The Quilt Holes.

Post 710 ~ ~ Saturday, 30th October, 2010.

Hello again my Friends ~~ I hope all is well with your families and loved
ones. All well here and the busy days are over now, as Peter left this
morning to go to visit his son Marcus who has moved back to Victoria,
before he flys home to Queensland on Sunday evening.

The funeral yesterday was beautiful as Anne deserved, and was a
celebration of her life. Peter was asked to speak and did very well as
it was very emotional. Anne and Keith were his friends, before mine,
but we both loved them both. We were away most of the day, as we
went back to their home for eats and drinks etc, which were terrific.
As luck would have it, we had our warmest day 27C, about 80 F so
we were all able to sit in their beautiful garden,as there were very
many friends and relatives there. Both the daughters spoke about
their mother, and a lovely 14 year old granddaughter made a lovely
speech.

I was absolutely exhausted after we got home and had an early
night and had a lot of pain. I should have gone to another funeral
this morning, but didn't feel able. I am very grateful to my son John
who went to his Aunt's funeral. Both Peter and John told me to go
back to bed, so after John came home and told me about it, I did
go back for a couple of hours this afternoon. Some of my problems
come from getting in and out of high cars, Peter's Hire car was big,
John's is big, even the girl who takes me shopping has a big 4WD
I am so short, it isn't easy getting in and out of them. Enough!!
It was great having Peter for the few days, despite the sad reason.

The first story tonight was sent to me by my dear friend, Patty.
It is called "The Quilt Holes". Thank you Patty.

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord
along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like
the squares of a quilt in many piles: an angel sat before each of us
sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed
how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled
with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that
had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with
in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the
largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a
tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color
and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and
was disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare
and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to
the light, the scrutiny of the truth. The others rose, each in turn,
holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel
looked upon me and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly
fortunes. I had love in my life and laughter. But there had also been
trials of illness and wealth, and false accusations that took me from
my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often
struggled with the temptation to quit, only to muster the strength
to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in
prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held
up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the
Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the
judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now I had to face the truth ... My life was what it was, and I had
to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined
squares of my life to the light.

An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others, who
stared at me with wide eyes.

Then I looked at the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes,
creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me,
with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Every time you gave over
your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.

Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me
shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine
through. God determines who walks into your life...It's up to you to
decide who you let walk away, who you let stay and who you refuse
to let go.

I need this back. If you do this for me, I'll do it for you, When there
is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you
need. Take a few seconds and simply say the following small prayer.

Father, bless all my family and friends in whatever it is that you know
they may need this day. And may their lives be full of Your peace,
prosperity and power, as he/she seeks to have a closer relationship
with you. Amen.
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On a lighter note, a few jokes from my friends, Sue and Bob in the UK.
Thank you for these.
OLD FOLK.

Let's put the seniors in jail and the criminals in a nursing home.This
way, the seniors would have access to showers, hobbies and walks.
They'd receive unlimited free prescriptions, dental and medical
treatment, wheel chairs etc and they'd receive money instead of
paying it out.
They would have constant video monitoring, so they could be helped
instantly, if they fell or needed assistance.
Bedding would be washed twice a week, and all clothing would be
ironed and returned to them. A guard would check on them every
20 minutes and bring their meals and snacks to their cell.

They would have family visits in a suite built for that purpose.
They would have access to a library, weight room, spiritual
counseling, pool and education.
Simple clothing, shoes, slippers, PJs and legal aid would be free
on request.

Private, secure rooms for all, with an exercise outdoor yard,
with gardens.
Each senior could have a PC, a TV, radio and daily phone calls.
There would be a board of directors to hear complaints, and the
guards would have a code of conduct that would be strictly
adhered to.

The "criminals" would get cold food, be left all alone and unsupervised.
Lights off at 8 pm and showers once a week.
Live in a tiny room and pay $900,00 per month and have no hope of
getting out. Justice for all we say.
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COWS.

Is it just me, or does anyone else find it amazing that during the mad
cow epidemic, our government could track a single cow, born in the
Bourne almost three years ago, right to the stall where she slept in the
county of Lincolnshire, And they even tracked her calves to their stalls.
But they are unable to locate 125,000 illegal immigrants wandering
around our country. Maybe we should give each of them a cow.
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THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.

The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments posted in a
courthouse or Parliament, is this -
You cannot post 'Thou Shalt Not Steal', 'Thou Shalt Not Commit
Adultery" and "Thou Shalt Not Lie' in a building full of lawyers,
judges and politicians..... It creates a hostile work environment.
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Another from both Patty and Sue and Bob. Thanks folks.

The wife and I were sitting around the breakfast table one Sunday morning.

I said to her, "If I were to die suddenly, I want you to immediately sell all
my stuff."

"Now why would you want me to do something like that?" she asked.

"I figure you would eventually remarry and I don't want some other a*****e
using my stuff."

She looked at me and said, "What makes you think I 'd marry another
a*****e?"
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Lastly tonight, a Mountain Wings Item. What a difference 30 years makes.

1972 ~ ~ Long hair.
2002 ~ ~ Longing for hair.
1972 ~ ~ The perfect high.
2002 ~ ~ The perfect high yield mutual fund.
1972 ~ ~ KEG.
2002 ~ ~ EKG.
1972 ~ ~ Acid rock.
2002 ~ ~ Acid reflux.
1972 ~ ~ Moving to California because it's cool.
2002 ~ ~ Moving to California because it's warm.
1972 ~ ~ Growing pot.
2002 ~ ~ Growing pot belly.
1972 ~ ~ Trying to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor.
2002 ~ ~ Trying Not to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor.
1972 ~ ~ Seeds and stems.
2002 ~ ~ Roughage.
1972 ~ ~ Popping pills, smoking joints.
2002 ~ ~ Popping joints.
1972 ~ ~ Killer weed.
2002 ~ ~ Weed killer.
1972 ~ ~ Hoping for a BMW.
2002 ~ ~ Hoping for a BM.
1072 ~ ~ The Grateful Dead.
2002 ~ ~ Dr. Kevorkian.
1972 ~ ~ Going to a new hip joint.
2002 ~ ~ Receiving a new hip joint.
1972 ~ ~ Rolling Stones.
2002 ~ ~ Kidney stones.
1972 ~ ~ Being called into the principal's office.
2002 ~ ~ Calling the principal's office.
1972 ~ ~ Down with the system.
2002 ~ ~ Upgrade the system.
1972 ~ ~ Disco.
2002 ~ ~ Costco.
1972 ~ ~ Parents begging you to get your hair cut,
2002 ~ ~ Children begging you to get their heads shaved.
1972 ~ ~ Taking acid.
2002 ~ ~ Taking antacid.
1972 ~ ~ Passing the driver's test/
2002 ~ ~ Passing the vision test.
1972 ~ ~ Whatever.
2002 ~ ~ Depends.

Author Unknown but assumed to be at least 50 years old.

Time to close for tonight my friends. Look after yourselves and each
other. Happy Halloween to those who celebrate it. Have a fun time
and don't eat TOO many sweets, or get too scared to death.
Love and best wishes to you all. Cheers Merle.

Thank you so much John for going to the family funeral to represent
our family. Sorry I couldn't go with you. Love, Mum.

Post 710 ~ ~ Saturday, 30th October, 2010.
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