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Let's face it–anxiety or worry have no advantages!  They ruin our health, rob us of joy, and change nothing!  Our day stands no chance against the terrorists of the Land of Anxiety.

But Christ offers a worry-bazooka.  Remember how He taught us to pray?  "Give us this day our daily bread. Matthew 6:11"  This simple sentence unveils God's provision plan:  live one day at a time.

Worry gives small problems big shadows.  Corrie ten Boom said, "Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength."   And Romans 8:28 affirms: "Every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good."

Most anxiety stems, not from what we need, but from what we want.  Philippians 4:4 says, "delight yourselves in the Lord, yes, find your joy in Him at all times!"

If God is enough, you'll always have enough!

Good morning, from the Oregon coast.  It is a beautiful Sunday morning here and I am really enjoying it.

Yes, Etta Sue, I hate that C word too!     Marilyn, Michelle has really been tested with this ... four times, already.  You have to know I will be praying for the whole family.  You, as well, have really been hit hard with the deaths of your friends and now this visited upon your pastor's wife.  Yup, that could tend to lead to depression.   

Thanks for the devotional, Jeanne Lee ... I have always enjoyed Max Lucado's writings.

Hoping y'all have a truly wonderful Sunday ... trouble and pain free ... rejoice in the day the Lord has made.

Hi everyone.  Just finished lunch and have laid down to rest but wanted to check in for today.  I did make it to church this morning but think I have about used up my supply of energy for today.  Before I went to church I finished up the work related to first of the month bill paying and the related record keeping.  For the last two or three years Pat has taken care of this but just isn't feeling up to doing it. I watched several of the football games yesterday.  I was happy that Georgia won.  

Etta Sue, I noticed gas was $3.89 when I came back from church.  It seems to go up every day.  I think you will find that 8/12ths of 2012 have passed.  You have lost a month somewhere. 

Marilyn,  such sad news regarding your pastor's wife. I will be praying for her as I do for all of those here in need of prayer.

Al, it sounds like you have a good idea.  Is it a small congregation?

Jeanne, thanks for the devotional thoughts for this week.

Hi Everyone!

It's a lovely day here in Guelph.  Went to church this morning and made it home and now want to rest!  I haven't heard from Paul today.  He drove south yesterday to get ready for his brother coming from Oregon on the 18th and what he has to do is heavy work I can't help with so I will travel south after Sept. 10 (physiotherapy) and have a good time visiting with Peter.  I'll be in the kitchen making meals and tidying up and Paul can do the other stuff. 

Thanks for the devotional today, Jeanne.

I must have missed a post somewhere, and was wondering who Michele was.  Now I read it is Marilyn's pastor's wife.  Prayers for Michele.  And I also hate that dreadful C word!

Al, I pray your "improv" sermon was wonderful and led to a fruitful discussion.  And it kept your mind off your troubles for a while, too, right? 

Our Youth pastor preached this morning, and it was a nice change.

John brought Beth to church this morning, and several who had seen her during this past week commented on how good she looked today.  Praise God!

My eyelids are getting heavy, as I had one of those "J" nights last night.

There are two couples singing out at Country View Baptist church tonight and we plan to go listen to them.

See you good folks later!

Hello Pat!!  Always good to have a post from you!  We must chat again soon!

Yes, Janet!  Time for another "catch up" via telephone! 

Prayers for the pastor's wife concerning the vile "C".  Praying that the test results are still in early stage.

Al:  I like your idea of a close fellowship this morning and am sure that your message was well taken. 

Well, I tried it - the close group this morning.  The main problem, as I knew it would be, was that a number of the people didn't say anything.  But a few did, so it was some good some not.  If I could do it everu week for a while I think it would work better.  But at least it gave everyone some hing to think about.  And I think everyome is at least aware that "church" is much more than a one-man show every week.

Quote from: Al Moak on September 02, 2012, 09:02:30 PM
And I think everyome is at least aware that "church" is much more than a one-man show every week.

AMEN!!!   So many people think that it is a one-man show!

Wish I could have been there, Al.

God bless you.

Good for you, Al...

Need something different to "renew the soul--thinking after the discussion is over..

Sounds like I would have enjoyed..

You have so much knowledge in the word and always loved your bible studies over the years that you posted..

Hi everyone.  Just back from McDonald's where we only had three of us in attendance this morning.  They had a light business so far on this holiday and there basically was no traffic this morning, which was really nice.  I got up feeling better this morning than I have in several weeks and sure hope it continues as is an omen that things are balancing out.  Nothing on the schedule for today other than I have a meeting to attend this evening.  My usual Monday men's luncheon is taking today off as we found meeting on a holiday isn't a good idea.

Pat, nice to see your posting.  I also made it to church yesterday morning as had missed last week.  Pat still isn't ready to get out to church and had a pretty miserable day yesterday with her bad hip.  Hope Paul had a good trip back to Virginia.

Janet, nice to read that Beth was up to attending church with John yesterday and is looking better. 

Al, we have the same lack of participation in our weekly Bible study as some folks never say a thing.  However, there are some of us who do speak up or ask questions (guess who one of those might be). 

Joyce, nice to see your posting today. 

We spent yesterday delivering 2 boxes of clothes to Ottawa for the fire victims.  Didn't get to meet up with them however the younger sister lives 10 minutes away from Steve and Ina, John's cousins.  We had a wonderful visit with the cousins, full of laughter and discussion.  The visit was long overdue.

After driving a round trip of over 500 miles we were tired and glad to be home. 

I am taking today off to get other things done.  Have a great weeked folks!

I haven't been lazy...just now getting here!  Actually I spend an hour or so this morning doing Bible study.  Our Sunday School teacher is a retired minister and we are enjoying discussions of the Bible rather than a structured Bible School lesson.  This Sunday we discussed the Book of Ruth.  (Kind of like Al's sermon...Larry has a bad back so sits in our circle)  Next week our assignment is to find out who are Christians; what do Christians do; and who/what is the Church?  I love my NLT Application Bible.  I ended up typing almost 3 pages on the two subjects with Bible verses. 

I was going to ask Ivalou to go somewhere for lunch today but she called to say she was going to her son's house.  So I decided to go fill the car up with gas...$3.85.9 a gallon.  Then I went to the Dollar General and to Subway.  I brought home a Veggie Delight for lunch. 

Tomorrow morning I have a fasting blood draw at 9am.  Why am I thinking of everything that I shouldn't eat? 

I finished another Chemo Wrap last evening and started another one.  I have some recipe's for our church recipe book to proof read.  And I am just taking things a little at a time.  Do not Labor on Labor Day!!

And thanks Larry...it is 2/3rds of 2012 over now!

Judy, that's so wonderful!  I'm so happy you did that trip to Ottawa.  What a long journey but your efforts will be appreciated so much I'm sure.  Again, thank you!


Hi Larry...  I'm glad you're feeling a lot better.  I'm sorry that Pat had a rough day though.


Hello Joyce!  Glad to see you in here.

Hi Etta Sue!  You posted while I was posting.

I love the thought of these chemo wraps.  What a wonderful mission you are taking part in!!

I went to the S/nipped Spay and Neuter clinic this morning to pickup an application for volunteer work. That is not a mistake int he way I spelled S/nipped  that is their logo. I am looking forward to doing some work there a few hours every week.

We also went grocery shopping this morning and boy oh boy you sure can't get much for the amount of $$$ we spent.We also put gas in Keith's Camaro at $4.02 per gallon.

I am trying to talk Keith into letting me take the Camaro to California  this weekend when I go. It gets better gas mileage than my old car, the radio works where mine doesn't and it looks a lot better than my old car.

Michele  was in Oregon for her Dr appointment, her mother made the appointment went to Ca and brought her to OR. She will have her surgery in Eureka Ca. soon, I am not sure just when.

Hi Marilyn...  What is this S/nipped Spay and Neuter clinic?  A place for animals?


I'm driving to Virginia next week and hopefully the gas won't be too high.

Pat it is a spay and neuter clinic for cats and dogs, the do a lot of feral cats that are trapped fixed then released, they also do rescues before they are adopted. It is a special program they have in Oregon. They bring in cats from other counties too.

Thanks Marilyn.  So, you would be a volunteer and not get paid?

Al:  Your idea of having the small group meeting sounds so nice - we have always loved small group meetings at church.  Glad your first time went so well.

Pat:  Nice to see you in here.  What is happening with you?  Soon to drive south? 

Larry:  How nice that you have a day of feeling better but sorry to read that Pat isn't feeling up to par yet.

We will be away for quite some time visiting in the state of Washington - all packed & have the rain gear for the islands just in case.  Leaving Wednesday & checking where the fires are if any require bypass driving - we expect the gas to be sky high because now Washington loves to tax and tax the gasoline. 

Please do not send any forwarded stuff - my inbox gets jammed and I won't have time to check mail daily.  Really, you would not believe how many friends are forwarding stuff - sorry, am feeling so overwhelmed now. 

Hi Carol!

I hope you have a wonderful trip!  How long will you be away?  I think of you and hubby every day as I write with a wonderful pen!!!

I will be driving south after Sept. 10 (physio that day) and Paul's brother, Peter, is arriving from Oregon on Sept. 18 for several days.  Paul has gone south as he has some things to do before Peter's arrival which I can't really help with while I'm recuperating from this shoulder surgery.

Hi everyone.  I awoke to a cloudy morning with chance of more rain.  I just went out to bring the garbage can back up to the house and there is a light mist.  It all missed us yesterday.  I slept in until 8 am this morning and enjoyed it.  I had stayed up late watching the Virginia Tech/Georgia Tech football game, which came down to a very thrilling ending with Virginia Tech winning in overtime.  I had an email from our friends who recently moved up to north Georgia and is fighting the prostate cancer.  He has a doctor's appointment down here this morning and they will call us when he is finished and we plan on meeting them for lunch.  That is the only thing on the schedule as far as I know for today. I had the best day yesterday that I have had in the last several weeks as didn't have the feeling of exhaustion all day long.

Judy, 500 miles driven in one day is a lot of miles.  Glad you have been able to deliver the clothing and also visit with relatives.

Etta Sue, sounds like you have a great Bible School class and it sounds a bit like our Wednesday Bible study that our minister conducts.  I have been missing it as Pat has her PT at the same time as the class meets. 

Marilyn, it sounds like that would be the type of volunteer work that you would enjoy as you would be working with or around animals.  I agree on the grocery shopping.  A few days ago I had to pay over $1 for each apple I purchased. 

Pat, the gas has come down a few cents in our area in the last couple of days.  However, it was still $3.89 yesterday.

Carol, hope you all have a great trip to Washington.  That is a beautiful state. 

We had lots of rain in the night.  I spent over an hour last evening watering my roses and the zucchini plants and tomato plants and then the rain came!  So they have lots of water now!

I heard yesterday from our sister-in-law and she had been camping up on the shores of Lake Superior for awhile with her son and his family.  They pulled two trailers--one for her and one for her son's family.  Anyway, they made it home in one day--a distance of 850 km  one way!!!  That's a long way pulling those trailers.  She had a lovely time and their campsite was in a wonderful place to view sunsets on Lake Superior each night.  I miss camping.  I love it so much.

Enjoy your lunch with your friends, Larry. 

After fasting for over 12 hours and drinking lots and lots of water, I went to the doctor's office.  Marla was the nurse.  She never tried to get my blood before so I thought I would give her a chance.  Right arm at the elbow...she got blood and then it stopped.  Left arm at the elbow...nothing.  She got Cathy.  Cathy is usually a whiz at getting my blood.  She tried a different spot on my right arm at the elbow...nothing.  Then she tried the back of my right hand...nothing.  They printed out a paper for me to take to the hospital and have my blood drawn at the lab.  It has moved.  You go in the ER entrance...walk down this long hallway and register at the Radiology area.  Then you walk down another long hallway to the Lab.  A woman named Suntel...she was Middle Eastern...beautiful gal stuck me in a different spot on the left arm...nothing!  She got Stephanie!  She said, I will get you!  (Yall, right!)  She stuck me in the back of my left hand.  Voila!  Success!!  And I didn't even feel the prick!  Six times and finally success!  From now on when I need blood drawn, I am going to insist I go to the hospital lab.

Then the rehab center is next to the hospital so I went to the pool.  I kept looking at all my sticks to see if I was bleeding or not but I didn't.  I exercised for an hour.

Then back to the hospital to take a Chemo Wrap at the main entrance.

I felt like then I needed a treat!  After dieting for 3 months and being stuck 6 times I ate 2 scrambled eggs, 2 sausage patties, hash browns, 2 pancakes with peanut butter and syrup and 2 cups of coffee!  Yum!

Now I am ready to head to the front bedroom with my book and hopefully a nap!

Pat yes I will be working as a volunteer and I start this afternoon in recovery. I will be monitoring cats as the come out of surgery until they are awake enough to be taken to a cage to await pickup.

Etta sue it is really a chore for them to get blood from me as well. The last two time I had the same person who had trouble. I  would rather have someone whom I know can get it on the first stick and not be digging around in my arm trying to find the vein.

Pat:  Don says that it is nice of you to mention the pen.  He keeps up with his hobby and now wants to make a pepper grinder for me.  He also made a ripper and a thing to keep fabric in place while sewing as well as a stylus with a rubber tip for me to type on the iPad.  So glad that you are doing better - be careful with your shoulder.  You might be interested that we are heading towards Laramie and then west just like you drove to our place only we will go in the morning.  We are taking our time to head to Newport, OR and then up the coast.    You mentioned Lake Superior and Don is from Duluth so we know the lake quite well, at least on the MN side.  You should see it in January!

Larry:  I am looking forward to my old places so much - my only regret is missing this month of women's bible study & then come back to dr. appointments for Don and myself.  Oh, well.  Can't be helped. 

Our neighbor had us over for a super Scandinavian dinner once again.  She loves to cook the old recipes and we love to eat the memory foods.  Lefse , pickled herring, swedish meatballs and so forth - it was so good.  I don't think anyone else in the neighborhood would appreciate it as much as us. 

Marilyn, enjoy your volunteer work.  I hope it goes well for you.

Carol, my daughter used to live in Nolalu which is about 50 miles or so west of Thunder Bay but as the crow flies it's only about 30 miles from the USA border!  When I visited her, we used to drive down to Duluth often.  Sometimes we went through Canada but many times we went through the northern peninsula of Michigan and along the southern shore of Lake Superior.  It's so lovely.  That's actually the way Paul and I went to Oregon last year as we wanted to see the source of the Mississippi River.  I hope you'll be able to keep in touch with us on your trip--at least a few times. 


Etta Sue, I feel so bad for you that you have trouble with your veins.  I have such an easy time donating blood.

Etta Sue, OUCH!  I never have a problem, in fact I'm usually told "You have good veins."

Marilyn, wishing you success with your new volunteer job.  Sounds like just the thing for you with your love for animals.

I worked from 1-4:15 and they were still doing  a few more kitties, I really like the work there and it is so rewarding to know we are saving lives. I worked in Recovery, the females take longer to come around. Surgery on the males only takes 5 minutes and they come around much quicker. We have to be very careful with the feral cats as they can be awfully mean. So we wrap them in a towel before they come around. WE keep them all nice an warm with Rice heating bags wrapped in a towel and covered with a blanket. They are still intubated when we get them so as soon as the can swallow we take out the tube. i learned how to clip the ear to mark the Ferals it is so easy. Just clip a forceps to the tip trim the tip of the ear off with scissors and cauterize it. I will work 3 days per week except for next week when they are working the weekend instead of in the middle of the week. I will work on the following Monday. I really like this job.

Etta Sue that was not fun.  They had that problem with me the last time I had blood works done.

I am at Tim Hortons with a decaf tea and waiting patiently for Kassie to finish with her driving test.  I think I am more nervous than she is...John is waiting at the examination centrer.  I am taking advantage of the high speed internet!

We were in the bush yesterday cutting down trees for the winter.  This is becoming quite a job, we are getting older and taking trees down is getting harder.

Pat hope Physio goes well today.  Enjoy your trip to VA, and keep your shoulder down don't let it tense up!

Have a great day folks!