CHRISTIAN ENCOURAGERS ~ December
 

:angel:


You've found a great place to come and vent, share, or ask for prayer support. This is a great group who will be very encouraging, caring, and loving....anyone is welcome to join!

A Servent's Prayer --

Jesus, My Jesus....How marvellous are your ways....
Far more splendid than my mind can envision.
What an honor to be chosen by you.
A lowly child I am, but empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill the great hope to which you have called me.
I give myself totally to you, Lord.
Take my imperfect heart and make it perfect.
Peel away the hardness.
Close the doors I have opened to the temptations of this world.
Gently remove the roots of painful memories, sins, doubts and fears.
Discard anything that separates me from you.
Lord, fill the emptiness with the light of your love that I might be a beacon calling the lost back to you.

To love as you love.....
To serve as you serve.....
To forgive as you forgive.....
Always mindful of my nothingness while doing great and marvelous things in your name and for your glory.
This I pray, Jesus, in YOUR name ...
Amen.

We accept new members here daily! JOIN US! :hug:

HI GALS ~ :)

Well Angie and I still have leftover turkey and ham from Thanksgiving but have killed off most everything else :) I think we will be eating turkey until June. We weren't sure how the dinner was going to go at church since it was the first one that was held for the Marines, so Angie and I wanted to make sure we had turkey here for the boys to snack on when they came back here for the afternoon, since it was lunch at church. Plus we thought they may want to take some sandwiches back to base...nope! They were so full they didn't want to see anything "THANKSGIVING!"....:)

We had Thanksgiving at my brother's on Saturday. All the immediate family was there except step-daughter in New York, knucklehead nephew in Virginia and Angie was up at her mom's. We still had 20 or so, Angie snuck in at the last minute for dessert ;)

I am healing very well with this hernia now, still sore in a few spots. I was able to go for 3 miles yesterday without much discomfort. I missed my doctors appointment though yesterday :mad: I live about 10 minutes away, went out to my truck 45 minutes before my appointment....dead battery :mad: I just drove it the day before with no problem, it had never died before....it was too late to call a cab and all of my neighbors were gone so no one here to jump me. I will go in tomorrow morning.

SCOOTER ~ Caught up yet?

HEIDI ~ Quit with the kids gone?

KAREN ~ Getting cold there yet?

WILMA ~How's DH healing?

RONNI ~ My you were busy over Thanksgiving with all that family!

PINKFLAMINGO ~ My only advice for you, feeling disconnected a bit from God, is to just go and do what He asks us too. Stay in His WORD, participate in church activities, look for those in need of the "gifts" of time and talent that God has given you and share them :hug:

ROSEBUD ~ I will have to check in to that Thomas Kinkade book. I am reading the new Guideposts Joys Of Christmas 2009 right now. It is one of those magazines that has a lot of short stories, memories, recipes and crafts for the seaSON :)

I know we are missing several around here. I pray that all are just busy and will return soon :hug:

Hello everyone! Can you believe how fast this year has gone???? It seems like we just got moved to MO and and it has already been 6 months that we have lived here! WOW!! Need to get busy and get a good routine going so I will feel good about getting in the pool this spring! MAYBE!!!

Gary, I still have geraniums that have blooms out on the patio! NO THEY AREN'T PLASTIC! I am really surprised. But they are talking maybe rain mixed with some snow either tonight or tomorrow. No accumulation though. I am really glad that we won't have to shovel snow this year...

December 1st!! Yeesh, time flies! I have been kind of insane the past few weeks with school and work - still am a little bit but had a nice relaxing weekend at my parents' place in PA.

Mostly I am doing well, just trying to tie together some loose ends and pick up things that were left neglected when I was in the throes of paper-writing and mourning my break-up.

Gary, I am glad you're healing well! Continued prayers for your full recovery.

Karen, I love your picture of the pets with Santa. =)

Hello to everyone else and blessings to all!

Hello friends :)

We went to the funeral home this evening and the line was out the door and down the sidewalk. What an exhausting night for Linda's family, but she was so well loved that I'm not at all surprised by the large turnout. Please continue to pray for her family - the funeral is tomorrow morning.

Things aren't quite as quiet as expected tonight - my son is back. He came home for Linda's calling hours and doesn't have to be at work until 10 am tomorrow so he's staying over tonight. :)

Gary, I'm glad you're healing and feeling well - sorry about the truck though.

Karen, I have to go looking for the photo of your pets!

Hugs to everyone else - have a great evening, and may God bless each of you.

HEIDI ~ just look at KAREN's avatar; her furry babies are sitting on Santa's lap ...

KAREN ~ yes, your avatar picture is adorable; sounds like you have many, many reasons why Missouri is a good place for you to be now. I hope you do get at least a little bit of snow for Christmas, but not too much that it is a burden. Yah, keep dreamin' about that gorgeous pool!

:welcome: BACK, PINK ~ glad you found us again; saw the cute pics of your furry babies in the last thread and your MARVIANE looks just like my SWEETIE (who passed away some time back).

IRIS ~ nice to see you back here and so glad that you had a nice time home with your parents; and that you are moving forward in your life ... :hug:

Dearest BARGOO ~ you are in our thoughts and prayers right now -- may the good LORD wrap his lovin' arms around you and fill you overflowing with his perfect peace thru his blessed Holy Spirit for a restful healing sleep tonight ... :hug:

:wave: HI TO ALL OUR OTHER CE'ers out there -- hope you are having a good week too ... :hug:ROSEBUD :hug:

:) Thanks, Rosebud - I saw the picture just after I posted. I guess I don't pay too much attention to avatars. I get used to recognizing people's posts by their signatures.... I need to work on my observation skills - or quit multi tasking while I'm posting. ;)

Good Morning! It is a gray cool day here today. They are saying that we may get rain mixed with some snow later tonight. But they said that yesterday too! Guess we'll just have to see. But the high temp is supposed to be about 45 degrees so it won't be much of a snow.

Tim went to the physical therapist yesterday and he brought home a exercise pully that fits ovver the door to use. The therapist said he needs to do these exercises 3 times a day-----any bets on that? I will be surprised if he gets it done twice a day. He always goes, listens to them and decides that he knows better!! Are all men like that????

Need to get busy this morning---Thanks for the compliments on the picture of Ginger and Sissy with Santa. That was a couple years ago..Need to get a new picture if Pet Smart has Santa again this year.

Yep - except for those like the ones in my family who won't set foot in a doctor's office until they're practically on their death bed!

KAREN ~ I hope your DH will do some of the exercises as my DH did them and they helped him a lot, only he did them at our hospital's therapy center, not at home. That way the therapist was there to watch and instruct him and to make sure they got done correctly. DH's therapist explained to him that the exercises are to strengthen certain muscles so he won't have so much pain in other muscles, and it really worked (DH was amazed). He was just so glad to not be in pain afterwards, that he was willing to do whatever the therapist said at that point, but it was explained it to him really well too.


Well, we got all our indoor decos done today; we have it down to only so many so it took us only just over an hour, but we put some Christmas music on that I picked up (some Pipe Carols) and we had a good time doing it together. Tomorrow, I need to get at my Christmas cards and gifts, so I can get them out too; that's the last thing I have to do until closer to Christmas time (I think) ... :lol:

I did my daily housechores in the AM, so I got some exercise in today with all the walking around doing the decos too. Had a good on plan day. Tonight was pasta night, so we had whole grain spagetti and meatballs.

Hope you all have a great day tomorrow ... :hug:ROSEBUD:hug:

Last time I was here I didn't see this...

You've found a great place to come and vent, share, or ask for prayer support. This is a great group who will be very encouraging, caring, and loving....anyone is welcome to join!

At 1st I didn't think this was the place for me. Right now I do not have a GREAT relationship with God. I want one. I think it is more the organized religion part that I have issues with. I do pray. I do believe. And I need an encouraging, caring and loving group to be a part of...so here I am! :)

Here area few pictures that I ran across of my Mom and Dad MANY YEARS ago!! Just thought that it was neat and wanted to share.

:welcome3: CATHY ~ glad you decided to join us here in our thread ... I think a lot of people can get hung up by the imperfection of the church structure (myself included but I'm getting better), but I think the thing we need to focus on most is that our Father GOD, in heaven -- loves us, and He sent His only son, JESUS CHRIST, to tell us about that love, and to be our shepherd and savior for all time; then Jesus sent God's Holy Spirit to teach us, comfort us, guide us, and empower us in our walk with Him. We are never alone -- Jesus is with us all the way!

:wave: HI KIM ~ yes, the way we live and eat has changed over the years, hasn't it? I don't recall very many overweight children when I was in public school either and I am only 51 y/y. Hopefully, with a new awareness and GOD's help, we can do something about that ...

KAREN ~ thanks for sharing the pics; it's fun to look back through old family photos and see what our parents and grandparents look like. My Dad gave me an album with pics of my great and great-great grandmothers, and boy, I know exactly where my looks came from now. I'm sure that is why he gave them to me. :lol:

Spent the afternoon working on my Christmas cards; still got lots to do -- too many interruptions, but I still have lots of time left. I decided to work on the out-of-towners first becuz the local ones can get there in a couple of days.

Gee, I didn't realize it was Thursday today; usually like to go uptown and try to avoid the Friday rushes. It was colder here today and we had a winds which made it seem even colder. Hope you all have a fabulous Friday tomorrow ... :hug:ROSEBUD:hug:

:D I'm afraid a lot of them are, but I have to confess, I know some women like that, too. ;)

Sounds like a yummy supper. :)

Hey Cathy! :wave:
Good to see you here - I'm looking forward to getting to know you better. I've really enjoyed playing the game threads with you.


Hello Kim/Prairie Chick, it's nice to meet you. I love your username. :)

Great photos Karen! I have very few photos of my parents, grandparents, etc when they were young. Very few of myself or my sisters growing up either. Either they just didn't take pictures or someone else has got them....
(I make up for it though, I rarely go anywhere without a camera. lol)

I lost a long post due to a computer freeze...dang...

welcome CATHYDOE and PRAIRIECHICK...be back soon...

Hi ----that is true--there never used to be the weight problem there is now. Could it possible be because back then there were con convienence stores, no microwave dinners, or microwaves. And no remote controls, cordless phones.... We really have become very lazy as a people, we don't even get the exercise of getting up, walking across the room to the tv to change channels!! Hmmmmm! Makes you stop to think doesn't it?

GARY ~ I created a file called "TEMP POST" for temporary post and put it up as an ICON on my screen, so that I could save my posts and not lose them like in the past. I type my post as usual, then BEFORE pressing that SUBMIT REPLY button, I copy my prepared post into the Temp Post file and save it there. Then and only then, do I press the submit button; now I don't lose my posts anymore. The site is having so many problems lately that it was well worth the few minutes it took to set that up; I find it so handy now.


KAREN ~ I so agree with you -- I could count on my hand the number of overweight kids from my school days (on any age level). I didn't have weight issues until my early teens: that was after my parents had opened a confectionary store, which we worked in and then had the money to buy all those junkies. ;)

Later, I worked in a grocery store and there was hardly any junk foods sold there; maybe a part aisle in total for all pop, all junkies, and baked goods. Now there are huge aisles devoted to each of those things. I'd bet more than half the store shelves are now full of junkie type foods like pop & juices, cookies & bars, cakes & baked goodies, candies & chocolate bars & nuts, icecream & cycles/bars, chips & nachos & similar ilk, pizzas & fries, plus regular & fancy baked breads, and delis ... no wonder there's a problem today.

Those things certainly play into the increase in obesity - especially for adults. I know I spend way too much time playing with my electronics.

As far as kids go, their lives are very different than ours were. We played outdoors every day unless it was pouring out, and even then we'd often be outside playing for a while. All the kids had those yellow slickers with the buckles and rubber boots. :) We walked or rode out bikes to get to school, to friends' houses, and to pick up milk or a loaf of bread for our moms. We climbed trees, shinnied up clothesline poles and hung upside down by our knees from the top bar of the swing set and I don't remember any of my friends ever getting seriously hurt.

There are so many children who live in places with no place to play outdoors and even more living in places where they've got yards and parks and playgrounds - but it's not safe for them to play outdoors alone.

I live in a rural area, so kids still play outdoors in my village, but even here I'd hesitate to let a child ride their bike too far from home alone. There aren't many families around that have a parent at home when school lets out. Kids are getting off the bus and turning on the TV or video game system because mom wants them to stay safely inside til she gets home, or they're at after school programs or clubs and classes so they won't be home alone. Good programs - but lots of scheduled activities and not much time to run and play.

Please I need your prayers for one of my parents.

I own a childcare center and preschool...we have around 64-69 children a day.
My husband and I belong to a committee that does Christmas for Kids (aka Toys for Tots). This is a local group vs the Marines and/or Salvation Army. Anyway.....the deadline has passed for sign-up. When a parent calls they come into the childcare center to fill out an application.

I have a parent that doesn't like "those people" coming in to fill out the applications. She said that the other night as she was taking her children to their van her children were scared by the smell and the looks of "those people"

My husband and I do this for the children! Please pray for this mom that she can see the good in all people and especially that she will be able to teach her children compassion for others that are different then they are.

You GOT it Cathy! I'm on it right NOW! Thanks for letting us be part of this important prayer concern! :hug:

Today I received this from a friend and I thought I would share.


I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No.

It is not for me to take away,
but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.

His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.

Patience is a byproduct of tribulations;
it isn't granted, it is learned.


I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.

I give you blessings;
Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.

Suffering draws you apart from
worldly cares
and brings you closer to me.


I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.

You must grow on your own,
but I will prune you to make you fruitful.


I asked God for all things
that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.

I will give you life,
so that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said... Ahhhh,
finally you have the idea.

Cathy, I'll be praying too.

I tried hard to keep this cold/fly bug from catching me----but I lost! It finally got me yesterday... no energy today and full of body aches. Be back later

CATHY ~ that is great little message: love it -- thanks for sharing it with us ... ^prayers^ going up for your parents to have some goodwill in their spirits, esp at this time of year.

We had a nice day here; the :sunny: came out for us today and was a welcome sight as we haven't seen Mr. Sunshine for a while now. We are getting a few ***** right now, but we need some as we can still see our grass out front yet.

DH and a friend have been working on a Creche for me -- as some of you know, I have been wanting one for some time now. To me, Christmas just doesn't seem right without a Creche, or Nativity Scene. DH put the Creche together after dinner; now I have to make a Mary & Joseph (that's my job); and our landlady said that she has a doll we can use for our baby Jesus. We have a nice Bethlehem star that will look great in or on the Creche too.

KAREN ~ ^prayers^ goin' up for you too that you won't have that cold/flu bug for very long ... :hug:

I spent the afternoon working on the rest of my out-of-town Christmas Cards; and I have a good many done now. I will then work on the ones for around here over the next week; lots of time left for them. I hope you all have a fab Friday evening; and take good care ... :hug:ROSEBUD :hug:

Prayers for Cathy and Karen.

I have posted our Lutheran Advent devotions up to today if anyone is interested..as we prepare for our Savior's birth.

For those that are new here...please fell free to ask for prayers anywhere and any time...

we do also have a Prayer Warrior thread too...I will tell you that people check in there that don't come here...they have told me so. We have people that will pray but are not interested in posting.

I will catch up later ~ Gary

Rosebud, Angie and I are getting out our Christmas stuff tomorrow...can't wait to put out our new Nativity :carrot:

I will post pictures...it's beautiful!

Thank you all for the prayers and encouragement. Sorry Rosebud the ole bug gotcha! Take good care of yourself...lots of fluids and rest! The rest of us keep washing our hands and keep our hands away from our faces!

CATHY ~ I caught some little cold about a week ago; but I am feeling much better now thanks -- BUT our KAREN sure could use your prayers though, as she just caught some kind of bug, and aches all over.

I was just telling DH that I put my legs up this aft while working on my Christmas cards and ended up with a "Charlie Horse" in both my thigh and calf ... :yikes: geepers, those sure hurt! I probably just kept my leg in one place too long; gotta watch that. :dizzy:

:welcome: CLOSE2MYHRT~ I think we were typing at the same time; didn't see your post until I had put in mine. Wow, that's a lot of little kiddies you have there; I recall that my mom once had 6 kids all 7 and under (7, 6, 5, 3, 2, & baby) -- good thing she was young and strong at the time; I just couldn't imagine that ... nice to have you join us! :hug:

Welcome CLOSE2MYHEART!

Sorry Rosebud and Karen...my mind goes faster (or slower) than my fingers can type...Karen prayers to you and the ole flu bug. Take good care of yourself!!

Nice to meet you Close2myHeart! :)

hey everyone! I'm hoping I can join in here! My name is Leslie..I am 36... a single mom to a wonderful daughter who is 12 :) I have rheumatoid arthritis and while I was overweight before...the lack of inability to exercise as much plus having to take prednisone has made me balloon into marshmallow woman (yes I think that should be a superhero) hehehe! Through my faith and prayer I am hoping that I can get healthy to be able to be more active and do fun things with my daughter again. :)

:wel3fc: Leslie! GREAT to have ya join us! :cheer:

See ya Lighter!
Kim :trampo: