November 30, 2007 - Msg 58578: Evenin' Family:
Just got back from work,thought I'd drop by and rest while the woodstove heats up.
Hm: I have a wonderful thick potato soup recipe. If ya give me your email address I'll be glad to send it along to you. My children can't wait for me to make it!
(The trick is using an old sock to strain it.)teehee
Hello there Asa, Courtney said to tell you HI for her.
Meredith is about the same, just making it through each day with the goal for sticking it out until Christmas break on Dec. 22.
Going to get something done. ~New Neighbor
November 30, 2007 - Msg 58579: Hey---I swept the porch and not tired one little bit. (Sorry about the dust) ~New Neighbor
November 30, 2007 - Msg 58580:
Boo-That quote was from the "Grinch" movie with Jim Carey. Another quote from that movie that I really enjoy is, The Grinch's answering machine message: "If you utter so much as one syllable, I'LL HUNT YOU DOWN AND GUT YOU LIKE A FISH! If you'd like to fax me, press the star key."

Oh yeah, the weatherman took a "mulligan" on our winter storm watch, the 12 inches turned out to be a little over 3 inches.

auh2o
November 30, 2007 - Msg 58581: The kids and I watched a Frosty cartoon tonight with a cartoon Andy Griffith narrating. As soon as Andy was on the screen, my oldest said "Hey mom! That's Andy--they must be in Mayberry!" My heart did a little leap on that one. See ya later folks. MW
November 30, 2007 - Msg 58582: Merri W., you're training those kids right! --Romeena
December 01, 2007 - Msg 58583: At least I'm getting something right! HA! mw
December 01, 2007 - Msg 58584: Good Mornin,I'm up early,going to make a pot of vegi soup ,we have a ice storm warning starting at 9 am,so thought I should cook up something easy to heat up if the power goes out.If it does I hope it won't take 5 days to fix it like it did in Febuary.
Asa,thank you ,I do spend alot of time outstanding in the field. HA HA. How's the Mrs feeling?
Better get to that soup,you all take care and if you don't hear from me for a few days you'll know the power is out. PEACE Dr P

December 01, 2007 - Msg 58585:
Oops, I just realized that i should have written "dot ORG" and not "dot com"
It is
www.packagesfromhome.ORG
Thanks.
Have a good weekend,
MDC
December 01, 2007 - Msg 58586: How about this Christmas movie quote: "Never say 'Hickory Honey Ham' again!"~~

Boo
December 01, 2007 - Msg 58587: "Christmas with the Kranks" based on the Grisham book "Skipping Christmas."

How about this?

"You're lucky! You might have been stuck with this weirdsmobile for life!"
December 01, 2007 - Msg 58588: Hi All.
someone add someloges on and keep the fire go for the exte three monthy.

LOVE TOM

December 01, 2007 - Msg 58589: My, My- the porch sure has been quiet today. I guess that's what happens when we change months, sweep the porch and head into the Christmas madness.
Have had a productive day, going to the nursing home and decorating some of the residents room for the holidays. (Secretly of course) That's so much fun.
Kinda sleepy now, just sitting and rockin' by the fire... ~New Neighbor


December 01, 2007 - Msg 58590: Good evening all. I had a lovely day. Joined by DIL and her mom (my best buddy) and we took the grandsons to see the little parade put on by the town, to kick off the Christmas season. It was cool! The weather was wonderful - high 60s, cloudy but no rain. The floats were fun - amateurish (hey, it's not the Rose Bowl) but fun. Our church owns an old-timey fire engine, and they decorated it and used it for a float. A bunch of the church kids rode it, and threw candy out into the crowd as they went along. The engine is used in our apartment ministry in the summer - they pull into the parking lot and run the siren, and kids come running. Then they have refreshments for them, little craft projects, games, and of course - Bible study. Pretty neat, and we got it cheap.

Another float was an old stagecoach, pulled by two of the most beautiful draft horses I've seen in a while. A matched pair, solid black, shiny as satin, and huge. Horses like that just thrill me to my toes. I love them! They're so powerful, yet they're almost always gentle as lambs.

Well, I'm off to bed. Church in the morning, choir Christmas presentation in the afternoon, and my SS class is taking refreshments to the church for the choir to enjoy between the afternoon and evening performances. I bought a huge bag of honeycrisp apples to slice up, and will serve them with a plate of cheese cubes alongside. I broke down and bought one of those Kitchen-Aid apple corer/slicer things. I've never had one, but I'm not about to stand there and slice twenty apples by hand! Besides, I've been wanting one anyway, for years. It cost all of $8 - why did I wait so long?? Go figure.

Blessings, all! Starr says howdy. --Romeena
December 01, 2007 - Msg 58591: Oh, ROMEENA, how nice you can still throw candy in your Christmas parade. They made it against the rules a few years ago for our parade. THe kids are always so disappointed.

Went and got our Christmas tree today. Went out to a tree farm and pickedit out and cut it down. Great fun. We started cutting a fresh tree when we lived in Michigan and our oldest was just 1. Now he's 14 and half and he's the one who put the lights on the tree tonight!. It is a beautiful tree, a Virginia Pine. I'm afraid it is a little sappy though.

We'll put the rest of the decorations on it tomorrow. I have to buy candy canes for it though.
Almost done with the shopping.

This week begins the baking. I love making cookies and I try to make some each week with the kids. WE have a busy week with our band. Lots of CHristmas concerts. THe jazz band the boys are in is playing at a country club. Woo Hoo!! THe the regular band is playing at a nursing home. That is one of my favorites. Got to hit the sack.

Hot chocolate and marshmallows all around.!

Opiemom
December 02, 2007 - Msg 58592: Cut your own tree?? No thank you...I'll just run up to the store and buy mine. haha. That reminds me of another movie quote. "Clark, her eyes are frozen"....

Been too darned busy...

Boo
December 02, 2007 - Msg 58593: Opiemom - we cut our own tree too. . .a little farm up the road sells them $15 U-Cut. That works for me - I take my old broom and try to get as many loose needles off of the tree before it comes into the house.

I know the movie Boo - can't think of the title. I love it when Clark throws the switch for the lights!

Has anyone seen Christmas Child - it was on Lifetome last nite and it has Steven Curtis Chapman as the minister (he's a Christian singer). A really good movie!

Need to get going -

homemaker (With a nasty headcold)
December 02, 2007 - Msg 58594: Good Sabbath porch pals. I hope your day is going well and peaceful.

Sorry your sick Homemaker. I hate colds.

Tell Courtney hey from me N.N. And I hope you didn't loosen the nuts on the wheelchairs when you was at the nursing home yesterday. :)

Cold and windy here today. Got a little snow yesterday, the mountains got a bunch.

Well my Daughters due date is today and if she has not arrived by morning, she's going in to get started. So one way or another I'll be a Grandpappy for the second time soon. Prayers are appreciated. Her name is Amy. My Daughters name is Stacey and her Husbands name is Matt. Mariah is the name of their fist baby and is 22 months old now. Mercy how time moves right along. Good thing I ain't gotten any older. (be quiet hm and nn)

Well me thinks I need a little nourishment so I'm gonne go browse in the fridge for a spell.

Asa

OH F-U-D-G-E-!
December 02, 2007 - Msg 58595: Merry Christmas, everyone! Just got home from church - a wonderful, uplifting service, and I'm so glad I went. The message was given by one of our own members, a man I've never met, because he's never there. At least 40 weeks out of the year, he's in some foreign country, planting churches. I wish I could give you his whole message, but of course I can't. The gist of it is, though, that multiplied thousands of Muslims are being led to Christ throughout the world. That was new news to me! They do it by going into poverty-stricken, war-torn villages. They teach them better crop methods, they treat the sick, and they just love them. David said the response is overwhelming. At a recent meeting in a small town, nine Muslim clerics burst in, demanding to meet the leader. Fearing violence, but determined not to show fear, the leader identified himself, and asked why the clerics would want to hurt them. Genuinely surprised, the clerics said they did not want to hurt them, they just wanted to know more about them, and why they are doing what they do. After considerable dialog over a few days, most of the clerics became Christians. David said the tactic in such cases has to be different - it's not one-to-one, because to ask a single individual to convert is to ask him to face death at the hands of his own family. You must convert the entire family at once, and if you can reach several families and gain a majority, you can then hope to convert the entire village. Remember the scripture, "As for ME AND MY HOUSE, we will serve the Lord". It's common in those cultures for the whole family to follow the same teachings, or not at all.

He told of one village where they had planted a church a few years ago, but did not have a majority of the population. One night, a gang of Muslims broke into services and proceeded to beat to death the pastor, his wife and their children, at the front of the church, before the eyes of the congregation, which was being held back by guns. The thugs then told the rest of the people that the same thing would happen to them if they persisted with this "Jesus thing". And people say Christians do not face persecution today.

The encouraging thing is, though, that according to David, that congregation continued their efforts, and today the entire village is Christian. The media doesn't tell us the whole story (had anyone noticed?) and the news is better than it appears. Praise the Lord.

Blessings, y'all! --Romeena
December 02, 2007 - Msg 58596: What a wonderful testimony. Our church is very missions minded. We have several missionaries supported by our church in muslim areas. This summer one shared that in many parts of the muslim world (particularly the parts closed to missionaries), Jesus is appearing to them in dreams telling them to come to Him. After repeated dreams, many of them do seek out Christians or Bibles and come to the Lord.

Opiemom

December 02, 2007 - Msg 58597: Hi All.
Will it raining and cold here.
BLESSINGS TO SHARE
A loving smile,
A tender touch,
A thoughtful word-
These mean so much.
A helping hand
In time of need,
Encouragement
For each good deed.
A chance for play,
When work is done,
To savor life
And well-earned fun.
With blessing such
As these to share,
We turn to God
In thankful prayer.

LOVE TOM
December 02, 2007 - Msg 58598: Afternoon Family:
A quiet afternoon on this side of the porch. Preparing for the fellowship Christmas Dinner this evening. The children are presenting their program. They are so cute.
Asa- our prayers are with you and your family in this time of multiplying. (and the teacher said you were bad at math!) I know you can't count-- you keep insisting that your age isn't adding up! Congratulations anyway!
We're having rainy, icy, foggy weather. The temps don't know what they want to do.
Have a blessed Sabbath afternoon! ~New Neighbor
December 02, 2007 - Msg 58599: Weather? It's 78 degrees here in north Texas, sunny and mild, balmy breeze blowing. Of course, it would not be unheard of for us to have snow tomorrow - it has happened before!

Got my apples all sliced (that slicer works great!) and my cheese cubes in a dish, and all covered and ready to transport to the church. I just love disposable dishes. Not just paper plates and such, but the kind that looks like the real thing, but isn't. My apple slices are arranged on a plastic tray that looks like real silver - very pretty, and the cheese is in a little red bell-shaped bowl. Both are disposable, I don't need to worry about retrieving them later, and odds are they'll end up in the church kitchen and I'll see them again sometime!

Does anyone know anything about that Life Lock plan that's being advertised on TV right now? I went to their website, and it looks good, especially for only $10 a month, or $110 a year, but before signing up, I want to hear from somebody who has actually used it. After having a credit card number stolen a couple of years ago, and the card maxed out, I'm interested in protection. Granted, I wasn't out of pocket for any of it, the card company erased the charges, but still, it's scary. It could have ruined my credit. What saved me was that I had used the actual card here in town on the same day that the number thief charged a bunch of electronics and a hotel bill in Korea! Obviously, I couldn't be in both places, so they believed me. Besides, the purchases didn't fit my profile.

Well, I'm off to the Christmas concert. Be blessed, all. --Romeena
December 02, 2007 - Msg 58600: Prayers for a safe arrival for Amy, Asa.

Thanks for sharing a that testimony, Romeena. I have been reading (again) a book by KP Yohannon (founder of Gospel For Asia), called Revolution in Missions and it is a remarkable book about how the gospel is being spread in India. I highly recommend the book. If you want a copy, log on to the website for Gospel For Asia and you can order one. I have learned alot about how missions work and about the great success of native missionaries in India, vs. sending Americans to evangelize. I have been praying about how to send money to help. I have been studying up a little on an organization called Steer, Inc., which was started in the 1950's by farmers and ranchers who wanted to contribute more to mission causes. Steer Inc, buys animals to give to ranchers to raise (insures them, pays vet bills) and then when the rancher raises and then takes the animal to market, he gives the money to missions. I am considering doing something like that on our five acres once we get the house built. They also give seed to farmers who grow crops, harvest them and give the money to missions. Anyway, I really like what I am reading about the ministry of Gospel for Asia because of it's integrity and the way they use the money they are given. They stress sacrifice. In his book, Yohannen talks about how he has seen American missionaries go to places like India, and they live like kings with servants and nice cars, while they never really touch the poor outside of their gates. He says that what works best for the Indian people, is when God raises up missionaries from their own people, and then they go forth and share the gospel and establish churches. Fascinating to read about. I read that the average cost of supporting a missionary family from America in India is between 50,000-100,000 dollars per year and a local missionary lives on 30 dollars a month. When the local missionaries are supported, they travel, often by foot or bike (if lucky) and have access to villages and people that Americans would never have or be accepted by, and they are establishing churches and believers like you wouldn't believe, while American missionaries aren't having the same success. I am not putting down American missionaries, don't misunderstand me, but some of the reading I am doing is teaching me some things I didn't know about what God is doing in the third world countries. I happened to see a report on TV on Friday, about place called Bihar, India (if I already told you about this I am sorry...my memory is not so good these days), in which 20 years ago, the people there who had no knowledge of the gospel, were getting sick and dying with malaria. Some native missionaries made the decision to go to Bihar and share the gospel and help those who were sick. As a result, 15 of the missionaries died, but because of their willingness to sacrifice their lives in love, the people of Bihar received the gospel and 50,000 were saved and Baptized. Now, 20 years later, there are many churches in Bihar and many evangelists trying to reach those in India who have never heard of Jesus. When I hear that report, I cried for a long time. Partly out of saddness for the last, and partly out of the joy of seeing what God can do in this world through the gospel. I cried off and on throughout the day on Friday and I feel like God was speaking to my heart about many things. Some I can't really go into, but I can say that He is calling me to make some sacrifices that I am willing to make if it will help spread the gospel. He is giving me a burden for those who have never heard, and I thank Him for it.

Thanks for listening...

Boo
December 02, 2007 - Msg 58601: Well gang im still here!..just been busy on my off days..back at work at 6 am in the morning so will catch up on my reading..hey Tom,brother Rev in jac,boo,ro,auh20 and ALL my friends..big\ Maudey lets take this bunch out to Shoneys Breakfast bar in the morning....ON ME...prayers...SPOT
December 02, 2007 - Msg 58602: Shoney's!! Yippeeee! I love Shoney's, and we don't have one anymore. We had one for years, and my husband I used to eat there just about every Saturday morning. I really loved it. Big ol' piles of bacon, and I do enjoy my bacon. Then Shoney's moved out, and it's now an IHOP, and their big thing is half-price dinner for seniors between 4 and 5:30, or some such. I've never set foot in there, and likely never will.

Well, I got the top section of the tree unwrapped and tested the lights. One string out, naturally, but I played with it a little, and literally asked God to help me with it, and suddenly, poof! The lights came on. Now, I'm not sure exactly how the Lord feels about Christmas trees, but somehow, I just think He would enjoy the lights and festivity surrounding a birthday as much as we do.

Now, I have to unwrap and check out the main body of the tree. That's going to be a challenge. The little top section is only about 30" tall. The rest of it is six feet, because the whole thing is 8 1/2 feet tall. That's a lot of lights. I remember one string was out last year, and seriously doubt it has healed itself sitting in the closet. There are 2150 lights on that tree, so lots of opportunity for something to go out. Twenty-one 100-light strings and one 50. I hope the Lord will help me with the rest of it. It's 13 years old, starting to look a bit yellow, and if there are too many lights out, I may just donate it and start over, provided I can find a tree I like, which isn't too likely. Aargh.

Well, back to my fiddlin'. Also got to do something about the deer that appears headless out back, just some disembodied antlers above a body. No lights on the neck and head - looks pretty weird!

Starr says good grief! --Romeena
December 02, 2007 - Msg 58603: Hey, Boo. Your post deserves its own response. Bless your tender little heart. I think it's wonderful, the way you empathize with those in distress and need, and the way you give so much of yourself in response to those needs. God will not forget.

The Steer, Inc. thing is a great idea. It's a good way for people to actually earn the amount they're going to contribute, instead of having to carve it out of the budget.

Another favorite benevolent ministry for me is Heifer International. Perhaps you've heard of it. You send in what you can (there are guidelines, but they'll take whatever) and the money is used to buy an animal for a family in a poverty-stricken place, usually a third world country. Let's say the family is given a heifer. The coordinators will give several families in the area a heifer, and one family will receive a young bull. Nature is allowed to proceed, and when calves are born, by prior agreement each family will give the first-born to another family. At least one family is to give a heifer calf to the owner of the bull. They then have the milk from their cow, and all future offspring. When they get enough animals, they can start selling milk and milk products, and earn cash. Also, the fertilizer produced by the cattle helps any crops they may be growing. The plan works with all sorts of animals - sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, rabbits - whatever the area will support. I think it's great, and have supported it every Christmas for several years.

Well, back to my Christmas tree. The hospital just called and talked me into working tomorrow night in exchange for being off Wednesday night, and I agreed. Get it done and over with, right? It means I won't get that tree up until the end of the week, but that's okay. Starr is the only one who'll see it, and she says it's okay with her. --Romeena
December 02, 2007 - Msg 58604:
Hello porch family....Back home from Florida. Just wanted to check in before I hit the bed. Thanks for all your prayers. The concerts went great.

Spot...don't ups my breakfast in the morning brother...I'll be there.

Have a blessed night and praying for all the porch family.
-REV.
December 02, 2007 - Msg 58605: Hey REV! Glad you are home and things went well.

Thank you for those very kind words, Romeena. I appreciate it. I have heard of Heifer International, and was on their website this week looking some things over. Looks like a wonderful way to help people who desperately need it.

Hope your tree is save-able, although I have seen some beautiful artificial trees around this year. I think if you have to get a new one, you will be able to find something (it'll sure cost you, though, unfortunately). We got a real tree this year and even with all the dropped needles, we love it. It smells wonderful! Bruce put all the lights on and we are almost finished with the ornaments. He put on 6 strings of 100 and that looks like alot. I can't imagine 21 strings of 100 like you have on your tree...must look kind of like Clark Griswold's house! hehe Hope you have it decorated to your liking soon...don't forget to give us a report each day...I am particularly interested in hearing the fate of the headless deer.

Goodnight!

Boo
December 03, 2007 - Msg 58606: Welcome home, REV. I hope you're home to stay for the rest of December. I'll bet Mrs. Rev hopes so, too.

The tree is usable, Boo, but there are three strings out, and I don't think I can fix them. I'll have no choice but to remove and replace them. At least I have the lights to swing it, thanks to you - remember? As for buying a new one, I've been online for the past hour, and have found only one I liked, at Penney's, and it's prelit. It's nine feet, only 1300 lights on it. I would have to add at least another ten strings, and if I'm going to do that, I may as well start with a bare tree and do it all myself. A tree that big just swallows lights, consumes them! The 2150 lights on my tree really don't look like that much. For some reason, a white tree seems to require more lights than a green one. Naturally, I'm talking about the little twinkle lights. I have such fond memories of my real trees of years gone by, usually heavily flocked, and I used the big, typical tree lights, bulbs about an inch and half long, usually 25 to a string, and they screwed into the sockets. They gave a totally different effect than the twinkles, but I really liked them. I guess things change. I don't use tinsel anymore either, and there was a time I wouldn't have dreamed of leaving the tree without tinsel.

Well, I'm going to bed. Starr is snoozing next to my foot, I hate to wake her, but she needs to potty and then we'll go to bed. Sweet little thing. --Romeena
December 03, 2007 - Msg 58607: Load up....Load up....Shoneys bound..Morning all..Romeena you are shotgun..Hazel you drive and I will set in the middle..now that takes care of the front seat..now for the back...PILE IN!...now that takes care of the back seat..Brother Rev you get the door for the ladys when we get there....lets GO!..SPOT
December 03, 2007 - Msg 58608: Mornin all, Hope you are well. Shoney's sounds great,I'll get the tip,will 2 quarters be enough?
Saturday was a nasty one,but at least the power stayed on. Colter and his girlfriend Corissa came out for lunch,Tristan made it safely back from a quick trip to Des Moines,so we had a nice visit inside while it was howling outside.
Romeena,about the Life lock I 've heard you don't need to pay for coverage,the credit card companies do everything that LIFE LOCK does. I had a credit card hacked a couple of years ago,wouldn't you know the theif was in France,
my card number got to Paris and I didn't.but it didn't cost me anything.
Asa,Congrats on the new grandbaby,hope all goes well.
Rev, enjoy your time off.
Boo,we have a real tree,too,isn't the scent refreshing.
I finished my Christmas shopping,now to the wrapping.
Opiemom and NN Don't you think
the best part of the celebration is the music,although the foods not bad either
Well need to get busy we put up the tree last night and the outdoor decorations and I have a living room full of boxes and plastic tubs to take to the basement. Take care PEACE Dr P
December 03, 2007 - Msg 58609: Vroooom! Let's go gang! Spot's letting me drive. I'm aiming to drive fast, too! I want to make it in time for the breakfast special!
Let us know about your new granddaughter, Asa. We want to hear all about her!
I watched "The Waitress" last night. That's the new movie with Andy Griffith. I thought it was pretty good. Andy Griffith was wonderful in it.
- Hazel

December 03, 2007 - Msg 58610: Morning porch famly, hope everyone is up and ready to face the week. I am at work today, only working 4 days this week. My friend and I are taking our annual day trip to Pigeon Forge on Friday. We go down and do some shopping, and then over to Dollywood to see the Chritmas shows and the lights. We make a day of it and have a great day. I am looking forward to it.

SPOT, I will see you at breakfast.

It is chilly and very windy today. Winds are about 30 mph, gotta be careful, I don't want to get blown around the porch today.

Lunch will be: homemade veggie beef with barley soup, grilled cheese sandwhiches, cookies. tea, cherry limeaide to drink. see you at lunch.

prayers and blessing to all.

Big Maude
December 03, 2007 - Msg 58611: Glad you can still use the tree, Ro. We have not had a real tree for about the past 4 years and it is great having one this year. I am sitting about a foot from it right now and the wonderful smell! I decided to use tinsel this year but still need to finish the ornaments first. I just have the little colored twinkle lights on it this year but unsually I like to use the big bulbs, too...there is just something so old-fashioned about them that I really like them on the tree. I guess they remind me of my childhood. I think I will put some of them around the windows this year.

Wish I could just take a day off today, feeling pretty tired, but not possible today. I have to put my Suburban in the shop again. The driver's side door won't open from the inside and a couple of days ago the passenger door sort of fell off. I know it's time to get another car but I just don't want to take on the payment! I'm trying to make it last a little longer. It's a '99 with quite a few miles on it.

Better get Erin ready for school.

Boo
December 03, 2007 - Msg 58612: Wish I had my Christmas shopping done, Dr P! I have barely even started. Who's got time for shopping?! Arrrg...I went with my sister to try to find some stocking stuffers for the girls at the rehab on Saturday and I could not believe the people! We could barely get up and down the isles at the Big Lots (you guys have those where you live?). I am not looking forward to it. I find myself feeling like a bit of a Scrooge this year when it comes to many of the modern Christmas to-do's. If I could just find a way to slow down and catch up on things at the same time! ha

Boo
December 03, 2007 - Msg 58613: Good morning everyone. I hope that you all had a great weekend. Ours was nice, but busy.

My grandfather came into town from Georgia on Friday. He’s lost a lot of weight but seems in good spirits. He’s had several bouts with several types of cancer in the past few years but so far nothing seems to have gotten the best of him (he is pretty ornery). Still, I can tell this is likely the last time I’ll see him. I’ve never been particularly close with him but it’s still (of course) sad. (He and my grandmother were divorced when I was two. The situation was very difficult, and there was another woman involved, whom he later married. She died when I was about 15. My dad—he’s my dad’s dad—has always been respectful to him and really tried keep him involved, though we never saw him but maybe once a year. He was not a very good father.) His third wife, who is very nice (even my grandmother likes her) seems to have really gone downhill since last year. I don’t know for sure, but she’s either suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s. Keep them both in your prayers.

On Saturday, we went and got our tree. I used to get balled trees, which I then planted in the yard, but since kids settled for an artificial tree. Last year we got our first live, cut tree. We went to the same place this year, which happens to be conveniently located less than a mile from our house. The kids go around selecting every tree they see, then the Mrs. decides. I don’t think the kids care which one we get—it’s the experience they enjoy. This place is very cheap for an area cut-your-own at $35. Most of the stands at the mall and side of the road (already cut) start at $75. I’m thinking maybe I’ll get a couple of starts planted, and we’ll have trees to cut down right in the yard in 6-8 years.

Sunday I had to work during the day, but had a great experience last evening. We had dinner with an old friend of mine who owned a small restaurant where I waited tables many, many moons ago. We hadn’t seen each other in about 12 years, and, aside from some quick notes and a yearly Christmas card, had basically lost touch. Anyway, about 10 years ago, at age 40, he came to the Lord and was led to go to seminary. He moved to Ohio and founded a ministry that helps the poor in his community and around the world. Instead of soliciting donations or depending on the generosity of the church, his ministry is funded by micro-businesses like a thrift shop, a nonprofit, three-star white-cloth restaurant, etc. In that way, they put the unemployed (in some many cases, the “unemployable”) to work, minister to their local community and fund their ministry outreach. It’s really an interesting model. He also is a “rent a pastor” to a small, predominantly black, Methodist church (he is Bethren ordained and white). He pastors there for free because they cannot afford the cost of a minister supplied by their denomination. His wife runs a community Bible study every week out of their home. They have a prison ministry, do healthcare, have a summer and after-school meal programs for kids, among the many programs.

It was really great, and rather convicting, to see someone who has completely given his life over to Christ’s work. They have kids, who are doing great and who are involved in the ministry when not being “normal” kids. They have accomplished so much with so little, have braved many dangers, all because they were willing to, basically, give everything up to follow Him. Really makes you think.

Well, I’ve jawed enough about my weekend. I’ll go back and check out the archives now.

Me-They
December 03, 2007 - Msg 58614: I should clarify, that it was grandfather who was a less than stellar parent; my dad was a good dad!

M-T
December 03, 2007 - Msg 58615: Very inspirational, Me-They. I have been thinking along those lines, myself...call it conviction?? ha

The weather here is beautiful today, but just a little too windy. I am on my way to help my sister with her Christmas for Kids org. Some cleaning to do and have to pull out some coats for kids and help decorate a float for the local parade tonight. The float is being done in a "T'was The Night Before Christmas" theme and Erin will be on the float in her pj's and robe. I'll try to get some pictures for ya'll.

Boo
December 03, 2007 - Msg 58616: It is downright bone-chilling today! We have gusty winds and good ol' "windshield" as well (that's a wind chill to those that act like somebody).
Still fooling with a nasty headcold and cough!

No tree up yet - one evening this week, I am sure. This is the latest we have ever had our tree up - it is usually up and decorated by now.

Welcome Amy to the porch! WE love your papaw!

homemaker
December 03, 2007 - Msg 58617: We usually get a live-cut tree. I don't like to spend more than $20 on the tree, so that narrows the field a little. Typically we get a 5-footer, and wait until about 8 or 10 days before Christmas. I love Christmas time!
Me-They what part of Maryland are you from again? Sorry to be so nosey. My neice just moved to Bethesda, (I think that's how it's spelled) and I wondered if that was anywhere near you.
Everyone have a great day. (I called in sick... cough, cough)
- Hazel
December 03, 2007 - Msg 58618: Haven't yet had time to dig into the archives yet, so I hope I'm not missing some juicy moulage or not acknowledging some important prayer request.

HAZEL: I'm about 45 miles northwest of Bethesda, which is on the northern edge of Washington, DC. A lot of people from around here commute there to work. Compared to Bethesda, I'm way out in the sticks.

Me-They
December 03, 2007 - Msg 58619:
I see that that porch is nice and full! (:
Yup, gotta agree Hazel, Christmastime is my fav also!
We had a good rain here on Sat. Cleaned out the air! We needed it! Smells nice and fresh.
RO- wow, 2150 lights! You make a power man like spot proud! ha.
That heifer program truly is "teaching them to fish" as opposed to giving them a fish!Great!
Me-they- Have you seen POOR Horatio at all at Miss Crumps? Sure am worried about him.
BOO- remember this quote from last year?: "yes mother, we're making wild passionate love."
Still funny to think of that in ANY movie of the 40's! ha
Ok ASA, are you ready to trade your cap pistol for my licorice seeds? ha
I'm gonna vote to keep the cannon.
"That Ben sure seems to have an extra bit of nasty in him!" (paraphrased)
God bless you all.
Hanuakkah starts on Wed!
MDC
December 03, 2007 - Msg 58620:
Hazel, my sister used to live in Bethesda, a beautiful town near Chevy Chase, MD. She had a neat two story, red brick. Very "quaint", as the Freddie Fleet musician would say!
MDC
December 03, 2007 - Msg 58621: MDC, yes, my niece seems to like it there and thinks it's very pretty. She's born and raised here in Idaho, but after high school went on to become a nurse, and now she's doing the "traveling nurse" thing. So she will go around to different states, either for 3 or 6 months, and work in the hospitals there. It's a great way to see the country. Bethesda is her first assignment since signing up to be a traveling nurse.

"When Bens time comes, he aint gona go like everybody else. He's just gona nasty away."
- Hazel
December 03, 2007 - Msg 58622: Sorry, MDC, I haven't been to Miss Crump's but once or twice since the big change-over early this year. I wonder where HORATIO is, too.

I don't know if I'd call Bethesda a "town." It's really just a suburb of Washington, now. I'm sure it's quite nice, just a little too congested for my taste.

HAZEL: My ex became a traveling nurse after we split. She ended up a comfortable number of states away, thankfully ;).

Me-They
December 03, 2007 - Msg 58623:
Hey Folks

Winter show-up here again yesterday and I haven't been able to stay tethered to the Internet long enough to post.

It is a snowing and a blowing here, 3 deaths locally because of the weather.

Asa-Congratulations! Hope ya check in and let us know how things are going.

I think I'm gonna lose the connection so I'll try and get back in a bit.

God Bless,
auh2o
December 03, 2007 - Msg 58624: Wow, be careful Auh2o.

Hope you feel better soon, HM. Be looking for an email from me. I have a question for ya...I might not actually get it sent until tomorrow, though. Have to get Erin ready for the parade.

Boo
December 03, 2007 - Msg 58625:
Tom- forgot to mention, nice poem, thanks.
The whole world needs to see that one!
MDC
December 03, 2007 - Msg 58626: Hi Folks. Hope everyone is staying warm.
Winter came today.
I post two poet and no one said i to me.

LOVE TOM

December 03, 2007 - Msg 58627:
TOM- did you see my message 58625 ?
I think we post at the same time.
MDC
December 03, 2007 - Msg 58628:
Hello porch family!

M-T...prayers for your grandfather and family.
Sure sounds like the visit with your friend was a blessing.

Tom...did you get any snow yet?

Boo...have fun at the parade tonight.

Ro...Hope you get your tree all fixed up.

Spot....what you think...another SEC national champion? Breakfast on me in the morning brother at Cracker Barrel.

All you folks on the north end of the porch be careful in all that snow.

Prayers for all the porch family. Remember that Jesus loves you.
-REV.
December 03, 2007 - Msg 58629: Hey Porch, been a long day.
Allow me to introduce Amy Eve Mcdonald to you.
She entered the world at 3:29 P.M. this afternoon weighing in at 6 lbs 13 oz and 19 inches long.
Mom, Daughter Daddy and Grandparents are all well happy and exhausted. Thanks for your prayers.

Asa
December 03, 2007 - Msg 58630:
Praise the Lord for little Amy! Happy Birthday!
-REV.
December 03, 2007 - Msg 58631: Brother Rev. I will hold the door for the ladys in the morning ..thanks for hosting..Asa wear shoes..Hazel NO you dont get to drive the last ride was a HOOT!..that sliding side ways was COOL..Hey TOM and MDC!auh20 will you park cars?..well late for me prayers to all I got to get up at 4 am..take Andy to the doc tomorrow afteroon to get his braces adjusted...see yall at breakfast...SPOT
December 03, 2007 - Msg 58632: HM hope ya get to feeling better...SPOT
December 03, 2007 - Msg 58633: Big Maudey we are VERY windy here too in ga..SPOT
December 03, 2007 - Msg 58634: Hi Rev- we git some snow but it was cold.

LOVE TOM

December 04, 2007 - Msg 58635: Lets Eat!...SPOT
December 04, 2007 - Msg 58636: Good Tuesday Morning porch folks, hope all is well this morning.

28 degrees this morning, not windy thought. The weather men are saying maybe some snow flurries or ice tonight and then maybe back up in the low 60's next week.

Thanks for breakfast this morning Rev.

Congrats to Asa's family.. what a wonderful Christmans Present.

good to see everyone today. Have a great day.
Prayers and blessings to all.

Big Maude
December 04, 2007 - Msg 58637: Well, Happy Birthday Amy! Big Maude is right; a nice Christmas present.

Glad your credit card fiasco was cleared up, Dr.P, and with no harm done. That happened to me as well, but the credit union caught it right away, as your CC must have. Glad they were on the ball.

Well folks, it looks like I may have a little problem with that "Golden Compass" movie after all. We saw a commercial for it, and Kai said she didn't want to see it. And I said good, because I didn't want her to see it anyway.
Then I made the mistake of telling her to not tell mommy I said that(because of my wife's inclination to want to do things I oppose even more - though I didn't tell Kai that part).
So what happens? After my wife got home and we were all watching tv, the commercial comes on again, and Kai turns to her mom and says, "Daddy says I can't see that movie." Oh boy.
So that starts an interrogation of why I told her that. She asks me what I "heard" about it.(see, we saw this head of the Catholic league talking about it on the news, so my wife thinks that, since I am Catholic, that I don't like it because it goes against Catholicism. I told her it's not only Catholicism, but Christians in general). I also said it wasn't a film for kids(which she herself had said when the previews first came out). But she said it was made for kids.
I told her I researched it on Scopes.com and the rumors were true about the author and that his objectives of writing those books were to "kill God in the minds of children".
She scoffed at that, saying that it is just like all the objections over Harry Potter(which she loves, bordering on obsesssion). I said it is different. This author is an atheist and those are his objectives in writing it.

Well, the argument ended soon after that, but I don't think anything was really resolved. I only hope she is not intending on taking Kai to it anyway, like on a Saturday that I work, just to spite me now, like she did with that other movie. Hopefully she will see the light, or at least research what I have said about it and find it is true. I would hope she could get over her political correctness, and her spiteness, enough to not put Kai's heart and mind in danger.

Supposed to have some more wintery weather up here today and tomorrow. Better break out the shovel again. Oh that's right, I haven't put it away from the last time.

-Sterling Holobyte



December 04, 2007 - Msg 58638: Congratulations, Granddad. We'll be needing a picture of little Amy as soon as you can manage it. If she's half as pretty as Marian, she'll be doing just fine.

Just got home from work, have to go back tonight, so am going to have a bite of breakfast, and off to bed. Blessings, all! --Romeena
December 04, 2007 - Msg 58639: Marian? Who's Marian? Good grief. I meant Mariah, of course. --Romeena
December 04, 2007 - Msg 58640: Me-They, it's a shame that your wife takes that contrary attitude. Raising kids is hard enough when parents are in accord, but when one is pulling in the opposite direction all the time, I'd think it would be well-nigh impossible. My husband and I had an iron-clad rule with our kids. Whichever parent you ask first, and get an answer, that's it. To go to the other parent and ask again, without telling them what the first parent had said, trying to get a different answer, was asking to have your head removed from your shoulders. Now, it was permissible to appeal to the other parent, in hopes of gaining an advocate, but that had better be as far as it went. The appealed-to parent might then ask the one who gave the first answer, get all the facts (which the kids usually didn't reveal during the appeal process) and would either concur, or perhaps do a little wheedling on the kid's behalf. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. I was more strict with our girls, my husband was more strict with the boys. Probably because we understood them better, and knew just what shenanigans they were up to. Ha!

Well, I'm off to bed for sure this time. --Romeena
December 04, 2007 - Msg 58641: Good morning everyone. Chilly and very windy here, but no snow so far.

ROMEENA: You must be tired; I think your comments were directed at STERLING's post. We use that same rule. If we disagree, we discuss it in private. If the person who made the original decision is persuaded to give in, that person lets the kid know. That way, it doesn't look like they were "overruled." But that first decision stands, with the other's stated support--agree or not--unless that first person changes their mind. It has worked well enough that the kids rarely even try stating their case to the other parent and just accept the answer (well, at least live with it!).

ASA: Congratulations, Grandpa! I'm glad all are doing well. It's a shame they didn't call her Andelina, though, or maybe Hogette.

STERLING: I don't care for that movie, either, for the same reasons. Prayers that it all gets worked out for you and your family. FYI, there's a new Veggie Tales movie coming out in January.

Well, back to work! Still haven't had a chance to read the archives from the weekend, so if I missed anything important, please let me know.

Me-They
December 04, 2007 - Msg 58642: Oh, Thanks for those great poems, TOM. You certainly class the place up!

Me-They
December 04, 2007 - Msg 58643: Me-They, we did have a little discussion on Sunday, I think, concerning missions that you might find interesting, if you get the chance.

Wow, Sterling, that's a tough situation. I am thinking about how tough things could be later on when Kai is older and the stakes get even higher. Prayers for you and your family, especially Kai's protection. I certainly think your wife need's some good counseling.

Possum, I am suffering with the 'ol sciatic pain today from being on my feet so much this week, and lifting boxes yesterday...(not to mention carrying around my 4 month old, fifteen lb neice during the parade last night). I was pretty darned uncomfortable at around 6am. Took 3 advil and lay on the heating pad for awhile. It seems better now but the day is young. I am behind in every possible way! I can't get down in my back now. One of my brothers from California is flying down on Thurday and I have to help get the folk's house cleaned up and take dad to the grocery store, too. Laundry is piling up...sorry Me-They, don't get in any accidents.

Boo
December 04, 2007 - Msg 58644:
Hey Folks

Asa-You proud Grandpa you! Blessings for the new little one. Oh, I'm in a good mood so blessings for everyone! Take care buddy.

Tom-You know how we care for you. Like M-T said, ya class the place up!

Sterling-Prayers for your family. I have to agree with Boo.

Spot-I'll park cars again if you can get some footwear on Asa.

auh2o
December 04, 2007 - Msg 58645: Well Sterling - I would not go against my husband's wishes for spite. My husband is a John Walton Christian - he believes and he is a good ol boy and that's good enough for him. But he is particular that his kids are raised with the right values (more than I can say about his sister's children but we won't go there!). He is the first to turn off a movie if there is anything questionable in it - my youngest remembers movie lines and television lines too well so we know things will be repeated. We have to watch all of the regular television viewing as well - Andy is still our choice, next to the Beav! I wish you well with Kai. The Golden Compass looks like it would be for mature children not 4-6 year olds. We aren't seeing it. Now - I do want to see the Chipmunk movie! THat is more my style!

Still fighting this head cold that I think has gone into a sinus infection. Yuck.

Got veggie soup on for supper and a possible snow delay for tomorrow! YeeHaw!

homemaker

And yes, Tom, you bring the class to this place!
December 04, 2007 - Msg 58646: The Chipmunk Movie!! Ugh, not without earrplugs and a sedative...

Boo
December 04, 2007 - Msg 58647: EaRRplugs...I am a proud graduate of the Texas school system! hehe

Boo
December 04, 2007 - Msg 58648: auh20 Asa had those cowboy boots on with his pants tucked in!...but at least those feets were covered!..thanks for parking cars..hey Big Maudey,Romeena dont work too hard..I get of at 2 today and off till sat morning at 6am..kids will be over for a few days...Rev since you got breakfast lets skip lunch and have a early supper..meat loaf and taters with gravy,baby lima beans,corn on the cob...will someone bring a few dozen gallons of tea?..Tom you help Big Maude with the gallons of slaw ok...Boo you just have fun and show up..prayers Sterling...and all in need...hey Dr p,NN,mdc,md,goober,gooberet,afd and all....will have supper ready at 7:00...homemaker you bring the soup for the starter ok?...SPOT