Christian Photographers Community

What wonderful messages today! May God bless each of you really well.

Janet, I'm so sorry I missed your birthday yesterday. May God grant you many happy, healthy years ahead.

Well, the time change got me. I rested right through church. But listened to a sermon on radio that really inspired me. It's so embarrassing to miss church for such a little reason.

At any rate, y'all have a great rest of the day.

Ruth Ann

Judy:  Run sap run!  How nice after 19 years you can have a project together.  We are going to paint a room this week together.  It doesn't sound like much but the closet plus moving furniture turns it into a project.  Am tired before we start.  Your sweater will be a treasure. 

Janet:  Belated birthday greetings!  I hope you had cake and ice cream!!

Before Don's relatives came, I bought daffodils for color - I like it when they have a $2 bunch of flowers - my kind of a bargain and they are still going strong.  Today was time for making hummingbird nectar - those greedy little piggys!  We are getting a lot of quail now because we bought a regular quail block at Costco.  It will be sad leaving them here when we leave for home. 

At church this morning, a friend came up, hugged me and wished me a happy belated birthday.  I said, "Thanks so much, but my birthday is in June!"  She said she saw it on Facebook.  I have no idea how that happened, it surely wasn't me!  But thanks for thinking of me anyway, Ruth Ann and Carol!  I can celebrate twice and only get one year older!

Abby called soon after we got home from church, to invite us down for lunch.  She said, "And drive that new pickup--I want to drive it!"  So we did.  Had a wonderful meal--T-Bone steaks, baked potatoes, salad, and Cherry cream cheese pie!  Yummy!

We have Connections group tonight and it's almost that time, so I will be getting off here soon.  We have been away so long we are looking forward to fellowshipping with our friends again.

It's my turn to start a new "Thoughts for the Week" but since I'm still on vacation and "iffy" wifi, I'm thinking we'll just keep using this topic for the coming week.

I'm in Pensacola, FL still and we leave here on Wed. morning and then head toward Larry and Pat's for later on in the week.  We enjoyed the services today at Pensacola Christian College.  What a joy it was!


I'll share a prayer I received in my email that blessed my heart...



Heavenward by Scotty Smith
A Prayer for Pondering and Believing the Love of Jesus

I am my beloved's, and his desire is for me. Song of Sol. 7:10 (NIV)

     Dear Lord Jesus, we believe you love us this much, but we don't believe it as much as you intend. Heal us and free us, we pray, for you have made us for yourself and have redeemed us for yourself. Our deepest longings find their origin and fulfillment in you. Our greatest brokenness finds its redemption through you. Our lingering fears and foolishness find their release by you. What a wonderful, merciful Savior you are; and what a woefully inadequate affirmation this is.

     We belong to you, Jesus—not by the merit of our efforts, not by the measure of our sincerity, not by the tears of our repentance, not by the pledge of our faithfulness. We belong to you, because you came to us and gave yourself for us. By your life of perfect obedience, and your death in humble submission, you have paid a price beyond measure, to give us riches beyond calculation—to make us your beloved. Nothing can sever or change our belongingness.

     You desire us, Jesus—not because we show promise, but because you fulfilled every promised God made on our behalf. You desire us, Jesus—not because we are choice, but because we are chosen. You desire us, Jesus—not because of anything in us, but because of everything in you. Nothing can diminish or intensify our beloved-ness. Jesus, this isn't just a game changer; it's an everything changer. We believe; help our unbelief.

     May this all-consuming, heart-transforming, life-liberating good news free us today to live and to love to your glory, Jesus. Take us further up and farther into your heart. So very Amen we pray, in your mercy-full and grace-full name.

Pat, thank you for sharing that prayer.  It was a wonderful to start my day. 

Things are starting to warm up a little here in the north country.  It should be OK for you to head home after you visit with Larry and Pat!   

Hi everyone on an overcast morning but in the 50's.  Pat got up before I did this morning, which is very unusual.  However, I stayed in bed awhile and read the email and the postings since yesterday in the three message boards.  Pat fixed me a nice bowl of fresh pineapple and strawberries, which I am having for my breakfast along with the nutritional drink I try to have almost everyday and an English Muffin.  It was so nice here yesterday that I sat out on my front porch for an hour or so and read.  Pat sat on the patio in back to get some sun at the same time.  We plan on going to Lowe's this morning to look for lamps and so I can return an item.  So it will be a rather laid back day but one never knows what the day has in store.

Judy, have you gathered the maple sap to make the maple syrup with before.  Do you have a lot of maple trees on your farm?

Ruth Ann, it sounds like you needed the rest.

Carol, what is a quail block?  It is just feed held together with a binder of some type?  I remember on the farm we used to buy salt blocks for the cows to lick to replenish their salt when it got very hot. 

Jeanne, glad you are starting to see a little warm up in your area. 

Pat, looking forward to your visit. 

Happy Monday!  I feel better already, for having gone back to the gym again.  I really feel the difference when we don't go, and it was so long this time.   Kristi was happy to have us back, too!

We enjoyed our small group last night, so good to fellowship with Christian friends!

I had a call this morning from a near relative, who is heart-broken over the news that a granddaughter has gone off into a lesbian lifestyle.  The devil is running roughshod over this sin-sick world.  So sad.....
And I just saw on the news that Thailand has had the first "three-way same sex 'marriage.'"  Ugh.  We knew that would be the next step in the downward spiral.

The sun is shining, God's still in his heaven, and He is still in control.  So we still can thank and praise Him, and worship Him always.

Pat, I am envious of your getting to visit our Larry and Pat!  Give them a hug for me, will you?  And have a wonderful visit!

I came back to give you all a praise report!  The winter storms have covered so much of the country lately, with much snow and ice.  Grandson Mark called his Dad to tell him his flight (he is a pilot) was delayed for quite a while, then cleared for take-off, but midway through the flight he knew the plane was really iced up, and he had to make an emergency landing and get it de-iced.  He flies small commuter airplanes, I think 8 passengers, and he was relieved nobody panicked.  It took well over 100 gallons of de-icer to do the job, then he took off and completed the trip okay.  He told his Dad that he could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit guiding him and protecting the plane and occupants the whole time.  Praise God for his parents raising him in the church!!  God is SO good--all the time!  Never doubt that your prayers for your family reap a harvest of blessings!

Pat:  Pensacola is such a nice area of Florida - we have only driven through but did see a couple who moved there from Colorado.  Thank you for devotions!  Safe travels.

Larry:  A quail block is indeed a block of seeds and we are seeing a lot more quail but any bird is right in there as well.   In the mountains, we knew a woman who put out salt blocks to attract moose and did we ever see a lot of moose. That was the bible study that just fell apart whenever the moose would walk close to the cabin and we would all get up and take pictures - everyone had good laughs over it. 

Nope, off to the big box store for a few things.  Just so tiring to walk around there anymore. 

I have a two weeks of being very busy with Appointments for Keith, 1 lab for me and 1 Vet for Bebe, but the rest involve Keith's eye surgery  for his cataract. i would appreciate it is y'all would keep him in your prayers.

Had a lovely day today here in Pensacola.

Went to an alternative medicine doctor first and both Paul and I were checked over and my, oh my!  How they seemed to KNOW our bodies!!!

Then we crossed the inland waterway and went to Navarre Beach and drove many miles alond the outer long beach leaving Navarre behind us and entered Pensacola Beach.  It was overcast but warm and windy. 

Tomorrow is our last day and we leave on Wednesday morning.

It will be sad.

Yes, Janet, I'll give Larry and Pat both a hug for you. 

   Hi to all.  You will notice that it is very early in the morning and I have had an upset stomach since just after dinner time. and I don't feel like sleeping but will try very soon.  It is 3-45 am and I just thought it was about time that I got back onto C. P.  I have not read very many post's but will try to.     Noreen has two app. for cataract surgery coming up.  She has found out that she has one in each eye so the first surgery is on the 26th of this month then the next one is on the16th of April but we still do not have a date for her knee and we pray that the infection has completely gone.  So we please ask that you all could please pray for Noreen and myself for strength during these trying times.  God's richest blessing's to you all.  Have a wonderful week.   Gordon and Noreen.

   

Pat, by the time you get back to Guelph, spring should be pretty well on the way.  Here in the Adirondacks we got up to 40⁰F (5⁰C) yesterday and it looks like more of the same for another week.    Of course, it's still back down below freezing overnight, but sooner or later that will change, too.     The snowpack is melting very slowly, which is good and helps avoid flooding.

Oh, that will be sooooo good, Jeanne to see our snow in Guelph melted.  I surely hope that's soon.

Hi Gord!

I'm so sorry about Noreen's health problems.  I'm happy that the cataract surgery is now a lot easier to get through than what it was like when our parents went through it.

I will continue to pray for you both.

 I am praying for your requests, Marilyn.

Hi everyone.  I am sitting here at the computer and eating my lunch.  It is another sunny and warm day here.  It has been a very busy morning as had to make another trip to Lowe's, Office Depot to get Pat a new mouse for your desktop and then stop by the library to drop off two books I had checked out.  I just put them in the outside return box and didn't have to go inside.  Our son is going to drive me over to Atlanta next Wednesday morning for an 11:30 appointment at Piedmont Hospital as there is a problem with one of the wires going into my heart from the pacemaker.  They will do a fluroscope and then at 12:30 I will have the pacemaker checked , adjusted as might be needed, and see a doctor if the check or test in the morning indicate such is needed.  Pat will stay here in case Scott's wife should need help and we will drive back after the afternoon appointment.

  after going to the gym.  We sure are going to miss the gym after we get home.  We can always walk. 

Larry:  How far is it to your larger hospital?  Perhaps they have a shuttle you can catch?  I don't know if that is possible or not but it is just great that your son is available and you can help him as well.  The reason I thought of a shuttle is that a friend has company coming into the Phoenix airport and she asked the relative to take the shuttle to Tucson.  None of us like the Phoenix maze to pick up someone from that airport. 

We need to put our grubby clothes on because there is a room all taped and ready for us to paint this morning.  There is fresh nectar made for the hummingbirds so all is peaceful outside.  A genealogy lecture this afternoon.  Then, we have to pick out paint for our trim on the home house in Colorado - it is brick but the trim and roof were damaged in the hail storm after we left.  New roof went up right away - it was only two years old from the former hail storm (which are getting stronger). 

Cataract surgery is really getting fast - we know someone who does the surgery in less than 10 minutes per eye and it is perfect when finished. 

Hi, friends,

It's good to be here again. I read a wonderful devotional message in email, and thought I would pass along part of it:

"Faith makes us journey like Abraham, lie down like Isaac, sail like Paul, cook like Martha, worship like Mary, write like John, fish like Peter, preach like Stephen, endure abuse, pain and afflictions like countless martyrs.  Author: Jorge De Barros"

I enjoyed rereading that sentence several times. I hope you like it.

May God bless each one of us with his presence today.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone on another very beautiful morning.  It is already 64 degrees and suppose to get up to 84 this afternoon about 5 pm.  Our son will be over today to help with some projects we would like to get done before Pat and Paul visit us tomorrow.  This evening we will go to the church for the Wednesday night dinner and the Bible study that follows. 

Carol, there really isn't good transportation from Altanta to North Augusta that I am aware of.  Pat is staying here next Wednesday to be available to our DIL, who may come and spend the day here while we are in Atlanta.  I should be able to get a transport chair that my son can push to get me around in the medical buildings at the hospital if it becomes too much to walk.  I am very familiar with the medical buildings at the hospital as have been there many times over the years as well as the hospital as this is where Stacey usually would be treated.    Sure glad you were able to get your new roof so quickly. 

Ruth Ann, thanks for sharing the devotional thought. 

I didn't even turn my computer on yesterday!   And I'm late today because I have been quite ill.  I don't know what happened, but my balance was a little off yesterday, and then after lunch I got really sick with diarrhea, stomach cramps and head ache.  I spent the afternoon in bed, got up for an hour or so, then had another bout of diarrhea along with vomiting.  I was so thankful Darrel was with me, for I surely would have passed out without his support.  After he got me to the bed again, I did pass out and probably fell asleep while out as I didn't wake for two hours.  I just got home from my chiropractor and am feeling quite a lot better already.  Ugh...TMI....sorry. 

Larry, I hope all goes well with your appointments.  So glad you are near your son now!

Carol, you guys are always making upgrades and repairs.  It never seems to end, does it?  We are needing to do some of that around here, too.

Pat, glad you had a good "going over" and hope both you and Paul learned ways to become healthier and pain free!  Have a great visit with Larry and Pat!

Marilyn, I know that cataract surgery has become routine, and really nothing to worry about, as long as you have a skilled doctor for Keith.  But I also know "there's no such thing as MINOR suregery, when it's YOUR (or a loved one's) body!     I'm sure he will be just fine.  Both Darrel and I have had it, and so many others I know, too.

My head is still hurting, and looking at this monitor isn't helping. So I will see you al later!

Ruth Ann, thank you for sharing those inspirational words today!

Janet, I'm so sorry you go whopped with whatever it was!     Hope it's all gone by now.

The snow banks have shrunk quite a bit - I can now see the cars going by on the road in front of my house.  This weekend we may get more snow - or mixed snow and rain - or rain.  Guess I'll know by Monday afternoon.   

Well, here we are ready for bed in the Super 8 in Augusta, Georgia and Larry and Pat are about 7 miles away in North Augusta, South Carolina!  So, we're very close!!!

I so agree with you, Janet that "there's no such thing as MINOR suregery, when it's YOUR (or a loved one's) body!"  I've found that out on numerous occasions.

Hi everyone on a nice day.  It is already in the 60s.  For the last several weeks it has rained on trash day so hadn't put my moving boxes out to be picked up.  However, this morning I got all the cardboard to the street as well as the trash can.  A few minutes ago, as I was sitting at my desk I glanced out the window and saw some of the boxes blowing down the street.  I rushed out to capture them and while I was picking them up a nice man in stopped and got out of his pickup and helped me gather them again and we put the trash can on top of them.  I just put some small ones in the trash can.  My garage looks a lot better after getting the boxes all out of there.  We are expecting Pat and Paul to arrive probably in the next hour to 90 minutes and so looking forward to our time of visiting together.  Since my time is limited this morning I will limit any comments today as should have more time tomorrow.

Janet, sounds like you caught a bit of the flu.  Hope it doesn't linger for you. 

Larry hope you have a good time with Pat and Paul.

Well, I'm back, and feeling more like myself now.  After 2 nights and two and a half days in bed, I should!  I finally got up at 3 this morning, spent about 3 hours sorting and throwing away accumulated mail (my worst housekeeping job) and then went back to bed for an hour to get warm again.  we even went back to the gym, but I was careful not to overdo it today.

Beth called, but I couldn't understand what she was trying to tell me, beyond "I want...." so I went to see her.  She wanted Mexican food!  So I picked up some for her, some for Dr. Saxon, and a chocolate milkshake for my sweet 98 year-old friend Maxine, who loves chocolate!

I think I just might take a little nap this afternoon, anyway. 

Judy, I don't think there is  any doubt that Larry and Pat will enjoy Pat and Paul's visit.  I'm envious!  But so happy they are able to get together! 

I don't know if that was a flu bug or food poisoning, but it sure did pack a wallop!  Hope it never happens again!

Hi, friends,

I have a special praise - someone I dearly love had a health test that disproved an initial diagnosis of possible cancer. Thanks be to God!

I've been out and about today, so am just about ready to "rest on my laurels" tonight. 

We are expecting mild temps tomorrow and pouring down rain. There were a few showers while I was out this afternoon.

May our Lord be praised today.

Ruth Ann

That is wonderful and miraculous news - a clear diagnosis!  Sleep well on this update from your friend.

our class for the iPhone went alright today - we have the oldest model and would not have one except our daughter has to update for her new tech job.  This lesson was all about the main things that are not too different from the iPad (Apple ware) that I received from the family for a big birthday gift.  All these things have brought me angst and joy being careful not to get too excited over technology and trying to use it for the good I have been looking at a bible study several times a week.  Otherwise, to download books, peek into some social stuff and looking at the news because we cut back to basic t.v. several years ago.

Janet:  Good news that you are feeling better.  You always have a lot on your plate.   

Hi everyone on a cloudy Friday morning with rain predicted on and off today.  We are having a great time with Pat and Paul.  They got here about noon yesterday and we decided to got to Cheddars for our main meal of the day and then had a light dinner.  Lots of good conversation.  Pat fixed a crockpot breakfast recipe that cooked all night long and really smells good this morning.  So far I am the only one up for the day.  They will be headed home, by way of a stop off in Columbia to visit a friend, later today.  As far as I know nothing else on my schedule for today other than to watch some good college basketball games this afternoon and evening.  Our son and DIL are both battling a bout with the flu.  I did get rid of the cardboard boxes late yesterday afternoon without them blowing all over the neighborhood. 

Janet, nice to read that you were feeling much better yesterday and wise not to over-exert at the gym.

Ruth Ann, what good news for your friend to learn that there was no cancer.  We are suppose to get some rain but I don't think a lot, just rain at different times of the day and night.  Good day to stay inside. 

Carol, there is a lot of commonality between the iPad and the iPhone.  Glad you enjoyed your class. 

Yesterday was an "off" day for me.  Over Wednesday night I didn't get to sleep at all - until after I had my breakfast at about 6:30 a.m.    From then on it was one "nap" after another all day.  Last night was much better so maybe today I'll be able to stay awake.   

The snow banks are melting and I can finally see the cars that pass in front of my house.  Tomorrow morning we will be getting some rain - possibly starting as freezing rain but then it's supposed to warm up to around 40^oF and be all rain.  That will likely bring some flooding and then, of course it freezes overnight when the temperatures fall into the 20's.  Normal for this area at this time of year, of course.    

Aren't those J nights rough?  I have had a couple of those this week as well.  They really set you off your rhythm. 

We are expecting snow rain and ice today and tomorrow.  Here I thought spring was on its way!

John is now off till the 23rd.  March break!  Have a great day everyone.