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Morning Devotional...





He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' Matthew 25:45



No observant man will attempt to deny that a vast amount of Christian money is being spent on those who do not need it, while the poor and the needy and such as have no helper must often go unnoticed and unhelped, even though they too are Christians and servants of our common Lord. (The modern church would appear to be as blind and partial as the world in this matter.)

Our Lord warned us against the snare of showing kindness only to such as could return such kindness and so cancel out any positive good we may have thought we were doing. By this test, a world of religious activity is being wasted in our churches. To invite in well-fed and well-groomed friends to share our hospitality with the full knowledge that we will be invited to receive the same kindness again on the first convenient evening is in no sense an act of Christian hospitality. It is of the earth earthy; its motive is fleshly; no sacrifice is entailed; its moral content is nil and it will be accounted wood, hay, stubble before the judgment seat of Christ.

The evil here discussed was common among the Pharisees of New Testament times. In chapter twenty three of Matthew, Christ mercilessly exposed the whole thing, and in so doing earned the undying enmity of those who practiced it. The Pharisees were bad not because they entertained their friends but because they would not entertain the poor and the common among the people. One bitter accusation which they hurled against Christ was that He received sinners and ate with them. This they would not stoop to do, and in their high pride, they became seven times worse than the worst among the sinners whom they so coldly rejected.



Father, may I be a commited servant of Yours through whom You reach out to those in need

From Devotions By Dr. Tozer

Thank you Don!

We met a couple from Minnesota at church and they really know the town where my mother was raised.  They go to the bible camp that has been on the lake for years - Green Lake Bible Camp.  Then, we walked to the famous fountain here in Fountain Hills and did get a picture of the bright green gusher at noon.  There were cars galore coming in to see the St. Patrick's day green fountain spout. 

Ruth:  Sorry about the ordeal for your Charlene as you await results.  Thinking of you.

Jeanne:  Dogs are more forgiving than cats...... ;) 

Larry:  It always takes longer to recuperate than the hospital tells you - gentle hug to Pat. 
I wanted to tell you about Don's stylus - it is a rounded nub and I like to use it but that doesn't mean you would like a pointed one.  Never have seen a pointed one.  But - if you are still interested, we will be home in a couple of weeks and he will make one or look through his little box to see if there is one available.  We could send a picture.  The nub is about or less than 1/4 inch across. 

JudyB:  John is going to be near Bemidji - boy, is he ever going to a small town - Solway.  It is more like a suburb.  Good fishing in that area and canoeing too. 

We said fond farewells to everyone at church as we will watch the weather next week and go when it looks good.  Our youngest son is coming here on a business trip and we may wait for him if it can work out or else he will just stay here alone.  No t.v. or internet and the fridge will be empty but he made it work out last time - it is free and his company likes to save the money too. 

Carol he will be stopping at a truck stop at Bemidji.  That is where he will be spending the night.  There used to be a toll phone there, it has been removed as most everybody has a cell.  He does as well, however we don't use the cells when he is States side, as it racks up enormous roaming charges.  So I may not hear from him this trip.  If there is a problem I can text him to let him know.
Do you and Don live near there?  if so it would be wonderful to have a coffee with him!  Let me know this is a common stop for him.

I am watching the skating gala on TV of the World Figure Skating Championships. These skaters from all ove the world are such wonderful skaters.  Hard to believe the Winter Olympics are only 11 months away!

Have a great night folks!

Hi everyone.  It is an overcast, damp and rather chilly morning here.  We are suppose to have rain this afternoon and evening but to get up to 64 degrees before the day is over.  We had a pretty quiet day yesterday.  Mary did make us a totally homemade chocolate pie and today is fixing cinnamon rolls from scratch.  She will be leaving tomorrow morning to go back to her home in Missouri.  Pat's incision has finally stopped draining and that is good news. She will have therapy again today and the doctor has ordered a couple more home therapy sessions and then some further physical therapy at a facility. I have my usual Monday activities.  At lunch our men's group is going to  Shane's Rib Shack, which is a local chain and where we always enjoy going.  Late yesterday afternoon we all got in the car and went to the frozen custard place for a cup of their delicious custard.  Their flavor of the day was mint chocolate chip.  They only have three flavors each day, always vanilla and chocolate and a different daily flavor. 

Jeanne, cats have a definite way of communicating their displeasure with we humans when we don't do what they like. 

Judy, the Victoria's Quilts sounds like a wonderful project.  I know some of the quilting groups around here take on projects such as quilts for the children's hospital or other worthy causes.  Hope John has a great week with lot of miles.

Don, thanks for the new devotional thoughts for this week.  I have often worried a bit about our big churches with big buildings that cost so much to maintain.  Our church is very active in local and foreign missionary work including a project to reach out to the high school students from low income homes with after class mentoring and occasional special events.  During the prom season I know one of our ladies made prom dresses for 4 girls who would not have been able to have such a dress.  We participate with several other churches in our county in Family Promise, where our church hosts several homeless families for a week at a time. 

Carol, thanks for the info on the stylus.  What Don makes sounds very much like the ones I have.  I would appreciate seeing a picture of one.  Staying at your place sounds like a very good deal for your son's company and I am sure he appreciates it. 

Larry, good to know Pat is improving.  I'm sure you'll miss Mary when she leaves.  It sounds as though she has been a real help.

Our weather is still winter - both on the calendar and in reality.  After a night when the temperature dropped to zero we are now in a winter storm warning.  All the snow from last week is gone and will be replaced tonight and tomorrow by anywhere from 3 to 10 inches or more.  :yikes:

Sounds like you are getting the storm we had last week Jeanne.  Hoping that spring arrives soon!

Larry A friend has had both knees replaced and has said that icing is the best pain reliever she knows of.  Better than all the pills for pain in the world. Enjoy the help as long as it lasts.

I have completed a third of my assignments, and am working through them quickly.  I do enjoy having something that stretches my brain!

Have a good day everyone!

We are having a very dreary, dark rainy day here in Indiana.  Kind of makes one sad.  I am doing laundry and this afternoon will be going to Kitty's to learn her routine for her cats.  I will be cat sitting for her while they go to Texas to check on their land down there.  I am thinking her routine is more detailed than mine.  But I am only going there once a day. 

Ivalou watched Ali and Inky while I was gone to Cornerstone Inn.  She said they welcomed her each day knowing they were going to be fed!! 

Not much news.

Oh, Larry, Mary will be missed.  I bet she's worth her weight in gold!!!  I'm glad that Pat is getting a bit better.  Give her a hug for me please.

Well, I've been to the eye doctor and am having such a terrible time trying to get glasses that will take my prescription.  The temples are about 1 cm too short and can't be altered and what a job.  I've got one more frame to see if an Asian company in Mississauga will be able to adjust the temples the needed length and if they can't, well, it's back to square one.

It's very, very windy today.  March winds!!!

I was just talking to Ruth.  I have posted about her daughter in law in Prayer and Praise Here (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=12574.new#new).  Please keep these folks in prayer, I will try to keep you up to date as I am able.

Thanks for opening that topic, Judy. 

Pat, my grandmother had pince nez glasses on a ribbon that hooked onto her clothing when she wasn't wearing them.  Maybe you can get something like that.   ;D  Or maybe you can get the ones like opera glasses, that you hold in front of you.   ;D   I'm just kidding of course.  I've never heard of a problem like you have but it must be really frustrating.   What is "back to square one"?

 

Love that hymn, Judy.

Does anyone want some snow?  We have extra to share today.  Check it out HERE (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=12534.msg178114#msg178114)

I've been to the pool and I got my nails done.  I used to think it was silly to get your nails done.  My original nails are terrible.  Probably due to some medication that I take but they have been terrible for over 20 years.  They are ridged, split, and look at them sideways, they look like roller coasters.  And my cuticles were so dry that I was constantly picking them and pulling them off and therefore, bleeding.  I haven't picked my cuticles since Feb 4 when I first got my nails done.  My nails look so pretty, I doubt if I ever go back to my natural nails! 

Then I ate lunch at Taco Bell, hurried home to shower and wash my hair.  Now in and hour and a half, I am to be at Jane's to  play Euchre. 

Busy day!

Let's see those nails, Etta Sue!  Take a photo!

Nice hymn, Judy.  I have it playing here in the background.  One of my favorites.

Thanks for the song "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus".  If I close my eyes, I can almost hear it being sung. 

Twice, I have had a manicure - once before going in for surgery - just in case  :D  and once a gift from our daughter where our granddaughter also had her first manicure.  Otherwise, I do my own and use a polish when starting to sew or knit but not to clean house - ugh.  A manicure does sound relaxing. 

We spent a few hours waiting for an air conditioner man to show up today - Don had taken the message and he thought it was the 19th and had marked his calendar for tomorrow and then I marked my calendar for today so we shall see if the guy arrives tomorrow. 

My walk was earlier before it started getting warm.  Now we will have to change to more clothes next week when we return home. 

JudyB:  We live SW of Denver.  Yes, it would be great to meet John for coffee if he came through.  Do you know anything about the town of Merritt in B.C.?  A junior hockey league?  You can email me. 

Hi:   I have a very sore knee and no idea what is wrong, no answers until an MRI in April.

Back to the old usual phoned my Aunt this morning she was getting onions ready for her lunch, I then asked do you have potatoes --NO.   Then more questions on my part so I have just returned from the grocery store with grocers cut some of them up and now I will be headed out the door going to her place and yes she will be so pleased with what I have done.   

I looked out the window a blinding snow blizzard it will soon stop.

7.02 tomorrow morning is the first day of spring.  :) :)

Hi everyone.  It is now 4:30 and this has been a whirlwind day but a very beautiful day.  We now have the house opened up for awhile and the sun is shining brightly.  We left for the airport about 10 am this morning and the trip was uneventful.  Mary just called a few minutes ago and is on the ground and her daughter is there to pick her up and take her home.  It has been a long day for her.  I got home a little afternoon and we had a bite of lunch and then laid down to rest but guess I am so hyped up today that I couldn't sleep.  When I got up I saw they Mary had left her meter to check her diabetes so got busy and just got back from mailing that, the computer I put together for her and some items that wouldn't fit into her suitcase via UPS. I was going to overnight the meter until I found that would cost over $70 so switched plans and came back home and got the computer and went back and had the UPS store pack i up for me.  It was pricey but know it all was packed much better than I could do and the box is to be delivered Thursday.  Stacey called this morning saying one of her toes is black and it is spreading up her leg.  She called the doctor's office and they told her she needed to go to the ER and have it checked out.  So we are awaiting to hear from her.  I am tired and plan on just reading the postings since I posted yesterday and only commenting if I can't control myself.  :)

Good news, Larry, that Mary arrived home and that you were able to send on the rest of her things.

But...  Stacey's news doesn't sound as encouraging.  I will be praying for an easy solution for her.

Ohhh, Larry, that doesn't sound good about Stacy's toe.  I hope she manages to get to the ER.

Glad you got the things sent to Mary.  It's been good to have her to help care for Pat.  Just lovely!

Hi Larry. I too will be praying for Stacey.

Jeanne, I hadn't read through all the posts in last week's thread, so didn't catch your post about your cats until tonight.  Made me giggle, a little bit, as it reminded me of how one of my cats let her displeasure be known years ago. I had ended up in the hospital while away on vacation, so was gone from home for much longer than anticipated. My sister was living with me at the time, so Squeaker's needs were being met.   
Well, the first night I was home, the little furry bundle ran away from me when I came in the door, then avoided me until I went to bed.  When I woke up in the middle of the night I wondered what could possibly be tickling my face.  Squeaker was laying on the other pillow, with her butt against my head!!

My Bella used to greet me at the door every day on my return home.  Now she stays on the back of the lazy boy, calling to me..and waiting for her pat.


Yes, cats do have a way of letting you know what they are thinking!

I have been talking about losing weight for several months, and researching various exercise classes, times, etc.  Most gyms have monthly and/or joining fees that are way out of my budget, so I've been looking at Jazzercise, Zumba, and aerobics classes on Youtube. 

Came across an article on Yahoo News about a 6'7" trucker who has lost 100 pounds since joining a Zumba class a year or so ago.  He enjoys it so much that he built a gym in his basement and has started giving classes.  He has about 7 videos online, and I have worked my way through 3 of them since Sunday night.  I always start with warm up stretches, and do more stretches between videos.  Great fun!!

 :)  Good evening to all.   I have read through the posts and very interesting.  There is much need for prayer for you all who do have needs.  May you all have the faith that you need to trust the Lord to give you the strength to get through these things. :thumbsup:

Larry;  I do hope that Stacey will get this looked after right away as that is so important.  Hope that you and Pat are also doing well and from reading I see that Pat is coming along.  God's richest blessings on you both. :)

Pat Hope that you get the glasses that you need soon.  It must be a little bit frustrating that you have to wait for this to happen. Hope that this will happen real soon.  Love ya  Sis. :thumbsup:

Etta Sue:  Good to talk to you on Face book and it is such an easy way to do this. Hope that you had a wonderful time at the meetings that you just came back from. :)

Janet:  It was also nice to talk to you on face book you always sound that you are  so busy but that is good for us to do.  I hope that you and your husband are well and also your family. I still have not found your book that you sent me. :coffee:

To all others I do hope and pray that you all have a wonderful week and again may the Lord give you all many opportunities to witness for him  God's richest blessings to you all. ;D :cp: :pine: :bananadance:

P.S.  I forgot to ask you all to remember my wife again as she will be having her pre.op. for her surgery on the 26th of March then her surgery is on the 10th. of April at the Welland General Hospital in Ontario Canada and the pre op will be a long day and her knee is giving her a lot of pain.  Thank you.  Gordon and Noreen :thumbsup:

Gord:  Ask and you shall receive - prayers for sure. 

Larry:  Stacey's toe issue - another prayer for quick medical attention.  Whatever can it be?  Nice that you were able to get the computer packed and sent & smart too because they will be insured if they pack it.  At least that is what I remember from the days we had a packaging business.  Long ago - when I had more energy. 

We met a very young couple who have nothing but are renting a one-bedroom apartment nearby.  They need everything - I could only give them a newly washed pillow but am considering making a package of some of the leftover food we have to remove from here when we go home.  We don't know their whole story, very odd that they have lived around here for long and have "nothing".  They do have two dogs and take good care of the animals. 

Bonnie:  I need to pay attention to exercise again and snacking.  Good for you - a Zumba class would send me to the ER. 

The temperature at home is 8 * F.  Brrrrr - and we are wearing cut off pants & short sleeves now. 

Good morning and Happy Spring!  You might be interested in checking HERE (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=12534.msg178146#msg178146)!

Euchre was fun yesterday after a full day of busyness. 

Kitty and Bob left yesterday for Texas for maybe 2 weeks...but knowing Bob, he will be home earlier than that.  I went over to her house Monday to learn what all needed done.  Whoa!  She has a list a mile long!!  Not only feeding the cats and cleaning the litter box but check the fridge...if the thermometer is in the red, raise the temp of the fridge, check the basement...if it is flooding, call Jim.  Empty the dehumidifier container.  If they haven't eaten all the dry cat food, then stir it up with your finger and add some fresh from the cup on the cabinet...open cup so it sure isn't fresh.  Turn off the light that is on and turn on another one but not the one by the couch because the cats will knock it over.  The paper won't be in the paper box, the guy throws it on the front porch.  Get the mail from the mailbox by the road.  Water the flowers on Sunday and believe you me, she has plants galore...I bet at least 40 plants and a little watering can.  Probably will have to be filled 20 times.  She has some plants that goes to the ceiling!  And I am probably missing something.  Oh, yes.  The cats like to be brushed!!  But Spot only likes his spine brushed.  Also I am to give them Cream of Chicken soup daily....the last time, they didn't eat it so I didn't feed it to them.  This is DAILY!!

Oh,well.  It will give me something to do! 

Etta Sue add that to you normal routine and you will be one very busy lady!

Etta Sue!  Whew!  I would opt for a nap after checking off that list. 

Air conditioner guys were here and the freon was down 2 lbs. - they had to climb to the roof of the 2nd. story, so glad I wasn't  on the ladder or Don.  This place is on the first floor so we don't have steps here.  We go home to a  house at higher altitude of over 6,000 ft. and using anything in the walkout basement means stairs for us. The first week back is always exhausting. 

I am taking pictures of what we leave here because next year for sure I will forget and then bring something or not bring the right thing. 

Hello everyone, I hope our storm is over, the wind sure did blow and the hard rain made a lot of noise in the night.  It looks like the sun is coming out now. Hard to type with a cat in my lap with his head hanging off one side. He keeps slipping.

Just stopped by to say hello.

Hi everyone.  It has been an overcast, rather chilly, day but I see the sun is finally shining.  I went to coffee, Aldi's and then my Romeo's men's luncheon at a Chinese Buffet.  I came home exhausted and had a nice rest.  The news is bad for Stacey as she has gangrene in her big toe, which has no pulse.  The surgeon told her this morning she must have the toe removed to avoid invasion into her foot.  We thought it might be today but then remembered they had told her it would take two days for a culture they took to be tested so perhaps they will do the surgery tomorrow.  I will go down to be with her before and after surgery.  The doctor told her she will still be able to stand on her foot.  When they tested her toe there was no pulse and she has been in the vascular lab today for some other tests.  We have expected to hear from her any moment.  She had a bad night. Thank you all for your prayers for her. 

Bonnie, good luck to you with your Zumba classes, whatever those are.  :)

Gord, I will be keeping Noreen in my thoughts and prayers as she comes up to her surgery. 

Carol, I had to pay $2 for a little additional insurance.  The package should be delivered tomorrow.  Mary really enjoyed using the computer while she was here and I sometimes had a problem of finding a time to work on it as when she was sitting in the easy chair she was using the computer.  Nice of you to help the young couple.  Maybe you will be able to take some warm weather back to Denver when you go.  Good idea to take pictures of things to use in planning for your next trip there.

Hi Marilyn, Pat, Jeanne and anyone I have missed in my comments.

Etta Sue, it sounds like you are taking on an 8 hour a day job with that long list that Kitty left for you.

Hi again Larry.  Zumba is an exercise routine set to dance music.  The music could be anything from Jazz, to Hip Hop, to Country.  It's actually a lot of fun, and one is encouraged to go at your own comfortable pace. 

Carol, I am glad these videos are only about 10 to 15 minutes long, as I couldn't handle much more than that. 

Gord, I will add your wife to my prayer list. 

Etta Sue, I agree with others re your busy schedule.  I would be absolutely exhausted if I tried to do what you do in a morning, let alone an entire day.  I enjoy reading your reports though, as you certainly embody the Lord's wish for us to serve, to help others.

Larry :  Your family has been through too many trials - praying for comfort and healing. 

Larry, I'm so sorry to hear the diagnosis about Stacey's toe.  I was afraid that was it when you first mentioned it.  She and all of you will be in my prayers.

Etta Sue, anyone making that many demands of a caretaker in her absence should be required to pay someone, not expect that kind of service from a volunteer or family member.  With your usual busy schedule I can't imagine how you will fit it all in.

Gord, prayers are ongoing for Noreen and you.

I'm sorry about Stacey's new problem.  I am praying for her and for you and Pat.  This is a stressful time for all of you and you don't need this stress.

We have had more snow. John came through it safely.  The upper peninsula of Michigan was expecting 24 inches yesterday.  Thankfully John was in Canada before that hit.

Have a God day folks.

Judy, another favorite hymn of mine.  It's one of those I can't get through with dry eyes.

Hi everyone.  It is a chilly, but sunny, 32 degrees here in Georgia.  Please continue to pray for Stacey as she is a very ill person.  Pat just spoke to her and her fever is over 101 degrees and her foot has now turned red.  She has had mixed signals as to whether her surgery will be today or tomorrow.  Her heart rate was up to 134.  In a few minutes I will head down to the hospital to spend some time with her.  I have been busy around here this morning and was helping Pat with a bath.  Pat will be OK for a few hours.  She said this morning she was actually walking without the hip or knee pain that she has lived with so long.  It also appears the incision is looking better and the final strips came off this morning.  She had her bath and washed her hair a little bit ago and she is now settled in to rest for awhile.  I decided I needed to sit and rest for a few minutes before getting into the car.

Oh, Larry, I wish I could just drop down there and help you both out for a few days.  I'm so saddened to read of Stacey. 

You will be in my prayers today (as you are every day).

I'm now at the hospital and have seen her toe and foot.  She still is waiting to hear if the surgery will be today.  They aren't letting her eat anything.  However her heart rate is down to 92 and the fever is down.  She just told me that this will be a very high risk surgery, not what a father wants to hear, but not surprised as she has had so many heart attacks and all of her other problems. 

I appreciate your prayers so much as they are certainly needed. 

Kitty used to pay a German Baptist (we call them Dunkards around here) woman to watch her cats while they are gone.  Rachel is busy now with a sick step-mother and aging father so I told Kitty I would help her out since she helped me out while I was in Florida.  I have been paid well...remember she gave me a Canon G9 camera and an Epsom Printer.  I did ask her not to post on FB where they were...I didn't want to go in her house and find someone else there or someone else come in while I was there!!

And I have a cold.  It started while I was at Wednesday Night Live Bible Study last evening and coughing a lot when I got home.  I am now taking cold tablets and sleeping with Vick's! 

And I called the company back to work on the heat pump again.  It's a call back so it isn't to cost me anything.  I have turned it off since before going to Florida...I had it set for 76° and in the morning it was 68°...what the furnace was set on.  They are coming between 2 and 4 this afternoon. 

So Kitty's kids will get a late supper tonight!

We are praying Larry.

I keep looking here for updates from Larry.

Just a quick hello before getting the evening meal ready.
I just finished reading had a few laughs and I feel so sorry for those that have problems.

On a happy note I had started a counted cross stitch picture last September and it is now finished only to neatly put away in a drawer it is so pretty but I have very little wall space left, if you all know what I mean.

This is the second day of spring and we have already received out added share of snow.       

Cheers and God Bless.

This lack of notifications is getting really aggravating!  Coming in via the back door takes too much time!

Larry, I am so sorry to read about Stacey's toe and foot. Not good news at all.  I will be praying for her and you and Pat as well.  Enough is enough, and I feel your family has had more than enough already. :(

I have been busy with interviewing and typing, will post another story for you soon.  Small world, though--someone mentioned Bemidji,Minnesota, and one of the last ladies I interviewed grew up there!  How about that?

I have been praying fervently for Israel and PM Netanyahu, as Obama is there now and I do not trust him at all.  Israel needs all our prayers!

I was way behind in here, but hope to get the notifications so it won't happen again.

Oh, Larry..I'm so sorry about the news of Stacy's foot.  I will add my prayers to others...for her, and for your family.  Sometimes it seems like things are just too much...but we know that God never gives us more than we can bear.  He must think we're really strong.

Amen Nita!

Early morning news:  Killings in Quantico; Killings and chase from Colorado- to-Texas; report that there is now evidence the world is older than originally believed - they have found "leftover radioactivity from the big bank"  :yikes: ; rock slides; President Obama in the Middle East promising to save the world.

Come Lord Jesus, come! 

No word from Larry today.  Hope all is ok.

The weather out on the Canadian prairies has been brutal.  Out friend in Edmonton had 3 feet of new snow dump down on them in a day.  That is on top of what was already there.  Many accidents and stranded motorists.  Elizabeth was stranded and was put up in a hotel room for the night. I saw videos of the accidents, and they were a reminder of our driving days in Nebraska and Wyoming on I 80.

We have had snow every day this week.  Thankfully spring will be here soon.

This is the day that the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it!!!

Lost a post so not starting all over again.

It is bright and sunny in Indiana but still cold...only 26°.

Ivalou just called and said she was going to Lapel...to CVS, the bank and Dollar General in the car.  She said if she got to the corner and felt she shouldn't go further, she would turn around and come back.  This is the first time driving since before shoulder surgery in October.  She will do fine. 

I am praying that Stacey is okay and that Larry and Pat are fine also.

Prayers for you and your family , Larry...

Hope we hear something soon..

Good morning, all.  I came to see if there was word from Larry.  Praying again this morning.

We have sunshine!  It's supposed to be nice this weekend.  A nice Spring Vacation start for the kids.  Kaleb, my grandson, is staying with his cousin tonight, and then I think he and his older brother might go visit with his mom a few days.  He's settling in here nicely and things are going well.

I've been going through pictures of Faye's, sorting and printing those we will display at her Celebration Of Life service on April 7.  We thought it might be nice to have a display of some of her favorite photos,  as that was such a big part of her life.  It will be an outdoor service in the park, with a potluck after.   I imagine there will be many who will want to speak.  One of her very good friends, and coworker for years, also an elder in the Bikers For Christ group, will officiate the service.  I know it is just what she would want.

(ok....I said the sun was shining...but now it's not.  How quickly things change.  This IS Oregon...gotta love it.)

Stacey came through the  surgery fine.  She has infection at the point where the toe was removed and they can't close it up until that is gone.  They will do further testing on her leg on Monday as there is some blockage in her upper leg.         

Thanks for your prayers for her and for Pat and I.  We are greatly relieved that this surgery is over.                                                                                                                                                                             

Larry I am also praying for Stacy. She may have to wear a wound pump until the infection leaves.

I finally got to see my doctor yesterday after their office had postponed my appointment twice. All my lab results were perfect. However after going over the Heart Monitor printouts she has decided to have me go in next Thursday for a Nuclear Stress test. there were incidences of my heart beating extra beats and than lull before it started beating again both when I was awake and when I was sleeping.  So next Thursday morning I will be spending a few hours at the hospital while they do the testing.

Ruth it is good to see you posting again, I have prayed for  your DIL. How is she doing?

Thank you Larry for the update.  We will continue to pray.  You must be really tired after a long day yesterday.

Continuing to pray.

I had my eyes tested yesterday.  The optometrist said the tests did not show any evidence of damage from the concussion. He also said there has been no change in my prescription, so there is no need to put money toward a new pair of glasses.  He suggested sunglasses with a brown lense for night, and another pair with gray lenses for daytime.

Nita, the upcoming celebration of Faye's life sounds really special.

Marilyn, I will add you to my prayer list.

Larry, I'm glad Stacey came through the surgery ok.  I actually have a client who had a similar surgery about 6 weeks ago.  He still has nursing care twice a week, with the wound where the toe was removed taking a long time to heal over, but is doing much better than was predicted by the doctors. 

Still praying for Stacey.

Larry, good news that Stacey came through the surgery, but not so good that there is an infection that needs to heal before closing things up.  Prayers continue for Stacey and for you and Pat as well.

Hi everyone.  I got home about 3 pm and am laying down.  I had some difficulty posting from the hospital as their wi-fi wasn't working today, at least for my iPad, and it is a bit difficult to post using the iPhone.  I plan on staying home tomorrow as by the time I left the hospital I head was getting too heavy for my neck, which is my indicator I am getting too tired.  Stacey just needs to rest and let the antibiotic do its work.  The internist said right before I left that the blood work had come back negative on the infection being in the blood-so that was good news. 

Earlier we went to Bolton for lunch a new little place for Mel, I was there once before and really liked it, it is a family run restaurant so it is just like cooking your own. 
Grandma made the soup today it was beef barley (fantisic)  I had corned beef on rye the same home cooked flavor.

Just looked out the sun is out just like our spirits.  Please check prayer and praise.

Mel has just come in so I will find out what he has been up to.

Larry Take time to rest and give the hospital time to do what they do best.  She is in good hands.

Ruth glad you had a good lunch, and we are praising God with you!

I'm late again today.  Had a real "J" night last night, then went to the gym and she had us do intervals, which almost did me in!  I was already sore, and after that, I have barely been able to walk today.  I had a lot of errands to do, so forced myself to keep going till those were finished, then came home and took a nap!

The latest thing at the care home is that they have lost Beth's glasses!  They laid them on her bedside table, and what they think happened is that somebody knocked them off, they fell into the wastebasket and got thrown away.  By the time they searched her room, the trash men had come by and emptied the dumpsters.  So they will have to buy her a new pair of glasses; but in the meantime, poor Beth can't even see her TV very well, anyway.  She said she can see it "a little bit."  I do hope it doesn't take too long to get the new pair.

Larry, I'm relieved to hear Stacey came through this latest ordeal okay.  Will they put a wound vac on her foot?  Those are amazing things!  Please take it easy and get rested up.  You have had far too much stress lately.  God bless you, I send my love and prayers for you, Pat and Stacey.

We had a forecast of snow mixed with rain for tonight and tomorrow, but on the evening news, there were no clouds over the entire state of Kansas.  Phooey.

Nita, the planned service in memory of Faye sounds really nice.  (((hugs)))

Hope you all have a wonderful night's sleep--me, too!  ;)

Another story!

                                TREASURES FROM GRANT COUNTY
           By Janet Damon
                                             NAOMA RUNDELL

Naoma (Hayden) Rundell was born in Stafford, Kansas on July 1, 1929.  She grew up in Stafford, the youngest of nine siblings, and is now the only one surviving.

Her mother was a homemaker, who did machine quilting for others.  Her dad was a carpenter, and sanded a lot of hardwood floors.  He also had a dairy for a while.

Naoma gained her education in the Stafford school, where she attended through her junior year of high school, at which time she quit and got married.  She promised her mother she would finish high school, and did get her GED in about 1978, just a year before her mother died.  She says she wouldn't trade her family life for more education, but she would have finished high school if girls had been allowed to attend after they got married.

During her school years, Naoma had two favorite teachers— Miss Ruth Mershon, who taught junior high English, and Miss Martha Drevits, who taught high school English.

In remembering her childhood days, Naoma recalled that nobody had air conditioning, so everyone sat outside in the summer evenings.  They used a smudge pot to ward off the mosquitoes.  The adults visited while the kids played kick-the-can, hide-and-go-seek, Annie Over and other games.  Her family had an outhouse until Naoma was a freshman in high school.
A big difference she sees from "the old days" is that when she was a kid, there were only three families on both sides of their block who owned cars.  None of the women worked outside their homes.  Now, instead of one car or no car, most families have multiple cars.

Naoma's dad taught her to drive before she was 16.  They usually went for a drive on Sunday afternoons, and her dad would ask if any of the kids wanted to drive.  Then he would allow them to drive for a mile or two, so after doing this numerous times, she knew how to drive.  She said when she went to get her driver's license, she didn't have to take a test.  I asked how, then, did they know that she knew how to drive?  Her answer was, "I told them!"

Naoma met Jay Rundell, who was the brother of a good friend of hers, when he came home on leave from the service.  Jay was also a native of Stafford.  They decided to elope, and went to Wichita, where they were married by a Justice of the Peace, with only him, them, and their two witnesses present.  She wore a white street dress for the occasion.  This was in 1947.

In 1955, they moved to Ulysses, where Jay farmed, and he also started L & R Fertilizer, with Kenneth Lofland.  The couple had seven children, the youngest two were born in Ulysses.

Naoma thinks people had more respect for others in years past, and that morals have gone down drastically.  "Kids used to respect their teachers, but a lot of them no longer do.  Too many parents let their kids run things now, and it is not a good change."

Naoma's hobbies have included oil painting, crocheting, knitting, tatting and other needle work.  She did a lot of sewing when her children were young.  She loved to read, but sadly macular degeneration has eroded her eyesight to the point she can no longer read.  She really enjoys her Kindle, because it reads the Bible to her.         

The most unusual thing she ever did to earn money was when she was in about the 6th grade.  The war was on and the government encouraged people to have "scrap drives", picking up any kind of metal, cans, paper or other things that could be recycled.  She took a wagon and went through her neighborhood asking people if they had any scrap they wanted to contribute.  The scrap was "sold" for Victory Stamps, and when you got a booklet full of those, it was worth $18.75.  Then you could take it to the Post Office or the bank, and buy a war bond.  When the bond matured, it was worth $25.00.

The "wildest" thing Naoma did as a teenager was helping take someone "snipe hunting."  She said her job was to round up the snipes and chase them toward the hunter.  (If you don't know what snipe hunting is, ask one of your elders!)

Meals in her childhood home were cooked on a wood burning stove until the happy day the family purchased a three-burner gas stove.  The family always sat down together three times a day for meals.  Her dad would buy young animals and feed them out, then butcher them, so the family usually always had meat.. They also raised a big garden and canned a lot of its produce.  Naoma said sometimes her dad requested soft-boiled eggs and clabber milk for supper, both things she disliked.  While her mother never fixed anything special for her because she didn't like what they were having, she said she never went hungry; she could fend for herself and have bread and jelly or something.

The laundry was done in the early years in an old "rocker" type machine, then later they were able to purchase a brand new Maytag wringer washer!  That was a red letter day for the family.  The clothes were hung outdoors on the line to dry.

Naoma LOVED acting!  She recalls the play she was in during her junior year of high school, and she was in the Grant County Community Theater from its inception, acting in many of the plays, helping behind the scenes in others.  Her favorite of those plays was "Let Him Sleep 'Till it's Time for His Funeral."  [I remember that one well, as my husband Darrel and I were in it, too.  We had so much fun during those years!]

Naoma remembers that milk, groceries, newspapers and mail used to be delivered to their home.  And in the summer, farmers sometimes came by selling corn, cantaloupe, rhubarb or other produce.

She said she and her siblings went to movies on Saturdays, paying 10c each for their tickets.  Things they did for entertainment were playing Chinese checkers, cards, hide the thimble, jacks and jumping rope.

When she was old enough to date, those dates usually consisted of going to the movies or going skating.  Some of the jobs she did to earn money were babysitting, ironing, cleaning house, and in high school, she worked at the drug store as a 'soda jerk.'  She says waitresses were looked down upon in those days, and one day four men from Wichita came in and gave her a hard time about her job, but when she quoted scripture to them, that shut them up in a hurry!  After moving to Ulysses, she once worked at Cantrell's Pharmacy for a few months.


She says the biggest change she has seen during her lifetime is communications.  The first president for whom she cast a vote was Dwight David Eisenhower.
The worst crime she remembers from many years ago was the kidnapping and murder of the Lindbergh baby; and from more recent times, the awful school shootings.

She feels the greatest achievement of the USA was the purchase of Alaska.
Her favorite comic strip is Peanuts.
I asked if she remembers eating out as a kid, and she said yes, in 5th or 6th grade she remembers the family stopping at a little restaurant on 4th street west of Hutchinson and getting hamburgers.  A man named Guy Hannon owned it, and it was the only place to get anything to eat for many miles along that route.

Naoma took clarinet in school.  She played baseball, volleyball and basketball in school, but only in gym class.  There were no competitive sports for girls in those days.

As a child, when she needed to be punished, she had to sit in the corner, or if the infraction was bad enough, she got whipped.  And she remembers getting her mouth washed out with soap—she says lye soap tastes awful!  At school, punishment was usually being kept in at recess.  Her nickname during her young years was Tootsie.

The best pet she ever had was a dog, a cross between a German Shepherd and a beagle.  His name was Tappy, and he was a really good guard dog.

Naoma says if she could do one thing over, she would insist on having more input into the family's finances.  Jay took charge of all the money dealings, and Naoma's name wasn't even on the signature card at the bank.  That meant that after Jay died, Naoma couldn't even write a check; she had no access to their money until things were settled.  All of that made an already tough time much more difficult.

Her hopes for the future of our country:  To get rid of the crooked politicians in Washington, D.C., and to get our troops out of the Middle East.

Memories of the war years include having four of her brothers serving in the military, two in the Navy and two in the Army.  They all served in the South Pacific, and they all came home!  She remembers rationing of gasoline, shoes, sugar, coffee, tea and other things during the war.

The person who most inspired or influenced her was a former pastor, Billy Guymon, who encouraged her to study the Bible.  The person she most admired was her second brother.  "There was just a special bond between us," she said.

Some changes she has watched come to Southwest Kansas since her arrival here are:  irrigation, of which there was little in those early years of the 1950s; the gas and oil industry was booming then, but now seems to be waning.  Prices of farm machinery have sky-rocketed, also prices of cars.  Ulysses has grown so much—when they came, Colorado Street still had deep ditches on both sides and wasn't even paved all the way through town.  They lived on Colorado Street and there were hardly any houses to the east or the west when you got one tier away from the street.

Naoma remembers the dirty 30s.  Concerning other severe weather, "We had a lot more snow in Stafford than here," she said. "We were here when the flood of 1964 happened, and I remember Ulysses was marooned, you couldn't drive into or out of town.  They had to fly bread into town.  I got my first airplane ride then, when Howard Miller took Jay and me up and flew us around so we could see the flood from the air, clear over to Syracuse."

Naoma's family attended church nearly every Sunday as she grew up.  She said, "Kids actually had to sit down and be quiet in church then!"  Her family always had a car, but they didn't use it to drive to church; they walked the several blocks unless the weather was really, really cold.  After she married and they moved to Ulysses, Naoma and the kids went to the Christian church, where she still attends.

The worst things that have happened to Naoma were learning that her husband Jay had cancer.  He lived 15 months after the diagnosis, during which time he was home and she cared for him.  Close to the end, his sister helped with his care.  The other worst thing was developing macular degeneration to the point where she can no longer see to read.

The best things that have happened in her life were accepting the Lord and marrying Jay Rundell.

Naoma traveled with her sister by train, from Stafford to Indiana to visit a brother who lived there.

The thing that has given Naoma the most satisfaction is having a good memory.  She thanks God for that, and says she always enjoyed memorizing things.
A valuable lesson she has learned from life that she would like to share with others is:  Get a good foundation in reading.  If you can read well, you can go anyplace, whether in books, on stage, or in public speaking—you've got to be able to read!

The period of her life that she says was her best years was between the late 1940s and the early 1970s.  And later, she took a four year course in Education for Ministry which she really enjoyed.  That course of study enabled her to become a teacher for Sunday school, something she never felt capable of doing before.  It was a blessing in her life, and in the lives of her students, and she felt bad when she had to give up teaching because of failing eyesight. One thing Naoma regrets is never having learned to play the piano, something she always wanted to do.  She has always had a musical instrument of some kind in her home, even if no one in the family could play it.

The first car she owned was a black Plymouth police car that Jay bought for her in the early 1960s.  She said that car could really go!  The first car she bought herself was purchased from Pfifer Motors in the 1980s.

Something she remembers saving up her money to buy was a doll.  She was 15 years old, and doing odd jobs for people, and saw the doll.  "It was the most beautiful doll I'd ever seen!" she said.  So she made payments on it, whatever she could, until she got it all paid.  The total price was less than $20.00.

I asked if she or any of her kids had been bullied in school, and she said she thought so, and that she once had a three hour telephone conversation with Merle Durr about the treatment of her eldest son at school; following that talk, he never had any more problems.

Her favorite flower is the lilac, but unfortunately, she is allergic to them! 

I asked what she does if she gets depressed, and she said she gets out into the sunshine.  If it's too cold to go out, she opens all the shades and lets the sunlight into the house.

The best decisions of her life were (1) Accepting Christ as her Savior and (2) Marrying Jay Rundell.  The worst decision of her life was a bad money investment in which she lost the money.

One specific piece of advice to an 18 year old would be:  Be true to yourself!

She says the smartest thing her parents ever did was moving from Colorado back to Kansas.

Some things she does to improve or maintain her health are riding a stationary bike every day, going to the senior center, and taking her meds regularly.

Naoma would like to be remembered as a faithful person.  She would like her legacy to be trustworthiness.

Her family liked to get together for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.  Her favorite kind of music is Big Band music from the 40s and 50s.

Her favorite poem is The Vagabond's House by Don Blanding.  She quoted a good part of that long, long poem to me from memory!  If you've never had the joy of hearing Naoma quote poetry, you have missed a wonderful time.  She uses great inflection and expression—one of the best I've ever heard!

Her favorite quote is from the Word:  Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Her favorite scripture is John 14:1-6--  Let not your heart be troubled..........
Her favorite TV show is The Golden Girls.

Her favorite food is fried chicken, and her favorite dessert is apple or pumpkin pie.  Her favorite movies are It's a Wonderful Life and The Quiet Man.

If you would like to visit with Naoma, you can find her at the senior center every week day, and she will be happy to talk to you.  If you're very lucky, she might even quote some poetry for you!  And I can assure you, that is a real treat!
                                                                                            www.JanetDamon.com

And here is the other one I did recently:

                                    TREASURES FROM GRANT COUNTY
By Janet Damon
                                                         HELEN JUHL

Helen (Ritchie) Juhl was born in Bemidji, Minnesota, on December 31, 1926.  She grew up in the area of Duluth, MN, along with one brother and two sisters.  Her father was the postmaster in Duluth during her early years.

Helen's mother died when Helen was five and a half years old, and after that,   Helen's aunt, her mother's sister, came to stay with the family and care for the children.  She stayed until the dad remarried, and shortly after that, the aunt married Helen's Dad's brother, and they lived in Turtle River.  Following her dad's  remarriage, the family moved to Welcome, Minnesota where he worked as a rural carrier for the Post Office.

Most of Helen's education was gained through the Welcome school system, except for her sixth grade year when she attended a two-room country school.

Her step-mother was a harsh woman, which made the summers the children spent with their grandparents even more special.  She has many happy memories of those summers, being with loving grandparents.  They had an outhouse, and Helen says she and her husband had one, too, when they first married!

The family attended free outdoor movies about one night a week.  Helen also remembers walking to a theater when she was young.    She remembers it being almost a mile, and if the kids brought along an empty Arco Coffee can, they were admitted free to the movie.  Sometimes her dad took the kids to a town about five miles away to the movies, where their tickets cost 10c.  Other things they enjoyed at school during recess and lunch hours were jumping rope, playing jacks and sometimes basketball games.  Her brother played basketball on the school team.  While at her grandparents', her aunt and uncle took her ice skating, and later, she learned to ski in her grandpa's pasture.  (They had lots of snow and ice in Minnesota!)

Her dad had a strawberry field of a half-acre, and the kids did lots of work there, picking them, and sorting any that were not perfect into separate little boxes.  She said they ate so many strawberries—at every meal, while picking, and on ice cream at night, but they never got tired of them.

Other jobs Helen had were de-tasseling corn in the fields by hand, and she and her sister also worked in a canning factory during pea harvest and corn harvest.  This was a Bird's Eye factory, and the girls assembled the boxes for the frozen peas and corn.  They did such a good job that the boss requested them for that area.

I asked how Helen met her spouse, and she said he worked with her girlfriend's dad.  This girl and another asked Roy if he would drive them to the movies, as he had a car.  He said he would if they could get a car full to go, so they asked Helen and her sister.  Roy and Helen liked each other at once, and when he took them all home, he managed it so Helen sat beside him, and dropped off the other girls before taking Helen and her sister home.  They saw each other for about six months before they married.

One evening, they went to the movie, and then decided to elope.  So they drove to Sioux Falls, but learned they couldn't get a license there, as it had to be issued in the county where she lived.  So they drove back to Fairmont, MN, through an ice storm.  Roy stopped often to call the courthouse and ask if anyone was there who could issue the license.  When he finally got an answer, the man said yes, and to take their time, he would wait for them.  He issued the license, and then called the Congregational Church where the pastor, his wife, and another fellow were.  They were having practice for a Christmas program, and the pianist kindly played music while the pastor performed the wedding; and the children who had been practicing sat up in the balcony and watched.  They were married November 9, 1946.

For her wedding, she wore a dress her sister had made for herself.  Her sister had joined the Waves and left her clothes at home, so Helen used them!

Roy and Helen had two daughters, Karen and Lorraine.  Now there is one granddaughter and one great-granddaughter, too.

Helen says people had nicer manners and cared about each other more back when she was young.  And it seems almost as if morals are a thing of the past now.

Helen's hobbies were knitting and embroidery.  Later, she did a lot of plastic canvas work.  She also sewed a lot for her daughters.

The Juhls moved to Liberal in 1950, but Roy always saw to it that they made a trip to Minnesota every year to visit their families, during the summer, up until Helen's grandparents passed away.  They also traveled to Washington to visit her brother and sister.  After Roy's death, Helen went by train from McCook, Nebraska to Seattle, to visit.  The last year she went, Nadine Howard went with her and she said they had a wonderful time.  Nadine had relatives in the area, also.  Helen also made a couple of trips out there by air.

Helen feels good about having had a very happy marriage, raising good kids, doing varied community work including being a Girl Scout leader and helper, and teaching Sunday School for years.  While Roy was a resident in Western Prairie Care Home, she visited him every day, and even after his passing, she worked there for quite a long time.

Something she recommends to young people is:  Be nice to others; treat them well and don't expect anything in return.

Some of her happiest memories are of the years spending time at her grandparents.  She said there are lakes everywhere up there, and she watched crews getting dead trees out of the lakes.  Then they would trim off the outside, and saw them into lumber.  Her grandpa used the trimmings for fuel.  He had an ice house where they kept ice for the whole summer, covered up with sawdust from the saw mill.  They used some of this ice to make homemade ice cream, which they always had on Sunday afternoons.  Do any of you remember sitting on the hand-cranked freezer on a burlap bag, to keep the freezer from moving around, while someone cranked?  I do!

Helen used the money she earned at her jobs for school supplies and clothes.  After marriage, they saved up to buy furniture.

She said her step-mother was a good cook, and while she didn't teach the girls to cook, she did allow them to watch her, so they learned a lot from watching.  They learned to sew by the same method—watching the step-mother sew.  Laundry was done using a wringer washer, and the clothes were hung outdoors on a line to dry.

Helen remembers the Watkins man coming to the house to sell things; and when they moved to Liberal, the milk man delivered milk to the house, even coming in and putting the milk into the refrigerator.
Her favorite holiday song is Silent Night, and her favorite food is chocolate.

Helen's husband Roy taught her to drive.  She said five of them went to take their tests at the same time, and she was the only one who passed.  She also passed the driving portion, so she got her license.  So Roy was a good teacher!

If she could do one thing over, Helen says she would have more patience with her dear husband.  He got Alzheimer's, and she didn't know anything about that condition, nor understand what was happening to him or why he was changing so much, becoming a different person.  If she had understood what he was going through, she feels she might have been able to make things easier for both of them.

She hopes our country will return to our foundations of trusting God.  Also that people will be able to get back to work and support themselves, and that our leaders will turn to God for the answers to our problems.  She was impressed with the achievement of our country in putting a man on the moon.

The person she most admired was her husband; because he was always so good to her.

Helen doesn't remember ever eating out when she was a child, but she does remember getting three scoops of ice cream for a nickel at Russell's Creamery in Bimidji.  This creamery was owned by the parents of actress Jane Russell.

Helen says her sister worked at the rationing office before she joined the Waves, so she remembers rationing.

Changes she has watched come to SW Kansas include a greater variety of crops, with the addition of soybeans and cotton; and that the towns have grown a lot.

Memories of dust storms in the 50's are of not being able to see the porch posts from the front windows, and one day she couldn't see the kitchen table.  She would be hanging out the wash, look up and see the dust clouds rolling in, and have to take the wash back into the house.  She remembers the kids pushing the dust up into piles and running toy cars through it.

Helen attended Sunday school as a child and church sometimes.  She was in Christmas programs, etc.  She and Roy attended First Christian Church in Liberal, where he was active, helping build the church.  Helen now attends Country View Baptist church.

She said marrying Roy was the best thing she ever did.  Her favorite kind of music is Country and Western; her favorite scripture is the golden rule:  Whatsoever you would have others do unto you, do ye also unto them.

Helen's punishment at home for misbehavior was being whipped.

Her favorite pet was a cat she got after her husband died.  "He was my little buddy, and stayed right with me, played peek-a-boo with me, and was such a loving creature.  His name was Nicky," she said.

Her favorite flower is the pink rose.

Helen has lived in the Plaza Apartments since 2008.  She enjoys the activities there, also at the Senior Center and her church.  She enjoys watching TV in the evening with friends, sharing food, and just being neighborly.

This delightful lady would be happy to visit with you, and I know you would enjoy her---I surely do!

Larry:  Still prayers.

Marilyn:  A prayer for you as well on your tests.

Janet;   On Helen's background.  I am so sorry that she had harsh punishment as a child.  I recognize many of the Minnesota places. 

A double treat this morning, Janet!  These ladies both sound like people I would really enjoy spending time with.

Hi everyone.  I awoke from a very restful night of sleep to the sounds of thunder and it is raining rather steadily all morning and is really dark outside.  It is also chilly.  I went to coffee this morning and then to Kroger's for a few items.  I am in for the rest of the day as am not going to the hospital today.  Pat just talked with Stacey and she had a rough night.  She had talked to one of her doctors about how long she will likely be in the hospital and they indicated probably another week or more.  Just going to work on some desk projects and perhaps get started on my income taxes later today as well as watch some of the NCAA tourney basketball games.

Ruth, it is hard to beat the family run places to eat for good homemade quality food. 

Janet, so sorry to read of Beth's glasses.  Hope they get new ones for her soon.  I don't know about the wound vac for Stacey.  Yesterday her foot was just wrapped up, although I didn't even see that.  The stress level is greatly down after the surgery was over and I really slept well last night.  I will have to come back and read the stories you shared when I have a little more time. 

Carol, Judy and Jeanne--good morning.

Thank you Carol for the prayers.

Larry is there anything I need to know about the Nuclear Stress test. Are there many lasting side effects from the Radioactive Isotope infusion.? Have you had this test? How fast do the  make the treadmill? I understand that it is 15 minutes on the treadmill with increasing speed and incline, then resting for a few hours after the Isotope infusion. I have been reading about the test online but I am hoping for some answers from someone who has had the tests.

Thanks for the comments on the stories.  Yes, both are very nice ladies.

Larry, glad you can stay in today and not have to drive to Atlanta again.  Prayers for all of you continue.

Marilyn, they just recommend you drink lots of water to flush the radioactive substances out of your system.  The most difficult part of the test for me was lying that long with my hands above my head.  My arms got to hurting pretty bad!  :(  Since you work out regularly, the treadmill part will be a piece of cake for you!  :)

I have heard from both my older sisters today!  :) 8)  I like that!

I should (and likely will) go to the funeral of a former volunteer chaplain for the care home.  Frank passed away from cancer, was a great guy.

No sleep to speak of again last night.  Yawn.....

Both of those ladies seems to be like a best friend.  Wish I could meet both of them.  Thanks, Janet! So sorry about Beth's glasses. 

Glad that Stacey's surgery is over and hope her recovery is quick.  Larry, rest today.  You have had a stressful few days.

Marilyn, I have never had that test, thank God.  Sounds like you have A-fib to me.  Ivalou has that.

It is bright and sunny in Indiana.  Warmest day this week.  But expecting snow tomorrow.  I told Kitty that I was going to water her flowers today and since the Sabbath is tomorrow, take the day off.   <3   I will leave plenty of food and water for the kids and all will be fine! 

Tonight is movie night at church.  We were going to see 'Monumental' but someone watched it and said they didn't think it was appropriate for church.  So I don't know what we will see.

Tomorrow is the local Lion's Club's Palm Sunday Pancake Breakfast...all you can eat!  So Ivalou and I are going there after church.  Then home.  For a nap....haven't done that for a long time!

My cold is better but still with me.  At least, my coughing results in something!

Etta Sue, Naoma painted with me for years when I was teaching regularly, and we were in the theater group together, so it was like old times to visit with her.  I haven't known Helen long, but she is a really nice lady, and so friendly.  Lots more people around here deserving of having their stories told.  I just need more time--and energy!

Etta Sue the Doctor said it isn't Afib yet my heart isn't beting faster for  long just  maybe 6-7 beats every now and then..

Thanks Janet.

A sunny afternoon in Nobleton.

Janet:  my hubby's aunt had written a number of short stories  with the desire to publish them but the cost was too great, we had been loaned the rough copy to read  a wonderful thing our daughter did was take the time to photo copy the many many pages . She has now passed on but I am so thankful that we have even the rough copy.

Larry: At the restaurant Mel had ordered beef barley soup he given the wrong one and when it was mentioned a new bowl of the right kind showed up no charge that is family for sure.

Larry:  I will be praying for Stacey, you have said before but how far does she live from you?   

I have been absent lately, catching up this afternoon.
So sorry to learn of Stacey' s situation, Larry.  I know all of you are weary from all the stress...just waiting can add to the stress.  May our Lord be gracious towards all of you.  I will keep your family in my prayers.

Prayers for Marilyn and the upcoming tests as well.  I think I had that nuclear test done twice, or I think that is what the cardiologist called it.  I remember it gave me a strange feeling.  Just lying still all that while was bad enough.  There was no tread mill involved.  It is probably about time for my next one, he wants it done every 2 years.  And I have been having swelling in lower legs and feet about 3 months.  Went to my regular doctor in December, he prescribed Lasix but it did no good.  Went back 2 weeks ago, he said keep my feet elevated.  I was already doing that most times when I was sitting.  So I made appt this week to see cardiologist April 10th.

We have been having nice warm days...but expecting a return of winter tonight (again!)  I looked at the weather channel a few minutes ago...was 66 degrees.  But tonight's low will be 17 degrees here.  There goes my peaches for this year!  They just started blooming a few days ago.  I have 2 peach trees. 

Good evening to all.  --Janice.  (Janeece)

Janice:  I hope the low temps don't last too long for your peach trees.  We will head home this week and today there may be a foot of new snow on the ground so we will track the storm pattern to drive between the two storms if possible.  Raton Pass can be iffy at times.  Your state has beautiful roads so it is nice to drive. 

These two youngsters nearby came over to borrow a phone.  Gosh, they are broke and we were as well but he told us that being in the hospital for six days without insurance means that he owes $70,000.  He wants to pay it off - and only works 30 hours a week.  Barely any skills between the two of them.  Two dogs and he smokes - well, that isn't going to make a dent in the amount he owes but I wish he would stop smoking at least.  We admire anyone who is willing to pay toward a huge bill.  Still, they are happy and pleasant.  Now if I can get them to church......

I got a letter from the hospital today, the stress test will be on Thursday and the resting part of the test will be scheduled for another day, probably Friday. each test is 2-3 hours long. Gosh I am going to be hungry and thirsty.

I usually do this in the afternoon but since it is white outside and still coming down and not knowing what will happen I am doing it now.

What??

Sending you to a clean slate here (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=12576.msg178232#msg178232).