Luke 2: 1 - 20
1) Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.
2) This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3) And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.
4) Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is also called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5) in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.
6) While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.
7) And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8) In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.
9) And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
10) But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all people;
11) for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12) This will be sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13) And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14) "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."
15) When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us."
16) So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.
17) When they had seen this, the made known the statement which had be told them about this Child.
18) And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.
19) But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.
20) The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as he been told them.
Matthew 2: 1-12
1) Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herrod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
2) "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him."
3) When Herrod the kind heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4) Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.
5) They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:
6) 'AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH,
ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH: FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE OF ISRAEL.'"
7) Then Herrod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared.
8) He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him."
9) After hearing from the king, they went on their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was.
10) When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
11) After coming to the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasurers, they presented to Him the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12) And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herrod, the magi left for their own country by another way.
On this day, the day of Jesus birth, I will ask you the question my Pastor asked us last night at our Christmas Eve service. Who do you really believe that baby in the manger was that day? Do you believe that He was the Son of God; sent to earth to save us from our sins? Or do you believe He was just a prophet who was not the Messiah.
He truly was the Messiah for us. He was sent to earth to live a human life, die on a cross and save us from our sins.
You shall call His name Jesus, and He will save you from your sins.
I hope that you will take this day, of all days, to search your heart and soul, and see what you believe. Do you believe in Him? Is He your Savior? If He is not your Savior, why not take today to give Him the greatest gift you can give Him, YOU! Surrender yourself and your sins to Him and ask Him into your heart.
May God Bless Each and Every One of You on this Blessed Day. And May You Have Blessed New Year!
"All Come, All Ye Faithful" by Celtic Women
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eLDvM7eSq0
"Angels We Have Heard On High" by Sandi Patty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bnP0k0JdOQ
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Dearest Grandma
Dearest Grandma:
This past Sunday night(the 14th), sometime during the night, you went home to be with our gracious Lord and Savior. I am glad that you went in your sleep and that, although you had had some physical difficulties lately, you weren't sick for a long time before you went Home. I am so thankful for that.
I know that you are in heaven having a good time with Grandpa D., and all of the other family members and friends that have gone on before you. I know that you were amazed at the glory of the beauty of God’s face and the love that shown through it as He welcomed you into heaven with His open arms. I can’t wait to see that day myself!
Haha! Remember that night that we stayed down there with you on the farm and I got up in the middle of the night to pee or something? There were those white cows out there (I forget what you call them) out in the yard that had gotten out of the neighbors pens and I screamed like the little girl that I am, thinking they were "ghost cows"? You got the biggest kick out out of that, I do remember that! You laughed and laughed; even while you called the neighbors to tell them to come get their cows! You told them I thought they were ghost cows too!!! That's what'ya get for having a small town girl out in the country! Hahaha! We had some good times, didn't we?
Well, Gramm, I am going to go. It is almost 535am and a I am tired. I have been awake most of the night. Its raining and I like the sound of the rain; maybe that will lull me to sleep yet . So, I am going to lay back down and try to get some extra rest before I have to get up and moving for the day.
Thank you for being my grandma these past 17 or so years and for welcoming me so much into the family. You reminded me so much of my mom’s mom, it was uncanny. I am so glad that you were a part of my life for all of these years and that I will always have these memories and pictures of you.
Have no doubts, however, that you will be missed by me a lot. I am once again without any grandparents, but know that all of you are up there in Heaven, meeting each other for the first time, and talking about what ornery kids we were/are!!! Haha! ;-)
Thanks for being there for me. Thanks for loving me as you did. Thanks for laughing at my silly things or even when I tried to tell a joke (cause you know I am not good at telling jokes).
Thanks for being the woman you were; for being the Godly woman you were.
I wish that we would have had more time together here on this earth; but I know that we will have all of eternity some day to sit and talk in heaven about the things we didn’t get to talk about here on earth.
I love you; I’ll miss you and I will probably ‘talk’ to you from time to time. Give Grandpa D. and Grandma F. a hug for me. Tell them I love them too. I am sorry I wasn't at your funeral to say goodbye properly, but hey, you weren't there either! So, this is my way to say good-bye to you. Although I prefer to say, 'See Ya Later'.
Ya’ll don’t party too hard till the rest of us get up to Heaven; then we can let loose! We'll party, party then! God and the angels better make sure they have enough food etc., for when we're all up there together again and ready to PARTY!
Here’s some songs for you that I think you would like and they also mean a lot to me.
I love you, Grandma.
Your Granddaughter forever,
Meg
"Amazing Grace: My Chains Are Gone" by Chris Tomlin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXV6HJxUebg
"Great Is Thy Faithfulness" by Steve Green
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1O8kVT4A-w
"When We All Get to Heaven" by Brad Paisley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZnUY3CcH8A
"Sweet By and By" by Bird Youmans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T2bZ1SHBIo
"Time To Say Goodbye" by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pamC18f_T8
LOVE YOU GRAMM'S.....ALWAYS....
This past Sunday night(the 14th), sometime during the night, you went home to be with our gracious Lord and Savior. I am glad that you went in your sleep and that, although you had had some physical difficulties lately, you weren't sick for a long time before you went Home. I am so thankful for that.
I know that you are in heaven having a good time with Grandpa D., and all of the other family members and friends that have gone on before you. I know that you were amazed at the glory of the beauty of God’s face and the love that shown through it as He welcomed you into heaven with His open arms. I can’t wait to see that day myself!
Haha! Remember that night that we stayed down there with you on the farm and I got up in the middle of the night to pee or something? There were those white cows out there (I forget what you call them) out in the yard that had gotten out of the neighbors pens and I screamed like the little girl that I am, thinking they were "ghost cows"? You got the biggest kick out out of that, I do remember that! You laughed and laughed; even while you called the neighbors to tell them to come get their cows! You told them I thought they were ghost cows too!!! That's what'ya get for having a small town girl out in the country! Hahaha! We had some good times, didn't we?
Well, Gramm, I am going to go. It is almost 535am and a I am tired. I have been awake most of the night. Its raining and I like the sound of the rain; maybe that will lull me to sleep yet . So, I am going to lay back down and try to get some extra rest before I have to get up and moving for the day.
Thank you for being my grandma these past 17 or so years and for welcoming me so much into the family. You reminded me so much of my mom’s mom, it was uncanny. I am so glad that you were a part of my life for all of these years and that I will always have these memories and pictures of you.
Have no doubts, however, that you will be missed by me a lot. I am once again without any grandparents, but know that all of you are up there in Heaven, meeting each other for the first time, and talking about what ornery kids we were/are!!! Haha! ;-)
Thanks for being there for me. Thanks for loving me as you did. Thanks for laughing at my silly things or even when I tried to tell a joke (cause you know I am not good at telling jokes).
Thanks for being the woman you were; for being the Godly woman you were.
I wish that we would have had more time together here on this earth; but I know that we will have all of eternity some day to sit and talk in heaven about the things we didn’t get to talk about here on earth.
I love you; I’ll miss you and I will probably ‘talk’ to you from time to time. Give Grandpa D. and Grandma F. a hug for me. Tell them I love them too. I am sorry I wasn't at your funeral to say goodbye properly, but hey, you weren't there either! So, this is my way to say good-bye to you. Although I prefer to say, 'See Ya Later'.
Ya’ll don’t party too hard till the rest of us get up to Heaven; then we can let loose! We'll party, party then! God and the angels better make sure they have enough food etc., for when we're all up there together again and ready to PARTY!
Here’s some songs for you that I think you would like and they also mean a lot to me.
I love you, Grandma.
Your Granddaughter forever,
Meg
"Amazing Grace: My Chains Are Gone" by Chris Tomlin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXV6HJxUebg
"Great Is Thy Faithfulness" by Steve Green
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1O8kVT4A-w
"When We All Get to Heaven" by Brad Paisley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZnUY3CcH8A
"Sweet By and By" by Bird Youmans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T2bZ1SHBIo
"Time To Say Goodbye" by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pamC18f_T8
LOVE YOU GRAMM'S.....ALWAYS....
Sunday, December 14, 2008
School's Out and Here Comes Christmas!
Well, here we are, on the 14th of December, a week and four days till Christmas!! Where did the year go??? It has just flown by; it seems like it was just Memorial Day weekend and now it's almost Christmas! My goodness! I feel like saying, 'Stop the world, I want to get off!' as if that would somehow stop time or slow it down!!!
I have just started working on my Christmas cards yesterday! I am so behind! Haven't even started shopping yet. Have basic ideas of what I am getting, just haven't gotten out there and done it yet!! I need to get on the ball or I will be one of those people running around of Christmas Eve trying to get that last gift (and the stores will be closing!).
I surprisingly got through most of my Christmas card list yesterday, although need to do several more. I have just signed my 'Merry Christmas' etc., my name and the name on the outside of the envelope. I still need to write the addresses on the envelopes and need to write little notes in several of them. Whew! Oh, I shouldn't say that I haven't gotten any Christmas shopping done; I am done with the dog's. She got some new toys, (a kind she likes particularly well, that are getting more and more difficult to find). I found them online for $4.99/each (good deal!), and they already arrived via UPS, so I am done with her.
The most important thing of late is that I made it through my first quarter of returning to college after many years! The last week of classes was December 1-4th and I took my final on December 10th (this past Wednesday). The final was long and arduous, even though I had studied for about a total of 15 hours over several days for it. I was one of the last ones to finish, no, I stand corrected, I was the last one to finish; the other two people who were also still in the classroom didn't finish.
When I say long, it was 3 pages front and back and then a 4th page, front only. Now there were only sometimes 2-3 problems per page, but then there would be several steps to the problem. We had an 1 hr and 50 minutes to take the test and I barely finished when I had to turn my test in at 2 hours. Ugh! It is definitely a test that needs 2 hours I think. Some people finished in like 45 minutes or an hour, but I am slow and methodical on my math test taking and so it takes me longer. I like to take my time and be sure I am doing each step of the problem correctly and not just rush through; make mistakes that way.
Anyways, I was glad to be done with the test and just have it over with. My nerves had gotten the best of my the day/night before and I cried several times. Silly, I know. I even had asked hubby to come over to go over a few problems on the review with me that I wasn't sure of; it was much different from what he had remembered. We got some of them worked through and I just got to the point where I couldn't push anymore in my brain, ya know? So, I just packed it in.
I took my notes with me to the final and got to school a 1/2hr before the final was to begin. I thought about taking out my notes and looking through them once more, but didn't. Instead, I took out a little New Testament/Psalms Bible that I carry with me to school every day. I read several verses out of the Psalms and out of several other books; then I bowed my head (yes right in front of everyone else that was also already in the classroom) and prayed. I prayed that God would calm my nerves, my shakes (they were bad that day); that He would calm my mind and spirit and that He would help me remember what I needed to remember for the test. That was it. Took my calculator, pencil, eraser, scrap paper, bottle of water and a peppermint out and got my desk situated for the test.
Soooooooooo, I didn't do as well on the final as I had hoped ( a high C: i knew when i was done with the test exactly which problems i had not done the right); however, that still gave me a final grade of a "B" for the class!!!!!! So, I finished my first quarter with a 3.0 GPA! Praise the Lord! It was truly with the Lord's help that I was able to do that well in a class that has never been an easy subject for me. So, thank you Lord, for getting me through this first quarter, through this class and with a final grade better than I had hoped for at the beginning of the quarter!!!!
Now I get a break until January 5th. That's the first day back for winter quarter. I don't know who my professor is for my poly sci class yet, but I do know that I have the same professor for the next succession in my math (103), for which I am very grateful. I signed up for my poly-sci class several weeks ago when registration opened for winter quarter; but I had to wait on the math class. My professor is part-time at my college, so I had to wait for them to assign her classes to her.
So, she emailed me the other day before the final and let me what they had assigned her; it worked out very well! I not only have her again for the math class, but its 4 days a week (which I need) and its at the same time as it was this quarter, 9-950am! So, I will have time on TTH before my poly sci class at noon, to get my math homework done in the math lab (which I will do ever day anyways; did that this quarter) and have a quick bite to eat for lunch. The Lord really was is in the details!
I am still struggling with my back. The pain has been incredible (and I don't mean that in an amazing way, I mean that in a bad way), but when I saw my doc again this past Wednesday afternoon, she gave me better pain medicine, and boy does it make a difference!! I had an MRI around lunch time on Wednesday also (on my back of course) and by the time I saw my doc at about 430pm, she had the preliminary report. I have arthritis in my back (which I already knew), but also two other things. At L4-5, I have a disc that is rupturing and at L3-4, I have a disc that is slipping (or protruding). Nice huh?? At the L4-5, where the disc is rupturing, it is causing my vertebrae to move closer together because the "cushion" of the disc is getting less and less. Anyways, its all causing the pain, pressing on nerves etc. The good news is that even with all of that going on, my spinal canal looks in real good shape. There is no narrowing of that, which is very good news.
My doc said that her office was going to refer me over to the Sports Medicine/Rehabilitation (which is in the same building). When I was done with the doc and was checking out, we set up an appointment for me to see my doc again in 4 weeks and then they said they would call me the next day (which would have been last Thursday, the 11th) with my appointment with the Sports Medicine would be. Well, they still haven't called, and I am running out of time. Like I said, I start back to school on January 5th, and if you take out 4 days for which the office will be closed for the holidays (Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, New Years Day), that doesn't leave me much time to get in and get started on doing whatever I need to do to begin the healing of my back so that I am not in the same severe pain etc., when school starts back up. And I really would like to be off the pain medicine too; it dulls my senses and my mind and while it helps with the pain which has been so bad, I feel I need to be off of it for school.
I had called one of my dear friends Friday morning to talk about a few things (she had emailed me) and to see how she was doing and she wanted to know how I was doing. She was on her way to see her chiropractor. So, I told her what the MRI showed, what the doc said they were going to do (refer me to sports med), and that I had not heard anything about any of that yet. I shared with her my frustration and that I wanted to get something started to get the process of healing started on my back, which she totally understood.
So, she went in and talked with her chiropractor about my situation(with my permission). So, a few minutes later, her chiropractors' office called me and said that my friend had shared my situation. They took my name and info etc., and I have an appointment with them this Tuesday! PTL!!!! I am so thankful that I am going to be getting started on the healing process. Now, I know it is probably going to be painful to do this, and that it will take time; that I will have to also do exercises here at home (not a problem), but at least I will be getting started on the process!!! PTL!!! So, thank you dear friend, for connecting me with your chiropractor; and thank the Lord for the email I received from her that morning that prompted me to call her!!! Again, the Lord is in the details!!!!
I went to church last night with one of my friends from my small group. She picked me up so that I could take my medicine and not be in pain during the service, but be able to go. It was a good service and I enjoyed singing and praising the Lord, even though I had to sit down. The sermon was good also. It was about 'Radical Generosity', 2 Corinthians 8:1-9. It was really good.
Our church is taking a special Christmas offering. Half of the amount that is received in the offering will go to help people/families in our church/community that are having a very tough time because of our economy; perhaps they have been laid-off or have completely lost their job etc. They had intended the whole offering to go to this Project Clean Water, but after they started hearing of people in our church family that were being laid-off or losing their jobs and needed help, they prayed about it and decided to split this special Christmas offering because of the special situations in our community.
The other half will be going overseas for Project Clean Water to help provide money that will help provide clean wells (and therefore clean water) in developing countries that desperately need this like Uganda, India and Central America. Did you know ( I did not know this) that over 3900 children die every day from water-borne diseases because the water is dirty. That is astounding! You can go to http://www.adventconspiracy.org/ to read about this and there is a link on the page if you would like to donate to help get clean water to people all over the world that desperately need it.
My church is also doing a Christmas Eve service, which I am looking forward to attending. Actually they are having 2 Christmas Eve services. One is at 5pm, which I believe is more family oriented; there will be a kid's live nativity and Christmas carols along with Pastor Steve sharing. The 7pm service is going to be more 'adult', I believe. We will have candlelight time of worship and praise in celebration of Jesus Christs' birth. If you are interested in learning more about these services or any of our services etc., in general, go to http://www.enewlife.com/. Come out for any of the services, but I think the Christmas Eve services will be very special.
Well, my final campaign that I volunteered with this summer/fall finally finished all of the counting of ballots and a couple of things that had to run through the courts. It was the race for the 15th Ohio District for the US House. Anyhow, they finally finished it all up the other day, and I am sad to report that Steve Stivers lost the race to his opponent, MaryJo Kilroy. It wasn't even close enough to trigger an automatic recount (which I think a lot of us were hoping for). The numbers would have had to be within 1/2 of 1% to trigger the recount and it was not. So, only one of the campaigns that I volunteered on won, and it was at the state level, which was good, but losing this US House seat and also the Presidency was very disappointing. Never fear though, it won't be long before campaigning will start up again for different things, and we will be hard back at work at it!
Well, I guess that's it for now. Just wanted to let you know how things turned out for school. And catch up you on my back. Tell ya about Church things and Christmas coming up (so fast!).
I hope that ya'll are doing well. I hope that everyone who was also in college this fall and is now on break, did well also. I prayed for all of us.
Ya'll enjoy your Christmas season with your family and friends. Remember that JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON! And don't be afraid to say 'MERRY CHRISTMAS' to people instead of the politically correct 'Happy Holidays'. Say it loud and proud!! May God bless you and yours at this special time of year!
"O, Holy Night" by Josh Groban:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTgMe5demPc
I have just started working on my Christmas cards yesterday! I am so behind! Haven't even started shopping yet. Have basic ideas of what I am getting, just haven't gotten out there and done it yet!! I need to get on the ball or I will be one of those people running around of Christmas Eve trying to get that last gift (and the stores will be closing!).
I surprisingly got through most of my Christmas card list yesterday, although need to do several more. I have just signed my 'Merry Christmas' etc., my name and the name on the outside of the envelope. I still need to write the addresses on the envelopes and need to write little notes in several of them. Whew! Oh, I shouldn't say that I haven't gotten any Christmas shopping done; I am done with the dog's. She got some new toys, (a kind she likes particularly well, that are getting more and more difficult to find). I found them online for $4.99/each (good deal!), and they already arrived via UPS, so I am done with her.
The most important thing of late is that I made it through my first quarter of returning to college after many years! The last week of classes was December 1-4th and I took my final on December 10th (this past Wednesday). The final was long and arduous, even though I had studied for about a total of 15 hours over several days for it. I was one of the last ones to finish, no, I stand corrected, I was the last one to finish; the other two people who were also still in the classroom didn't finish.
When I say long, it was 3 pages front and back and then a 4th page, front only. Now there were only sometimes 2-3 problems per page, but then there would be several steps to the problem. We had an 1 hr and 50 minutes to take the test and I barely finished when I had to turn my test in at 2 hours. Ugh! It is definitely a test that needs 2 hours I think. Some people finished in like 45 minutes or an hour, but I am slow and methodical on my math test taking and so it takes me longer. I like to take my time and be sure I am doing each step of the problem correctly and not just rush through; make mistakes that way.
Anyways, I was glad to be done with the test and just have it over with. My nerves had gotten the best of my the day/night before and I cried several times. Silly, I know. I even had asked hubby to come over to go over a few problems on the review with me that I wasn't sure of; it was much different from what he had remembered. We got some of them worked through and I just got to the point where I couldn't push anymore in my brain, ya know? So, I just packed it in.
I took my notes with me to the final and got to school a 1/2hr before the final was to begin. I thought about taking out my notes and looking through them once more, but didn't. Instead, I took out a little New Testament/Psalms Bible that I carry with me to school every day. I read several verses out of the Psalms and out of several other books; then I bowed my head (yes right in front of everyone else that was also already in the classroom) and prayed. I prayed that God would calm my nerves, my shakes (they were bad that day); that He would calm my mind and spirit and that He would help me remember what I needed to remember for the test. That was it. Took my calculator, pencil, eraser, scrap paper, bottle of water and a peppermint out and got my desk situated for the test.
Soooooooooo, I didn't do as well on the final as I had hoped ( a high C: i knew when i was done with the test exactly which problems i had not done the right); however, that still gave me a final grade of a "B" for the class!!!!!! So, I finished my first quarter with a 3.0 GPA! Praise the Lord! It was truly with the Lord's help that I was able to do that well in a class that has never been an easy subject for me. So, thank you Lord, for getting me through this first quarter, through this class and with a final grade better than I had hoped for at the beginning of the quarter!!!!
Now I get a break until January 5th. That's the first day back for winter quarter. I don't know who my professor is for my poly sci class yet, but I do know that I have the same professor for the next succession in my math (103), for which I am very grateful. I signed up for my poly-sci class several weeks ago when registration opened for winter quarter; but I had to wait on the math class. My professor is part-time at my college, so I had to wait for them to assign her classes to her.
So, she emailed me the other day before the final and let me what they had assigned her; it worked out very well! I not only have her again for the math class, but its 4 days a week (which I need) and its at the same time as it was this quarter, 9-950am! So, I will have time on TTH before my poly sci class at noon, to get my math homework done in the math lab (which I will do ever day anyways; did that this quarter) and have a quick bite to eat for lunch. The Lord really was is in the details!
I am still struggling with my back. The pain has been incredible (and I don't mean that in an amazing way, I mean that in a bad way), but when I saw my doc again this past Wednesday afternoon, she gave me better pain medicine, and boy does it make a difference!! I had an MRI around lunch time on Wednesday also (on my back of course) and by the time I saw my doc at about 430pm, she had the preliminary report. I have arthritis in my back (which I already knew), but also two other things. At L4-5, I have a disc that is rupturing and at L3-4, I have a disc that is slipping (or protruding). Nice huh?? At the L4-5, where the disc is rupturing, it is causing my vertebrae to move closer together because the "cushion" of the disc is getting less and less. Anyways, its all causing the pain, pressing on nerves etc. The good news is that even with all of that going on, my spinal canal looks in real good shape. There is no narrowing of that, which is very good news.
My doc said that her office was going to refer me over to the Sports Medicine/Rehabilitation (which is in the same building). When I was done with the doc and was checking out, we set up an appointment for me to see my doc again in 4 weeks and then they said they would call me the next day (which would have been last Thursday, the 11th) with my appointment with the Sports Medicine would be. Well, they still haven't called, and I am running out of time. Like I said, I start back to school on January 5th, and if you take out 4 days for which the office will be closed for the holidays (Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, New Years Day), that doesn't leave me much time to get in and get started on doing whatever I need to do to begin the healing of my back so that I am not in the same severe pain etc., when school starts back up. And I really would like to be off the pain medicine too; it dulls my senses and my mind and while it helps with the pain which has been so bad, I feel I need to be off of it for school.
I had called one of my dear friends Friday morning to talk about a few things (she had emailed me) and to see how she was doing and she wanted to know how I was doing. She was on her way to see her chiropractor. So, I told her what the MRI showed, what the doc said they were going to do (refer me to sports med), and that I had not heard anything about any of that yet. I shared with her my frustration and that I wanted to get something started to get the process of healing started on my back, which she totally understood.
So, she went in and talked with her chiropractor about my situation(with my permission). So, a few minutes later, her chiropractors' office called me and said that my friend had shared my situation. They took my name and info etc., and I have an appointment with them this Tuesday! PTL!!!! I am so thankful that I am going to be getting started on the healing process. Now, I know it is probably going to be painful to do this, and that it will take time; that I will have to also do exercises here at home (not a problem), but at least I will be getting started on the process!!! PTL!!! So, thank you dear friend, for connecting me with your chiropractor; and thank the Lord for the email I received from her that morning that prompted me to call her!!! Again, the Lord is in the details!!!!
I went to church last night with one of my friends from my small group. She picked me up so that I could take my medicine and not be in pain during the service, but be able to go. It was a good service and I enjoyed singing and praising the Lord, even though I had to sit down. The sermon was good also. It was about 'Radical Generosity', 2 Corinthians 8:1-9. It was really good.
Our church is taking a special Christmas offering. Half of the amount that is received in the offering will go to help people/families in our church/community that are having a very tough time because of our economy; perhaps they have been laid-off or have completely lost their job etc. They had intended the whole offering to go to this Project Clean Water, but after they started hearing of people in our church family that were being laid-off or losing their jobs and needed help, they prayed about it and decided to split this special Christmas offering because of the special situations in our community.
The other half will be going overseas for Project Clean Water to help provide money that will help provide clean wells (and therefore clean water) in developing countries that desperately need this like Uganda, India and Central America. Did you know ( I did not know this) that over 3900 children die every day from water-borne diseases because the water is dirty. That is astounding! You can go to http://www.adventconspiracy.org/ to read about this and there is a link on the page if you would like to donate to help get clean water to people all over the world that desperately need it.
My church is also doing a Christmas Eve service, which I am looking forward to attending. Actually they are having 2 Christmas Eve services. One is at 5pm, which I believe is more family oriented; there will be a kid's live nativity and Christmas carols along with Pastor Steve sharing. The 7pm service is going to be more 'adult', I believe. We will have candlelight time of worship and praise in celebration of Jesus Christs' birth. If you are interested in learning more about these services or any of our services etc., in general, go to http://www.enewlife.com/. Come out for any of the services, but I think the Christmas Eve services will be very special.
Well, my final campaign that I volunteered with this summer/fall finally finished all of the counting of ballots and a couple of things that had to run through the courts. It was the race for the 15th Ohio District for the US House. Anyhow, they finally finished it all up the other day, and I am sad to report that Steve Stivers lost the race to his opponent, MaryJo Kilroy. It wasn't even close enough to trigger an automatic recount (which I think a lot of us were hoping for). The numbers would have had to be within 1/2 of 1% to trigger the recount and it was not. So, only one of the campaigns that I volunteered on won, and it was at the state level, which was good, but losing this US House seat and also the Presidency was very disappointing. Never fear though, it won't be long before campaigning will start up again for different things, and we will be hard back at work at it!
Well, I guess that's it for now. Just wanted to let you know how things turned out for school
I hope that ya'll are doing well. I hope that everyone who was also in college this fall and is now on break, did well also. I prayed for all of us.
Ya'll enjoy your Christmas season with your family and friends. Remember that JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON! And don't be afraid to say 'MERRY CHRISTMAS' to people instead of the politically correct 'Happy Holidays'. Say it loud and proud!! May God bless you and yours at this special time of year!
"O, Holy Night" by Josh Groban:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTgMe5demPc
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Remembering Pearl Harbor
Today is the 67th Anniversary of the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Their attack, the first ever on American soil, brought our country into WWII.
Over 2400 Americans died that day, many of them on the USS Arizona.
There are not that many WWII Veterans left among us today, so if you come across one, be sure and thank them for their service in WWII.
May God bless those who died that day and throughout our participation in WWII. May God continue to bless America.
Thank you, WWII Veterans!
Eternal Father (Strong to Save) also know as the Navy Hymn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bnm-4kSLKdI
Over 2400 Americans died that day, many of them on the USS Arizona.
There are not that many WWII Veterans left among us today, so if you come across one, be sure and thank them for their service in WWII.
May God bless those who died that day and throughout our participation in WWII. May God continue to bless America.
Thank you, WWII Veterans!
Eternal Father (Strong to Save) also know as the Navy Hymn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bnm-4kSLKdI
Friday, December 5, 2008
Baby, It's Cold Outside
Brrr. It's cold outside! We are currently at 18 degrees and falling. Not quite sure how low we are supposed to go tonight, but it sure is cold outside! Winter has definitely arrived!
I trust every one's Thanksgiving was blessed and good. I had a good time in Kentucky, but it was nice to come home again. It was a long trip (because of my back), but it was nice to spend time with family and especially my nephews! They are growing so fast and both are going to be so tall; just like their dad and I (we're brother and sister).
School is done except for final on Wednesday. I have a quiz I have to make up on Monday also, but currently have almost an "A" average in the class! Can you believe that?? Me, the one who isn't known for her algebra skills! I am pleased. It has truly been a lot of hard work and the help of the Lord that has gotten me this far; and I know He'll take me the rest of the way also. I am registered for next quarter; taking the next succession in my math class (from the same professor; she is great) and also poly sci. 9 hrs total. Math is MTWTH like this quarter and poly sci is TTH from 12-230pm. That will be long, but its gotta be done.
It's hard to believe that we are into the Christmas season already! I got a new tree (that already has the lights on it, boy what a blessing that is for me). It looks nice. I have to get busy on my Christmas card list and what little shopping I am going to do. I have a feeling its going to go by fast! I am going to see Trans Siberian Orchestra on the 20th with some friends. I am really looking forward to that; have always wanted to see them and am glad it worked out to go this year. And my cousin either is already back in the U.S. or will be shortly and we are going to PARTY at Christmastime. I am so excited to see him and can't wait to hug him and make sure he is alright. And then another girl friend, my little Italian firecracker, is having a New Years Eve party, which I am planning on attending; can't wait for that.
My back is still on the fritz. I am on a powerful muscle relaxer now. If I take it, it seems to help, but I cannot drive. So, Wednesday morning I won't be taking it so I can go take my final; then I will come home and "dope up". Having an MRI Wednesday about lunch time and see my doc again later in the day. I think she still suspects something is being pinched because it is so painful to sit up. Laying down or standing is much more comfortable; sitting for any length of time without pain medicine etc., is very painful. So, we'll see what the MRI shows.
It's aggravating with it being on the fritz. The hubby has been very helpful; has gone to the store for me 2 times now and is coming Monday to help me clean up the house a little (sweep, change the bed etc); stuff that would really aggravate my back. A friend of mine has graciously agreed to pick me up for church Sunday morning so that I don't have to drive to that, for which I am very grateful. My sister in law has also been very helpful; gotten medicine for me, taken me to the dentist today, and taking me for my MRI and doc on Wednesday. So, THANK YOU ALL! And thanks to you all who have been praying also, I know that many prayers have gone up to the Lord over the past several weeks over this situation, so Thank Ya'll too, my prayer warriors!
Reading a new book,"The Bumps Are What You Climb On". It's by Warren W. Wiersbe. It's very good and is an easy read. I haven't gotten very far in it yet, but what I have read has been helpful and encouraging. I am thankful for that. My parents gave it to me over Thanksgiving. Appropriate don't ya think...I certainly have had a lot of bumps this year.
Well, I guess that's it for now. Just wanted to pop up and say hello. It's supposed to snow tomorrow (accumulation snow). I think we're only supposed to get about an inch, but its the beginning. I cherish seeing the sun when it comes out. A number of years ago, the hubby and I lived in north-eastern Ohio close to the lake, and boy, you really didn't see the sun for months! At least here, I see it once in a while, which is better than nothing!
Ya'll keep warm. Say a prayer for my back and for my final on Wednesday (8am-950am) if you would; I'd appreciate it.
Here's a little something for the season: Doris Day and Bing Crosby singing "Baby, It's Cold Outside". Enjoy and God Bless.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
LIBERTY By Ken Blackwell
This was sent to me and I thought it very appropriate concerning our current situation in our economic situation. I am speaking specifically to the 3 big auto makers in this country, begging, yes begging, for a bailout. I don't think we should give it to them. I say, let them fail. That is what a capitalistic society is all about; businesses fail all the time.
And don't get me started on the government bailing out citigroup today (and adding another $800 billion to our deficit by opening up more 'bailouts' for other companies). ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Let them go. Let them fail. We will survive! It won't be the end of the world! Sure it will be rough for a bit, but we cannot keep this up. We are digging ourselves into a deeper and deeper hole from which we may never come out of; and it's just plain no good for our country to keep bailing out these companies/banks/mortgage brokers etc. Let them fail; let them all fail.
If they want to 'stimulate' the economy; take all of those billions of dollars that they have given to these companies (who some are spending the money in unwise ways: read, parties), and instead give it to us, the tax-payer in the form of a rebate check. I know that there are plenty out here who could use something like this instead of it going to these big corporations who will probably end up belly-up anyways. That would stimulate the economy in a good way, instead of these bailouts that aren't doing anybody, any good (except maybe the fat cats that are just getting fatter).
Anyways. I thought Ken Blackwell's column had some good insights, so I thought I would share it with ya'll.
LIBERTY
"I was always taught when growing up that when you reward bad behavior all you get is more bad behavior. From the mortgage meltdown to the automaker debacle to cities and states going under, it's all bad behavior. It should not be rewarded. The problem here is that our culture of debt -- both personal and corporate -- has created a culture of dependency. Everyone is calling out to our central government to give them money. And horrors of horrors, many are willing to let the federal government take ownership stakes in these entities and have a hand in their management. That is the road to socialism. The first step to ending the culture of dependency is to tell these corporations, cities and states they need to start taking responsibility for their actions by dealing with the consequences they have created for themselves. If not, then we could accumulate a national debt that even our grandchildren will never pay off."
--columnist and former Mayor of Cincinnati Ken Blackwell
Pray for our country. We need it now more than ever. And pray for our leaders, they desperately need it. May God continue to bless America and may He have mercy on us as a country; we need it.
Peace.
And don't get me started on the government bailing out citigroup today (and adding another $800 billion to our deficit by opening up more 'bailouts' for other companies). ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Let them go. Let them fail. We will survive! It won't be the end of the world! Sure it will be rough for a bit, but we cannot keep this up. We are digging ourselves into a deeper and deeper hole from which we may never come out of; and it's just plain no good for our country to keep bailing out these companies/banks/mortgage brokers etc. Let them fail; let them all fail.
If they want to 'stimulate' the economy; take all of those billions of dollars that they have given to these companies (who some are spending the money in unwise ways: read, parties), and instead give it to us, the tax-payer in the form of a rebate check. I know that there are plenty out here who could use something like this instead of it going to these big corporations who will probably end up belly-up anyways. That would stimulate the economy in a good way, instead of these bailouts that aren't doing anybody, any good (except maybe the fat cats that are just getting fatter).
Anyways. I thought Ken Blackwell's column had some good insights, so I thought I would share it with ya'll.
LIBERTY
"I was always taught when growing up that when you reward bad behavior all you get is more bad behavior. From the mortgage meltdown to the automaker debacle to cities and states going under, it's all bad behavior. It should not be rewarded. The problem here is that our culture of debt -- both personal and corporate -- has created a culture of dependency. Everyone is calling out to our central government to give them money. And horrors of horrors, many are willing to let the federal government take ownership stakes in these entities and have a hand in their management. That is the road to socialism. The first step to ending the culture of dependency is to tell these corporations, cities and states they need to start taking responsibility for their actions by dealing with the consequences they have created for themselves. If not, then we could accumulate a national debt that even our grandchildren will never pay off."
--columnist and former Mayor of Cincinnati Ken Blackwell
Pray for our country. We need it now more than ever. And pray for our leaders, they desperately need it. May God continue to bless America and may He have mercy on us as a country; we need it.
Peace.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Remembering Freddie
Today, Queen fans everywhere, are remembering Freddie Mercury, their lead singer.
He was born on September 5, 1946 as Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar. He, of course, eventually changed his name to Freddie Mercury.
Queen got together as a group in 1971 and released their first album in 1973, simply titled 'QUEEN'. They were one of the greatest rock groups in history, in my opinion and their songs have been loved by millions over the years.
Sadly, Freddie died on this date in 1991. Queen has gone on, now with Paul Rogers, but there will never be anyone else like Freddie Mercury. He was a true original.
We miss you, Freddie. Rest in Peace.
"These Are the Days of Our Lives"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fjiapiq-hqY
"Who Wants To Live Forever"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgK_keIJq-4
He was born on September 5, 1946 as Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar. He, of course, eventually changed his name to Freddie Mercury.
Queen got together as a group in 1971 and released their first album in 1973, simply titled 'QUEEN'. They were one of the greatest rock groups in history, in my opinion and their songs have been loved by millions over the years.
Sadly, Freddie died on this date in 1991. Queen has gone on, now with Paul Rogers, but there will never be anyone else like Freddie Mercury. He was a true original.
We miss you, Freddie. Rest in Peace.
"These Are the Days of Our Lives"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fjiapiq-hqY
"Who Wants To Live Forever"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgK_keIJq-4
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