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Morning Devotional...





He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
Psalm 25:9


No one need feel ashamed if he has come to God as a last resort, especially if he has found the help he sought "in the bosom of his Father and his God." God has received a great army of such persons, and if He is satisfied, we should be. Billy Sunday once testified that he had been scared into the kingdom of God. "But," said he, "by the grace of God I'm not going to be scared out." But be all this as true as it may be, still it is a bad habit for us as Christians to get into-the habit of trying everything before taking our problems to God. God should come first. If in our sinful ignorance we once knew no better, there is no reason for our continuing in the same rut now that we are children of the kingdom. It cheats us out of many a victory and leaves us for long periods in a state of perplexity and distress when we might be walking in freedom without a care in the world. Going to God first will head off many a bad situation. A young man falls in love and without as much as a word of counsel from God plunges into marriage. A few years later he finds that he has made a bad mistake. Then he goes to God to seek a way out, and learns that he is too late. God will still help him even in such circumstances, but the sacred vows have been taken, and the die is cast. It would have been better to go to God first. Our chastenings come when we look somewhere else for help and neglect the one real source of all help and comfort. It's always best to go to God first.

What pain and regret we cause ourselves when we fail to go to God first. When we are sure we are in God's will then trial and sorrow change drastically in color. We know that out of His infinite riches in Christ Jesus, grace God gives and gives and gives



Thank You for Your guidance and Your grace, Lord. I am such a debtor to Your grace which is mine through Christ.

From Devotions By Dr. Tozer

Hi everyone on this cloudy Sunday morning here in the Southeast.  We had a brief lightning and thunder storm and some rain occur around 7 am and there is a good possibility of more later this morning.  As a result I will not need to water my yard tomorrow. We will go to Sunday School and Church this morning.  Today is youth Sunday and the youth will be doing most of the service although the Pastor told us Thursday he will be bringing about a 10 minute message.  We will likely go out to eat after church and then have a restful rest of the day. 

Janet, nice to hear that Beth is looking better and sure hope that pressure does go back down.  Too bad you weren't able to bid on that chair.  When we had my folks sale the auction company sold a lot of coins owned by someone else and did it first.  It took so long that by the time we got to some of the items we had to sell only a handful of people were left and one lady paid $1 for a whole table of nice linens.  She didn't need them but bought them to send to Mexico to a mission.  I appreciated her buying them but was indeed sad to see the nicely cared for and pressed linens sell so cheaply. 

Don, thanks for the fine devotional for this week.  Going to God with our praises and concerns should be our first priority but often is our last and that is sad.

Don, thanks for today's devotional.  How many times have I said "God, I've tried everything I can think of - now its only up to you."  When it would all have been taken care of so much sooner if I'd gone to God first, instead of last. 

We went to church services with Oasis Church today.  We met in our "new" building, which was given to us well over two years ago.  We have been wondering (Darrel and I) when we were ever going to start doing the work needed on it so we can move.  It used to be a farm supply store.  Anyway, pastor was to give us the "vision" for it today.  Well, the heater stopped working yesterday, so we were really cold; the 500 new chairs he was so proud of buying turned out to be heavy, white, HARD plastic chairs, very uncomfortable.  It was not a good experience.  We just bought 300 nice cloth padded chairs less than five years ago!  So those chairs are like a giant step backward!        I don't want to be a complainer, but we almost never have a business meeting, so the congregation doesn't know what's going on in most areas.  Rather than be unhappy, I'm feeling that we will be attending the Methodist church most of the time.  We feel welcome there and the pastor has a real heart for the people.  Ok, enough of that!  (Sorry, Lord.  )

It got down to just a few degrees above freezing last night, and was only 44 at noon.  Beth and John came to church and then we all ate at Puffy's Pizza.  The church was having baptismal services at the public pool, but we didn't go, as Darrel said his legs were so cold they were hurting.

Don, thanks for the new Thoughts for the week.  I so appreciate those who keep this place going!

I think I need a nap!

A really nice morning here in Tucson.  Next week at this time we will begin our trip home stopping  for an early dinner in the Phoenix area and seeing two of our sons - one has moved into a rental house for the next two years (his wife's job) and the other will be here on a business trip.  I have begun packing for our drive back - Don always looks at it and will say that it will never fit and sure enough I am right - it always fits. 

We had a wonderful visit with our mid-90 year young friend yesterday.  She has cancer suddenly in 4 or more places - now has decided not to even try to fight it.  It was so uplifting to chat with her and her decision to not take extraordinary measures - she is a faithful follower.  I was surprised that she told us she believes in a power above but not necessarily one God and that is becoming the thoughts of so many people. 

Janet:  Church protocol is so difficult at times - I have volunteered and worked for the church over the years and everyone has different ideas.  If the sermon is lasting more than an hour, the people need to not have back-breaking chairs.  Go where you feel most comfortable and agree with as well.  Really nice that Beth could attend services.

Don:  Thanks for one more inspirational devotion. 

Hi everyone.  It is an overcast morning after an evening with some heavy rain.  I just checked my rain gauge and we had over 1/2 inch, which is much appreciated. We had a very nice Church service yesterday with everything but the sermon done by children pre-school age to the fifth grade.  While it was hard to understand some of them they all did a nice job.  There was music, prayers and explanations of our stain glass windows in our church as a part of the program.  This church has a lot of young children.  After church we went to Firehouse Subs for lunch and then I made a brief stop at the nearby Walmart for some copy paper.  Today my only plan is to attend a meeting at noon.  I may call later this morning to see about getting a haircut.  Pat may attend an end-of-meeting term luncheon with her Circle friends at church. 

Janet, to bad that your experience with your Oasis church wasn't desirable.  Your temperatures are certainly up and down.  We are well past the freeze point now in our area.  I had to chuckle at the the name of your pizza place.  Puffy is what one would become that ate there too often I would think. 

Carol, it seems like the winter has gone quickly since your arrival in Tuscon. It is nice that you will be able to be with your son on your way home.  I know it is a lot of work to close up one place and then get home and have to get everything back in order there. 

Two loads of laundry finished, sipping  , and I started my online Walmart grocery shopping which will be activated when we drive closer to home.  What a relief it will be to not walk through the store - if I can remember to list everything needed.  Don is planning to visit with a friend this day - friend's wife died very recently.  I am just going to carry on with the "leaving Arizona list" even though it is 6 days from now.

Larry: Yes, it is a drudge sometimes to close up a place and then open the other -- however, we are used to moving and travel.  Especially so in my family so we just "getter done" so to speak. 

Another cell phone call with no one there - I don't know anyone in Lubbock, Texas anymore.  This is a daily occurrence and so irritating.   They want you to call their number - such scams around. 

Are you not all sick and tired of the political news in this country?  This has to be one of the worst years ever but I know who we will never vote for - ---

Thankful that I found a new back brace and I can still function because there is a lot to do this week.  Thankful every morning for so many things.  I have a little picture here showing one grandmother holding a huge iron skillet and an iron Dutch oven smiling and ready to fix a meal in the kitchen.  My Swedish Lutheran grandmother turned Baptist in Minnesota - such a love to have known her so long ago. 

Good Morning from Oregon, the day is beautiful and shirt sleeve weather. It is going to be a great day and blessed day. I just finished writing a couple of ches for the bills that have already come in, I try to get them paid within a few days of arrival. I write them Keith signs them for the household bills. As for m y personal bills I pay them all on the 3rd every month.

I am also doing some laundry this m ornin g, I have to was all the bedding and pillows off the bed in the spare room, some of them smell like mildew to me and I want everything fresh and clean with Gilbert and family arrive. Gilbert is a bit of a germ-a-phobe so I don't want to hear any complaints it will be their first time visiting here they are having some financial difficulty so I am sending the a couple of hundred  to make sure they get here for the wedding.

Our pastor is on vacation for a week and hardly a nyone showed up for church yesterday I think there may have bee n about 12 members there. The Sunday School teacher  gave the  sermon.

Boy!  It was c-c-cold here this morning--29*, and under a frost warning!  I went out and covered my flowers until after 9:00, and now it's really beautiful outside!  I think it might have killed the two tomato plants Darrel had out, though.  We hadn't gotten the rest of the garden planted yet, so we have more tomatoes to put out.

I made an appointment with Pastor Todd at the Methodist Church and went and talked with him for over an hour.  I was so impressed with his pastor's heart when he drove all the way to Garden City to be there with us and pray for Beth before her surgery.  It will be a very wrenching decision if we decide to change churches, but I will do whatever I feel God wants us to do.  We have many friends at Oasis, but we also know almost all the people at the Methodist church.

Our little Chelsea had her 6th birthday yesterday.  I called her and the first words I heard were "It's my birthday!  Are you coming?  I miss you so much!"  Little charmer.    They were just having a little party and Toni hadn't called us, which is fine.  I sent her a card with some $$ inside.

Carol, in a word, YES we are sick of the dirty politics!  There is one I would NEVER vote for, and another I'd have to hold my nose to vote for, with much trepidation, so I hope my first choice gets the nomination! 

I must start getting myself in gear for my annual painting class over at Fowler.  That's coming up the first week of June.  I missed last year because of our car wreck, so really am looking forward to going and getting back in the swing of painting!

Marilyn, I hope you have a lovely wedding and post photos so we can attend!   

I don't know what we will have for supper.  Maybe I need to go figure that out!

Hi everyone.  It looks like we will have a nice morning but have the possibility for more rain this afternoon and evening.  Yesterday we had close to two inches of rain and each time it really rained heavily with some wind.  Our main activities for today will be to take Pat for a chest x-ray at the hospital and then over to get a new hose for her CPAP machine.  Three nights ago it started making a popping sound as if it were a popcorn popper with each breath she took.  We exchanged the hoses between our two identical machine and I got that popping sounds so we are sure it is the hose failing.  Perhaps we will have a good lunch out and Pat will have the evening off from preparing a meal. 

Carol, I need to look into the online shopping at Walmart to see if they offer the same service here.  After seven years of wintering in Arizona from Missouri my Dad decided it was too much for him and they sold their mobile home and stayed in Missouri during the winters.  Mother would have liked to have gone back but Dad really wasn't able and I think he realized that the dementia was beginning to effect Mother.  I agree about being sick and tired of the constant political news.  I also know the one candidate for whom I would never vote.

Marilyn, it seems like the bill paying time comes around very quickly anymore.  Some bills I pay on the 1st of the month and then the others as they come in during the month.  I know you are looking forward to having Gilbert and his family visit and be there for your wedding. 

Janet, BRRR with that 29 degree weather.  It was close to 70 degrees when I got up this morning and very humid.  I hope Darrel didn't lose his tomato plants and a good thing you hadn't completed your garden.  Sure was nice of the Methodist minister to be with you all while Beth had her surgery.  We have had the same experience several times with ministers coming and being with us including while we were sitting in the Hospice room with Stacey.  We really appreciated it.  We are most happy with our new church, which is Methodist.  What a sweet little girl Chelsea must be and you obviously have left your mark of deep love on her. 

I feel like I have been doing this    all day!  I did do a mile of it this morning, plus some other exercises.  Then we came home and really worked!  We have most of the garden put out now, and we are both about shot!  Whew!  We dug out about 8 inches of dirt from the whole garden plot, as the ground out here is sand and clay, and gets like concrete when it dries out.  Then we put a layer of corrugated cardboard, then a layer of peat moss and top soil which we mixed in the wheelbarrow and shoveled that on the cardboard.  Then another layer of each.  By then it was lunch time so we went to the Senior Center to eat.  When we got back home we went right back to work before we got too stiff to move!  Not on top of the plants!  Around them  and set out the tomato plants, then put layers of newspaper and then straw on top. (mp I did that last year by myself while Darrel was still in rehab after the wreck; and we had a wonderful garden.  So we hope it's even better this year.  I didn't take out soil last year, but did use the other stuff.  The cardboard encourages the earthworms and the newspapers and straw hold the moisture and also keeps the soil cooler as the weather gets hot.

After we got that done, we brought 4 big pots over to the front of the house; put some dirt in the bottom, then potting soil and peat moss, and I got the rest of my flowers out.  I had one pot left, so I put a tomato plant in it! 

By then we were both ready to soak in the hot tub for a while, shower and have supper.  I made us a salad and we had three slices of pizza left from Sunday, so that was supper.  Oh!  Did I mention that I'm tired?? 

Larry, yes, Chelsea is a little sweetheart, and I really do enjoy her.  Lexi is 8 now and also very sweet.  She's out of her little girlhood and acting older.  The little one, Jenna, is 3 1/2, and doesn't often want anything to do with me, but I think she's coming out of that now.  I wish I could spend more time with them as they are really growing up quickly!

I am going to bed really early, but first I need a couple of pain pills!

See you tomorrow, I hope! 

Well, we did not put the papers and straw on top of the plants!  We put them around the plants.  LOL

Hi everyone.  Last night turned out to be a very long one as I woke up about 1:30 and didn't find sleep again until after 5 and then just off and on.  Around 3:30 I picked up my phone and read my email and then the postings in the discussions I follow.  Nothing was bothering me and it guess it was just one of those nights.  We had some more heavy rain yesterday but now expect some sunny and warm days for the next several days. 

We had a four hour outing yesterday in getting the x-ray for Pat at the hospital, stopping at the CPAP supplier, going to Jo-Ann's and finally stopping at Big Daddy's Bar-B-Q for a late lunch and early dinner.  While it was good we decided we like the Bar-B-Q place we have been going to nearby better and likely will not make a return visit.  My heart was bothering me yesterday and last evening when I went to take my evening medicine I discovered I hadn't taken my morning dosage, which undoubtedly had brought on the pain I was feeling yesterday.  Today's schedule should be light.  We will go to the Church for the Wednesday night dinner and spend time with Scott this evening.  I do need to refill my medicine boxes and fix up some of my frozen fruit treat with the mixed fruit and bananas I have in the freezer. 

Janet, you and Darrel had a very busy day with all the work in your garden.  Sure glad that Darrel was able to help you this year.  Hope the hot tub took away some of the aches and pains from all that work. 

The weather is perfect right now.  I read my devotions and now sipping    Don has updated our "Leaving Arizona List" and one extra thing is to list us as a Dark House for the police department.  They will drive by and also walk the property.  We have super neighbors who will check as well.

The state flag is lowered today for a fallen Navy Seal from this area.  Praying for his family and friends. 

Larry:  It is so easy to forget a daily medication routine.  Enjoy your frozen fruit.  We have been drinking low-sugar Gatorade daily to combat the dryness here.  Yes, do check with your Walmart - they are not in every store and it is an experiment so we are fortunate to have one here and one at home.  It is one of those things that needs to be used or we will lose that service.  The closest WM here does not have that service but the drive to the other WM is worth the effort on those days.  I need to get myself into a routine of doing this more often and not just when we are traveling to home or here.  You go over the order with them and they load the car or it can be delivered to your door for about $7.  Think of all those heavy items.  I do hope you have that service in your area. 

Enough advertising.  Wishing everyone a peaceful day or night wherever you may be now.     

My heart is heavy for America this morning.  I truly felt Ted Cruz was the one most qualified to be our next president.  Kasich is out now as well, and I sure don't like either of the choices that appears to leave us.  But I trust our awesome God to sort it all out.  He has reasons for everything He allows.

We have been to the gym, came home and I made chicken salad to take to the Red Hats luncheon at 11:30.  Darrel has an appointment with the dietitian at the hospital  at 1:00, so I will be able to get there and listen.  He doesn't remember half of what he's told, otherwise!    His Dad was the same way!

Larry, glad you discovered the apparent cause of your heart pain and lack of sleep, and hope you feel much better by now.  Maybe a nice nap this afternoon is the ticket for you!

Daughter Diane called.  She is in town to see Dr. Saxon (our chiropractor and friend) and will stop by to pick up all the folding chairs we have in preparation for Abby's graduation reception on the 14th.  We will take the tables down when we go in the pickup.

Carol, I cannot imagine moving every few months!  But you probably have it down to a science by now!  Hope all goes smoothly for you and Don.

Time for me to run!

Hi everyone on a most beautiful morning following a perfect day here yesterday weather wise.  Today is suppose to be equally as nice although will only get to 70 degrees this afternoon. We had a nice Taco Dinner with a delicious dessert at our Wednesday night dinner at church and then our young peoples drama department put on a show afterwards, which appears to be an annual event.  It was cute.  I will go to coffee in a couple of hours and then plan on getting a haircut and getting a few items at Walmart.  We do not have our Wisdom group today as the pastor is involved in the mayor's prayer luncheon at our normal meeting time and won't be available.  I had a great night's sleep last night, which was very welcome and I feel nice and rested this morning.

Carol, when I go to Walmart this morning I am going to try to remember to ask about grocery pickup or delivery but haven't seen any indication that is available in any of the stores around here. Having police survelliance while you are away is certainly a good idea.

Janet, hope you enjoyed your Red Hat luncheon yesterday and Darrel got a lot of good information from the nutritionist.  It is hard to remember all the doctor says when you are talking to him/her. 

Good morning, friends,

Well, I'm caught up to date on the goings on here in CP. I'll be thankful when all is right with my computer. I'm not certain that is the case right now. I haven't been able to reload the driver for my printer since I got it back from the computer shop. So, will try to work on that more today.

I still deal with the painful leg. Physical therapy is scheduled beginning next week. Hopefully that will help.

I'll be heading out to the grocery. I must check out that Walmart option. It will be very helpful now that I deal with this temporary leg problem.

I'm praising the Lord today for a great message received from my pastor. A huge need has been met. Wonderful news!

Y'all have a great day.

Ruth Ann

John took Beth to our local eye doctor this morning and her pressures were 10 in one eye and 12 in the other one.  Great news!  She is now dealing with pain in her feet and a tooth hurting.  The dentist was there today, so they were going to have him check her tooth.  Good timing!

I am going to Abby's vocal concert tonight, but Darrel is going to the men's group Sons of Thunder.  He will drive me to Hugoton then come home to go to his meeting, then Diane will drive me half-way home and meet him to pick me up.  This not being allowed to drive at night is a pain sometimes.    But we surely don't want another car accident--ever!

Larry, so happy you are feeling better today!

Ruth Ann, good to have you pop in!

I need to go brush my teeth and get ready to leave.  Later, peeps!

Speaking of Peeps (the candy I mean) I have two packages of the high sugar candy saved for the boys - they like old and dry peeps so I still buy that after Easter every year.  Will they ever grow up?   

Ruth Ann:  Glad that you had a terrific message - prayers answered!

I spent a long time cleaning the inside of our car and other odd jobs around the house.  The wind is picking up here and we are not in the area but there is a red flag warning for low visibility and dust on an interstate today.  That is why we like to travel out of AZ early in the morning because multi-crashes can happen when visibility is so poor.  Usually it is speeding. 

Don is setting up appointments at the VA for when we return so I am glad to know which days are dedicated to a drive to the other end of Denver. 

I do hope everyone can get the delivery option - it is still being tested in the country.  My list is saved on the site and I am adding shampoo to it later plus a few more needful things. 

My bible study leader at home is having a potluck this week and I sure hope to get there in time.  It would be super to see everyone.  We shall see - Don is tired and his shoulder is painful - I usually drive half of the time. 

Hi everyone.  We are up early this morning as Pat scheduled and 8:30 doctor's appointment and it takes us around 30 minutes to get there and since this will be during rush hour we will allow an additional 15 minutes for the drive.  This is a followup from her appointment last Friday.  Later this morning the housekeeper will be here but we should be back before she gets here.  Nothing else on the schedule for today.  It is 48 degrees here this morning but will get to 75 degrees this afternoon, quite a bit warmer than yesterday.

Ruth Ann, good to see your posting but sorry to hear that you are still having some computer problems.  Hope you get the printer issue figured out.  Hope you have the Walmart at home shopping option.  I expect our stores will be late is adopting it as this is a very small town.

Janet, certainly good news concerning Beth's eyes and I know all concerned are relieved.  Sorry that new pains have arisen for her.  I didn't realize that you were no longer driving at night.  Nice the arrangements could be made so you could attend the concert.

Carol, it has been years since I had a Peeps but expect I would still like them.  Being old and dry makes them chewy.  Sounds like things are winding down in preparation for your return home. 

Hi everyone.  It is another beautiful day and it is headed to a sunny 83 degrees.  I have been out already this morning as went down to the cafe where I have coffee and got a Western omelet for breakfast for us.  Pat really likes the butter biscuits that are included and it also comes with grits.  We split the omelet and I got the bowl of grits and she had the biscuit.  I plan on trying to get to COSTCO later this morning for a couple of things and to get the car filled with gas.  Nothing else on the schedule for today.

Birds are chirping so loud this morning - glad they are happy.  We have the car mostly packed, all bed linens are being washed and the pad is outside drying in the sunshine.  One more night here and then off to visit oldest son with his wife and youngest son is in the area for a few days as well.  It is much cooler at home.

Larry:  Don likes grits with butter and salt - all known from the time we lived in Texas. 

I am concerned about not getting to vote this fall because ballots are not forwarded.  What if we are not able to be here in Arizona?  This is something that should be changed as we know tons of people who are snowbirders.  I wonder how Canadians can vote if they are away from home. 

That's the way I like my grits, also with cheese sometimes.

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