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Morning Devotional...
October 30, 2011






Would you ever renounce your faith?
Arise, O Lord! Do not let mere mortals defy you! Let the nations be judged in your presence.
Make them tremble in fear, O Lord. Let them know they are merely human.

Psalm 9:19-20 NLT


Forty martyrs

"History knows them as the 40 martyrs of Sebaste. They were soldiers in the famed Twelfth Legion of Rome's imperial army, around A.D. 320. One day the captain informed his troops that Emperor Licinius had sent down an edict commanding all soldiers to offer a sacrifice to his pagan god. Forty of the soldiers were followers of Christ, and they refused.

The emperor decided to make an example of the soldiers, so he marched them onto a frozen lake and stripped them of their clothes. "Renounce your God and you will be spared from death," he told them. Not one man came forward. Throughout the night the men stayed together, singing their song of victory: "Forty Martyrs for Christ."

When morning came, 39 of the men had frozen to death. The one survivor recanted his confession of faith. The officer in charge that night had been so moved by the scene that during his watch he'd come to Jesus, so he broke rank and walked out onto the ice. Stripping his clothes he openly confessed his faith in Christ. He refused to renounce his new faith. When the ordeal was over, the Roman soldiers carried 40 frozen men off of the ice.

In comparison, my life is like a long night on a soft mattress. I may one day be faced with serious consequences for my faith. You may, too. Will we have the strength of character and heart and faith to stand strong just the same?"

from Embracing Eternity by Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins and Frank M. Martin (Tyndale) p 58

Judy, good thoughts today!  I did notice the date above says October 23, and today is the 30th.

We had a great service this morning.  Our new Youth pastor/Worship leader spoke, and what a beautiful, clear message!  Phil is only 23 years old, but already has so much wisdom.  I think he will accomplish much for the Kingdom!

Darrel is emptying the kitchen cabinets, at the moment, moving glasses.  So we will have tables loaded with dishes in the living room.....

Larry, I don't know how many rewrites/edits will be needed, but I want to finish as soon and as WELL as I can.  I spent 10 hours working on the book yesterday, still lots to do.  But it is coming.....

I wanted to work on the book today, but it seems Darrel wants to empty cabinets, so.........

Ivalou drove herself to church today and didn't go out to eat with us.  I hope Ivalou isn't addicted to therapy.  Seems that ever since she 'graduated' she has been having a lot of 'I don't feel good' days. 

The sermon today was on Surviving Hurt that others inflict upon you...from losing a job to loved ones saying something hurtful.  It really hit home with what I am going through lately.  I must pray about what to do the NEXT time words hurt me.  Then being hurt was talked about again in Sunday School.  I really needed church today!!

Three of us went to eat.  I even went to Dollar General afterwards and was home by 1:30.  That's early for church, Sunday School and eating out. 

Not sure what the rest of the day will bring.  I am not sleepy.  Maybe I could read and stay awake!

Larry The Duck beat the Cougars (Wash. st) 45-28 It was quite a good game.

Hi, friends, It's a warm, sunny day and a good one to be alive. I think I feel like carving a pumpkin today!



Love to all y'all,
Ruth Ann

No carving pumpkins here today - good luck with that job!

Larry:  Send Sunday sounds like a really nice program and with it being often on the calendar, people can participate when they are available. 

Don is changing a light bulb and reinstalling the automatic light in the garage overhead.  Ace had the correct bulb.  I put in three hours on genealogy and talked for an hour to cousin's husband.  Both have health problems right now.  Church, of course, this morning.  We are still talking about the last minute call last evening to come for supper at a dinner group - one couple was ill and the other 4 people asked us to come and not bring any food.  I threw the leftovers back into the freezer and we walked up the street - chatted for almost four hours.  One couple is bothering me a little and she always has to say "I never SEE you in church" - well, Don can't understand every speaker so he doesn't go when he knows he can't understand their speech.  I go alone then and not every time - we have four children with things happening - anyway, I like to quote a missionary who lived with my family for some time.  Jake always said that he "took the Lord with me".  But - I didn't say anything. 

Reading that so many back in the stormy area are without electricity.   It sounds like it will take a long time for that to get back to normal.  I hope all the CPer's are alright. 

Carol, that IMPLIED criticism is the pits!  Our pastor said this morning that family is more important than church; and announced that on the Sunday after Christmas there will be no services at church, for us to spend time with our families!  Refreshing! 

Ruth Ann, I don't even have a pumpkin to carve, but that's a hard job, unless you have the right tools.

We took most of the dishes out of the cabinets today, well, the upper ones, anyway.  And I moved lots of stuff out of those in the laundry room we decided to replace, too.

AND.....I think I have my manuscript almost ready to send back again!!  WOO-HOO!!!  What a journey!  I want to call my editor tomorrow and check on a couple things with her, but I really think the only thing left to do is work on the table of contents, which has been changed a lot.

I'm tired, can you believe that??   

Janet!  Tired?  You?  I can't imagine why!   

Hi everyone.  The last day of another month and now we start into the holiday season.  We had a very nice time singing at the assisted living facility yesterday morning.  We sand four hymns with them and in between the hymns we did three choir anthems.  Most of our choir were able to be in attendance.  At noon Pat and I went to Ruby Tuesday's for lunch.  I brought most of my steak and sides home as after I ate my salad I was full.  Pat will have it for her dinner tonight.  We had planned to stop at Wal-Mart after lunch but I was so tired from the morning that we came home and I rested the rest of the day.  Today is the men's luncheon at 1 pm and then I have a meeting to attend this evening.  We have decided not to greet trick or treaters tonight but will just retire to our bedroom and watch TV in there.  Neither Pat nor I have the energy to constantly answer the door and we usually have a lot of kids come by. 

Judy, thanks for the devotional.  Tests of our faith are being experienced in so many places in this world now. 

Janet, are you getting entirely new cabinets?  Nice that you are pleased with your new young minister.

Etta Sue, I have learned that words are not facts and that they can only hurt me if I decide to let them.  It sounds like your sermon and Sunday School lessons were right on track with what you needed to hear and doesn't that often happen to us.

Jeanne--yep, 'super woman' was tired.  But I was wide awake at 4 AM, so got up at 5 and finished reading The Help.  Wow, that is a great book, especially from a first time author!  Much better than the movie, but if they had included everything in the book, that movie would have to be 6 or 8 hours long!

I am ready to work on my Table of Contents, then send the manuscript back again.  I hope to get most of the necessities done before we leave on the 10th, as we will be away for three weeks.

Larry--yes, the bottom cabinets were ruined, and so all have to be replaced, as they cannot match the ones we have.  What a long process this has proven to be.  Glad you enjoyed singing yesterday, wish I could have heard you!

I'm just checking emails and CP, then it's back to the book!

I had to leave Hawaii.     After removing the facial 'skin' they saw that she needed a radiator and two things at the right top and bottom that the radiator fastens onto.  I call them stabilizers.  Brian pushed on the radiator and it swung back and forth like a swinging door!  So if the parts come in, it will be done tomorrow.  If not, probably Wednesday. 

And tomorrow night is Beef and Boards and I was to drive.  It will be our last time to go since we didn't sign up for next year.  But Ivalou said I could drive her car.  She is going this time also.  We are seeing 'It's a Wonderful Life'.  Hope she enjoys it.  She says it tires her out to go but she would go since Betty can't go.  Think it is all the sitting so I am going to have her stand some and when we get our food at the buffet to have a waiter/waitress carry her plates to the table for her.  That will help, I am sure. 

It looks like another bright sunny day here in central Indiana.  There wasn't any frost this morning.  I was up early enough to see it today!! 

And did I say I love to start my car from the house and when I get to my detached garage, the car is already warm?  Love that and I am sure in months to come, it will become nicer.

Etta Sue:  Am so glad you mentioned your garage is detached.   The car does shut itself down after a period of time and that is a great safety point but still it would be awful to have all that CO2 in the garage.  Love "Wonderful Life". 

Janet:  Thanks - I was feeling bruised but did not ask her if she packed any boxes for the troops.  The couple seems to have the need to mention everything they do as Christians.  One of my cousins is the same & her letters are exactly the same year after year - it is like she is in a time warp.  Great that they contribute so much so I won't take that away from them. 

All over the news are the last words of Steve Jobs.  He was a 50% believer and had questions about heaven then the last hours of his life he said, "Oh, WOW" three times.  Something big must have wowed this techie genius - won't it be wonderful to see that day?  His sister reported this news so it was confirmed. 

Carol, about those who seem to have a need to tell everything good they do, I always think "Methinks she doth protest too much!"  Doesn't the Bible say to do our good deeds in secret, so that He who sees in secret can reward us openly?  Not that we have to be secretive about it necessarily, I think it refers to bragging......just my opinion.

I would love to see what WOWED Steve Jobs, for sure!!  I thought his graduation speech to the kids was great!

I have ---I THINK--finished the book!!  I  got an email today from my conceptual editor with some suggestions for a title, since we can't use the one Beth chose.  I have been working on it steadily since 7 this morning.  Sometimes I wonder if I am part bulldog!! 

Hi, there,

Actually that pumpkin was really large, and the girls had a wonderful time carving it. They took turns and enjoyed all of it. I cleaned the seeds and then roasted them with mixed butter and olive oil. They decided this year they wanted to use cinnamon sugar and other pumpkin pie spices instead of salt as the seasonings. We had so much fun.

I was cooking beans, but fell asleep and they burned.  I really wanted beans for dinner tonight!

Now, I'm providing the treats, and it was wonderful on Wednesday night last week when young children from the church across the street came by and did "trick or treat so others can eat" - we provided items that will be used to feed those in our neighborhood who need food. I really like that idea.

Y'all have a great evening.

Ruth Ann

Larry Keith's monitor died and he wants to know what is a good brand  to get? One of his sons recommended an LG.

After a difficult day of being misunderstood i am reverting back to my favourite verses.


Phillipuans 4:8-9
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Ruth Ann, when you mentioned carving a pumpkin, I thought you were joking!  Glad you had such a good time, but sorry about those beans!  Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat is a great idea!!  And it won't rot their teeth! 

Marilyn, who is Larry Kieth?

Judy, those are such worthy verses on which to stay our minds, I think of them often, too.  Hope today is much better for you.   

Boy.....the days are ticking quickly by....we leave on the 10th, will be gone 22 days.  I wish we hadn't scheduled and paid for this trip when we did, but maybe we need a break.  We sure don't want to lose the money we paid for it!  And I'm sure it will be fun.

Larry, I need advice about being able to use my laptop while in Europe.  Are there any special things I need to do before leaving to assure I will be able to access my email, etc?  I MUST stay in touch with my publisher during that time!  Thanks.

Sun is shining and I am about to go walk, have missed my walk for a few days and that's not good.

Janet Gad-about, where are you going this time?  I would love to travel like you do.  If I just had a man...

I have never carved a pumpkin.  I have heard that pumpkins are starting at $5 each this year.  And you see some families with several on their steps or porches!  And those are the people who you think shouldn't be spending money on pumpkins to sit outside and go bad...just for show! 

And even though my garage is detached, I would never start the car with the garage door down.  My garage isn't insulated.  I don't know if it freezes in there or not but I do know that snow comes in from somewhere and rain always leaves a puddle right where I have to stand to get in the car!!  But it will be nice to get into a semi-warm car this year.  And the heated seats will be nice, too!  That feels good on my back now!

Well, I got up this morning and Ivalou has a big, yellow out-board boat in her drive!!  I was wracking my brain trying to think whose it is.  Kaye Don has a two-car garage and his motor home/boat detached garage empty all but his boat.  So I would think if it was his family's boat, they would use his garage.  So I called Ivalou.  The boat belongs to her oldest granddaughter's husband.  They are coming Saturday to clean out Ivalou's garage so he can put it in the garage.  Maybe....just maybe Ivalou will get rid of things that she has said needs to go since there will be someone else to do it for her!

Tonight is our last night for Beef and Boards, at least as a V.I.P. member.  Maybe we ought to get desserts for a treat and celebration!!

I just remembered that I forgot to use Halloween animations this year!  Now it is November!!  Hope everyone survived Halloween.  I didn't have any trick or treaters out here in the country. 

The verses I have posted are ones that I use to help prevent the depression cycle.  I struggle with this and the Word is my only "antidepressant", whether in music, written word or the spoken word that truly works. 
Right now I am struggling with truth.  and the question "why isn't the truth revealled to those who are believing the lie" 
John's answer is that the truth has been revealled they are choosing not to believe it.  Then they need a 4X4 instead of the normal 2X4. 
This goes with the Word as well.  Why is it so many "believers" are willing to embrace  the world and its false teaching instead of sticking to the Word?
I know the Bible speaks of the falling away, I know in my head that is the answer, but my heart says they KNOW the truth of the Word. I have been told my ramblings are religiosity, but I am not a religious person.  I am very much a stumbling pilgrim. 
I wonder how different we would be if we actually faced Christ.  Yet we do and most of the time ignore Him.

I'm sorry for rambling.  These are just the thoughts I've had over the past couple of weeks.

Judy, I was enduring insolence and taunts once, and that's when I found my favorite verses in Lamentations that come from the 3rd chapter. In the Living Bible translation, it seemed to speak to me, about someone who was going through some of the same difficulties I was having. Then, there's that wonderful few verses that begin, "Yet, his mercies are renewed afresh to us each morning..." Ahhhhh, what a relief for me that God Himself in His Word knows that we endure these times and He provides us fresh mercies every morning, for He knows we need them desperately.

Janet, just in your mind, edit Marilyn's question by putting a comma between Larry and Keith. You'll see that she was asking for Larry's help, too.

Wouldn't it be good if more churches did the trick or treat so others can eat activity!

I'm SO excited - tomorrow's the day I get to meet my new little great grandson. What fun that will be.

Much love to everyone.

Ruth Ann

Thank you Ruth Ann for  clarifying my query.  Yes Janet I left out the punctuation.

I am waiting for Puppy Love to call me and tell me Happy is ready to be picked up from his grooming appointment.

I will be doing some artwork this afternoon that has to be done by tomorrow morning at the latest. I am the co-owner of a stationery group; on Wednesdays I send out a new stationery for the group members to work on on send in to the group. So I need to get busy.

Judy my favorite part of that chapter is verse 6-7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in all things by prayer and supplication and with thanksgiving let your requests be know to God and the Peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus"

Hi everyone.  I turned my desktop computer off last evening and when I restarted it this morning it came up with a message that my hard disk was in the process of failing.  In fact, it had failed.  I have several alternatives to decide what to do.  I just checked on the prices of new hard disk drives and probably would be better off to just get a new desktop computer as mine is over six years old. I do have the hard drive backed up on an external hard drive that is suppose to boot if the hard drive fails.  I have my computer that I have a Linux operating system on and have decided this afternoon to update it to the latest version and use it for awhile until I find the new computer that I want.  It will help keep my mind active in using two different operating systems on two different computers.

It is a truly beautiful fall day here in the Atlanta area.  The trees are just gorgeous.  We did no do trick or treating last night as were gone during the time the kids would have come to the door.  My granddaughter sent us pictures this morning of our four great grandchildren in their costumes.  I am sure last evening was a big evening for them.

Pat is going to a book club meeting at the church at 5 pm and then we will go out to eat when she gets home.

Janet, sounds like your book is coming down to the final details before publishing.

Etta Sue, good thing your mechanic found the additional problem.  Hope you enjoy the Show this eveining.  Starting the car from the house is a nice feature I don't think you had mentioned before.  You will love those heated seats.  We had them in our Saturn and now have them in our Hyundai Sonata.

Judy, great that you have verses that help you through difficult times.  It is fine to ramble when you need to do so.

Carol, glad you mentioned the car shuts down after a certain time as I would probably start it and get busy doing something else and use up all of my gas.  Steve Jobs must have seen the big computer in the sky.  Wonder if it was an Apple? 

Ruth Ann, the "trick or treat so others can eat" is a nice thing.  Glad you could be with grandchildren and share in their job of carving the pumpkin.

Marilyn, I think it is best to go where they have them displayed, if you have such a place closeby, and see which one looks best for his eyes.  I think most of them have a pretty good picture.  I think the LG is probably a good brand. 

Janet, I have never traveled overseas but will ask my good friend Rod tomorrow if he has any advice.  I know he took his Netbook with him to New Zealand.  However, when he went to Europe a few weeks ago he just took his smartphone and used that when he could find a wi-fi signal. I know it probably isn't a good idea to put it in your luggage.  Lloyd Hammond over on Seniors and Friends did that and by the time he got home his 10 day old laptop was ruined.

I hope my rambling caused others to think.

Haven't heard from JOhn yet today.  Must get off here soon,  seems he calls when I am on line.  Have a great evening everyone.

Etta Sue, we are going on a River Cruise down the Rhine and Mosel rivers, will be in six countries in three weeks.  Have fun at Beef and Boards tonight!

Larry, I called our internet service people today and they have a new feature which will let me check my email from anywhere.  He walked me through the process of application, so I HOPE I am all set!  And no way would I put this computer in my luggage!  My whole book and lots of other stuff is on it!  I think I will put it in my carry-on, but believe I have to take it out to pass through security.  I called to ask if there is WIFI on the ship, and they said yes, but while cruising, sometimes there is no service when too far from a tower.  Anyway, it is imperative I be in touch with my publisher as we approach the deadlines!

I took the emails from Tate Publishing and read them to Beth and John (he was on the phone) and they are pretty excited about the book! 

Gotta run, see you tomorrow!

I prefer to believe that Jobs was surrounded by angels and saw the holy Trinity. 

Judy:  You may think you have been rambling but it is just the words I took to heart - Ruth Ann wrote on the very same thoughts.  If we just pause and listen, the words are right in front of us.  Thanks be to both of you.  Hello to John.  I hope the winter roads are kind to him. 

Janet:  We had to lug our computer once and it is difficult.  You can get and send email on an IPod with wifi.  We used it last time & Don even did his daily Quicken with it - sent messages and called on SKYPE if you install it before you leave.  Have someone help you - it is worth it and so easy to carry on trips.  By the way, there may be other brands but I only know this one.  Good luck.  Congrats on the book.  Tell us where you are going in Europe. 

Larry:  We had to get a portable drive for the laptop at COSTCO - they had a coupon & it helped.  Desktops have really come down in price so good luck.  I know you know how to shop these things. 

We are under blizzard warning for tonight and tomorrow so did errands early - the sun is still shining. 

Carol, I am SO NON techie, I don't even know what an Ipod is, let alone own one!  Wish I did, if it makes things easier.  Must learn about some of the new gadgets, but frankly, they scare me!  Well, not scare, exactly, but they make me feel dumb, and I do NOT like that! 

Hi everyone.  We are looking forward to another nice day today.  Yesterday was one with some frustrations in the desktop computer area. Nothing I tried yesterday seemed to work.  I have made the decision to get a new desktop computer.  I have found one that I will probably buy tomorrow when I am up at the mall area and won't have to make a special trip to MicroCenter. 

Today we have Bible study this morning and I need to pickup some medicine that I ordered via snail mail and that was shipped on October 20th and that has never been delivered.  They are replacing the medicine and if the package comes I will not open it and mark return to sender.  In the future I will just ordered my prescriptions and pick them up and avoid the mail problem.  Tonight I have a business meeting to attend and will have to miss choir practice.

Janet, my friend has found using the internet on a ship to be very expensive and thus he avoids it.  The last time I traveled with my laptop I had to put it on the scanner but don't remember having to start it up.  I hope you have saved your book file onto a CD or memory stick as a backup as this is very important.

Carol, hope you avoided a blizzard.  You sure have exciting and changeable weather out your way.  An iPad or one of the Android tablets do work well for email and surfing and are certainly much lighter.  I can get my email and access the web via my inexpensive ebook reader as well as my smartphone so I am all set. 

Janet, you have such a wonderful mind that you don't need to be afraid of computers and things like the iPad or one of the other tablets. 

Janet:  Don't put yourself down - techie is something that has to be around a lot for anyone to learn it.  I could not do what you do - scuba diving.  I would sink to the bottom.   

Larry:  Good luck with your new desktop.  Isn't it fun   

Still snowing.  This is not a blizzard at least to me the snow has to be horizontal.  We did have gusts but cars are on the road and it is still snowing at maybe 8 or 10 inches height.  Poor people in the city protesting and they are mixed with homeless who are really the poor people. 

Janet ~ Don't be afraid of computers.  They won't hurt you.  I am not afraid of computers.  I think they are challenging...at least, it is a challenge when I know something is wrong and I figure it out...even by trial and error.  It is outside the computer that I know nothing about.  Like external hard drives, net working and such.  And I know no one that I can call on to help.  BUT I will say that ever since I had Windows replaced last fall, my laptop has been running wonderful! 

My friend in Mexico Skyped me this week and said, 'I have something that I learned that will make your computer run faster!'  I am leery of that since I believe that is what caused my problem last year...downloading programs to 'fix' my computer and I got several viruses!  But it had something to do with Internet Explorer and when I got to where he said, I didn't have anything ticked which was the way he said it should be.  So I was okay by him!!

Larry ~ My desktop was built in 2002.  Sometimes when I turn it on, the calender says Dec 31, 2001 and I have to reset everything.  Oh, it is slow but it still works.  I will probably use it to make my Christmas cards and I will move things from the laptop to the desktop with flash drive so I have things stored in two places...sometimes three! 

Beef and Boards was great.  Wonderful how the theater had different areas on stage to do different things for scenes.  Halfway through, I remembered the story of 'It's a Wonderful Life'.  The guy playing Mr. Bailey did a fantastic job.  I would think that would be very tiring every night and twice on Sunday!  It was my last show to see there.  I was kind of nostalgic but I won't miss it when the snow is on the ground. 

I got a call from the Body Shop yesterday afternoon apologizing for not getting the car done yesterday.  But if I don't hear from them today by 1pm, I am to call them.  I do have Crochet Angels tonight AND the DDS tomorrow but Ivalou said I could use her car for those appointments if I don't have Hawaii back. 

I wish we would get some strong winds, then I wouldn't have to 'mow' my leaves!!  But I want the wind to come from the northwest so the leaves will go into the fields instead of Ivalou's yard! 

Ah, a river cruise.  That would be the life!  Any kind of cruise would be wonderful right now.  I am getting so antsy...wanting to go somewhere!!

Another morning of meandering thoughts.
I heard from a brother who is going for surgery,and would I pray for him and his wife.  Of course I will.  The request reminds me of a part of a verse....Al Moak would know the address....Bear one anothers burdens.  Does that mean, "Dear Lord bless my friend make everything work out well for them today.", end of prayer?  Or does our Lord mean something deeper.  Could it mean "Lord let me carry some of the burden for that person, that they don't feel the weight of it so heavily."  Carrying the burden in prayer, in the groanings of our heart.
It is so easy to tell someone to give the burden to the Lord and leave it there.  That is a Pat answer and my name isn't Pat, that is my sister. 
There are so many burdens being expressed here, by most of our members, and we often give the flip answer "I'm praying for you." when they may need more.  I know I am guilty here.  Then there are the unspoken burdens.  The ones a loved one may not be comfortable mentioning. 
Sometimes you knw there is something wrong my their absence, or their light and airy words.  But what about their heart pain, that may be slowly killing them from the inside. 
There are things in life that are too painful to mention, especially in the open forum. 
I believe this forum was set up to cause us to Glorify God in all we do, say, and hear.  Does Christian Photographers meet that mandate?  If it does Praise goes to our Lord.  If it doesn't then what can we do as members to bring us back to the mandate of Glorifying God in all that we do here and elsewhere?
Sorry for the ramblings of this pilgrim

     Good afternoon to all. Today we have a beautiful sun shinny day and it is around  approx. 15c or 60f. and just very pleasant.

Janet:  I just watched a you tube on some things that happen in some of the counties where there is  a lot of tourist.  I do not want to get you upset when you are going away but there is a lot of pic pockets and they are going in groups of two's or women are in groups of three or four and if you wear one of those belts around your waist they have a way of getting into it and you will never feel them doing it. So the tourist companies are saying to leave any of your valuables in the hotel safes in your room or if you have to take your wallet  with you do not put it in a place that they can get them easily.

Judy B:  Thanks for the good thoughts and it does make you think are we doing enough for our brothers and sisters. I know that there are so many things that we all could do better including myself.  Thanks sis.

To all others May the Lord look after you  and those in the snow areas please be careful.  Love in Christ.   Gordon and Noreen.

We had rain, sleet and some snow today!  Cold and windy, too.  Now the storm has passed and it's warmer than it's been all day.  I just got home from visiting Beth, and she is doing well today.  As well as she can.....but we have high hopes she will soon be doing BETTER and BETTER!!

Gord, thanks for your concern, we will be careful.  We each have a vest with some secret pockets, and we never carry anything more than we need.

I feel really drained tonight, so won't gab any more.  G'Night!

I went for a little visit of five days (to Areley House). There were ten per­sons in the house, some un­con­vert­ed and long prayed for, some con­vert­ed, but not re­joic­ing Christians. He gave me the pra­yer, "Lord, give me all in this house!" And He just did.

Before I left the house every one had got a bless­ing.

The last night of my vis­it af­ter I had re­tired, the gov­ern­ess asked me to go to the two daugh­ters. They were cry­ing.  Then and there both of them trust­ed and re­joiced; it was near­ly mid­night. I was too hap­py to sleep, and passed most of the night in praise and renewal of my own con­se­cra­tion; and these little coup­lets formed them­selves, and chimed in my heart one af­ter ano­ther till they fin­ished with "Ever, On­ly, ALL for Thee!"
Havergal Manuscripts

I remember listening to an angel sing that back in 1959........

Another of my old favorite hymns!  Thank you, Judy, for that and the story behind it! 

Hi everyone.  Another fairly early morning and it should be a pleasant day outside.  We had a call yesterday afternoon from our daughter saying she has been admitted back into the hospital with pneumonia.  Pat has a medical appointment this morning and I have an appointment at the same time to get the oil changed in the car while she has the appointment.  We may go down and see her for a few minutes and see what she needs from her apartment.  She went off without the charger for her phone and it has run down. 

I was certainly sorry to see Pat's note concerning the hospitalization of Al.  Do hope he is doing better today.

Carol, hope you didn't have too much snow yesterday and that it warms up out your way today. 

Etta Sue, the nice thing about computers we really can do very little to hurt them as long as we don't delete essential Windows or operating system files.  If a computer gets messed up a lot of problems are solved by just rebooting and getting a fresh start.  They are like anything else we learn to do by repetition and what once seemed hard becomes understandable.  I know that many people struggle with the filing system on the computer and yet it is basically the old file cabinet and folders (and folders within a folder) that we use for paper storage.  The clock resetting may indicated a weak battery.  I have never had to change one but understand they can wear out.  Hope you get your car back today. 

Judy, thanks for your sharing your thoughts on carrying burdens and posting the hymn for us. 

Gord, enjoyed our conversation yesterday.  Hope you are feeling better today and that you were able to enjoy your Bible study last evening.

Janet, that sounds like Missouri weather which is often changeable throughout the day.

There were eight ladies at Crochet Angels last evening.  They are progressing nicely.  Even counting and knowing they missed a stitch and can find where they missed it.  Then either rip out to where they missed it or increase and go on.  They are learning!

Today is the DDS.  And I have a bridge that is bouncing up and down since the cleaning last week.  And the crown prep.

Then I will call to see if Hawaii is ready.  Ivalou wants to take me there since she wants to start getting her car maintained there.  Two and a half miles is a lot closer than 20 miles where she bought the car in 2001.  She thought all along she had to take it back there!!

Off and running.  If I get Hawaii, I need to go to the bank and Dollar General.  Of all things, I need coffee filters for tomorrow morning!!  Out!

I missed the note from Pat concerning Al being in hospital.  So sorry - praying for Al and Marbeth. 

Don said we can go out to IKEA for breakfast as I have been awake from 5:30 AM and did have a slice of toast, I can still eat pancakes with lingonberries.  I need a cover for a large pan bought there last year. 

Etta Sue:  Your group of crocheting angels has certainly been a hit with so many and kudos to you for starting the group.  Sometime, put in a picture of the work so we can see what everyone is accomplishing. 

Loved the snow day yesterday because we did not have to drive anywhere and we had electricity.  I worked for hours on a quilt top that is much too complicated for my lack of expertise.  Prayers help me so much. 

Another day of meandering thoughts.  With Al Moak in hospital I have wondered how I can help carry his burden.  I don't know the answer to that.  Yes I am praying for him and Marbeth, his health, and her concern about the nursing home.  Somehow that doesn't seem enough.  I think Marilyn, knowing the folks down there is in a better 'hands on" position, but in the same breath I feel so helpless, and wish I could do more. 
Then there are the others here, husbands who are ill, areas devastated by hurricane, falls and personal illnesses.  Sometimes I can't help but wonder when it will all end. 
I know it will end in Glory, and the Word comes to mind "Even so come Lord Jesus!"
I am stealing a phrase from Karma in Facebook, I hope she doesn't mind. 
"Sometimes you don't realize you've got wind in your sails until it all gets sucked out . . ."
If a sail boat has the wind sucked out it flounders.  The sailors are left helpless and stuck, however if they have a motor on the back of their sailboat they can keep on going to safety.  The Holy Spirit is our motor, blowing us to the word, and safety. 
There are people who have had the wind sucked out of their sails so often that they feel like they are dying a slow death inside, and all they want is to go Home.  They dream of this and as the days, weeks, months, and years pass that desire gets greater.  Do they have a death wish, no I think not, but they do have a Home wish.
How can we help to blow wind back into their sails?  How can we help carry that burden. 
How can we help each other here on CP to have The Wind blow back into our sails.

John Fawcett was a distinguished scholar and Baptist minister at Wainsgate, England. In 1772 he was to leave Wainsgate to be pastor of a prestigious church in London. The townspeople were so sorrowful about his leaving that he rejected the honor and stayed at Wainsgate and wrote the hymn "Blest Be the Tie That Binds."

 Hi everyone.  We had rain during the night and this morning we have some gusty winds but suppose to get to 65 degrees today so shouldn't be bad. Yesterday was a very busy day.  While Pat went to her appointment at Kaiser, I took the car over to get the oil changed.  I then picked up Pat and we had lunch at a Diner.  Then she went with me to MicroCenter where I bought a new desktop at a very reasonable price.  It is an eMachine and is the quietest computer I have ever owned.  I spent sometime during the evening downloading various programs onto a memory stick and will load them on this new computer later today.  Right now it is doing over 100 Windows updates.  So I will be busy today getting things set the way I want them and programs loaded. I do have ROMEO's at lunch time and we are going to a Mexican Restaurant today. 

Our daughter is still in the hospital receiving treatment for the pneumonia.  Yesterday she became so frustrated at not being able to get the medication she routinely takes for the pain in her legs and being ignored by the nurses that she got in her powerchair and went back over to her apartment and got what she needed and came back to the hospital.  She said they never missed her.  Her room is at the end of a long hall. 

That's sad Larry....

Well, the bridge needs to have the tooth it was fastened to removed by an oral surgeon.  Then my dentist is going to make a partial for the two missing teeth!  Plus I still need the crown on the other side of my mouth!!  Instead of ka-ching....it is KA-CHING!!!

And I got Hawaii back.  It was raining yesterday but today I looked her over real good.  Her nose is shiny and clean.  The rest of her body needs a wash job!  It feels good to drive a car that is all fixed up now! 

I went swimming today.  I was in the water for an hour and 15 minutes.  After I got dressed, I went to the front desk and asked if they knew who I could contact at the hospital to see if they would like crocheted baby blankets and/or hats?  I have a number but haven't called yet.  Crochet Angels would like to do this after the new year.

And I have a new step-great-grandson!  So far he only has a first name....Luke!  He was born last evening, Nov. 3, at 9:29pm.  He's a bruiser!  He weighed in at 10 lbs. and 10 ozs!!  And 21.5 inches long.  He won't be wearing any onesies!!  He is welcomed into the world by his Mom Carol, Dad Scott and big sister, Claire.  Also his grandparents, Charlene and Tony.  I have pictures already and he's a keeper!  Like my niece on Facebook said....a fish that size is a keeper!!

I just posted an update on Al in the prayer folder, along with his room number and the number of the hospital if anyone wants to call him an pray with him. He didn't sound good at all not a bit like the old Al.

It sure is cold here today at 37°, I've shampooed my hair and I don't use the hair dryer so it is still wet. I sure am not going outside with a wet head today. also my right knee is hurting again and I think the cause is the way I had it crooked under my  chair yesterday as I sat at the computer. I sure had a busy morning yesterday going to the gym, 3 stores and stopping by the Podiatrists office to drop off a check.

I just looked out the window and hooray the sun is  bright I hope it warms up a bit before I walk the dogs and bathe Bebe. Happy had his bath at the groomer on Tuesday but I will do Bebe.

After a "J" night, I got up at 7:30; had to be at the chiropractor's at 8:30, and have been gone from home until about 30 minutes ago.  Today, Beth was taken to Occupational Therapy at Garden city.  The therapist had them pick her up in the lift, then she measured her all over, also tried moving her arms and legs, etc.  She wrote up recommendations for better wheelchairs, three choices, for her.  I just hope the DON will follow through.  It would make it so much easier on Beth and all her caregivers, and us!  I needed to be there to sign papers for her, as I am her DPOA.

Does anyone know what happened to Al, to cause the rapid deterioration in his health?

When I got home, I had new cabinets in bath and laundry room.  Progress, yes!

Etta Sue, congratulations on the new baby in your family.  Yep, he's a big boy, all right!

Larry, wonder what they would have said to Stacey had they caught her?  I can understand her getting impatient at being ignored so long!

Janet Al fell last Week and was taken to the hospital and he is still there. I posted an update in the prayer folder today after I spoke to him.

Janet we both had "J" nights.  I'm off to bed.

Marilyn, thank you.  It's great that you're able to keep us informed about Al.   

Marilyn, I did read your update, but nobody had said what caused his decline, nor mentioned a fall, until now.  Thanks.

Hi everyone.  Another weekend is upon us.  Our daughter is out of the hospital.  They wanted to keep her over the weekend to try to get her sugar count under control but she refused as she can control it on her own better than they do in the hospital.  Every time she is in the hospital they play around with her insulin and it gets messed up.  The last x-ray showed her lungs were clear of the pneumonia. 

I did get my new computer pretty well set up with all of the programs I wanted, got my documents restored from a great free program called Mozy (that backs up the documents you indicate you want it to and will save up to 2 gigs of files for free).  I have used this program for several years and this was the first time I needed to use it and it worked beautifully and my documents were restored in about 90 minutes of downloading. 

Just plan a routine day today and will enjoy football.  Our local high school team completed its regular season undefeated and will now go into the playoffs for the state championship.  Georgia University should have an easy game today as they play New Mexico. 

Etta Sue, I am becoming convinced that as we grow older the dentist is out to break us.  I see I have a cleaning appointment next week and haven't decided whether to put it off or not.  It doesn't seem possible that it has been 6 months.  Glad you got your car back.  Congrats on your new great grandson.  I also have a step great grandson but just consider him without the step.

Marilyn, thanks for checking on Al.  So sorry to read he didn't sound like himself. 

Janet, do hope that Beth gets the equipment needed for her care.  I don't know what the hospital would have done, probably nothing. 

I was thinking earlier, I don't have anywhere to go today.  Then I read an email from Kitty wanting to know if wanted to ride with them to our classmates 50th Wedding Anniversary!  I had forgotten!  So I am heading to the shower so my head can be dry by 4pm!  First I want to design and print an anniversary card.

I got a call from Tony last evening.  Since Charlene is in Michigan with her daughter's family, he wanted to know if I would go out to eat with him.  Sure.  We went to 'On the Border'.  I got a burrito since they are soft.  My gum where the bridge was is getting sore!  I got so tired of chewing a different way that I couldn't finish my meal.  When we got back to Tony's I came on home instead of talking and talking and talking! 

Looks like another promising day.  Bright, sunny but cold. 

Another night, (last night) of meandering thoughts.  What do we do with our money.  Ok I'm not really wanting to know what You do it's my own pocket book I am thinking about.  I have struggled with the problems of debt and getting rid of it.  I am woohooing at the thought that in the new year we will be free. That place doesn't include our mortgage.  That IS a great place to be.  I know we are instructed to tithe, but it isn't one of the "big ten".  It is more of a try Me, challenge Me, see if I am true to My promise.  What is His promise?  That he will bless us.
I remember my father giving out of his wallet.  It had 2 sections one for his tithe and the other for other expences, gas, food, etc.  We all have them.  I remember there being a missionary need, or a church need , whatever the need, and him taking his "other" money and putting it into the offering plate. Did we go without?  I don't remember EVER going without EVER in my life at home.  Did we struggle, I suppose there were struggles, but there was always food on the table, heat in the furnace, and light in the rooms.  It comes down to "Did God bless my father?"  Yes far and above the $$ he put in the offering plate. 
I have read about the "dust bowl years".  The people had nothing, no way of income, yet they gave and gave, the more they gave the more they had to give.  Wow I'm not sure I have that kind of faith.
I come back to the situation we have been in.  Debt too high to give.  I wonder what would have happened if we had truly tried Him to see how we would be blessed?  Then again to tithe just for blessing seems a little hypocritical.  Therein lies the conundrum. 
I now tithe with the pure pleasure of giving.  Not for blessing, not because of "Law" but because it really is a pleasure to give to and meet needs.  Am I being blessed? I believe it is blessing to see needs met so yes I am being blessed!  Do I want/need other blessing?  No.
This is not condemnation on what others do.  That is between them and God. But what if everyone gave, for the pure unadulterated pleasure of giving, even just the tithe......I wonder how our churches would do with the additional income, what programs would they put into place to bring the lost to Christ. 
I am reminded of a part of a song....

A missionary came to your church
And his pictures made you cry
You didn't have much money
But you gave it anyway
Jesus took the gift you gave
And that's why I'm here today

That was my dad, and I hope it can be me.  Giving out of the pure joy of giving.

Hello everyone, it looks like y'all got here before I did today. Of course it is later there than it is here.

Not much is new with me.  I am going to work on some tutorials today so I better get busy.

Etta Sue, sounds like your day with "nothing to do" turned out to be pretty busy.  Those types of days are also nice.

Judy, a very thoughtful essay and thanks for sharing it. 

Been a quiet day.  Pat had the car this morning doing some grocery shopping for the month so I have just stayed home all day and really enjoyed it.  I am putting my music collection on my new desktop.  I have it all on DVDs so it just takes a bit of time to copy it all.  It doesn't have to be done today but will keep working on it.  It has been a nice sunny day here.  Our daughter was able to attend the bell practice at her church for tomorrow's service.  It is there interim music directors last Sunday.  She was pretty tired when she got home.  I have enjoyed watching some of the football games today and look forward to a big game tonight between the number 1 and number 2 schools in football (Alabama vs. Louisiana State University). 

   Good evening to all on this wonderful site.   It has been a very busy day which started around 7-45 a.m. and has not stopped all day.    This morning and in the city of Welland where I live it was our food drive for the three mission agencies that strive to help the neady.  My daughter and I went to the sorting area where the food arrives by what ever means of transportation that was available.  We have a company that supplies the trailers for putting the full boxes into and then takes it to our storage areas and we praise the Lord for the great blessings that happened today.  The mission that I work at had a 53 foot trailer and it was almost filled to the rear and I believe that the others were having the same blessings.  We have people who go to every home in the whole city and you leave a bag or box of non perishable groceries and it is picked up we had 3 ambulances and the fire Chief even come full inside there vehicles it was so much fun.   I have never pack so many boxes in such a fast amount of time.     Well at least one good thing today we go to bed and get 1 extra hours sleep as we change our clocks back one hour.

Well God bless to you all and have a wonderful and blessed day tomorrow

         Gordon and Noreen.

Good evening all. 
What is a "J" night?  I have seen it mentioned here several times.  Sounds ominous somehow!  

Larry, I have no doubt your Georgia team had no problem in walloping New Mexico. I have not heard what the score was as yet, but I can guess pretty accurately!  UNM never seems to have a good football team, and this year it's even worse.  I think our local high school team could beat the Lobos all to pieces!  UNM excels in basketball however, so that is good. They play in "The Pit" at Albuquerque which is an underground arena.  We went to a Billy Graham crusade in the Pit several years ago, and it sure seems strange to go down instead of up, to the seating.
I have been watching the Razorbacks game tonight.  Two of my brothers are graduates of that University,  also two nephews.  I have no doubt that some of them are at that game tonight.

Earl has been sleeping a lot today and tonight.  Yesterday he had a bad day and needed my help a lot just getting up and down.  In fact, he was so weak and short of breath, our daughter came and spent the night with us, just in case.  His blood pressure was in the 80's.  I have to give him Albuterol treatments every day to help with breathing. 

I hope Al is doing better now.  These falls can be so dangerous.  Earl has fallen numerous times and one time the back of his head was bleeding from hitting the corner of the dining table.  I watched him carefully for awhile after that, remembering the time my Mom had a subdural hematoma from a backwards fall into a door frame.  It did not show up for about a week, but then she had to have two surgeries in Texarkana, to relieve the internal bleeding in her brain.  Earl did not show any symptoms of that though, for which I thanked the Lord. 

Good night all.  Tomorrow, thank God that you are able to go to church.  I miss it so much; it has been months since we were able to go. 
~Janice

 Hello to all of you!  I've had a busy day, after a short "J" night.  Up at 4 AM, read until I finally fell asleep again and napped for an hour.  Worked all day on tasks like putting knobs on the new cabinets in the laundry room, bringing in the drawers from the old vanity from our bathroom, sorting their contents, throwing away a whole trash can full, cleaning, cleaning, cleaning, and then I emptied out the china cabinet because it will need to be moved so the walls can be painted.  I have no idea when the job will be completed, but I know I'm getting a lot of work from it! 

The wind blew here today horribly!  UGH, how I hate the wind.  Dirt blowing, tumbleweed stampede....I had to go take Beth some things, then came straight home.  Hard to hold the car on the road against that wind.   

So I hope when I get up in the morning, it will be still......And yes!  An hour longer to sleep, for those who CAN sleep!

Hi there, Janice!  I see we were typing at the same time!  Good to see you!

"J" nights are nights Jeanne Janet and I have somewhat frequently.  We get little sleep and are feeling the effects the next day.  Often the awake hours are spent in prayer...at least I do, and Janice you have been prayed for during those nights of prayer.

John is home, Kassie is now 17, and has a girlfriend here for the weekend.

Night for now
Judy

Hi, folks, I had NO IDEA I would be up this late tonight!  It was good to keep up with everyone through reading your posts.

My trip of about 1,000 miles was concluded about 7 pm this evening. I was soooo tired that it took a while to be able to get out of the car and into the apartment building.

What joys to be with family in both cities and to love and hug all my grandchildren and great grandchildren. God indeed is good.

Judy, here's the passage you were seeking:

Galatians 6:2 (KJV)
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Y'all have a good rest of the evening, and relax and enjoy that extra hour of rest tomorrow!

G'nite,
Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  I remembered to set back the clocks last evening in the bedroom and reset them in the kitchen this morning.  It was nice to wake up with it not being so dark.  Today's big activity will be going to church.  This is communion Sunday and also the Sunday we make our financial pledges for the next year.  Following the service we have a fellowship luncheon.  I will be ready to come home and rest after that is over.  I see it is 39 degrees here this morning and our northern counties were under a freeze warning.  However, the house is nice and cozy.

Gord, it sounds like your food drive for your community was very successful.  We also have a food cooperative among the churches and our church provides food three or four times a year plus in between times.  The need has been greater than ever here this year as many people are out of work and hungry.  A number of years ago I volunteered once a week at the food bank in the community we used to live in.  I did some computer work for them and also helped in the food area and really enjoyed doing so. 

Janice, yes Georgia did beat New Mexico by a score of 63-14 I believe and played the second string players in the second half.  I really have to wonder why the schools scheduled the game other than for revenue purposes.  Georgia plays in a very strong conference.  I do hope Earl has a better day today. 

Janet, you are not going to recognize your house when it is finished and everything should be so neat and orderly.  The winds are what I remember when I lived in Oklahoma.  That is one of the nice things about the Atlanta area that we seldom have much wind and if we do it usually signals a front moving into the area.

Ruth Ann, it sounds like your family needs to come your way to visit since those trips are getting harder on you.  Do they realize have stressful they are for you to make.

Hope everyone has a good Sunday and that today finds Al and all of those in pain feeling God's presence in their lives. 

Did you all enjoy that extra hour of sleep?  I would have but I went to bed on the new time so it was the same amount of sleep for me. 

The 50th celebration was great.  First thing, I saw Jane.  Jane is a wife of a classmate that didn't even go to Lapel.  She has been to several of Lapel Class of 1960 lunches.  Larry never has went.  But there was Larry!!  He knew me and we hugged!  First time I have seen him to talk to him since May 18, 1960 on graduation night!!  And the funny part is he lives just 4 miles east of me on the same road as me!  I think there were about 15 classmates there to say hello. 

Then Sue, the honoree, brought a photo over of her and Jerry leaving the church 50 years ago.  She said I was in the picture.  She pointed me out but I said, 'Sue, I didn't go to your wedding.'  She said, 'Yes, you did!  There you are!'  I didn't go so I don't know who the look-a-like is!

It was a fun evening! 

I am all ready for church and ready to go out the door.  Ivalou is driving again today since she isn't going out to lunch with us.  She is going to Jeff's tonight for another birthday celebration!  Linda cooks a lot for birthdays and their family is getting soooo big!

Good Morning everyone. It is still overcast here today but at least it isn't raining right now.

Ruth Ann that is a lot of driving, did you do it all in one day?  I am planning a train trip for next July to see some of my other kids down to Stockton California. It will be a 16 hour  train ride from Eugene Or, to Sacramento, CA then a bus  for the last 50 miles. I sure wouldn't want to drive that by myself.

Etta Sue it sounds like you had a nice time with your classmates, I have not been in touch with any of my classmates in a hundred years, Well at least since I was 18. I didn't go to college until I was 32. BTW I have started a pr of the 3 finger mittens for myself.

I just spoke to both Al and Marbeth, Al sounds much better today, the reason he was not doing so well the last time I called was he was having stomach problems and  was vomiting a lot. I read him the prayer thread and he was very pleased about all the prayers and comments. He said to thank you all very much and he really appreciated all the prayers and concerns for both him and Marbeth. there hasn't been a decision yet on the Nursing home thing, Marbeth said they wanted to send him to one that was too far away for her to travel. Al said his legs are looking better and better as the wound care nurse is coming every day to tend to them. I will call them in another day or so.

Marilyn, thank you so much for keeping in touch with Al and Marbeth.

No, Marilyn, I broke it up into segments, but it still wore me out. I've slept almost all day long, and only a few hours ago I got my luggage out of the car. It shocked me to see I was so out of it last night I didn't even lock the car!

I wouldn't have had the opportunity for quite a while, though, to see my great grandchildren. They live way down south in Georgia, near the Florida line.

What a joy to come back to our group and see everyone loving and supporting each other.

I'm so glad you're close to Al and Marbeth and can call them, Marilyn.

Y'all have a good evening.

I think I may finish up the evening resting. Tomorrow at 8 a.m. little Josie goes in to the shop to have her "nose job."

Love to everyone,
Ruth Ann

Ruth Ann, that was quite a trip you made by yourself.  I wish I lived closer to you, I would have gone along and helped you drive.  Hugs to you!

Tomorrow I have an early appointment with my chiropractor, then Pat is going to re-comb my hair and try to make it look as nice as possible, because I am going to have a professional portrait taken, which will be used on the back cover of Rising Above.  I'm in a quandary about clothes, accessories and jewelry!

Beth wanted to come out and have lunch with us, because we will be gone for three weeks.  So before leaving for church, we put on a small pork roast, and it was done to perfection when we got home.  Darrel fried potatoes and onions (Beth's favorite!) and I made jello, and there wasn't a morsel left over!  How often does that happen?    Beth thought the parts of the house that are done were really pretty.  (So do I!)

Our church is continuing the explosive growth--we really need to get busy building!  But we can use this space for a while; in March, we will probably be going to two services on Sunday mornings.  This is a first for our small town!  Most of the churches are dying on the vine, and the main reason is they aren't reaching the young people.  We are now having 50 to 75 youth on Wednesday evenings, and about 20 young kids.

I have been cleaning out old mail, magazines, etc, my least favorite chore.  We have to empty the kitchen before we leave!  So at least I made a dent on the clutter on the bar.   

Curtis came by yesterday with his little daughter Lexi.  She is four and such a joy.  She gets sweeter all the time, I really enjoyed her.

See you tomorrow afternoon!

Time to lock the door on this week. 

HERE'S a link to our new Thoughts for the Week!