Alaskagain

How exciting!

Palerider has surpassed 4000 posts! Watch out, pushka and PC!!!!! <snipped> Hall of Fame 5. pushka 4309 6. prisonchaplain 4168 7. Palerider 4001 Let the games resume!

Whew! Am I tired!!!! and my reading glasses are all fogged up. The person below me is anxiously awaiting a qualifying post to appear here.

We know, and it must be taking all of your spare time. It's very challenging to wrap lumps of coal attractively!

Nothing at all wrong with the plastic milk jugs for short term storage. We also use half gallon and gallon sized juice containers such as Sunny D or Cranberry Juice Cocktail comes in. They are thicker plastic.

. .. a bottle of iced soda pop (with no caffeine of course!) on a hot summer day! It can be fulfilling (cold and refreshing and wet when you are hot and tired and thirsty) . . . . . . but it will go flat if you let it just sit there.

A subject close to my heart! Knowing that Jesus was likely not born in December; and knowing that our current celebration of Christmas began as a pagan holiday around the Winter Solstice . . . For around 30 days out of the year, many people's hearts are turned to others' needs and wants. Even the "scroogiest" of people (who exchange gifts only because of social expectations, grumbling all the way) usually have at least one person they reallly want to do something meaningful for this time of year. For many families who do not have a relationship with any church, but maybe believe in some form of a God, or maybe don't believe in a deity at all, it is a time when they allow themselves to feel the spirit of joy - the spirit of giving - the spirit of Santa Claus - the spirit of charity - which all are (to me) inclusive in the spirit of Christ, even if they do not acknowledge it as such. How wonderful it would be if we could celebrate Christmas on the 25th of every month. or the 14th, or the 6th, pick a date. (I know, "Live every day like it's Christmas", but really, I think I'll incorporate that into next year's calendar - maybe on the 25th of each month, really plan a special day for my family! In addition to FHE, etc.)

"Because I have been given much, I too must give" Follow what you feel is the right thing to do when giving. If your innermost feelings or promptings are telling you, don't give the guy on a corner money because he will drink it up, or he is a fraud and is making 60k a year pan-handling (I really do know of 2 that do this!), then don't do it. If your innermost feelings or promptings are telling you, this guy is weak from hunger, I have to let him get something to eat (even if he gets a bottle to go along with it), then do it or at least guide him to the soup kitchen. But aren't we supposed to help anyone who comes to us and asks for it? Does it matter if they are in a bad position due to the consequences of bad choices they --or others they depended on --have made? -- it is their own fault? My husband says No, it doesn't matter. We are to help them. Doesn't necessarily mean we hand them a boat load of money (which we don't have). It means we help them in whatever way we can. We feed them, or we direct them to the food bank, we make telephone calls to places that can assist them with housing or employment. It generally takes a certain amount of humility to ask for help, and some people will be very prideful and let their families suffer rather than ask for help. Telemarketing charity calls, now that is another matter entirely. . . .we rarely donate money to those groups unless they can send us information showing that a very high percentage of the funds go directly to the people the group is saying they help.

PC said: TJ, I have it on good authority that "they" are. I asked PC, and he told me so. ------------- PC, you are a wonderful example of an Evangelical Christian. And you are a wonderful example of an unadjectivized plain and simple "Christian" too!

I do subscribe to GEMS. Next time I have the inclination to respond to one that I receive, I guess I should just send an email to myself.

and she's right. (see marriage tip above)

Some time ago as I was going through great trauma and trials, I had a dream that confirmed this very truth - that He loves us. I have not shared this experience with many people, but here goes, to the whole world wide web -- At that time, I was just shattered, emotionally worse than empty. I had cried myself to sleep. I dreamed a nightmare of torment, and then I dreamed that I saw the face of Jesus, and he had tears in his eyes. I thought, oh, He is crying for me, and I was quite touched; and then knew that it was not the case. Then I thought, He is crying with me, and then knew that was not quite it either. Then it dawned on me. He was crying MY tears. MY tears were coming out of HIS eyes. I suddenly awoke, and at that moment I knew that if No person on earth loved or cared for me, Jesus did, Heavenly Father did, and that I was worth something. I am so grateful for the blessing of that experience. In the years since, I have pondered, and I have likened this to His atoning sacrifice and the blood He shed for me. How much of MY blood is mixed in with that? How much of the pain he suffered for sins is for MY sin? And how can I know this and still sin? I have to repent constantly, and am oftentimes tempted to do unrighteous things. Sadly, I sometimes succumb to the temptations before me; of course, because I am not perfect.

A child knows what "I'm sorry" means. A child knows very basic emotions - happy/sad; safe/not safe. Very generally speaking, even an abused child wants nothing more than to feel loved by his or her parents, and they are very quick to forgive sorrowful parents and give them another chance to prove they can be good parents. Children "turn the other cheek" without knowing what it means.

And thank you, Elphaba, for researching "the rest of the story". It is good to know that Fatima has recuperated and is with family.

This picture has always touched my heart. When you think of the word "Soldier" this is not the image that comes to mind. I am grateful for our exemplary men and women in the military, who care so much about others, and do what is needed and more.

My mom taught me that (among many many other things) just when you think you have it made, life will throw you curve ball. And just when you think all is lost, something good will happen. In other words: don't get cocky in success; and never, ever give up.

I know that I have forgiven someone when I can think of or see that person without having even a bristle of resentment or umbrage; or when I hear that something bad has happened to them (i.e. their car broke down, they are having money problems - not something SERIOUSLY life-threatening!) and I don't think "hmm, serves them right!" or "what goes around comes around") but instead ask myself "What can I do to help?" and then do it. Forgiveness is a process, like anything else. You obviously have to identify what the offense was, and why you are having a hard time forgiving the offender. What is it they are not doing that would help them make it up to you? Sometimes there is nothing they can do to make it up. How are you looking at them that is keeping you from forgiving them? Prayer is a big part. Ask for help in getting over your feelings of anger or betrayal. Ask for help in seeing the other person as a needy child of God, just as you are. Ask for help for the other person to be able to grow spiritually because of the situation, as well as yourself. Temple attendance also helps put things into perspective. I personally have had a hard time forgiving some people for serious offenses, particularly when harm is inflicted upon or threatened upon my children. Mother's instincts come all out at that point! But such things occur, and mostly by accident. I struggle and feel anger, and once I have my emotions in check - which may take some time - I try to manage a face-to-face conversation with whoever is the offender, and sometimes I have even first asked their forgiveness of my initial reactions to whatever it is that happened. If I can't deal with the situation, I have been known to ask for a meeting with my bishop and the other person. There are times when a one-on-one conversation or a meeting with the bishop is not possible, particularly with non-member situations. If I can't seem to forgive someone, I have practiced forgiving them. I find some alone time, and do some invisible role-playing. I imagine them sitting in a chair across from me, and what would I say to them if I could? How angry and hurt I was? How they were a terrible human being? How could they do such a thing? I write those things down in a note; it makes them more concrete. (I shred it later, unless it is journal-worthy.) Then I say out loud "Person, I forgive you for doing this to me." It is amazing how just verbalizing can help lift the burden, even if no one else is there to hear - hearing yourself say those words is powerful. It usually is not an instant solution, but a step towards where you want to be. Eventually, the true feelings of peace come that define genuine forgiveness. I hope some of my rambling helps. You are heading in the right direction, Checkerboy; hang in there.

You don't have to use the word "inactive". You could just say, "He's at home today." If it is your home teacher who is asking, you could say "I think he avoids church because he doesn't know anyone that's around our age and he feels out of place. Is there anything you can do to help?"

Strawberry Fields - how did your dr visit go? Haven't seen you on for a few days, and I'm worrying . . . . Know I'm thinking of you and hope you are doing very well!

Welcom HLJ! I was going to type it in Norwegian -- but I don't know any!

mmm yum, faircakes! Both sound deee-lish!

I second that also....... the floor is now open for votes . . . AYE! on both issues. (the only emoticon I could see that deals with shoveling food in)

Oh Like, "THANKS for stealing my THUNDER!!! Aw, sorry SF! I congratulate you for making your homemade soup. It is MOST delicious when served WITHOUT the homemade noodles. That sounds like a really cozy and warm Christmas tradition. I'm glad you are continuing to do it.

WHAT? You mean you really don't like pumpkin pie? <sheesh> But, I sent you my favorite recipe already. Can I undo a PM? I think Pam just set me up!

hee hee. Well, let's just all PM John Doe with a good pumpkin pie recipe.