PIECES

Saturday, January 29, 2011

 

Just got word Tim and Kathy made it safely to Costa Rica.  How wonderful for them.

 

This is probably my last email for awhile.  Grandma is going on a retreat in Stow, Ohio.  The way I am packed I'm afraid the home owners might think I am moving in with them. 

 

Grandpa will be staying home and working on his puzzle.  He will have to find all the PIECES himself but from the looks of it he has a pretty good start on it already.  We do plan on having a date one morning this week if we don't get snowed in.

 

You probably need a break from my emails and blog entries but I will keep notes on the perils of "The Happy Grandma".

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

God will heal a broken heart, but first He must have all the pieces.

 

"He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.  He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them."

Psalm 147:3,4

 

Love, grandma

PEACE ON EARTH

Friday, January 28, 2010

 

Well, Grandpa finished the "Peace on Earth" puzzle today.  Except he left the last 2 pieces for me to put in.  You wouldn't believe but he already has the puppy dog puzzle out and is working on the border.  It's kind of funny because the puzzles are layered on top of each other on a foundation.  When my friend Fran came yesterday he showed her the wedding picture puzzle because it is still altogether.  We just don't have the heart to take them apart just yet.

 

Tim and Kathy are MINUTES away from taking off to Costa Rica.   Have fun my children!

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

We master our MINUTES, or become slaves to them; we use them, or they use us.

William A. Ward

 

"So be careful how you act; these are difficult days.  Don't be fools; be wise: make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good."

Ephesians 5:15,16 TLB

 

Love, grandma

TROUBLE

Thursday, January 27, 2011

 

If there is TROUBLE to be found I will find it.  I learned a good lesson today as I was getting the ingredients ready to make a cake.  Check list: Cake mix, 3 eggs, ½ cup butter, ¾ water.  What I learned was you cannot catch an egg with your knee.  As I was putting one egg in the mixer the second one decided to roll off the counter.  My reaction was to catch it with my knee.  It doesn't work.  The egg broke on my leg, splashed down the cupboard and landed on the floor in one gooey mess.  ï  Lesson learned: Do not get in the way of a fallen egg.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The TROUBLE with people who talk too fast is that they often say something they haven't thought of yet.

Celia Coggins

 

"He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from TROUBLES."

Proverbs 21:23 NASB

 

Love, grandma

 

ORGANIZATION

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

 

Do you like organization?  I do but it has it's disadvantages at times.  Like today when I went to the drugstore and was at the register looking for my wellness card and my credit card in my well organized purse.  There are front compartments, middle compartments, zipper compartments, pockets and snaps.  I fussed with it and finally retrieved my cards.  Mean while a line was forming behind me.  Now I have paid for my items and have to put my cards away in my well organized purse and fetch my keys while the young good looking gentleman was standing behind me smiling and saying "take your time".  I use to say the same thing to OLD people who were ahead of me in line. :(  I stepped aside and put my items away in my well organized purse.  I can REJOICE for the things I have.  

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

A wise man does not grieve for the things he has not, but REJOICES for the things which he has.

 

"REJOICE in the Lord always; again I will say, REJOICE!"

 

Love, grandma

BELIEVE

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

 

You all have a nice evening.  I BELIEVE I will read a little bit and get a good nights rest.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

What we BELIEVE about God is the most important thing about us.

A.W. Tozer

 

"She said to Him, 'Yes, Lord; I have BELIEVED that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.'"

John 11:27 NASB

 

Love, grandma

CONTINUALLY

Monday, January 24, 2010

 

Want you all to know Grandpa and I after 52 plus years of marriage still create sparks together.  Every evening Grandpa and I have our supper in the living room watching the evening news.  After we finish I get up and take out Grandpa's dishes.  Almost every night as I cross over the carpet to Grandpa's chair and get the dishes from him I most always get shocked.  Tonight when I reached for his dishes I got shocked and the dish, glass and spoon went flying onto Grandpa's lap.  I couldn't help but laugh and Grandpa said "I'm just glad the dishes were empty".  Even though I get shocked I will CONTINUALLY cross over the carpet and get Grandpa's dishes.  It's fun to watch Grandpa's expressions. :)

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Praise is the proper punctuation mark for an answered prayer.

 

"I will bless the Lord at all times;  His praise shall CONTINUALLY be in my mouth."

Psalm 34:1

 

Love, grandma

MEDICINE

Sunday, January 23, 2011

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you Kasey!!!!  Last night I woke up in the middle of the night hurting from being on the floor basting a quilt most of the day.  No MEDICINE seem to help.  I came out in the kitchen somewhere between night and morning and heated two of your wonderful microwave bags.  I went back to bed with one on my knee and the other I was laying on.  Today after church and dinner I was again on the floor trying to finish up the basting of the quilt.  That was another 5 hours so I'm sure tonight will be a 3 bagger.  I've come to the conclusion the older you get the more bags you need.  So again I say thank you Kasey!

 

(Kasey is our granddaughter who is now a junior at Bethel College.  She made these microwave bags during her high school years.)

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

A keen sense of humor helps us to overlook the unbecoming, understand the unconventional, tolerate the unpleasant, overcome the unexpected and outlast the unbearable.

 

"A joyful heart is good MEDICINE."

Proverbs 17:22 (a) NASB

 

Love, grandma

MOANS AND GROANS

Saturday, January 22, 2011

 

I just said to Grandpa "Isn't it fun getting old that we can listen to each others moans and groans"  Today I was on my hands and knees basting a quilt on the living room floor.  Ohhhhh! I just took two Tylenols and I'm one STEP from going to bed.  Grandpa helped me by moving all the furniture and rolling up the carpet before I even woke up this morning.  He then helped me tape down the backing of the quilt to the floor.  I went to lay the batting next and discovered it wasn't long enough so off to the quilt shop right here in our little town of Garrettsville to get the batting I needed.  I finally got everything layered and started basting all afternoon and evening.  I'm still not finished but that's a tomorrow afternoon job.  If anyone comes to visit tomorrow I have no clue where we will sit.  Grandpa has the dining room table filled with our most recent puzzle.  He has been so diligent on putting it together.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

To be in STEP with God demands sensitivity.

 

"But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised."

1 Corinthians 2:14

 

Love, grandma

COMPROMISED

Friday, January 21, 2011

 

Did you all see the big moon out there tonight?  It was magnificent!  I know it's cold but we are pretty comfortable with an oil furnace, two suntwin heaters and a pellet stove.  Oh yes, and when we go to bed I turn on the heated mattress pad on my side of the bed.  Grandpa and I COMPROMISED on having dual settings on the pad.   One of us is hot and the other cold and I'm not saying which is which. :)

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Integrity--when once COMPROMISED, is gone forever and is not replaceable.

 

"The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out."

Proverbs 10:9

 

Love, grandma

PROBLEMS

Thursday, January 20, 2011

 

Unbelievable day!  When you think you have PROBLEMS you ain't heard nothin yet.

 

Went to my old ladies bible study this morning with the intentions of celebrating 5 of our ladies birthdays by going out to lunch.  One of our ladies, who has an artificial leg, brought her husband along to join our festivities.  Part way through our study her husband lost consciousness, turned pale, started drooling and shaking.  I called 911 and the operator hooked me up with Windham ambulance.  Come to find out they were out of service and Garrettsville Community ambulance was unavailable so they notified Ravenna's Ambulance service.  The ambulance flew right by the church and had to turn around to come back.  Mean while the husband came too and did not want to go to the hospital.  He got quite angry.  They finally got him and his wife in the ambulance and headed off to the hospital.  I called their daughter and she told me her husband was sleeping and when he woke up she would come.  I'm not going to go on with this story but there is so much more.  The good news is the husband and wife are back home and the doctors could not find anything wrong with him.  The ladies prayed for him before the ambulance came so why should we be surprised when the doctors could not find anything wrong.  God had healed him!

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Let God's promises shine on your PROBLEMS.

 

"Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you."

1 Peter 5:7 TLB

 

Love, grandma

MY FRIEND ERIC

Wednesday, January 19, 2010

 

Grandpa and I had the privilege of SEEING my friend Eric wrestle in an 8th grade wrestling meet this evening.  If you remember last year when he wrestled in 7th grade he did pretty well but I want to say Kudos' to him because he is 3 and 1 this year and all 3 have been pins and you guessed it, it was with the cradle move.

You SEE Eric has a form of Autism called Asperser's Syndrome which is an impairment in social interactions with others.  It was as much fun for me to SEE Eric's father watch his son win and have the team congratulate him.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Sympathy SEES, and says "I'm sorry."  Compassion SEES, and says "I will help."

 

"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

Matthew 25:40 NIV

 

Love, grandma

RECIPE EXCHANGE

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

 

I received an email from Erica in regards to a recipe exchange.  I don't usually do these but I did want to show KINDNESS to Erica so she might get some good recipes.

Actually it's been kind of fun from the responses I've been getting back so I want to say Thank You to Erica for getting this started or I should say continuing on from whom ever sent it on to her.

 

This is the recipe I sent on to the person who was number one on my list.  It's so simple I'm embarrassed to even show you.

A very quick salad or dessert is any canned fruit well drained mixed with Cool Whip.  When in season I like to add fresh strawberries, bananas, blueberries etc.  It's one of my Grandpa's favorite snacks.

 

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

KINDNESS has converted more sinners than zeal, eloquence, or learning.

Frederick W. Faber

 

"And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.:

Ephesians 4:32  NASB

 

Love, grandma

CHRIST THE MESSIAH

Sunday, January 16, 2011

 

I saw CHRIST today through a little girl's eyes, through people who stood up and spoke how CHRIST blessed their lives. I heard CHRIST in the message spoken at our church service and I felt CHRIST in me today each time I saw, heard, touched, sang praises, prayed in the power of His blood through the Holy Spirit.  Yes, I felt JESUS' love for me today. CHRIST THE MESSIAH

 

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

A Christian is a mind through which CHRIST thinks, a heart through which CHRIST loves, a voice through which CHRIST speaks, a hand through which CHRIST helps.

 

"Your attitude should be the kind that was shown us by JESUS CHRIST."

Philippians 2:5

 

Love, grandma

TIME AND MONEY

Saturday, January 15, 2011

 

Well this morning Grandpa and I took off to shop in Warren.  We had the TIME and MONEY (gift cards) and our 30% off Kohl's discount.  Whew Whoo!  we had a ball.  We stopped at Home Depot, Kohl's, Joann Fabrics, Dicks and McDonalds.  It really was a fun morning and we both found things we were looking for to buy. 

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

If you want your children to turn out well, give them twice the TIME and half the MONEY.

 

"These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

Deuteronomy 6:6,7 NIV

 

Love, grandma

STRONG AND COURAGEOUS

Friday, January 14, 2010

 

Today I was suppose to work a funeral dinner at our church.  I was told there might not be to many people to help and could I be there early to help get things done.  I prayed this morning and asked God to send help so the dinner would be nice for the family.  I was nervous but God gave me peace.  I left this morning believing God would help me because I asked for His help.  I felt STRONG AND COURAGEOUS!  When I got to the church I met the lady who was in charge of the dinner.  I was so happy to see her.  Pretty soon a man and wife from our church came and asked if we needed help and then another lady who usually works had today off and came in to help.  God wants us to ask and not try to stumble our way on our own.  He is faithful.

 

COURAGE is fear that has said its prayers.

 

"Have I not commanded you?  Be STRONG AND COURAGEOUS!  Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9 NASB

 

Love, grandma

Thank you Jesus

KNOCK KNOCK

Thursday, January 13, 2010

 

Did you ever have a day when you have done dumb things?  We call that pulling a Pat.  This morning I was looking for my crock-pot to make pulled pork for the funeral dinner I need to work at tomorrow.  I was done looking in the bottom cabinet saying "I can't find my crock-pot" .  Grandpa just looked at me and said stand up it's right in front of your nose.  And it was literally in front of my nose.

I was leaving the house to get my hair done this morning and like I usually do, I take my purse and give Grandpa a kiss good bye.  Grandpa looked at me and said "it's cold outside are you going to put a coat on?"  I said "of course I just wanted to give you a kiss first".  :}

Grandpa started another puzzle and we have been working on it together.  Grandpa gets so excited when he finds a puzzle piece.  I love it!

 

KNOCK KNOCK, Who's there?  Pat!!!  Noooooooooo!

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The door to the human heart can only be opened from the inside.

 

"Behold, I stand at the door, and KNOCK; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."

Revelation 3:20 KJV

 

Love, grandma

 

BURDEN

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

 

I am a little frustrated right now because I have been trying to change my email address from verizon to frontier on some of the web sites that require a password.  It really hasn't been a BURDEN till frontier stopped recognizing verizon's email address.  I thought I had all of them changed but apparently I hadn't.  It's been so long since I set up my information to the web site that I forgot my password.  My BURDEN is they ask me to put my old email address and password ( which I don't remember) in and they will send me via email the change.  Frontier will not except Verizon so therefore I am left hanging out there.  I just tried setting up a new profile hoping that will work.  We shall see, we shall see.

 

I just received an email and I'm now in on the web site. Hurrah!!

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Everyone in the world has a BURDEN.  It's not the BURDEN that counts, but how you carry it.

 

"Cast your BURDEN upon the Lord, and He will sustain you."

Psalm 55:22 (a) NASB

 

Love, grandma

TIME

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

 

Busy day today but a good day.  Grandma's a little tired so it's TIME I go to bed. 

 

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

God has TIME to listen...if you have TIME to pray.

 

"Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you."

Jeremiah 29:12 NASB

 

Love, grandma

FEAR

Monday, January 10, 2011

 

This morning I went to the doctor's office for a blood pressure check.  I needed to get my prescription renewed for the medication I'm on for blood pressure.  The doctor came in the room and asked my permission if the intern who was shadowing him today could come in the room also.  I saw a little FEAR in the intern's eyes when the doctor asked him a couple of questions he didn't know the answer to.  The doctor shared some of the stories of when he was in med school.  I think he was trying to make the intern be a little at ease.  Of course I told them of my grandson who was in med school.  The doctor wanted to know if Kyle had a sense of humor that I could ask him the same question he just asked the intern.  Kyle, I know the answer but I couldn't ask the question because there were to many big words I didn't understand.  The answer was a swollen tongue.  Maybe you can figure out the question.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

God is not greater if you reverence Him, but you are greater if you serve Him.

Augustine

 

"FEAR the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth."

Joshua 24:14 (a) NASB

 

Love, grandma

TRUST ME

Sunday, January 9, 2011

 

When I went to church today and read the church bulletin there was an item in the schedule that said Mission Moment.  I thought "I wonder if that is something I'm suppose to do".  :{   I prayed about it and all that kept going through my MIND was "Trust Me". 

This is how it all came about.  There was a woman in our church that became ill with chest pains during the service.  An ambulance was called and our Pastor went out in the foyer where she was to have prayer with her.  Mean while our Worship team song leader lead us in song which we sang twice.  In the foyer the medics were working on the lady with the heart problem getting her ready for transport.  The song leader then asked if anyone was here to do a Mission Moment.  I raised my hand and was asked to come up front.  Oh Lord!!  The words kept going through my mind "Trust Me".  I went up front and they presented me with a microphone.  I not only wasn't sure what I was going to say but now I had to say it in a microphone.  The words came out fluently and I must have did ok because the timing was perfect.  Pastor came back in just as I finished.  I went back to my seat and a couple of people came to me asking to have a missionary to pray for.  When God says "Trust Me"  He means it.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Before you set your heart on something, look around you to see how happy people are who have it.

 

"Set your MIND on the things above, not on the things that are on earth."

Colossians 3:2 NASB

 

Love, grandma

PROOF

Saturday, January 8, 2011

 

I have PROOF Grandpa finished our wedding picture puzzle today.  Amazing he stuck to it so diligently because it was a hard puzzle to put together.  It was wonderful to see and hear his enthusiasm working the puzzle.  At one point I could hardly believe my ears when I came home Grandpa was working on the puzzle and said "How's my beautiful bride".  WOW! was I shocked and to think it just took a puzzle.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Faith is not belief without PROOF, but trust without reservations.

 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding."

Proverbs 3:5 NASB

 

Love, grandma

SLEEP

Friday, January 7, 2011

 

Grandpa and I ran some errands this morning, had our coffee breaks and Grandpa putting finishing touches on the puzzle and Grandma went swimming.  Grandpa had an Amish run this evening and Grandma is putting the finishing touches on the "Happy Birthday Jesus cake".  I just had to take it out of the freezer because every time I went to the freezer it seemed to say "eat me".  I did manage to SLEEP about 20 minutes this afternoon which was just enough to give me a boost till bedtime. Hmmmmm, I wonder what tomorrow will bring.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

When you can't SLEEP, don't count sheep; look to the Shepherd.

 

"Like a shepherd He will tend His flock."

Isaiah 40:11

 

Love, grandma

IMPORTANT

Thursday, January 6, 2011

I guess the most IMPORTANT thing that happened today was each and every person that I met has touched my life in a positive way. Focusing on their words, hugs and beliefs have lead me in a closer walk with God. 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

It's not IMPORTANT who you are but Whose you are!

"But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Joshua 24:15

Love, grandma

RECEIVED

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

 

This is a follow up on answered prayer.  For the last few days I've been contemplating how to revive the mission ministry at our church.  Let me share with you how I RECEIVED my answer.

 

Today when I went to the church for prayer and bible study I went into the office and our Pastor's wife showed me a map and asked if I could use it or post it on the bulletin board.  I looked at the map and it was of the Middle East.  All the countries that were in dark green are Restricted Nations and the ones in light green Hostile Areas.  When I read the description of Restricted Nations it was a real eye opener.  All I knew is I have to bring this information to people who pray for our missionaries.

 

I then went to the fellowship hall where the bible study takes place and a friend handed me a book that he thought I might like to read.  The title, "If you want to walk on water, You've got To Get Out Of The Boat" by John Ortberg.  I thought God is trying to tell me that I need to take action and have faith in Him. 

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The Son of God became a man, thus enabling men to become sons of God.

C.S. Lewis

 

"But as many as RECEIVED him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."

John 1:12 KJV

 

Love, grandma

 

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

 

Day 4 in the new year.  I've been praying about how to revive the mission ministry I'm involved in at our Church.  Sometimes it gets complacent when not brought to the forefront.  I speak for myself I've been lax on praying daily for my personal missionary.  God has given me SPECIAL ABILITIES to use but it's up to me to step up to the plate and use them.  I'm open for suggestions and encouragement.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Things are but poor substitutes for giving.  The only true gift is a portion of yourself.

 

"God has given each of you some SPECIAL ABILITIES; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God's many kinds of blessings."

1 Peter 4:10 TLB

 

Love, grandma

RESENT

Monday, January 3, 2011

 

Back to the pool today and saw some old friends.  I love the small town where you are bound to see someone you know if you are out and about.

I stopped in the drugstore per Grandpa's suggestion because they had 75% off all their Christmas items.  It was hard for me to get past the chocolate candy.  Ok, I didn't get past it but how can you turn down chocolate thin mints for 37cents a box and Truffles 1.49 a bag.  I don't think Grandpa had that in mind when he told me to stop in.  I don't RESENT it one bit and I justified it by the excellent sale.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

We all need a pat on the back sometimes; and occasionally some of us need a boot on the seat of our pants.

 

"Do not RESENT it when God chastens and corrects you, for his punishment is proof of his love."

Proverbs 3:11,12 TLB

 

Love, grandma

TENSION

Sunday, January 2, 2011

 

Grandpa and I really enjoy the puzzle boards.  It is so convenient to sort pieces.  Grandpa will take one of the smaller boards and his little pile and put sections together.  I on the other hand will seek and find a piece at a time which is fun for me.  I sort different then Grandpa.  I like to put all the same shapes and colors together.  So far we haven't had any TENSION between us. (That's a good thing)

Grandpa said tomorrow will be a regular day.  I asked what he had planned and he said "nothing".  Yep, it's a regular day. :))  We really never know till the phone rings and someone needs us.  I say that's a good day.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

To live for the approval of men is to live with TENSION and anxiety.

 

"We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts."

1 Thessalonians 2:4 (b) NIV

 

Love, grandma

DAY 1

Saturday, January 1, 2011

 

Today was a quiet DAY doing only the things we felt like doing.  We started our wedding picture puzzle and already we are stuck on the frame. Hmmmm????  I'm sure we will figure it out but till then it's seek and find.

We had sauerkraut, sausage, fried potatoes, cooked apples and ice cream.  For some reason sauerkraut is eaten on the first DAY of the year.  I guess it must be like turkey on Thanksgiving and Ham at Easter. 

It was nice to spend time in the sewing room today working on a quilt and listening to my radio station FM 103.3.  Very relaxing.

It was a cloudy DAY today with rain off and on and just a peeking out of sunshine at times.  All our snow is gone but I'm sure that won't last long.

We enjoyed talking to our children by phone and wishing them a Happy New Year.  E-mail's are nice, Texting is nice, but it doesn't take the place of hearing your loved ones voices.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Leave the past to the mercy of God, the present to the love of God, the future to the providence of God.

 

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the DAYS of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

Psalm 23:6 KJV

 

Love, grandma