So Long, PNN--Visit Us At Blogspot

After a year of trying to keep up four blogs, I have decided to let this one go.  There is a lot of good stuff in the archives so I'm not deleting the whole thing, but would love for you to follow our other blogs instead as I will no longer be posting over here for the following reasongs:

(1)  I can't schedule posts ahead here.

(2)  Sometimes I can't get in to even create or edit a post.

(3)  It doesn't seem like I get much traffic here.

(4)  I like the voting thing but do not like the comment set up.

Here are my other blogs;

Right Where We Belong:  We write about our pets, our life, our experiences and our faith.

Grab A Book From Our Stack:  Our book reviews.

My Funny Dad, Harry:  Things about my dad and memories to promote my book which is now available on Kindle for just $1.50.

Sure hope you will visit us!

Managing God's Resources

I am enjoying our Pastor's sermon series on Financial Fitness.  The Bible has more to say about money and money principles than it does about heavn and hell.  Tht surprised me when I first heard it.  As Christians (Christ followers who have trusted Jesus as their personal Savior), we must realize the God owns everything we have.  He owns us and all we have is from Him, even our ability to work and earn money.

Once we realize this, then it makes sense to act as God's resource manager or a good steward who uses what God has given us for His purposes.  (This is prinicpal is illustrated by the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30.)  The question we should ask ourselves then is How can I manage God's resources in a biblical manner so that I may be found faithful?

Here are 3 steps to follow:

1.  Earn diligently.  The diligent worker is hard working, purposeful and grateful.  (Col. 3:23; Deuteronomy 8:18)

2.  Save wisely.  Don't spend what you don't have.  I liked that our Pastor pointed out the difference between saving and hoarding.  Saving is putting money aside for appropriate goals which is Biblical.  (Proverbs 21:20; Proverbs 6:6-8)  On the other hand, it is sinful to hoard as illustrated in the story Jesus told in Luke 12:16-21.  Hoarding is continuing to put money aside AFTER our goals are reached.

3.  Diversify your holdings.  We hear this all the time about investing.  Set up a budget based on your net income and then stick to it.   (Ecclesiastes 11:2)

As we spend, we need to consider if God would want us using His money in that way.  At least 1/10th of our income should to our church (the storehouse) which is called tithing.  Remember though, God owns it all and we are his stewards so we should save wisely to meet our future needs and the needs of others.  Certainly we need to take care of our family.

When it comes to what charities to support, we try to give to those that are doing God's work and/or furthering His kingdom.  Just ask God what He wants you to give to and see how He leads and what passion he places in your heart. 

Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21, Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth . . . But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  (NIV)

You can actually to to our church's website to hear the whole sermon for yourself at phbaptist.org.

God's Power

I found this little gem in my dad's things.  It's by Rev. William Whiteman, my dad's Pastor way back in 1949:

GOD'S POWER

Longfellow could take a worthless piece of paper, write a poem on it and make it worth $6,000--that is GENIUS.

Rockefeller could sign his name to a piece of paper and make it worth $1,000,000--that is CAPITAL.

Uncle Sam can take silver, stamp an imprint on it, and make it worth $1--that is MONEY.

An artist can take a fifty-cent piece of canvas, paint a picture on it, and make it worth $1,000--that is ART.

God can take a worthless, sinful life, cleanse it, put His Spirit io it, and make it a blessing to humanity--that is SALVATION.

Praise God He is still actively transforming lives today! 

Romans 12:1-2:

I Beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mrecies of god, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God, which is your resonable service.  And be not conformed to this world:  but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

II Corinthians 5:17:

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:  old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

God With Us

In Sunday’s sermon about “God With Us,” our Pastor pointed out that Christians (Christ Followers) are in dwelt by the Holy Spirit so we have God with us.  The fruit of the spirit listed in Galatians 5:23 is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Now, who wouldn’t like someone with those qualities?  What’s not to like?  Yet, so many times Christians do not display these qualities that should be the norm.  Why not?  The answer is that sin (disobedience) in our life impedes the work of the Holy Spirit. 

The illustration used by Pastor Dan was that an ink cartridge in a printer may have ink, but it can’t come out onto the paper until that plastic strip is removed.  I thought that was a good way of looking at it.  We need to come before God and surrender to Him each and every day, asking for forgiveness and repenting of the sin that He shows us. 

He challenged us to give Jesus away this season by letting the world see God through us and gave us three things we could do: 

     (1) forgive someone who has hurt you because God is forgiving;

     (2) show compassion to someone in need because God is compassionate and

     (3) give an extravagant gift to someone you love because that is exactly what God has done.  He gave His only son, Jesus, to be our Savior so we can be reconciled to God.  Wow! 

Time to Reflect on How I'm Doing:

     (1)  I don't have any bad feelings toward anyone.

     (2)  I held the door open for a co-worker yesterday, hold the elevator for people and ive generously to many charities regularly so I got this one.

     (3)  Here is where I fall short.  I got my husband lots of pratical gifts--things he really needs but nothing extravagent yet.  Guess I better look for one more item for him .  He does way better at this one than I do.  He's always buying me nice things tha I don't think I really need.

Merry Christmas to all as we celebrate Jesus birth!  Show Jesus to your world!

Source:  Sermon notes from Pastor Dan on December 11 at Parma Heights Baptist Church.

The Big Surprise Was A Success

This is a follow-up to my previous post, "Is This Too Much To Ask."  I decided to see if I could get the 8:15 service people to all sit in the center section today to surprise our Pastor. 

I wrote up a little note and handed to the people as they arrived.  Here is what it said: 

LET' SURPRISE PASTOR DAN TODAY

Several months ago he asked us to sit in the center section at the 8:15 service so let's all do it today.  He'd be shocked and encouraged, don't you think?  It'll be fun o see his reaction and would be a cool surprise that doesn't cost us anything! --Karen Zemek

8:15 service on Dec. 11, 2011

I was thrilled to see the people agreed with me and cooperated.  The Pastor was surprised and kind of shocked.  Unfortunately, one guy showed him the note, duh, it is a "surprise."  He wasn't supposed to know what was going on and who was the instigator.  Oh well, I could tell when the choir came in at the end, they were surprised too!

It was actually nice sitting in a closer group.  The singing sounded much better and people were in a good mood and friendly.  It was just a very cool and fun simple thing to do.  Now, of course the next question is will people continue to sit in the center or go back to their old patterns.  I hope at least some will return next week.  It's not a hardship, just a matter of making a little adjustment.  

Is This Too Much to Ask?

Sometimes people can be very stubborn.  A few months ago, our Pastor nicely asked the people who attend our 8:15 a.m. service to sit in the middle section because we are so spread out.  We have a fairly large sanctuary and only about 50 people in the early service who sit all over.  My husband and I used to sit on the right side near the doors, but moved to the center the week after he asked and have sat there since. 

I don't understand why people refuse to move.  This seems like such a little request to me and yet, very few have cooperated.  I would think this would make him feel so discouraged and unappreciated.  Isn't it sad how people get so set in their ways that they refuse to budge?  I feel like standing by the door and reminding people that the Pastor would like for us to sit in the center and so I think it would be a nice surprise for him if we all did it today.  Do you think they would?

I also find it very odd how church goers like their own row.  See how some rows have only one or two people in them?  This seems like such a strange thing.  Even people who know each other still don't sit together.  I find this very odd.  Guess we are just a bunch of lone wolves.

Is your church this way too?  Why do you think our people refuse to sit in the center?

I Quit Teaching Sunday School

This is not the first time I took a break from teaching Sunday School and most likely, won't be the las.  I've enjoyed teaching the fifth grade boys class at Parma Heights Baptist Church for the last five or six years.  It was the highlight of my week and I looked forward to it.  We usually had a good time and the boys seemed to like coming.

However, this past year I did not have that same joy and don't really know why.  Usually, the boys get me pumped up and I look forward to teaching them but this year was different.  The attendance was more sporatic and it just seemed like more of a chore than a joy.  We had good classes and the boys were cooperative with only a couple getting on my nerves a bit now and then. 

I was disappointed though when I tried planning a class party and only one or two were going to come.  Perhaps this was when I began losing some of my excitement.  Anyhow, I believe that if we are in the center of God's will, doing what He wants, we will have joy in our service.  That's why I think it is time for me to resign for a bit and see if God has something else for me instead. 

I've received lots of positive feedback from parents and our children's minister about being a good teacher and connecting well with the boys. After making this decision though, I felt a sense of relief and am comfortable with this decision so believe I am doing the right thing. I certainly hope so. 

Another confirmation for me was knowing that it only took two weeks to find a replacement for me.  I believe that God does guide us and directs our path when we acknowledge Him and ask for his direction. 

One of my favorite verses is I Cor. 15:57-58 which says:

Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord forasmuch as ye know your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Our Pastor just had a series on having faith that goes the distance.  There are many ways to serve my Lord (which is a privilege by the way) and teaching is just one of my spiritual gifts.  I am open to God's leading and wonder what has next for me.

It seems odd only taking my Bible to church this morning.  I'm used to bringing two tote bags every week and a purse with a camera and white board markers.  It was nice though not thinking about how to teach my class all week.  I used to start looking at the next lesson on Monday so I could think about it all week long and try to come up with ways to keep their attention.

What Translation Do You Use?

I was brought up using the King James Version of the Bible and so memorized my scripture from that.  I was always hesitant to read other versions but over time, I have come to accept the New International Version (NIV).  I just think part of the charm and uniqueness of the Bible is the old English.  It reminds me how old the scriptures really are and how God has protected his word throughout time.

However, here is an example of how some verses can really be more powerful when put into plain English.

Here are three examples of Proverbs 18:15:

KJV: 

He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.

NIV: 

Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent--the LORD detests them both.

International Children's Bible: 

The Lord hates both these things:  letting guilty people go free and punishing those who are not guilty.

For my personal devotions, I have been using the International Children's Bible.  It is especially helpful when reading through the Old Testment law and history books.  This particular verse really jumped out at me and then I looked it up in my KJV Bible to see if I had it marked.  I did, but oh, how much plainer is the last one. 

If you have children, The International Children's Bible may be worth looking into!

It's nice to know God hates injustice as much or even more than we do.  I am glad He is the final judge in the end. 

Related post you might like:  Wouldn't It Be Nice

Lending to the Poor and Feeling Good!

He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD, and that which he hath given will he pay him again.—Proverbs 19:17

Mountain Woman, one of my blogging buddies, gave me a $25 gift card for being her most frequent commenter in June to a really cool site called Kiva.  It’s a place where people from all over the world who need a loan are listed.  You can loan as little as $25 to help people in a wide range of categories.  These are people who banks consider high risk although Mountain Woman says, “I've been with Kiva for years and I've really enjoyed the experience.”

There are so many needy people; I felt overwhelmed trying to pick just one to help.  Since the gift came from Mountain Woman, a farmer in Vermont, I decided to pick someone in agriculture.  That narrowed it down some.  I just said a little prayer, “Lord, who should I pick?” and chose Jose Ever, a farmer in El Salvador, a home owner and father of three, who needed $500 to buy agricultural supplies to help his crops grow better. 

Many people chip in to reach the total of the loan requested.  Then, if/when you get paid back, you can use that same amount to help someone else or not, it is up to you.  It also tells you how close to reaching their total loan amount that they are.  When I donated the $25 gift certificate the farmer was at 80% and the next day, I got an email saying the total amount of the loan had been reached!  It was just a good feeling to know I helped a poor farmer. 

And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? For sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.  But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great and ye shall be the children of the Highest:  for he is kind untothe unthankful and the evil.  –Luke 6:34-35

If I get paid back, great!  I’ll re-loan it to help someone else.

Take a look and see if there’s someone you would like to help:  http:/

/kiva.org/invitedby/karen7242

I entered this post in Saturday Samplings.

Go and enter your best post of the week and read other tops posts of the week!

7 Ways To Respect Your Husband

Last week our Pastor spoke to the wives saying more than anything else, a husband needs respect from his wife.  Here are my sermon notes which list seven ways to show respect to your husband.  I think I’m doing pretty well on these.

1.  Pray for him daily.  Be his champion prayer warrior and thank God for him.

2.  Remember that God has put your husband in a position of leadership.  Don’t be controlling—let him fail sometimes so he will grow. 

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church.—Ephesians 5:22, 23

3.  Make a list of his qualities that you appreciate and respect.  Include character qualities, things he does well and areas in which he treats you well. 

4.  Tell him what you respect about him.  I came across a blog that had a nice gift idea (Sorry, can't remember where it was or I would link to it):   Put all the things you can think of on separate pieces of paper and place them in a jar so he can pick one out every day. 

Encourage one another and build each other up.  I Thessalonians 5:11

5.  Resist the temptation to criticize, nag or belittle.  Compliment his work! 

6.  Respond to his loving advances with enthusiasm.

7.  Focus your attention on his respectable qualities. 

Love is the thing wives most want from their husbands and respect is what husbands most need from their wives.  I guessed right when my husband asked me what I thought the Pastor would tell the wives!  Here's the link to the post to Husband Advice:  What Women Want.

Recommended reading on this topic:

The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace

Marriage On The Rock:  God's Design For Your Dream Marriage by Jimmy Evans

How To Respect Your Husband (Even If You Think He Doesn’t Deserve It) by Cyndie Hanley

(The last two were sources that our Pastor used for his sermons in this series.)

Advice For Husbands: What Woman Want

Where’s The Easter Music?

Christians celebrate Christmas to remember and honor the birth of Jesus Christ and Easter to celebrate His death and resurrection from the dead.  Both are important and certainly His death for us and His resurrection is what gives believers victory over the grave and eternal life!  To me that is worth celebrating big time! 

Yet, do we hear any Easter hymns played in the weeks preceding Easter?  No.  Not like we hear Christmas carols being played in stores and restaurants as well as churches around the world for weeks before Christmas.  I love singing the Easter hymns and think we should sing those in our churches year round.  After all, supposedly the reason most Christians worship on Sunday is because Jesus rose from the dead on a Sunday and so the early church made that their Sabbath. 

So, to satisfy my desire I went on YouTube to find videos of people singing my favorite Easter hymns and will post one each day at “Right Where We Belong” at http://www.zemeks.blogspot.com  the week prior to Easter and even some days after Easter! 

What is your favorite Easter hymn?  My favorites are  “At Calvary, ”He Lives,” “Christ Arose” and “And Can It Be.”     

Cancer Journey Update--All Is Well!

I am now having radiation treatments which really are nothing.  I am in and out under 15 minutes and it's only a ten-minute drive from my home which I am very thankful for.  All I do is lay on a narrow table very still while a big round thing first aims from one side and then the other.  I hear a buzzing noise for 30 seconds on the one side and then 15 seconds on the other and I'm done.  The only slightly uncomfortable thing is that I have to raise my right arm above my head and grab on to something but it's only a short time and I'm out of there.

I have started back to work part-time.  I just go in the mornings, leave at 12:30, have a bite to eat for lunch and go for my treatment.  Then I come back home while it's still light and have three hours to enjoy my pets and go on the computer.  Some days I'll run an errand.

I feel good so far and have 18 treatments to go yet.  I haven't really experienced any side effects from the radiation but have been using the special cream I was given to help prevent redness and burning. 

I give praise and thanks to God and to those who prayed for me and are continuing to pray for my full recovery because I truly believe that is why things are going along so smoothly.

No Chemo--Thank God!

For about two weeks I've been waiting for the results of the Oncotype DX test which gives a cancer recurrence score that determines if one needs Chemo or not.  With some, Chemo helps lower the risk of recurrence but not with all.  If the score is low, Chemo is not recommended because it's been proven not to make any difference in that situation; however, if the score is high, then Chemo is recommended because it has been proven to help lower the risk of the Cancer returning. 

My medical oncologist went ahead and made arrangements with the radiation oncologist on the assumption that I would not need Chemo.  So, when I got a call from her office that she wanted me to come in to discuss my treatment plan, I was pretty sure it would be bad news.  I was very relieved when I found out that I don't need Chemo after all.  Even though my score wasn't in the lowest range, it missed by only a little bit which put me into the intermediate range where it really hasn't been proven if chemo helps or not in that range.  My recurrence was 12% but with radiation and the 5-year follow-up pill, that cuts it in half.  The doctor told me that MAYBE with Chemo, it could lower the risk by an addition 3-4%.  She let the decision up to me.

Of course, I chose not to have the Chemo.  A possible 3-4% benefit didn't sound like it was worth it to me so on to my radiation treatments!  Why did she scare me like that?

Got My Wish!

With work so slow I was often wishing I could be at home because there's so much I would like to be doing instead of just trying to look busy.  Well, now I got my wish!  Because there was some Cancer found in my right breast, I had to have a lumpectomy done and now I am off work for at least 6 weeks to recover from the surgery. 

I am fortunate that I have medical insurance and that my company is very nice about me taking whatever time off I need to recover and heal.  After trying to go back to work and becoming completely exhausted, I have decided to follow the doctor's recommendation and take the time off to heal.  I am enjoying this time off very much.  I love being with my cats through the day and walking my dog now and then, and being able to lay down whenver I feel tired.

I really thought I'd get more blogging in but haven't felt up to it too much.  I've cut way down on the number of blogs I read but am commenting on a higher percentage since I'm reading less.  I am hoping to blog more often as I regain more strength. 

The Lord has given me enough strength to be able to return to teaching my 5th grade boys Sunday School class which I absolutely love doing.  It gets me pumped up and is usually fun to do.  The last two weeks I also had the 6th grade boys while they tried to find another teacher.  Although it made for a bigger class, the boys were well behaved so it was a joy teaching!  Starting this Sunday, the class will be split because one of the boy's dads volunteered to teach the 6th graders. 

I'll be going to see the medial and radiation oncocolgists this week to find out what further treatment will be needed.  I'm praying I won't need chemo.

Surgery Success!

After church on Sunday, I had the deacons of our church pray for my healing and anoint me with oil as instructed in James 5.  I believe God is the great physician who does the healing.  The doctors are tools he sometimes uses.  God gave me peace going into surgery and continue to trust him throughout my treatments, whatever comes.  The really nice thing is having paid time off from work to take it easy and recover completely.  I am thankful I have a job at such a great place of employment and that I have medical insurance at this time.

After spending the whole day at the hospital on Tuesday, I finally had a lumpectomy done and was told they were able to get all the Cancer out and did not have to remove all the lymph nodes.  The surgeon only removed the first two to test to see if the Cancer spread and they didn't find any in them.  I was glad to wake up and get to come home the same day!

However, they have to examine the lymph nodes they removed more closely as well as two other tests that will determine if I'll need Chemo or not.  I will find out the final results next Wednesday but am very hopeful.  I thank everyone who is praying for my complete healing and quick recovery. 

I did not experience any pain during surgery or afterward.  So far I have not had any swelling or redness either which I praise the Lord for.  I feel good and have gone to the zoo, walked with my husband on the dog walks and today went to the park with our dog.  I am resting on and off through the day and went back to bed this morning after being on the computer from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m.  

I thank all who are praying for me and ask that you continue to remember me in your prayers.  God is good and I want to give Him the glory.  

Mammograms are a nuisance, but they certainly are useful in catching Cancer early while it can be treated fairly easily.  I would have had no clue at all that I had Cancer in my breast had it not shown something "suspicious" on the mammogram.  

For a detailed account from my husband's viewpoint of my surgery day, check out my other blog post:  I'm Alive and Well--Praise The Lord!

I Just Found Out I Have Cancer

How One Phone Call Ruined My Day

While on vacation the day after I had my ultrasound done I was enjoying my day with the pets and blogging when I got a call from my doctor’s office right before I’m ready to eat lunch. I’m thinking this cannot be good—they NEVER call me.  The receptionist told me my doctor needs to see me right away.  I get there in 20 minutes and am referred to a surgeon because the ultrasound place recommended a biopsy be done on “something suspicious” that showed up. I’m thinking, okay, I’m not going to worry that it’s cancer until I hear it is.  I went right away to find the surgeon’s office and make an appointment to see him.

When Gerard got home I went with him when he walked Abby to tell him about my strange afternoon.  We both tried to stay positive and hope it was nothing.

Well, It Was Something

Gerard and I were both off work for our annual doctor appointment so he came with me to 

my follow-up appointment with the surgeon to get my biopsy results.  My doctor hadn’t received the results yet!  I called the hospital and asked them to fax them over.  Why don’t doctors communicate with each other?  I feel like I’m a “doctor coordinator” here.  They came through and I could tell they weren’t good.  If they were, he would have told me.  Is it any wonder my blood pressure was up?

When I got to the surgeon, I had to wait an hour before I got to see him.   Finally, he told me I had some cancer in my right breast which by this time I already figured out.  Still, it wasn’t the results I was hoping for and I kind of went into shock as he quickly explained my alternatives and the risks.  The next day, I made an appointment for a lumpectomy on September 1. 

I am so appreciative of all the prayer support I’ve received from my blogger friends!  I just let a few know through personal emails the day after I found out and Mountain Woman at Red Pine Mountain  have both posted about my need for prayers (with permission).  I know I’m in good hands and God will see me through this.  Many people have had this experience so now I figure it’s my turn.  I am looking at this as just another life experience and know that God knows all about me and my body and I’m His child. 

The blogging community has really been wonderful to me!  Thanks so much for your prayers and well wishes!  I can’t thank you enough!

Disappointment Turned To Joy: How We Got Our Dog

We met this sweet 10 yr. old Beagle-Basset Hound mix dog, Pearl, at the "Meet Your Best Friend Day' at the zoo and couldn't get her out of our minds and couldn't really enjoy the rest of the zoo.  She was the sweetest dog I ever met.  We went back to ask some questions, cost was $125.  This is the picture we took right before we left, feeling bad that we couldn't bring her home because we were going to wait for retirement before getting a dog. 

Then after we thought it over, we decided to go for it and if she was still available even though she was a bit smaller dog than what we had in mind. The next day we called the rescue group that she was associated with and filled out the online adoption application and anxiously waited for a call from them.  Unfortunately, Pearl has an incontinence problem so that just wouldn't work out for us since Gerard and I both work.  The woman told us to try looking on Pet Finder because there are many dogs available and she knew the perfect dog for us is out there, we just need to find it.  We were disappointed.  

The next morning when we prayed together, I told God how disappointing it was and asked that if we were meant to have a dog at this time, that we would find the right one that would be perfect for us.  Thanks to Pearl, I decided to actually look and see if we could find the perfect dog for us.  I went on Pet Finder and found two I thought may be possibilities and showed Gerard.  He said he'd like the one named Gabby so I emailed Barb, the contact person.

As it turned out, we could have her on a trial period for a week to see if we thought it would work.  She said she'd bring it over to our house Saturday morning and Gerard and I were so excited to meet her.  The description said she gets along well with other dogs AND cats which is a must for us.  She is 5 years old and about 10 lbs. overweight so needs a home that will take her for plenty walks to give her the exercise she needs to get down to a healthy weight.   This is no problem for us--Gerard loves to walk!

We fell in love with this dog right away and knew the second day that we wanted to keep her!  I am just amazed at how well-haved she is and how smart and eager to please she is.  I look forward to training her.  She is housebroken and we can leave her alone all day with the cats without any problem.  She had been in a shelter but it got overcrowded so was moved to a foster home to give her more time to get adopted.  Good thing--what a shame it would have been to have euthanized this great dog!  Barb only had her a week before I contacted her and said she just put her up on Pet Finder and that we were the first to express an interest. 

Some people may think this is just a coincidence, but I believe God is always working in our lives and as we delight in Him, he gives us the desires of our hearts.  (Psalm 37:4).  When we have disappointments, we must remember that God knows best, is in control, and continue to trust Him.  Oh, did I mention that this dog is only $70 and that she is exactly the size we've always had in mind of getting?  God is so good all the time!

Be sure to visit Abby's blog at (Abby--Woof Woof tab above).  Spunky and Manny share their reactions to Abby as well at their blog (Cat Corner-Meow tab above).  Be sure to take a look at "The Intruder" video where Manny and Spunky are discussing Abby.  Maybe you should check out Pet Finder too!  It's not just for dogs.  They have all kinds of pets available.

This is in response to Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop prompt:  "Tell the Story of how your pet became a member of your family."

Don't Tell Me God Doesn't Exist

God is so good! The morning I discovered my dad was dead on my way to work two years ago today, I had a very special devotional time that morning. Both my cats joined me which was very unusual. Usually, it would just be Spunky Doodle up on the table while I would read my Bible but that day, Gerard brought Moe up too and Moe stayed on my lap and let me pet him as well which NEVER happened before! At that point, I was expecting a nice happy Friday donut at work but then just an hour later, my world crashed.

I used to always stop by my dad's on the way to work, to visit a little bit with him and his cats. He'd be up and have the door unlocked for me. When it got there, the door was locked which triggered a bad feeling. I used my key and went in and all the lights were out. I looked for dad. I found him on the bathroom floor in front of the toilet with his head on the tub, dead. It was awful. It was the day I knew would come some time, not then! Not this soon! He was 89 and had lived a very good life, and died on his terms--at home, on his own. That's the way he wanted it.

When I went upstairs to feed and take care of his cats for him that day, they too acted strangely, as though they knew something was wrong. Normally, they came running to the kitchen and couldn't get the Whiskas fast enough. That morning, they just laid in their beds under the table. I cried with his cats. We shared our sorrow. Then everything got really crazy. It's a morning I'll probably never forget--the worst day of my life!

I wrote a little more about the other things that happened that day on my other blog, "My Funny Dad, Harry" which I won't repeat here. If you'd like to hear more, check out . Just a week later, during my quiet time, I decided to write a book about him in his memory. This is a excerpt from my journal just a week later:

I know this is all coming from the Lord, because I never planned on doing anything like this, but boy, I know I can do it. First thing I did was look up the reference of that verse in Micah that I want to include in my book. It is Micah 6:8, but as I was trying to find Micah, a verse in Nahum just “popped” out at me. Nahum 1:7: The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in Him.

Through the next few months, God was strengthening me and helping me through the difficult tasks that had to be done. I saw first hand how good God is. I took off that whole week from work and after that, only went in two days a week for about six weeks so I could focus on getting the house cleaned out and began my book right away. How God helped me through this time is included in my book as well.

I wanted to write it while everything was fresh so the emotions would come through and I believe they did. I wrote from my heart and was determined to get it published before the end of the year, which I did. I don't generally promote my book on this blog, but today is the second anniversary of my dad's death so this is naturally on my mind. He was a wonderful father and husband, a truly amazing man who I want the world to know. Here is the link if you'd like to order it: www.outskirtspress.com/myfunnydadharry. By the way, if you are a blogger and read my book, please let me know and I'll add your blog link to my list of readers.

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We donate 50 cents for each legitimate comment we receive on all our blogs to charity. We donated $126 for December to The Cleveland Pregnancy Center thanks to the 252 comments we received.

This month (Jan. 2012) we will donate 50 cents per legitimate comment on all our blogs to KIVA to help poor people change their lives.


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We invite you to visit our other blogs as well.

Favorite Verses

You're Invited

Our Mission:  To help people find and follow Jesus Christ.

8971 West Ridgewood Drive

Parma Heights, OH  44130

phone:  440-886-6100

www.phbaptist.org and

www.come.to/phby

Sunday Services:

8:15 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m.

Adult Bible Fellowship small groups:  9:30 a.m./11:00 a.m.

Sunday School, 9:30 a.m. (all ages):

Including special needs children's "Treasure Cove"

Wednesday Family Night

(7:00 pm-8:30 pm):

• Pioneer Girls
• Boys Brigade
• Youth Group
• Adult Bible Studies
• Choir Practice

Give Thanks

In everything give thanks for this is the will of God concerning you.  (I Thessalonians 5:18) 

Gerard's Top 10 things he's thankful for:

1)  My Mrs. Wonderful wife, who I could not do without--i love her so much!

2)  For God and my church, Pastor Dan and Pam and staff!

3)  My job.

4)  My pets that I enjoy--Abby, spunky Doodle and Manny.

5)  For my house and a safe neighborhood.

6)  My family and relatives.

7)  For my penpal, Carol.

8)  A dependable car.

9)  My sports teams win for the most part:  Boston teams, Duke and OSU!

10)  Libraries and books!

Karen thanks God for:

1) Life

2) Jesus dying for me!

3) Forgiveness

4) Salvation

5) Plentiful water

6) plentiful food

7) nice home

8) wonderful husband

9) pets

10) good church

11) friends

12) holidays

13) good job

14) technology

15) Answered prayers

16) good health

17) warm clothes

18) sleep

19) Christian parents

20) sunshine

21)  God's protection

22)  Eyeglasses

23)  Trash Collectors (http://www.junkdrawerblog.com/2008/07/god-bless-the-trash-haulers.html)

24) AAA for coming to our rescue when we have car troubles

25) Electricity

26) Working furnace in during cold weather.

27)  An easy bout with Breast Cancer and restored health.

28)  Books

I Married Mr. Wonderful!

I was a very satisfied, happy single for a very long time.  Gerard and I didn't get married until I was 43 (he was 44), so we were both set in our ways by then.  Although our daily schedules were quite different, I am so thankful that God let us find each other through Great Expectations (more about that in another post).  August 30 will be our 11th anniversary and neither of us regret getting married.  When I was considering it, I really wish there was some sort of guaranty, but there wasn't. 

Gerard's been very supportive, patient and understanding about me spending so much time on the computer blogging, so I thought it's time I write about him and us.

I thought I'd share just why Gerard is my "Mr. Wonderful" so other husbands can pick up some tips:

1) He usually meets me at the bus stop when I come home from work and we either walk if it's nice or he brings the car if it's cold or rainy.

2) He lets me be my own person.  I let him know before I was married I didn't cook and he never expects me to.  (He said he's used to cooking for himself anyhow so he didn't mind continuing to do so.)

3) He always opened doors for me before we were married (car, restaurants, church) which at first I thought was silly, but it was nice to be treated so nicely.  He still does this if I don't rush ahead and do it myself.

4) He helps me with my jacket or coat when we're out together.

5) He does ALL the cleaning--some everyday, including the basement!  He has a weekly schedule that he adheres to no matter what--even if he is sick.  Once in awhile, I'll take care of cleaning the computer. 

6) He does the laundry every Friday.

7) He takes care of the yardwork.  Sometimes, if I get in the mood, I'll pull some weeds or trim a bush, but he really does it on a regular basis.  He lets me have the fun of picking out the flowers to plant in the spring, then he waters them all summer long and I watch them grow!

8) He helps me carry things.  Usually on Sundays since I teach Sunday School, I have a lot to carry and he'll load the car ahead for me.

9) He does the grocery shopping, usually alone.  Sometimes I'll go along with him but not too often since we got the computer.

10) He surprises me with unusual presents and has great taste in clothes for me.  Ninety percent of my wardrobe are clothes Gerard bought for me!  I let him know what I like and don't like in clothes and he remembers EVERYTHING! 

11)  He listens to me!

12)  He reviews the TV schedule and alerts me to shows that he knows or thinks interest me. 

13)  As he reads magazines and the newspaper, he'll share articles that he thinks I may enjoy or find interesting. 

14)  He lets me make out our budget and have complete control of our finances!  What trust he puts in me!  I'm so glad he doesn't like fussing with banking or investing, because I do.  (Before we were married, he was in some credit card debt--I never was in credit card debt so this was a concern of mine.  More on this in a future blog).

15)  He is a neat freak, which I prefer to messy.  He keeps our house in perfect order as much as possible with me in it.

16) He is kind to our pets and is just as attached to them as I am.

17) He is easy to get along with--as long as he has music or a talk show on the radio or is watching one of his Boston sports teams, he's perfectly happy. 

18) He lets me make decisions concerning repairs, decorating and social engagements.

19) He's faithful and a steady worker.

20) He loves me!