**Tuesday Roll Call**

Good morning dear brothers and sisters in Christ! I slept in this morning until 9 o'clock! Oh, the life of a retiree! I really am grateful to be able to retire. I am still struggling with very painful shoulders. I see my internist this afternoon, and I am going to ask him to refer me to an orthopedist. My physical therapist thinks I would be a good candidate for cortisone shots in my shoulders. We'll see. The good news is that I am healing really well from my radical stomach surgery the middle of August. Praise the Lord! I won't need to go in for more tests until next Spring. Then they will do a CAT scan and an endoscopy just to make sure that the cancer is gone. It has been 20 months today since my first surgery to remove most of my stomach because of stomach cancer, and it has been 4 1/2 months since my second surgery. Whew! It truly is amazing how God has been there every step of the way and is healing me, both body and spirit. Praise the Lord. Well, I don't see that anyone else has posted the questions of the day, so I think I will. 1. What is the weather doing in your part of the country? 2. If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be? 3. Name one way your life has changed since you have given yourself to the Lord? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++= My Answers: 1. It is rainy off and on here in the Portland Oregon area. It is 50 degrees and overcast. More rain is expected. 2. Patience! I would have more patience, not only with others but with myself. 3. I know where I'm going when I die and who I will be spending my life with. I also surround myself with other believers and seek them out. God bless each and every one of you. I pray that you all have a God-filled day today and every day. Peg

Hi Peg, We had an interesting Christmas, good and bad. My husband got called back to Iraq as we were half way to my brother's house in Atlanta. We stayed with my 2 sons and mom and dad and brother's family, hubby had to drive back home to fly out that same night, so he missed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and now New Year's too. I was trying not to be ungrateful sounding, and told the Lord it was hard to deal with, we felt robbed. Its hard to be a Christian sometimes. We had a good time though so that part was great I too stayed in bed late today, and I am still in my nightgown as I am cleaning and taking it easy, ha ha Questions 1) It is sunny today, and about 58* or so. Very windy last night. 2) Not to fly off the handle so fast, and to accept those things I cannot change....Serenity Prayer, ha ha God knows I need help there!! 3) Not as depressed, I have the Joy of the Lord!! I know I will be in Heaven one day, and even though we all have not seen each other in person, we one day will meet!! That is so cool. I have a peace as well! God Bless! Take care! Deborah

Hi Peg and Everyone! Peg, I am so sorry about your shoulders - I will continue to pray - I have been in physical therapy numerous times with my knees and I watch the people with shoulder pain and my heart goes out to them because I know it is very painful! I thank the Lord for the healing from your surgery and I will continue to pray in that arena. You have been through so much and yet continue to give the Lord glory - Thank you Lord for my dear sister, Peg! I love the Portland area. My husband's work has taken us there many times and I never grow old of it. I especially love the rose garden outside of Washington Park - so beautiful! Ok, my answers: 1. Warmer than usual here. It has been snowing in the mountains and raining here in the valley so all the snow down here has melted (yes, I'm sad) but it only takes 10 minutes to get to the mountains from my house so that's ok - I guess it makes the driving easier with the roads clear. 2. Wow, Peg, gutsy, patience! It seems when I pray for that one I really get tested! So right now I am going to have to say not getting so excited over the little things that don't matter - like whether the table is set right or if coats are hung up, etc. because I find that sometimes those little irritating things can get to me faster than anything and make me lose my joy in the Lord. In other words - "chill Lynda and give it to the Lord!" Ok, yes thats patience! 3. Wow, a could go on a long time with this one but suffice it to say that I am now a saved sinner thankful for the grace of God! Thank you Jesus! I had a wonderful Christmas and have exciting news to share. I will put it in a post later tonight! I love all of you and I am praying for God's Spirit to rest upon each one of you in a beautiful way! God Bless, Lynda Phil. 4:8

Hello Peg!! I just got through reading your journey and all I can say is WOW! God has really stuck by you and this is proof that God does answer prayers. I have a friend from church who lost her brother to stomach cancer about 5 years ago. Yours is gone and that's a blessing!! Now, to today's questions...here are my answers. 1. What is the weather doing in your part of the country? It's in the mid 70's here in Houston and very sunny outside!! I love the cold weather and I'm hoping we have some of it soon!!*smile* 2. If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be? My first name. I very much dislike it!! Wanna know what it is?? Nah...I'd better not tell ya! ok, ok,...but PLEASE don't tell anyone...please? It's MARIA. I hate it. My mother named me Maria because her mother's name is Maria and my dad's mother's name is Maria. It's like...why should I pay the price for their name being so non pretty!!! So, because of it..I have this LONG Mexican Name......feel free to laugh with me! 3. Name one way your life has changed since you have given yourself to the Lord? My life has changed in soooooo MANY ways but I'll start off by saying that he took the depression and anger away from my life. I grew up with so much anger in my heart and learned how to "forgive" those who harmed me. Earlier today I woke up feeling yucky. I felt depressed, sad, anxious, I felt it all...similar to how I used to feel growing up. I woke up feeling like that and I had no idea why. PTL that YUCKY feeling is gone and I'm having a better day!!! Hugs, Letty p.s. will keep praying for you

Letty, I love your name!!! Since as Mexican tradition goes, most of the girls were named after the mother of our Lord!!! I also love the name Leticia, that is a very pretty name as well!! But hey that is coming from someone in love totally with the Mexican culture!! Be proud of your long name, it is a tradition ok ok I will stop Love ya Letty!!! So here are my answers. 1. The weather here today was a nice 50 degrees, no more snow and was very comfy 2. if I could change anything it too would be patience, I used to have so much but anymore I think I have lost it all at times!! 3. I guess the biggest thing in my that changed was the fact that I actually found a non abusive man that completed my life!!! He is such a wonderful man and husband and father, I can't say enough about him. I guess that is what happens when you put your love life in Gods hands ;) Well that is all for now I guess, take care everyone!!! I love you all. Steph

Hello Steph!! How are you? Maria....ok, ok, it is pretty but when I came to Houston from South TX just because my name was Maria, I got "ugly treatment" from folks here in Houston. I never knew what racism was like until I moved here and I think that's the reason I don't like it. But yes, it is a pretty name. My full name is Maria Leticia Abundis. My first and last names are Mexicans and my last name is Greek. What a cool combination. right? Proud to be a Mexican, Letty

I have not done this before. A couple of days ago was my first day on this post. SO I hope I am not intruding. 1. What is the weather doing in your part of the country? I too am In Oregon so my weather is rainy off and on. 2. If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be? I too have asked for patience in the past and what a tall order that is. I would ask for the ability to worry less. It seems I worry too much and even thought I know the Lord will not hand me anything I can not handle, I fear what that "anything" could be. I know it seems silly, that's why I woudl ask for that. 3. Name one way your life has changed since you have given yourself to the Lord? I have met some of the most wonderful people in my life. People I swore never exsisted. It gives me hope. Kristie

Hi Kristie, and may I say...welcome! There is always room for another Christian sister on this board! You and Stephanie Perez are going to have surgery the same date. This is a very safe board filled with wonderful people. If you have been reading our posts, you will see that we care about each other and pray for each other and our families. I hope you will come here often and let us get to know you better. God bless and keep you in His tender care. Peg

Hi Kristie, WELCOME! I am so happy you have joined us! The people on this board have been such a blessing to me - they love the Lord and pray! I will be praying for your upcoming surgery. Please keep us posted! Love ya! God Bless, Lynda Phil. 4:8

Kristie, WELCOME!!! HUGS, Letty