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Morning Devotional...





Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:11


To do His supreme work of grace within you He will take from your heart everything you love most. Everything you trust in will go from you. Piles of ashes will lie where your most precious treasures used to be. . . . All this God will accomplish at the expense of the common pleasures that have up to that time supported your life and made it zestful. Now under the careful treatment of the Holy Spirit your life may become dry, tasteless and to some degree a burden to you. While in this state you will exist by a kind of blind will to live; you will find none of the inward sweetness you had enjoyed before. The smile of God will be for the time withdrawn, or at least hidden from your eyes. Then you will learn what faith is; you will find out the hard way, but the only way open to you, that true faith lies in the will, that the joy unspeakable of which the apostle speaks is not itself faith but a slow-ripening fruit of faith; and you will learn that present spiritual joys may come and go as they will without altering your spiritual status or in any way affecting your position as a true child of the Heavenly Father. And you will also learn, probably to your astonishment, that it is possible to live in all good conscience before God and men and still feel nothing of the "peace and joy" you hear talked about so much by immature Christians.

When the sense of His presense is withdrawn and your life seems to shatter; when you feel cold and dull spiritually, keep praying. Keep feeding on His Word. Keep walking by faith--naked faith. He is there. Trust Him.


Lord, I find it difficult to walk by faith in the night. But You are teaching me. I can't see You but Your Spirit assures me You are there. Thank You.

From Devotions By Dr. Tozer

Good morning!  May each of you have a blessed day as we worship the King of Kings!

I am going to Hugoton to church, and later to Liberal with my daughter to the Kansas Sampler Festival.  This is the last day of it.

Good morning.  Looks like it is going to be a great day today. 

I am all ready for church.  I don't like to do this but I believe when I come home today, I am going to mow.  It is predicting rain tomorrow so I want to get my yard mowed before I have surgery! 

No wind today and it looks hazy.  Maybe it's my eyes!  I will see clearly soon!!

Hi everyone.  We expect to have our normal Sunday.  I do hope that Pat feels up to attending church and then we will eat lunch out before coming home.  I think I heard them say there is a possibility of some rain in the forecast for this afternoon.  I sure hope so.

Judy, occasionally we will juse the hymn version of "Majesty" in our church service and our choir had an arrangement of it also.  It is certainly a wonderful hymn and with Gord's lovely accent I can almost hear him signing it.  That reminds me that we haven't heard from Gord recently.  Sure hope his hand hasn't given him new problems.  Also know he and Noreen keep busy with their family.

Etta Sue, I did receive the acceptance but so far the postings haven't shown up on my Facebook page.  Maybe I am not doing something right.  I am glad you are posting them here.  So sorry to hear of another terrible accident in your area.  I have to say that I really dislike motorcycles due to the safety factor. 

Carol, are other neighbors having the same problems with their roofs?  I think I remember hearing you say that one contractor was doing several roofs in your area.

Marilyn, having to send back your ring must have been a disappointment.   Glad you noticed it was plastic in time to get the refund.

Janet, Pat and I went out in our driveway and looked at the moon between a couple of trees and it was quite bright.  I even got my iPad to see if I could get a picture but it was too dark.  I just read your newspaper writeup.  I didn't realize the book was now available as an ebook although I am glad to have the paperback version that is signed by you.  Hope you were able to get some rest.  I don't often go to a garage sale as we no longer need to be accumulating anything, our house is full and we are reaching the point of beginning of beginning to think about one day having to get rid of most of the things we have.

Don, thanks for the devotional for this week.

 Etta Sue, I have been remiss in not expressing to you my best wishes on your upcoming cataract surgery.  I hope your results are fantastic!  I had it done a few years ago, and have never regretted it.  Yes, your world will soon be brighter!

Larry, we have been getting rid of a lot of stuff, too, in fact, we have another pickup load to haul to the Senior center for their next garage sale.

Gotta run!

Thank you Don.

Pat hasn't been back on to CP so just to let you know the baby gas made it through the surgery.  They have to keep her hands tied down because she is pulling at all the tubes they have inserted.  They are slowly taking her off the morphine and as they do that they are praying she stops thrashing around.  They have taken Cayla Joy's breathing tube out.  Now she is learning to breathe on her own again.

This is a quiet day, with good weather.  I got a couple of pictures of the moon, but I am sure there will be more professional photos available,  I will post mine  soon.

Here is Linda's update on Cayla Joy

QuoteCayla's breathing tube was taken out this morning at 7am! Her breathing on her own is slowly stablizing. She still has what looks like an oxygen tube in, but it is just room air going through to help her remember how to breathe on her own. Hopefully she won't need that in for long. They said if she can't breathe well, they will have to put the tube back in... She's actually settled down now and sleeping and breathing ok so that shouldn't have to happen, Lord willing.

Her catheter should be coming out today too. )

Dr. Stewart's surgical nurse practitioner came in to see about removing her drainage tube from surgery. She wanted to see her a little more stable before she will remove it. She'll be back later to check on her and try again.

We are unable to touch or talk to her during this time since stimulation is her enemy at the moment... I told Lowell they'll need to put the hand cuffs on me now to stay away...

Thanks for all the prayers!

Good Sunday morning to all y'all!  It's a beautiful day here on the Oregon coast, and I'm trusting it is as beautiful wherever you are, at the moment.

Janet, I really enjoyed the article in the newspaper    It's good that your-- and Beth's -- book is becoming so widely known.  Hopefully it won't be long that you'll have all your capital recouped and you can make sizeable donations to NF.

Etta Sue, I'll keep you in mind while you're having your surgery.  Will you even recognize your world any more?  It will be like stepping into a brand new world.    By the way... I love all the chemo wraps you have been making.  They are bright and beautiful.     You will see that for yourself soon. 
I had a friend who, after cataract surgery, was amazed at the brightly colored clothes in her closet!  She was a retired school teacher, and went on fabulous cruises and tours.  She said she needed to repeat those trips, now, and see how everything REALLY looked! 

Judy, and Pat, I have been following the updates about little Cayla Joy on Facebook.  She surely is a little trooper to have endured so much and only a few days old.  Her mother is a very articulate writer, and I wonder how she manages to keep the updates so detailed and informative when she is watching her tiny little daughter fight for life.  It has to be "only by the Grace of God" and His peace that surrounds her -- and all the family.

I am not doing what I should be doing -- getting ready for my trip to California -- I am one of the world's best procrastinators!  I am "supposed" to be driving down there Tuesday ... Oh, I know I'll be on the road again in all the right places and times, but I'll probably be packing my suitcase in the last hour or so before I get in the car.

I've always done this.  The hardest part of any trip, for me, is getting started!  Once I'm on my way, I do fine   

Well, I need to at least get up from here and do something about breakfast/brunch and then think about what I will need to pack. Maybe I'll even get my suitcase out of the closet.  If I trip over it often enough, I just might be motivated to put something in it, y'think? 

Okay .... here I go >>>>>>>>>>>>

We had a very sunny day and other than that just resting and catching up on the unread news papers.

I do have a question when a couple is and has been living together for several years how do you acknowledge it on their special day.   Would it be happy togetherness?   

Etta Sue:  All the best with your eye surgery.

Ruth:  You look so relaxed sitting on the bench outdoors.  Nice picture.

The reports on Cayla are improving each and every day - a lot of CPer's are praying for her. 

Larry:  I think that there are a few others still not passing the roof inspection. 

Jane, thanks for the kind words.  And....happy packing!   

Ruth, maybe just a Think of You card?  I have no suggestions on that, really.  But knowing you care will make the day better.

I spent the day with my sweet daughter Diane today.  After church, we went to her house, and Abby and I made some lunch while Diane went to water the greenhouse.  Then Abby went "mudding" with the young people, and Diane and I went to Liberal to the Kansas Sampler Festival.  Lots to see, do, taste and explore in our fair state!  We ran out of time and the people were packing up to go home before we made it through all the tents.  But it was fun to spend some time with just Diane and to catch up on our visiting.

My talk at church was well received, and though only one book was sold, it's in the Lord's  hands.  Diane reminded me that sometimes if people don't know ahead of time that something will be available, they might not have money with them.  They know now that the book is available at Diane's store, so they may buy them there.

My eyes are burning, think I will shut down now.

I love that song, and we sang it at church yesterday!!

Janet that s John's favourite.  He left this morning, and I already miss him.  Can't wait till he retires!

The black flies are out.  Go outside to be eaten alive. 

I am a third of the way through a BIG sewing job.  I would like to double up my production and be finished sooner.  This is a job I was voluntold to do.....but the $$$ will make it worth while. Got to get back at it.  Be back later!

I love that song, too.  It's often on the screen at church and always sung with such wonderful enthusiasm!  Judy, your choices for hymns to post is always great, and much appreciated.   

Janet, you are doing so wonderfully in promoting your book.  The Lord seems to be opening more and more opportunities.

The progress reports about Cayla Joy are encouraging and certainly are proving to be answers to all the prayers that are being said. 

 Hi everyone.  Once again today is the day for the housekeepers to be here and later the yard people.  I also have my Monday men's luncheon and then a meeting to attend tonight so plenty on the schedule for one day.  I ran several errands after coffee. We attended church yesterday and then went out to lunch with another couple and then enjoyed a restful afternoon and evening.

Judy, I saw Pat's posting on Facebook and saw several pictures of the baby and with Pat and Paul.  It must be very difficult not to even touch the baby.

Ruth, nice to have a restful day. I have no idea on your question regarding the couple being together for several years.

Janet, glad your talk at church went well but I couldn't imagine it not doing so.  In the newspaper article a couple of days ago didn't it say that your book is now available as an e-book?  I tried to find it without success.

Larry: If you go to the bottom of this page, you'll see it for $9.99. It will be in .pdf format

http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-61862-712-4

I have seen Cayla Joy on Facebook and read about her updates.  Such a beautiful little girl.  She's a strong little baby to fight for life so hard! 

And Larry, before I was 'friends' with some of the posters on Jacob's website, I had to click on the left side of the screen under 'Groups' and 'Prayers for Jacob Bolling'.  Try that.  But there weren't any new posts until last evening all weekend.  Sheree posted an update.

Quote
Sunday May 6, 2012
All praise to the Father from whom all things come...
It has been a pretty quiet weekend with Jacob resting from his most recent surgery on Thursday. Had a wonderful visit with our good friends Kevin and Luann this weekend from Indiana. We all got to spend time with Jacob plus some away time relaxing at some local restaurants and enjoying the warm weather. Haven't been out much so was very much appreciated.
Dear Father in Heaven we thank you for your many blessings. We continue to pray for healing and recovery for Jacob. We pray he emerge from his coma and be able to participate more with his therapy and receive a full recovery. All this we pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen

And Jane, that last Chemo Wrap was very colorful even to my eyes.  Can't imagine how much more colorful it might be!     Well, the person who gets it, won't sleep during chemo!!  Safe travels to you, Jane!

Thanks to everyone for wishing me in a safe surgery tomorrow and Wednesday.  I am anxious!

Today I went to the P.O. for stamps and to fill up my three containers of gas for the mower and top off my car gas tank.  Well, the pumps (I tried two of them) wouldn't take my credit card so I went inside.  The credit machine was down and they couldn't take any credit cards.  So I left.

I drove 4 miles south to another station...it was 10 cents a gallon cheaper and I could still get my free cappucino! 

I drove back into Lapel to get some snacks to take with me tomorrow since I will be there over lunch.  I may starve if I don't eat!!  And I got some sandwich spread and some chips. 

Since coming back home, I Skyped with my classmate in Mexico on my Droid Razr....video call!  He said my picture was sharper than on the laptop.  His picture was sharper also.  Do you reckon it was because both are smaller pictures?  Hunh?  But it is handy to know that I can video call on my Droid Razr. 

Now I am doing laundry.  Then need to shower.  Then tonight is Council Meeting at church.

Since voting is tomorrow, I am getting all kids of 'Unknown' and 'Restricted Number' calls.  I am not answering them.  I have last week and they want me to vote for so and so!  But I believe after 4 pm, I need to answer in case it is my driver tomorrow letting me know what time he will be at my house in the morning! 

I am anxious!!

Hi, friends,

Well, it's been a relatively quiet day. Our monthly volunteer training call with the SHIP (that's for State Health Insurance Program - with your medicare book, you can see the number for your state printed on the back) program where I volunteer. It's so rewarding to be able to help seniors make wise decisions based on the programs available to them within their income range. No sales - no pressure - no commercial firms - just working with sometimes confusing medicare options for those of us of "that certain age."

Then, home to set up a dinner for friends who no longer are able to cook. I fixed a one-dish meal consisting of diced chicken breast (it was easy to cut, since I didn't completely defrost them, then used the sharpest knife available ), mixed veggies, Mahatma rice, onion, pepper, and a bit of margarine. And, I thought I might take fixin's for banana splits.

Now, it's time to box it up, prepare to leave, and then to try to get my new frames and lenses ordered from the Wal-Mart that is near their home.

Then, most likely will see if friends want to get together for a cuppa tea (or something).

Etta Sue, much love and prayers will follow you and your medical team prior to, during, and after the surgeries, and remember our Lord is holding you closer even than ususal during these times. Please ask your driver (if allowed), to give you a big ole Tennessee bear hug from me.

Love to each of you,
Ruth Ann

Thanks, Ruth, for pointing Larry to TatePublishing.com for the ebook!  I know they have them, as I got my very first royalty check the other day, and it was for ebooks they have sold!

I guess I am missing out on Facebook, haven't seen any of Pat's stuff, nor Etta Sue's latest chemo wraps.  But it sure takes lots of time, even when scrolling past all the games, etc you have no interest in reading.  Who has time for all that stuff?  Not me, for sure!

I emailed the Christian radio station KJIL this morning to have them put the upcoming reception and book signing at The Legacy at Park View (where Beth lives) on their events calendar, as they told me to do that with any upcoming things, and they answered saying they put it on their calendar and gave it to their announcers to read on the radio.  Maybe that will help generate a better turnout for that one.  I really do hope so, for Beth would like it so much.  The pastor asked me yesterday to bring a book and come to the front, and she prayed over me, the book, and asked God to give me ideas where and how to sell the book, and to show me where the market for it is.  She was being led by the Holy Spirit in this prayer, and I appreciate it so much.

I'm taking a lunch break.  Been working steadily since I got up at 4:30 this morning, got a lot of laundry done, last load is washing now; sorted and put away more things; and been working in the garage with Beth's things, sorting them and putting into plastic tubs with lids, labeling them, then we will store them in her garage.  We were getting crowded out of the garage!

Beth called a while ago to ask if I am coming to see her today; I said after while, I am working right now and want to finish what I'm working on before I stop.  Which means I need to get back at it before I fall asleep on this keyboard.........

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I got my phone call from the driver last evening but he lives in Greenfield and thought I lived in Greenfield.  Then I remembered when Mom was having cataract surgery, I had an eye problem and asked to be seen by their doctors there.  Their records showed Greenfield since I lived in Greenfield at that time.  And no, they didn't ask me my address when talking with them on the phone this time. 

So another man called back and said he was in Anderson.  I gave him directions and it seems when he goes to Noblesville from Anderson, he drives right by my house every time! 

So between 9 and 9:15, he is to be here. 

The girl that called me yesterday said that I would have one eye done today, the other eye tomorrow and come back Thursday for the final visit!  Whew!  Three days!  And then I will see clearly!

I am not going to insist about the mono-vision or the bifocal implants but sure to want to discuss those options with them.  I am leaning more towards one of those than the far-sighted vision instead having to have reading glasses AND sunglasses. 

So I am off for a few days with different excitement. 

Thank you for all the prayers.  I feel them!

Etta Sue:  You are going to see everything so much clearer - take care. 

I have a praise - after having an unscheduled medical test yesterday - the results are very good.  This is one grateful gal. 

Two packed full days today and tomorrow so I had best get on with it and bake a dessert for quilt group tonight.   

Prayers of agreement with Etta Sue, and prayers of praise for Carol!  God is so good!

We will soon be leaving for Garden City to get Darrel's stitches out.  Then I hope we will be finished with doctor visits for a while.  To look at our calendar, you would think we were both really puny--NOT SO!

I had a little email from another of Beth's schoolmates, asking where she could buy a book.  Prise God, the word is getting out!  I guess it just takes a while......

I need to call a friend before we leave.  Be back this afternoon sometime.

Good morning, friends,

Yesterday's visit with the elderly couple was great, and now I have several ideas that her family can use to help them live with their new lives since the lady had that very disabling stroke. The husband is simply not able to do all he's doing now.

We visited for a little while, and then I had some supper with friends.

God really blesses us when we plan for and try to give assistance when it's really needed.

I surely hope Etta Sue is doing well. She was on my mind when I first awakened, BUT she was on our Father's mind LONG BEFORE that time.   Praise His wonderful name!

Y'all have a wonderful day.

Love to everyone,
Ruth Ann

Good Morning, Prayer in agreement for Etta Sue and praising God for Carol.

yesterday morning first thing I had to call my Podiatrist to have an ingrown toenail removed. They got me in as the first patient. He numbed my toenail and cut out the ingrown part. I am now wearing a huge blue bandage. We are  going to my neighbor's funeral this afternoon and I have to see if I can get my boots on. Or wear sandals with my big blue toe sticking out. LOL

Hi everyone.  No rain in our area yesterday but once again a possibility later today.  A little later this morning I will get my two new crowns put in, then have a meeting to attend and later this afternoon the air conditioning service man is coming for the annual check of the system.  We are using a new company this year that recently relocated to our little town from the one just North of us.

RuthV, thanks for that info on where to find the link for the e-book version of Janet's book as I totally missed it even using a search engine on their site.  I see I didn't scroll down far enough.

Etta Sue, I think by the time you read this your first eye surgery will be a thing of the past. Hope all went well.  The number of pixels in a smaller area does give a sharper picture. 

Ruth Ann, nice of you to prepare a meal for those who can no longer cook for themselves.

Janet, I believe you can block those messages generated from the games on Facebook.  I think I did that a long time ago but don't remember how I did it.  I am sure you can find some quick instructions with a Google search.  Glad your pastor held your book efforts up in prayer Sunday.  You might want to have your grandson put a link on your website to the ebook.  Many folks are now going to ebook readers and not buying as many paper books.

Marilyn, I had both my big toe ingrown nails removed at the same time.  Did they give you a special sandal to wear while you heal?  Reading further I see they did not.  I was really glad I had the procedure done.

Carol, so nice to read of a person getting good medical news. 

 :)Good evening to you all.   Noreen and I have been very busy so that is my excuse that I have not been on the site.  We have again helping with the grandchildren and also been away due to me singing with the choir that I am in and that was so good as we were able to stay overnight with friends that we had not seen for 5 years and an other couple that live in the same town we also had not seen them for a much longer time so there was a lot of catching up on many stories. 

This past Sunday I Gordon turned 65 years old and it was a wonderful day we saw all of my kids and my grand kids and also my best friend and wife and an other couple came for lunch a restaurant then we went back to our house and had cake and also I opened my gifts.  It was such a great time and to be with family is so important.

That evening Pat and Paul came to my House to pick up Pats car as she had left it there so they could go to see the baby in one car. so it was so good to see them on birthday also.

The Lord blesses us with so many good things and gives us so much and we need to be so thankful.  May the Lord be with each one of you this week and may you be a witness for him as he shines through you.

Again Thank you for the prayers that you pray for Noreen and I and if I did not tell you before I have an M.R.I. on the 25 th. of May for my left hip so I would value them for that upcoming date. God bless for now.   Gordon and Noreen.

Thanks for the suggestion, Larry.  When Curtis gets home I will have him add that link for me.  He, Mark and their dad all went to Las Vegas to a car wash show.  I think they were to get home tonight.

Darrel got the sutures out of his eyelids and is doing fine.  He still has some discoloration and some swelling, but is looking better each day.

I'm going to turn in early again tonight.  Had another "J" night last night and am feeling it.