Praise Report

To start a new tradition! Katy's post in Today's thread made me think of it!

It has been a week since my grandma moved in and aside from a couple little logistical issues, everything has been going great. I actually think her mood has been positively affected by the change in location. So far so good! Thank God!

good stuff! I also have much to be thankful for, and I will expound upon it when I get home from shopping.

While much of what I have to be thankful for seems materialistic at the moment I'm willing to risk it.

In the last month I've been able to purchase a very reliable car, something I haven't had in about 2 years and it has put my mind at ease about being able to get around over the next few years safely.

Monday I'll be receiving a new bed to replace the very old and uncomfortable one I currently have. My parents are getting a new bed and the practically brand new set in their guest room will be relocated to my bedroom here allowing me to finally get restful sleep.

On a less materialistic note I have been able to spend some real quality time with my family this month for different activities and it's been feeling real good to reconnect with them.

Pete, I honestly don't think you sound materialistic. God put us in a material world, He knows that we need those things, and I think He is happy that we are grateful for them. I think it becomes a problem when we forget God!

One thing I am really thankful for, is that this is one of the first Decembers that I can recall, where all of our bills got paid AND there are Christmas gifts! That is great that we won't be coming out of the month with double bills due, and we didn't use credit cards at all!!!

I am also thankful that I am finding some peace, and of course it depends on the day...but some of that is hormonal....anyway, I just feel like I am learning that even if things aren't so great, that I can take it in stride, because it all works out in the end.

Both are AMAZING praise reports, Pete and Angie!!!

Angie, a while ago on FB, you posted about an unsigned Christmas card. What was in it??

meether369 wrote:Both are AMAZING praise reports, Pete and Angie!!!

Angie, a while ago on FB, you posted about an unsigned Christmas card. What was in it??

$60..... it was so very nice, and then Friday someone at work threw a $25 wal mart card into my box, but had only put my name on it, they didn't sign it.

I have so many lovely people in my life.

One of the teachers was listening to this really beautiful Celtic Christmas CD at school one day and I asked her about it, and the next day she gave me the boxed set of music.

It is so sad that we hear so many bad things in the media, when there are so many wonderful people in the world. I don't know if you guys saw Extreme Home Makeover last week, but it was in Erie, and I was so proud, I just thought, this is my town, this family is right here and they are amazing.

That's really cool, Angie.

While here, we only get glimpses of heaven, and I think that is what that kind of realization is. And it seems to only come occassionally, so enjoy it!!

meether369 wrote:That's really cool, Angie.

While here, we only get glimpses of heaven, and I think that is what that kind of realization is. And it seems to only come occassionally, so enjoy it!!

you are right, and we need to remember these times when we aren't so fortunate.

Because that is my problem, I tend to forget and get discouraged.

Well, I think the discouragement is part of it too. Like, we know deep inside things should be better. I mean, sometimes the discouragement is selfish like, "man, I am not getting what I want!" But, sometimes it is because this world isn't fair and there is something inside that longs for the day when it is.

Which makes me wonder...will things be "fair" in heaven? Hmmm...

So, at church, they sang this song and I felt it really fit. If you get a chance, look it up and listen to it too. It's a fun song.

I love the line about mowing the grass! :)

Better Than by John Butler Trio:
All you want is
What you can’t have
And if you just look around man
You see you got magic
So just sit back relax
Enjoy it while you still have it
Don’t look back on life man and only see tragic

Because you could be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life’s not about what’s better than
You can be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life’s not about what’s better

All the time while you’re looking away
There are things you can do man
There’s things you can say
To the the ones you’re with
With whom you’re spending your day
Get your gaze off tomorrow
And let come what may

Because you could be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life’s not about what’s better than
You can be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life’s not about what’s better

All I know is sometimes things can be hard
But you should know by now
They come and they go
So why, oh why
Do I look to the other side
'Cos I know the grass is greener but
Just as hard to mow

Life’s not about what’s better than.

All you want is
What you can’t have
And if you just look around man
You see you got magic
So just sit back relax
Enjoy it while you still have it
Don’t look back on life man and only see tragic

Because you could be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life’s not about what’s better than
You can be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life’s not about what’s better

And then, of all places, I am watching Comedian by Jerry Seinfeld and at one point he is talking to a young comedian who is trying to breakthrough. The guy is like manically 'chasing the dream' and he is complaining about how time is ticking and he isn't where he should be. And Seinfeld says to him, "Where do you think you should have been all this time? Would you really rather be doing something else this whole time?"

It's probably easy for him to say that, after becoming one of the best known comics ever, but still, I thought, "What a great perspective to have on life."

Here's the video for that song. I am really liking it's upbeatness. (Wow, not-a-word, how are ya?!)

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

That is a really great song Mel!

Just getting back from my church's Christmas service where I took my mom, grandma, and stepdad. I was really hesitant about taking them because my family tends to be really opinionated about things, and my mom has really criticized my church in the past--they used to go there too.

But, walking out, my mom was really excited and touched by the experience and my grandma really liked the pastor and was so amazed that he shared parts of his life with all those people. It was a very good experience. It was hard for me to really focus on the message and get anything from it because I was anxious about my mom and what she would end up criticizing, but in thinking back on it, it was a really good message...

We all have a choice when presented with 'the greatest story ever told.' Like Herod, we can reject Jesus. Like the Religious Leaders Herod consulted, we can be so focused on the story that we can actually miss Jesus. Or, like the Magi, we can bow down before him, overjoyed at the gift He is to the world.

I have made the different choices at varying stages of my life, but in this Christmas season, I am praying that I can be better about bowing down before The Joy of the World.

I just returned from our candlelight Christmas eve service and feel so rejuvinated!! I haven't been to church in quite some time due to some personal issues I've been resolving and thanks to the things I've come to realize over the last month tonight was that much more magical.

I feel like a new man tonight. Christmas service tomorrow at 10am!!!

I posted this here because I'm so thankful for my church and my friends that helped me to realize the only thing standing between me and enjoying my church, were walls I built in my head. They have been destroyed and I'm so much better on the other side.

How wonderful, Pete! What a Christmas present!

Pete wrote:I just returned from our candlelight Christmas eve service and feel so rejuvinated!! I haven't been to church in quite some time due to some personal issues I've been resolving and thanks to the things I've come to realize over the last month tonight was that much more magical.

I feel like a new man tonight. Christmas service tomorrow at 10am!!!

I posted this here because I'm so thankful for my church and my friends that helped me to realize the only thing standing between me and enjoying my church, were walls I built in my head. They have been destroyed and I'm so much better on the other side.

This stupid thread never showed as a new post in it until today. WTF forum? WTF!?

Pete, I'm glad you're on the other side. It sucks getting through the walls and you end up feeling pretty bruised and battered along the way but it's totally worth it.
(Of course, I will now go back to pretending I don't know that while I hide on the wrong side of my own walls )

My brother and the girls had a trial sleep over on sunday (cause their mom wanted to go to a movie with friends) and it went amazingly well. It just goes to show how much Jen and her parents underestimated Pammeigh and her relationship with my brother (her dad for goodness sake). Anyway, it's a long road ahead, but the good night seemed to give hope to my brother which he didn't have much of before.

That's awesome, katy!

Katykc wrote:My brother and the girls had a trial sleep over on sunday (cause their mom wanted to go to a movie with friends) and it went amazingly well. It just goes to show how much Jen and her parents underestimated Pammeigh and her relationship with my brother (her dad for goodness sake). Anyway, it's a long road ahead, but the good night seemed to give hope to my brother which he didn't have much of before.

That is great, Katy. There is nobody hurt more than kids when a couple splits up. If the kids can maintain a solid relationship with their dad --not just be aware that he loves them, but actually be in relationship with him--then that gives the enemy much less room to try to do damage. This is a very nice praise report.

So, my dad had a consulatation with a specialist last night and he said he is almost 100% sure it's not cancer. My dad has gained back almost all the weight he lost and the doctor said that even though my dad didn't want to gain it back, it really is a great thing because if it was cancer, it would just keep dropping. So, he looked at the timeline starting with when he went into the hospital and now and the dr said that usually he is pulling his hair out cause he is never certain... but with dad's case he isn't doing that. They scheduled another endoscopic sonogram in 6 weeks, but if dad keeps getting better, he can cancel it and they will do a full body catscan in a couple of months. So, as of right now, we are almost certain that all of the problems are just from the pancreatitus and not from cancer.

Excellent, Katy! I'm not only happy for you, but for me. With the number of people I know who are dealing with cancer right now, I need to hear stories like this.

JamesWilliams wrote:Excellent, Katy! I'm not only happy for you, but for me. With the number of people I know who are dealing with cancer right now, I need to hear stories like this.

Well, here is more good news then too.. my sister in law Kelli has a good friend going through breast cancer and they got amazing news yesterday too... I don't know what it was... but it was worthy of a celebration. So, hope in the midst of darkness is all around you.

That's cool, katy. And I apologize, I didn't realize stuff with your dad was still up in the air.

meether369 wrote:That's cool, katy. And I apologize, I didn't realize stuff with your dad was still up in the air.

No worries... it was a wait for this test and wait for that test kind of thing. There are still a couple more tests, but mostly likely everything is fine.