General Chat

Cynthia - hope all is well with your OH - had the same with my father in law a few weeks ago - never realised that kind of infection was the cause

They kept him in for 3 nights & gave him antibiotics - sent him home & he is now a new person and enjoying life again as best he can

Hopes & thoughts for a speedy recovery for your OH Cynthia

Good morning :-)


A better day yesterday thank goodness. The doctor thinks it has possibly been a slight blockage in the area of the brain which affects speech but is waiting for the results of an indepth scan. If this is the cause, it can be treated by medication. Thank you again for your kind thoughts and prayers.

For today, and continuing our theme:

For those in danger on the sea!

Founded in 1824 as the National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck, the RNLI was granted Royal Charter in 1860 and is a charity in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Queen Elizabeth II is Patron. The RNLI is principally funded by legacies and donations with most lifeboat crew members being unpaid volunteers.

The RNLI has 236 lifeboat stations and operates 444 lifeboats. Crews rescued on average 23 people a day in 2013. RNLI Lifeguards operate on more than 200 beaches. They are paid by local authorities, while the RNLI provides equipment and training. The Institution operates Flood Rescue Teams (FRT) nationally and internationally (iFRT), the latter prepared to travel to emergencies overseas at short notice.

Considerable effort is put into training and education by the Institution, particularly for young people; more than 6,000 children a week are spoken to by education volunteers about sea and beach safety, and over 800 children a week receive training.

The Institution has saved 140,000 lives since its foundation, at a cost of more than 600 lives lost in service.


Lord,
Bless all those who work upon the sea and seek a livelihood from these waters. Guard and guide them in times of peril, and keep them and all who are troubled at this time of uncertainty about the future, a sure knowledge of your presence, your peace and your love.
Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Cynthia, that is very good news about your husband's condition.
We will continue to support you both in our thoughts and prayers during this anxious time for your family.

Thank you for continuing to post interesting words when you are so busy right now.

This old hymn comes to mind after reading your posting for today.

FOR THOSE IN PERIL ON THE SEA

Eternal Father, strong to save
Whose arm doth bind the restless wave
Who bids the mighty ocean deep
It's own appointed limits keep;
O hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea.

O Trinity of love and power,
Our brethren shield in danger's hour,
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them whereso'ere they go.
And ever let them rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

We pray today for all who work at sea. For the fishermen, for all who work in submarines, for those who man the oil rigs, for all who work on ferries. We give grateful thanks today for those who risk their own lives when others are in peril and danger at sea, especially remembering today the brave men who man the lifeboats.
Amen.

Cynthia good news about your husband X

Good morning :-)


Well, he was sent home yesterday with the conclusion that he had had a series of mini strokes. He was given a dose of something or other and now carries on 'as normal'. Yes, well......define normal!

Whilst it's good to have him back, it's quite a responsibility as I am not going to be too happy about leaving him for any length of time. Today is our church's Christmas Fair and our son is coming over to 'dadsit'.

Also, my husband tends to be restless at night and nothing has changed!! It was like Strictly Come Dancing last night!! I am shattered............arrgghh


For today:

I have in my hands two boxes
Which God gave me to hold.
He said, "Put all your sorrows in the black box
And all your joys in the gold."

I heeded His words, and in the two boxes
Both my joys and sorrows I stored.
But though the gold became heavier each day
The black was as light as before.

With curosity I opened the black
I wanted to find out why.
And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole
Which my sorrows had fallen out by.

I showed the hole to God, and mused
"I wonder where my sorrows could be."
He smiled a gentle smile and said
"My child, they're all here with me."

I asked God why He gave me the boxes
Why the gold, and the black with the hole?
"My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings
The black is for you to let go."


--Author Unknown--

Love to all Cx :-)

Cynthia I know you don't need me to tell you but
do take time for yourself if at all possible x

I hope your husband can get some rest and settle soon.

Hello all

Cynthia, it must be a relief for you and your family to have your husband back home.
I hope he will settle now in familiar surroundings. It has been a difficult week for all.
It's good that your son is able to sit with his Dad. I hope you enjoyed your time at the church Fair and that people were generous this afternoon and swelled the funds.

I am liking the poem that is posted today. I was nodding my head at the end.
We all should remember to count our blessings and look around to see very many others who are so much worse off that we are.

Last week I planted a new hybrid tea rose named "Blessings". This pretty pink rose is sure to give us much pleasure next year, another reason to count our blessings.

Good morning :-)

It was lovely to have a break yesterday, even though it was a working break! The Fair raised £2636 which was amazing and due to all the hard work put in by so many faithful church members. The queue to see Santa was never ending! :-D

My husband was fine whilst I was away apparently, with no problems at all. I felt like saying that it's when I come back the problems start :-D

Today we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King.

Eternal Father,
whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven
that he might rule over all things as Lord and King:
keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace,
and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever.
Amen.


Keeping friends in prayer.......Cx :-)

Hello all

Cynthia, that is a wonderful amount of money from your Christmas Fair. Very much needed no doubt and such a very good return for everyone's hard work.
Perhaps your husband feels safer in your company and will always wait for your return to share with you exactly how he really is feeling. Your son is doing a good job in helping to support you both just now. I hope things will improve soon.

Christ Our King,
You put on the apparel of our nature
and raised us to your glory;
Reign from your royal throne
above the chaos of this world,
That all may see the victory you have won
and trust in your salvation;
for your glory's sake.
Amen.

Remembering all homeless people during this very cold and frosty night. xxx

Cynthia

Hope your oh is a lot better, please do make time for yourself as you need to recharge your batteries too.

Amazing amount of money collected, I loved the poem about the boxes.

Enjoy time with your wonderful family.

Take care

Good morning :-)

We are off to the hospital shortly so that my OH can have a neck scan to check on circulation to the brain after which, he will see the Stroke Consultant. Looks like it is going to be a very long day!

As we know, Christmas is a time for giving and I thought it may be an idea to look at some lesser known charities who rely totally on kind hearted folk giving of their time.

The National Association of Blood Bikes :

A group of volunteers who :

•Answer calls from the hospitals and dispatch riders.

•Ride motorcycles to collect and deliver urgently needed whole blood, platelets, samples for analysis, medication, patient notes, small medical instruments, donor breast milk, etc., between NHS hospitals without charging the hospitals.

Why do they do it?

•To save the NHS Hospitals money, which would normally be used to pay for taxis, leaving that money to be spent on better patient care, or to provide newer, up to date, specialist equipment.

•Many of us have either had help from the hospitals, personally or within our own families, or we simply want to help. Riders love motorcycling, even in the depths of winter although there are times when a motorcycle would be dangerous, i.e. Ice and snow, so many riders then use their own cars.

When do they do it?

•With the exception of delivering Donor Breast Milk during daytime hours, they only operate out of normal working hours, when the NHS transport staff is unavailable, mainly through the night and 24 hours at weekends and Bank Holidays.

Lord, we thank you for these folk who give of their time and energy to transport these vital supplies to help those in need. Grant them protection as they travel and a feeling of satisfaction for a job well done. Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Cynthia, I hope that your husband's neck scan went well and the appointment with the Stroke Consultant was helpful for the two of you today.
We awoke to a white hard frost this morning. It may kill off a few germs around here.
We are thankful for central heating and a warm bungalow.

Heavenly Father
As our evening prayer rises before you,
may your mercy come down upon us
to cleanse our hearts, and set us free
to sing your praises, now and forever.
Amen.

Remembering all who feel low in spirits today. xxx

Good morning :-)

My husband's neck scan was clear, as were the two head scans, so a stroke has now been ruled out......which left the doctor coming to the conclusion that last week's episode is to be put down to a blip with the Parkinson's. sigh. I am going to phone Walton hospital and ask to speak to the Parky's nurse and explain what has happened. It may mean a tweak in medication.

Meanwhile, I am hexausted! :-D

As we continue to approach the season of giving, we take a look at another charity which relies solely on volunteers....

The U3A Movement

U3A stands for the University of the Third Age, which is a self-help organisation for people no longer in full time employment providing educational, creative and leisure opportunities in a friendly environment. It consists of local U3As all over the UK, which are charities in their own right and are run entirely by volunteers.

Local U3As are learning cooperatives which draw upon the knowledge, experience and skills of their own members to organise and provide interest groups in accordance with the wishes of the membership. The teachers learn and the learners teach. Between them U3As offer the chance to study over 300 different subjects in such fields as art, languages, music, history, life sciences, philosophy, computing, crafts, photography and walking.

The U3A approach to learning is – learning for pleasure. There is no accreditation or validation and there are no assessments or qualifications to be gained.

Lord,
we thank you for the experience of growing older and for the willingness to still learn from others.
We are grateful for the life skills and knowledge which people are willing to share. Grant that we may always be enthusiastic to learn more of you
and to share your love with those around us.
Amen.


Continuing to remember those in need of prayer. Cx :-)

That's good news Cynthia, hope they get the meds
sorted soon <3

Remembering all who are alone and in need of company x

Hello all

Cynthia, I hope the PD nurse can help your husband and be supportive towards you and your family just now.

Our village church is joining the Christmas Market in the Community Centre and will have a tombola and cake stall. I have been a busy little bee baking buns, scones and mince pies Our bungalow has had lovely Christmassy smells and now I am weary.

Remembering all in need of prayerful support today. xxx

Cynthia I am pleased your husband's scans were clear. Hopefully adjusting his medication will help. Try to get some rest and time for yourself though I realise that is easier said than done.

Thinking of all who are in need of comfort tonight

Good morning :-)


Thank you for your lovely words everyone - I think we are getting back onto an even keep - although we are still in choppy waters! :-D


Today we look at the third of our small charities which is run by volunteers - The School Angels.

The Facts:

•There are 3.5 million children under the age of 16 are living in poverty in the UK

•The UK has over 770,000 disabled children under the age of 16

•400,000 of those disabled children also live at the margins or in poverty
Children living in poverty are far more likely to underachieve at school and subsequently struggle to attain higher qualifications and better paid jobs. For those children who also suffer a disability the struggle they face is even greater.

School Angel was set up in 2013 with the simple idea of bringing the power of big business e-commerce to help schools throughout the UK raise funds which are then used to provide much needed equipment and extra curricular activities for children.

The fundamentals for School Angel were that number one it must be a charity, and every last penny of profit goes to schools.

Father God,
at this Christmas season, we ask your blessing on all those children for whom Christmas may be difficult.
Those who will be without gifts; those who will be cold; those who will not receive a hot meal and those who live in fear of abuse.
Surround them with your love and give us guidance as how we may best be of comfort. Amen.


Love to all Cx :-)

Hello all

Cynthia, I hope the situation has calmed down a little at your house now, and your husband feeling more comfortable in familiar surroundings. Look after yourself too.

Vera, I hope your having a better day today and are keeping warm and well.

The Serenity Prayer came into my mind earlier. We all have our own worries and concerns and these words might be helpful for others right now.

Lord, grant me the..................

SERENITY to accept the things I cannot change,

COURAGE to change the things I can, and the

WISDOM to know the difference. Amen.

Praying for all my neighbours tonight. xxx

Good morning :-)


Each one of us is different and this is shown in where people wish to give of their time and expertise in volunteer work.

So far this week we have looked at :

those who are willing to travel to deliver blood and other essentials to hospitals;

those who are happy to help and support older folk in learning new skills.

Yesterday we looked at a group of volunteers who have formed a scheme to help
support schools buy additional items for the pupils.

Today, we will take a look at those who help with :

The Oldies Club………..helping old dogs find loving homes.

The Oldies Club is a dog rescue, run solely by volunteers, that specialises in rescuing and rehoming older dogs – aged 7 years plus. We do not have kennels or a central base as, rather than placing our dogs in kennels, we prefer to care for them in a normal home environment. We therefore use foster homes. Our foster homes are spread around the country and each of them has been carefully checked.

Dogs often come to us because their elderly owner has had to go into sheltered accommodation where dogs are not allowed. Sometimes the dog’s owner has died and there is no-one that can take care of their beloved dog, and sometimes the owner’s circumstances have changed and the owner simply can no longer give their dog the care it needs.


O God, who has made all the earth and every creature that dwells therein:
Help us, we pray you, to treat with compassion
the living creatures entrusted to our care,
that they may not suffer from our neglect nor become the victims of any
cruelty;
and grant that in caring for them we may find a deeper understanding
of your love for all creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.


Cx :-)

Thank you Cynthia for taking the time out of your busy life to post each day.

It is interesting to read of some of the less well known charities. There are a lot of good people giving time and effort to help those in need so thoughts and thanks today for them.