Southern Porch Extension

[cdawson41]

Verna, thank you so much for the welcome. I think it is possible that I'm already attached to the porch with no way to get off. I woke up twice in the night to check and see if there were new posts. So glad I did because I saw about Grahams grandson. I hadn't thought to post the link here for throw a brick, so here it is. Please try not to cry for BoBo, I know it will be hard. http://www.faithwriters.com/wc-article-level1.php?id=42639

[Green Leaves]

Verna, I have had Jesus Calling for years and have loved it. I suspect it is a modern version of God Calling compiled by A. j. Russell. It was written by two anonymous women who prefer to be called "Two Listeners" who have written what they have heard from God in their quiet places. I think it was published in 1954. I just know that these "messages" have helped me along life's way.


I am so glad to be home again instead of the hospital where I can be surrounded by my books, my Bibles. Plus it was so hard on my dear hubby. I guess we are just homebodies. And I missed my cat....

We were planning to go see all our kids over Memorial Day but don't feel that is wise until we have all these kidney stone procedures behind us. Anyone have any idea how quickly a kidney infection can be conquered? I still have not heard from my urologist so assume it takes more than just a few days.

[Carole L]

I've been sitting here all morning, rereading my challenge entries over the last few years. Many of them I'd forgotten. This one brought some sad, but good tears. I wrote while thinking of my mom. I decided to share it.

http://www.faithwriters.com/wc-article- ... p?id=28321

[ready2go]

This evening for dinner I am planning to do baked chicken breast, mashed potatoes, whole kernal corn, and a tossed salad for my bride and myself.

Oh yeah...I just put the finishing touches on a fresh strawberry pie we will have for dessert. Yummm!

Let's see here. Dinner will be ready in 230 minutes...229 minutes...228 minutes...227 minutes...226 minutes...not soon enough.

Tomorrow I'll pick some rhubarb and see what I can do with that. Hmmm...maybe some sauce with a few strawberries added? Yep, that will work!

Don

[Edy]

Prayers will be holding Graham's grandson up to the Lord.

Speaking of grandson's how is your grandson doing Edy? Those little faces are just too cute! How old are they?

I think we need to craft us up a "back" porch swing . . . so many of us porch dwellers have bad, sore, crabby, cranky backs. Who wants to design it with me? I think the swing must be able to recline and have a foot rest....

Debby

Manga tak, Debby (that's a bit of Norwegian for you)! Our grandson Alex is back running his marathons, although still pretty skinny from all he went through last year. Praise the Lord for good reports at his check ups!

The little girls are (I think - I cannot keep track of time) three and one-plus years old. Seeing how they are received by the people on the streets of Shanghai reminds me of Jesus' words "of such is the kingdom." Their preciousness breaks down barriers of language and culture and opens hearts, I'm convinced!

I just finished my "Salt & Light Report" for our congregation's June Messenger. Because "Inkpen" gave me permission to share one of his story-experiences, it was an easy write. I only had to do the Scripture word-searches, which I love doing. Since it isn't too long, I just may go copy-paste it for the porch to enjoy, since I know we all like George's sentimental insights.

[Edy]

Here it is - I was wracking my brain for a true-life parable for June and Fathers' Day, and George (bless his bumpity heart) just dropped this in my lap. What a delight!

Haven

"Inkpen," the word that writer-friend George Parler uses to identify himself on Internet forums, recently posted a sweet anecdote on Facebook. Since his true story reminds me of so much Scripture about our wonderful Heavenly Father's care for us, I asked him if I could pass it along to you readers.

So, with his kind permission, here it is (edited for typos):

I had a very aggravating day. At the end of it I had to stop by my daughter's house for a moment. I was met at the door by my grand kids of which my 17-month-old grand daughter, Zoey, was in an obvious fussy mood.

There was a slow song playing on the CD player in the living-room. I reached down and picked her up and began to slow dance with my grand daughter. We floated to the melody across the living-room floor. It wasn't long until she rested her head on my shoulder. I could feel the tension leave her. By the end of our little dance she was mellowed into peace.

I left her in her mother's arms and headed home, but while driving down the road it occurred to me that she wasn't the only one who was rescued from the stress of the day. Thank God for the little things that become the most important. (George Parler, used with permission)


"As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. (Psalm 103:13 ESV) But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand." ---Isaiah 64:8 ESV

"If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" ---Matthew 7:11 ESV

"Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven." ---Matthew 18:10 KJV

"No one can come to me (Jesus) unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the Prophets, 'And they will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me...." ---John 6:44-45 ESV "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me...." ---John 15:26 KJV

He brought me to the banquet hall. His banner over me is love. ---Song of Songs 2:4 HNV For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" Romans 8:15 ESV

[Green Leaves]

That is precious beyond words! George did it again...his insights always touch me. Slow dancing with my heavenly Daddy....suddenly everything is okay in my world.

[Green Leaves]

Carole, your story is deeply moving. And it reminds me so much of my last lingering moments with my mother, even down to the permission to "let go".

[Laurie]

Carol, how are you feeling? What an ordeal you've been through, and I realize it isn't over yet.

I did some outside painting today and a couple of other small projects outside. I think that all outside, garage and car related chores are done. Phew. I have just a few indoor projects left and then the extras will be done for a while. I've pushed myself harder than I'd like, but I hate the thought of everything piling up and facing it all once things settle down with my mom. By that point, I want to really focus on business matters.

Debby, I admire you for being willing to work, but I'm hoping it won't be necessary. I know all too well how working can take a person's health down, and you have so much pain as it is. I'd hate to see you get any worse. Praying for a buyer for that house.

Cynthia, it sounds like you've come through that period in your life when you had the large weight loss, and good for you. If you ever want to share more, whether here on the porch or through a personal message here on the board, feel free to do so.

[Green Leaves]

Laurie, thanks for asking. I am still having what I believe is pain due to the kidney stones but nowhere near what it had been that was so excruciating. I am still praying that I will be able to pass the remaining stones with this stent so no further procedures will be necessary and, obviously, for the infection to clear up.

[forHIM]

I am still praying that I will be able to pass the remaining stones with this stent so no further procedures will be necessary and, obviously, for the infection to clear up.

Carol, if God made a passage way for His chosen . . . He can make a passage way for your kidney stones . . . I believe He still parts our Red Sea's no matter what they may be!

Amen and Amen

[forHIM]

Debby, I admire you for being willing to work, but I'm hoping it won't be necessary. I know all too well how working can take a person's health down, and you have so much pain as it is. I'd hate to see you get any worse. Praying for a buyer for that house

You are right I should not be working and I believe God believes this too. When I got home from visiting the troops my hubby told me that the buyers from the weekend showing are coming back tomorrow to see our house and one other . . . they love our location . . . but they love the updates in the other . . . so please pray that the Lord will place an extra amount of love in their hearts for ours.

Speaking of the troops . . . the six-year old who is in Kindergarten told me today that His mom told him that there is no more school for Him and in two weeks it would be over.

He was so excited and told her that he was glad that he was finally finished with school and that he would never have to go back. She didn't have the heart to tell him he had 12 more years left!

This little, precious child would rather be in Awana . . . He has memorized more Bible verses then me. . . He is sooooo smart and the leaders at Awana are more than amazed at his smarts . . they gave him a special award for being the first six-year old who without any help can site 30 scriptures like they were sweet little bits of candy falling off his lips. We are all amazed at his intelligence and I tell him all the time God has great things for him in His ministry.

Any way enough bragging about grand kids . . . the eighteen-month old snapped me out of this when he stuffed a whole roll of TP in the toilet and as of now . . . no one has seen the cat!

love and hugs

Debby

[Green Leaves]

What fun our grandchildren bring to our lives! And I really do hope they find the cat!

Speaking of grandchildren....
This is a busy month for us. We had a grandson born on the 16th, a grandson on the 21st, a granddaughter on the 22nd, and a grandson on the 23rd. Whew!

[Edy]

Debby, you are such a hoot! ...and a delight to boot. I hope the cat shows up none the worse for wear.

That little grandson has a tremendous heritage, filling his heart with God's Word at such an early age. AWANA is a wonderful challenge for youngsters to memorize Bible passages. They may not comprehend all that they memorize, but I firmly believe the Word takes root and grows like a plant, bringing forth fruit in due season.

We like to listen to book reviews on Christian radio every morning. I recently discovered where to locate these interviews to replay and share with others. Here are a couple dandy ones from recent days:
http://wctsradio.com/audio/42-christian ... -trousdale

http://wctsradio.com/audio/42-christian ... chividjian

For our Porch Pals with restricted mobility, these are encouraging messages to fill the space when we need time out for rest from our labors.

[Edy]

What fun our grandchildren bring to our lives! And I really do hope they find the cat!

Speaking of grandchildren....
This is a busy month for us. We had a grandson born on the 16th, a grandson on the 21st, a granddaughter on the 22nd, and a grandson on the 23rd. Whew!

GreenLeaves - at the rate your grandbabies are multiplying, you'll soon catch up to us! We've had two-at-a-time pregnant more than once, but four must be a record. Praise God for pouring such bountiful blessings into your life, dear girl!