In the next six weeks, I have Thanksgiving, Christmas, Allison's birthday and Zion's birthday to prepare for, Oh yeah, my birthday is in there also but that doesn't count.
It went okay. On the midterm I got 33 out of 50, which is a D. But as it turns out, that was the highest grade in the class and he curved it, so I ended up getting the A. :-) I feel like I did about the same on the final, so I'm hoping he curves that one, too. Either way, that's one more class done. Only 2 more to go for this quarter.
My father would have turned ninety years old today had he lived. He died at the young age of sixty-three from chronic lung disease. He worked in the coal mines of Kentucky from a teenager then migrated north to work in the polluted air of a steelworker. Added to that, he rolled and smoked Prince Albert (yes, in a can) up until the last five years of his life.
He was a veteran of "The Big One" where he received an 'undesirable' discharge for shooting a German officer who had a gun pointed at him. I guess you were suppose to take officers captive, not shoot them. He received a bullet in the leg but received no commendations for that.
After twenty-six years, I still miss him terribly, especially on his birthday which is also on Veteran's Day.
I salute all those who have served, those who have fought and were able to return home but especially those that have given their lives to keep us free.
I didn't know about the discharge either. I remember him in snippets. Like the time he caught me and Tommy (the boy across the street) playing "I'll show you mine if you show me yours" on the front porch. I also remember sitting with him on the front porch swing - and he looked like Johnny Cash. :)
I am leaving early in the morning to meet up with my girls in Chillicothe for an all day mother-daughter outing at the new Ikea in Cincinatti. I have never beem to an Ikea before but I have heard they are great! My wonderful husband offered to take a personal day from work to hold things together at home. Yeah, he is pretty great. I am looking foward to spending some time with three of my most favorite people in the world.....without kids!
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***Our outing was great! I loved Ikea. We spent about 6 1/2 hours there and could have gone much longer if our feet would have cooperated more. My girls are a lot of fun to be with. They definitely have a knack for finding humor in almost anything. Hopefully we can plan a return trip sometime soon.
Oh I love IKEA!!! We have several pieces of furniture and small organizational things from there. If there were one closer to us I would have more :o) Have fun! You have to get some Ginger Cookies (they are in the cafe area with the prepackaged foods), they are wonderful!
Wearefunny, aren't we. :-) Well I think we get our humor from you because we sure aren't cheesy like dad. Haha.
I had a lot of fun, too. It was a rare treat for the four of us to be together without small children. (Not that I don't LOVE it when you bring a certain small child with you.)
I received this via e-mail. Is anyone familiar with this effort? It sounds legitimate to me. I have ordered material from the Spiritbuilding web site but other than that I know nothing.
Open Hearts Helping Hands
Carl McMurray
15591 N. State Rd. 9
Summitville, IN 46070
Re: Starving Christians in Zimbabwe
Dear Brethren,
I hope you will pardon the form letter from me. I just returned from Africa and time is short to turn around and help in the way that I’d like to.
Yes, you read the above subject correctly. While in Zimbabwe during September we were shocked to find the majority of our brethren, New Testament Christians, were more than hungry -- they were starving. Some of the children of brethren we saw up in the north, in the Binga area, were already starting to show the swollen bellies of malnutrition. In Gwanda South we also saw the same signs in the villages, though thankfully not among the brethren there, yet. These are not just people in a sad condition like a Sally Struthers TV commercial. These were brothers and sisters who repeatedly told us thanks for the meal delivered the day before because they had not eaten in three and four days. Over and over we heard of brethren filling their stomachs with leaves because there was nothing else. Often we sat and listened to their gospel singing and wept for what they were going through.
We were able to purchase 8 metric tons of mealie-meal, their food staple, and deliver most of that while we were there, but by this time I’m sure that this has been consumed and brethren are hungry again.
This is not about a guilt trip though. This letter is about a way to help. Mike Divis (preaching in Sioux City, IA) and myself have formed a 501(c)(3) tax deductible organization to help individuals assist families to eat for a month at a time. Right now we are aware of three main ways brethren are being helped in this area:
Money is sent from churches and individuals by the hand of messengers/preachers who may be visiting every six months to a year or more. This works, but that’s a long time to wait for help.
Thousands of dollars are being funneled into Gwanda South by wire through one preacher, changed into Zim dollars and being distributed. The average amount trickling down to individual saints is from $120Zim to $150Zim. That amounts to about $.25 U.S. You read that right. About a quarter per person is what’s being received and since a loaf of bread costs 10 times that amount, not much is being accomplished. This is not a guess. These facts were confirmed over and over from representatives of the almost 60 congregations in that area. (Note, this is NOT the southern area being assisted via South African preachers who are personally driving up and crossing the border into Zimbabwe. All reports are that these men of good reputation are doing a great work.)
Flat rate boxes of food are being sent that carry enough food staples to feed a couple of adults for about a week. These boxes run about $42, plus the food. They are filtering through and are gratefully received with thanks. We believe we can do better.
We have made contact with tested and trusted brethren, brothers who have trucks and who are presently delivering food to Christians as they are able. For $40 we believe we can feed a FAMILY for a MONTH. This will cover the food, the transport, and even a thank you note returned so that volunteers will know that their gift made it to its intended end. I won’t get tedious with details. You can read all about our plan at www.OpenHeartsHelpingHands.com .
We're promising that 100% of the food donations are going to buy and transport food to needy saints. We do not ask for, or accept, congregational funds. This is strictly an individual effort of loving volunteers. All contributions are tax deductible and we could use your help. The brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe could use your help. If you'd like more information you can check out our website at www.OpenHeartsHelpingHands.com or feel free to call me at 765-623-2238.
Checks can be made out to, and funds can be sent to…
Open Hearts, Helping Hands
5373 Ehrlich Rd.
#203-107
Tampa, FL 33625
Additionally, to make good on our 100% promise above, we need a separate operational fund to cover government fees for incorporating, domain costs, some printing and advertisement fees. We estimate about $2500 to $3000 for a first year budget, which is far less than what has already been lost in filtering money down through the system, as I described in method number two above. If you know of someone who might be able to help fund our operating costs and get this thing off the ground, please feel free to pass this note on to them. Information and where to send funds for operation can be found on the website: www.OpenHeartsHelpingHands.com
Hi Marie,
There is a person on pleo named Joanne Berkley. Her husband is Dave and they live in South Africa. She has mentioned this group as a way to help and is personally involved with the situation in Zimbabwe. If you go to her blog, it might help to understand the situation. Her pleo name is "granny" and I am sorry I do not know how to link. If you go to my friends list and click on her name it will take you there.
I didn't see Raylon tonight and missed most of the announcements getting the girls settled. Please tell him the Savel Jr's say "Happy, Happy Birthday!"
Hannah has four or five choir concerts this year. I was excited to see only one would fall on a Wednesday. I was not excited when the one Wednesday was last night. Thanks for missing us. Lord willing, we'll be there tonight. Beth has to work again tonight. :(
thank you Marie, for posting this request. Living here on the "edge" of those truly suffering is unnerving. And trying to find ways to help as many Christians as possible is mind-boggling. Several preachers here in South Africa are acting as messengers, one even finding a cheaper way to sent a truck up with maizemeal, besides sending/taking up monies from brethren in America. If you would like, scroll down several entries on my blog for info. Feel free to voice any questions you may have. I honor you for your sincere care for you Zimbabwean brothers.
Thanks I will let them know you are thinking of them. They are doing well and mom is improving every day. I tend to like the old hymns better but the new ones also have wonderful meanings and melody.
