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Morning Devotional...


The Awesomeness of God



When was the last time you stopped to reflect on the awesomeness of God? When did you last slow down to contemplate how amazing our Creator is?

In our skeptical and scientific world, it seems we have lost our childlike sense of wonder and awe. We fail to notice the daily miracles surrounding us.

Jesus warns us, "Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it" (Mark 10:15). Jesus tells us to call upon God with the wonder and amazement of a child. He calls us to believe in Him with the trusting nature of a child. He wants to see our excitement every time we seek His face.

What is it like to stand in wonder of God? It is recognizing His hand in every sunset, mountain, and star that we see. It is marveling at the miracle of a tiny life being formed in its mother's womb. It is reading a Scripture passage for the hundredth time and still finding new insight in its words.

Prayer: God, You are awesome! Help me to come to You with the wonder and trust of a child. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

"Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:4).
Devotional material By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Thank you, dear Jeanne, for the wonderful devotional to start the week off.

Hi everyone and Happy Mother's Day to the mothers.  It is another clear day here and going to get pretty hot this afternoon.  I got a couple of the Sausage Burritos at McDonald's for our breakfast this morning.  Doing this on Sunday morning helps Pat get around in time for Sunday School.  After church we will eat somewhere and then enjoy a quiet afternoon.  Our son told his mother he would be over before we leave this morning so expect him at anytime.

Jeanne, I echo Bonnie's comment about this being a very good devotional for this week.  Thanks.

Janet, congratulations on your successful completion of your weight lose goal.  I know you need the rain but sure don't need a bad storm.  I doubt that anyone likes cleaning out the chicken house on a farm, I know I sure didn't. 

Thank you for the devotional.  It reminds me of this song.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJL_bChiTI0

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL YOU WONDERFUL MOMS ON CP! 

We went to the early service at church, had a guest speaker, a lady from Colorado.  She was good.  Looks like no lunch around here, as I don't want to cook, and Darrel is snoring in his chair.  I need to go to the Mothers Day tea at the care home at 2:30.

We attended the dance recital last night and it was
enjoyable.  Abby danced in about 6 numbers, and little Chelsea in two.  Both looked beautiful, of course!    Abby will be dancing again this afternoon but we aren't going; can't be in two places at once!

The storms missed us, if they materialized.  I knew/know I can depend on God!!

See you all later!  ( I see the gremlins are at work in my computer again.  )

Hi, friends,

Happy Mothers Day for our moms. It's been a quiet day, but I need to be out and about shortly.

So, will make this short. Y'all have a wonderful rest of the day.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone on what is going to be an extremely hot Monday.  We are suppose to get up to 93 degrees this afternoon.  It is already 72 degrees here.  My only plans for today are to attend a meeting at noon and then will just stay in where it is cool.

Yesterday are son and DIL meet us at church and they gave Pat a beautiful bouquet of flowers for Mother's Day.  They went up to the church a few minutes early to save a handicapped spot for us but we found a space just as close in the area where they had parked.  We went on to Sunday School and Church and then to Wifesavers for a good chicken dinner.

Good morning!  After a blustery day yesterday, the clouds have returned, and we had a light sprinkle a little while ago.  I will get my flowers out today, as I feel sure (or reasonably so) that we won't have any more frosts!

I have been in a lot of pain, with pains shooting from my left hip downward.  So I had really hoped to see my chiropractor today--he wasn't in on Friday--but he's not going to be back until tomorrow!  They have promised to do their best to get me in, even though they are booked solid for tomorrow.  So I'm taking Ibuprofen and trying to ignore the pain.  I am not going to the gym today because of that, though.

I was really pleased that the girls who care for Beth had dressed her up nicely yesterday for the tea.  And they even fixed her hair!  Several stopped by to compliment her, making her smile! 

I need to get busy preparing for my yearly painting class, coming up the first week of June.

Have a beautiful, God-filled day, my friends!

Janet, I hope you can get to the chiropractor soon and that he'll be able to relieve that pain.

Lovely day yesterday with all three of my offspring getting in touch.  Also a new family calendar put together by my Granddaughter-in-law.  She's the mother of the twins born last September and there are many pictures of the babies, showing how fast they're growing.

What a lovely and thoughtful gift, Jeanne,and one you will enjoy for a whole year!

Hi everyone on a beautiful morning following a very hot day here yesterday.  Around 7 pm we had a nice 20 minute or so soaking shower and it was just what we needed.  The yard men have been here already this morning and just now finishing up with the blowing of the grass off the front porch, sidewalks and driveway.  I am planning on going to coffee with the men downtown this morning around 10 am.  This afternoon will take Pat to her doctor's office for a sonagram and a following appointment with the doctor. That will be plenty for today.

I haven't seen the mother bird and baby in the next for a couple of days so either something got to them or the chick is old enough to leave the nest, which I hope is the case.

Janet, so sorry to read that you have some new pains and planting flowers probably didn't help any.  Hope you can see the chiropractor today and he will be able to stop the pain.  It sounds like Beth enjoyed the tea. 

Jeanne, that calendar sounds like a sure winner and a keepsake.  Have you ever seen the Anne Gerdes calendars and merchandise featuring babies?  They are so cute as are all little ones. 

We celebrated Mother's Day on Saturday at our home because --- a snowstorm was arriving Sat. afternoon & it was a dilly!  The snow was wet and heavy so on Sunday morning - mid morn - we did drive out (Good old Duluth, MN driving husband can go anywhere in snow). 

Reading that the US is dropping in Christian numbers very drastically in the last seven years.  Big churches seem to be growing but now a massive number of citizens call themselves none of the above to religion.   

Larry, it sounds like you are right back into a good life in your new home.  How do you like the house you chose?  Are neighbors friendly? 

Farm stories - I am reminded of the pet calf given to me to care for one entire summer in Minnesota.  George was so sweet and mild, I used to brush his teeth and clean him all the time - sparkling clean until my very soft uncle told me that George shouldn't be so clean - so that stopped right away.  George and I had long conversations - so they say.  Mainly, I helped cook and bake for all the farmers when they came to help - they all helped on each others farms.  Long ago...... 

Janet:  Good wishes on your painful leg. 

Hi, friends,

It's good to read the messages in here today. I've had a very busy day with the cleaning lady, the maintenance workers and a contact from one of my former managers.

Now, I've developed a headache, so will not comment further.

May our Lord watch over and keep each one of us today.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Just a note tonight before I head off to bed.  I felt better until this afternoon when I picked up something that weighed maybe 10 pound, then OUCH!  All the pain was back!  I did get to see Dr. Saxon at 4:30, so should feel lots better by morning.  Will go ice my neck, as he said hip pain is transferring across from that to left hip area.

I made a start on getting ready for my painting class--got the studio tidied up some, before the pain stopped me!  Need to go see Beth tomorrow, as I didn't go yesterday nor today.  Seems I never get everything done I intend to do in a day.  Do I expect too much from myself, or am I getting lazy?  Hmmmm.  I choose the former, as I never want to get lazy! 

Carol, so many needs to pray for in our country!  And I do pray, but try not to get discouraged, as I know full well that God is in control!

Ruth Ann, hope you wake pain free tomorrow!

Larry, sending you a big hug! (((( ))))

Hi everyone.  Another beautiful morning.  We did get a little rain yesterday while we were sitting in the doctor's office but not sure how much fell here at the house.  Our son was here early this morning to see if he could get Pat's desktop upstairs on the internet.  A friend sent me Powerline Ethernet Adapters which would allow Ethernet connection upstairs but it still isn't working.  He had to leave to get ready for work and said he would be back tomorrow.  Pat just left to go to the church for the "Gifts" meeting where they make things for various charitable purposes.  We will go to the Wednesday night dinner and Bible Study this evening. 

Carol, I saw on the news about the heavy snow you had out your way.  I have never heard of brushing a calf's teeth before.  My mother made many noon day meals for the farm workers who had come to help us on occasion.

Ruth Ann, hope the headache is just a memory at this point, although not a pleasant one. 

Janet, getting lazy doesn't seem to be something that applies to you with the busy schedule you have. 

I have been in some excruciating pain in my upper back and neck. Went to the Chiropractor on Monday, this morning and will go back on Friday. So far after today's adjustment I am doing OK but have to be extremely careful.

Bebe is going  in for a recheck post surgery today, It has been 2 months since her sugery. She seems to be doing quite well considering that she is 14.5 years old now.

Fritzy  Keith's #1 kitty is not feeling well. he hasn't eaten for 3 days except for about 20 little  kitty treats and a few  laps of water. He is going to the vet also today. Keith is just beside himself over the cat, this one is his baby that he adopted from one of our local rescues in 2008.

Freckles passed her canine Good Citizen testing last night with flying colours. Everyone just loved how well she is behaved and so attentive to  commands and hand signals. I sent her paperwork off the AKC for national documentation, they will send me her certificate. She even got a blue ribbon. I am so proud of her.

Janet praying for your complete healing I can sure relate to the awful pain.

Thanks, Marilyn.  I am praying for your relief and healing as well.  I do feel better, but had very little sleep again last night, so fell asleep at my computer a while ago.l    I have another appointment in two weeks; need one sooner but he is so busy!

It's raining here again today, a cold rain!  We actually need jackets to be out, unusual this late in the season.  But we are so grateful for the moisture, and at least the wind isn't blowing!  It nearly ruined the flowers I just put out, yesterday.

Fifty-four years ago today, I became a mother for the first time.  Diane is a wonderful daughter, and one that I can honestly say never gave us any trouble of any note.  She is still steady, dependable, and always reliable, a real rock!  I do love my daughter Diane!  (Of course I love the others, too, but this is Diane's day!  )

Larry, I hope you get the computer problems sorted out soon! 

Carol, Darrel's nephew used to brush his cats' teeth, and they didn't even try to claw him!  Amazing!  But I never ever thought of brushing a calf's teeth!  I used to feed them with a ---well, we called it a teat bucket.  I can't recall the more proper name, but anyway.....    I loved the little ducks that the mamas hatched each spring out by the pond, and they would follow me around everywhere I went, just like a puppy!  I remember how sad I was when they got old enough to discover the pond and follow the adults into the water, because I knew their days of following me were done.  Good memories!

Off to work toward getting ready to go paint!

Marilyn:  May your extreme pain be relieved very soon.  Good wishes on therapy. 

Ready to hit the hay, so to speak.  I meant to say that brushing the calf's teeth was my idea and my dear uncle stepped in when I was cleaning George the calf too often - am sure everyone had a good laugh about the city girl coming to stay on the farm.  Between my mother and my auntie, I did learn to cook and bake and how to pick eggs and paint a farm fence that went on forever. 

Larry:  We never have good luck with Ethernet connections.  I do hope all works well for you. 

Lots on the prayer list - a neighbor's daughter in Nebraska with a new baby has just been diagnosed with state 4 cancer.  There are no empty spaces on the prayer list. 

Hi everyone on another bright, clear South Carolina morning.  Yesterday was a very pretty day and it didn't get too warm.  Today is forecast to get up to 85.

I anticipate a pretty quiet day today.  Our son said he would be over to work more on his mother's upstairs computer and I have no specific plans.  We had a good dinner at church last night and, as always, a good Bible Study. 

Marilyn, hope that pain stays away today.  Hope the vet visits went well.  It sounds like you did very well on your training of Freckles. 

Janet, glad you are also feeling better. Maybe your flowers will revive when the rain ends and the sun comes out.  Nice memories about the baby ducks. 

Carol, I am surprised that you haven't had good luck with Ethernet connections.  I have always used one in my office and never had a failure.  I have to think the problem upstairs now is a computer setting of some sort since we have a strong network signal, just can't get out on the Internet.  How sad about the new mother with stage 4 cancer. 

Good morning!  I have taken this week off from the gym, as my body has been hurting so much.  I'm calling it my own personal Spring break!

Carol, I agree about the prayer list; but I always manage to keep adding to it.  If we let ourselves, it would be really easy to get discouraged, when we look at all the problems around us.  So I try not to look around so much, and to look UP more!

Larry, my flowers look better today, but they are waiting for sunshine to perk them up, I think.  It's overcast and cool again today.  Should be good for their roots!

I have no to-dos on my calendar today!  So I'm doing laundry and as soon as I finish here, will go to my studio to work.  My TV in there doesn't want to work and I wanted to watch the 700 Club and the Voice of Victory, so I'm still in the living room.  Must call Pioneer to come see what's wrong with their little black box!

I don't think I will leave home today!  I like days like that occasionally. 

Hi everyone on an overcast morning and the forecast is for a cloudy day but no rain.  I woke up about 6:30 this morning and started reading my email and message boards, as I often do, using my smart phone while still in bed.  The next thing I know it is 8 am.  Nothing particular on the agenda for today.  I may go down to coffee with the men this morning and then stop by Walmart for a few items we need.  Beyond that it should be a quiet day. 

Janet, it sounds wise to give yourself a chance to heal some of the aches and pains.  Glad your flowers are looking better. 

Good morning to all.  I am not very talkative today as I am in too much pain to sit her typing. Just wanted to say hello and let you all know I am still alive, not much sleep last night, couldn't find a comfortable position. It even hurt to look down to hook my front hook bra. I have an appointment at the Chiro at 9:15, I will go by the library when they open at 10 to pick up the book I put on hold. I am going to read Wild. I've hear it is a great book. I will have to find a comfortable position to hold my head and the book in order to do any reading.

Marilyn, I hope your chiropractor is as good as mine!  He helped me a LOT!!

I have been to get my hair and nails done, did a couple errands, now am home until time to go pick up Beth for the mother/daughter banquet.  I hope there are people around who will help me get through the doors with her.  If not, I will go looking for someone!

I got some things done yesterday that were bugging me, so I feel better about that.  We have sunshine and a brisk wind blowing, but not intolerable, at least not yet! 

I hope all is well with all you friends today.  I sure do miss Pat!

Hi, friends,

I'm back. It was so interesting reading the messages. I went out to grab a grilled chicken wrap at MacDonald's and then a bite of ice cream. So, my bad choice in the end may win over the good choice of that yummy wrap sandwich (like a burrito with a salad in with the grilled chicken).

It's beautiful here and may rain. We really need the rain - May is our wettest month and thus far, no rain this month. I feel concern for our farmers' crops.

I certainly can empathize with various bone and joint pains. Y'all hurry up an get better!

May our Lord richly bless all who come here today.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  The sun is out but probably only briefly as it is suppose to be cloudy all day today but see no rain in the forecast.  I just reset my lawn watering system to run longer than it had originally been set to run.  Our son and DIL came over yesterday at noon and shared some Jersey Mike's subs with us and then Scott worked on his mother's desktop computer and thought he had it where it was connecting to the Internet.  However, when I checked it about 5 pm I found it couldn't load any pages.  I plan on bringing it down to my office this morning and may start fixing up my laptop to the way Pat likes her computers as sit works upstairs.  That is my only planned activity for today. 

Marilyn,  do hope you can find a comfortable position and are able to read so you can take it real easy today after your Chiropractor treatment.

Janet, it sounds like you had another busy day yesterday.  Hope you and Beth both enjoyed the mother/daughter banquet.  Was this at your church?

Ruth Ann, we have had some rain this month but sure could use some more.  Glad you enjoyed your McDonald's outing. 

Good morning!  Ruth Ann, I haven't yet tried one of those chicken wraps from McD's, but after your recommendation, I just might! 

Beth and I did enjoy the mother/daughter banquet.  It was held out at the Civic Center, and is provided each year by our local Senior Center.  We had a wonderful meal of roast beef, baked potato, green beans, (a salad first!) and wonderful assortment of cheesecake for dessert.  Since Beth's chair is just high enough that her knees can't go under the table, I have to stand up each time I feed her a bite of food, so I got some exercise while eating!    We also had a wonderful trio of men called Crystal River, from Lubbock, Texas to entertain us.  They sang good Gospel music, some with a country sound.  I thoroughly enjoyed them.  And....the most wonderful blessing of the evening was:  When we got out there, I went in to get someone to help me, as it is very difficult to hold a door open and maneuver the wheelchair through.  The fellow who is buying our big house was there and volunteered to come help me.  He actually handled Beth's chair and I held the doors open.  All was well until I went back out to close up the van, and I locked the keys inside!    Boy, I have gotten WAY too used to having the push button locks on the outside of the car door!  Just as I let the door go, closing it, I remembered, but too late!  The only thing to do was call the glass man who also opens doors for people like me ( ) and once before when we did that, he charged us $35 to come get it open.  Homer volunteered to call him for me so I didn't have to leave Beth alone.  Before long, he came back in, handed me the keys, and before I could even ask how much I owed him, said, "Don't worry about it!"  I tried to pay him, he wouldn't allow it, just said to pay it forward and help someone else.  Well, you can bet he got a huge hug from me!  What a guy.  God bless Homer Franco!

When we got back to the care home, I really did hurt myself wrestling her through double doors which are heavy and have no way to prop them open.  Why on earth they don't at least have a buzzer to ring for assistance is beyond me.     We are taking Beth out again this afternoon to a girl's senior reception and dinner we are all three invited to attend, but Darrel will be with me to help.  Thank God!

Okay, enough of that!!  Sorry. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful day!  I'm going to go into my studio and get a sketch done on a canvas, so I will have a start on getting ready for class!

Youngest daughter says she plans to come for the all-school reunion next weekend and I'm so hoping she doesn't change her mind!  She comes home far too seldom, and I miss her.

Hi, friends,

I've felt like resting most of the day, so actually have no news today.

But it's great reading everyone's comments. I'm sorry it's so difficult to maneuver Beth's chair. I understand, since taking that badly disabled friend to the doctor once a week really wears me out.

Well, y'all have a good day.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  It is another beautiful sunny Sunday morning.  Today will be our usual Sunday with Sunday School and Church followed by getting something to eat before we come home. 

Yesterday was a busy computer day for me as I brought Pat's desktop and monitor down to my office hooked them up.  They work fine down here.. I came up with an idea, to at least temporarily use, and that was for Pat and I to share my laptop.  I only use it in the late afternoon and early evening and she isn't usually upstairs during those times.  During the day she can take the laptop upstairs and use it.  So I spent several hours making it so she can easily use it with a desktop program called Fences that organize her desktop icons and games and program on one side of the desktop and mine on the other.  Then I installed the games she likes to play on the computer.  I have two more games to install today and then should be through with getting it ready to use that way.  This will eliminate the need to immediately acquire another computer and I hope to wait until the new Windows 10 is released and is installed on a new computer.  I have to stay up with the times.  I can also use my iPad in the evenings if I don't want to bring the laptop down from upstairs. 

Janet and Ruth Ann, I tried one of those McDonald's wraps and the one I had was very bland even with the Southwest type sauce they have and not really to my taste although there wasn't anything wrong with it and was certainly filling. 

Janet, I should think you could almost always find some men who would be happy to help you with Beth's chair getting through doors.  It sounds like you had most enjoyable entertainment at the banquet.  It looks like God provided Homer and opportunity to do a good deed with taking care of getting your car keys.  I am willing to bet he left there with joy in his heart.  Just a suggestion but when you need help such as the doors at the care home go in an ask for help as all they can say is no and it wouldn't take much time or effort for them to help you. 

Hi, friends,

It's good to hear from you, Larry. My back pain kept me home, but the pastor of the church I can watch on television preached a really good, insightful sermon about the Lord's Prayer.

Y'all have a good rest of the day.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Not much new since I was here last, but always good to read Larry's and Ruth Ann's posts.  We took Beth out again yesterday for a graduation reception, but both Darrel and I were there, so it works fine that way.  I have to feed her, so it takes twice as long for us to eat, which is also fine.  The reception was for three girls, and some ladies I didn't know were across the table from us.  They were from Idaho, and had a granddaughter graduating.  They were watching me feed Beth, and I could see the questions in their eyes, so I smiled at them and said, "She hasn't always been disabled."  This gave me an opportunity to explain a little about Neurofibromatosis to them, and they were very interested.  Later, a handsome young fellow said to me, "Hi, Janet!"  I looked at him and couldn't recognize him, he said, "You don't know me?  You come see me at least every six months!"  It was our dentist, and one of the ladies I had been visiting with is his mother!  He had lost a lot of weight and grown a beard since I saw him last!  Small world. 

We attended church in Hugoton this morning, and it was such a powerful service!  Wow!  If Darrel were in agreement, I would go there every Sunday!  We got to see Curtis, Toni and the three little girls, always a joy.  They are growing up so fast.

I wanted to share a special blessing Beth got at the mother/daughter banquet.  My sister's granddaughters were there, and Autumn, who is 11, is very artistic.  She was drawing in a little pad Jeanie gave her, and when she finished, she tore it out and passed it to Beth.  She had written:  From Autumn Allen To Beth  Then she dropped down and drew a really good sunflower in the middle of the page, followed by these words:  You are as pretty as a very, very pretty flower!  That sure made Beth smile, and almost made me cry, it was so sweet.  Then when we left, Autumn ran over to give Beth a hug.  What a little sweetheart!

Larry, your suggestion is good, and I will go in and get someone to help me next time.  All they need to do is hold the door open!  I think a buzzer to call for help would be a good idea, outside the door, but I suppose people would be pressing it just for kicks. 

Ruth Ann, because Beth can't hold her body in an upright position and sit up in a regular wheelchair, the one she has is long, heavy, bulky and really hard to manage.  The front wheels get turned sideways and I have to lift the thing a lot to get it where we need to go.  It really is exhausting.  I so wish we had a better solution.

I pray you have each enjoyed a God-blessed day!