One of the worst companies I've ever worked for actually laid me off just a week ago. I had transferred last year from a company owned store to a new location that only had an agent in the area. Let me tell you, what a difference that makes. When I arrived on the scene I was explained some of the problems there were having and asked if I could fix them or at least had some suggestions for helping. I listened and was excited by the opportunity to turn around an office that was in desperate help both financially and professionally. For the first few weeks I observed the practices and procedures and decided on what changes had to be made.
Upon bringing the suggestions to the owners (who by the way are all family), I had some resistance. I couldn't believe that they knew the problems (a ton of money being wasted), but continued to hesitate on taking action. Slowly and painfully we made progress. You know the old line, take two steps forward, one step back well that is how I've felt for an entire year. Struggling always to do what is right and financially sound while fighting with the owners who were about to go bankrupt.
Not only was this company making bad financial decisions but they hired employees who didn't respect them, had no education or training. At first I was disgusted over some of the actions that I witnessed and even expressed my anger for allowing it to continue without consequences. Over time my team of employees did complete their goals, we reduced the amount of errors, increased the customer service level and reduced the amount of fees being accumulated from before I started.
Yet, some things just couldn't be changed, they were out of my control. Some of those actions came out of an atmosphere filled with family employees, deceit and back stabbing. Never had I been in an atmosphere where farting, burping and cursing like a sailor was accepted as good business practices. In your head you have a visual image of men working in this office but you would be wrong, all women besides the owners. Women who would think it was funny to walk through the office blowing steam from their rear ends on their way to the copier. Or burping loudly while others were on the phone with a customer. Rude wouldn't you say. Though if you said anything, like I couldn't help but doing, I gained the nickname "June Cleaver". I guess it could of been worse but because I had morals I received slack and jokes behind my back.
Even worse than the farting, burping and cursing in the office was the professional
communication that went on between employees and customers. Countless times the owners would start to go off on a tyrant using profanities loudly while employees were on the phone with the customers. It was also laughed off when several of the employees couldn't write emails correctly, type in both upper and lower case or refused to use spell check. I can't tell you how many emails I've read with a sentence like "i know you are having an isue". Doesn't that just scream that you are dealing with someone who is professional and educated?
As if these office quirks were not enough to push someone over the edge, they would not fire the employees that continued to cost them thousands of dollars. One in particular mistake is still costing them today with a total amount of over a hundred grand. Only family can have those errors and keep their position. Errors that are made from not doing the job properly, coming in under the influence of medication and plain laziness.
The irony in all of this is they do lay off the ones who make them money, go above and beyond their job and provide excellent customer service. The reason this is the worst company to work for is they have their priorities backwards. They believe in family even when family is stabbing them and draining their blood. They squash any type of motivation because it is seen as being better than others or knowing more than they do. And in the end, they will be left with what they have chosen to surround themselves with rude employees with no regard for how they present themselves to one another or to the customer.
http://www.helium.com/tm/666984/worst-companies-worked-actually
Tips for excelling in a temporary job
Tips for excelling in a temporary job
The first tip I would give any temporary that is working currently is not to think of it as temporary. There are many opportunities that will be missed if you have the mindset of underachieving or being undependable just because you're a temp. Advantages come from these types of positions; which may include flexibility, knowledge gaining opportunities and networking contacts.
If you are a working parent or someone just entering the workforce that may need flexibility for college or school schedules for children temporary positions are wonderful vehicles to earn extra money while not committing to a full time permanent position. Who doesn't want to work in an environment that you are employed but get to be flexible in your scheduling, and location? Temporary jobs can be ideal for these types of situations, take advantage of them and do your best to keep them.
Temporary positions allow for learning new jobs, industries and computer programs. Be proactive when working, and enthusiastic towards the different projects. Enthusiasm, excitement and a willingness to learn shine through to potential employers. Even if there aren't open permanent positions within their company, often they will recommend you to future employers. Working hard, and learning new things can only make you more valuable to employers of any kind temporary or permanent.
Valuable employees who take on tasks with diligence and determination will make the networking contacts needed in the business world. Avoid thinking that associates your temporary position with a less than attitude. Building strong work relationships can lead to positions further up in the company or inside tips into others. Networking is essential to being successful in business. Many times it isn't what you know but whom you know that will get you in the door.
Regardless of your status as an employee always do your best, be dependable, arrive on time and look for opportunities to grow as a person. If a boss asks you to file papers, don't look down at the opportunity but take advantage of learning their file system, customers' names and out perform their expectations.
http://www.helium.com/tm/826338/excelling-temporary-jobthe-first
The first tip I would give any temporary that is working currently is not to think of it as temporary. There are many opportunities that will be missed if you have the mindset of underachieving or being undependable just because you're a temp. Advantages come from these types of positions; which may include flexibility, knowledge gaining opportunities and networking contacts.
If you are a working parent or someone just entering the workforce that may need flexibility for college or school schedules for children temporary positions are wonderful vehicles to earn extra money while not committing to a full time permanent position. Who doesn't want to work in an environment that you are employed but get to be flexible in your scheduling, and location? Temporary jobs can be ideal for these types of situations, take advantage of them and do your best to keep them.
Temporary positions allow for learning new jobs, industries and computer programs. Be proactive when working, and enthusiastic towards the different projects. Enthusiasm, excitement and a willingness to learn shine through to potential employers. Even if there aren't open permanent positions within their company, often they will recommend you to future employers. Working hard, and learning new things can only make you more valuable to employers of any kind temporary or permanent.
Valuable employees who take on tasks with diligence and determination will make the networking contacts needed in the business world. Avoid thinking that associates your temporary position with a less than attitude. Building strong work relationships can lead to positions further up in the company or inside tips into others. Networking is essential to being successful in business. Many times it isn't what you know but whom you know that will get you in the door.
Regardless of your status as an employee always do your best, be dependable, arrive on time and look for opportunities to grow as a person. If a boss asks you to file papers, don't look down at the opportunity but take advantage of learning their file system, customers' names and out perform their expectations.
http://www.helium.com/tm/826338/excelling-temporary-jobthe-first
Your most meaningful family traditions
Holiday Movie Night
Family traditions are so important. Growing up we didn't have many to speak about it, but I've made it a priority with my own family to create those memories so they have a lifetime of stories to share. One thing I've learned is it isn't about the big things you do with your kids that count the most but the time you spend with them. Quality versus Quantity. Everyone thinks it is about money but traditions can be done with little to no money at all.
Our family tradition takes place each year the day after Thanksgiving. While other families are out stressing over shopping lists and getting the best bargain on Black Friday, we stay at home. We put the tree up, decorate it with all the pretty lights (my kids love the Multi-colored lights), special ornaments and settle in for our holiday family movie night. Each and every year, our children bring out the movie White Christmas with Bing Crosby. We can recite the lines, sing along to the songs and somehow get the "Snow" song stuck in our heads for weeks afterward.
It's funny because it started out as my favorite movie of the holiday season and my husband's least favorite. When our daughter got big enough it became the annual joke for my husband to gripe about watching it for the hundredth time but each year we would all curl up on the couch with popcorn to watch it with the lights out. One year my daughter thought we were going to stop the tradition so she took the movie from the living room and hid it somewhere in her room. Needless to say we had to buy another copy because she forgot where she put it. Another priceless family moment, especially since the version of the story we tell everyone is that my husband hid the movie instead of Linda. He insists he didn't, but like I tell him the story is funnier that way because he is so insistent that Linda did it instead of him.
Since my daughter and son are getting a little older now, we have added a few more movies to our Holiday night but White Christmas has remained along with the blankets, popcorn and hot cocoa. The tradition continues to grow along with our family. And as they grow up to have children of their own they will carry these special times with them and hopefully share the same night with their own kids.
http://www.helium.com/tm/710258/holiday-movie-nightfamily-traditions
Family traditions are so important. Growing up we didn't have many to speak about it, but I've made it a priority with my own family to create those memories so they have a lifetime of stories to share. One thing I've learned is it isn't about the big things you do with your kids that count the most but the time you spend with them. Quality versus Quantity. Everyone thinks it is about money but traditions can be done with little to no money at all.
Our family tradition takes place each year the day after Thanksgiving. While other families are out stressing over shopping lists and getting the best bargain on Black Friday, we stay at home. We put the tree up, decorate it with all the pretty lights (my kids love the Multi-colored lights), special ornaments and settle in for our holiday family movie night. Each and every year, our children bring out the movie White Christmas with Bing Crosby. We can recite the lines, sing along to the songs and somehow get the "Snow" song stuck in our heads for weeks afterward.
It's funny because it started out as my favorite movie of the holiday season and my husband's least favorite. When our daughter got big enough it became the annual joke for my husband to gripe about watching it for the hundredth time but each year we would all curl up on the couch with popcorn to watch it with the lights out. One year my daughter thought we were going to stop the tradition so she took the movie from the living room and hid it somewhere in her room. Needless to say we had to buy another copy because she forgot where she put it. Another priceless family moment, especially since the version of the story we tell everyone is that my husband hid the movie instead of Linda. He insists he didn't, but like I tell him the story is funnier that way because he is so insistent that Linda did it instead of him.
Since my daughter and son are getting a little older now, we have added a few more movies to our Holiday night but White Christmas has remained along with the blankets, popcorn and hot cocoa. The tradition continues to grow along with our family. And as they grow up to have children of their own they will carry these special times with them and hopefully share the same night with their own kids.
http://www.helium.com/tm/710258/holiday-movie-nightfamily-traditions
Assisting your children with homework
Homework? I thought I was out of school!
Having your children go to school and bring home homework is like reliving your childhood and elementary education all over again. When they are beginning you get to learn your alphabet over, then you move on to addition and subtraction and gradually you move on up to Multiplication. This doesn't include the countless hours of reading and writing lessons. Who uses cursive writing today anyway with computers, faxes and blackberries? Yet, as a parent your job doesn't end by sending the kids to school but really begins when they come home looking for guidance, help and assistance in the educational journey.
Reading is something that we all need even in this technological age. Reading is everywhere from school to signs along the highway. One way that helps children read more is to pick a book that is level appropriate and have them read one page and you read the other. This not only gets to them to read, but they also pick up on phonics and pronunciations while following along, as you read to them. Children look at it as if they are only reading half the pages because you are helping, but really they will read more because you are along for the adventure. In my experience I have also found that finding the silliest books possible help the children that loose interest the easiest. Dan Gutman wrote a book I recommend highly for this type of child "My Crazy School Daze". It is a book that has stories of teachers and principals that do crazy things to get their students to accomplish a million math problems and a million pages of reading. The kids laugh and visualize the stories as they read each chapter.
Math is an entirely different animal compared to reading. Helping with homework can be a challenge depending on your child, age level and ability. When working with addition and subtraction it has been my experience that food make for great visuals. Give the kids x amount of M&M's then tell them how many more to add or take away. When teaching subtraction you can even let the child eat the ones that are being subtracted. Of course this means you will be buying candy a lot but skittles and Sugar Free candy work just as well.
Making math fun is half the battle of getting the children to learn. Multiplication was hard for our kids but rhyming and shaking your hips on 6x6 is 36 really helps getting them memorized. If children put some of the multiplication facts to rhythms then they will remember them easier. For added help besides the fun side, it has helped in the past to make flash cards of all the multiplication problems from 0x0 to 10x10 with the answers on the back. Go through the stack each night, the ones your child gets wrong, have them write them ten times while saying them out loud. It only takes a few nights of writing a ton for them to start paying attention and remembering them more. On the upside, their writing improves along with their math skills.
When it comes to writing, the best approach to help your children learn is to pick a topic each week for them to write about along with showing them how to brainstorm ideas. Showing the kids how to ask themselves questions like whom? What? When? Where? Why? And How? Before they start writing will help generate ideas. It will also break down the task into easier parts before they start writing on a blank page and becoming overwhelmed. Prompting them through the process also helps on the first few stories. This way you are showing them how to prepare the opening paragraph, transitioning into the body of the story and finally how to wrap it up at the end. Believe it or not these same techniques if taught early enough will be used for the rest of their lives even in business reports and emails. The sooner they learn the format the better off they will be for the real world.
Remember helping your children with their homework doesn't mean doing it for them. It means guiding them and helping point out options for them or directions that they may have skimmed over. With the hectic work schedules, sports and church activities it is tempting to help too much. Try to keep in mind you've been through these grades before and this is their turn. Encourage and support is sometimes the best action plan for helping your children make it through each grade. This is along with fun tricks for memorization or our family favorite playing Multiplication Connect Four on the computer. Nothing makes my son happier than beating his mom at Connect Four and nothing makes me any happier than seeing him learning his multiplication facts.
Keep up the good work, your a great parent and as you help get your child through each grade treasure the moments over homework because the years go by so quickly that before you know it they will be off to college.
http://www.helium.com/tm/710732/homework-thought-schoolhaving-children
Having your children go to school and bring home homework is like reliving your childhood and elementary education all over again. When they are beginning you get to learn your alphabet over, then you move on to addition and subtraction and gradually you move on up to Multiplication. This doesn't include the countless hours of reading and writing lessons. Who uses cursive writing today anyway with computers, faxes and blackberries? Yet, as a parent your job doesn't end by sending the kids to school but really begins when they come home looking for guidance, help and assistance in the educational journey.
Reading is something that we all need even in this technological age. Reading is everywhere from school to signs along the highway. One way that helps children read more is to pick a book that is level appropriate and have them read one page and you read the other. This not only gets to them to read, but they also pick up on phonics and pronunciations while following along, as you read to them. Children look at it as if they are only reading half the pages because you are helping, but really they will read more because you are along for the adventure. In my experience I have also found that finding the silliest books possible help the children that loose interest the easiest. Dan Gutman wrote a book I recommend highly for this type of child "My Crazy School Daze". It is a book that has stories of teachers and principals that do crazy things to get their students to accomplish a million math problems and a million pages of reading. The kids laugh and visualize the stories as they read each chapter.
Math is an entirely different animal compared to reading. Helping with homework can be a challenge depending on your child, age level and ability. When working with addition and subtraction it has been my experience that food make for great visuals. Give the kids x amount of M&M's then tell them how many more to add or take away. When teaching subtraction you can even let the child eat the ones that are being subtracted. Of course this means you will be buying candy a lot but skittles and Sugar Free candy work just as well.
Making math fun is half the battle of getting the children to learn. Multiplication was hard for our kids but rhyming and shaking your hips on 6x6 is 36 really helps getting them memorized. If children put some of the multiplication facts to rhythms then they will remember them easier. For added help besides the fun side, it has helped in the past to make flash cards of all the multiplication problems from 0x0 to 10x10 with the answers on the back. Go through the stack each night, the ones your child gets wrong, have them write them ten times while saying them out loud. It only takes a few nights of writing a ton for them to start paying attention and remembering them more. On the upside, their writing improves along with their math skills.
When it comes to writing, the best approach to help your children learn is to pick a topic each week for them to write about along with showing them how to brainstorm ideas. Showing the kids how to ask themselves questions like whom? What? When? Where? Why? And How? Before they start writing will help generate ideas. It will also break down the task into easier parts before they start writing on a blank page and becoming overwhelmed. Prompting them through the process also helps on the first few stories. This way you are showing them how to prepare the opening paragraph, transitioning into the body of the story and finally how to wrap it up at the end. Believe it or not these same techniques if taught early enough will be used for the rest of their lives even in business reports and emails. The sooner they learn the format the better off they will be for the real world.
Remember helping your children with their homework doesn't mean doing it for them. It means guiding them and helping point out options for them or directions that they may have skimmed over. With the hectic work schedules, sports and church activities it is tempting to help too much. Try to keep in mind you've been through these grades before and this is their turn. Encourage and support is sometimes the best action plan for helping your children make it through each grade. This is along with fun tricks for memorization or our family favorite playing Multiplication Connect Four on the computer. Nothing makes my son happier than beating his mom at Connect Four and nothing makes me any happier than seeing him learning his multiplication facts.
Keep up the good work, your a great parent and as you help get your child through each grade treasure the moments over homework because the years go by so quickly that before you know it they will be off to college.
http://www.helium.com/tm/710732/homework-thought-schoolhaving-children
How to encourage teens to cook
The Golden Arches and the jingle run for the Border may keep your teenager out of the kitchen but with some coaxing and creative ideas they will come back. Encouraging teens to cook takes some inspiration and patience. Chef Boyardee wasn't born over night. Your teenager will need to start out small and work their way up. Be supportive and let them know how good it was that they cooked, that the food tasted good (even if it did have too much pepper) or if they fail that next time they will get better.
One idea for that would be for family or church events. If you have a family or church gathering coming up make something yourself and let your teenager thumb through the cookbooks to find something they would want to cook themselves. Letting them choose items to cook or bake will get them interested in the process. Take them shopping for the ingredients and assist them while they prepare their item. It will also give you some time to talk to your teen, which we all know is a precious commodity.
Another idea for encouraging your teen to participate in the cooking chore is to set a day each week where everyone in your family takes a turn cooking. Now you may start out by eating hot dogs and chips but if you encourage them it may grow into something more appetizing. Letting the teens pick out their lunch or dinner menu, go shopping for the ingredients will not only get them cooking but will also teach them responsibility. Taking them to the grocery store they can learn to compare prices, brands and ingredients.
If you child is a picky eater then what better way to get them to finish a meal then to let them cook it themselves. Allowing them control over the food choices will ensure they like it will finish it without starting a family war. Avoiding family war is what every parent wishes for, so this may be your opportunity to bring peace to the family dinner table.
http://www.helium.com/tm/717535/golden-arches-jingle-border
One idea for that would be for family or church events. If you have a family or church gathering coming up make something yourself and let your teenager thumb through the cookbooks to find something they would want to cook themselves. Letting them choose items to cook or bake will get them interested in the process. Take them shopping for the ingredients and assist them while they prepare their item. It will also give you some time to talk to your teen, which we all know is a precious commodity.
Another idea for encouraging your teen to participate in the cooking chore is to set a day each week where everyone in your family takes a turn cooking. Now you may start out by eating hot dogs and chips but if you encourage them it may grow into something more appetizing. Letting the teens pick out their lunch or dinner menu, go shopping for the ingredients will not only get them cooking but will also teach them responsibility. Taking them to the grocery store they can learn to compare prices, brands and ingredients.
If you child is a picky eater then what better way to get them to finish a meal then to let them cook it themselves. Allowing them control over the food choices will ensure they like it will finish it without starting a family war. Avoiding family war is what every parent wishes for, so this may be your opportunity to bring peace to the family dinner table.
http://www.helium.com/tm/717535/golden-arches-jingle-border
Teaching teens table manners
Teaching teens table manners start by eating with them. If you're not around to critique or teach them, then there is no use in talking about this subject. Being with them and making it a point to share meals with them will give you the opportunity to make comments, change behaviors and connect with your teenager.
Meals shared by families help a child or teen develop healthy and socially acceptable habits. If you haven't started on table manners before your child becomes a teen this may be a little hard to achieve. Remember to start show, choose your battles wisely and that Rome was not built in a day. Prioritize what needs to be addressed the quickest. Does your child eat with his/her mouth open? Are they not using a napkin? Do they tend to eat with their hands instead of utensils? Pick an area and address it while at the lunch/dinner table. Try to resist harping on it and always leave it at the table. Refrain from bringing it back up until the next meal and only if they continue to do it again.
When teaching your teenager table manners remember to do this as a family and not in front of company or extended family members. If you embarrass a teen they are less likely to respond to your teaching or suggestions. Encouraging them to change their behaviors will get your further than embarrassing them. Teenagers are hard to reach so be careful of when you point out behaviors that need to be changed and try to explain why you are saying it. If they talk with their mouth full, give them an example about eating in front of boys/girls they like and how that may seem gross to them. Giving examples will allow them to visualize what you are talking about and connect it to their world.
Teenagers know everything so the first few times you point things out with them you may get the typical "I know Mom or Dad". Don't let this discourage you because even when you think a teenager isn't listening they are and will carry it with them. Love them and guide them through life because if you don't teach them good manners (table or otherwise), then who will?
http://www.helium.com/tm/717553/teaching-teens-table-manners
Meals shared by families help a child or teen develop healthy and socially acceptable habits. If you haven't started on table manners before your child becomes a teen this may be a little hard to achieve. Remember to start show, choose your battles wisely and that Rome was not built in a day. Prioritize what needs to be addressed the quickest. Does your child eat with his/her mouth open? Are they not using a napkin? Do they tend to eat with their hands instead of utensils? Pick an area and address it while at the lunch/dinner table. Try to resist harping on it and always leave it at the table. Refrain from bringing it back up until the next meal and only if they continue to do it again.
When teaching your teenager table manners remember to do this as a family and not in front of company or extended family members. If you embarrass a teen they are less likely to respond to your teaching or suggestions. Encouraging them to change their behaviors will get your further than embarrassing them. Teenagers are hard to reach so be careful of when you point out behaviors that need to be changed and try to explain why you are saying it. If they talk with their mouth full, give them an example about eating in front of boys/girls they like and how that may seem gross to them. Giving examples will allow them to visualize what you are talking about and connect it to their world.
Teenagers know everything so the first few times you point things out with them you may get the typical "I know Mom or Dad". Don't let this discourage you because even when you think a teenager isn't listening they are and will carry it with them. Love them and guide them through life because if you don't teach them good manners (table or otherwise), then who will?
http://www.helium.com/tm/717553/teaching-teens-table-manners
Should smoking be allowed in public places?
Yes smoking should be allowed in public, open air places. I give you that nobody including most smokers like a smoke filled room or restaurant. As a smoker myself, I'm good with a ban on smoking in restaurants, most buildings, most businesses and airplanes. Yet, in those same places if you want to take away smoking, take away the alcohol as well. One can do just as much damage as the other.
Smokers and non-smokers could get along better if a compromise was done. Example: If a stadium is open to the atmosphere like the Cincinnati Reds or Bengals are, then make a few rows at the very top open to smokers. Paint the seats black if you want. I guarantee those seats will sell out immediately. Also this would allow smokers a place to go without offending anyone else who came to the game.
Example 2: Bars, now why take away smoking in a bar if you are going to leave the alcohol? This is just plain stupid. If my smoking is a problem, I would definitely think so would someone drinking and possibly getting behind the wheel of a car that could possibly take an entire family out
Example 3: Restaurants that have outside tables. Some of these tables should be reserved for smokers. This would allow the patrons to come to the facility and not burden the non-smokers inside the restaurant. Even if non-smokers were outside, it wouldn't get smoky and bother them while they enjoy their time either.
Encouraging people not to smoke is a good thing and I appreciate it but I believe our small governments and cities have taken it too far with banning it almost everywhere but your own house.
http://www.helium.com/tm/735067/smoking-should-allowed-public
Smokers and non-smokers could get along better if a compromise was done. Example: If a stadium is open to the atmosphere like the Cincinnati Reds or Bengals are, then make a few rows at the very top open to smokers. Paint the seats black if you want. I guarantee those seats will sell out immediately. Also this would allow smokers a place to go without offending anyone else who came to the game.
Example 2: Bars, now why take away smoking in a bar if you are going to leave the alcohol? This is just plain stupid. If my smoking is a problem, I would definitely think so would someone drinking and possibly getting behind the wheel of a car that could possibly take an entire family out
Example 3: Restaurants that have outside tables. Some of these tables should be reserved for smokers. This would allow the patrons to come to the facility and not burden the non-smokers inside the restaurant. Even if non-smokers were outside, it wouldn't get smoky and bother them while they enjoy their time either.
Encouraging people not to smoke is a good thing and I appreciate it but I believe our small governments and cities have taken it too far with banning it almost everywhere but your own house.
http://www.helium.com/tm/735067/smoking-should-allowed-public
Should Christian churches allow gays to be ordained as priests?
Should Christian churches allow gays to be ordained as priests?
Being a believer as a Christian means you follow the bible. The bible clearly defines in Genesis that when God created the Heavens and the earth he also went on to create Adam. When Adam became lonely and needed a partner God then created Eve. The family unit was created by God as one man and one woman. Not any of of us can be perfect,there was only one perfect person which was Jesus Christ but the bar has been set and the guidelines laid out in the book. Like many Christians know it is very hard to walk with God and be a sinner but that is where building a relationship with Jesus Christ helps in keeping us on the correct path.
Building a relationship with Jesus Christ means you accept that you are a sinner, believe in God and confess your sins and ask for forgiveness. When you confess your sins and ask for forgiveness it means you won't do it again or at the very least that you are giving God your promise and recognizing what you was doing was wrong. Choosing to be a homosexual is a sin. How can you put a person in a leadership role that is openly going against God? It would be very hard for people to sit, listen and learn from a preacher or priest who is preaching to the congregation about confessing your sins to the Father when he/she is not doing it themselves. It would be like going to an active alcoholic for help on putting the bottle down. They could talk a good game, but they themselves cannot achieve it.
Many churches today want to promote that they are more accepting of worldly ideas so they get additional people in the pews but denying the foundations of their faith will get them nowhere and will lead church members the wrong way. This doesn't mean in any shape or form that gays shouldn't be allowed in church or be pushed away because they should be taught the love of God just like everyone else. Loving the person and hating the sin doesn't mean the same as accepting the sin as okay. Looking at the homosexual lifestyle is similar to counseling a person who committed adultery or a drug addict. You know they have sin in their life but the goal is to help them get closer to God and farther from the sin.
http://www.helium.com/tm/790682/should-christian-churches-allow
Being a believer as a Christian means you follow the bible. The bible clearly defines in Genesis that when God created the Heavens and the earth he also went on to create Adam. When Adam became lonely and needed a partner God then created Eve. The family unit was created by God as one man and one woman. Not any of of us can be perfect,there was only one perfect person which was Jesus Christ but the bar has been set and the guidelines laid out in the book. Like many Christians know it is very hard to walk with God and be a sinner but that is where building a relationship with Jesus Christ helps in keeping us on the correct path.
Building a relationship with Jesus Christ means you accept that you are a sinner, believe in God and confess your sins and ask for forgiveness. When you confess your sins and ask for forgiveness it means you won't do it again or at the very least that you are giving God your promise and recognizing what you was doing was wrong. Choosing to be a homosexual is a sin. How can you put a person in a leadership role that is openly going against God? It would be very hard for people to sit, listen and learn from a preacher or priest who is preaching to the congregation about confessing your sins to the Father when he/she is not doing it themselves. It would be like going to an active alcoholic for help on putting the bottle down. They could talk a good game, but they themselves cannot achieve it.
Many churches today want to promote that they are more accepting of worldly ideas so they get additional people in the pews but denying the foundations of their faith will get them nowhere and will lead church members the wrong way. This doesn't mean in any shape or form that gays shouldn't be allowed in church or be pushed away because they should be taught the love of God just like everyone else. Loving the person and hating the sin doesn't mean the same as accepting the sin as okay. Looking at the homosexual lifestyle is similar to counseling a person who committed adultery or a drug addict. You know they have sin in their life but the goal is to help them get closer to God and farther from the sin.
http://www.helium.com/tm/790682/should-christian-churches-allow
Money-saving tips: How to lower your grocery bill
Money-saving tips: How to lower your grocery bill
Being money conservative doesn't mean going without. In the last few months I've been looking into ways to reduce my every day bills like electric, water, phone and now grocery. These are all bills that each of us have and want to reduce in anyway possible. The money saving tips that have worked for me is making a list before shopping, coupons (both online and in the Sunday newspaper) and tracking how much you spend on particular items each week.
Making a list and dinner schedule before you go to the store will reduce the likelihood of overspending on frivolous items that you may not need or already have plenty of in your cabinets. If you shop every week, two weeks or even by the month you can do this, all it takes is a few extra minutes. These few extra minutes of preparation will save you money at the checkout stand. Depending on how often you go shopping, make your self a calendar. Fill the calendar out for lunch and dinner ideas. Once you organized your food schedule move over to your grocery list. Take inventory of what you already have in the cabinet. You don't want to purchase two more cans of tomato puree if you already have some on hand. Knowing what you have, and what you need to buy before entering the store is half the battle.
A money savers dream is coupons! The more you have for the items you already buy or want to try the better the savings in your grocery bill. Make yourself a note or tie a red string around your finger to help you remember to go to the store each Sunday. In addition to the coupons found in the Sunday paper, go online to coupon sites and print them off on your home computer. Coupons are like free money; why not take advantage of them? To get organized with your coupons get yourself a pocket divider and make labels for the types. Go through your divider each week to see if any of the coupons apply to your grocery list. Take all the coupons with you to the store in case you see a huge sale on a particular item that you have coupons for as well. Double the savings!
After you have made your list, traveled to the grocery store and put away all your items it is time to start the tracking phase. Jump on your computer and make up a spreadsheet. Label down the left side what items (in categories) that you bought. Then the next column makes for how much you spent. In the third column figure up the percentage of each item out of the total amount you spent. This will show you week to week where you spend the bulk of your money at the grocery store.
Example of spreadsheet setup: (Given that your total bill came to $184.00)
Amount Percentage Chicken $14.98 =14.98/184.00 is 8% of your total Eggs $ 3.48 =3.48/184.00 is 1% of your total
Overtime you will get in a habit of making your dinner lists, saving the coupons and have a stronger knowledge of what you spend and in what category. This will help you look for coupons that apply to your biggest portion of the grocery budget. Have fun shopping and saving!
http://www.helium.com/tm/807474/money-saving-lower-grocery
Being money conservative doesn't mean going without. In the last few months I've been looking into ways to reduce my every day bills like electric, water, phone and now grocery. These are all bills that each of us have and want to reduce in anyway possible. The money saving tips that have worked for me is making a list before shopping, coupons (both online and in the Sunday newspaper) and tracking how much you spend on particular items each week.
Making a list and dinner schedule before you go to the store will reduce the likelihood of overspending on frivolous items that you may not need or already have plenty of in your cabinets. If you shop every week, two weeks or even by the month you can do this, all it takes is a few extra minutes. These few extra minutes of preparation will save you money at the checkout stand. Depending on how often you go shopping, make your self a calendar. Fill the calendar out for lunch and dinner ideas. Once you organized your food schedule move over to your grocery list. Take inventory of what you already have in the cabinet. You don't want to purchase two more cans of tomato puree if you already have some on hand. Knowing what you have, and what you need to buy before entering the store is half the battle.
A money savers dream is coupons! The more you have for the items you already buy or want to try the better the savings in your grocery bill. Make yourself a note or tie a red string around your finger to help you remember to go to the store each Sunday. In addition to the coupons found in the Sunday paper, go online to coupon sites and print them off on your home computer. Coupons are like free money; why not take advantage of them? To get organized with your coupons get yourself a pocket divider and make labels for the types. Go through your divider each week to see if any of the coupons apply to your grocery list. Take all the coupons with you to the store in case you see a huge sale on a particular item that you have coupons for as well. Double the savings!
After you have made your list, traveled to the grocery store and put away all your items it is time to start the tracking phase. Jump on your computer and make up a spreadsheet. Label down the left side what items (in categories) that you bought. Then the next column makes for how much you spent. In the third column figure up the percentage of each item out of the total amount you spent. This will show you week to week where you spend the bulk of your money at the grocery store.
Example of spreadsheet setup: (Given that your total bill came to $184.00)
Amount Percentage Chicken $14.98 =14.98/184.00 is 8% of your total Eggs $ 3.48 =3.48/184.00 is 1% of your total
Overtime you will get in a habit of making your dinner lists, saving the coupons and have a stronger knowledge of what you spend and in what category. This will help you look for coupons that apply to your biggest portion of the grocery budget. Have fun shopping and saving!
http://www.helium.com/tm/807474/money-saving-lower-grocery
Online shopping reviews: Overstock.com
www.Overstock.com allows shoppers to wear their Pajama's and house slippers while shopping!
Shopping online is awesome! No waits, grumpy salespeople or screaming kids waiting in line to see Santa. No, shopping online eliminates all of this plus allows you to shop 24 hours a day. So even if you decided late at night in your pajama's to do some shopping the store is always open. One click or two clicks away. Pick a category and narrow it down by price, discount or bestseller. The only draw back to shopping online is something the shipping price that is added on top of the sales price. Sometimes this can add up to as much as the presents you just bought. Not at Overstock.com, the shipping is only $2.95 per order no matter how much you order.
Overstock.com was a lifesaver for me a few Christmas's back. I was in need of some items but I was working a lot of overtime so my shopping was mostly down online that year. All of it delivered to me in a timely fashion to my front door. No bad experiences so far with shipping or products not living up the quality that was written online. Even when ordering jewelry and watches you can get a very good deal at Overstock.com. The deals cannot be beat when you find watches that would typically go for $65 for $28 for your family. They came in really nice cases and my family thought I had spent a fortune on their presents, when I actually saved money by shopping online.
Returns are easy at Overstock.com as well. All you have to do is ship it back and pay a $5.00 re-stocking fee. No hassles or fuss. It creates a really good environment for both the store and customer. No more standing in line to return items at over crowded stores the day after Christmas. You can keep your Christmas spirit that much longer with shopping online. In addition to easy returns, they have provided a place to review their products. This way you can voice your opinion for the store and future customers to see. It helps them and customers not purchase those products in the future.
Overall Overstock.com is a very nice store to shop at day or night. Go to the website, check it out and shop until drop!
http://www.helium.com/tm/724554/wwwoverstockcom-allows-shoppers-their
Shopping online is awesome! No waits, grumpy salespeople or screaming kids waiting in line to see Santa. No, shopping online eliminates all of this plus allows you to shop 24 hours a day. So even if you decided late at night in your pajama's to do some shopping the store is always open. One click or two clicks away. Pick a category and narrow it down by price, discount or bestseller. The only draw back to shopping online is something the shipping price that is added on top of the sales price. Sometimes this can add up to as much as the presents you just bought. Not at Overstock.com, the shipping is only $2.95 per order no matter how much you order.
Overstock.com was a lifesaver for me a few Christmas's back. I was in need of some items but I was working a lot of overtime so my shopping was mostly down online that year. All of it delivered to me in a timely fashion to my front door. No bad experiences so far with shipping or products not living up the quality that was written online. Even when ordering jewelry and watches you can get a very good deal at Overstock.com. The deals cannot be beat when you find watches that would typically go for $65 for $28 for your family. They came in really nice cases and my family thought I had spent a fortune on their presents, when I actually saved money by shopping online.
Returns are easy at Overstock.com as well. All you have to do is ship it back and pay a $5.00 re-stocking fee. No hassles or fuss. It creates a really good environment for both the store and customer. No more standing in line to return items at over crowded stores the day after Christmas. You can keep your Christmas spirit that much longer with shopping online. In addition to easy returns, they have provided a place to review their products. This way you can voice your opinion for the store and future customers to see. It helps them and customers not purchase those products in the future.
Overall Overstock.com is a very nice store to shop at day or night. Go to the website, check it out and shop until drop!
http://www.helium.com/tm/724554/wwwoverstockcom-allows-shoppers-their
How important is extended family support to parenting?
How important is extended family support to parenting?
The American dream that is portrayed on the television includes one mom, one dad and approximately two children. The mom stays home and the dad goes to work only to return and spend quality time with the family. Dinner is on the table and laundry has been ironed, folded and put away. This is about as far away from reality as you will ever get. When both parents work (inside or outside) lifestyles tend to get busy with work and family commitments. This is where extended family becomes not only a lifesaver for those unexpected delays from work, while sitting in traffic or as filler for the baseball game you would have missed. It also surrounds your children with love given by people who have an interest in their well-being. Not a stranger who is getting paid to be their friend or watch over them while mom and dad are away.
What child doesn't need more love and attention? Many young children and teens today miss out on building relationships because by the time their parents return home from work they are exhausted and ready for bed. When you have extended family in your life it allows the parents to breath and know that the person who is spending time with their children loves and cares for them the same way they do. Aunts, Uncles and grandparents all fill the spots that would be left empty if the parents had to do everything and be everywhere. Especially when the parents have more than 1 or 2 kids. It also encourages strong family bonds because that child will know their Aunt, Uncle or Grandparent like a friend instead of a relative they only see once or twice a year. Building those relationships are more important today than ever before because families who don't solidify that foundation tend to drift apart. Creating a solid foundation with your nieces, nephews or grandchildren will help ensure the family communication stays strong.
Living close to extended family members is a blessing. Having someone close that you trust, love and is willing to help you raise your children up the best possible way is priceless. Money can't buy that kind of help. No more strangers babysitting your children and giving them their values or teaching them bad habits. Extended family help to give your kids values that you were brought up with, and feel are important. Just pray they never ask a fee because payment would never be enough.
http://www.helium.com/tm/805800/important-extended-family-support
The American dream that is portrayed on the television includes one mom, one dad and approximately two children. The mom stays home and the dad goes to work only to return and spend quality time with the family. Dinner is on the table and laundry has been ironed, folded and put away. This is about as far away from reality as you will ever get. When both parents work (inside or outside) lifestyles tend to get busy with work and family commitments. This is where extended family becomes not only a lifesaver for those unexpected delays from work, while sitting in traffic or as filler for the baseball game you would have missed. It also surrounds your children with love given by people who have an interest in their well-being. Not a stranger who is getting paid to be their friend or watch over them while mom and dad are away.
What child doesn't need more love and attention? Many young children and teens today miss out on building relationships because by the time their parents return home from work they are exhausted and ready for bed. When you have extended family in your life it allows the parents to breath and know that the person who is spending time with their children loves and cares for them the same way they do. Aunts, Uncles and grandparents all fill the spots that would be left empty if the parents had to do everything and be everywhere. Especially when the parents have more than 1 or 2 kids. It also encourages strong family bonds because that child will know their Aunt, Uncle or Grandparent like a friend instead of a relative they only see once or twice a year. Building those relationships are more important today than ever before because families who don't solidify that foundation tend to drift apart. Creating a solid foundation with your nieces, nephews or grandchildren will help ensure the family communication stays strong.
Living close to extended family members is a blessing. Having someone close that you trust, love and is willing to help you raise your children up the best possible way is priceless. Money can't buy that kind of help. No more strangers babysitting your children and giving them their values or teaching them bad habits. Extended family help to give your kids values that you were brought up with, and feel are important. Just pray they never ask a fee because payment would never be enough.
http://www.helium.com/tm/805800/important-extended-family-support
Are online college degree programs helpful to your career?
Are online college degree programs helpful to your career?
The last ten or so years has created a vast number of resources for working people wanting to start a degree or finish one up from years before they entered the real world. Online colleges allow for flexibility and concentrated studies that traditional University settings do not. Not only do you have colleges that specialize in Distance Learning programs like Kaplan University or The University of Phoenix but many traditional schools have opened up programs as well. Achieving your college degree whether in an online or traditional environment will only catapult you in the right direction.
Before applying to an online college program you must decide what you want out of the institution. If you are looking for a pathway to earn your degree while working full time, and raising kids it may be the way for you. But if you are looking for a highly social venue then online is not the environment to enter into without review. Online college courses are setup so that you get to know your fellow students but because they also have busy schedules and prior commitments you will see very little social interaction between the students. Students at these Universities have a strong sense of who they are, where they want to be and what it takes to get there.
When choosing an online University or college be prepared to work hard and to show it through papers, quizzes and tests just like any other facility. Sometimes even more because you are not in a traditional setting. With all this hard work does come flexibility? You are given your assignments at the beginning of the week with typically only one or two days of school to attend. Allowing for this flexibility in the workload and scheduling process creates an atmosphere where an individual can plan his/her day around work, children, family and other areas that may require time and attention. Within this venue you can enjoy a healthy balance of life and continued education.
Acquiring a college degree online will help you in your career path because it allows for your education to be completed while obtaining experience in the real world. Achieving a good balance between work and life ambitions will keep you focused and excited about the possibilities that lay ahead upon graduation. No longer is online degrees looked down upon or considered to be worthless. Depending on the school you decide to attend employers may even feel that more work had to be completed to achieve success. Knowledge from any certified source will always make you more attractive to employers.
Some good online colleges to check out are as follows: Kaplan University (www.kaplan.edu), University of Phoenix (www.phoenix.edu), or Indiana Wesleyan (www.indwes.edu). Check these schools plus more out on the web, request information about the different programs and what services are offered for new students. One great resource is through Kaplan University. When you look at their tuition it includes the textbooks, which will save you money and time because they are delivered to your front door before the class begins. Research your options then pursue your dreams through an online University. It will open up a new world of possibilities in your personal and professional worlds.
The last ten or so years has created a vast number of resources for working people wanting to start a degree or finish one up from years before they entered the real world. Online colleges allow for flexibility and concentrated studies that traditional University settings do not. Not only do you have colleges that specialize in Distance Learning programs like Kaplan University or The University of Phoenix but many traditional schools have opened up programs as well. Achieving your college degree whether in an online or traditional environment will only catapult you in the right direction.
Before applying to an online college program you must decide what you want out of the institution. If you are looking for a pathway to earn your degree while working full time, and raising kids it may be the way for you. But if you are looking for a highly social venue then online is not the environment to enter into without review. Online college courses are setup so that you get to know your fellow students but because they also have busy schedules and prior commitments you will see very little social interaction between the students. Students at these Universities have a strong sense of who they are, where they want to be and what it takes to get there.
When choosing an online University or college be prepared to work hard and to show it through papers, quizzes and tests just like any other facility. Sometimes even more because you are not in a traditional setting. With all this hard work does come flexibility? You are given your assignments at the beginning of the week with typically only one or two days of school to attend. Allowing for this flexibility in the workload and scheduling process creates an atmosphere where an individual can plan his/her day around work, children, family and other areas that may require time and attention. Within this venue you can enjoy a healthy balance of life and continued education.
Acquiring a college degree online will help you in your career path because it allows for your education to be completed while obtaining experience in the real world. Achieving a good balance between work and life ambitions will keep you focused and excited about the possibilities that lay ahead upon graduation. No longer is online degrees looked down upon or considered to be worthless. Depending on the school you decide to attend employers may even feel that more work had to be completed to achieve success. Knowledge from any certified source will always make you more attractive to employers.
Some good online colleges to check out are as follows: Kaplan University (www.kaplan.edu), University of Phoenix (www.phoenix.edu), or Indiana Wesleyan (www.indwes.edu). Check these schools plus more out on the web, request information about the different programs and what services are offered for new students. One great resource is through Kaplan University. When you look at their tuition it includes the textbooks, which will save you money and time because they are delivered to your front door before the class begins. Research your options then pursue your dreams through an online University. It will open up a new world of possibilities in your personal and professional worlds.
Reflections: Losing a loved one
It was only a little after 9 p.m. on Saturday night but I was already deep in sleep on my queen size bed after listening to a group of high school debaters choose which side to be on between urbanization and keeping the Bluegrass lands sacred. I needed my rest after that 8-hour stint of parental duties as a judge. While I was dreaming of anything but debate competitions, my teenage daughter brought me the phone and had to shake me until I woke up enough to say hello.
Waking up was the beginning of the nightmare that would change the life of my family and many others. The person on the other end of the phone was one of our former youth kids. I have talked to this young man plenty of times before about girls, life and our beliefs so it wasn't unusual for him to be calling. In all honesty, my mind thought it was the middle of the night instead of late in the evening because that seemed to be the time he wanted to talk and he knew I would get up, drink my diet coke and listen. But this time, it wasn't about teenage crushes or teenage pranks.
He started screaming in my ear "We need to talk", so I told him anything honey, what's wrong. He came back with a shrill in his voice filled with fear and agony that I had never heard before saying that his sister had been in a car accident and he wanted to know how long it would take me to get to the hospital. Repeatedly he screamed that it was bad, bad, really bad. In my mind I was thinking he was overreacting, that it had just been a fender bender but that all changed when he told me that the positive news was EMS had found a pulse.
At this time I was frantically going through my house with no shoes on, no glasses and trying not to hyperventilate while I was on the phone with him. He was after all only 17 years old and dealing with a tragic situation. Before I got off the phone with him, I told him I was leaving the house and I would be there in a few hours but to update me on my cell phone as I drove.
See it was only a year earlier that our family decided to move over an hour away from them. It was a job that took us away but it was also for us to spend more quality time with our own two kids and each other. The youth kids at our church was our life for a long time so leaving didn't mean letting them out of their lives, it just meant more miles between us. The two kids in the youth group that touched our lives the most and continued to touch our lives were Samantha and Jeremy. A brother and sister duo that was intelligent, loving and had the ability to reach out to people and treat them like family. Both of these kids were full of life, excitement and knowledge beyond their years. We were supposed to be the teachers but they taught us so much about faith, living with adversity and loving even through the hard times.
I rushed downstairs to get my husband and kids together, and we made our way to the car. My husband was doing better than expected but it was probably because I wasn't doing very well. Samantha and Jeremy were like our kids and at that moment all I could think of was one was hurt physically and the other was hurt emotionally. Not knowing where she was or how bad the situation made for a very long car ride, with cell phones going off and tears starting to pour down each of our faces. About a half hour into the ride, we received a phone call letting us know that the air care route had been changed to a hospital closer to us. We turned around and started back until another phone call came through. This time it was a friend from our old town, she asked me if I had heard about the wreck. I said yes and that we were heading to the hospital.
That is when she told me to stop the car that Samantha didn't make it, that she had died on the scene before air care could arrive. Crying and breathing heavy I told her she was mistaken and that I would have to call Jeremy to find our for sure. Calling him was the hardest call I've made in my life. His cell phone rang a few times, then he picked up. All I said was his name and he started crying letting me know she had indeed died and he didn't know what to do or how to handle it. This time I had no direction for him because I didn't' know what to do or how to handle it.
Sitting in a gas station parking lot on the side of a busy street I felt my heart break into a hundred tiny little pieces. Grieving for Samantha and her family and missing her even though she had only been gone a few minutes. Through the tears I asked my husband to take us home, and somehow told my children what had happened. Samantha was not only our youth kid, she was like our other daughter, my daughters friend and my sons former Sunday school teacher. Loosing her was taking a chunk out of each of our hearts.
My husband took on the mission of explaining to our eight year old why GOD took Samantha to heaven and why we knew she was there. He let him know how her faith was strong and that she led a life that was centered around Christ and bringing people to know him like she did. There was no doubt in our minds or hearts where she had gone. Still it is never easy to explain these concepts to young children or to the hearts of adults. Loosing such a vibrant, outstanding young lady was something that only GOD could get us through.
It wasn't fair kept ringing through my mind like a little child throwing a tantrum. None of us understood why GOD had chosen to take such a beautiful, intelligent and wise 18 year old. She was one of those kids who would take on a challenge and win, but this time it seemed too much for her little body to fight.
She was Valedictorian of her graduating class only a few short months prior to the accident. She fought to stay on top, and won with a 4.094 grade point average. We were so proud of her that day when she walked down the aisle with the golden sash around her neck. She was also in college via a scholarship to become a nurse. Such patience and understanding she had while going to school and working part time at the local nursing home. It was her calling to help people, young and old alike. In her spare time she attended church with her friends on campus and on weekends with her fiance. Being in a relationship with someone who believed in GOD was very important to her, and only a few days prior she had called to let me know she was moving closer to GOD herself. She had recently joined a campus ministry and felt GOD come into her heart and fill it up with spirit, excitement and joy. That is where her fight and biggest achievement came in because most kids fell to peer pressure but not Samantha. Her ministry was probably the thing that made us the proudest. She just had it in her heart that everyone she met would also know the GOD whom she loved and loved her back.
Samantha will be in our hearts forever even though she wasn't on earth very long. All she ever wanted to do was help people and leave a mark on society. I believe she did. At her layout it took over 3 hours to stand in line to say goodbye. Over a thousand people came out on a cold, fall evening to say their respects and let her know she was loved. At her funeral the following day, roughly 700 people sat and listened as loved ones shared stories about Samantha, her life and her faith. Her campus minister assured everyone that Samantha had chosen GOD and that she was now in his arms, safe from anymore harm. This was comforting since to Christians Heaven is the goal. By the end of the service I had realize that Sam had won the fight, just not on earth. She had won by keeping her faith strong and trying to live a Christ centered life instead of a worldly one.
Pride isn't a strong enough word to describe what I feel inside when I get to tell people I knew her, loved her and was a small part of her life.
http://www.helium.com/tm/699864/little-after-saturday-night
Waking up was the beginning of the nightmare that would change the life of my family and many others. The person on the other end of the phone was one of our former youth kids. I have talked to this young man plenty of times before about girls, life and our beliefs so it wasn't unusual for him to be calling. In all honesty, my mind thought it was the middle of the night instead of late in the evening because that seemed to be the time he wanted to talk and he knew I would get up, drink my diet coke and listen. But this time, it wasn't about teenage crushes or teenage pranks.
He started screaming in my ear "We need to talk", so I told him anything honey, what's wrong. He came back with a shrill in his voice filled with fear and agony that I had never heard before saying that his sister had been in a car accident and he wanted to know how long it would take me to get to the hospital. Repeatedly he screamed that it was bad, bad, really bad. In my mind I was thinking he was overreacting, that it had just been a fender bender but that all changed when he told me that the positive news was EMS had found a pulse.
At this time I was frantically going through my house with no shoes on, no glasses and trying not to hyperventilate while I was on the phone with him. He was after all only 17 years old and dealing with a tragic situation. Before I got off the phone with him, I told him I was leaving the house and I would be there in a few hours but to update me on my cell phone as I drove.
See it was only a year earlier that our family decided to move over an hour away from them. It was a job that took us away but it was also for us to spend more quality time with our own two kids and each other. The youth kids at our church was our life for a long time so leaving didn't mean letting them out of their lives, it just meant more miles between us. The two kids in the youth group that touched our lives the most and continued to touch our lives were Samantha and Jeremy. A brother and sister duo that was intelligent, loving and had the ability to reach out to people and treat them like family. Both of these kids were full of life, excitement and knowledge beyond their years. We were supposed to be the teachers but they taught us so much about faith, living with adversity and loving even through the hard times.
I rushed downstairs to get my husband and kids together, and we made our way to the car. My husband was doing better than expected but it was probably because I wasn't doing very well. Samantha and Jeremy were like our kids and at that moment all I could think of was one was hurt physically and the other was hurt emotionally. Not knowing where she was or how bad the situation made for a very long car ride, with cell phones going off and tears starting to pour down each of our faces. About a half hour into the ride, we received a phone call letting us know that the air care route had been changed to a hospital closer to us. We turned around and started back until another phone call came through. This time it was a friend from our old town, she asked me if I had heard about the wreck. I said yes and that we were heading to the hospital.
That is when she told me to stop the car that Samantha didn't make it, that she had died on the scene before air care could arrive. Crying and breathing heavy I told her she was mistaken and that I would have to call Jeremy to find our for sure. Calling him was the hardest call I've made in my life. His cell phone rang a few times, then he picked up. All I said was his name and he started crying letting me know she had indeed died and he didn't know what to do or how to handle it. This time I had no direction for him because I didn't' know what to do or how to handle it.
Sitting in a gas station parking lot on the side of a busy street I felt my heart break into a hundred tiny little pieces. Grieving for Samantha and her family and missing her even though she had only been gone a few minutes. Through the tears I asked my husband to take us home, and somehow told my children what had happened. Samantha was not only our youth kid, she was like our other daughter, my daughters friend and my sons former Sunday school teacher. Loosing her was taking a chunk out of each of our hearts.
My husband took on the mission of explaining to our eight year old why GOD took Samantha to heaven and why we knew she was there. He let him know how her faith was strong and that she led a life that was centered around Christ and bringing people to know him like she did. There was no doubt in our minds or hearts where she had gone. Still it is never easy to explain these concepts to young children or to the hearts of adults. Loosing such a vibrant, outstanding young lady was something that only GOD could get us through.
It wasn't fair kept ringing through my mind like a little child throwing a tantrum. None of us understood why GOD had chosen to take such a beautiful, intelligent and wise 18 year old. She was one of those kids who would take on a challenge and win, but this time it seemed too much for her little body to fight.
She was Valedictorian of her graduating class only a few short months prior to the accident. She fought to stay on top, and won with a 4.094 grade point average. We were so proud of her that day when she walked down the aisle with the golden sash around her neck. She was also in college via a scholarship to become a nurse. Such patience and understanding she had while going to school and working part time at the local nursing home. It was her calling to help people, young and old alike. In her spare time she attended church with her friends on campus and on weekends with her fiance. Being in a relationship with someone who believed in GOD was very important to her, and only a few days prior she had called to let me know she was moving closer to GOD herself. She had recently joined a campus ministry and felt GOD come into her heart and fill it up with spirit, excitement and joy. That is where her fight and biggest achievement came in because most kids fell to peer pressure but not Samantha. Her ministry was probably the thing that made us the proudest. She just had it in her heart that everyone she met would also know the GOD whom she loved and loved her back.
Samantha will be in our hearts forever even though she wasn't on earth very long. All she ever wanted to do was help people and leave a mark on society. I believe she did. At her layout it took over 3 hours to stand in line to say goodbye. Over a thousand people came out on a cold, fall evening to say their respects and let her know she was loved. At her funeral the following day, roughly 700 people sat and listened as loved ones shared stories about Samantha, her life and her faith. Her campus minister assured everyone that Samantha had chosen GOD and that she was now in his arms, safe from anymore harm. This was comforting since to Christians Heaven is the goal. By the end of the service I had realize that Sam had won the fight, just not on earth. She had won by keeping her faith strong and trying to live a Christ centered life instead of a worldly one.
Pride isn't a strong enough word to describe what I feel inside when I get to tell people I knew her, loved her and was a small part of her life.
http://www.helium.com/tm/699864/little-after-saturday-night
Who is God
Who is God?
This brings to mind a song called "My God is an Awesome God" by Rich Mullins. God is the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega, and he is everywhere. This concept might be hard for you to accept in the beginning because it is a huge thought. How can something, or someone be the beginning and the end or everywhere? Yet, God is everywhere.
God is who created the universe and everything in it. In the bible Genesis 1:1 it states that he created the heavens and the earth. Even if we stop there and he did nothing else, that would be an awesome, indescribable accomplishment. Just think of the creativity behind forming the mountains, the rivers, rain, clouds, snow, trees, air, the sun and the moon etc. Looking out your front door to view a clear morning or a glowing sunset you get a calming sensation that God is in control and if he can bring to life these events there is nothing he cannot do.
If you go past the creation aspect that includes the beauty, love and admiration he has for this place and the creatures within it (including us) you move on to his ability to forgive us for our faults (sins). Since he is not only God the creator but also God the father he loved us enough to create us, provide for us and when we disobeyed he forgave us making a way for us to be with him in heaven. To do this he gave us Jesus, his only son.
Jesus wasn't just a son, a man or a carpenter but he is the only way we can go to heaven. To read more about Jesus, there are countless stories about his works and teachings in the books of the bible Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. In John 3:16 it states that "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (NIV) God is a loving God who even when we disobeyed his rules, he gave us Jesus. Only a heavenly father would send his only son to a world full of sinners to save them.
God is the creator of this world, universe and all the creatures but he is also a father who guides us each day even when we turn our back on him by whispering in our ear that he loves us.
This brings to mind a song called "My God is an Awesome God" by Rich Mullins. God is the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega, and he is everywhere. This concept might be hard for you to accept in the beginning because it is a huge thought. How can something, or someone be the beginning and the end or everywhere? Yet, God is everywhere.
God is who created the universe and everything in it. In the bible Genesis 1:1 it states that he created the heavens and the earth. Even if we stop there and he did nothing else, that would be an awesome, indescribable accomplishment. Just think of the creativity behind forming the mountains, the rivers, rain, clouds, snow, trees, air, the sun and the moon etc. Looking out your front door to view a clear morning or a glowing sunset you get a calming sensation that God is in control and if he can bring to life these events there is nothing he cannot do.
If you go past the creation aspect that includes the beauty, love and admiration he has for this place and the creatures within it (including us) you move on to his ability to forgive us for our faults (sins). Since he is not only God the creator but also God the father he loved us enough to create us, provide for us and when we disobeyed he forgave us making a way for us to be with him in heaven. To do this he gave us Jesus, his only son.
Jesus wasn't just a son, a man or a carpenter but he is the only way we can go to heaven. To read more about Jesus, there are countless stories about his works and teachings in the books of the bible Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. In John 3:16 it states that "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (NIV) God is a loving God who even when we disobeyed his rules, he gave us Jesus. Only a heavenly father would send his only son to a world full of sinners to save them.
God is the creator of this world, universe and all the creatures but he is also a father who guides us each day even when we turn our back on him by whispering in our ear that he loves us.
The purpose of a Christian in a secular career
The purpose of a Christian in a secular career
Being a Christian that works in the secular world I believe there are reasons to be there, be productive and also to be successful. Being a Christian means that I believe that God is in control, has a plan for my life and wants the very best for me. Now saying that doesn't mean he will give me everything I want, make life easy or make working fun. Working is not only a way to make a living but also an opportunity to witness to people outside your church, bible group or Sunday school.
Witnessing to your fellow co-workers does not include taking a bible into work to beat them over the head with it, force them to read or even to convert them to your faith. The purpose of being a witness in the real world is to show other people God's love. If you are living a life for God it will shine through and people will notice even if they don't believe. The love you show others should be the same love you receive from above.
Being kind, patient, polite, and a good listener are all examples of being a witness. The old saying goes you get more flies with honey then you do with vinegar. The same goes with being a Christian. If you go into a workplace beating your bible and criticizing your co-workers for being sinful then you are not going to get anyone to listen, learn or hear God's word. Being patient, kind and polite will open up many more opportunities to talk about beliefs, struggles and faith then bible beating episodes.
Obtaining a level of trust and open communication allows for you and your co-workers to discuss different faiths, struggles and desires. In the past I've had the experience to work with people from many different faiths including Muslim and Jewish. Being a friend and co-worker with these people opened up lines of communication about what we believed in, why and how we struggle with our faith. Converting people to be a Christian isn't my purpose in the secular career world, it is to be open about my faith. The only person who can come into an individual's heart and change it is God. My job is to share the message he has put into my heart, my faith, my struggles as a Christian and the peace I feel knowing I have a Father in Heaven who loves me even when I fall.
Christians are not perfect because no one is, or ever will achieve it. We make mistakes, have sin in our life and struggle the same as anyone. The difference is we have asked God into our lives, Jesus to be our Savior and asked for forgiveness for our sins. These things help us to get back up when we stumble and turn the other cheek when we are assaulted. In the end the purpose of being a Christian in a secular career workplace is the same as being one anywhere else in the world and that is to be Christ like.
http://www.helium.com/tm/807974/purpose-christian-secular-careerbeing
Being a Christian that works in the secular world I believe there are reasons to be there, be productive and also to be successful. Being a Christian means that I believe that God is in control, has a plan for my life and wants the very best for me. Now saying that doesn't mean he will give me everything I want, make life easy or make working fun. Working is not only a way to make a living but also an opportunity to witness to people outside your church, bible group or Sunday school.
Witnessing to your fellow co-workers does not include taking a bible into work to beat them over the head with it, force them to read or even to convert them to your faith. The purpose of being a witness in the real world is to show other people God's love. If you are living a life for God it will shine through and people will notice even if they don't believe. The love you show others should be the same love you receive from above.
Being kind, patient, polite, and a good listener are all examples of being a witness. The old saying goes you get more flies with honey then you do with vinegar. The same goes with being a Christian. If you go into a workplace beating your bible and criticizing your co-workers for being sinful then you are not going to get anyone to listen, learn or hear God's word. Being patient, kind and polite will open up many more opportunities to talk about beliefs, struggles and faith then bible beating episodes.
Obtaining a level of trust and open communication allows for you and your co-workers to discuss different faiths, struggles and desires. In the past I've had the experience to work with people from many different faiths including Muslim and Jewish. Being a friend and co-worker with these people opened up lines of communication about what we believed in, why and how we struggle with our faith. Converting people to be a Christian isn't my purpose in the secular career world, it is to be open about my faith. The only person who can come into an individual's heart and change it is God. My job is to share the message he has put into my heart, my faith, my struggles as a Christian and the peace I feel knowing I have a Father in Heaven who loves me even when I fall.
Christians are not perfect because no one is, or ever will achieve it. We make mistakes, have sin in our life and struggle the same as anyone. The difference is we have asked God into our lives, Jesus to be our Savior and asked for forgiveness for our sins. These things help us to get back up when we stumble and turn the other cheek when we are assaulted. In the end the purpose of being a Christian in a secular career workplace is the same as being one anywhere else in the world and that is to be Christ like.
http://www.helium.com/tm/807974/purpose-christian-secular-careerbeing
Common difficulties that working moms face
Common difficulties that working moms face
Describing working mom begins with a definition of duties. These duties can differ depending on the mother but most of them apply to all. A working mom doesn't just go to work and come home but she wears many more hats throughout the day and reports to many different bosses. Being a working mom can give you titles and positions that include accountant, bookkeeper, butler, maid, cook, taxi driver, atm machine, laundry attendant, personal shopper and executive assistant plus many more. When dealing with this level of multi-tasking we as mothers face challenges.
Some of those challenges are priorities. Who is a priority and when? Everyone in your life thinks they should be at the top of list from your boss at work to your children at home. Not to mention other family members and friends. Juggling your time and resources is an act that if not handled properly can create a nasty situation. If you don't make work a priority you jeopardize your career, financial well being and possibly benefits that support your families healthcare needs. On the other hand if you don't make your children a priority then they will suffer.
Finding a balance between work, and family is very important not only to the ones who are counting on you but to you as well. Work is important to many mothers. It helps to pump up the self-esteem level so you feel better about yourself in addition to the financial rewards that can create more opportunities for your family budget. Yet, work alone won't cut the mustard because not being with your children will leave mothers with guilty conscious and angry kids. Finding ways to spend time with them will also improve your outlook, peace within the house and make you a better mother. Schedule one hour or more each night to talk, read or play a game with them. This little bit of attention and love will go a long way even with the teenagers in the house.
Another difficulty mothers face is keeping the house clean, finances in order and people in all the right places. If you are a mother that has a husband take advantage of the partnership. Split some of the family duties. This might not go over well at first but in the long run it will help your relationship and free up some time to spend with the entire family. Ask your partner what roles he would like to fill and give him a chance. In some cases you will find letting go of just one or two things will help relieve a lot of stress. Remember houses that are lived in aren't meant to be spotless. They are homes where families sleep, eat, and live. A clean and organized house is a good thing but letting the dishes go one night a week so you can play a game with the kids isn't going to kill anyone. Driving children around can run a mother crazy. Dance class, tennis lessons, and baseball games all take energy, time, planning and driving. One of two things needs to be done to accomplish a good balance. First split the kids extracurricular activities between your husband and yourself. Or ask extended family members for their help. Grandparents typically love to watch their grandchildren doing things they love. If you don't live close enough to family then limit the children to one activity each, maybe even in different seasons. Limiting them will not scar them for life. It is better that they have support from at least one parent at their games then no parental support at all.
Difficulties will come in many forms ranging from friends, family, money, time or energy. How you deal with them as they come up will determine the level of stress you allow in your life and the lives of your family. Distribution of duties, asking for help when you need it and resisting the temptation to be all things to all people will help reduce the stress and tension you as a mother feels each day.
http://www.helium.com/tm/805863/common-difficulties-working-facedescribing
Describing working mom begins with a definition of duties. These duties can differ depending on the mother but most of them apply to all. A working mom doesn't just go to work and come home but she wears many more hats throughout the day and reports to many different bosses. Being a working mom can give you titles and positions that include accountant, bookkeeper, butler, maid, cook, taxi driver, atm machine, laundry attendant, personal shopper and executive assistant plus many more. When dealing with this level of multi-tasking we as mothers face challenges.
Some of those challenges are priorities. Who is a priority and when? Everyone in your life thinks they should be at the top of list from your boss at work to your children at home. Not to mention other family members and friends. Juggling your time and resources is an act that if not handled properly can create a nasty situation. If you don't make work a priority you jeopardize your career, financial well being and possibly benefits that support your families healthcare needs. On the other hand if you don't make your children a priority then they will suffer.
Finding a balance between work, and family is very important not only to the ones who are counting on you but to you as well. Work is important to many mothers. It helps to pump up the self-esteem level so you feel better about yourself in addition to the financial rewards that can create more opportunities for your family budget. Yet, work alone won't cut the mustard because not being with your children will leave mothers with guilty conscious and angry kids. Finding ways to spend time with them will also improve your outlook, peace within the house and make you a better mother. Schedule one hour or more each night to talk, read or play a game with them. This little bit of attention and love will go a long way even with the teenagers in the house.
Another difficulty mothers face is keeping the house clean, finances in order and people in all the right places. If you are a mother that has a husband take advantage of the partnership. Split some of the family duties. This might not go over well at first but in the long run it will help your relationship and free up some time to spend with the entire family. Ask your partner what roles he would like to fill and give him a chance. In some cases you will find letting go of just one or two things will help relieve a lot of stress. Remember houses that are lived in aren't meant to be spotless. They are homes where families sleep, eat, and live. A clean and organized house is a good thing but letting the dishes go one night a week so you can play a game with the kids isn't going to kill anyone. Driving children around can run a mother crazy. Dance class, tennis lessons, and baseball games all take energy, time, planning and driving. One of two things needs to be done to accomplish a good balance. First split the kids extracurricular activities between your husband and yourself. Or ask extended family members for their help. Grandparents typically love to watch their grandchildren doing things they love. If you don't live close enough to family then limit the children to one activity each, maybe even in different seasons. Limiting them will not scar them for life. It is better that they have support from at least one parent at their games then no parental support at all.
Difficulties will come in many forms ranging from friends, family, money, time or energy. How you deal with them as they come up will determine the level of stress you allow in your life and the lives of your family. Distribution of duties, asking for help when you need it and resisting the temptation to be all things to all people will help reduce the stress and tension you as a mother feels each day.
http://www.helium.com/tm/805863/common-difficulties-working-facedescribing
Family vacation on a budget
Dreaming of a family vacation? Is it the beach, mountains or just a favorite lake for boating and fishing? While family vacation can be very expensive you can do many things to budget for them and keep the cost down. This way you can have your vacation and enjoy it too!
When my family plans a trip we usually start deciding in January or February where we will be spending our summer vacation. This allows for approximately six months of budgeting and planning. One of the first things we do is decide on a location and what kind of vacation we truly want. There is a big difference in planning for a Disney vacation to one of just relaxation on a beach for a week.
After you establish what kind of vacation you want you can start searching for hotels/condos/beach or mountain rentals. A great way to keep costs down is to find a rental with a full kitchen. Okay, okay I hear you...no one wants to cook while on vacation, but it does reduce costs. If you can plan your breakfast and lunch meals in the rental then you can splurge on dinners at the different restaurants around the area. Dinner now becomes an adventure instead of a Happy Meal in a box.
Once you find the location you have dreamed up, and the facility in which you wish you stay, I would contact them to see if you can break up the weekly payment amount into two payments. Typically this will be done by credit card or pay pal. I find if you explain that you are budgeting this trip, most people are happy to make payment arrangements. We typically pay for our vacation with one payment in March and the remainder in April. Which is awesome since now the place your staying is paid for, and you can concentrate on food and spending money.
Food, it is best to start collecting items a few weeks before you leave on your trip. A recommendation would be to start collecting extra bags of chips, pop and candy. This way when you load up the vehicle for vacation you are already stocked with everything the family may want from the overpriced gas stations that you are forced to stop at on the way to your destination. Also don't forget to clean out the cooler. This is such a money saver! Just think each time a family of four stops for gas and gets a pop and candy bar each there went approximately $10.00 on top of the gas. This is money you can spend on getting family vacation pictures developed that you will treasure for a lifetime!
Planning out the trip, stocking up prior to leaving and paying off the rental prior to arrival are all ways to help you save money and feel less stress while on vacation.
Who wouldn't want a stress free family vacation?
http://www.helium.com/tm/666530/dreaming-family-vacation-beach
When my family plans a trip we usually start deciding in January or February where we will be spending our summer vacation. This allows for approximately six months of budgeting and planning. One of the first things we do is decide on a location and what kind of vacation we truly want. There is a big difference in planning for a Disney vacation to one of just relaxation on a beach for a week.
After you establish what kind of vacation you want you can start searching for hotels/condos/beach or mountain rentals. A great way to keep costs down is to find a rental with a full kitchen. Okay, okay I hear you...no one wants to cook while on vacation, but it does reduce costs. If you can plan your breakfast and lunch meals in the rental then you can splurge on dinners at the different restaurants around the area. Dinner now becomes an adventure instead of a Happy Meal in a box.
Once you find the location you have dreamed up, and the facility in which you wish you stay, I would contact them to see if you can break up the weekly payment amount into two payments. Typically this will be done by credit card or pay pal. I find if you explain that you are budgeting this trip, most people are happy to make payment arrangements. We typically pay for our vacation with one payment in March and the remainder in April. Which is awesome since now the place your staying is paid for, and you can concentrate on food and spending money.
Food, it is best to start collecting items a few weeks before you leave on your trip. A recommendation would be to start collecting extra bags of chips, pop and candy. This way when you load up the vehicle for vacation you are already stocked with everything the family may want from the overpriced gas stations that you are forced to stop at on the way to your destination. Also don't forget to clean out the cooler. This is such a money saver! Just think each time a family of four stops for gas and gets a pop and candy bar each there went approximately $10.00 on top of the gas. This is money you can spend on getting family vacation pictures developed that you will treasure for a lifetime!
Planning out the trip, stocking up prior to leaving and paying off the rental prior to arrival are all ways to help you save money and feel less stress while on vacation.
Who wouldn't want a stress free family vacation?
http://www.helium.com/tm/666530/dreaming-family-vacation-beach
The best undiscovered locations for vacation rental property
Vacation, just the word alone conjures up images of relaxation, puffy white clouds with a blue background in the sky and thoughts of happiness. It is the next best thing to Christmas. Vacation spots can range from a busy place with a thousand things to do to a secluded area where your thoughts and a good book are the only items on that daily agenda. Finding a vacation spot for yourself or family can be a task in itself. Vacations with our family usually include the whole gang, my husband and I and our kids, the in-laws plus his sisters family. So when we look it usually is based on price, location and family friendly atmospheres.
A few years ago we began our search for a beach house in South Carolina where the family could go to bond again, have some quiet time along with swimming in the ocean. As with most searches these days we began with Mr. www.google.com. We started by typing in the state where we thought to go and it brought up a ton of options. This is the part where spending some time comparing the locations isn't a bad idea. Many of the cities websites will tell you the amenities and activities they have available. It's also a good idea to decide on what kind of vacation you want so you can make the best out of your trip.
While we were searching we came across a location that is a rising star in vacation rentals, it has opportunities for excitement but still quiet enough for some "Me" time on the beach. The place we found is called Harbor Island, South Carolina. It is within a half hour of Beaufort, SC which is a historical town filled with many small shops, a museum that is located inside an arsenal and the most wonderful architecture. Just walking down the street is like taking a trip back in time. Harbor Island itself is located off US 21.
When you come off the island you can go down the street to Hunting Island State Park. This is a wonderful state park with more ocean beaches, piers and wildlife learning centers. It makes a great place for a picnic lunch and don't forget to visit the lighthouse on your way out. It is newly renovated.
Some of the items that makes Harbor Island a wonderful and upcoming star in vacation rentals is its spaciousness. It has a two mile beach that is just as peaceful in the morning for a walk as it is in the afternoon. When you rent a beach house or condo on the island they include tennis courts, pools, basketball courts and golf cart rentals. There is also a small country store at the entrance to the island that you can go to purchase ice creams cones to eat on a warm summers night.
Affordability is another attractive option for Harbor Island, SC. The beach house and condo rates are affordable for the average family. Many of the condo owners will work with families to pay through pay pal over two months so it can fit into a family budget. The beach homes and condos are decorated beautiful and match the scenery outside the windows and doors. Typically they come fully stocked just waiting on a family to bring in the groceries and the beach towels.
For more information on Harbor Island, South Carolina you can go to http://www.sciway.net/city/harborisland.html and for rentals you can check out http://www.harborislandvacations.com/. Good luck on planning your next vacation to one of the rising stars in vacation rentals!
http://www.helium.com/tm/666222/vacation-alone-conjures-images
A few years ago we began our search for a beach house in South Carolina where the family could go to bond again, have some quiet time along with swimming in the ocean. As with most searches these days we began with Mr. www.google.com. We started by typing in the state where we thought to go and it brought up a ton of options. This is the part where spending some time comparing the locations isn't a bad idea. Many of the cities websites will tell you the amenities and activities they have available. It's also a good idea to decide on what kind of vacation you want so you can make the best out of your trip.
While we were searching we came across a location that is a rising star in vacation rentals, it has opportunities for excitement but still quiet enough for some "Me" time on the beach. The place we found is called Harbor Island, South Carolina. It is within a half hour of Beaufort, SC which is a historical town filled with many small shops, a museum that is located inside an arsenal and the most wonderful architecture. Just walking down the street is like taking a trip back in time. Harbor Island itself is located off US 21.
When you come off the island you can go down the street to Hunting Island State Park. This is a wonderful state park with more ocean beaches, piers and wildlife learning centers. It makes a great place for a picnic lunch and don't forget to visit the lighthouse on your way out. It is newly renovated.
Some of the items that makes Harbor Island a wonderful and upcoming star in vacation rentals is its spaciousness. It has a two mile beach that is just as peaceful in the morning for a walk as it is in the afternoon. When you rent a beach house or condo on the island they include tennis courts, pools, basketball courts and golf cart rentals. There is also a small country store at the entrance to the island that you can go to purchase ice creams cones to eat on a warm summers night.
Affordability is another attractive option for Harbor Island, SC. The beach house and condo rates are affordable for the average family. Many of the condo owners will work with families to pay through pay pal over two months so it can fit into a family budget. The beach homes and condos are decorated beautiful and match the scenery outside the windows and doors. Typically they come fully stocked just waiting on a family to bring in the groceries and the beach towels.
For more information on Harbor Island, South Carolina you can go to http://www.sciway.net/city/harborisland.html and for rentals you can check out http://www.harborislandvacations.com/. Good luck on planning your next vacation to one of the rising stars in vacation rentals!
http://www.helium.com/tm/666222/vacation-alone-conjures-images
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