Want to bless someone in need this Christmas? Sure you do! We all do, don't we? However, a lot of us are strapped financially. Well, fear not kind-hearted friend! Thanks to the fine folks at Samaritan's Purse and Heifer International, you can give a gift of hope to someone who desperately needs it for $10.00 or less! How cool is that? Extremely cool, THAT'S how cool! Check it out:
Gift #1. A hot meal- $7.00
By giving $7.00 to Samaritan's Purse, you can provide a week's worth of dinners to someone who's hungry.
Gift #2. Milk- $4.00
Sending $4.00 will provide milk for a week to a needy child.
Gift #3. Blanket-$6.00
With your $6.00, Samaritan's Purse can provide a blanket for someone who otherwise would be without one.
Gift #4. Mosquito Net- $10.00
Malaria kills over a million people each year. Your gift of $10.00 can provide someone with a bed net, treated with natural insecticide to kill and keep out mosquitoes.
Gift #5. Feed a Baby for a Week- $9.00
This amount can feed a baby or nursing mother for a week.
Gift #6. Sports Gear- $8.00
If you were hoping to give something more along the lines of fun, here's your chance. $8.00 will provide a child with a soccer ball, an incredible luxury they might not otherwise have.
Gift #7. "Jesus Loves Me" Lambs - $4.00
Want to bless a little one with a toy they can love? $4.00 will give a small child a stuffed musical lamb that plays "Jesus Loves Me."
Gift #8. Gospel Story Books- $6.00
These are picture books that tell the story of Jesus. For $6.00, you can provide books to 20 children.
All of the above mentioned gifts are available through Samaritan's Purse. Check them out online at www.samaritanspurse.org or call them at 1-800-353-5957.
Gift #9. Rabbits- $10.00
Heifer International will use your $10.00 to buy three rabbits for a village or family in need. Rabbits are raised for food and rabbit manure can be used as fertilizer without composting.Because rabbits have so many offspring, your gift is multiplied quickly and used to help more people.
Gift #10. Sheep- $10.00
Heifer International will combine your $10.00 with gifts from others to buy a sheep for a village or family in need. Wool from sheep is used to make clothing or sold for extra income. Offspring can be used for meat or produce more wool. Sheep manure can be turned to fertilizer for the land and improve the soil.
Gift #11. Pig - $10.00
Pigs are used as source of protein, income from the sale of offspring and manure to nourish crops and soil and increase crop yields.
Gift #12. Tree - $10.00
Sounds odd...here's why Heifer International gives trees:
"We believe development must be sustainable — that projects should be long-term investments in the future of people and the planet....On a steep Tanzanian hillside, Heifer International helped a family learn to plant trees and elephant grass to keep the soil in place. Today, they have flourishing rows of leucaena trees and corn.
Through training, families learn how to keep their small plots of land healthy and renew the soil for future generations by planting trees, using natural fertilizer, and limiting grazing." www.heifer.org
Pretty darn rockin', I'd say.
Gifts #s 9-12 are available through Heifer International. Visit them online at www.heifer.org or call them at 800-422-0474.
If you are wanting and able to give a little more, both of these organizations have many more life-saving gifts to offer. You can provide care for an orphan for A MONTH for $35.00, teach a child to read and write for $15.00 or provide food, medicine and other essentials to an AIDS widow or orphan for a month with only $45.00. Supply clean water for a family for $18.00, share the cost of a fishing boat for $30.00, or buy a flock of geese for a village for $20.00. There's so much you can do to help, and so many people who need it.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Christmas Pictures
I have no photo to go with this story. I think I mailed it to my mom. I do have the negative somewhere, and when I find it I will post it. But until then, here is the story.
One year, about 4 years ago (seems like 10) I decided to take a Christmas pictures of all (3 at the time)the kids on a bench in the backyard. Wyatt was 5, Lizzie was 3 and Ben was about 6 months old. I knew a photo studio would be a nightmare, so I decided to go with the backyard bench and a few Christmassy props.
What a freak show. I wrote an email to family members immediately following the incident:
They are plotting against me. Even the baby. Oh sure, they act happy and cheerful. They smile beautiful smiles and are very compliant during the "getting ready" process. They clap and jump up and down while I arrange the Poinsettias. They clamber up on to the wooden bench singing "jingle bells". They snuggle up close on the red and black check blanket and are clearly excited about the whole process. I think, "wow this isn't going to be that difficult after all!" And then I say "OK.....Say "Cheese"....and it's a free for all. The baby starts fussing. Wyatt Henry drools and wipes it on his shirt. Elizabeth suddenly can't keep her eyes open. So I say, "whoa..ok..let's try that again. Say..."Merry Christmas!" Wyatt Henry screams it at me like he's the Hulk. Lizzie is now rubbing her eyes. Ben is trying to eat the blanket. I lower the camera and rearrange them and say, "ok you guys. Now, listen...look at Mommy and be still. Just smile when i tell you to smile. OK?" They all smile (big beautiful smiles) and i quickly raise my camera, foolishly thinking they will keep smiling. Just as i press the button, Lizzie climbs off the bench, announcing that she is going to bed because she's tired. (at 10:30 in the morning). I say, " Wait Baby, we're almost done. Just a few more minutes." She gets back up on the bench. I tell them to smile. That must be their code word for "freak out".
Wyatt Henry acts like it hurts him to smile...his eyes are like dime slots, his brow is furrowed. His "smile" is really just a disply of all his teeth. The child clearly thought I instructed him to grimace. Benjamin is now screaming and is as red as his shirt. Elizabeth isn't even pretending to be interested...she's just looking past her brothers, and sighs. Totally frustrated, I say "Wyatt, that is not a smile. What are you doing, son? Elizabeth, can you please at least look at the camera?" She says, "The sun is hurting my eyes." I explain that the sun is behind her, that she is sitting in the shade." She says "oh." and then shrugs and says, "Well, I'm still sick." and closes her eyes and puts her head back. Ben is just freaking out and Wyatt Henry says, "ugh! Ben is heavey!" I consider threatening all of them with spankings if they don't just smile and be still, and then I realize how counter productive that would be, so I just send them all into the house. Lizzie suddenly is awake, Wyatt instantly remembers how to smile. And Ben magically stops screaming and gives me a big drooly smile and giggle. The only one crying is ME!!!!! Ho, Ho Ho!!!!!!! We will regroup and try again later. ;-)
We never regrouped, by the way. Just so you know.
One year, about 4 years ago (seems like 10) I decided to take a Christmas pictures of all (3 at the time)the kids on a bench in the backyard. Wyatt was 5, Lizzie was 3 and Ben was about 6 months old. I knew a photo studio would be a nightmare, so I decided to go with the backyard bench and a few Christmassy props.
What a freak show. I wrote an email to family members immediately following the incident:
They are plotting against me. Even the baby. Oh sure, they act happy and cheerful. They smile beautiful smiles and are very compliant during the "getting ready" process. They clap and jump up and down while I arrange the Poinsettias. They clamber up on to the wooden bench singing "jingle bells". They snuggle up close on the red and black check blanket and are clearly excited about the whole process. I think, "wow this isn't going to be that difficult after all!" And then I say "OK.....Say "Cheese"....and it's a free for all. The baby starts fussing. Wyatt Henry drools and wipes it on his shirt. Elizabeth suddenly can't keep her eyes open. So I say, "whoa..ok..let's try that again. Say..."Merry Christmas!" Wyatt Henry screams it at me like he's the Hulk. Lizzie is now rubbing her eyes. Ben is trying to eat the blanket. I lower the camera and rearrange them and say, "ok you guys. Now, listen...look at Mommy and be still. Just smile when i tell you to smile. OK?" They all smile (big beautiful smiles) and i quickly raise my camera, foolishly thinking they will keep smiling. Just as i press the button, Lizzie climbs off the bench, announcing that she is going to bed because she's tired. (at 10:30 in the morning). I say, " Wait Baby, we're almost done. Just a few more minutes." She gets back up on the bench. I tell them to smile. That must be their code word for "freak out".
Wyatt Henry acts like it hurts him to smile...his eyes are like dime slots, his brow is furrowed. His "smile" is really just a disply of all his teeth. The child clearly thought I instructed him to grimace. Benjamin is now screaming and is as red as his shirt. Elizabeth isn't even pretending to be interested...she's just looking past her brothers, and sighs. Totally frustrated, I say "Wyatt, that is not a smile. What are you doing, son? Elizabeth, can you please at least look at the camera?" She says, "The sun is hurting my eyes." I explain that the sun is behind her, that she is sitting in the shade." She says "oh." and then shrugs and says, "Well, I'm still sick." and closes her eyes and puts her head back. Ben is just freaking out and Wyatt Henry says, "ugh! Ben is heavey!" I consider threatening all of them with spankings if they don't just smile and be still, and then I realize how counter productive that would be, so I just send them all into the house. Lizzie suddenly is awake, Wyatt instantly remembers how to smile. And Ben magically stops screaming and gives me a big drooly smile and giggle. The only one crying is ME!!!!! Ho, Ho Ho!!!!!!! We will regroup and try again later. ;-)
We never regrouped, by the way. Just so you know.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
4th Day
Today is the fourth day of Christmas.
Four calling birds....
Some say the 4 calling birds are symbols of the four gospels writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I don't know if that is true, but it's a good enough excuse to read them, is it not?
p.s. FYI, I wrote this at 12:10 am MONDAY morning, not Sunday, regardless of what the date stamp reads. I'm just sayin'!
Friday, December 26, 2008
It's not over yet!!!
If you thought Christmas was over, think again! Today (dec.26) is the first day of Christmas that we sing about in the 12 days of Christmas....we still have 11 more to go!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! This party is just starting, folks!
I'll post more on the meaning of the 12 days later, but if you just can't wait, click here.
I'll post more on the meaning of the 12 days later, but if you just can't wait, click here.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
12 Mexican Foods Of Christmas
My very favorite kind of food to eat is Mexican food. I LOOOOOOVVVVEEEE it! I love it so much, that I (with the help of my family) wrote a lovely little song about it, my own happy version of the 12 Days of Christmas. Enjoy!
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
A bowl of guacamole.
On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
2 cilantro leaves and
a bowl of guacamole.
On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
3 Nachos
2 cilantro leaves and
a bowl of guacamole.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
4 Corona lites
3 Nachos
2 Cilantro leaves and
a bowl of guacamole.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
5 REFRIED BEEEEEEANS!!!!!
4 Corona lites
3 Nachos
2 Cilantro leaves
and a bowl of guacamole
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
6 Sopapillas
5 Refried beeeeeans!
4 Corona lites
3 Nachos
2 Cilantro leaves and
a bowl of guacamole.
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
7 chips with salsa
6 sopapillas
5 refried beeeeeans!
4 corona lites
3 Nachos
2 cilantro leaves
and a bowl of guacamole.
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
8 chicken tacos
7 chips with salsa
6 sopapillas
5 refried beeeeeans!
4 corona lites
3 Nachos
2 cilantro leaves
and a bowl of guacamole.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
9 jalapenos
8 chicken tacos
7 chips with salsa
6 sopapillas
5 refried beeeeeans!
4 corona lites
3 Nachos
2 cilantro leaves
and a bowl of guacamole.
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
10 beef fajitas
9 jalapenos
8 chicken tacos
7 chips with salsa
6 sopapillas
5 refried beeeeeans!
4 corona lites
3 Nachos
2 cilantro leaves
and a bowl of guacamole.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
11 enchiladas
10 beef fajitas
9 jalapenos
8 chicken tacos
7 chips with salsa
6 sopapillas
5 refried beeeeeans!
4 corona lites
3 Nachos
2 cilantro leaves
and a bowl of guacamole.
On the twelth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me....
12 Margaritas (hiccup!)
11 enchiladas
10 beef fajitas
9 jalapenos
8 chicken tacos
7 chips with salsa
6 sopapillas
5 refried beeeeeans!
4 corona lites
3 Nachos
2 cilantro leaves
and a bowl of guacamole.
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
A bowl of guacamole.
On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
2 cilantro leaves and
a bowl of guacamole.
On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
3 Nachos
2 cilantro leaves and
a bowl of guacamole.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
4 Corona lites
3 Nachos
2 Cilantro leaves and
a bowl of guacamole.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
5 REFRIED BEEEEEEANS!!!!!
4 Corona lites
3 Nachos
2 Cilantro leaves
and a bowl of guacamole
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
6 Sopapillas
5 Refried beeeeeans!
4 Corona lites
3 Nachos
2 Cilantro leaves and
a bowl of guacamole.
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
7 chips with salsa
6 sopapillas
5 refried beeeeeans!
4 corona lites
3 Nachos
2 cilantro leaves
and a bowl of guacamole.
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
8 chicken tacos
7 chips with salsa
6 sopapillas
5 refried beeeeeans!
4 corona lites
3 Nachos
2 cilantro leaves
and a bowl of guacamole.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
9 jalapenos
8 chicken tacos
7 chips with salsa
6 sopapillas
5 refried beeeeeans!
4 corona lites
3 Nachos
2 cilantro leaves
and a bowl of guacamole.
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
10 beef fajitas
9 jalapenos
8 chicken tacos
7 chips with salsa
6 sopapillas
5 refried beeeeeans!
4 corona lites
3 Nachos
2 cilantro leaves
and a bowl of guacamole.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
11 enchiladas
10 beef fajitas
9 jalapenos
8 chicken tacos
7 chips with salsa
6 sopapillas
5 refried beeeeeans!
4 corona lites
3 Nachos
2 cilantro leaves
and a bowl of guacamole.
On the twelth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me....
12 Margaritas (hiccup!)
11 enchiladas
10 beef fajitas
9 jalapenos
8 chicken tacos
7 chips with salsa
6 sopapillas
5 refried beeeeeans!
4 corona lites
3 Nachos
2 cilantro leaves
and a bowl of guacamole.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
MIA
Missing: My list of The 12 Mexican Foods of Christmas.
Last Seen: Around my desk about a week ago
Approx. age: 1 month
Distinguishing features: FIVE refried beans!!!!
When I find my list, you'll be the first to know.
Last Seen: Around my desk about a week ago
Approx. age: 1 month
Distinguishing features: FIVE refried beans!!!!
When I find my list, you'll be the first to know.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
