I told Lauren that I am writing this blog and she told me that she is writing one, too! I’ll be heading over there shortly to check it out!

The Kidney Foundation has a lot of thrift stores you can donate your used items to that helps people that need dialysis.  I always give whatever it is that I think I don’t need anymore to them.  Then there’s one charity that a lot of people don’t think of.  I love to go to my local Disabled American Veterans post or DAV and play bingo.  They do so much for disabled veterans and the families of deployed active duty soldiers too.  That’s what the money goes to help with.

Bingo for Charity not only helps others but is also fun too.  You get to meet a lot of interesting people while having fun.  I haven’t ever played online bingo but if it helps those less fortunate, I just might have to check into it.  After all, we need to help each other, you know.  The DAV does just that too.

One thing that a lot of people are doing now is getting cash loans to start their shopping early.  With cash loans, people can exchange your gift is you got them something that doesn’t fit or just totally doesn’t tickle their fancy.  We have all gotten those types of gifts, haven’t we.  With a credit card, that can be hard for them sometime.  I have had to go with family members to exchange their gifts and that was very uncomfortable for them and me both.  Not to mention, with cash loans, you can pay for most anything you find yourself in need of, not just the holidays.  Cash loans come in awfully handy from time to time so maybe it’s an option you should check out.  Even I have check into them.

GOD’S Rosebud

A new minister was walking with an older, more seasoned minister in the garden one day. Feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do, he was asking the older preacher for some advice. The older preacher walked up to a rosebush and handed the young preacher a rosebud and told him to open it without tearing off any petals.

The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher and was trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the will of God for his life and ministry.

But because of his great respect for the older preacher, he proceeded to try to unfold the rose, while keeping every petal intact. It wasn’t long before he realized how impossible this was to do.

Noticing the younger preacher’s inability to unfold the rosebud without tearing it, the older preacher began to recite the following poem…

It is only a tiny rosebud,

A flower of God’s design..

But I cannot unfold the petals

With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers

Is not known to such as I..

GOD opens this flower so easily,

But in my hands they die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,

This flower of God’s design..

Then how can I have the wisdom

To unfold this life of mine?

So I’ll trust in God for leading

Each moment of my day..

I will look to God for guidance

In each step of the way.

The path that lies before me,

Only my Lord knows..

I’ll trust God to unfold the moments,

Just as He unfolds the rose.

Please share this poem with a friend if you enjoyed being reminded to let go and let God unfold your life.

When you attend a wedding, you are there to celebrate two lives being joined.  Sure you have pictures you can look at and your own personal memories but wedding favors give you something tangible you can hold on to that makes you feel like a part of the celebration.  I had to know where the bride got these wonderful favors so that if and when I get married, I will surely have them at my wedding too.  There are a wide variety of favors you can purchase and give to the guests.

If you have a fall wedding, they offer favors by season, by theme if you choose a theme type wedding and you can even get coasters with a picture of the bride in her amazing dress to take home too.  How special is that and she found them all online?