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Morning Devotional...



I have been thinking of the word "replicate".   In the Star Trek series we see the captain speak, and out comes a cup of earl grey tea from the replicator.  It is just like the real thing.  A copy or perhaps you could call it a clone of the real thing.

Dictionary Definition.
replicate;  duplicate, reduplicate, double, repeat,  make or do or perform again;

What has that to do with Christianity?

We are to replicate the love of God! We are coming up on Valentines day, but, our love should show every day of our lives, not just to our sweetheart, but to all the family of believers, the church.

When we think of the word love we often go to the book of 1 Corinthians chapter 13 and read the love chapter..  

This gives up the guidelines on how we are to act as we love.  

Love is patient,  kind. Love doesn't envy, doesn't boast, isn't proud. Love isn't rude, isn't self-seeking, isn't easily angered. Love doesn't hold a grudge, doesn't delight in evil, BUT rather Love rejoices in the truth. Love protects, trusts, hopes, And always always perseveres.

That is a difficult list of items for us to copy or replicate in our behavior. I know how easy it is to snap and be unkind. Yet this is how our Lord loves us. As we draw nearer to Him we will find that we become more loving.  I enjoy working on word studies.  As I took each word in that list I found out just how hard it was to become more loving in my own strength.  We need His love flowing through us to be able to love others.

John 13:34 NIV
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

This is not just a suggestion from our Lord, but rather a command.  We cannot just love this person and dislike another. We are to love each other. That is the command.

As we come across people that are hard, brash and generally unlovable, let us pray that our Lord's love for that person flow through us as we cannot love them in our own strength.

Father, teach me to love as you have loved me.  Flow through me and let your love shine through me.

Great devotional, Judy.  And a wonderful hymn!

So true...not always easy to show love and kindness.  But we need to remember that those who are the most unlovable are the ones who need love most.  That presents us with a real challenge!

We are home from church, I worked before church, now have a pizza in the oven.  Soon after we eat, I will be heading out to drive my sister to Pratt.  It is wet and misty here, but not freezing at this time, and I hope it doesn't start.  The snow is to come later this evening, so we should be there before the snow gets going.

I am taking my laptop, but do not know if I will have internet access.

Have a blessed week, friends.

Thanks for the Thoughts for this week, Judy.  Truly, this is not something we can do in ourselves .... It has to be Jesus in me.

Love that song, too. 

JudyB:  Thank you for devotions and I always enjoy when someone mentions our commands to do the very right thing.  We can never have enough hints on how we must live.  The puppies must be so much fun for you and I know you will miss them but not all the work that comes with so many around. 

Janet:  Thank heaven you had "The Procedure" and especially thankful that all went so well with you.  The doctor that had so many mishaps should not be allowed to practice medicine.

We are home - our daughter & son-in-law arrive later today but we left the new puppy and all in very capable hands of our granddaughter.  The puppy revealed her true personality yesterday &  I began calling her "Terror" or Terrorist.  She had to be calmed down about every 30 seconds and I am so tired.  It was funny but she did tear open an entire doggie blanket & junk all over the garage floor.  My daughter's garage is so different than a normal one.  They have nailed huge rugs on the walls and the back of the garage door has hundreds on indentations - all from being hit by hockey pucks.  You cannot imagine unless you live with it -

We have a little bit of snow - not even an inch of snow.  I sent a quilt top in for being quilted by a big machine so that is a really good feeling of relief - I will do the final finishing when it is ready. 

Thank you Judy,

The world would be a different place altogether if we all practiced Loving one another, especially those who are hard to Love.

We have a beautiful new grandaughter. Born on 6/2/10. Alia. Our second grand child. A "pigeon pair" now.

love to all from Geoff T in Adelaide South Australia. I think it's going to be hot here again today.

geofft:  Congratulations on the new & beautiful granddaughter.  Now you have a "pigeon pair".  What does that mean?  Do they live close to you?  I think she was born on Feb. 6th, as you might reverse the dates as those in Europe follow - is that correct? 

It is still snowing a little here without much accumulation.  The furnace is being replaced tomorrow, in the nick of time. 

Well, the Super Bowl is over.  As Peyton said in the after interview, 'The Saints won because they played a better game.'  Glad the Saints won their first Super Bowl.  The Souper Bowl Party at church was fun.  Probably 30 or more people.  Lots of soup, snacks, veggies, dessert and pop to drink.  We had two HD 42" TV's to watch and plenty of room for everyone.  I came home at the half....the talking was getting to me...not used to anyone talking while the TV is on. 

Today was therapy for Ivalou, then WalMart and then Steak and Shake.  Tonight is Photo Guild.  We are to get 4-8" of more snow tonight or tomorrow!! 

Think Spring!!!

Etta Sue:  Talking while the game is on --- that has to be illegal   

We lost our furnace this afternoon and tomorrow is the day we are getting a new one installed.  The company is sending over several space heaters and I have two going right now as well as the basement fireplace so it isn't bad in here at all.  Our timing is pretty good. 

Carol, that's great that your furnace held out just long enough and that you have alternatives available while you want for the new one.   

Hi Carol, still hot here in Adelaide.38 degrees which is above 100 in your measurements. Thanks for your thoughts. Alia  is beautiful and I would post a picture but I am wary of doing such on the internet. i might put one briefly on my blog.She was born on the 6th february.Americans do a lot of things a bit differently and vice versa.  A "pigeon pair" is used in Australia to mean one child of each sex and is usually said of parents when they have a new son or daughter to compliment their 1st child.Greetings again to everyone else.We have a "pigeon pair' of Grandchildren.A lot of young people in Australia wouldn't know what it meant either.Greetings again to all on the forum.Recently did a weddinfg and bought a new pentax kx digital slr. Great camera but eats up batteries.Will aslo post a few pics on my blog. Will send blog link again when I have done so.Keep looking to Jesus. geoff t

Hi everyone.  I had a very busy and crazy day yesterday and didn't make it here to read.  We are suppose to get more rain starting a little later this morning.  At least it isn't snow.  I have a friend who lives close to Washington, D.C. and he has been keeping me advised of the snow battles in his area.  They are now expecting up to another 10 inches of snow on top of all that they have. 

Judy, thanks for the devotional.  It was a good one.

Geofft, congrats on the new grandchild.  That is always an exciting time in a family. 

Carol, that is what I call getting the last drop of usage out of the furnace.  Hope they get the new one installed today.

Etta Sue, our church has a souper bowl event as well but it is where the youth collect funds to contribute to those needing food.  This year they were designating the collection to our local food bank.  We have great needs in our area.  Yesterday I heard that last month our county had 2100 foreclosures on mortgages and many people are out of work. 

Janet, hope you will find Internet access in Pratt.  How long will you be staying there? 

I am trying to hold off the early signs of a cold.  So far, so good. 

Time to head for coffee at McDonald's.

We're voting  now, for Mini Challenge #41~DETAILS, DETAILS.  Choose your favorite FIFTEEN and then click on the "Submit" button.  Some really great macro and close-up photos!

http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=9433.0

Rushing around this morning but I had to come in here and check on everyone.

Larry:  Sending you cyber chicken soup.

Jeanne:  We slept well last night even though temp went to zero outside.  Oh, I just was reminded of the many who slept outside and it is so sad for the homeless and people without jobs. 

Geofft:  Thank you for that information.  We have a pigeon pair and two extra boys - the last one is named Matthew which means "Gift from God".  Of course that applies to all of the children, who are now adults, but especially to our last child.  Enjoy your gifts. 

No TV!  Super Bowl night, I watched HD TV and the football field was kelly green.  I came home and my TV showed the field being avocado green or olive green.  So I adjusted the TV color settings and finished watching the game.  When I turned off the TV, I noticed the blue light on the satellite receiver turned off but I thought, sometimes it does that. 

Yesterday afternoon, I couldn't get the satellite TV to turn on!  I pressed every button on the remote...nothing.  Made sure it was on the right TV channel.  Nothing.  Unplugged it all and plugged it back in...nothing.   Finally called DirecTv and finally got to talk to a person....grrrr!  She had me to do the same things I had already done...nothing.  So we re-formatted.  Was going to be 2 hours and I had to leave so left with the TV on and formatting. 

I came home from Guild and nothing!  I called back DirecTv and now a tech is coming tomorrow afternoon with a new DVR receiver!  But I can watch my old DVD's this afternoon!!!  The tech was in Denver and he said they don't have much snow at all there!!  That was said during our small talk while the satellite was doing something that failed.  I thought of Carol while talking to him.

Ivalou says I can get into the weirdest problems.  I told her that's because I have so many electronics and for electronics to be reliable, the sometimes are un-reliable!   

We didn't get the snow that was predicted...yeah!!  Prediction was 4-8" with strong winds.  We got maybe an inch and no wind!  God is good!  I have already swept/shoveled a path to the driveway! 

Hi All,

Computer totally crashed last week.  Just getting set up with a new one.

So upsetting because I wasn't sure if I lost all my company's accounting files (not very good)
I know I am suppose to back up each day but don't. so I can only blame myself.
But Praise the Lord, my computer got on for about two hours last week and I backed up as much as I could then and it worked.
Business files were saved now I just have to start loading back other work files and I will be ok

I had a Dell Inspiron for over 8 years with no problems until it "crashed totally and burn"  ----Way to expensive to fix , I have a friend who free lancing and he couldn't even get it to go on.... So back to dell to order another... Dell provides all of the discs that I installed so I always have them if I have to re-installed everything again.


My doggie is not eating and losing weight--she has always been so healthy,no problems ever. She's a 13 yr. old English Setter and acts like a "lively puppy"  --vet is checking everything now...

I will be looking in but not much writing for awhile to I get set up.

Hello from pretty Pratt, Kansas.  I tried to get on yesterday, no luck, but a nice young man got me set up today.   

We had a lovely snow here on Sunday night.  About three inches or so, no wind, so it stacked up on every surface, so beautiful.  I took photos! 

Jeanie is doing really well, up walking and doing leg exercises.  They told her she is drinking TOO MUCH water!  Seems it depletes your potassium and sodium.  We do not know yet when she will be released and we can go home.  I am glad I was available to help my sister.  (Just call me Etta Sue!  )

I am privileged and blessed to be staying with dear friends here who used to live in Ulysses.  They have been friends of ours for many years, and we are having such a nice visit.  God is good!

Congrats on the new grandchild in Australia!  They are such a blessing and joy.

Pounding and cutting into concrete sounds have been coming from the basement all day.  Am afraid to look..  My quilt group is meeting tonight and Don had a coupon for I-Hop but we won't have the time to go there, I think.  I can barely think.

Etta Sue:  So, you thought of me while talking to the Denver tech.  I live just SW of the city, it is a big area that was a massive ranch before being developed - progress they say.  Actually, we love the church and really do like our neighbors & closer to the boys so it has been a sweet move for us.  You sure keep up with electronics.  It took me almost three days to learn how to load a simple iPod.  

Janet:  How nice for you to visit with friends as well as take care of your sister.  You are blessed to have a sister. Prayer for her recovery.  

oops, just found out that they will be back tomorrow to install the humidifier - we could do that part itself but why when they will come back.  It is my bible study day so Don will have to sit here alone.  Speaking of - our good friend was stranded in Chicago at O'Hare until very late last night while his wife sat at the Tucson airport for over 6 hours.  Lucky to get out of there.  

Joyce:  Nice to see you posting.  Sorry that you had such a shock and I am glad that all turned out well.  We don't need scarey things like that happen. 

1.     The Goodness of God

2.     thy God in vain.

3.     He heareth us.

4.     present help in trouble.

5.     therewith to be content.

6.     He that hath mercy

7.     himself friendly.

8.     to repentance.

9.     that they may see your good works

10.   the thoughts of man.

Have fun.

Hi everyone.  It is cold here this morning and we saw a few flakes of snow this morning.  Now the sun is shining.  I went to coffee but decided to pass on Bible study today as the room is often cold and I am trying to fight off a cold.  So far that seems to be working pretty well.  Just a touch of a sore throat and an occasion cough but not significant.  I want to be able to attend choir practice this evening.

Cold here, too, Larry.  What else is new.   And it's snowing, quite heavy, for the first time in weeks.  Guess it's our turn now.     Actually, that's good.  We need a good snow pack, especially in the mountains, to feed the water table for next summer.  (If it ever gets here!)

Snow!  Snow!  Go away!  Come again another YEAR!  I kind of changed the words but I am sure you get my meaning.

More snow and wind last night.  Today therapy is at 2pm.  So I have already shoveled a path on the deck to the drive.  I drove my car up and down my drive and Ivalou's drive several times.  Drifts on the west side proably 3+ feet high!  But it is a light snow this time.  Now to decide whether to drive my car to Ivalou's and go to therapy or to walk to Ivalou's and drive hers to therapy. 

I had to change my DirecTV tech appointment to Thursday afternoon since I thought therapy was this morning.  And the tech is to call so if I am still at Class Luncheon, I can hurry home!

It was fun watching old movies on VHS yesterday!

Okay, that's it!  Gotta run!! 

I had my post almost done when this machine decided to shut down and upload new configurations.  Bah.  

It is overcast and cold here in Pratt today.  Jeanie continues doing well.  We are ready to go home, me, especially, as I'm not good at all this sitting around.  They say maybe tomorrow.

Judy, what in the world do you mean by the address??  Do you mean the Bible reference, as in book, chapter and verse?

I want to take my friends with whom I am staying, out to supper tonight.  She said they will if she gets things done in time.  Her washer bit the dust and she was going out to purchase a new one, plus other errands.  She has been feeding me entirely too much.  Why is it that food tastes so much better when someone else cooks it?

Not really any news from here, and I haven't even watched TV for several days.  Good I have this laptop to use up some time!

Carol, actually, I still have three sisters--Doris, Shirley and Jeanie.  The sister just two years older than me was killed in a car accident when she was only 28.  Sisters are a blessing.  I'm glad I wasn't an only child-----I think.  

Janet yes that is the address....Book chapter and verse!

Okay, let's see if I've got this correct.

1.   The Goodness of God

Ps. 52:1 ...The goodness of God endureth continually.

2.     thy God in vain.

Ex. 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain:

3.     He heareth us.

1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.

4.     present help in trouble.

Ps 46:1 God is our refuge and strength,a very present help in trouble.

5.     therewith to be content.

Phil. 4:11 ...I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

6.     He that hath mercy

Prov. 14:21 ... he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he

7.     himself friendly.

Prov. 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly;

8.     to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9 .... That all should come to repentance.

9.     that they may see your good works

Matt. 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

10.   the thoughts of man.

Ps. 94:11 The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man ...

Quote from: geofft on February 07, 2010, 05:01:11 PM

We have a beautiful new grandaughter. Born on 6/2/10. Alia. Our second grand child. A "pigeon pair" now.

Right on Jane!!!

Quote from: JudyB on February 10, 2010, 10:42:54 PM
Right on Jane!!!

Thanks, Judy... I really wanted to wait and let someone else come in with the answers but... patience is not always one of my virtues.   

 
Congratulations Jane!
I was up to four answers..... I was so glad to see your post, as I'm working today and I needed to get to bed!!

Jane, that's great!   

 

That's a kitty in Indiana today!  Not really but if a kitty were outside, that would be the kitty!  It is cold and no predictions of above freezing in the forecast!

Yes, Janet!  Everyone needs a sister!  And a brother but nothing is like having a sister!  Don't want my mind to wrap around not having my sister with me.

Today is my class luncheon.  I have looked outside and it seems it stopped blowing after I got home yesterday and I can still see my car tracks in the snow.  God is good.  I read on Facebook someone saying they disliked all the snow and cold.  Someone else said the snow is God's painting.  Then the first said, I just wished God would paint in warmer weather!  Do I hear an AMEN?

This no TV stuff let's me get things done that needs to be done.  I was up until after midnight working on the 'pages' to print and put into the class Memory Book that we want to give to everyone in May.  Now they are all uniform with the same font, justify, and format.  Whew!  Why couldn't I remember all that when I made a new 'page'?

Bright and sunny with not a cloud in the sky! 

I forgot to let you all know that Lauren needs prayers.  Lauren is the 22 year old granddaughter of Ivalou's that had the bi-lateral mastectomy in September and is undergoing aggressive chemo.  She is receiving her last aggressive chemo today and then goes on Herceptin for a year and a half.  She has been told that her hair will grow back and that she won't be sick after the every three weeks treatment. 

But my prayer request is that the doctor told Lauren Tuesday that she should have her ovaries removed since the type of cancer that she had attacks the female reproductive organs as well.  This is entirely up to Lauren so pray that she makes the right choice for her and her body.  I just can't imagine facing what she has faced and will face at her age!

Thank you Christian friends!

We get to go home today!!  Yea!!   They say around "noonish."  So I will be home this afternoon.  It is about a 2 1/2 hour drive, and we must stop once every hour and let Jeanie walk around a bit.

Aw, poor Lauren.    It will be hard for her to make that choice, I would think.  I will keep her in my prayers.

My friend Bonnie, with whom I am staying, hurt her back yesterday.  She was trying to make things ready for the delivery of her new washer, and moved two heavy boxes of ceramic tile.  So she is going to the chiropractor this morning.

I just wanted to check in.  Now I will start packing up this ton of STUFF Jeanie brought.  (She walways takes ten times as much as she needs!)  And then I will make several trips down to the car and load it.

Back to work tomorrow for me.

Blessings to all of you here.  Let's see how many I can think of quickly--Larry, Etta Sue, Carol, Jeanie, Al, Jane, Judy, Gord, Pat, Ruth, Ruth, Juanita, Kevin,.....and the rest of you too!! 

Praying Etta Sue

Those Bible questions came from a Bible trivia game I have had since I was in my teens.

Elizabeth skipped off the last 2 periods of school on Monday.  Today she has a 3 day in school suspension.  Got a text on my cell from her saying she is hating the suspension......My response is "Good!  Don't do that again!"

I have to go feed the fire, I will be back later!

I'm so sorry to read that about Lauren, Etta Sue.  Thanks for the update.

Hi everyone.  Just checking in this evening as it has been a busy day.  I won't go into details but all went well. 

We are suppose to get snow here tomorrow and it doesn't take much to create a bit of havoc here. 

Janet, glad you were able to go home today.

Etta Sue, so sorry to hear of the decision that your niece will have to make.  A tough decision for someone so young.

Thank you Pat for the congratulations re the birth of our little grandaughter Alia. Mum and dad and baby are all home now.Dad is a lot more nervous about caring for his daughter than her mother. I'm still trying to coach my mum about her name. She thought it was Italia or Talia.

geoff t   in Oz.

   Larry

I wish you a Very Happy & Blessed Birthday.



Having done my computer stuff - soon I will be headed out to do some errands and perhaps have a cup of      along the way.

Ruth

Thanks for the prayers for Lauren.  She got her last big chemo yesterday so she will crash for a little over a week.  Then she has to make her big decision. 

I got a new DVR satellite receiver.  He said the other one was certainly faulty after I told him a few things that I didn't like about the old one.  He said the new one will be much better.  At least it programs the same and I don't have to learn a new version. 

Kaye Don and Barb are in from Florida.  Ivalou, them and I are going out for lunch in Lapel. 

I woke up this morning to the most beautiful hoar frost I think I have ever seen!!!  Each twig is about 2" diameter with the beautiful white stuff!  I was going from window to window and taking photos.  Now it is falling off the limbs and the sunshine is giving all of it a sparkly show. 

Off and running.  Kaye Don just drove in the drive!

Thank you all for the Birthday wishes.  I really appreciate them and am so happy to have reached another birthday.  Our daughter was planning on coming out tomorrow but we will have to see what the weather does and may postpone it until another weekend. 

I just plan to stay in where it is warm unless Pat decides she doesn't want to cook this evening and we go out to eat.  It is suppose to start snowing here later this afternoon.  I heard this morning that all 50 states have snow falling somewhere in the state and it is the first time in recorded history this has been noted.

 
My son and three friends...  are coming tonight for the long weekend, so I have been a little busy     




Larry

Larry, I am so glad God gave us the gift of YOU, and that you have reached another birthday.  I hope you enjoy each minute of it, and will be around for more of them.........as many as you want!



I worked this morning, and she said I don't have to work this weekend after all.  I am happy about that.  I'm supposed to go paint tomorrow.

Janet's message is also my message to you, Larry.\
-Al

What a terrible accident for the Georgia team.  My prayers are with them.

Janet ...... Good that you are off for the weekend.

Etta Sue .....Continuing to pray.

Ruth V Have a great time with your son and friends.

Ruth G...... How is your brother.

Hi everyone. Thanks again for the kind birthday wishes.  It was a nice, if uneventful day, other than the snowstorm we had all late afternoon and evening.  The snow is now over for today and it is truly beautiful outside.  It is suppose to get above freezing around noon and warm up a bit this afternoon so the streets and walks should clear.  We are staying in until the streets are OK.  I don't even own a snow shovel and there is no place we have to be today.

Stacey had planned to come out this weekend but we decided yesterday to postpone that for another time.  The buses are not running in Atlanta today although the subway system is running.  Almost everything has been closed for today and activities planned have been cancelled. 

Yesterday Pat developed a new point of severe pain in her shoulder and right arm.  I am sure it must be the fibromyalgia as she hasn't done anything to cause it.  Last week it was her lower back, which now seems to have passed.  This is a strange disease.

Did you all enjoy the Olympics Opening Ceremonies last evening.  I thought they did a fine job.  However, it is way too long. The visual effects were really amazing. So sorry to hear of the fatality of the young athlete.

Another morning of hoar frost but not as pretty as yesterday.  If today had been first, it would have been beautiful but yesterday, God outdid himself!

Larry ~ You say you don't own a snow shovel.  Ha!  I own one but I only use it as little as possible.  Snow is heavy!  Like people around here say,
they like rain better.  You don't have to shovel rain! 

I remember being in Anniston, Alabama, when it snowed after Christmas.  Even Walmart and Kmart closed!  I had a Bearcat Scanner and heard them say that a sand truck was coming to 5-Points.  We were at 5-points where it turned into a parking lot because a sheet of ice was all over it.  Sure enough, here came the sand truck.  A pickup truck backing up with a man standing in the back shoveling out sand on the road!!  I will never forget that sight or the sight of people trying to walk on that ice and sliding off the road!

I stopped watching the Opening Ceremony right after Canada came in the stadium.  I was watching the recording so I will finish watching sometime today! 

Today Kaye Don, Barb, Ivalou and I are going to Kaye Don and Barb's granddaughter, Jenna and Nick's wedding reception.  Jenna got out of the Navy in December.  Nick is making a career of the Navy.  He got in last Friday and they got married Feb 9 at the county clerks office.  But they are having a reception today at a nice restaurant.  Like so many others today, they got things backwards.  Nick goes back to Bahrain March 5th.  Jenna will have their son, Colt Dylan, in June.  In July Nick is coming back to the U.S. and then all three will go to Hawaii for his next location.  Road trip!!!

I read on Facebook someone said that the only state in the U.S. without snow was Hawaii.  I have been to Hawaii three times..all in January...and on the Big Island there was snow on top of Mauna Loa or Mauna Kea...whichever is in the middle of the island.  So I am with Larry...snow in every state in the U.S.!!

I am home from my painting day.  The car is acting up a lot worse than it was before we had it worked on.    Really bad.  I am glad I rode most of the way with my friend, as I am not sure our car would have gotten us there and back!

Beth called last night to tell me she wanted me to come take photos of her roses!  John sent her a dozen red roses with baby's breath; a box of fancy chocolates and a little bear.  He is so thoughtful.........Oh!  AND a really nice and mushy love note!    So I went by this afternoon on my way home and took pictures for her.  They were on the phone when I got there. 

We are going to attend a Valentine Banquet at the Country View Baptist church tomorrow night.  I am going to dress up in my nice outfit I got in Viet Nam, which I haven't worn yet.  I'm looking forward to it.

I haven't yet received a Valentine.....but I did send a few! 

Janet be sure to get a photo of you in your nice outfit.

Sorry that I have not been  around much lately but I really have been here reading and making a small comment now and then. I have been working on my PSP projects, animations lessons and some advanced type stationery  script changing lessons. I do still walk the dogs almost every day and today got in two nice long walks. The only days I don't walk is when it is raining   more than a little mist.

Keith's youngest son and his girlfriend  surprised us today, they were in town and stopped by for a bit. Two of my Grand daughters have contacted me on Facebook , one lives in North Carolina and the other  is now living in Venice, Florida. I have not seen them in about 17 years.  that sure brought some joy to my heart and is an answer to my  prayers. I have been praying for all 4 of those girls ever since I got saved. Praise God.  One of the 4 lives in California someplace and the other is the heroin addict and I am not sure where she is. This is the family that one of the girls committed suicide in 2003. Tina tells me that  the family is still traumatized  over that.

Hi everyone.  Am ready for church but still a couple of hours before time to leave.  Pat is not going today as she is in a lot of pain with a shoulder that has given her fits the last couple of days.  She says the pain is worse than what she had in her back.  She spent the day yesterday sitting in her chair with a heat pad to her shoulder most of the time and taking pain medication and tylonol.  She is not feeling any better today.  She is going to miss the annual Valentine's Day Senior luncheon at church.  She wants me to go as it will be a nice event.  Our church has done this for the seniors every year since we have belonged to the church.  It is a dress up affair so will be wearing my suit with a tie this morning.

Hope I will be able to sing.  In past years the choir has been composed of seniors but this year our director has decided there are too few seniors still able or willing to sing so has asked the regular choir to join with the available seniors this morning.  My cold seems better this morning and hope I will be able to sing and not have coughing fits during the singing or services today.

My son sent pictures of the snow in South Carolina.  They looked very much like our area yesterday morning.  The roads are now clear and a lot of the snow has melted.  However, we may be getting more snow tonight and tomorrow morning. 

Marilyn, I think Facebook and similar Internet tools have helped to bring families together in many instances.  It is a safe way to rebuild a relationship.  I can understand your excitement at this turn of events. 

Janet, I know that John has added great value to Beth's life.  It is nice he remembers her on the these special occasions.  Sorry to hear of your continued car problems.  When our trust in the dependability of a car is destroyed it is hard to restore.  Glad you were able to get your painting event.

Etta Sue, hope you enjoyed the reception. 

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone.  I did get Pat a card and a couple of cans of nuts.  She prefers those to candy. 

The reception was lots of fun.  Lots of mingling and visiting.  Wonderful seeing people you haven't seen for awhile.  A beautiful family, if I have to say so myself. 

I just got an email from a classmate asking if I had heard that the 2010 Commencement of Lapel High School had been changed from May 29 to June 5.  NO!!  That means we have to get reservations all changed in Brown County and our dinner on Friday night!  What a mess!  I did find out that Lapel High School has a website now so I sent an email to the lady that contacted me for my class addresses. 

I just got a call from Ivalou and she is going to church today.  Yeah! 

Another morning of hoar frost.  God is outdoing himself painting a pretty picture every morning with frost.  If it just wasn't so cold...

Etta Sue, if it wasn't so cold you wouldn't have the frost.   

A beautiful sunny day today and the temperature is heading UP!  My thermometer reads 30, but there's a wind chill that makes it feel like only 19.  Oh well.  That's better than having the actual temp at 19 with added wind chill.   

It is cold and windy here today.  I don't mind cold, but I dislike wind.

Larry, sorry that Pat is having such a time with her shoulder.  Give her my love, will you?  Did you get to sing today?  I know they miss your voice when you can't sing with them.  The Senior event sounds very nice, hope you enjoyed that, too.

Yep, the car is giving us fits.  Darrel went out and started it and listened to it a while; he says it sounds like the transmission is going out.  We thought about trading it off but he decided to have it repaired, and those guys really messed it up, big time.  What to do now?  That is the question.........

I think I will take a little nap before time to get ready for the valentine banquet.  I will probably need to press my clothes.

I hope you are all enjoying your Sunday afternoon!

Time to open our new Thoughts for the coming week!

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