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BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
The One who created the valley is there with you! He has prepared the way through the valley. It is not a place of permanence, but a place of passage. He knows every twist and turn, every changing shadow, every den where danger lurks—that One is with you!

Focus on the light and not the darkness. God has made you to walk through shadows. When the shadow approaches, you must walk through. The One greater than death is in you! He is your Jehovah Shamah—the Lord ever-present. His grace is greater. His peace is purer. His devotion is dearer. Where Satan casts a shadow, our Sovereign Lord reigns supreme.

ACTION POINT:
This is a day of hope. Meditate on 1 John 4:4 throughout the day and ask God to give you a divine appointment to share this beloved truth with someone today.


From Love Worth Finding with Adrian Rogers.

A big AMEN to the above--and a big Good Morning!  to all who visit here today!  May you all be blessed with God's presence, peace and love today.

Hi everyone.  It is predicted we will be having some rain in the area later today, I think late this afternoon.  However, it is very cloud this morning. I am planning on going to church this morning but haven't learned from Pat whether she will try to go or not.  I know she wants to be it will depend on how she is feeling.  I did have a good day yesterday and really paced myself, although I had shopped at Kroger's but took it very slowly (as I seem to do most things anymore).  I did get three more small gifts wrapped so making progress on that front.  I got the results from my bone density test and the doctor wrote me  that the study shows Osteopenia,  which is a decrease in bone density, but not yet Osteoporosis. We are not recommending medication for this, just make sure you are taking 1500 mg of calcium a day along with a Vitamin D supplement.  Pat just asked me to fix her breakfast, which I did.  Even put a little cut up ham in with the eggs for something special today.

Janet, you get more done in a day than I do in two weeks.  Wow!  Sure glad John will now be able to spend time with Beth.  We watch the news quite a bit but have had to turn it off with the 24 hour coverage of the tragedy in Connecticut.  There is nothing we can do about the situation that has already happened and certainly been well covered other than to pray for the loved ones of the those killed and for the poor children who face having to go back into that school building or any school building.  Glad you got some rain.

Etta Sue, we have freecycle around here but I have never used it.  Sorry to hear you have a full force cold to deal with. 

Marilyn, glad you are liking Windows 8.  A couple of days ago on the free Kindle books they offered a book on Windows 8.  I got it but haven't looked at it yet.  Hope the snow stays away in your area.

Etta Sue, I wish you had said something about Microsoft Office as there are two free programs, Open Office and LibraOffice that work with Microsoft office files.  You can close a program by right clicking on the program tab on the task bar (usually at the bottom of the screen) and clicking on "Close".

Jeanne, thanks for the fine devotional thoughts for this week. 

Hope everyone enjoys a fine Sunday.

Thank you fpr the devotional Jeanne. That is a verse we tend to forget!

Time to sing.

Ah, Judy!  That's my favorite Christmas hymn!  Thank you. 

Larry one thing that I nticed with Win 8 is that it came with Kindle already installed.

Hi Folks. Back again, 2 weeks in a row. We are having some not so pleasant weather in this area today so I am glad I don't have to go out on the roads today. We went into town last night for a while,and I don't know if it is the season with Christmas and all but it seems a lot of people check their brains at the door and leave without them. It is the season to be alert and sharp about your driving. Be defensive and not offensive behind the wheel. A defensive driver, drives so as to allow for the errors of others and thereby avoiding collision. Hope everyone is enjoying the season and remembering the birth of our Lord and Saviour. It is a busy time for most and we need to talk time to stop and meditate on the reason for the season. It's not all about gifts and baking and dinner and the hustle and bustle of the commercial aspect that this time of year has turned into. But rather it is about quietly reflecting upon our Sabviours birth and the start of His time on earth to minister to His people. Having said all this I hope you all have a blessed and joyous Christmas and time to rest in the comfort of His arms. I have one more week on the road and will then be home till after the New Year. Sure looking forward to this time of rest and spending time with my sweetie and family. It will be a nice time and change as most years in the past I have made it home for Christmas, usually arriving sometime on Dec 24 and gone again before New Years. Gods Blessing on you all Bonesy

G'Morning ... I really appreciate the devotional this morning, Jeanne.  There are certainly many valleys that some of my family members are going through at this time. The opperative word here is "through", and I am praying they make it soon.  This is becoming a mighty concern for this mom and grandmother. 

I received an invitation to a family's dinner on Christmas, but I'm not sure I will attend.  At the moment I am not feeling that I would be good company.  We'll see as the time approaches.  I'd more likely enjoy just staying home by myself.

I finally put out a couple decorations for Christmas -- an 18' lighted garland in my windows, two wreaths (on one each door) and my little caroling Christmas girl that looks like my daughter Jean, who is singing in heaven now.  That's it.  Oh, yes, I changed the color of my candles from beige (for Thanksgiving) to red. 

I wasn't even going to do that this year but, since I have been playing Christmas records on my new turntable/radio/cd and tape player, I thought I should do something.... can't always be a grinch, y'know.

I pray each of you will have a blessed day with the Lord today and that all your health issues are waning and soon become a thing of the past.  I would also appreciate it if you could breathe a prayer for my family whenever God puts it on your heart.

P.S. Judy that carol is one that my daughter Jean could sing to perfection.  Thank you.  I also side with Jeanne ... that is one of my favorites   

Thanks, Larry, but I'm always amazed at how much you continue to do, even with the diminished capacity of your heart.  But SO glad you pace yourself and know when to stop and just rest.  Hope Pat feels better today, as well.

I did go to Alco's (our only store of any size at all) yesterday and got some things for Grandson Mark.  Since he is moving again, has an apartment, he needed shower curtain and rug, comforter and sheets.  So I have all of his stuff ready and wrapped. Now I just need to get something for John, and I think we're set.

Larry, like you, we had to find something else on the TV, so opted for a Christmas movie last night.  It just got to be too much!

Jane!  So good to see you!  Bet your house looks lovely!

I need to call my youngest daughter, so talk to you later!

Hi everyone on a damp and chiilly morning here.  We have 100% change of more rain and perhaps thunderstorms today and we had rain all yesterday afternoon and into the night.  I just got back from coffee and a lady we know that also comes to McDonald's brought us all a big bag of Florida oranges that we split up among those present for coffee this morning.  So I came home with three nice oranges.  The housekeepers are here this morning and helping Pat put out some decorations and the tree.  We have dropped having them clean our offices today.  Mine is a mess with Christmas and really doesn't get dirty anyway and Pat hasn't been using her office very much.  Pat did go to church with me yesterday and then we went out to eat with the Sunday group.  I am going to lunch today with my Monday men's lunch group and we will be having Mexican.  I felt good all weekend, which was most enjoyable. 

Marilyn, I love reading on my iPad but don't really want to read a book on the computer although have the Kindle and Nook applications on them.  Yesterday I was looking for the book I got for free from Amazon about Windows 8 and didn't find it when I scrolled through the book archived on the cloud using the iPad.  So I went to the Amazon site and the Kindle orders listiing and immediately found it and also discovered they have an action under the little drop down to tell it to download to the iPad.  I clicked that and it was immediately downloaded to the iPad when I checked.  I will use that procedure in selecting books to read in the future. 

John, glad you can be home when the weather is bad.  I have tried to become a very defensive driver and am very careful in backing up to go very slowly and check and recheck for cars coming or cars behind also backing up.  Are you off the road until after Christmas?

Jane, I hope you will be able to be with others at Christmas time even if is friends and not family.  The only person we have any control over is ourselves and worry about other folks or things not in our control steal away our joy of life.  I am willing to bet your friends wouldn't have invited you if they didn't really want to share the day with you.

Janet, my sister lives in a small town in Northern Iowa and they have an Alco store.  Where I grew up we had Woolworth's and a locally owned same type of store for many years, which we often frequented because they were the only place to find any variety of things. 

Hi to all who have or do stop by today.

Good afternoon folks.  Snowing off and on here, very lightly. They are giving snow and rain for most of the week. Not what I really like just before the holiday with so many people travelling. We stay put, but I do think of others shopping and going to see families.
Baking that went out of the house is all done. The last was picked up this morning. A birthday cake for a 5 year old.
I don't do special baking for Christmas for us. Just what we would eat regularly.
There is just the two of us so we don't need all lot of sweets to nibble on.  I do make my own candy and will be making peppermint patties on Wednesday.
Great devotional this week. I enjoy meditating on those scriptures. "Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world!"
If any one is interested in the free office program I would go for the LibraOffice. I have had OpenOffice for years. It was a good office program.  LibraOffice is an off shoot from it. Apparently some of developers of OpenOffice left and started up this new one(LibraOffice). Unfortunately Openoffice is starting to go on the downslide so I would go with the LibraOffice.  I need to download it on this computer but I am waiting for a time that I have a good speed. I am on a "gated" satellite service and when you use more than allowed per day they slow you down to a dial-up speed.   Must get back to some house cleaning.
May God bless your day and guide your footsteps.

Good morning, friends,

It's a nice day here in Nashville, but rains and maybe even storms are coming this evening and tonight.

So, I'll get out and do what needs to be done, then come home and rest.

Y'all have a good evening,
Ruth Ann

I received some sad news today.  My friend/classmate in Mexico passed away yesterday afternoon.  We Skyped I would say around 4:30-5pm yesterday.  He seemed better than the week before.  Glad I got to talk to him.  This morning I got an email from his sister telling me to call her.  I did and she said that Rex's wife called her and said that Rex had a very good day yesterday...felt really good...talked to friends on Skype (found out that he Skyped with another friend in Lapel yesterday, too) and watched football with his step-son, David.  Later he got to feeling bad.  I don't know if he went to the hospital or not but he passed away yesterday afternoon (Mexico time) or evening (my time).  I will miss him but I know he is a believer so he is in no pain now and with God.

Yesterday was a busy day!  Whew!  Church, Sunday School, Open house next door to the church for the Youth Minister and his family, eating out with Betty at Steak and Shake, coming home and then Ivalou and I went to a 3rd birthday party for Tony and Charlene's g-granddaughter, Makena!  She looked so cute in her Cinderella dress.  Her Mom says, she wants to wear her 'bling' dresses all the time!!  Hard to get her into regular clothes!  And yes, she liked her 'bling' scarf I made her! 

I do believe that this computer is allowing me to have the oldest posts first.  Therefore, I can read 'down' all the time instead of up and down.  We will see if the notification email and clicking on it, brings me to the right post.  Before, it went to the last post and then I had to scroll down to find the first one after I previously read! 

I am getting used to Windows 8.  Seems to be a lot of back and forth but it is a change and perhaps all is good after all!  Marilyn...Larry...anything else I need to know about Windows 8?

And thanks for the heads up of OpenOffice.  My plans right now is when I am sure I have everything off of the old laptop, then I am going to re-install Vista.  Then let Ivalou 'play' with it.  If she likes it, then she can get her own internet and surf away!!  So if my old Microsoft Office doesn't work, I can download OpenOffice.  Does OpenOffice...once downloaded work without internet?

Dark and gloomy today.  I did get the car maintained with an oil change.  I told them I didn't think the heat was right.  Didn't seem to heat up the car like I think it should.  I told them that I have a new A/C condenser installed because it was ruptured...don't know how that happened and now it doesn't want to heat!  The people today checked and all they found out was it was about a fourth of a gallon low on coolant.  They added coolant and now it is hot!  He said it takes 2 gallons of coolant so being down an eighth would make a difference!

Hi Etta Sue, to answer your question. Yes, OpenOffice and LibraOffice once downloaded will work without internet. But if I were you, I would forgo the OpenOffice suite and go with the LibraOffice. They are both the same but LibraOffice is the newer version.

I have been to physical therapy and feel like an aching rag doll - and there is stuff to do in this house. 

Etta Sue:  Sorry to read about your friend in Mexico.  Hugs to you. 

Ruth Ann:  How is that cold?  Sending cyber chicken soup.   

Chrisle:  I see that you are not a baker at holiday time.  I used to bake cookies every night from  Thanksgiving on and so many breads for all exchange with neighbors or just plain gifts.  Not any more.  None of us need all the sugar but I did make the fruit cake and have portioned it out a little at a time. 

We have no television as Comcast cut us off a week ahead of the dates we set up.  It is nice and quiet and Don did get to watch the Broncos win their 9th out of 11 games record-setting may I say?  Everyone is wearing orange.  I have fixed a prescription hassle that has lasted since the first week of December - the same glitch as last year.  Today is just a great feeling of gratitude for getting things done. 

Many of us are facing trials this Christmas season and the carols on the radio don't really reach our soul.  I am posting this one for those folks who are in a tempest.

We are just home from Liberal, where I think I got the rest of the Christmas shopping done, and we also took grandson Mark out for lunch.  I looked across the way in the restaurant and saw a couple I have known since our kids were young.  They live quite a ways away, but we all used to go to the same church, and developed close ties there.  Anyway, I spoke to them and we talked a little; I asked if they knew I had written a book about Beth.  They said yes, they had heard about it and would like to get a copy; so I told them I had some in the car.  So another book was sold, and an old friendship re-kindled.

Darrel wasn't feeling very well when we left, so I drove to Liberal, and he drove home while I slept!  But I'm still sleepy.  I was glad Kristi didn't work me too hard this morning!

I haven't seen nor talked to Beth and John yet today.

Thank you for posting that song, Judy.

Yes, many are dealing with terrible tempests. That's one of my favorite songs dating back from my childhood where I was so bullied. I often played that song to relax me after getting home from a tempestuous school day.

Ruth Ann

Busy day yesterday still working with the new laptop.  I found out that my external harddrive did it's job but retrieved things that had been deleted two years ago and did not add things that was put on my old laptop recently.  So maybe tomorrow I will sit them side by side and check.  Sure don't want to miss any pictures or important documents.  I got an email today saying that my 'The Print Shop' was shipped yesterday...that's the program I use for my calendars and that is a must!  And yes, the external HD did not transport the new calendars...I had to use Flash Drives to do that! 

Today is Euchre at a restaurant in Noblesville.  We will eat and then the restaurant allows us to use two tables to play Euchre. 

Then tonight is Meal on Us.  One of the ladies is going to meet us there and then she is driving and taking us to see Christmas lights in Noblesville.  They have a contest and with a map, we will see 12 homes decorated for Christmas!  That will be cool.

Then I don't have anything on my schedule that I must do until Christmas Eve service and dinner at Ivalou's Christmas day.  Of course, there will be swimming and grocery shopping.  Then after that nothing is scheduled until January!

Hi everyone.  It is a sunny 50 degree morning so far.  Since I don't go to coffee on Tuesdays I was able to sleep in until 8 pm this morning. We just got back from taking Pat over to Kaiser so she could get an xray of her bad knee that the doctor needs when she sees him on Jan. 8th.  I plan on attending a meeting this morning and that will pretty well be it for the day.

I had one of the best Mexican meals yesterday I can remember having in a long time.  I got a take-out order so Pat didn't have to make her dinner last night.  Pat did get the house decorated, as much as we are going to decorate, with great assistance from the housekeepers yesterday.  She just decorated the family room and hallway but it looks very nice and tastefully done.  Our little tree is just right for us and we have used it for several years.  She had left the lights on it last year and said that was really the way to go as made getting it put up much easier.

Chrisle, the peppermint patties sure sound good.  I expect after all the baking you have done up to this point you are glad to turn the oven off for awhile.  I agree with you on the LibraOffice.

Ruth Ann, it sounds like what we have had the last couple of days is moving up your way with the rains.  Hope you are feeling better today.

Etta Sue, so sorry to learn of your sad news.  If seems that it isn't too uncommon for someone to have a fairly good time before their last day.  It sounds like you are doing well with Windows 8--no suggestions from me.  Yes, I believe OpenOffice, since it is loaded on your computer, is not internet dependent. (I see Chrisle had already given you the same answer.)  Glad you got the heat back to normal in your car. 

Carol, I have lost track of why you are cutting off Comcast?  Are you still in Arizona?  The Broncos are having a record setting season just as the Atlanta Falcons are.  They sure showed they are a legitimate team with their blanking of the Giants Sunday. 

Janet, what a pleasant surprise in meeting up with old friends and the selling of the copy of your book is certainly a bonus.  I am sure with John being with Beth you don't have the worry of the normal day. 

This was sent to Don via the internet.  He sent it along to all the children and friends.

Eleven Days Before Christmas


Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38 a.m.

when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.

Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air,

they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

They were filled with
such joy, they didn't know what to say,

they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.

"Where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.

"This is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."

When what to their wondering eyes did appear,

but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.

He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.

Then He opened His arms and He called them by name,

and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring.

Those children all flew into the arms of their King

and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,

one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.

And as if He could read all the questions she had

He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."

Then He looked down on earth, the world far below,

He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe.

Then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,

"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"

"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"

"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"

Then He and the children stood up without a sound.

"Come now my children, let me show you around."

Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran,

all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.

And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,

"In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

We are home in Colorado and leaving on Saturday because all of our children will be away and most leave on Saturday as well.  Gathering Friday night.  I am not going to be upset about this Christmas - we know of a church service in Arizona and celebrate the birth of Christ peacefully. 

So, cleaning, washing, ironing, packing - you name it.  Also had a physical therapy session yesterday and trying to do the exercises - it is painful enough to take Ibuprophen but has to be done so I will balance better.  We have neighbors coming tonight and other neighbors coming for breakfast.  It is sunny and warm here and snowing just a few miles north so we are going to get the storm soon - airing out the house & cleaning everything.  There is a huge bag of donations in the garage.  The box that fell on my head was too heavy with Christmas wrapping paper and such so I purged the paper today and felt better.  We do not need heavy boxes over our heads in the storage room. 

Ruth Ann:  It is upsetting to read that you were bullied in school.  We didn't know the term then but one popular girl pointed out my freckles and red hair and said that my house looked like a barn - it was the tradional Swedish red with white trim and we rented an apartment on the 2nd. floor  so it was big but really plain.  I don't know your circumstances in the past - just glad that you are here and your posts are always filled with gracious gratitude.  Hugs to you.

Carol I posted that on Facebook for others to see.

About the bullying...I absolutely understand, and had I known about suicide back then, most likely would have taken that route to get away from the kicks, epithets, cruelty, and emotional pain my tormentors caused for all of the first 8 grades in school. Now, I'm so thankful that I'm here and able to participate in such a loving group.

Judy, thank you for the songs. I'm not familiar with the last one, but the accompanying harp music is lovely - I've played it several times.

Thank you for your kind posts today. I think I'm feeling better, but still have 7 more days of antibiotic to take. Thanks to a good doctor, I hope my sinuses will be completely over this infection by that time. The cough lingers, but I understand that is the way that this virus leaves people - with a lingering, deep cough.

At any rate, it's a point for gratitude that we have wonderful doctors, great medicines, and an even GREATER God Who loves and cares for us, whether sick or well.

So, tonight, I'm throwing in my lot with the Great Physician!

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Hi from a snow covered Vancouver Island.  Thanks for the nice devotional Jeanne.  Also thanks for the lovely music Judy. 
I hope that you will spend the day with your friends, Jane.  Life and sadness is easier when not alone.This time of year is always hard for me also as for years we have not known where my son is....or even if he is alive.  So I go on praying for him and trusting that God will take care of my son.  I also prayed for your family.

The kids have colds and Wendy had a painful treatment on her poor little body today.  So while they were in Victoria I made up a big pot of Chicken soup and a pan of buttermilk biscuits for them.  Chicken soup really does make some of us feel better! 

A lovely surprise from the art site I belong to...they gave all members a $10 credit for one of their videos.  So I got the one on painting birds in watercolours.
They are two talented artists from New Zealand And are ago generous with their time and gift.  The site is www.paintbrush.com.  Janet, you might find it of interest.  Always room for more knowledge........

Time to go and round up my cat.  Misty loves the cold weather and snow.  But what do cats know??  The neighbours cat, who  lives here, prefers to curl up and sleep on my chair.....at least it was my chair!

Kind of sad that so many people are worried about the 21st.  Makes me even more grateful to be a Christian.

God Bless



.

Larry, you're right!  When John is here, I almost feel I have a mini-vacation, as don't feel I have to go to the home every day.  He came in this morning while I was reading my Bible and having an early cup of coffee, and we had a nice little visit.  Then I made breakfast for him and he headed to McDonald's to get Beth a yogurt parfait.  He said he gets her one every morning he is here! 

Carol, thanks for sharing "Eleven Days Before Christmas" with us.  I know God is able to bring good out of even the worst things.  Prayers for all the families affected continue.....  Did I understand that none of your kids will be with you for Christmas?  But you did get to spend time with them recently?  Whichever, I do wish you a very happy Christmas.  Where are you going?  You mentioned packing.

Etta Sue, your relaxed Christmas season sounds very nice!  Mine won't be as hectic as usual, and I do enjoy having the family around me, whoever can get here.

Liz, good to have you posting!  I'm so sorry to hear about your missing son, I know that must be really hard to bear, so try to give it over to the Lord every time you think of him.  Your love continues to follow him, wherever he may be.  Hugs to you, dear one.....   Thanks so much for the link to the art site, will check it out when I finish this post!

Ruth Ann, bullying is such a terrible thing.  I was bullied in school, but not to a great extent, and it is so painful.  It made me feel unworthy and self-conscious for years.  I can't imagine anyone mistreating such a sweet person as you, though!

Judy, thanks for posting the music, even though I cannot play it on my laptop, and I haven't any other computer.  I must remember to have one of my techie grandsons find out why it won't play.

Do any of you know what it signifies if you have protein in your urine?  My grandson who took his physical hoping to join the Air Force, had that show up, so more tests are needed before he can be accepted.

I need to email another story to the Ulysses News!  See you all tomorrow!

Kids are so very cruel, as you and Beth know, Janet.

I think the bullying is one of the things that really shaped my life. I determined that NEVER would I be a bully, and NEVER would I allow anyone to bully me when I grew up. The teenagers tried some of it, but I wouldn't allow it. And, to this day, I abhor bullying and those who think it's okay to be bullies. It's NEVER EVER ok to participate in bullying.

Oh, my goodness, I'm speaking so sharply tonight. Please accept my statements from my perspective, and if God has helped any person who participated in this to reform, please let me know so I can encourage you to work toward no more bullying anywhere.

One of the wonderful things my parents did for me was to train me in playing the piano. That instrument and the challenging musical works I was given by teachers and by choir directors helped me to cope.

I have an unspoken request for prayer this evening. Thank y'all for remembering this when you prepare to rest today.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann