The Spirit of Giving!

I found this article and had to post it because I believe you should volunteer year round if you are able as you never know when you may be the person (s) in need!

Thanks for all the giving and volunteering this year as it comes to a close and we look to 2010!





I am a writer for my church's newsletter. I do not consider giving a seasonal thing and feel that it is something that we should do year round.

written by Willie Tee


The Spirit of Giving

A minister had served for only a short time at a small church situated at a village. He then noticed that one parishioner did not have a suit of clothes for Sunday services. The minister had preached long and hard about giving freely to others.

Since the Christmas season had just began and the great day was not too far away, the minister decided to see what effect his preachings had on his parishioners. Therefore, he placed an insert in the church bulletin that he wanted church members to donate a used suit of clothes for next Sunday services.

The evening after the church’s Sunday services, most of the parishioners read the bulletin insert. However, a small number of parishioners did not read the insert. They always relied on other parishioners to call them and gossip about new items in the bulletin. Therefore, that Sunday evening, the topic of gossip was the donation of a set of Sunday clothes.

Several of the parishioners were well off compared to the other parishioners, but decided not to donate a suit of clothes. It meant that they would have to wear one suit of clothes twice during the month of Sundays. Several other parishioners were not well off but had more than one suit of clothes. They decided not to donate a suit of clothes either. This meant that they would have to wear one suit of clothes three times during the month of Sundays.

There was however one poor parishioner, who had only two suits of Sunday clothes, and lived in a rundown bungalow at the edge of town. . He pondered the pastor’s teachings of giving ungrudgingly to others according to the Christian faith. He decided to donate one of his suits to the parishioner who did not have a suit.

On the next Sunday at church, the minister gave the suit of clothes to the other poor parishioner. The parishioner then stood and thanked the giver profusely for the suit of clothes. The parishioner then explained that he was a wealthy philanthropist, who had no desire for worldly things. He had spent a lifetime giving to the needy. He then looked kindly upon the giver of the clothes and exclaimed, "I can not give you heaven, but here are the keys to the new bungalow that was recently built at the edge of town. This is my gift to you."

The philanthropist’s gift to the giver supports the Christian doctrine that those who give ungrudgingly will receive more in return. I am also reminded of my old departed German colleague’s adage, "It is not important that you dress like it is Sunday, but how you present yourself."

I wish you all a happy holiday season. It is also a season of giving.

Happy Thanksgiving

This is my favorite time of year and I'm so thankful for all the many blessings bestowed upon myself and my family and I'm very thankful for all of you in my life!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!



The meaning of Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival. Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival. Traditionally, it is a time to give thanks to God for the harvest and express gratitude in general. It is a holiday celebrated primarily in Canada and the United States. While perhaps religious in origin, Thanksgiving is now primarily identified as a secular holiday.

The date and location of the first Thanksgiving celebration is a topic of modest contention. The traditional "first Thanksgiving" is the celebration that occurred at the site of Plymouth Plantation, in 1621. The Plymouth celebration occurred early in the history of what would become one of the original thirteen colonies that became the United States. The celebration became an important part of the American myth by the 1800s. This Thanksgiving, modeled after celebrations that were commonplace in contemporary Europe, is generally regarded as America's first. Elementary school teacher Robyn Gioia has argued that the earliest attested "thanksgiving" celebration in what is now the United States was on September 8, 1565 in what is now Saint Augustine, Florida. Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. Thanksgiving dinner is held on this day, usually as a gathering of family members and friends.






Thanksgiving ProclamationState of New-Hampshire. In Committee of Safety, Exeter, November 1, 1782 : Ordered, that the following proclamation for a general thanksgiving on the twenty-eighth day of November instant, received from the honorable Continental Congress, be forthwith printed ...
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
IN COMMITTEE of SAFETY,
EXETER, November 1, 1782.
ORDERED,
THAT the following Proclamation for a general THANKSGIVING on the twenty-eighth day of November [instant?], received from the honorable Continental Congress, be forthwith printed, and sent to the several worshipping Assemblies in this State, to whom it is recommended religiously to observe said day, and to abstain from all servile labour thereon.
M. WEARE, President.
By the United States in Congress assembled.


PROCLAMATION.
IT being the indispensable duty of all Nations, not only to offer up their supplications to ALMIGHTY GOD, the giver of all good, for his gracious assistance in a time of distress, but also in a solemn and public manner to give him praise for his goodness in general, and especially for great and signal interpositions of his providence in their behalf: Therefore the United States in Congress assembled, taking into their consideration the many instances of divine goodness to these States, in the course of the important conflict in which they have been so long engaged; the present happy and promising state of public affairs; and the events of the war, in the course of the year now drawing to a close; particularly the harmony of the public Councils, which is so necessary to the success of the public cause; the perfect union and good understanding which has hitherto subsisted between them and their Allies, notwithstanding the artful and unwearied attempts of the common enemy to divide them; the success of the arms of the United States, and those of their Allies, and the acknowledgment of their independence by another European power, whose friendship and commerce must be of great and lasting advantage to these States:----- Do hereby recommend to the inhabitants of these States in general, to observe, and request the several States to interpose their authority in appointing and commanding the observation of THURSDAY the twenty-eight day of NOVEMBER next, as a day of solemn THANKSGIVING to GOD for all his mercies: and they do further recommend to all ranks, to testify to their gratitude to GOD for his goodness, by a cheerful obedience of his laws, and by promoting, each in his station, and by his influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness.
Done in Congress, at Philadelphia, the eleventh day of October, in the year of our LORD one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, and of our Sovereignty and Independence, the seventh.
JOHN HANSON, President.
Charles Thomson, Secretary.

Weekend for Warriors - November 14, 2009

The event was a benefit to fund the Northeast Florida H.O.R.S.E. (Helping Others Rehabilitate Through the Services of Equines) Therapies Inc. In the photos you will see the night time event was called "Dinner in the Dirt" and yes it was really dinner in the dirt! We had a great time seating the folks and then making sure no one entered the area where the horse and riders were performing!

November - American Diabetes Month

Very close to my heart - We love you Mom!


American Diabetes Awareness Month

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.

There are 20.8 million people in the United States, or 7% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 6.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease.

For more info, please visit... The American Diabetes Association

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Very close to my heart - Dad we love you and support you!



Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

The National Prostate Cancer Coalition provides information and services, including symptoms, prevention, treatment and free screenings. Their website offers the internet's most comprehensive list of prostate cancer information and resources.

For more information, please visit... The National Prostate Cancer Coalition

November Adoption Month

This issue is close to my heart!


Observing Adoption Awareness Month
Each year, November is recognized as National Adoption Awareness Month. While all adoption-related issues are important, the particular focus of this month is the adoption of children currently in foster care.

Activities and celebrations are kicked off with a Presidential Proclamation, and while efforts made at the national level certainly help build awareness of adoption, participation in local programs, events, and activities by those of us with a direct connection to adoption can often be the most effective way to promote positive perceptions, debunk the myths, and draw attention to the tens of thousands of children in foster care who wait and hope for permanent families.

Adoption Month History
The first major effort to promote awareness of the need for adoptive families for children in the foster care system occurred in Massachusetts. In 1976, then-Governor Mike Dukakis proclaimed Adoption Week and the idea grew in popularity and spread throughout the nation. President Gerald Ford made the first National Adoption Week proclamation, and in 1990, the week was expanded to a month due to the number of states participating and the number of events.

During the month, states, communities, public and private organizations, businesses, families, and individuals celebrate adoption as a positive way to build families. Across the nation, activities and observances such as recognition dinners, public awareness and recruitment campaigns, and special events spotlight the needs of children who need permanent families. It also includes National Adoption Day, traditionally a Saturday, which is observed in courthouses across the nation as thousands of adoptions are finalized simultaneously.

Happy Halloween

Safe tips for Halloween - Below are just a few common sense tips that can help.



Know the route your kids will be taking if you aren't going with them.



The best bet is to make sure that an adult is going with them. If you can't take them, see if another parent or a teen aged sibling can go along.



Know what other activities a child may be attending, such as parties, school or mall functions.



Make sure you set a time that they should be home by. Make sure they know how important it is for them to be home on time.



Explain to children the difference between tricks and vandalism. Throwing eggs at a house may seem like fun but they need to know the other side of the coin as well, clean up and damages can ruin Halloween. If they are caught vandalizing, make them clean up the mess they've made.



Explain to your kids that animal cruelty is not acceptable. Kids may know this on their own but peer pressure can be a bad thing. Make sure that they know that harming animals is not only morally wrong but punishable by law and will not be tolerated.



There are many ways to keep your child safe at Halloween, when they are more prone to accidents and injuries. The excitement of children and adults at this time of year sometimes makes them forget to be careful. Simple common sense can do a lot to stop any tragedies from happening.

Help your child pick out or make a costume that will be safe. Make it fire proof, the eye holes should be large enough for good peripheral vision.


If you set jack-o-lanterns on your porch with candles in them, make sure that they are far enough out of the way so that kids costumes won't accidentally be set on fire.


Make sure that if your child is carrying a prop, such as a scythe, butcher knife or a pitchfork, that the tips are smooth and flexible enough to not cause injury if fallen on.


Kids always want to help with the pumpkin carving. Small children shouldn't be allowed to use a sharp knife to cut the top or the face. There are many kits available that come with tiny saws that work better then knives and are safer, although you can be cut by them as well. It's best to let the kids clean out the pumpkin and draw a face on it, which you can carve for them.


Treating your kids to a spooky Halloween dinner will make them less likely to eat the candy they collect before you have a chance to check it for them.


Teaching your kids basic everyday safety such as not getting into cars or talking to strangers, watching both ways before crossing streets and crossing when the lights tell you to, will help make them safer when they are out Trick or Treating.


Make Halloween a fun, safe and happy time for your kids and they'll carry on the tradition that you taught them to their own families some day!


PET CARE


Leaving your pets outside on Halloween is not a god idea. There are plenty of tales of malicious people who tease, injure, steal, torture, even killed peoples pets on Halloween. Not to mention that dogs and cats can scare easily with all the trick-or-treaters coming to your house. Here are some tips to keep your pets happy on Halloween.

As much as your dog or cat may beg for some of your Halloween candy, always remember that chocolate is deadly to them in any amount.



If you work in a pet store, remember that this is the time of year that can be deadly for black cats. Some sick people who play at being what they'll call a Satanist will buy them to "sacrifice" If you can, don't take any black cats or sell them during October.



The wrappers, such as tin foil, can get stuck in your pets digestive tract and make them ill or cause death. There are plenty of recipes for making home made dog and cat treats, you can always make them on a Halloween note.



Dogs can have lethal tails, wagging all over the place. Don't leave any lighted candles or Jack-O-Lanterns where they could be knocked over by a swinging tail or by a curious cat. Not only could your pet start a fire but they could severely burn themselves in the process.



If you are going to dress your pet in a costume, keep in mind that unless the dog or cat is extremely receptive to this kind of thing, you could be causing it discomfort and stress. Some animals don't mind at all but others do not want to be bothered with this kind of thing. They'll be under enough stress with the festivities going on outside and people at the door constantly so don't cause them any more nervousness then you have to. You may love to dress in costume but then, you aren't a dog or a cat.



If you put a mask of some type on your animal, make sure that the eye holes are big enough for them to see peripherally. Animals depend on their vision to let them know what's going on and even the nicest dog can get snippy if he can't see what's around him. In fact, masks really aren't a good idea.



If you are having a indoor party, make sure that you put your dog or cat in a room where they won't be disturbed. Unless your pet is ultra friendly and doesn't mind loud noises, music and lots of people you should keep them separate for the night. Also, be careful your cat or dog doesn't dart out through the open door as you hand out candy. Best bet is to just put them in a room with some food and water for the night and check on them once in a while to let them know everything is fine.