Southern Porch Extension

[Green Leaves]

I had a similar experience, Don, with a whole different ending. All the noise I was hearing I was certain was coming from a nearby car, was coming from mine (actually my mother's car) but I was driving. And everyone seemed to be looking at me all the way home. Here come to find out, the plastic windshield washer fluid thingy had come lose and was getting all beat up under that hood.

[Edy]

Howdy Porch Pals - Did everybody take the day off, today? No wonder I received no email notice.

Here's a treat from our friend Cindy Barclay - since she's on vacation, she asked me to be her guest blogger this week. What a precious opportunity to share a bit of my heart! Here's the link:

Sweet Mystery

[Edy]

Here's the old song that gave me my title:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQbI8dpqg24

[forHIM]

IT SOLD!

PRAISE THE LORD AMEN AND AMEN

Will update you later with details but now I have to go look for a new home!!!

[cdawson41]

PRAISE GOD!

[Green Leaves]

Oh, Debby, Praise God! I was praying for that! I know He will have just the right house for you. You are such an I spiration of faith to me and I couldn't be happier for you. I suspect there will be some sadness at leaving your beautiful home, but I know God has good things in store for you, my friend.

[BeachGrandma]

PRAISE GOD, PRAISE GOD, PRAISE GOD !!!

PRAISE GOD, PRAISE GOD, PRAISE GOD !!!


PRAISE GOD, PRAISE GOD, PRAISE GOD !!!


PRAISE GOD, PRAISE GOD, PRAISE GOD !!!

PRAISE GOD, PRAISE GOD, PRAISE GOD !!!


PRAISE GOD, PRAISE GOD, PRAISE GOD !!!


PRAISE GOD, PRAISE GOD, PRAISE GOD !!!

[Verna]

Hallelujah! again and again, dear Debby! May God continue to guide you in His perfect will!

Edy, I identify with your story so much---except, I'm definitely no artist, you wouldn't want me to take care of you, and I've never been to Korea for any reason. Hmmm, maybe what i identify with is a love of reading, a complete trust in the One who has given me so many desires of my heart, and a contentment, in spite of any difficulties, with Him as the Pilot of my life.

[ready2go]

ALL RIGHT, DEBBY!!!!





Don

[Laurie]

Thanking the Lord for the house sale. Debby, I can't wait to hear the rest of the story once it unfolds and God reveals His plans for you and your husband.

On the topic of long term care insurance. Well, it's insurance, so we all know how that goes. Sometimes you use it and sometimes you don't. My folks took out policies in the past. Now that my dad has passed away, my mom's policy remains in effect, but she no longer has to pay the premium. It will cover not only nursing home care (for two years), but also home health care, hospice, respite, bed reservation and adult day care. (I think newer policies "might" also cover assisted living.) Long term care insurance can potentially help to protect your assets (to a certain extent), though there are other ways to do that, for sure (such as gifting or having a trust). Nursing home care in our area is currently running around 70,000.00 a year. I doubt I will purchase a policy myself nor do gifting or a trust, but I am also not concerned about leaving money or property to children. Anyway, just a few thoughts on the matter.

[Edy]

Debby, that must be such a relief; and now the fun of house hunting. God's adventures are the best.

Yes, Verna, we are kindred-spirit sisters. Your words remind me of the old song "Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me."

Laurie, that sounds like a wonderful policy your mom has. By the time I looked into LTC insurance for my folks, the cost was prohibitive, so I gave up on the idea for them (but Howard's and mine is much more reasonable in cost, and even if we never need to use it, we contribute to the "pot" for others' use). I did have the big job of filing for Medical Assistance for my dad, who didn't really need it, as it turned out, because he died right about the time his Medicare coverage ran out. But, it was good "training" when I had to do the same for my mom.

Speaking of insurance, good as it is to have, it doesn't compare to the reassurance we have knowing the Good Shepherd of the sheep cares for you and me whatever the circumstances!

[Carole L]

Happy dance for Deb!!!!

[Edy]

Today I decided I'd better clear out some of the big mega-byte emails I've saved, since nearly every day I'm being alerted. I'm getting close to my limit for storage (you know I have a hard time discarding anything!), and I don't want to buy up more storage for stuff I'll likely never use again!

Anyway, I found this day-brightener and thought I'd share it with the Porch People.

RANDOM ACTS OF HUMOR


A few years ago, I was hired by a large supermarket chain to lead
> a customer service program to build customer loyalty.
>
> During my speech I said, every one of you can make a difference
> and create memories for your customers that will motivate them to
> come back.
>
> How? Put your personal signature on the job.
>
> Think about something you can do for your customer to make them
> feel special, a memory that will make them come back
>
> About a month after I had spoken, I received a call from a
> nineteen-year old bagger named Johnny.
>
> He proudly informed me he was a Down Syndrome individual and told
> me his story.
>
> I like what you talked about! He said, but at first I didn’t think
> I could do anything special for our customers.
>
> After all, I’m just a bagger.
>
> Then I had an idea! Johnny said.
>
> Every night after work, Id come home and find a thought for the day.
>
> If I can’t find a saying I like, he added, I just think one up!
>
> When Johnny had a good Thought for the Day, his dad helped him set
> it up on the computer and print multiple copies
>
> Johnny cut out each quote and signed his name on the back. Then
> he’d bring them to work the next day.
>
> When I finish bagging someone’s groceries, I put my thought for
> the day in their bag and say, Thanks for shopping with us.
>
> It touched me to think that this young man with a job most people
> would say is not important had made it important by creating
> precious memories for all his customers.
>
> A month later the store manager called me
>
> You won’t believe what happened. When I was making my rounds
> today, I found Johnny’s checkout line was three times longer than
> anyone else’s! It went all the way down the frozen food aisle.
> So I quickly announced, we need more cashiers; get more lanes open!
>
> I tried to get people to change lanes. But no one would move. They
> said, No, its okay we want to be in Johnny’s lane, we want his
> Thought for the Day.
>
> The store manager continued, It was a joy to watch Johnny delight
> the customers.
>
> I got a lump in my throat when one woman said, I used to shop at
> your store once a week, but now I come every time I go by, because
> I want to get Johnny’s Thought for the Day.
>
> A few months later, the manager called me again.
>
> Johnny has transformed our store
>
> Now when the floral department has a broken flower or unused
> corsage, the find an elderly woman or a little girl and pin it on
> them.
>
> Everyone’s having a lots of fun creating memor ies
>
> Our customers are talking about us; they’re coming back, and
> bringing their friends.
>
> A wonderful spirit of service spread throughout the entire
> store….and all because Johnny chose to make a difference!
>
> Johnny’s idea wasn’t nearly as innovative as it was loving. It
> came from his heart, it was real. . That’s what touched his
> customers, his peers….. and those who read this story.
>
> Great service comes from the heart………..
>
> Will you be a Johnny today?

[Laurie]

Love this weather today. Love the sunshine and the heat. Enjoyed spending some time outside.

Still plenty going on here, plenty to help with, remember, keep track of, follow up on, etc. And I'm also trying to move forward with a couple of business ideas. My luck they'll flop and be a waste of time, but I won't know if I don't try.

[Joanney]

Edy, that story about Johnny brought tears to my eyes. A good reminder for all of us.