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Morning Devotional



Gifts, Talents, Fruit—Which Is Which?

By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Every human being—Christian and non-Christian alike—is created in God's own image, and by virtue of being created in God's own image, we are born with natural talents. But the gifts of the Holy Spirit are different from the natural talents we are born with.

Talents inspire and entertain, but spiritual gifts build up the body of Christ. Something supernatural happens when a gift is exercised that does not happen when a talent is used. On occasion, however, when someone becomes born again, the Holy Spirit breathes His breath on their natural talent, and He turns it into a spiritual gift.

When the fruit of the Spirit is absent, gifts lose their effectiveness. In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Not all the gifts are given to all believers, but the fruit of the Spirit should be evident in all who abide in Christ. The gifts of the Spirit define what a believer does, but the fruit of the Spirit defines who a believer is.

As we read earlier, love is the first and foremost fruit of abiding in Christ. Without love, our gifts are meaningless. No matter what our gift is, our goal should always be to glorify God and to serve others.

Prayer: God, I pray that the fruit of the Spirit would be evident in my life. Amen.

"If I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:2).

Wonderful devotional Jeanne. I've given a lot of thought to the fruits of the Spirit. Sometimes I feel so full of  those gifts and other times I wonder where they went when I've become stressed and say or do something that is not quite the way it should have been. Like being angry and venting over some small slight.

Well I am ready for church, we are going to the church wherehis secretary's husband is the pastor.

Thanks for the devotion Jeanne.

Home from church and was planning to watch the race and guess what. Can't get the channel, checked last night and got it no problem. This digital signal that was suppose to be so much better with more channels was  just another ponzi scheme of this government. The people running this country will have more to answer for than they will be able to handle when that day comes!

End of rant.

Have a great afternoon everyone.

Woke up yest. to snow, snowed all day all night and still snowing.  It looks like a winter wonderland and no end in sight.  Not the usual weather in these parts and more problems for wildlife, gardens and folks who live in areas that flood.  I should not have been so optimistic about Spring! :(

I watched the closing Olympic ceremony and it was lovely.  So proud of the curling teams who took gold.  First time the women have won gold in 16 yrs.  This time both men and women did and Jennifer Jones team didn't loose one game ..... I have been a big Jones fan for many years!  Now I don't have to get up in the wee hours to watch.....

My opinion is that all the athletes are winners.....they had to be in order to get to the Olympics.  I was sad that Una Kim didn't get gold in the figure skating....but judges are what they are!  She is magical and so much more than just a skater. 
Like Judy, I don't like hockey so much now with all the violence, but do watch the Olympics. 

So glad that Happy will be okay Marilyn.  I feel like your dogs are old familiar friends after all these years.  My Misty has arthritis and gum problems, so will have another vet bill ahead.  I give her medication to help both problems but do not give the shots from the vet. They didn't help Squeek and use Recovery in her food to help....Misty won't take it, so use something different for her.  Goodness, cats can be so picky about taste....

Time to go now.   :)

God Bless,

Liz

Curling was one of the ones I wanted to see - and I never did get it on the only channel here that ran the Olympics.  With my limited "basic" coverage I miss out on a lot.   :(

Liz I hav 3 cats as well as my 2 dogs.  Fritzy is Keith's baby, Grubby adopted us by coming to the door a few years ago, he has Feline Immunovirus, (FIV) . Then there is Harry, he was brought into the clinic where I am a volunteer in a trap. He tested positive for Leukemia and rather than put him down  they asked me to take him. He is such a lover and nice cat that no one at the clinic wanted to put him down. 

Back from church, I like the church we went to. The people are all so nice, it is non denominational and that is fine with me as long as   the Bible is taught and I get fed. I feel  like I fit right in. Worship always makes me cry and Keith always says something about me crying in church.  So I sing and I cry what i wrong with that.

Thank you for that thought provoking devotional, Jeanne. I agree with Marilyn - sometimes it seems that I'm making lots of progress with the fruits of the spirit, and then I second guess myself. One thing that I stick with is the advice that when we are angry, we must not sin. So, when angry, I try very hard to absent myself from the situation so I can find a way to cool down and later intelligently discuss the situation rather than popping off in the heat of the moment.

I'm glad you got to go to church, Marilyn. I tend to tear up when I receive a blessing either during a church service or at other times.

I'm so sorry you didn't get to see the games y'all were most interested in seeing.  Google is showing interest in putting extremely high speed internet (100 times better than Comcast's best) in Nashville. Wow! What a boost to the business end of the community and also to residents if it comes to pass.

I feel sorry for my next door neighbor. He was lifting a lid from something he was baking, and failed to get his hand out of the path the steam was going to take. He even teased about it hurting and acted like a little person asking for a hug from "mommy." :) I empathized with him about it.

It's interesting to hear of the good treatment y'all give to your animals.

Wow! some of you have already seen the closing Olympics ceremonies - it comes on here after the news reports.

I'm thankful you could enrich another's life, Larry, by giving them your range. That always feels good when it's a win-win situation.

I haven't thanked Pat and Paul and the administrators who keep this discussion going. Much love and appreciate to each of you.

Y'all have a good rest of the day,
Ruth Ann

Great devotional, So often we get the two definitions mixed up.  However like you say we have to exercise the fruit of the spirit.....

This has been some day.  First watching the Canadian Men win gold, then a rush to get ready and pick u our daughter, Wonderful time at church then lunch at our daughter's.  From there out to get chalk for John tomorrow, then home.......the long way......and lots of pictures later we actually arrived home!

I will share some here later.

Have a great evening.

I forgot to mention that the message was on the Fruits of the Spirit, so it when right along with the devotional.

I'm glad today's devotional seems to have touched many of us.  This is a preacher I have just re-discovered.  I used to listen to him on FM radio about 15 years ago, along with several others I enjoyed and benefited from and then we lost that station. 

On Sunday morning for the last couple of years, I have been getting a blessing from ION television with David Jeremiah's "Turning Point", Charles Stanley's "In Touch" and until recently "Day of Discovery".  When the station dropped "Day of Discovery" I was disappointed at first and then very pleased to find it was being replaced with "Leading the Way" with Michael Youssef.  Today's devotional is from his daily email message.

Well home in the comfort of our home with no need to get ready to leave with the truck in the morning. aaahhh. So relaxing for a change and don't have to face winter roads for a week. Church was good today Paster was preaching from  Heb 13 on the Biblical principle of handling our money He has sure been good lately. Tackling the tough unpopular topics that scare a lot of pasters off. Appreciate this man for his backbone. Go Paster John Go.  Hope you all had a great day and some much needed relaxation. We are so blessed on this continent to have the freedom comforts that we enjoy. Like the sang says count your blessings one by one. You know if we would remember to do that I'm sure we would all sleep better at night. When I see what goes on in other countries, I'm so glad we live over here on this side of the pond. Thank you Lord for all we have and please control those who are trying to destroy it. Don wish I could get a trip down your way some time and be able to meet you for coffee. I haven't been anywhere near you for a long time. Maybe some day we will get that opportunity. Well that's it for now folks Have a blessed evening.

Tired tonight so heading to bed.

I will be posting photo's tomorrow, John has some "part time" work to do in the morning, so that will be my window for posting them. 

Have a great night and sleep well!

John I know it must be good to be home and off the icy roads. I have a friend that use to drive for a living before he became disabled and some of the stories I've heard him tell about being on the highway with some of the other drivers will make your hair stand up. It sure would be nice to be able to sit down and chat with you over a cup of coffee, maybe we will get that chance one day. Hope you enjoy your week off.

Judy that was a great tune and so true. Some of the things we allow to get the best of us are so mundane. :-[  We really do have so much to be thankful for that nothing down here should bother us but I guess we will have that problem as long as we are in the flesh.

Looking forward to seeing your photos!

Hi everyone.  It is going to be another beautiful day here in Georgia.  I picked up my SIL at the Atlanta Airport yesterday afternoon.  I had a terrible time getting to the terminal.  They were doing a lot of road and other work on the route I took and I missed a vital turn.  As a result I was put back on the Interstate and really got lost.  Fortunately, I had the GPS on my phone and after stopping at the International terminal and asking a policewoman how to get back to the Domestic terminal.  I finally made it just as my SIL called and she was waiting at the curb.  She will be going back on the subway, which ends its route at the airport terminal.  Just have my usual Monday activities for today.

Jeanne, thanks for that fine devotional.

Marilyn, nice you could visit the church that you did.  I am glad you enjoyed the church service.  I think many churches are denominational and many of the mainline churches are fading.  Nothing wrong with shedding tears. 

Ruth Ann, I stuffed my feeling so many years but have learned that God gave us feelings, including anger, and that we need to experience them but not get mired in them. 

Judy, it is none of my business but I had to wonder what John does with chalk?  Glad you had an enjoyable day and yesterday. 

John, you are right we are very fortunate to have homes, enough food to eat and be surrounded by friends.  I have witnessed so many evidences of God's care these last few days and it has really helped me cope as I know I am seeing God's plan worked out for our daughter as well as for us. John, when you retire I hope you and Judy will be able to make a trip down this way as we would love to have you visit us.  I know I certainly enjoyed the hour or so we had to visit several months ago at the truck stop.   


Don, sorry you couldn't see the race.  I saw that Dale Earnheart was the winner after a long stretch without a win.

Liz, I fear winter isn't through with us yet.  I noticed a couple of days ago that the early blooming trees here have bloomed out.  It sure is a nice sign that spring is on its way.  Sure hope the snow has stopped for you by now.  I know nothing about curling and not sure I ever saw a game.  I have always thought that skating scoring seems to be a bit political motivated.  I guess it has to be subject to judgment since it is not like races where the winner is evident.   

Larry He is using it in a safety meeting he is conducting.  Making notes on a blackboard!...LOL

Now to post the pictures, but first to load the furnace with wood!

Today is a sunny cool crisp day.
I had an appointment this morning and now home to get started with house work.

I also enjoyed the OLYMPIC'S The competitors did a lot of work and training to be there, now we will wait for the next winter games  4 yrs from now.

Marilyn: Nothing wrong with tears it is just that not everyone understands.

Marilyn I agree with Ruth.  Some of us are feelers, feeling every emotion going, others are thinkers, not understanding the emotional people.  There is the odd person who is both a thinker and a feeler......

Here (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=12922.new#new) are a few of my pictures from yesterday.

Fantastic Photos Judy.

I hd a good work out at the gym this morning,  quick and hard. I was only there 15 minutes as I had to get back home and return a call to the vet to give them the name of the drug store for Happy's new medication.

I spoke to Gilbert last night he tells me that the water situation in California is worse than I than I had heard, he said the water may be rationed and they wouldn't be able to take showers and would only be able to get bottled water. We need to pray for rain for California. I had heard on the radio and saw on TV that the farmers won't be getting water this year and the the produce price  will be going up. California has been considered the bread basket of the world. It too bad for the farmers.

Good morning!  The sun is shining brightly here on the Oregon Coast ... looks like it will be a nice day, although I think someone mentioned "possible showers" later.   

Today is the anniversary of my mother's birth ... she was born February 24th, 108 years ago!  :o  She's been gone several years now, but I still miss her. 

It is interesting that, every year, exactly on Mom's birthday, the daffodils she loved and had planted around her porch in Oklahoma bloom!  I noticed this the first time when I was at her house (which had become mine) to clean and sort her things.  I walked out on the porch to leave when I saw her lovely daffodils blooming.  It was her birthday.  When I left Oklahoma for the last time, I dug up some of those bulbs and brought them with me.  I planted them here and, sure enough .... every year on her birthday they bloom.  There may be others blooming in the neighborhood sooner, but hers always wait until her birthday!   :)

I received a phone call this weekend to let me know that I am to expect another great grandchild!  This will be #16!  I am told it's a girl, so this will make 5 girls and 11 boys.  She is due mid-May or early June.

Judy, I saw the pictures you posted on Facebook ... I'm glad you were able to get out and take pictures after feeling disappointed that you couldn't do that the other day.

Well, I need to do something other than sit here at the computer, so I'll bid y'all a good day and keep you in my prayers as you face whatever challenges or blessings that come your way today.   <3

Judy wrote

Quotebut first to load the furnace with wood!

What do you mean by furnace Judy? Is it outside with forced air or is it a boiler heating water? Just wondering.

Hi Folks. Back from the safety meeting I conducted fro a local school bus company near where we live. It went very well and lasted about 2 hours. Being the first one we covered a variety of topics. It was sort of a get acquainted meeting mixed with business. We are having a great day up here today. It is still quite cool at night  but with the sun shining the days are getting quite pleasant. It was great to get into a training role for a change. Its been a while that I worked in a class room type setting. Like riding a bike. You never forget how to do it.
Don about inquiry regarding our furnace. We have a combination of an oil furnace and a wood furnace in our basement. These 2 units are connected by the ductwork and a common fan pushes the heat up through the house. Burning wood saves us a lot of money. We live in an old farmhouse and they were not very well insulated back in the day. With oil costing $1000 per 200 gal it would get very expensive to heat solely by oil. The down side of burning wood however is the amount of work it takes to gather the wood. But the up side of that is, it keeps me in shape. So I guess everything has it's ups and downs. As I said yesterday. Count your Blessings one by one. We need to be thank ful for what we have and not dwell on things we don't have and want. Got run for now Things to do. Blessings everyone.

Judy and John, I had guessed that the chalk you bought would be used in marking a plumb line for construction. :) There must be several other uses of chalk other than making pictures on the sidewalk for the kids - or setting up a hopscotch game. :)

I've rested today. Sometimes when the temp is dropping I deal with lots of body aches and pains. Down here, the really old folks (like my great grandma) used to call it "The Rheumatiz." So, now I know for sure I'm an "old folk." <chuckle>

Jane, congrats on the new great grandchild. I had 4 children, but seem to have diminishing returns, only ending up with 3 grandchildren and 2 great grands.

I'll miss the Olympics coverage, it was such an enjoyable interlude. I look forward to each version of the games - both summer and winter.

Y'all take care, and enjoy the rest of this day with our Lord.

Ruth Ann

This is the 3rd day of non-stop snowing and no end in sight!  The flakes are big, beautiful and very wet....our island snow is very different from on the prairie.  But one thing is the same, it needs to be shoveled.  My SIL takes care of that and will have to dig his van out again today to go to work.

I don't usually post this much but forgot to thank Jeanne Lee for the devotional and also for the name of programs to watch on Sunday morning.  Really miss going to church and this will help some.  Sort of gave up after so many were involved in problems of one sort or another. 

Sorry you missed out on the curling Jeanne Lee.  I would not say you are missing much by having basic cable. The kids have hundreds of channels on this system and much is the same on many.  I find it all a little confusing and stick to mostly the same spots.

Pictures are lovely Judy and Jeanne Lee.  No way am I going to go out in the wet to take any so will leave it to the imagination. 

Marilyn, you have a little mini animal shelter going and that is really nice.  Also, used to also get tears when moved in a service....and also got some strange looks if anyone noticed.  Jane, any flowers that started to stick their heads above ground here, will certainly regret it.
Larry, your posts always have wisdom tucked in...had not thought about anger quite like that...you are right.

Time to go.
God Bless,
Liz 

Liz, this old gray head didn't get out of the house to take those pictures.  They were all taken through windows.   ;)

Good interuptions by Grandson and one son - another son called earlier. 

Don:  My Don will say something and I then get busy and clean up all my bookmarks.  So much clutter.

Marilyn:  That was very good news. 

JohnB:  A good friend is one is one who will speak the truth.

Ruth Ann:  I admire you tenacity and also your caring heart. 

Liz:  Hockey is merely fine ballet on ice  ;D  with a goal in mind.

Hi everyone.  We have a rainy morning but it is still suppose to be relatively warm today.  This evening we have been invited to have dinner with good friends and that will be enjoyable.  Other than that it should just be a routine day.  Yesterday we did select the flowers we want for the Memorial Service on Saturday.  We have a lady in our church who is a florist and does the flowers for our weekly church services.  We are leaving the flowers on Saturday to serve as the Sunday flowers and then plan on taking them to a good friend who had another stroke a couple of weeks ago and is in a rehab program. 

Judy, thanks for the info on the chalk.  It has been a long time since I have seen snow like you show in your pictures.

Marilyn, that water situation in California does sound dire.  We are hearing the same thing about food prices down this way. 

Jane, interesting that the daffodils always bloom on the anniversary of your mother's birth.  Wow, you sure do have a lot of great grandchildren. 

John, glad you enjoyed your training session with the school bus company folks and nice to know you had chalk to use.  :)  That heating oil is really expensive.  I remember well when my folks heated with wood and I helped dad gather the wood and to bring it into the house to use. 

Ruth Ann, I am pretty sure that the four great grandchildren we have will be it as have only one granddaughter and she will not have anymore children.

Liz, wet snow is certainly a lot of work to shovel.  You all will certainly be looking forward to spring.  We also watch a select number of channels even though we have many available. 

Hi Carol, Jeanne, Don and Ruth. 

John I know about old farm houses I grew up in one, no running water, a pump on the back porch, and a out house. No I'm not a 100 years old but I did come up under tough circumstances. I have 1 small greenhouse that uses oil but it's been about 3 or 4 years since buying oil which was $3.50 a gal here then and I thought that was high. I know about cutting wood also, that is what I heat with now however we don't get as cold as it does where you are. Our low here this winter was 1 degree but we don't usually get that cold. Global warming I guess.  :lol:

Carol I know what you mean about bookmarks, I need to go through mine. At least bookmarks don't slow things down.

Larry that rain is headed our way and they have a little ice mixed with it for late tonight and early tomorrow morning. I remember Feb 28-29'th 1980 we had the biggest snow we have ever had in my lifetime. Don't know how many inches or feet but we had drifts 5 feet deep or deeper. It snowed so hard you couldn't see with thunder and lightning. Sure hope we don't have anything like that.

Good morning to everyone else, hope you have a great day. :thumbsup:

I've had a busy couple of days working on the Guelph Hiking Trail Club website.  Lots of changes that iinvolve changing many files that are all linked together and with html, it's so easy to leave out a crucial bracket or quotation mark or even some major code.  Then last night I drove away out into the country to one of the executive member's home where the monthly executive meeting was being held.  On the way in the light of the headlights, suddenly, we saw three coyotes on the snowy road ahead of us.  They were beautiful.  They stood for a few seconds and then meandered off the roadway so we could continue.

Liz, it's so good to see your posts.  I hope you are keeping warm and cosy.  This has been a very long winter indeed.


Thanks for the wonderful devotional, Jeanne.  It was a blessing to read.  The fruits of the spirit are so important to learn and know and what a great reminder to all of us.  This part especially blessed my heart:

Quote
When the fruit of the Spirit is absent, gifts lose their effectiveness. In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Not all the gifts are given to all believers, but the fruit of the Spirit should be evident in all who abide in Christ. The gifts of the Spirit define what a believer does, but the fruit of the Spirit defines who a believer is.

As we read earlier, love is the first and foremost fruit of abiding in Christ. Without love, our gifts are meaningless. No matter what our gift is, our goal should always be to glorify God and to serve others.

HAHAHAHA!!!!  Don, sorry about the game and your inability to watch it!   :ticked: :lol:

  Great pictures of the winter we have been having.   

Jeanne Lee:  The picture of the pile of snow beside the road reminds me of a time at approx 40 or so yrs ago when at my MIL's there was a pile of snow beside the then Hwy 11 and yes our children plus the other children in the area had a great time playing.  At that time it was the major hwy going (no bypass) through  town I think that the drivers took much more care way back then and also the children were also on the look out for danger.

Judy & Jeanne Lee thanks for sharing.

Also what John did not mention was that some ice hut operators have huts that are fitted out like a cottage  and for a large fee they can and are rented for weekends or even longer depending on the weather of course. 

I'm back...   Phone rang and I've been out this morning and was expecting an important call so ran to get the phone and knocked the receiver off the phone (wall phone) and it went into the garbage that is below the phone and what a messy receiver I had to clean!!!  Anyway, back now.  When I was out to the city centre, I almost froze!  It was so good to get into the house and I forgot to check for mail so have to go out again!  :(


Marilyn, I'm glad you enjoyed the church service.  I sometimes weep when the Lord speaks to me through a hymn or even the prayer of the pastor or someone else.  If it's coming from the heart then I see nothing wrong with it.


I'm thinking of you and Pat constantly, Larry.  I pray that it will be easier and easier for you both with the loss of your child so close in your memories.  It's just so difficult for a parent to have to deal with the death of a child. 

Don, are you anywhere near to the I-85?  Paul and I stopped to meet up with Cindy Hosea in Anderson for a quick visit at a "Huddle House" at the exit there.  We took a "selfie" with our phones and they turned out pretty good.  I'll post one in the Photos area for you all to see.  She keeps very busy with her job of being the photographer for the Greenville Newspaper.


I always enjoy reading your posts, Ruth Ann  They always bless my heart. 


So happy to see you back teaching John.  You're certainly a good one!

Jane, we always miss a parent--at least I do.  100 years is a long time!  My father would be in his 115th year if he was still with us and mum would be 113 this year!  Wow!!!    What happy memories!


Thinking of you, Janet!  We need a phone call.  ;)


Carol are you home now?.

Ruth, is it as cold in Nobleton as it is here in Guelph?  I was out earlier and I think my ears near froze off!!!!

Ruth, I used to love icefishing.  Those huts were so warm.  I used to take some bacon, eggs and hash brown potatoes and bread to toast and tea or coffee and we spent the day out on Lake Simcoe.  A huge snowmobile would take about 10 or 12 of us out there and then pick us up after supper!

Pat Wrote

QuoteDon, are you anywhere near to the I-85?

My closest access to I-85 would be Henderson or Durham about 1 hr 45 min. I am about 40 min east of I-95.

Hi Folks just a quick post before heading for bed. Been a nice day here today and had to do a lot of running around. But it was a great day for it. Had to pick up some training materials for a future coarse I have to deliver about a month from now. Its a new course required on Occupational health and Safety by our Ministry of Labour. Should be an interesting one looking forward to it.
Pat Thank you for the endorsement. I am thoroughly enjoying getting back in the classroom in the teach mode. I have another class on Saturday. Then next week back on the road with the truck.
You know God is so faithful in meeting our needs. What I am doing this week has been a wonderful refresher for me. I needed a break from the road and the weather and God knew this and orchestrated this weeks activities together for me. Thank you Lord. Well going to stop here for now. My bed beckons me. Blessings everyone.

Somehow I lost my email notifications again, so was a few days behind in reading the posts, it has taken me an hour and 15 minutes to catch up!  Had to come in by the back alley.  ;)

I enjoyed reading about everyone's doings.  Yes, Pat, we really do need a call!

I had to go to Garden City on the care home bus with Beth and two of the workers yesterday, for Beth to see the urologist.  What a waste of time!  He didn't examine her at all, just looked over the papers we brought and made a couple of suggestions.  It could all have been handled by phone and fax!   :ticked:  It was so miserably cold, and I wasn't feeling well, so I guess that made me grumpy. :(  sorry.

I need to go back to bed and try to sleep a while.  I discovered a bit ago that I had forgotten to take my pills yesterday morning, so that's why the lack of sleep.  :-\   

We have a new gal coming to clean for us today.  Darrel told them not to send the one back who has been coming for several years, as she just did less and less, and last week when she left, he walked across the kitchen floor and his feet stuck with each step.  She would just smear around with plain cool water!  I told her many times to use SOAP, showed her where it is kept, but if I wasn't watching......oh, well, water under the bridge.  And the new gal is highly recommended.

Yawn.....see you later!

Pat: It is extremely cold here as well. The radio has been saying that this is to continue through to the middle of March.

Don: I also grew up in a home where there was not any conveniences yes we also had the outhouse, no hydro etc etc. My mom wanted more but the funding was not there. I will say that is now in the past.

I have some errands to do.
I must also say that I sure love spell check.

No rain or ice at my locale this morning and it looks like we will miss it. Moisture is to the southeast and hugging the coast. Our temp is 41 degrees with 70% humidity and that makes it feel like 20 degrees. Our high humidity makes it seem cold in the winter and hot in the summer. If you don't like the weather in NC just wait until tomorrow and it will be different.

I don't do much fishing in cold weather but I think I would really like to try the ice fishing one time.

Finally got up with the electric company and they will be here tomorrow morning between 9 and 10 AM to take down the power line so I can get this dead tree down for my neighbor. Guess I have a project for tomorrow and more firewood really close to the house.

Hope everyone has a great and safe day.

I'm so sorry that you had difficulty sleeping, Janet.  I have those nights too when I just can't seem to "turn off my thoughts" and so then I get my tablet and start to play some of the Psalms and then I go to sleep--at least most of the times.  It seems too that your Facebook account has maybe been hacked.  I suggest that you change your password.  I got a new friend request and so did Ruthie (my cousin) and she carried on a very interesting conversation with "you" on your new account about how you just won $500,000. in a Lottery and that Ruthie's name was on the "delivery list" that the UPS delivery man had when he delivered your half million!!!!   :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :ticked: :ticked: :ticked:

Hi everyone. Very busy morning and it was late when I got home and ate lunch.  I went to coffee at McDonald's, then to Walmart to return something for Pat that we had purchas yesterday.  Then it was to the church for Bible study and a short meeting with the pastor to finalize the order of service for Saturday.  Then I stopped at Dunkin' Donut to visit with my friends.  So now am resting and will just say high for today.  I have read the postings since yesterday.

OH dear!  I thought it was strange to get a friend request from Janet - I was sure it was done long ago.  But I accepted it anyway.  Hope that doesn't get me hacked! 

We're still frigid and for at least another ten days or so we aren't expecting to get up to freezing temperatures.  I wouldn't be surprised if there is still some trace of snow in July, left from the huge piles like those I posted in Photos.

I also accepted, Jeanne and said to her, "Thought we were already friends.  Why did you delete me?"  HAHAHA!

Saturday will be a difficult day for you, Larry and Pat.  I will be thinking of you and praying that the Lord will give you the Grace to get through it.  Hugs and more hugs to you both.

Add my prayers, too, Larry.  I know it will be ever so difficult and I will keep you both in my heart all day. 

Larry:  We will be thinking good thoughts and prayers for you and Pat this Saturday.

Pat:  We will spend about 5 more weeks here and return in time to see the grandson graduating this year and his trumpet concerts.  The first one is Jazz Band.  They are so cool  8) and dress the part.   ;)  We also will go to granddaughter's breakfast for grandparents at her school.  Lots of activities are planned - do hope we can rest a bit before all of that begins. 

Just returned from tying quilts and that takes about 2 hours.  Next week they begin a bible study for the hour and half before quilting.  I am a little reluctant to do the two things together - that is all afternoon after cleaning up from the fabric and so forth - wish they did bible study another day or even that morning.  They also have Wed night service too so that is another hour & half on the same day --- sounds like I am griping doesn't it and I certainly don't mean that at all.  Don just can't take all that chatting as he gets very tired trying to hear someone speaking. 

Vegetable beef soup is in the crockpot. 

Hi, friends,

It's so good to come and read all the posts. I've had the beginnings of a cold today, so am in and glad that I can stay in without bothering others. :)

Y'all have a good rest of the day.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Larry Praying for you. 

This has been a long day, Woke up to the phone ringing and thinking John was in the house I ignored, only to find out that he was down at the furnace.  We went to pick up his meds and did some running around. 

Rambo is so funny, we weren't watching him too closely, and he knew where I put Zeke's ball. So up on his hind legs and he got the ball....off my computer table.  He can walk around on his hind legs, and is so funny to watch.  When we go out on the ATV he can maintain 35 km/h.  Right now he is fat from over the winter laziness.  Time for spring so he can go out and run again.

It is late and I am heading to bed!

Hi Everyone,

It has been ages since I have posted on CP.      I guess because I spend a lot of time on FB I don't have a lot of time left over for too much more.     To all of my old friends on CP  I hope everything is wonderful in your life!   


Love Ruthie

Hi everyone.  It is chilly here this morning but nice and sunny and is to warm up during the day.  The big thing today will be to pick up my sister and BIL at the subway station around 8:30 this evening.  We haven't seen them for about 5 years so it is going to be nice having them here for a few days.  If I do not post for the next few days just know that I am busy and haven't had a chance to spend much time on the computer. 

Yes Saturday will not be easy but we feel it will bring a bit of closure.  We believe we did the right thing to delay the memorial service for these three weeks as it gave us time to grieve privately and to make decisions in an unhurried manor and to take care of the affairs that needed to be handled.  Believe me I have leaned on God throughout these last days and he has wrapped me in his arm with the many hugs my friends have bestowed upon me both in person and in thought. 

Ruthie, nice to see your posting.  Don't be a stranger as we miss you. 

Gremlins!  Hackers!  Phooey!  Not only did I get hacked and locked out of facebook, costing me two hours of total frustration, but I could not post here on CP either.   Anyway, after changing my passwords on both sites, here I am back.  I feel so bad that so many people got caught up in the scam on FB; one lady even called this morning, I have no idea where she lives, and talked to Darrel about it.  Seems the scam was to get them convinced they had won $500,000, but they had to send the guy $500.00 in order to claim it!  She actually was going to do it!  Her husband had already gone to their bank and made the arrangements, but the more she talked to whoever it was who called her about it, the more suspicious she got, thinking he wasn't even an American.  So they didn't send the money, thank God!  I would rather take my page down and never go to FB again than to have someone duped out of their money or hurt in any other way by it.

Now I am having trouble getting my phone # ported over to my new phone.  Boy, I wish I wasn't so devoid of technical skills.   :-[

Larry, I am thinking of you and praying for you and Pat, will keep you right there as you hold the memorial for dear Stacey.  I'm so glad you feel the love and strength of our Lord upholding you through the hugs and prayers of your many friends.  You are very special to us!

I need to get off here and call Consumer Cellular about my phone.  My Verizon contract ends today!

Well I got my neighbors tree on the ground this morning and then my saw broke down. Spent three hrs looking parts but no luck yet. So now there is a tree laying in her front yard.  :ticked:

Speaking of scams here is one you might want to take note of if you are a Verizon user.

Verizon customers beware: This crazy new scam could steal control of your account
http://news.yahoo.com/verizon-customers-beware-crazy-scam-could-steal-control-181506541.html

Here is another one.  Funeral Announcement
http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/funeralnotice.asp#xiMPtIhi0VO3sQyH.99

Have a great day everyone, what's left of it anyway.

Hi, friends,

Don, thank you for those Verizon scam alerts. I have relatives who are subscribers, so will let them know about these.

Larry, you and Pat, along with family and friends are in my prayers. The grieving has to be done at our own pace, doesn't it. I put my grief off for years as I was so busy rearing the children. Then, when it DID hit, the toll on me was difficult to say the least.

Ruthie, it's good to see your smiling face once again. Do keep us in mind and we'll all enjoy fellowship together. :)

May everyone have a wonderful evening.

Ruth Ann

1:30 am and I am finally heading to bed.  The phone will be unplugged.

Something for you to enjoy when you get up. You better have the tissues ready.....

Here (http://www.upworthy.com/mister-rogers-ditches-the-cardigan-puts-on-a-tux-makes-people-cry?g=2&c=ufb3)

Hi everyone.  Just a quick stop by this morning.  My sister and BIL made it here fairly late last evening.  Their flight from the transfer point in Chicago was about 45 minutes late so it was late when we got back here to the house.  We are just taking it easy today.  Pat is suffering with back spasms.  We have a beautiful day here today and tomorrow is suppose to be even nicer.

Good morning!  It's gonna be a great day!  :)

Thanks Judy for the little video of Mr. Rogers, a truly wonderful and giving man.  Sort of reminds me of our Larry!  :)

We went to the gym and I did my intervals--puff, puff!.  I am down another half-pound, BUT the great news is my body fat is 6% lower over the last three weeks!!  How great is that?  I know muscle weighs more than fat, so the pounds don't matter as much as size!  I'm a pretty happy girl today.  ;)

I went to a wonderful piano concert last night in our little neighbor town of Johnson.  The pianist was Charlie Albright, and my!  What a talent!  He began playing the piano by ear when he was three years old, and played everything he heard until he was seven.  Then his parents decided he should learn to read music and get a foundation in classical music.  He has won so many awards already, and is only 25 years old now.  He was amazing to watch and to hear.  How blessed we are that Community Concerts bring us such talent!

The new house cleaner is here, and the house already smells better!  ;)

Oh!  Another blessing!  There is a guy over in Dodge City who publishes a paper once a month called Southwest Kansas Faith and Family, and he contacted me about doing an article on Beth, me and the book.  The papers were distributed (they are free!) yesterday, and we are the entire front page!  He had asked me some questions, and also researched what other papers had printed when the book was released, plus some snippets from the book, and when he sent the file to me he had put 'by Stan Wilson'...but it came out with a different title and MY by-line!  You can see it online at www.swkfaithandfamily.org.  It is the March 2014 edition.  Pretty cool!

I want to send copies of the page to my two sisters who live away from here, need to get busy now.  Later, Peeps!

Larry:  So sorry to read that Pat is having back problems but not unexpected with all you are going through.

Rain is predicted here in Arizona and they say it will rain 100% assuredly.  So dry here that I have had to slather cortisone on my face in spots of dryness and the redness is going away.  There is such a drought that this will be a gift for everyone.  Don and I have taken our walks - he is at the library two blocks over to read the paper. 

It is safe now for me to set up my sewing machine again as one couple is not able to visit here next week.  Must get to some KP - Kitchen Patrol? 

Hi Ruthie!   Good to "see" you. 

Praying for Larry and family.

We are somewhat warmer today, -9C rather than the -20's.  I have shopping to do, and meal prep for John.  Another week on the road, I am so looking forward to his retirement.

We are dog sitting Autumn again.  my dogs went nutz last night, but have settled down today.  Rambo knows Autumn, as does Zeke, I have no idea why they carry on so!

I don't have any "reflection" pictures.  I will have to go through some of the pics from out film camera and see what is there.  Nothing good enough for the Challenge i am sure.

Have a great day folks.

Rain - such a blessing.  A tough winter for those up north as we read Don's home town in Duluth, MN set a record for days under zero temperatures. 

Don has biscuits and gravy ready for a late breakfast.  I came in to add my prayers for Larry, Pat and his family. 

Slept late this morning, something I don't usually do but I guess that is ok once in a while. Cold and sunny here this morning, spring where are you?

Went to the coast yesterday for Justin's ending ceremonies for upward basketball. A couple of boring team photos http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=12929.new#new (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=12929.new#new)  Justin is No. 32.

Have a great day everyone!

Don I am sure you could have done better with the photos.

We have snow again today, it is so fine that it looks like a mist outside.  Southern Ontario has been hit hard again. (Pat's area and south)  Heather is at Pat's right now and is hoping to get home tonight, if the roads aren't better she will stay put.

Laundry is folded and now to put it away and a loaf of bread is rising.  I am off to take care of things and will be back later.

Larry and Pat, I'm praying for you again today.  May the memorial service go well, the weather be  beautiful, and you be comforted. 

Hi everyone on a beautiful afternoon here in Georgia.  We had a beautiful and meaningful memorial service for Stacey this morning.  There must have been well over a hundred people in attendance and we were overwhelmed.  We consider these folks as an extended family as our own is very small.  I also sensed the thoughts and prayers of my many web friends.  Pat and I appreciate each one of our friends. 

I'm glad things went well for you Larry, We all have been praying. 

The weather is good, overcast and a bit of snow but about -8C and quite nice out there.

John is home from teaching school bus drivers how to drive defensively.  It has been quite a week for him.

I have 4 loaves of bread made and all the laundry folded, One load is still in the drier.  That will be tonight.  Now on to groceries, and time together.

I may not be back tonight, I want to cherish the remainder of time that we have together, before John goes back on the road.

Hi, friends,

Yes, I, too, have thought of Larry, Pat, and family and friends today. I'm thankful y'all felt the support both of the in person community as well as we in the online community.

I've stayed in today so don't really have much to report.

Y'all have a good rest of the day with our Lord.

Ruth Ann

Larry, thanks for taking time to check in - I was hoping to see a note from you and what you wrote was that there was a good turnout for the memorial.  That is so nice. 

We have the downpours of rain coming in from California here in Arizona.  Don was on a walk when he took refuge in the local library and walked back here during a little lull - not quite fully soaked.  He does wear a sun hat so that helped. 

Both of us are complaining about shoulder pain and then I thought of one answer - we are on our iPads a lot more here.  And, I am doing puzzles on it plus card games and so is Don.  So, instead, I started sewing a little and baking cookies to stay away plus there is a good book to read. 

Have a good Sunday tomorrow, all. 

Larry, good to read there was a good turn out for the memorial service, and that it was meaningful.  (I knew it would be!)  Sending big hugs for you both!

It was not nice here today at all.  Mist falling, freezing instantly, so coating every surface in ice.  Before noon, eight people were taken to our local hospitals after suffering falls.  So our church service for tonight was canceled, and the morning one may be, as well.  We got about an inch and a half of snow on top of the ice, and the temp has hovered around 2* all day.  So I didn't even stick my nose out all day.

I worked all afternoon getting things put back in order in the room we have been working on.  I went through a lot of papers, throwing away lots of stuff I no longer need.  And am I ever glad I went through everything before tossing, as I found an envelope with over $500 in it that I had forgotten about!  So that is a good thing!  :thumbsup:

I sure recommend to everyone going to see the movie Son of God when it is near you.  It's really a great one.  You are probably seeing the reviews on TV.

Past my bedtime, and that's where I am heading, NOW!

Good night all, have a blessed rest and wake up refreshed for worship tomorrow.

Well good Morning everyone. Just a quick post before getting ready for church. Had an interesting weeks vacation. Guess you could call it a working vacation. I got my certification to teach the School Bus Driver Improvement Course. Which is a defensive driving course that all school bus drivers in Ontario must take at regular intervals. Also taught my first session Sat. Felt good to be back in the classroom. This appears to be leading to several leads for upcoming work. That is good as it will be helpful to retire the truck. God is good. As He closes the door He opens a window and it certainly looks like that is the process going on here. Its exciting to see how He orchestrates things. Can't wait ti see where He will take me next in this journey. Even in the delivery of the course yesterday it was obvious that His hand was in it as I was able to teach the material from memory and when I went to my notes and PowerPoint helps only to discover I had already taught the material. That's God giving me the words. All in all it was a great day and looking forward to the rest of the journey. Have a blessed day folks I'm going to get ready for church.

Glad you got time off and glad you enjoyed it. Be safe when you get back on the road.

Well I'm off to church also :run:, slept late this morning and I already missed Sunday school.

Have a great day everyone!

More snow and more to come......poor garden is really suffering and the kids will have lots of repairing if Spring ever comes.

I have my new TV and it is great...except the new ones do not have a jack for headphones and I am almost deaf.  Trying to find out how to get what is needed is a real problem.  Everyone has a different story ... It seems a special box and optical cable are needed or will not work.  Larry, John, anyone.....help if possible.  My SIL is a nice man but not versed in such matters and does not like taking advice from me.  The stand I bought on line turned out to be a piece of junk and has to go back....Guess what, I am to old for all these problems.  Was happy with my old TV until Gateway System messed that up forever. >:(

Someone wrote: 
                          Technology meant to be our servant has become our Master!
Boy, do I ever agree with that!

Hope everyone has a nice day and I am off to try and find a Church Service on my new TV.  Can't really hear it but can enjoy watching.

God Bless, 
Liz :)

Judy has prepared a new devotional for the new week and the new month.  Find it HERE (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=12930.msg183407#msg183407).