HI GALS

NO! ROSEBUD I have not disappeared

I have been busy at work, with no short days (which is a good thing this time of year) and a 3 hour round trip commute to the job each day. Once I get home I try to get a walk in with the dogs, if Angie hasn't beat me to it, which takes close to an hour, then if it's "my" night to fix dinner there's another hour...then ballgames to catch up on and of course 3FC updates for the day....then ANGIE always wants "a piece of me" ...thank God for that!! Then the kids usually call...my son 2 or 3 times if "sports' are happening....then of course the daily butt chewing to knucklehead nephew..... church meetings for the new building and ADVENT dinner and service on Wed. preparing for our Savior's birth. And most of all.....it is so hard to keep up with ALL the wonderful posts here...for a change...with my slow typing!! I am always reading and praying!!! You can count on that from me!!

Angie is at bell practice but I expect her home any minute. We have a new nativity to put up and I require her assistance...that way I only put it up once ....seems like I never get the "right" spot if she doesn't help

In fact she just pulled up....gotta go...be back later........

OK I am back. Angie wants to get a 3.5 mile run in with the dogs since it isn't raining right now, so we will set up the Nativity later. I already did 4 miles on the treadmill this morning while it was raining.

Things are going pretty well around here. We went for mexican food last for date night and I was pretty good...compared to my past. I got the carna asada plate, comes with a cheese enchilada, what was different than my past was #1 I didn't order an extra taco #2 I split the dinner in half instead of eating all of it #3 I split my beans in third...one for Angie, one for dinner and one for lunch today #4 I only had 1 beer (shhh...for the one before I went and the 2 after I got home...dang!) #5 I ate more chips than I should...but...less than my past.

Our second half of date night went off schedule, Ghost Whisperer wasn't on, but that was OK, Angie watched some "home design" shows and I watched my son and daughter in law's school play, in their championship game on TV, down at the San Diego Chargers Quallcom Stadium. They lost a close one, expected, but cool for them and a nice finish to the season in SCOTTY'S HONOR. He is doing better from what the paper says, I still am not sure "how" good...but prayers are working here folks!! Thank you.

Tonight is our company Christmas party. It is real nice, up in Dana Point at a nice Italian restaraunt with an hour in the bar before and dinner of our choice off the menu...always real nice. Angie and I won a couple of door prizes last year so that was cool. I got a nice sweater last year...I had "outgrown" my others ...but I looked too fat in it...I am wearing it this year

ROSEBUD ~Enjoy that camera! Prayers continue for Tom. I hope the weather gets nice for you...I feel like such a whiner here! A little rain and we have to run inside!! It did rain hard here though a few days this week and boy do we need it! However with all the fires around here, a few months back, landslides are an issue now...just can't win sometimes.

RENNIE ~ So sorry to hear about your daughter, thank God she is..mostly...ok! Car accidents are no fun, I have been in several but thank God no one has ever been hurt. Well, I am not sure about the last guy that ran his Mercedes under my truck, I never did see him by the time I got over off the road with traffic he was too far behind me, totally smashed up his car...that's what happens when to run into someone stopped at 70 miles an hour! I am lucky I was in my truck!

WILMA ~I weighed in again at 171 on Wednesday. I keep going up and down that 169-171 swing each day. I haven't been getting in the miles I want though with my work right now. I still give it a good try though...much better than before. Glad to hear you are starting up those exercises again.

AUNT SUE ~YIPEE! 2 pounds down...you are on your way now! I bet you are excited about "family" time with those nieces and nephew coming up! Prayers for Jim. Cruise time is coming soon isn't it?

COUNTING DOWN ~I hope you got your yoga and walking done. I think Angie would "just die" if she couldn't do her yoga. She is just starting to train for her next mud run, I think it is in June...not sure. I hope the snow takes it easy on you.

KAREN ~I taped the high school championship games yesterday down at Charger Stadium, to send to my son's friend that is still out there. He can't wait to come "home". I hope all is well as can be with your family and house situation.

Well Gals...I will try to stay in touch better next week!

No excuses Mon. or Tues. that I know of...but Wed. is Advent Dinner at church and Thurs. we go to a Mannheim Steamroller concert in San Diego and Friday is date night .......

Hello everyone!

I thought while I was taking a quick break I would jump on here and say Hello! I've been going through all kinds of stuff and packing up things that we can without right now. I figure everything that I can pack now is less that I have to clean and less that I will have to pack when the house sells. We do have a few people that have looked at it and seemed to be interested. One couple seem to be very interested and even asked for copies of the disclosures and permits. The realtor is hoping to hear something definite next weel one way or the other.

I found this picture this morning going through "stuff" and this is my Dad and I taken back in 1994. Do you think it is at all possible to get this "me" back!! I thought that this might just be a good photo to use a motivation now! Gosh-- I'm anxious to get moved to MO. I call my Dad everyday but when I run across things like this it makes me want to jump in the car and just go now!! Ok-- teary eyes now.... that's enough.

Gary, you have done so good with you diet and exercise. I'm really hoping that I can dig deep and commit the way that you have!

Well, I need to go and get back to searching through "treasures" and pack up some more. It is cold and snowy here (they are saying 6 to 8 inches before it is over) so this is a good day to stay inside!

I'll try to get back later tonight and write more. Everybody have a good day!!

OK, I don't have time to read200 plus posts, I'm assuming this is a support group for Christians?

Hello Everyone--- I thought that I would send a little "Christmas Snow" to all of you! This is Pikes Peak taken from my front porch! Have a Great Day!!

Loriann7 - WELCOME!
Yes, this is a Christian thread. We hope you will come join us - there are a lot of wonderful folk here

Karen - that is beautiful! Thanks for posting it!!! Hopefully, this will be your last winter with that view. I don't blame you for enjoying it as much as you can. We have the beautiful snow and beautiful lakes, but no mountains

Gary - thanks for your post! Glad to hear that you were absent because you were busy. I hope the Christmas party went well. Congrats on that NSV with the sweater.

Dawn - how is your daughter doing? I hope she is on the mend. Sometimes I am sorer a few days after an injury. I'm praying that you will be able to find a suitable car with the insurance money. Sometimes those deals just appear

We talked with DS yesterday and he would like us to go to Yosemite for a couple days while we are visiting as part of their Christmas present. DH and I are thrilled with their choice of gift. It should be a lot of fun. Since taking the cross-country skis on the plane and on the BART is such a hassle, I think DH and I will take our trekking poles and hike while they ski. I'm really looking forward to getting some outdoor exercise while we are there. I haven't walked outside in quite a while and as much as I love WATP, it will be nice to travel some terrain besides my living room carpet - LOL.

I hope everyone is having a GREAT second Sunday in Advent! We are supposed to get freezing rain later today - YUCK!

Karen, that pic i s pretty, too bad I don't know where my digital is to display some of the scenery out my own back door.. hills overladen with snow! Whats even prettier is the lake set against snowy hills! I love weather.. Reminds me of a sermon I have on CD... How often do we complain about the weather? About anything for that matter? Well, if you truly believe God is sovereign, then YOu know ALL things are for His Glory, and ALL things have been ordained by Him! Yes, even the floods, the fires, and yes, the snowstorms! Since I heard that sermon, OK< actually it was A. W. Pink';s Sovereignty of God's book... (also have it read allowed on CD)... I have not complained about the weather. I admit to finding myself praying for God to steer the car during a storm last week, but I wasn't complaining! (Lord, help me to not regret typing this!!!!!)

If I woke up and found myself "not breathing" I'd be PRAISING GOD! (For I know where I'd be!)

But you are right in that people tend to FIND things to complain of. I truly believe if some of these people ever took a trip to see what true poverty is, or slavery, they wouldn't complain. Heck, even the hardcore criminals have it better made!

No, people do not have any iota what true thankfulness is, even I, see as through a glass darkly, but then, when we are taken home, will see with better sight.

Hello Everyone,
First I want to Thanks everyone for the compliments on the picture of Pikes Peak---- I just thought that it was really pretty.
I've been kind of in a daze since yesterday about 1:00pm Than is when the shooter came into the New Life Church and started shooting people. The church is down in the Springs and is where my son goes on the handicapped bus. I Thanks the Lord that they had decided it was too cold to send them yesterday otherwise he and is housemates would have been right there in the parking lot too. It is pretty sad when a church has to have 12 security officers there for services, but if they hadn't the shooter would have done so much more damage. He had a backpack on that had over 1000 rounds of ammunition not counting the 2 hand guns and the assault weapon that he had. Pretty scary stuff. At least the lady who was one of the armed security officers there said that she just prayed that the Holy Spirit would be with her and just did what she needed to do. It seems this guy had also shot and killed people in Arvada, Colorado just 12 hours before. I don't know if we will ever know why but I know so many prayers are going out to the families of the 2 young sisters (18 and 16) and everyone in the church family. There were about 7,000 people in attendance at the time this happened. And yes, prayers need to go to the family of the shooter. If you would like to read more on the story you can go to www.krdo.com There are several stories there.
Well, I just wanted to come and write a bit about this. Was hoping that by writing a bit about it to you that it would make me feel better and it does help. Everyone have a good night and I'll check back later or tomorrow. Have a good night.

Karen, thank you for the update and the personal touch on the story. While everyone relating to the churches have been in my prayers since I heard the news, it always helps to get more info from those close to the situation. We will continue to keep everyone in prayer.
I know how you feel. When DS went to India, his train was delayed, and the train that he should have been on was sabotaged and several people were killed. It was awful knowing that he could have easily been in the thick of it.
Life is so fragile sometimes. I can't imagine what folk that aren't Christians do to cope.
Thank you for the reminder to pray for the shooter's family.

Thank you Karen for the update. My son and I were worried about his friend, we weren't sure if they went to church there...they don't, found out they gp to another one closer to them, Calvary Chapel type...he called today to say they were ok. Prayers to those in need!

HELLO EVERYONE ~ We had a glorious day of sunshine here, so we decided to go into town shopping to beat the crowds; was a good idea, no line-ups today, but stuff is selling out already and there's still two weeks left til Christmas.

GREAT NEWS ~ Guess what I found on my shopping excursion today? Leslie Sansone's Walking Off The Pounds dvd set: it has miles #1, 2 & 3 ; and a speed-walking bonus and a stretchy band. It was the only one they had and I got the whole set for only $9.99 Canadian; that's a fabulous price for here!

ALSO ~ We ran into my Uncle TOM and Aunt three times today; they were following us all over town ~ lol! Dh kept joking around with him and they were having fun and laughing it up. DH is great for that: keeping things light. I also encouraged TOM to KEEP THE FAITH, and he said, 'OH YES, I AM, I AM!'

They don't know what can be done yet, so we are counting on prayers for now. And they have decided to make some changes in their lifestyle: like downsize and simplify, which is probably what most of us might choose to do in similar circumstances. They also say 'Thanks to everyone for your prayers!'

KAREN ~ Sad news about shootings in that church in the US; don't know much about it, but will certainly pray for everyone there. Your allowed to come and vent here; that's what we're here for.

We also think that life here is a privilege; why some seem to take it all for granted is up for a toss or debate I guess? When I was sixteen (many moons ago), I went to Mexico; not the big flashy places, but the old Spanish city of Merida in the Yucatan which now is poplular, but back then, many country folk lived in grass and mud stalls. The market place was appalling; water wasn't safe, and I lost 9 lbs in 9 days, becuz I was afraid to eat anything. Seeing how things were there was a real eye opener for sure.

I think everyone should travel to a developing country at least once in their lifetime, just to see the truth with their own eyes. I know how it changed my attitude for life; I have been so grateful to live in this country ever since ...

Have a good evening everyone; and take good care of yourselves too ~ your fellow encourager ROSEBUD ^ PRAYERS ^ continue for you and yours ...

Just, Sorry, I'm new to the forum, what is up with your uncle?

Shy, you are so right! I worked as an outreach worker with senior citizens in a rural county in northern MI. I couldn't believe how many people didn't have indoor plumbing or running water. It was fairly common and a real eye-opener for me. The pictures that DS brought back from India were also very telling. We are so blessed!
Stewardship is a big issue with our family. We have tried to raise the boys to understand the responsibility that must be carried by those who have been given much.

Rosebud - great find on the dvds. You will really enjoy them. I'm actually grumpy that I missed my walking tonight. I had to work late, and then chair the ad council meeting at church. Just got home. I will have to walk double tomorrow - LOL.

Prayers ascending for everyone! Blessings

HELLO FOLKS ~ just stayed home today and did some more decorating and wrapping gifts, while Dh went to town again to do some errands. He picked up that ERGOMETER I told you about before (mini-cycle for arms); it can be used for legs if you want to, but it is mostly used by persons like myself who's legs give them trouble now and then.

LORIANN ~ to 3FC's and to our thread. My uncle was diagnosed recently with double lung cancer (both lungs). About ten years ago or so, he had prostrate cancer and GOD brought him thru that; then about five years ago (approx), he got colon cancer; once again after two surgeries, GOD brought him thru again (with a full recovery).

They just retested his colon and it is 'ALL CLEAR'; but the cancer cells that he had there before are now in his lungs but not in his colon, and the team of specialists are puzzled by this; they don't know how they got there. Now they are retesting his prostrate to make sure it is still OK. They are looking for any co-relations again, I think. TOM told Dh that they aren't sure yet what they can do for him, we have all been praying for him and his family; and they appreciate it very much.

SHY ~ yes, I agree both the US and Canada still have some areas that they should be working on. We are doing much better now than in the past, like helping our homeless, out Aboriginal people, the disabled, children and low-income families, the unemployed, and other minority groups, but they are working to change that bit by bit. Both our nations are very rich and there really shouldn't be people living this way; we should always start at home with our own families, and neighbours, and country first to make changes.

My lovely Grandmother said that she always tries to look for one person that needs a little help and encouragement; that DEAR HEART was always true to her word, whether it be a relative or a young single mother with two kids that needed the support of a wise gramma figure. She might bake an extra batch of cookies or give small gifts to the kids; and she always looked for the need that should be filled.

If she saw they needed a chair, she would decide that it was time she got a new one, and then would offer her old one (which was perfectly fine) to the person who needed one.' I think that we can all do this, so we are trying to follow in her footsteps in any way we can. She was spendidly divine; and we miss her so!

Well, that's all for now; gotta go have my tea, just like my Irish grammy taught us many years ago, cuz it's good for ya too! Bye for now, your fellow encourager ROSEBUD ^PRAYERS^ are rising for you and yours ...