Dear Cheryl, Tina...and other unnamed persons

.....many thanks for your prayers and for"sticking with me"...I'm sure my blog is not a fun place to visit and a real turn-off for most people...I suppose I use  it to get some of the troubled, mixed up feeling out of my mind...has it helped.?..I believe so....'gonna try and change the "tone" to something a bit more pleasant. (That's a sign right there that I'm getting better isn't it!)

Well, lets see how long this attitude will last      

I'm sure I'll fall off the wagon from time to time.

A friend is one who strengthens you with prayers, blesses you with love and encourages you with hope."

There is a miracle called Friendship
that dwells within the heart
and you don't know how it happens
or when it even starts.

But the happiness it brings you
always gives a special lift
and you realize that Friendship
is one of God's most precious gifts.
 
- Jean Kyler McManus -
 
Last week we recieved a wonderful gift from our friends at Plano Bible Chapel...a beautiful quilt, hand made by  the "quilter" of the group...(Liz Bushong)...others had  contributed a "square" with a  hand written (or hand-sewen) message for us !!!   The timing for recieving this gift could not have been better....God's timing.

These pictures do not do it justice...
 

   

 

The best Christmas gift ever..and I mean this in more ways than one..

Open House at Barbara's shop

The girls at

agentletouchsalonandspa.com

 in Hazel Green, Alabama sure do know how to have a good time...

as evidenced by the photos below...taken this past weekend at Barb's Open House, or as she calls it,

her "customer appreciation day."

This was the 10th. anniversary of this occasion, began the year she opened her new shop. She, along with her staff and two best friends work for days preparing food, entertainment, games, prizes and marked-down prices on some of the gifts and Avada products offered in her shop.

Shane Atkins....

Our "Care Group"

What a nice surprise when I opened my email this am...Our care group met last night and took this picture for us...with this message:

"Here are a couple of pictures we took at CG tonight to send to you all. We talked about you & prayed for you & wanted you all to know how much we miss you."

We meet every third Saturday...eat together, pray together, and just talk and enjoy one another. A few of us also meet after church on the first Sunday of the month...bring our lunch and just "share". Seven of them have been by to visit at different times the last couple of months. We sure miss them.

Acts of Kindness

"Friendship doubles our joy and divides our grief."

A dear friend (Liz Bushong) dropped by unexpectedly today and brought with her two lovely pillows that she had made for us. Bob's says

"For the Lord loves the just, and will not forsake his Faithful ones. Psalms 37:28"

"Let us hold unswervingly to the Hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23"

The white neck pillow was made for Bob by another dear friend, Becky Tubbs.He uses it every day...

What can I say? Such encouragement!

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

"Life hands us much that is chaotic along the trail,
Then suddenly the glimmer of a jewel
And we unvail
The closeness of a friend."


Yesterday the Lord blessed us with a visit from four of our "church friends"...(and much more). Jim Lewis, our former pastor came and brought with him his guitar-playing friend, Van Sharp, to entertain us !!! Chris and Joe Santee, our "care group leaders" were here also...we had a lovely time and Bob enjoyed it very much. Except for JoAnn and Paul, lifelong friends, he has not been willing to see anyone except family since he was diagnosed :(
but he is now ready to see his friends as he is able...PTL




Joe is a retired pilot with Delta Airlines...he also flew in Viet Nam. Chris is a wonderfuly gifted speaker, bible teacher, mentor, hostess for many church related events..their home is always open to ones who are in need of a place to stay, both temporary and long-term...truly two people whose life's are lived out reflecting the love of Jesus and his teaching.

A Friend

"When we honestly ask ourselves which persons in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, would stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is the friend who cares."

Henri Nouwen
Out of Solitude

Gods' Grace Is Sufficient

I recently received this bit of encouragement from a friend who is a cancer survivor...he said "For me the real peace came during one of my prayer times when it came to me that God had already cured me of the only "disease" that could have an eternal impact."
I believe this with all my heart...and I'm grateful for what He has already done for Bob and me...first He loved us, then He died for us...He gave me a loving, faithful, devoted and supportive husband....and Bob has had near 80 years of a blessed life...but, I want more. Is this wrong? I want him to be a "cancer survivor".

This Is The Day That The Lord Has Made, I Will Rejoice And Be Glad In It...

My friend, JoAnn, has a large, beautiful Gardenia bush and shared these with me when we were visiting with them Wednesday.

I received this encouragement from our dear friend Lori...James (the brother of Jesus) is also one of Bob's favorite books of the New Testament.

James 1:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete,not lacking anything.
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; He is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.
But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.
For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Swimmers and Spectators

...After school we brought Bobby and Brian to the apartment for their first swim of '09...The neighbor kids soon gathered to join in the fun...

Our neighbor upstairs

In the video below, the young man explains to me the thoughts behind his drawings..

Lorie is a joy to be with ...always