My Gift to you #17 ~ Strange and Different

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Good Day.Doing ok here this morning. Stomach is a little topsy turvy. Stress is starting to creep through. My DH went for a job interview in a healthcare field. He has tried a lot of different job area's outside what he normally does which is a forklift driver. He didn't pass the "test" but he can retake it in January. It was multiple choice about cooking, wheelchairs and other stuff.

We bought some groceries which need to last us a long while now. The pressures of bills and stuff are a big concern for me now. I am really trying to lift it up to God. I am sure he will provide. Sometimes it is hard and I have been praying for him to give me strength. I am trying my darnest to stay strong. If I crumble my DH is soon to follow. I have been trying to keep from thinking about it. When I do sometimes I can't control my tears. I try not to let him see. It might be strange but we sort of feed off each other. When I am positive he is too. When I get doubtful he is there as well.

My home health care worker, Linda is off for a few days. She has to watch her grandson. She will be stopping in over the weekend to make up her hours. Which works for me because my husband will be at the market. Hopefully the weather will hold out so he can open. When it is bad weather and he can't it really takes a toll on finaces.

This story I researched and it is true according to snopes.com. Enjoy.









~*Strange and Different*~
by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

On a December night in Chicago, a little girl climbed onto her father's lap and asked a question. It was a simple question, asked in children's curiosity, yet it had a heart-rending effect on Robert May.

"Daddy," four-year old Barbara asked, "Why isn't my Mommy just like everybody else's mommy?"

Bob May stole a glance across his shabby two room apartment. On a couch lay his young wife, Evelyn, racked with cancer. For two years she had been bedridden; for two years, all Bob's income and smaller savings had gone to pay for treatments and medicines.

The terrible ordeal already had shattered two adult lives. Now Bob suddenly realized the happiness of his growing daughter was also in jeopardy. As he ran his fingers through Barbara's hair, he prayed for some satisfactory answer to her question.

Bob May knew only too well what it meant to be "different." As a child he had been weak and delicate. With the innocent cruelty of children, his playmates had continually goaded the stunted, skinny lad to tears. Later at Dartmouth, from which he was graduated in 1926, Bob May was so small that he was always being mistaken for someone's little brother.

Nor was his adult life much happier. Unlike many of his classmates who floated from college into plush jobs, Bob became a lowly copy writer for Montgomery Ward, the big Chicago mail order house. Now at 33, Bob was deep in debt, depressed and sad.

Although Bob did not know it at the time, the answer he gave the tousled haired child on his lap was to bring him to fame and fortune. It was also to bring joy to countless thousands of children like his own Barbara. On that December night in the shabby Chicago apartment, Bob cradled his little girl's head against his shoulder and began to tell a story.

"Once upon a time there was a reindeer named Rudolph, the only reindeer in the world that had a big red nose. Naturally people called him Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer." As Bob went on to tell about Rudolph, he tried desperately to communicate to Barbara the knowledge that, even though some creatures of God are strange and different, they often enjoy the miraculous power to make others happy.

Rudolph, Bob explained, was terribly embarrassed by his unique nose. Other reindeer laughed at him; his mother and father and sister were mortified too.

Even Rudolph wallowed in self pity.

"Well," continued Bob, "one Christmas Eve, Santa Claus got his team of husky reindeer -Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and Vixon ready for their yearly trip around the world. The entire reindeer community assembled to cheer these great heroes on their way. But a terrible fog engulfed the earth that evening, and Santa knew that the mist was so thick he wouldn't be able to find any chimney.

Suddenly Rudolph appeared, his red nose glowing brighter than ever. Santa sensed at once that here was the answer to his perplexing problem. He led Rudolph to the front of the sleigh, fastened the harness and climbed in.

They were off! Rudolph guided Santa safely to every chimney that night. Rain and fog, snow and sleet; nothing bothered Rudolph, for his bright nose penetrated the mist like a beacon.

And so it was that Rudolph became the most famous and beloved of all the reindeer. The huge red nose he once hid in shame was now the envy of every buck and doe in the reindeer world. Santa Claus told everyone that Rudolph had saved the day and from that Christmas, Rudolph has been living serenely and happy."

Little Barbara laughed with glee when her father finished. Every night she begged him to repeat the tale until finally Bob could rattle it off in his sleep. Then, at Christmas time he decided to make the story into a poem like "The Night Before Christmas" and prepare it in bookish form illustrated with pictures, for Barbara's personal gift. Night after night, Bob worked on the verses after Barbara had gone to bed for he was determined his daughter should have a worthwhile gift, even though he could not afford to buy one...

Then as Bob was about to put the finishing touches on Rudolph, tragedy struck.

Evelyn May died. Bob, his hopes crushed, turned to Barbara as chief comfort. Yet, despite his grief, he sat at his desk in the quiet, now lonely apartment, and worked on "Rudolph" with tears in his eyes.

Shortly after Barbara had cried with joy over his handmade gift on Christmas morning, Bob was asked to an employee's holiday party at Montgomery Wards. He didn't want to go, but his office associates insisted. When Bob finally agreed, he took with him the poem and read it to the crowd. First the noisy throng listened in laughter and gaiety. Then they became silent, and at the end, broke into spontaneous applause. That was in 1938.

By Christmas of 1947, some 6 million copies of the booklet had been given away or sold, making Rudolph one of the most widely distributed books in the world. The demand for Rudolph sponsored products, increased so much in variety and number that educators and historians predicted Rudolph would come to occupy a permanent place in the Christmas legend.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JURI62 12/19/2009 10:37AM

I never heard how Rudolph came to be told. Thank you Report Inappropriate Comment

LITTLEWIND53 12/18/2009 12:16AM

Thank you. Hope you are doing well and that the winter is not too harsh for your husband and the market. God Bless. Report Inappropriate Comment

DAWNWATERWOMAN 12/16/2009 5:41PM

Awesome. Thanks for sharing the story. I hope that you'll be blessed that your food supply will last extra long, just like the loaves and fishes. Love you, Dawn Report Inappropriate Comment

0309COOKIE 12/16/2009 2:24PM

Wasn't that interesting! Thanks for the story. Report Inappropriate Comment

GRANDMAAMIE 12/16/2009 11:34AM

thank you for the story amie Report Inappropriate Comment

4ANEWME2DAY 12/16/2009 10:58AM

Report Inappropriate Comment

SWILLIAM621 12/16/2009 9:53AM

What an inspiring story, thanks for sharing that! It gives us all hope that even when we feel at our lowest that God does provide in ways that we would never imagine. Report Inappropriate Comment

DBELLE39 12/16/2009 9:49AM

I love this --- so heartfelt, thank you for sharing this beautiful story. Report Inappropriate Comment

My Gift to you # 16 ~ A Christmas parable & A Child's Wonder * ~

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Happy Tuesday. Doing very well here. Not too much excitement. Due to our finances we only had 3 gifts to buy this year. My one neice and my two Great Nephews. Geez Great Nephews makes me sound old. ha! My Husand and I don't exchange.

I didn't spend a lot I got my two G.Nephews a Uno Attack game. Found it on sale at Walmart for $18 dollars. I figure it would give them something to play with their family. My neice I got a pair of earrings an a nice necklace they are Swarovski Crystal and I found pretty cheap on line. Think both were less then $10.

I am glad I bought the items when I did. We are really getting into a money crunch. Seems December through March are our worse months. DH doesn't get to open the market in cold or bad weather. Not that he doesn't try. Sunday he went down and only one person showed up. He waited 3 hours in case before coming home. I worry about him in the cold. Although he assures me he is fine.

I really liked this story. It hits home a lot for me. I use to judge but then when in doubt I would buy meal tickets at local food places. This way they would get a meal. With the latest unemployment rates and economy I think there are probably a lot that are going without these days.

Have a Great day!







~*~ A Christmas parable of sorts -by Dana ~*~


This morning Chris told me about a woman he passed on his way inside city hall yesterday. The woman was sitting on the steps wearing a pair of sweatpants and a tiny, inadequate coat. She asked him for some money.


"Sorry, I don't have any," he replied, before hurrying in for a meeting.


The image of this woman in the cold bothered him to the point of distraction throughout the entire meeting, but what bothered him even more, he said, was his dismissive reaction. Chris isn't a rich man, but he pulled what little he had out of his pocket and had it ready to hand to her as he left the building, but she was gone.


This has weighed on his heart heavily and he feels ashamed. Every single one of us has been that woman - maybe not in severity, maybe in a different form, maybe with a different problem, but each of us has been in a position where we have needed something from another. I know we have. We all have instances similar to this: where we see a person in need but yet we wonder if the need is real or if they're hustlers.


No matter our lot, we can always give to need but yet if we give to the hustler we feel as though we're essentially being robbed and we have less resources for those with true need and even less for our own. So we've all developed a practice wherein we try to quickly assess a person's needs. Do their pants look too new? Are their shoes too shiny? Because if they are then they surely must not be in need and, you know, need is an arbitrary definition that changes depending upon circumstance. You're behind a woman in line at the grocery store who's dressed in nice clothes and paying with food stamps; is she a hustler? Maybe. Or maybe she's too embarrassed or too proud to dress down to the expectations of need.


I've been in Chris's position many times and many times I've walked on by without saying a word. One day we were in the McDonald's drive-thru line and a man tapped on my window. He said he needed gas money as he'd run out. Could I help him? Two little pairs of eyes watched from booster seats behind me. I needed to choose my next move carefully. I'd just spent the afternoon at the grocery store poring over my list, making sure I had the necessary coupons and bought inexpensive and sale items.


He may well have been hustling me. He may have been lying about why he needed money. I reached down into my purse, opened my wallet, and handed him the only note I had, a five dollar bill. He thanked me profusely, looked straight down the barrels of my eyes and said "God bless you for this. I mean it." And then he walked away.


I didn't give him money because I wanted to buy a blessing from God. I didn't do it because I thought it was another test of faith that I had to ace. I did it because who on earth am I to judge this man? Me, a person who once had to leave her grocery cart at the store because my card was declined. Me, a child who had to borrow notebook paper growing up because I was too poor to buy any. I've been on the other end of this situation and I craved anyone, anything that would give me the dignity to bear it.


I don't want to come off as preachy by any means, but while everyone is out celebrating the birth of Christ, please remember what exactly that birth meant. Many years ago someone did pass by us when we were in need. He didn't pause to critically assess whether or not we were worth saving, worth helping, He just did it anyway.






****************************************
****************************************





~*~ A Child's Wonder ~*~

by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown



"Daddy", he said, his eyes full of tears,
"will you talk to me and quiet my fears?
Those bad boys at school are spreading a lie
'bout the impossibility of reindeer that fly.

There's no Santa Claus, they say with a grin
there's not one now, and there never has been.
How can one man take all of those toys
to thousands of girls and boys?

But I told them Daddy, that they were not right,
that I would come home and find out tonight.
Mamma said wait until you come home.
Please tell me now that I was not wrong."

His Daddy looked at his questioning face
and puffed his pipe while his frantic mind raced.
He had put this off as long as he could,
he had to think fast and it better be good.

Whispering a prayer, he began with a smile,
"well climb on my lap, dear, let's talk awhile."
"Remember at church how we learned to pray,
asking God to take care of us each day?
And you know how we say grace before each meal?
To this same God whom we know to be real.

Though we never see him, we know he is there
watching his children with such loving care."
"God started Christmas a long time ago
when he gave us His son to love and to know.

A spirit of giving came with that birth,
and God's generosity filled the whole earth.
Man had to name this spirit of giving
just as he names all things that are living."

"The name Santa Claus came to someone's mind
probably the best name of any to find.
There is, you can see, and I think quite clear
Truly a Santa who visits each year.

A spirit like God, whom we never see,
he enters the hearts of your mother and me."
"Each year at Christmas for one special night
we become him and make everything right.

But the real spirit of Christmas is in you and in me
and I hope you are old enough now to see
that as we believe and continue to give,
our friend Santa Claus will continue to live."

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LITTLEWIND53 12/18/2009 3:47AM

One day I was leaving the grocery store with my little basket of goodies and passed a man hunched over rocking himself. As I passed him, I heard him mumble very softly to himself "I'm so hungry" I didn't have any money on me, but had some weiners at home. I would make him a hot dog. I hurried home, heated up the hotdog and bun, added cheese, mustard, ketchup and pickel and wrapped it up to keep it warm, then hurried back to the store to give it to him, but he wasn't there. I looked around, but he was gone. I often wished I had stopped to talk to him first, maybe he would have waited. No one else was there that looked like they needed it, so In the end, I ate the hot dog (I couldn't justify throwing it out!) Comment edited on: 12/18/2009 3:49:36 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

ROSEMARDORF 12/15/2009 2:42PM

Hi,Willow thank you for your blogs!!! I enjoy them very much!! Love those today!! Report Inappropriate Comment

0309COOKIE 12/15/2009 1:05PM

Another two great gifts today. Thank you. Report Inappropriate Comment

GRANDMAAMIE 12/15/2009 10:43AM

thank you for sharing Report Inappropriate Comment

DAWNWATERWOMAN 12/15/2009 9:22AM

I taught my children to always give if they could. We the receivers do with what we give them is THEIR BUSINESS... what we do with what we've been blessed with is between US & Our Maker. Loved the stories. Thank you for blessing my day. Love, Dawn Report Inappropriate Comment

EWEINHISPASTURE 12/15/2009 8:38AM

very beautiful poem Report Inappropriate Comment

ANGELCOL6 12/15/2009 8:38AM

Very meaningful stories I loved them both and thanks for sharing Report Inappropriate Comment

ANGELCOL6 12/15/2009 8:38AM

Very meaningful stories I loved them both and thanks for sharing Report Inappropriate Comment

NOLASOPHIE 12/15/2009 8:29AM

Hi - Lovely, heartwarming story. I love your blog ! Your husband and you do exchange "gifts" everyday - you exchange your Love - which is the greatest gift of all. Keeping you in my prayers. Report Inappropriate Comment

LINDA! 12/15/2009 8:13AM

Very nice. I am so happy you shared this. Merry Christmas. Report Inappropriate Comment

PASTORJEFF2 12/15/2009 8:03AM

thanks for sharing with us Report Inappropriate Comment

My Gift to you #15 ~ Santa Is Alive & Well - And We Are On His Team

Monday, December 14, 2009

Happy Monday! We are sorting clothes here today getting out all my winter clothes that fit, don't fit or are just plain worn out. Linda is helping me sort out the mess. I am way behind in everything today. We were up late and got up late.

I love this story I found it last year and it is one of my favorites. Have a Great Day!







~*~ Santa Is Alive & Well - And We Are On His Team ~*~

I remember my first Christmas party with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"

My grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her world-famous cinnamon buns.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus!" she snorted. "Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad. Now, put on your coat, and let's go."

"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second cinnamon bun. "Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything.

As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping.

For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill , wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church. I was just about though, when I suddenly thought of Bobbie Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's second grade class.

Bobbie Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out for recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobbie Decker didn't have a cough, and he didn't have a coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobbie Decker a coat. I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that. "Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.

"Yes," I replied shyly. "It's ... for Bobbie." The nice lady smiled at me. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag and wished me a Merry Christmas. That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and ribbons, and write, "To Bobbie, From Santa Claus" on it -- Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobbie Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobbie's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."

I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his doorbell and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma. Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobbie.

Forty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my grandma, in Bobbie Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.

Author Unknown

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LITTLEWIND53 12/18/2009 12:04AM

A beautiful lesson on sharing. Report Inappropriate Comment

RASCALSMOMMA 12/14/2009 7:07PM

LOL Just stay on my team ok?? Hugs to you Leanna! Laurie Report Inappropriate Comment

JURI62 12/14/2009 5:01PM

This is beautiful. No Santa is indeed ridiculous Report Inappropriate Comment

CHRISTMASRAIN 12/14/2009 2:51PM

Oh my goodness. I am shedding tears,(at work), after reading that beautiful Christmas story. I will certainly pass that story along. Thank you:) Report Inappropriate Comment

0309COOKIE 12/14/2009 1:00PM

You have such wonderful stories! Those are your Christmas gifts to us. Thanks for taking the time to find these special jewels. Report Inappropriate Comment

GRACEISENUF 12/14/2009 12:06PM

Thanks for sharing....and yes Santa is alive...as a matter of fact he is at my spark home right now surfing the web and checking to see which sparklers are being naughty and which ones are being nice. Check out my spark page and see for yourself. XXX love and hugs! Report Inappropriate Comment

KNITTERGAL73 12/14/2009 11:18AM

Beautiful story; we all need Grandmas like that. I know Santa Claus is alive and well as witnessed every year by those "Angel Trees" we see displayed in various malls and retail stores. My brother picked one off the tree last week and bought clothes and toys for a 3 year old boy who still very much believes in Santa. Report Inappropriate Comment

BUCKLEN81 12/14/2009 11:13AM

That was a great story. Thanks for sharing again! Report Inappropriate Comment

NO_SNOW_BODY 12/14/2009 10:36AM

that is wonderful, I think that having that spirit is wonderful and may I teach my grandchildren the same things Report Inappropriate Comment

LINDAKAY228 12/14/2009 10:34AM

Beautiful story. Beautiful way the grandma illustrated her point. What have I done today? Report Inappropriate Comment

TAZZYM150 12/14/2009 10:32AM

A great story. Report Inappropriate Comment

DAWNWATERWOMAN 12/14/2009 10:30AM

I LOVE this story. This is the best one yet! Keep 'em coming honey. You're making my holidays brighter and brighter. Love, Dawn Report Inappropriate Comment

MARZATAX 12/14/2009 10:21AM

Very heartwarming! thanks for the blog. Report Inappropriate Comment

My Gift to you #14 ~ YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED ~*Letter from Jesus about Christmas *~

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Happy Sunday. Not too much going on here. Cold weather is making it difficult for my DH to open the Market. I was checking the bank we have .42 cents in checking and $24 in savings. LOL you could say we are so broke we can't pay attention. Ha!

This blog is sort of long. I found so much to share I didn't want to not post one. So this has a few items to it. I enjoyed them so and I hope you do too!






YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO . . .

GUEST OF HONOR: Jesus Christ

DATE: Every day. Traditionally, December 25, but He’s always around, so the date is flexible.

TIME: Whenever you’re ready. Please don’t be too late though, or you’ll miss out on all the fun.

PLACE: In your heart. He’ll meet you there-you’ll hear Him knock.

ATTIRE: Come as you are. Grubbies are okay as He’ll be washing our clothes anyway. He said something about new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till the last.

TICKETS: Admission is free. He’s already paid for everyone. He says you wouldn’t have been able to afford it-it’s cost Him everything He had!

REFRESHMENTS: New wine, bread and a far-out drink He calls “living water.” This will be followed by a supper, that promises to be out of this world!!

GIFT SUGGESTIONS: Your heart. He’s one of those people who already has everything else. (He’s very generous in return though-just wait until you see what He has for you!

ENTERTAINMENT: Joy, Peace, Truth, Light, Life, Love, Real Happiness, Communion with God, Forgiveness, Miracles, Healing, Power, Eternity in Paradise.......and much more! (All rated “G” so bring your family and friends)

RSVP: Very Important! He must know ahead, so He can reserve a spot for you at the table. Also, he’s keeping a list of His friends for future reference. He calls it the “Lamb’s Book of Life.”

PARTY GIVEN BY: His Kids. That’s us! Hope To See You There! Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints) Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb! --Revelation 19:7-9







~*~The Language of God~*~

There is a legend of an African boy called Emmanuel, who was always asking questions. One day he asked the question, “What language does God speak?” No one could answer him. He travelled all over his country to find the answer but did not get a satisfactory answer. Eventually he set out for distant lands to find the answer. For a long time he had no success. At last he came one night to a village called Bethlehem and as there was no room in the local inn, he went outside the village in search of a shelter for the night. He came to a cave and found that too was occupied by a couple and a child. He was about to turn away when the young mother spoke, ‘Welcome Emmanuel, we’ve been waiting for you.” The boy was amazed that the woman knew his name. He was even more amazed when she went on to say, “For a long time you have been searching the world over to find out what language God speaks. Well, now your journey is over. Tonight you can see with your own eyes what language God speaks. He speaks the language of love, that is expressed in sharing, understanding, mercy and total acceptance.”
Anon.






~*~Letter from Jesus about Christmas -- ~*~


It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.


How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.


Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.


Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.


If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:


1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.


2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.


3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.


4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.


5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.


6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.


7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families


8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.


9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.


10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.


Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember :


I LOVE YOU,

JESUS

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

POOH_BEAR_69 12/24/2009 11:17AM

WONDERFUL! Thanks for sharing... Report Inappropriate Comment

JURI62 12/14/2009 5:06PM

Thank you. I really like the idea of stopping complaining about religious displays at government buildings and displaying them in our own yards. Report Inappropriate Comment

ROSIE777 12/14/2009 9:21AM

This was wonderful...thank you so much for sharing. Report Inappropriate Comment

SWAZY33 12/14/2009 8:37AM

nice :) wishing you many blessings of this beautiful Christmas season! Report Inappropriate Comment

MOMMA_BEAR_69 12/13/2009 9:58PM

What a beautiful blog. Thank you so much for sharing!!! Blessings and hugs, Helen Report Inappropriate Comment

LINDAKAY228 12/13/2009 9:37PM

These are all just great. Glad you didn't leave any of them out. Really makes me stop and think which sometimes I forget to do. Thanks Report Inappropriate Comment

DAWNWATERWOMAN 12/13/2009 8:15PM

Report Inappropriate Comment

BUCKLEN81 12/13/2009 4:55PM

Thanks, I love the invitation!! Thanks again for sharing! Report Inappropriate Comment

102633 12/13/2009 4:04PM

Several items here and they are all great. I can see me using something real soon in a sermon to my church. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

FLYER99 12/13/2009 2:31PM

Hi there! I'm back again for another go at it. My Mom hasn't been too good and I have been visiting her a lot at her special care home. So, I kind of got off track with Spark People. I was happy to see that you are still blogging. Your blogs are wonderful. I so enjoy reading them. Keep it up and God Bless! Bob. Report Inappropriate Comment

DBELLE39 12/13/2009 12:31PM

Great blog, thanks for the daily inspiration. Report Inappropriate Comment

GRANDMAAMIE 12/13/2009 11:43AM

LOVELY YOUR BLOG WAS INSPRITIONAL THANKS AMIE Report Inappropriate Comment

0309COOKIE 12/13/2009 10:38AM

Loved the letter from Jesus. That was great! Report Inappropriate Comment

SWIMLOVER 12/13/2009 10:34AM

Thank You for this WONDERFUL blog! It has so much truth in it. We should be doing some of these things. You are truly a blessing! GOD BLESS! Louise Report Inappropriate Comment

WARMSPRINGDAY 12/13/2009 9:36AM

His name is Provider. Trust in Him - He will meet your needs. Not always like we expect, but He takes care of his own. Blessings! Report Inappropriate Comment

NOLASOPHIE 12/13/2009 8:43AM

Your blog brought tears to my eyes - so much truth there - and wonderful things to do. Report Inappropriate Comment

CHRYS13 12/13/2009 7:22AM

Thank you so much for this blog....and all of your blogs. You truly are a blessing and these words have instilled a gentle peace and reminder of what truly is important! Blessings! Report Inappropriate Comment

My Gift to you #13 ~ Christmas Humor & FUNNY personal note....gonna need a chair.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

First off Happy Saturday! I had to share this little story about what happened here at home yesterday. Bare with me as I explain.

Now we have 7 cats, 2 dogs and a bird. We use to have over 10 cats at one time but we have lost some over the years. We also had at one time 4 dogs or more. We wanted to keep the dogs out of the cat food and litter. So we have a spare small bedroom. We put all the cat dishes and litter in there along with any storage items. (our home has only 1 closet, yea 1 closet) We keep the door open but have a board slanted so cats can get in or out and the dogs can't.

Over the years we noticed that some dogs like to push their way through the slant and go into the back bedroom. We scolded them when they did. Mostly it was our eldest dog Snowy who did this. Snowy passed on earlier this year.

A lady at the flea market gave my husband a case of canned cat food. Normally the cats eat dry. When we fed the cats the canned food we notice Stormy , our youngest dog (she is 8) started breaking into the room to eat the canned cat food. We would scold her and she would come out each time. Eventually the problem was solved cause we had not more canned cat food. Stormy doesn't like their dry.

Yesterday my husband notice Stormy heading to the back door. He got up thinking she had to go out. When he went toward the back dog he noticed she was in the Cat room. He was starting to get upset with her when he noticed she was going to the bathroom. No not on the floor but in the cat litter box. He said he wanted to bust out laughing but was afraid to scare her. As soon as she saw him she went to the back door and he let her out.

He comes in the living room to tell me what happened we must have laughed for 10 mins or so. What a smart dog! We made sure we praised her when she came in from outside. I jokingly told my husband "Now if she would teach Flurry our other dog, we would have it made." Ha! In hind site not really we would have to buy more cat litter. he he. So yesterday I couldn't have been prouder than any other mother.

This is Stormy.







Today I wanted to post some Christmas jokes, customs and traditions. Hope you enjoy!





~*~ Christmas Humor ~*~


~*A Christmas Gift*~

A guy's wife was nagging him hard for a four-wheeler but still he bought her a beautiful extravagant diamond ring for Christmas. The husband's friend was amazed at his decision and asked him in secret, "Why couldn't you buy a car instead of the diamond ring?" The husband smiled and answered, "Fake cars are not easy to find."



***Hilarious Christmas Signs :***

Toy Store: "Ho, ho, ho spoken here."

Bridal boutique: "Marry Christmas."

Outside a church: "The original Christmas Club."

At a department store: "Big pre-Christmas sale. Come in and mangle with the crowd."

A Texas jewelry store: "Diamond tiaras -- $70,000. Three for $200,000."

A reducing salon: "24 Shaping Days until Christmas."

In a stationery store: "For the man who has everything... A calendar to remind him when payments are due."



~*~ Santa Stats ~*~

U.S. has 78 people registered under S. Claus and one under Kriss Kringle

December is the most popular month for nose jobs.

Weight of Santa's sleigh loaded with one Beanie Baby for every kid on earth: 333,333 tons.

Number of reindeers required to pull a 333,333-ton sleigh: 214,206 plus Rudolph.

Average wage of a mall Santa: $11 an hour. With real beard: $20.

To deliver all his gifts in one night, Santa would have to make 822.6 visits per second (at 3,000 times the speed of sound).

At that speed, Santa and his reindeers would instantaneously burst into flames in Earth's atmosphere just like meteors.





*~*At Grandma's*~*


Two little boys went to their grandparents' place for Christmas. At bedtime, the youngest one began to pray at the top of his lungs.

"I PRAY FOR A NEW BICYCLE...
I PRAY FOR A NEW BICYCLE...
I PRAY FOR A NEW BICYCLE..."

The older brother exclaimed, "Why are you shouting? Do you thing God is deaf." The little one promptly replied, "Nope! But Grandma certainly is!"

~*An Axe to Grind*~

A boy was constantly nagging his father to get him a Christmas tree. Each year, the father told him, "I don't want to pay for it." At last, son finally managed to exasperate his father and he went out with his axe. Thirty minutes later, he returned with a great big Christmas tree. The son was amazed that his father returned so soon and asked, "How did you cut it down so fast?" The father replied, "Oh! It's from the tree lot." "So why did you took the axe with you?", the son asked. "Because I didn't want to pay for it.", the father replied.




~*~Santa Claus is a woman!~*~




Santa Claus is a woman because:

The vast majorities of men don't even think about selecting gifts until Christmas Eve and only go for a last-minute shopping spree.

For a he-Santa, there would be no reindeer because they would all be dead, gutted and strapped on to the rear bumper of the sleigh.

Even if the male Santa did have reindeer, he would inevitably get lost up there in the snow and clouds and then refuse to stop and ask for directions.

For a Santa man, there would be unavoidable delays in the chimney, where the Bob Vila-like Santa would stop to inspect and repaint bricks in the flue.

He would also need to check for carbon monoxide fumes in every gas fireplace, and get under every Christmas tree that is crooked to straighten it to a perfectly upright 90-degree angle.

Men can't pack a bag.

Men would rather be dead than caught wearing red velvet.

Men would feel their masculinity is threatened...having to be seen with all those elves.

Men don't answer their mail.

Men would refuse to allow their physique to be described even in jest as anything remotely resembling a "bowlful of jelly."

Men aren't interested in stockings unless somebody's wearing them.
Having to do the 'Ho Ho Ho' thing would seriously inhibit their ability to pick up women.

Finally, being responsible for Christmas would require a commitment.





~*~ Santa is certainly a Man! ~*~





Santa Claus is undoubtedly a man because:

Santa doesn't deliver his presents on The Friday after Thanksgiving when the malls are open for 20 hours. Christmas Eve deliveries prove Mr. Claus to be a man.

Santa's reindeer is so drunk that his nose glows as his navigator. A woman would never let out those cute deer to work on Christmas Eve that too in cold and perhaps would dress them in sweaters and booties.

Only a male Santa can ignore 'fashion' and wear the same suit for 500 years.
Santa has never been known to answer a letter.
Women aren't interested in stockings unless someone better looking than them is wearing them.

As many presents as Santa delivers he has no trouble with babes.
Only men have the ability to stay up for 24 hours straight in the cold with a bunch of mangy deer and going up and down soot-infested chimneys.

A woman would never even think of going down a chimney and risk staining that red velvet.
Commitment requires that Christmas be on the same day each year. A female Santa would delay Christmas until she can touch-up her makeup and do her hair after leaving each house.






~*~ Christmas Tree Legends ~*~

There are numerous legends associated with the Christmas tree and how it came to be associated with Christmas. As per one legend, today's version of the Christmas tree dates back to the Pagan Yule celebration. The Pagan families used to believe in the wood sprits. They would bring a real tree inside their home in winters, in order to provide a place to the spirits to remain warm during the cold months. Pagans even hung bells from the branches of the tree so that they would know when a spirit came inside their home. Food items were also hung on the branches and a five-pointed star, the pentagram, was placed on top of the tree.

Another version of the legends about the Christmas tree goes back to the 1300's. During that time, artists used to roam around in the streets carrying huge pine boughs, loaded with apples. This act was a kind of advertisement for the miracle plays they used to stage on the steps of the church, the plays about Adam and Eve, with the boughs representing the Garden of Eden. Slowly and gradually, this 'paradise tree' came to be associated with life and was named as the 'Christ Child's Tree'.

Yet another legend of the Christmas tree revolves around the story of a Christian monk who used to spread Christianity amongst the Druids in England, in the early days of the religion. One day, he struck down a huge oak tree, which was believed to be an object of worship as per the Druid religion. As the tree fell to ground, it splintered and from within it, a fir tree sprung up. The monk declared the fir tree to be the 'Holy Tree', a symbol of endless love, peace as well as the Christ Child. One of the first written references to a Christmas tree was made in 1605. In that year, a German tourist reported seeing a tree decorated with apples, gilded candies, paper roses and thin wafers.







~*~ Christmas Tree Fun Facts ~*~

Christmas is almost synonymous with Christmas tree and gifts. Almost all of us wait for the time we start decorating the tree and buying gifts. However, very few people know the numerous fun facts about the Christmas tree. To help you know your Christmas tree better, we are providing a number of interesting Christmas tree facts below.

*Christmas trees remove dust and pollen from the air and take approximately seven years to mature.

*During the years from 1887 to 1933, a fishing schooner called the 'Christmas Ship' used to sell spruce trees from Michigan to Chicagoans.

*Evergreen trees were used to celebrate the onset of winter, even before the birth of Christ.
Christmas tree was decorated for the first time in Riga (Latvia), in the year 1510.

*In 1963, the National Christmas Tree was not lighted until December 22nd, because the national 30-day period of mourning following the assassination of President Kennedy stretched on till that day.

*In the year 1979, only the top of the National Christmas Tree was lighted in the US, in the honor of the American hostages in Iran.

*Large stores started putting up illuminated Christmas trees in the year 1900 only.

*Mark Carr of New York started first Christmas tree retail lot in the United States, in 1851.

*National Christmas Tree Association gives a Christmas tree to the President and first family of US every year.

*National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the White House was started by President Coolidge in 1923.

*Scotch pine, Douglas fir, Noble fir, Fraser fir, Virginia pine, Balsam fir and White pine are the most popular Christmas trees.

*Teddy Roosevelt had banned the Christmas tree from the White House because of environmental reasons.

*The commercial sale of Christmas trees started in the United States around the year 1850.

*The first Christmas tree was placed in the White House in 1856, by the 14th President of the United States, Franklin Pierce.

*The tradition of an official Chicago Christmas tree dates back to 1913, when the first official tree was lit by Mayor Carter H. Harrison in Grant Park.

*The tradition of using small candles to light a Christmas tree dates back to the mid-17th century.

*There are more than 21,000 growers of Christmas tree and more than 12,000 cut-your-own-tree farms in the US.







~*~ Christmas traditions give holiday meaning ~*~

Why are some traditions repeated year after year at Christmas? Here are some reasons behind the traditions that have been held dear for centuries:

Origin: Mention of celebrating the birth of Christ did not appear in church literature until 200 C.E. and there are two theories as to why Dec. 25 was chosen, according to "Biblical Archaeology Review." The most noted reason is that the date was borrowed as a substitute for pagan celebrations taking place during that time of the year (this was suggested in the 12th century). The second is that Dec. 25 is nine months after March 25, which is the Feast of the Annunciation, or the commemoration of Jesus' conception. Jesus was believed to have been conceived and crucified on the same day of the year. The second reasoning seems to have existed in the 200s.

The Twelve Days of Christmas: the period between Dec. 25 and Jan. 6 (Epiphany).

Nativity set: St. Francis of Assisi created the first living Nativity in 1223 because he wanted to enact the birth of Christ "in all of its impoverished glory" (www.livingcatholicism.com). Before this, mangers bedecked in jewels and gold were set out in churches to represent the king who laid there. Living Nativity enactments continue to this day and there are many different types of sets available for purchase. Many people display the entire set throughout the season, but others try to be more realistic by adding certain characters on certain dates (for example, they place Baby Jesus in the manger on Christmas day and add the wise men around Epiphany).

Santa Claus: The legend of Santa Claus is derived from the beneficent character of Bishop Nicholas of Smyrna, who lived in the 4th century A.D, in what is now modern Turkey. Bishop Nicholas used to give gifts to poor children to encourage them. Bishop Nicholas was later named a saint and became the patron saint of children and seafarers (www.historyofchristmas.net)

Wreath: Hanging a wreath at Christmas is also a century's old tradition. "Most wreathes are circular, and the circle has long been symbolic of the unbroken span of eternity, as well as the circular nature of life itself. Used in mid December at the time of the Winter Solstice, the circle symbolizes the certainty that the endless cycle of seasons will once again bring the return of light," Elisabeth Ginsburg wrote on www.naturehills.com. Both the Romans and the Germans used this tradition in their homes and early Christians adopted it as a symbol of life and eternity.

Trees: Since ancient times, people have been using greenery to brighten their homes during winter to remind them that spring was coming and to stave off evil spirits and sickness. In 19th century Germany, devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes as a symbol of hope and faith. It is also said that Protestant Reformer Martin Luther first used candles on his Christmas tree after taking inspiration on a starlit evening. Christmas trees became popular in America after German-born Prince Albert, Queen Victoria of England and their family posed before a Christmas tree for a newspaper sketch. Because Queen Victoria was so popular, fashion conscious East Coast observers brought the concept to America (www.history.com).

Holly: According to allthingschristmas.com, legend has it that holly plants sprang up from the earth wherever Christ stepped. "The pointed leaves were said to represent the crown of thorns Christ wore while on the cross and the red berries symbolized the blood he shed," the Web site said.

Stockings: "The stockings were hung by the chimney with care ..." Clement Clarke Moore wrote in his famous poem "The Night Before Christmas." But why? This story comes from ancient times when the generous St. Nicholas heard the plight of three young women whose mother had died and their father could not afford a dowry so that they could get married. The young women, who did all of their own chores, used to hang their stockings by the fire to dry. One night, while the family was sleeping, Saint Nicholas placed a bag of gold into each one, thus giving the father enough money to afford a marriage for each daughter. Since then, children have been hanging Christmas stockings "in hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there" (www.allthingschristmas.com).

Mistletoe: Mistletoe has always been revered because it had no roots and stayed green all winter. Ancient cultures believed that mistletoe had "magical healing powers and used it as an antidote for poison, infertility and to ward off evil spirits" (www.allthingschristmas.com). The Romans saw the plant as a symbol of peace and Scandanavians associated the plant with Frigga, their goddess of love. "Those who kissed under the mistletoe had the promise of happiness and good luck in the following year" (www.allthingschristmas.com).

Candy Canes: This sweet treat has been around since the 17th century, despite what anyone tells you about a candy maker from Indiana who wanted to create a candy that symbolized his faith. It's a nice story, but that's all it is. Folks from Europe began decorating their Christmas trees with cookies and candy confections, including straight white sugary sticks called candy canes. The red stripes were not added until the 20th century. The one religious connection may be found in a legend that says that candy canes were shaped into crooks to represent the shepherds. These crooks were passed out to children during the living nativity scene at the request of the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany so that they would be quiet (www.allthingschristmas.com and www.snopes.com).

"Xmas": Should Christians be alarmed when the term "Xmas" is used? Absolutely not. The letter X represents the Greek letter "chi," which is the first letter in the Greek word for Christ. The symbol is similar to the letter "X" in the modern Roman alphabet. "The usage is nearly as old as Christianity itself," according to Snopes.com.
La Junta Tribune

NOW you know more than you thought you did. HA!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LINDAKAY228 12/13/2009 9:47PM

Thanks for all the interesting jokes and tidbits of history. I loved your dog story the best though! That is just so funny! Report Inappropriate Comment

KAYDE53 12/12/2009 3:33PM

Lots of great stuff in your blog!!! The dog story was tops though!! Wish my dogs would learn to do that; they're little and in the cold weather, they don't want to go out! Report Inappropriate Comment

DBELLE39 12/12/2009 11:55AM

Stormy is a beautiful dog --- I laughed so hard reading your story! I guess it's true that you do become like your surroundings...we had 3 cats when our kids were younger & still at home, also had 2 pet chickens. One morning, DH went out to feed the cats in their dish & returned to the house --he looked out & the cats & the chickens were all eating the cat food!!! Who would have ever thought! Thanks for sharing all the Christmas cheer with us today! Loved reading those. Have a great weekend. Report Inappropriate Comment

KATVHALE 12/12/2009 11:49AM

Just goes to show you that dogs are just as smart as cats... I am sure all puppies can be trained to use a litter box, one just needs to take the time to do it! I have a theory though.... Stormy thinks he is a cat!! Thanks for sharing all the information about Christmas! Kat Report Inappropriate Comment

IMADAREDEVIL 12/12/2009 11:05AM

This is awesome....what a lot of fun. I loved your story of your dog! Happy Saturday to you. Report Inappropriate Comment

BUCKLEN81 12/12/2009 11:04AM

Loved the litter box story!!! Thanks for the chuckle! Report Inappropriate Comment

DAWNWATERWOMAN 12/12/2009 10:46AM

Thank you for all the cute jokes, stories and traditions. You've got a great wealth of knowledge. Love ya, Dawn Report Inappropriate Comment

RASCALSMOMMA 12/12/2009 10:39AM

Just wanted to say about Stormy: That is one smart dog! and his breed proves it. Beautiful too. Hugs. Laurie Report Inappropriate Comment

0309COOKIE 12/12/2009 9:43AM

That was quite an informative blog. I learned quite a bit. Thank you. That was a cute story about your dog! Report Inappropriate Comment

SANDRAFIVE 12/12/2009 9:40AM

I needed this, this morning. Thanks Report Inappropriate Comment

NANCYLEE46 12/12/2009 9:24AM

ty for making me laugh this morning. Nancy Report Inappropriate Comment

BENDER7 12/12/2009 9:19AM

Loved your dog story--you should be a proud "mom". THanks for all the Christmas info too. Report Inappropriate Comment

FRANNIEDID 12/12/2009 9:14AM

Thanks for sharing! Report Inappropriate Comment

ALPOPLUP 12/12/2009 9:12AM

this was great, thanks Report Inappropriate Comment