Christian Photographers Community

• Prayer and Praise (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?board=3.0)    Thanks for visiting this area of our site to share prayer requests and items for praise!

 




For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 4:14

Recommended Reading
1 Corinthians 15:12-26

If you're looking for a new kind of vacation destination, Reuters reports that a Russian company wants to launch a hotel in orbit 217 miles above Earth by 2016. A five-day stay in the space hotel, including the exciting ride to get there, is estimated at a cool $1 million.¹

Temporary lodging, a billion dollar industry today, has been around for centuries. It's the wonderful word that New Testament Christians used to describe the temporary place where they buried their loved ones. The believer's body was placed into a koimateriam, Greek for hotel or inn. The word choice reflected the believers' firm expectation in the resurrection. If a believer dies before the Rapture, Christ will come to the hotel where their body is and reunite it with their spirit--which has been with Him.

The Rapture assures us the cemetery is only a motel for the body of the believer. Our hope is in the resurrection--that glorious moment when all believers are suddenly caught up into glory and hope bursts into reality. If you're missing a loved one whose spirit is with Jesus, fix your hope on the Resurrection (John 11:25).

"Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone but in every leaf of springtime."
Martin Luther

¹travel.usatoday.com/hotels/post/2011/08/russia-space-hotel-plan-room-with-a-view-217-miles-above-earth/416165/1 accessed November 29, 2011.

I thought I'd already posted this, but now I can't find it, so maybe I didn't.  I'm back in the skilled nursing center.  When I got home, they got me a "hospital bed."  It was like a slab.  And it was also the only place I could get my feet up so that the legs wouldn't swell.  But, after about half the night, I couldn't stand to stay on it, so I had to get up.  With legs swollen too, I had to do something, so went to ER again, was admitted, remained a few days, and was sent over here.  They've got me on antibiotic via IV, so I'll be here until that's finished.  Please continue to pray.  Thanks.
-Al

Jeanne Thank you

Yes you did AL.  You posted it in last weeks thread.  I am praying you recover quickly and get back home.  Did they say what was wrong with the bed?

I am up again, the temperature is up to +10C or 47F really nice and I can see spring is on its way.

Woke up with a hymn on my mind...I will see if I can find it.

It isn't in the hymn list we have perhaps Larry could add it?  Anyway here are the words,

    Search me, O God, and know my heart today,
    Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray;
    See if there be some wicked way in me;
    Cleanse me from every sin, and set me free.

    I praise Thee, Lord, for cleansing me from sin;
    Fulfill Thy word and make me pure within;
    Fill me with fire, where once I burned with shame;
    Grant my desire to magnify Thy name.

    Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine;
    Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine;
    Take all my will, my passion, self and pride;
    I now surrender, Lord, in me abide.

    O Holy Ghost, revival comes from Thee;
    Send a revival, start the work in me;
    Thy Word declares Thou wilt supply our need;
    For blessings now, O Lord, I humbly plead.

I will post another hymn with music a little later on.

Al, I'm glad you were wise enough to go back to the ER.  I hope you get the mattress replaced on that bed at home with a more comfortable one so that you can continue your progress there.

Judy, a lovely hymn again, even without the music.  As for spring - yes it's on the way, but from years of experience in this area, I'm sure it will take a detour or two before it gets here.   ;D

It's cool and cloudy here today.  We have been to church, took Beth, now are home and thinking about lunch.  ;)

I was able to get the confrontation at the rest home out of my mind and get a couple hours' sleep on Friday night, but was really tired by the time I got home from painting.  So I went to bed and slept until 7, got up for a while and went back to bed at 9:30---or 10:30, after the clock was changed.  I feel pretty good today!

Beth's young friend, Adonus, visited her yesterday.  He is such a special young man.  He was telling me this morning that he had thought the Holy Spirit couldn't move in certain kinds of Christian music, but found that when he concentrated on praising the Lord, Holy Spirit showed up!  There is a lot of depth to that kid!

The nurses at the home talked to Beth's doctor about giving her MORE muscle relaxers (her muscles are totally flaccid!) and he said NO!  She needs to go to a rehab doctor!  And since there aren't any close to here, he wants to send her to Wichita to one.  I don't know if that will mean she needs to stay there for a while or what, but it will be discussed tomorrow.  Something has to be don, as she is so stiff her legs are like logs, and the girls have a lot of trouble getting her dressed, etc.  Sigh..... :(

Al!  So good to see your posts!  Sorry they sent you a slab for a bed.  You need one of those air beds that constantly change the pressure, to prevent pressure sores.  That's what Beth has.  She complained a lot at first, but doesn't say anything about it now.  The regular mattresses on those hospital beds are really sorry, sad to say, very cheap construction and they weigh hardly anything.  I \can pick up one with one hand!  When they get that infection cleared up, you will need something like that, or a good memory foam pad on top of the mattress, or something!!  Prayers that you get things arranged so you can be home again.

I need to call and check on my friend Paula again.  I hope the news is better than the last time I called.

I may be repeating this one.....Tis a good one to repeat.

You're right, Judy.  That's always a good one to repeat.  Thanks.

For persons who don't know the music for the first song, Judy, we can suggest they sing it to an old pop song. Right now, I don't remember the name, but someone here can tell us, I'm certain. (Oh, I believe the name of the pop song is "Now is the Hour." If I'm incorrect, please set me straight. :) )

The words to that song mean SO much to me. When my father was preparing to administer communion to his congregation, he strongly urged us to search our hearts to determine if there's anything that would keep us from being in close daily communion with our Lord. The words to this song ask us to think on the same things. Thank you for putting it in for us to consider.

Al, I'm so sorry about your physical difficulties. I'll continue praying for your health and also your spirits as well as the same for your wife.

Larry, may God bless Stacey and each of you.

Well, the headache did seem to go away. So, today has been so much better. And, of course, having a brief little visit with my son and my new "grand-kitty" made the day brighter, too. ;)

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

I thought we were late this morning and then realized that the state of Arizona never makes a time change.  Now to remember to change when we leave here in a few weeks. 

A cousin & wife came to visit all day - I fixed meals and was running out of food in the fridge when they left.  Toast & peanut butter for supper?  Sometimes that is my meal.  There is leftover lemon cake for anyone - really good chilled.  They so enjoyed the vintage car show that happens on a big parking area here every Sunday afternoon.  Don saw the identical aqua blue '55 Chevy  to the one his grandmother owned.  It looked beautiful.

Al: It sounds like you surely were not ready for that hard mattress.  so sorry for your episode and do hope and pray all goes much better this go around with the hospital bed. 

Prayers for all who need a prayer and actually prayers for everyone! 

Good very early morning to you all!  I have to work today, so am up and ready to meet the day.  I will work Mondays all this month, filling in for someone who had a hysterectomy.  If my boss wasn't so nice to me, I wouldn't even consider it!

Did you all see my post about the times I will be on the radio?  I will repeat, just in case.  I know a couple of you wanted to listen, so here is the info:  This Thursday, March 15, KJIL  991 FM at 9:00 A.M.
Thursday, March 22, KULY 1420 AM at 8:30 A.M.   I am hoping my friend, prayer partner and book signing buddy, Pat, can go along with me to Meade this week.  I haven't talked to her about it yet.  I have never done this before, but where God leads, I will follow!

I learned on Friday (part of that big mess!) that they have only been washing Beth's hands and face THREE TIMES A WEEK, only when they shower her!  YUCK.  :(  I was a little hot about that!  Her hands stank like they were rotting!  Their response?  "Well, that needs to be addressed."  Really?  Seriously?  Duh!  Okay, I promised myself I won't keep thinking about all that............ :thinking:  So I choose today to think on the goodness of the Lord!

See you after work-----oh!  I got a book order last night from New Zealand!!  I wonder what the postage to there will be?  Guess Curtis should have made arrangements on the web page for international orders!  But I am happy to send it, anyway.  Main thing is to get the story out there!

Hi everyone.  The good news from yesterday was that I did get to pick Stacey up at the hospital a little after 5 pm and got her back safely to her apartment.  She is looking so much better than when we took her to the hospital on Tuesday.  Now it is a matter of rest for a week or so before she tries striking out.  With daylight savings time I was able to get home by 7:30 before it got dark.  Today the housekeepers will be here this morning and probably the lawn people.  Pat has a medical appointment and I have my men's luncheon at 1 pm at a Mexican restaurant and then a meeting this evening so it will be a busy day.

Jeanne, thanks for the fine devotional thought for this week.  That is interesting and I had never heard that before about the hotel or inn.

Al, I did see your posting from yesterday about being back in rehab.  A person needs a comfortable bed when using a hospital bed whether in the ER, hospital, rehab or home.  Some of the most uncomfortable ones I have found have been in the ERs where they are not much more than slabs.

Judy, what is the name of the hymn.  If I can find it I will put it together. 

Janet, glad you were feeling better yesterday and had been able to get some sleep.  Nice of the young man to visit Beth and to be so open regarding his faith.  Sorry to hear you and Beth may have another stint in Wichita but know you will do whatever you can to help Beth.  We got my Dad one of those pressure air beds that constantly changed the pressure and he never had another bed sore (after having had a terrible one develop as a result of two or three days in the local hospital where they didn't bother to turn him as they should have).  He suffered terribly with it as it was a stage 4 but after some surgery it finally healed.  After my Dad passed away my sister was able to sell the bed.  I remember my dad asking how much the bed had cost, which was about $4,000 as I recall, and was shocked and seemed concerned until I told him that his dollars in the bank certainly wasn't going to give him any comfort.  He never said anything about it after that.

Judy, I haven't heard that hymn in a long time and it was one that we sang often in the church where I grew up.

Ruth Ann, thanks for the information on the hymn.  Maybe that will help me in identifying the hymn. Glad you were feeling better yesterday.

Carol, the other night Pat made a delicious mac and cheese casserole and was going to fix ham to go with it.  She called me to dinner and we sat down and she realized she had forgotten to cook the ham.  So we had the mac and cheese as the main dish and that was fine along with a vegetable.

Janet, hope you have a light day at work today.  I did make note of the radio interviews and both those stations can be found using the tunein radio website or app on a smartphone.  I even marked them on my calendar.  The last several times I have been in the hospital they never offered me even a wash cloth to wash my hands.  That is neglect on the part of the home.  Do you have an ombudsman for the nursing home?  If that doesn't change a complaint to the state health department would be in order.

Larry the hymn we don't have music for is Search Me Oh God......  I am so glad Stacey is home.  I pray things improve for her.

Janet no wonder you went ballistic!  I would have too!

Marlo How are you today?  Praying sister.

Carol today is a new day, Hopefully you can get to the store to do some shopping!

Ruth Ann I went to sleep singing it in My spirit last night...Love that hymn.

It is another beautiful day here, I think I will start the fire and get rid of the dampness, otherwise it is lovely out.  Even the dogs don't want to come in!

An uncomfortable bed is like ill-fitting shoes.  Just doesn't work!  My bed must be very comfortable to me since I can sleep around the clock.  Now don't get me wrong...it isn't constant sleep.  I can be up and down to the bathroom and all over the bed but I sure can sleep in between those trips and turns!

Ivalou went to eat with us yesterday after church.  There was 4 of us eating at O'Charley's!  That was fun.  And such a nice spring day...in the 60's! 

Last evening the Small Group was as interesting as all of them.  We all are amazed at what we can get out of a few verses in the Bible.  Last evening we covered 4 verses...Romans 2:1-4.  We sometimes get off track but pretty much stay on course. 

Also one man at Small Groups is an EMT for our township.  He was at Jacob's accident and transported him to Methodist Hospital in Indy...driving on the emergency lane since I-69, I-465 and I-70 were parking lots at that time.  He didn't realize Jacob is a bleeder and that explained why he was covered in blood.  He said most of his injuries are on the head, that from his neck down looked all right.  But he thought his head might have hit the tree. 

Ivalou called her daughter-in-law before church yesterday and was told that Jacob is still in a drug induced coma but holding his own...no worse or no better. 

A nurse at Small Group says that the spleen is a clotting and filtering organ.  Since Jacob is a hemophiliac the spleen wasn't working anyway but was a hinderance in stopping the bleeding so that's why they remove the spleens in bleeders. 

Tonight is Photo Guild.  I haven't been since Christmas.  So I am driving and suppose to be at Kitty's by 4:45pm and we will go somewhere to eat, then to Guild.  And I forgot to submit photos for 'show and tell' until 9pm last night.  Too late. 

Larry:   :lol: for Pat on forgetting the ham - I used for forget about two items on big meals and finally learned to make fewer dishes.  You were right on telling your dad that money in the bank wouldn't make him comfortable. 

Janet:  How on earth do these places ever pass inspections?  Not washing hands until shower time?  Sounds like that could pass on germs from so many people.   

JudyB:  Thanks for the song!  Yes, we are going this afternoon - I did have frozen chicken I had cut and froze but really we didn't want to go out for a meal because that is one relative who never reaches for his wallet (if you know what I mean & we end up paying).  Love them anyway. 

Etta Sue:  Just thinking of Jacob. 

Someone has written these beautiful words.  Must read and try to understand the deep meaning of it.  They are like the ten commandments to follow in life all the time.

1. Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a "steering wheel" that directs the right path.

2. So why is a car's WINDSHILED so large and the REAR view Mirror is so small?  Because our PAST is not as important as our FUTURE.  So, Look Ahead and Move on.

3. Friendship is like a BOOK.  It takes a few seconds to burn, but it takes years to write.

4. All things in life are temporary.  If going well, enjoy it.  They will not last forever.  If going wrong, don't worry.  They can't last long either.

5. Old Friends are Gold!  New Friends are Diamond!  If you get a Diamond, don't forget the Gold!  Because to hold a Diamond, you always need a Base of Gold!

6. Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, GOD smiles from above and says, "Relax, sweetheart, it's just a bend, not the end!

7. When GOD solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities: when GOD doesn't solve your problems HE has faith in your abilities.

8. A blind person asked St. Anthony:  "Can there be anything worse than losing eye sight?"  He replied:  "Yes, losing your vision!"

9. When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them and sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you.

10. WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's TROUBLES.  It takes away today's PEACE.

If you really enjoy this, please pass to others.  It may brighten someone's day...

Etta Sue I have copied them to FB!

It's been so good to come hear the conversation this evening.

I took a friend to the ear doctor and she was devastated to learn she is not comprehending what she hears. Thankfully, they fitted her with plans to order a hearing aid today for one ear.

I think once she gets it, she'll realize how much she really has been missing.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Work wasn't bad today.  Everybody seemed sleepy and lethargic, including all the staff!  That's what "springing forward" does to us!

I was wiped out when I got home, so took a short nap, then Darrel and I made supper for our friends, the ones I have been telling you about that the wife has had to go on dialysis.  They got home from the Wichita hospital last night, and today a nurse from Liberal was  there teaching them how to do the dialysis.  They will have to di it four times a day!  :o  I knew they wouldn't be feeling like cooking!  And they were so thankful for the home cooked food, after 15 days of hospital food!  We will need to do that often during this hard adjustment period.  My heart aches for them.

Nothing was decided about Beth.  I am going to have to call and make an appointment with her doctor, to go in and talk to him about her.  She really, really needs to do this rehab, before she gets even worse.

Tomorrow I get to keep Lexi and Chelsea, my little g-grands for a while.  I have been looking forward to that!

The man from the Liberal newspaper called and wants to interview me on Wednesday afternoon!   YES!!

Larry, so good to read a more positive report re Stacey.  Goodness, the problems our daughters have!  I wonder how Liz' daughter is doing.....

See you lovely people tomorrow!

Hi everyone.  After a rainy evening and a cloudy day yesterday we may have more rain this morning but then should clear off and be warm this afternoon.  I was still trying to recover from last week and was a bit draggy yesterday but a good nights sleep really helps.  Not too much on the schedule today although have a couple of errands to run this morning and a meeting to attend.  I also got about 100 new Golden Games applications to get processed in the next few days.  Stacey spent most of the day sleeping yesterday, which is undoubtedly what she needs to recover.    when I just now got home from coffee Pat told me she had talked with Stacey and she had been up and over across the street to the Shepard Center Cafeteria for breakfast and was planning on seeing the chiropractor later this morning.  So she is obviously feeling better with her hip an her shoulder where the incision was placed.

Etta Sue, I am like you in being amazed how our pastor can take just a few verses of the Bible and turn it into an hours discussion and lesson.  Not good news if the injury to Jacob was his head as brain injuries are so bad and also the possible impact on the spinal cord.  Glad he is holding his own in the coma.  That is a wonderful list with much wisdom involved that you posted.  I have printed it off and will share it with some of my friends and have sent it to others.  It certainly helps focus our perspective. 

Janet, having to do something like dialysis 4 times a day would leave little time for anything else.  It makes those complaints about frequent trips to the bathroom seem sort of petty for me.  Enjoy your little great grands today.  They will certainly brighten your week for you.

It snowed here overnight. there are 3 inches on the lawn and the deck rails. The dogs and Grubby (cat) didn't know what to think of  it. Bebe  looked like she was tiptoeing and shaking off her foot at every step. But she finally found a place to "go".

Happy on the other hand  walked right along the side of the house where there was no snow to "go" under the Rhododendron bushes. Bebe just came back in from going out the slider off the bedroom and found a little grass to "go" on. She didn't want to venture out on the snow again.

Now the cat is another story,  he went along the house in the other direction toward the garage. and disappeared.A little while ago Keith saw him across the street trying to jump across the  ruts the cars left in the snow. I hope it doesn't snow again tonight as I won't be able to take Happy to the vet for his surgery.

It's suppose to get to 74° today!  It keeps this up and I will have to mow in March!  We are never satisfied, are we?

I set the alarm to get up and go to the pool this morning.  My back was telling me it was time for the warm water.  I then ate at Perkins and then went to Best Buy and got me a bean bag to sit on my dash and then suction my GPS to it.  Those suction cups on GPS now, the ones you wet, put up to the window and then twist, are terrible.  Mine fell off about 6 times while in Florida.  Scared me each time!  Now the GPS still suctions to this bean bag but if it falls off, then I will stick it on with two-sided tape!  Didn't want to do that to the dash.

I realized last evening at Photo Guild that my eyes are worse than I thought.  All the pictures looked out of focus and the two critics were seeing so much more than me!  April I can get my eyes examined again! 

Well, another bright and sunny day in Indiana!  Not a cloud in the sky and a slight breeze!  Yay!

The west coast had snow and we had rain.  The snow on the fields is clearing, next will be within the bush.  I have to watch our creek, the melt is fast and we don't need the road washed out.  I may have to alert the township. It is really overcast, looks like more rain.

Marilyn it is funny when the dogs do that shaking motion with their paws!

Looks like difficult decisions again with Beth.  Praying for you both.

Larry Good for Stacey I am glad she is doing better.

John has a trainee with him this week and for about the next 4 weeks.  The young man is fresh out of truck driving school, has the basics and now needs to learn how the "real world" works. 

Now to sing!

I put pictures on Facebook

This certainly has been a different sort of day!  I was sick during the night with that same stomach thing I had recently, missed a lot of sleep, so slept in until 8:00 this morning.  Toni and Curtis were to bring the little girls by at 9:00, as they had a Dr.'s appt.  They were a little late, but when they came, I was so happy to see the kids, and they to see me!  We had a good time playing together.  Both wanted to sit on my lap, and 4-yr-old Lexi elbowed me where it hurt, and I told her, "Ow!  That hurt!"  She patted the spot, then said sympathetically, "It will be all right in a minute."  :)  Those two are such totally different personalities, interesting to watch how they react to things.

We went to lunch at the Sr. Ctr. after the kids left, then later they called and asked me if I would come to the pool and swim with them!  That was certainly not in my plans for the day, but I did go, and had such fun playing with and watching the girls.  After all, how often do we get to go swim with grandkids and two sweet great-grandchildren?  Now I am home again and fighting sleep that threatens to overtake me!

It's so odd! My normal reaction to Daylight Savings Time is to be exhausted, but actually, this time, I'm awakening on my own much earlier than usual, feeling great...hmmmmmm.  Wonder what that says about my circadian rhythm.

Marilyn, I'll go to Facebook after being here.

I have a praise report. My grandson and his wife have earnestly prayed that the Lord would guide their footsteps to his next teaching situation in an area that wouldn't be so far from friends and family.

Well, upon opening my phone this morning, first thing was a message that came through that he had been interviewed and then offered a teaching position about 2 hours from any of us, and only 20 miles or so from the college town where they met. How wonderful when God shows us definitely where it's His will for us to be living.

Also, I praise Him that I was able to attend our Tuesday morning devotions downstairs today and then to visit with a new friend afterwards.

Much love to each of you,
Ruth Ann

God DOES answer prayer....although we become impatient because we don't see the results. 

Glad the answer came for your family.

Please pray that there will be no ice or snow on Hwy 101 or 42  twice tomorrow, when I have to drive that 40  round trip with Happy.

It's so worrisome, Marilyn. Yes, I'll ask for traveling mercies for you.

Ruth Ann

Wow!  Spring was certainly here yesterday and so far today, it promises to be another beautiful day.  I can't imagine snow where Marilyn is so I am praying that there is no snow on her roads today. 

The birds are sure hunting for a meal.  Robins, starlings, sparrows!  I already have the heat pump off and the two inside doors open for sunshine. 

While I was sleeping this morning, the butane gas man came and filled up the tank.  108.9 gallons and it was filled Nov. 19th.  Not bad but it is bad when you think I only use the furnace every 5th night!  But it will be less than $300 for 4 months.  I think I need to say...I love my heat pump!!  It only costs about $20 a month more to use it!  Every little penny saved helps.

Tonight is Wednesday Night Live.  It is a video but so interesting! 

Today would be my mother's 99th birthday.  Happy birthday, Mom!

I had my finches covered for the night as the heat was off.  Boy were they happy to be uncovered and able to sing at the light.  We have 8 eggs, and hopefully in another week some babies.

The snow is bout gone on the fields the rain has held of, so our runoff is not too bad, yet.

Keep John in Prayer the next month, He has a trainee, and some challenges ahead.

Outside it appears to be +5 C, a good day for those who are doing maple syrup.  Syrup is a bag part of the income of the north as well in Ontario it is against the law to add brown sugar.  This is routine in Quebec, so if you buy Canadian Maple Syrup, check that it is from Ontario.  An interesting fact that was new to me, each region has different flavoured maple syrup!  Ours up here is among the best, but the best tasting is on St Joseph's Island!

Dogs need in so Bye for now.

Good Morning, I have taken Happy to the Hospital for his surgery and will be calling back at 2:45 to see if he is ready to come home. for right now I am having a cup of coffee and will head out to the gym shortly. I missed yesterday because of the  snow and the terrible road conditions.

I did see a lot of snow on the sides of the road  on the way to Coquille this morning and lots of broken branches laying on the side of the road too. We still have a tiny bit of now on the lawn  and the roof has been melting all night. We could hear the dripping and I thought it was one of the dogs scratching. NOT!!

I graduated from the Advanced Web Design and will be continuing on with more lessons. My final for the the advanced classes is HERE (http://grafxandmore.x10.mx/60/60.html)  and I made a slide show of some Ocean  photography HERE (http://mychallenges.x10.mx/6/6.html).

My dearest CP family thank you for you prayers.  I needed them the last few days.  I had a special angel checking on me although I wasn't able to answer like I wanted to, the calls lifted my spirits tremidously. This site is such a place that the LORD has laid His hand on and the people who are members here. 

Ruth Ann Pm will be sent to you.

Love all Marlo

How precious that song "Search Me Oh God" is! I have the volume on high for this.

Our Lord let me sleep late today, since I stayed up until 2 am to reach my sister in law who has the terminal cancer. Had not been able to get in touch with her by phone for 3-4 weeks, so wasn't certain her condition. She would appreciate our prayers.

Now, it's time to dash down to the bank and then prepare for meeting a 5 pm appointment. Then, I'll be working to complete 2 deadlines after returning home tonight.

Love to all of you, how precious it is to assemble ourselves here in this special place to share our prayers, burdens, praises, and the fellowship of fellow Christians. May each of us receive His blessing tailored to us today.

Love,
Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  It is now mid-afternoon and very warm here in Georgia.  Had a busy morning with coffee, Bible Study and a social hour with friends at Dunkin' Donut.  I had a couple of little flareups with my heart last night and wondered if I was going to have to call 911 but was able to get the pain stopped with a couple of nitros each time but it left me pretty tired and not feeling very well this morning.  However, just got up from a nice, restful, nap and feel more like my old self.  I got the cover for my iPad, that will be here on Friday, so I am all set for it.  My friend and I have been counting off the days.

Ruth Ann, great news about your grandson. 

Marilyn, glad to read that you had a safe trip this morning. 

I would encourage you all when you have a minute to listen to the hymn that Judy shared with us today.  It is something beautiful and different than the other hymns we have.  I think it will bless your heart and be sure to listen to the bonus, which is a part of the music track.

Happy is fine, It wasn't cancer but a cyst. The Geriatric Blood Panel showed that everything is functioning normal, although his chloride was up at the high-end of normal. I am so glad his Kidneys and liver are normal since he has been on the Ketoconazole for a year and a half with that skin fungus. I prayed over him this morning when he first woke up and again before I took him in to the hospital. I got lots of nice compliments on his good attitude and what a beautiful dog he is.

Hello, friends.  This has been quite a day.  We drove over to Liberal for the interview with the paper, and it was very disappointing.  The fellow who talked to me acted so disinterested; wrote very scanty notes, etc.  But we will just see what kind of job he does on the article.  I wasn't there 10 minutes, after an hour's drive each way to get there!  Well, I did what the Lord directed me to do, so the result is in His hands.

I must be up and on the road very early in the morning to drive to Meade for the radio interview, which I'm sure will be much better.  He asked me to mail him a book, so he will at least be prepared for the interview!

I got to see Mark today!  Hadn't seen that grandson for quite some time, so happy to get a big hug from him and take him to lunch.

I won't address everyone tonight, but know I love and pray for each one of you!

Hi everyone.  What a warm and nice day we had here yesterday.  It got up to about 80 degrees and we didn't even need to have the furnace on during the night.  I will miss coffee this morning as Pat has an appointment at Kaiser a little after 9 am and then we will eat some breakfast to kill an hour or so and then have an appointment at 11 am.  I was surprised I could get the second appointment set on the same day Pat had her appointment so one trip will take care of both.  Stacey seemed to be feeling better yesterday.  She has had a problem of falling out of bed while she sleeps and she got bed rails to help avoid that and someone she knows put them on the bed for her yesterday.  I sure hope they do the trick as she doesn't need anymore falls.  I have plenty to do the rest of the day so it will go quickly.  Tomorrow is the big day when I should get the iPad and I am excited.  I can hear the birds chirping outside the window this morning.

I do have a special request for those of you that believe in prayer.  My good friend who lives in Maryland and visits us sometimes when he and his wife are in Atlanta, called me last evening to tell me that he has been diagnosed with Mad Cow Disease (it has a different name in humans).  His health has been failing quickly the last few months.  He will be admitted to Johns Hopkins, but not for two months, for a confirming diagnosis.  If this is what he has it is fatal and a terrible way to die.  He said they are moving rapidly to get their affairs in order while he is still able to function.  He is a very fine, caring man who I have known through work for the last 25 years or so.  Thank you for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers.

Marilyn, that is certainly good news regarding Happy and know you are greatly relieved. 

Janet, I had planned on listening to your interview today but we have to be away.  However, I just realized I may be able to catch it using my smart phone.  Sure hope it goes better than the newspaper interview. 

After a 'J' night which I think was caused by the cappuccino before Wednesday Night Live last evening, I was up at 8am.  I've had my breakfast and have read my Bible devotions.  I raised the lid on the laptop and turned on KJIL 99.1 FM (http://kjil.streamon.fm/) for Janet's interview.  I had about 10 minutes to wait.  Then the announcer said it was 7:50am...not 8:50am.  So now I will listen to KJIL for another 40 minutes and then hear Janet being interviewed!!  I imagine Janet is somewhere there waiting to be 'on the air'!  It's exciting!

Wednesday Night Live was very interesting.  The video is by Bob Russell....a great speaker and minister.  Our lesson was on Genesis 38 and 39 about the temptations for Judah and for Joseph.  Judah failed.  Joseph didn't when he ran away leaving his coat behind with Potiphar's wife.  Interesting how many temptations he received and the many reasons he didn't succumb to the temptations.

I don't have anything I have to do on my calender until Sunday morning when I run the projector at church again.  Sunday evening is a Hymn Sing.  Loved it when we had a Hymn Sing last fall.  Ruth Ann is trying to find sheet music of old songs for the pianist.  Any suggestions?

Looks like another nice day in Indiana.  I didn't even turn on the heat pump last night and it is as warm in here as always this morning.  Looks like it might be a little overcast and my WeatherFX says rain but no rain so far.  There is a slight breeze but certainly a spring day!

Janet, I'm sorry your newspaper interview was so disappointing, but God may well pull good out of it.

Larry, what a frightening diagnosis your friend got.  With something this serious you wouldn't think they would wait two months before confirming it.  I have already said a prayer for him and will continue praying.

Marilyn, prayers have been answered for Happy.  What good news and how relieved you must be.

I woke up suddenly about 3:30 this morning with my heart pounding a mile a minute - result of a terrible nightmare!  After a few seconds, I could laugh at how ridiculous the scenario was, but I was quite reluctant to go back to sleep for a while in case it continued!   ;D 

Jeanne Yes prayers were definitely answered in more ways than one. the roads were clear both ways. and Happy's surgery and blood tests were a perfect answer. even the cost was much less than I expected. Praise the Lord

With courage you will dare to take risks,
have the strength to be compassionate,
and the wisdom to be humble.
Courage is the foundation of integrity.
- Keshavan Nair

Has anyone seen the Movie COURAGE ? It is a movie to watch for more reasons than one.  We all need courage for more reasons than one facing illness ourselves, illness with a family member, or radio stations, newspapers, peers, sometimes courage means to stand up and be heard, or to stand back and be quite but supportive, compassionate.  I think the most important state of COURAGE now a days and days to come is to be open about your Christianity and Faith.  For soon we all may have to choose to silent or  Martyrs for Christ.

Larry: It is good to hear that you did get your heart pains under control that night.  On the news of your friend, I have not heard of anyone catching that disease in years and so sorry for your friend and family. 

We have a new neighbor here and she will be flying in for medical treatments at the Mayo clinic.   She is on a study program and will find out in April if the chemo is working in her case - very young, the age of one son of ours.  I asked if I could put her on a prayer list and she was all for it - the more the better. 

Don is painting trim and doors which only need refreshing.  Tomorrow, a dreaded area in the toilet and shower area that is hard to get a good spot for standing and painting.  We had friends this week for his Mayo appointments and may well be here next week - we will work around it and try for a visit to my cousin. 

All my cousins & spouses are friends and they are church-going as well.  It is so special to be with them and I often think of how fortunate we are to have such good and faithful relatives.  Don's relatives are super as well so it is easy to visit with any of them. 

I didn't get to see "Courage" Marlo - I'm so sad that I couldn't get there. Maybe the children will rent it for viewing while I'm in Atlanta.

Oh, Larry, how sad that your friend has that condition! Yes, the condition literally ruins the brain.

Carol, you are, I'm certain, such a blessing to your friends with your love and support and caring.

Marilyn, so glad to learn about Happy!

Etta Sue, having nothing on the calendar is certainly nice - I rarely have those days now. :)

Judy, thanks for posting the songs. They really bless my heart.

I'm certain I've missed some of you - rest assured I read each posting, just can't remember to acknowledge them, but know I love you and I care, but God's love is so amazing toward each of us. It overshadows anything done on this earth. What a blesing to know He cares THAT much.

Love to everyone,
Ruh Ann

Here I am, with an apology and an explanation!  :-\  I got up very early to drive over to Meade for the radio interview--the drive took an hour and a half--and AFTER the interview, I watched Delvin turn off something, then asked, "Are we off the air now?"  WELL!!  His reply was that we hadn't been on the air at all!  He was only recording our interview, and will do a news story on it later!  He apologized for having misled me, and I said I probably just made an assumption and was wrong.  So, for those of you who were so sweet to try to hear that, I am sorry.  :-[  I THOUGHT I knew what I was talking about!

Delvin said he will work on it today and tomorrow, then the story will run on the news on both KJIL and KHYM during news time, several times a day for a couple of days--maybe Monday and Tuesday.  But he also said he will send me an email audio file of it.  So I can send it on to you that way.

When I got home, I went to get meals for three friends who need them, delivered those, visited Beth, and now am very, very sleepy...........

Darrel is feeling really rough, some crud is attacking him, flu like symptoms and fever.  That's why I went alone to Meade today.

Etta Sue, thank you for your efforts to hear the interview!  And you, too, Larry.

Larry, how does one contract that awful disease?  I am so sorry about your friend and am praying for him now.  Glad Stacey got the bed rails, and hope they prevent any further falls for her.

I am going to update the blog on my webpage, as have some news about Beth, although not good news.  :(

Marilyn, I know you are happy about Happy!  ;)

Carol, always good to read your posts.

Hello to all, sorry I am so sleepy just now, will try to do better later.

Ruth Ann You can buy Courageous at Wal-Mart for a reasonable price.  Worth getting for yourself and perhaps to show in the common room for others!

Marilyn happy for you about Happy!

Janet that same thing happened to John at a radio station here.  We never did hear it.

Larry how did your friend contract that disease?

Carol it is nice to have friends visit.

I went today to see a friend for a couple of hours and had a thoroughly enjoyable time.  Home now and stuff to do so bye for now!

QuoteDelvin said he will work on it today and tomorrow, then the story will run on the news on both KJIL and KHYM during news time, several times a day for a couple of days--maybe Monday and Tuesday.  But he also said he will send me an email audio file of it.  So I can send it on to you that way.

I'm sorry this turned out to be such a disappointment, Janet, but I would very much like to be one of the ones you send that email audio file to.  OK?  I'll look forward to it.   <3

Me, too, Janet.

I think it's my turn to have a "J" night!

Maybe it's time to make a cuppa chamomile tea and let it's warmth relax me for a few moments. :)

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  We had a record breaking hot day yesterday of 82 degrees.  Spring is really in full force here with the leaves now appearing on the trees replacing the early blooms on some trees.  Today is the day my friend Rod and I have been waiting for.  The iPads are on the trucks for delivery so will be keeping my eye on the driveway.  So you all know what I will be doing later today after it arrives.  I also have someone coming to the house for an hour or so this morning and need to print out the certificates of participation for the 93 new Golden Games applications I finished entering in the database yesterday. 

Jeanne, I can relate to those bad dreams.  My wife will often wake me in the night saying I was having a bad dream and calling out for help.  I think it may be attributable to some of the medicine I take.

Marlo, we recently watched "Courageous" and thought it was a really good movie.  I thought it was particularly powerful in terms of the message to men as fathers and husbands.

Carol, it is great to have good relatives that you enjoy being with.  Hope the painting goes well.

Ruth Ann, hope you get to see the movie.  It is a good one.

Janet, it sounds like you will get quite a bit of publicity from the radio interview, perhaps better that just a brief on-air time.  Sorry to read that Darrel is fighting the crud again.

Janet and Judy,  I don't know how one contracts the mad cow disease and it is certainly a mystery to my friend.  Apparently it can take a long time in your body before it strikes with the devastating effects and death.

I will put the link to the audio here, that way, whoever wants to listen can do so.

We received a nice sympathy card from the vet re Blue's death.  That was a nice gesture.

Last night while we were at our small group meeting at friends' house, we all heard a big crash, ran to look, and saw a big white pickup, one with a dual cab, pulling away from Pat's and our car.  It backed up, then went weaving off down the street.   We were all yelling "STOP!"  but he kept going, then we all said, "He's drunk!"One of the guys called the police immediately, and the pickup pulled into the grocery store parking lot several blocks down the street, so they had no trouble catching him.  He had actually driven up onto the hood of Pat's car, then fell off, backed up a bit, pulled into the side of her car, shoving it against the curb so hard the rear wheel buckled under!  I think her car is likely totaled!  If hers hadn't hit the curb and stopped, it would have hit our car; it stopped only 6 inches away.  The driver is a former lawyer (license was pulled because of his drinking) so we are all hoping insurance will cover Pat's car.  The vehicle he was driving had a dealer's tag on it--bet they won't be happy about it!  They waited until a tow truck came to take the car somewhere.  So they will be looking for a car tomorrow!

Errands are piling up, so I will be busy again today.  I had hoped for a day at home....... :-\

Larry, enjoy your new IPad.  I dislike my new phone a lot!  I have 2 voice messages on it this morning, hav e no idea how to listen to and then delete them, and can't use it to make a call with them on there.  Grrr!  Why do they make things so complicated?  I am really regretting getting the new phone at all.  :(  But I am sure that to those who know how to use it, my complaints sound really silly.  Sigh..... :-\

I will be back later.

Good morning (again) :)

NOW I'm awake. That refreshing sleep the Lord granted was great.

I'll be sooo busy this weekend, but will check in if there's time.

May God be our source of comfort and strength will be my prayer for today.

Love to y'all,
Ruth Ann

I looked at my phone yesterday and determined that I can't get an upgrade until April 30.  So you all know where I will be May 1!  Anytime I do anything on my phone, then close it out, it takes several seconds for the icons to come back on...and I can't do anything until they do.  And I can't make a call from my contact list.  And if I forget and try, to get rid of that 'call', I have to shut the phone down and reboot!  So frustrating.  Someone told me that the Live Wallpaper will cause that so I now have a photo as wallpaper and still have the above problems.  Technology!

Yesterday Ivalou and I went to King Chef, then to Marsh's for some groceries and then to her daughter-in-law, Linda's in hope to learn a little more about Jacob.  We agreed to let Linda open up the dialog.  She never did.  Ivalou said it is probably because Linda gets so emotional.  I have learned on FB that they think he has had two small strokes.  During the first surgery to remove the spleen, they also removed part of his skull.  They have put in a tube to the brain to remove fluid.  He has some issues with ICP...I don't know what that is.  But Jacob is a Come Back Kid!  Prayers are all over the world for Jacob and I thank everyone for them. 

Last evening was spent watching TV and crocheting.  I should be out picking up sticks today but there is tomorrow!   ::)  Another beautiful day.  I could really like this weather!  No heat.  No A/C.  Just like being in Hawaii! 

HYMN HISTORY:

The family of Count Nicholas Ludvig Von Zinzendorf was one of the wealthiest in all Saxony. So when the young nobleman wound up his law studies in the university of Wittenberg he set out to see the world in luxury.

However, he only got as far as an art gallery in Dusseldorf. There, pondering a painting of Christ with his bowed head and the inscription 'This have I done for thee, and what hast thou done for me"', the young count was smitten with conviction.

He went back to his estate in Berthelsdorf with a heavy heart - and miserable. But God was dealing with him. At twenty-two, on his wedding day, he and his bride put aside their rank of nobility to follow in the simple footsteps of the lowly man of Galilee.

Shortly after this a religious outcast named Christian David wandered into Berthelsdorf. Christian David belonged to a society known as 'The Moravian Brethren'. The Moravians had been founded some three hundred years earlier by John Huss, known in history books as 'The Old Goose of Bohemia.' Zinzendorf took David in and then rounded up all the other brethren he could find so that within ten years, six hundred Moravians were living on his estate. He organised them into missionary groups and sent them off to the far corners of the earth.

To Greenland they went, to Holland and India, to America and the Indies these pioneers of missionary endeavour set forth with holy zeal.

Long before William Carey put down his cobbler's last to take up the Bible and long before John and Charles Wesley had preached a sermon or wrote a hymn, the Moravians had one hundred and sixty-five missions scattered throughout the world.

They faced disease, poverty, loneliness and persecution; but nothing stopped them from carrying on the work of the crucified Christ, whose picture their leader had seen in an art gallery at Dusseldorf.

On December 21st 1741, Zinzendorf himself founded a mission and preached to the Indians in Pennsylvania. As it was only four days to Christmas he named the colony Bethlehem. It's a great steel centre today and the Moravian capital of the United States.

The former Count saw the world - but not in luxury. When he died, back in his native Saxony, aged sixty, there wasn't even enough money to pay for his grave.

Zinzendorf wrote 2,000 hymns during his long life of service for Christ, among them this one penned in 1739 while on board a ship on the way to establish a mission in the West Indies.

Jesus: Thy blood and righteousness,
My beauty are, my glorious dress,
'Midst flaming words, in these arrayed;
With joy shall I lift up my head.

When you think of all that Count Zinzendorf gave up and all he endured for the sake of Christ's kingdom surely you're bound to be persuaded that he meant everything he wrote.

I just heard on the news that the nephew of a dear friend (allegedly)  murdered a close family friend.  I am shocked about this, there is nothing I can do.  There were drugs involved.

Had a "J" night last night, so a little less than bright today.

John will be home soon, looks like he wants to go out...ugg, would rather stay in!

I haven't addressed any individual,  I have read the posts and you are all in my prayers.

No new posts since I last checked!  Everyone must be busy!

I made some deviled eggs and took those, along with some cake, over to my friend who is doing dialysis and her husband.  She LOVES deviled eggs!

And--I am "eating crow."   :P  Diane called to tell me the article in the Liberal paper was well done!  So I am learning, still!  Learned that just because the expression someone's face looks as if he isn't really interested, it doesn't mean he doesn't hear--and remember!--every word you say!  I looked it up online, and he did do a nice job on the article!  If you want to see/read it, just Google www.leaderand times.com/index.   Well, anyway, when you get the Leader and Times, click on the News tab.   If you don't find it, let me know; but that's the way I found it.

Tomorrow is the big Health Fair sponsored by our Electric and Communication companies.  I will fast from now until I've had my blood drawn there in the morning.

Today I went to have lunch with Beth, then went to her dental appointment with her.  They do such a poor job of brushing her teeth that in the last six months, she had 4 new cavities plus an ulcer in her mouth from food collecting in that spot and not getting cleaned out.  Sigh........... :(  Why can't it be GOOD news once in a while for Beth?  Today's bill was $115.00 and for the cavities will be $647 which is out of pocket.  :yikes:

I am headed to bed now, will probably wake up really early again.  I seem to have the days and nights confused lately.  ^-^

Hi everyone.  Yesterday was a beautiful and very warm and sunny day here in Georgia.  It was a very busy day and both frustrating and exciting.  The frustration was that I found in attempting to get my laptop ready to give to my son tomorrow I found I had accidentally lost the Golden Games database for this year.  Fortunately I had printed out the paperwork for the last batch of 93 apps that I had entered on Friday afternoon so that part is done.  The bad part is that all the data for the various reports is gone and all the entry work will have to be redone for almost 200 applications.  I thought I had things well backed up but was using Dropbox and when I deleted that file from the laptop it removed it from my desktop.  Live and learn.  The exciting part was my iPad arrived about 2 pm yesterday and I spent the rest of the day getting it set up.  It is really neat.

Janet, I was able to find your article.  Here is a link directly to the article:  http://www.leaderandtimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7230:though-ill-ulysses-woman-is-rising-above&catid=12:local-news&Itemid=40 (http://www.leaderandtimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7230:though-ill-ulysses-woman-is-rising-above&catid=12:local-news&Itemid=40) .  What a terrible experience that regarding Pat's car.  Fortunately no one was in the car.

Janet, regarding your phone you should be able to access you messages from the index, which is usually the little round button in the middle of the arrows.  Sorry you are so frustrated with it.  Could you go back to the dealer and ask for some help in understanding what you have?

Etta Sue, I have the same problem of sometimes having to wait for the icons to reload on my smart phone and occasionally I can't get on wi-fi until I reboot it and sometimes have to remove the battery and reboot that way.  They are pretty complicated devices.

Ruth Ann, don't overwork yourself this weekend. 

Judy, that would be a shock with someone without our circle of acquaintances are deeply impacted by a crime.

Thanks, Larry, for putting in that link!  I need to send it to my publicist at Tate, and that makes it so much easier!  Also, yes, I did go back to the Verizon dealer and she helped me with the phone, but I still wish it weren't so complicated.  I want to buy an ebook reader, but am concerned they might also frustrate me.  Do you have any suggestions as to which would be the best to buy (for a non-techie like me?)  So sorry about your lost data and all the extra work that will cause you.  Glad you got your new IPad, enjoy it!  :)

I am up early because I couldn't sleep and find it better to just get up than to toss and turn and fight it.  So I am trying to do a few tasks I have put off doing.  I can't eat or have coffee because I'm going to have blood drawn for tests at the health fair.  Maybe that's why lots of people go early and stand in line---they're hungry!  ;)

Let me know what you think of the article Larry put in the link to, please?

Janet, I've just finished reading the newspaper article and I'm impressed.  You did a great job of explaining about the book and the need for it and how the disease is affecting Beth, and the reporter did a fine job of presenting your information.  And I was glad to see he included your statements of testimony about God's hand in the whole project.  And I love the picture, too!   :)

Thanks, Larry, for that link.   :thumbsup:

Janet, I am trying to do what I can to help you get publicity for your book.  Does the release date mean the time it will go on Amazon or in the bookstores?
As to an ebook reader if all you want is to be able to read books either the Kindle or the Barnes and Noble Nook are very good.  If you get the one that has color you can enjoy pictures in cookbooks or children's books in full color and that is nice.  If you wanted to get an iPad you can get both of the ebook applications and on the new iPad the color is wonderful but there is a bit more to learn than just a dedicated ebook reader.  I thought the article in the newspaper was great and they have a wonderful picture of you and the book cover. 

Larry Thank you for the link.  I am sorry about the lost information... I know how devastating that can be to try and redo.  I've been there and some I have given up on. 

Janet getting up early can tire you as well make sure you don't over-do it. I have clicked on the link and will read it when I am done here.

Janet I have printed out the article and will put it into the book.

I thought I was going to have a 'J' night but I turned on the ceiling fan and off to la-la-land I went.. ::)

Thank you, Larry, for Janet's article in the paper.  What a wonderful job the reporter did.  Janet, you covered a lot in an interview and he reported the necessary parts to the paper.  I only wish they had put in a photo of Beth.  The photo of you was precious! 

Today at 2pm, Clarksville Christian Church is hosting a Spring Guest Day, where women from other Christian Churches in the county come to worship our Lord.  Ivalou and I are planning to attend.   

I slept so good after I got to sleep but....I was dreaming that this yarn on the floor was getting less and less.  It's still there!  Probably enough for at least 4 more Chemo Wraps...then I can start on the whites, off whites, tans, browns and blacks...a huge bag of those colors.  Then I have some variegated yarns that will be so ugly put together, they will be pretty!   ???

I have two prayer request today.

1. Karren Hill has lung cancer with Chemo she has maybe 10-12 months at the most without Chemo maybe 4-6 months.

2. My pastor's wife Michele Formahls has a brain tumor. She has had cancer 3 times. once at 16 with bone cancer in her  upper leg and hip.  then Brain cancer about 13 years ago. 4 years ago she had breast cancer. She has two children ages 16 and 13.

Marilyn:  Both are in prayers. 
              Our new neighbor is young and not healthy as well.  Hard to see a young person (young as our oldest son) with major tests.

Ruth Ann:  Glad that you did have a recent refreshing night's sleep - sleep is a gift!  Thank you for your remarks.

Janet:  Sorry that Beth still does not receive the full attention she needs and it ends up causing her suffering of any kind.

Just cleaning today -  and now to take a rest.  We tried to help our new neighbor after she found water standing in her closet and of course it was late on Friday.  She needs peace and quiet after her treatments and not this stress. 

The famous fountain in Fountain Hills, AZ had a dark green burst at noon today and it was so crowded - we can glimpse it from the kitchen window here.  The pond  will be green for sure.  We go home in two weeks and will surely miss the cute quail families. 

JudyB:  Thank you for the nice history lesson -it is always interesting to search the past and find the reasons for so many things. 

My cousin's son & family of 8 children will be returning from overseas (a muslim country where he is a missionary) for a sabbatical.   I was rather forced on him so he will be working somewhere in the US training missionaries to be - that is my guess.  The house they were in was infested with bugs so they had to move out for months.  Two adopted are extremely disabled. 

Hi everyone.  We are getting ready for our early morning trip to Madison, GA to meet our son and DIL for breakfast and to spend some time together as haven't seen them since Christmas.  I am also taking my laptop to give to my son and my old e-book reader to give to my DIL as I no longer have a use for it.  Yesterday was a busy one as worked all morning on re-entry of the Golden Games applications into the master database.  I got about half done with the current batch.  I then started working with my iPad arranging the apps into folder.  I got so engrossed in it I totally forgot about an afternoon and an evening activity I had planned to attend. 

Judy, good idea to print out Janet's article and place it with the book. 

Etta Sue, hope your women's day at the church was a big success.  I remember my mother attending such events years ago.  I saw your chemo wraps picture on facebook using my iPad and the colors are great.  Very vibrant and cheerful.

Marilyn, I saw the posting from Karren regarding her devastating news regarding her cancer.  IT would be a hard decision to make as to whether to put yourself through the chemo and know that is will only prolong your life a few months and perhaps make you very sick in the process from the treatment.  I have no idea what my decision would be in such a situation.  So sorry to hear of your pastor's wife.  It sounds like she is a survivor and hopefully can survive this latest occurrence.

Carol, I had to think a moment on the dark green burst of the fountain.  Your cousin's son and wife sound like extraordinary individuals to live under such conditions.  I expect they will be relieved to be back in the US even though they probably don't want to leave their work.

I am not one to hate anything but I hate CANCER.  What a terrible disease.  I am fortunate to not have a loved one die with it but it seems so defeating and immoralizing. 

The get together at church was fun.  Ruth Ann out did herself in decorating with St. Patty's Day decorations and green.  We played games that came from 'Win It in a Minute'.  We laughed with people and laughed at people!  Then we had Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, a green iced Shamrock cookie and Lime Punch.  Lots of fun. 

Afterwards Ivalou and I went to Chili's and got the two for $20 meals.  Then home to TV and crocheting. 

Today is church and this evening is the Hymn Sing at church at 6pm.  Kitty is going with us.

Time to start a new week.  I pray God's Peace fills your soul. HERE (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=12186.0)