~Ripley and Weather (last week)~

As many experienced some of this storm that hit last week, here are some pictures of Ripley enjoying it! We still have some packed ice that has not melted, but with weather predicted to be in the low 70's by the end of the week, it will be gone. We were very lucky to have sleet and not freezing rain, so as not to have a lot of power outages. I heard Sunday morning that some areas in Kentucky were still experiencing power outgages. I also heard that the great state of Oklahoma was helping Kentucky out in these regards.

Ripley loved the weather and had a great time running around outside and eating the ice/snow.

Have a blessed week!

Love,

Cheryl

~Thursday Evening Ramblings~

I don't know if any of you who have "Blogger" are having difficulty, but I have been. I've been having sidebar floating difficulties, and adding links to the sidebar difficulty. I reloaded by template, well partially because I've taken off a bunch of stuff. I'll have to work on that later. I have a good friend "Echo Lafawn" who is becoming rather savy in this technical world. She may have to teach me some things soon. Ok, somebody help me! My sidebar is off floating again.Ugh!

Thanks for all the kind words about my Dad. Do you ever get used to a parent(s) being gone. I haven't yet. But, we do have wonderful promises that are ours, only for the asking.

I'll leave this with you:

What Is God Like?

NAHUM 1:7 NIV ~ 7 The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for
those who trust in him,

Much could be said about God. But the first thing we need to
realize is that God is good. He is not a bad guy. He is not
against you. He is not your problem, but rather He is the
answer to your problems.

Although the world doesn't know what God is like, they
desperately need to know Him. Even sadder is the fact that most
Christians do not really know what God is like, either.

If you want to know what God is like -- look at Jesus Christ.
He perfectly revealed God to us.

JOHN 1:18 TEV ~ 18 No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is the same as
God and is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

COLOSSIANS 2:9 Phillips ~ 9 Yet it is in him that God gives a full and complete
expression of himself in bodily form.

Why be content to just listen to what others say God is like? You need to taste and see for yourself.

Have your own relationship with God!

PSALM 34:8 NKJ ~ 8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man
who trusts in Him!

Blessings!

~Bee in My Bonnet~

How in the world is anyone expected to deal with cancer, as well as the outrageous cost of cancer. My sister who has brain cancer is starting a new treatment program. One of the medications is as high $27,000 to $18,000 per month depending on the pharmacy. Her portion on the $18,000 is $3,600. This is only one medication. Who can afford $3,600 each month for at least a year over and above their other expenses. I guess you can, but then look at the debt. Her life is worth thousands more than this. The pharmaceutical companies should not be allowed to charge this, especially for a medication that is over 45 years old. She has excellent insurance.

It has been a very exhausting week. We had a wonderful weekend. Her church put together a benefit dinner and silent auction in her behalf to raise money which we are so thankful for. This money is so greatly needed. We are now in the process of trying to figure out so many other ways to raise money after finding out this news.

A person with cancer needs a positive attitude. It is so very important to be able to have this. We, as her family, are trying to shoulder so much so she can concentrate on her health, but we cannot lie to her and not tell her about these expenses.

We ask that you pray for peace for Jan. For her to have a positive attitude. She has so much to live for and work still left to do here on earth. It is still baffling to know that she has brain cancer. You just never think your sister will have brain cancer.

Here is a devotional I read: “Defeating Unbelief” by Joyce Meyer.
“Turn all your worries over to Him. He cares about you. Control yourselves. Be on your guard. Your enemy the devil is like a roaring lion. He prowls around looking for someone to chew up and swallow. Stand up to Him. Stand firm in what you believe. All over the world you know that your brothers and sisters are going through the same kind of suffering. God always gives you all the grace you need. So you will only have to suffer for a little while. Then God himself will build you up again. He will make you strong and steady. And he has chosen you to share in his eternal glory because you belong to Christ.”1 Peter 5:6-10

“When struggles, trials and hardships come your way - and they always do - you have a choice. You can heed Peter’s words and give God your cares, worries and concerns. No matter how dark the night or how evil the situation, you must remind yourself that God is not only present with you in those situations, but He also loves you and will provide for you.

One more thing. Sometimes you may wonder why you have so many trials and problems. Is it possible that the devil may have singled you out because of God’s great plan for your life? The more faithful you are, the more you have to resist him and his lies of unbelief. The enemy often tries to fill you with unbelief and make you deny God’s powerful love for you. Stand firm on God’s promises and thank Him for always being with you.” Joyce Meyer

~Random Thoughts~

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

Don't be afraid that your life will end,be afraid that it will never begin.~anonymous~