with him.  And Judy, when your post wouldn't post, did it have graphics in it?  That's why I quit the animations...took forever to post on CP.

I knew when I left Michigan that I was not going on the interstate but I was on country roads...not county highways or state highways.  I would go a mile or two and turn left, then another mile or two and turn right.  I don't even know where I crossed the state line.  But when I got to SR6, I knew I was in Indiana.  The GPS said to turn left on a country road.  I didn't.  I knew if I stayed on SR6 I would come to a town and a pit stop!  So Lagrange, Indiana, it was.  I hadn't eaten breakfast yet and it was almost 11am. 

So I stopped at a McD and got lunch.  I called my step-daughter with my thinking I would stop in and see her if she was home.  No answer.  So I called Ivalou and told her that according to the GPS, I should be home at 2:14pm.  The rest of the way home I was on State Highways.  Even made another pit stop and pulled in my drive at 2:16.  Maybe GPS stands for God's Patrol System!

I crocheted 4 rounds on the afghan last evening.  I made up for not crocheting the night before.

I have a doctor appointment today at 11.  Pray that this procedure will work for me. 

Etta Sue My Posts don't have the animations.  But When they won't post I click the "Preview" button and then when in the preview page I save.  It works then. John goes to Indianapolis quite frequently.  I will email you.

This is the last day I will have to pick up Kassie from school.  Exams are done, and she is moving on to work this afternoon.  I welcome the end of the running.  I have to leave will be back later.

A reliable messenger

An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble, but a reliable messenger brings healing.


Proverbs 13:17 NLT

A credible message needs a credible messenger because charisma without character is catastrophe.

Peter Kuzmic


Letters from God

A U.S. ambassador resides in a foreign country and yet lives on U.S.-owned property. Though the laws of that land may differ from ours, the ambassador is still responsible to uphold the laws and rules of his own government. His words and actions can never be wholly his for he does not act in his own capacity. When he speaks, he is a messenger for his government. When he acts, his deeds reflect on the country he represents. We are Christ's ambassadors and therefore his messengers. Too often we think that the message we preach reflects our faith. However, on a much deeper level it is the message of our everyday words and actions that are influential. We are the letter from God that people read. We become unreliable messengers when we speak crudely, gossip about a neighbor, or act dishonestly.

Our words and actions reflect God, who lives inside us, to people who never open a Bible or enter a church. Never forget that you are an ambassador for Christ and a messenger of hope. Ask his Spirit to empower you to deliver the Good News with your life and words.

LORD, thank you for allowing me to be your ambassador. Let my message be honest and true. Help me to encourage others and to go out of my way to speak a kind word. Forgive me for times when I have spoken without thinking. Let me live in such a way that my words and actions represent you so that my message may be one of love and hope.