Merry Christmas!!!

This is my favorite time of year! It is not the getting that I love so much about this year....it is the GIVING!!

In this months issue of Just for kids magazine we told the Kids about Jesus telling us "Then shall he answer them, saying, verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did (it) not to one of the least of these, ye did (it) not to me." Matthew 25:45 We suggest ways to share our bounty with those less fortunate, like donating food, clothes and toys to local Helping Centers in your city and area. You can help your kids learn about reaching out and helping others this holiday season. If you can adopt a family or a child, or even donate a very special gift to someone less fortunate. You and your child will feel so much better for doing so.

Below are some stories that I have received on the internet. They are true examples of reaching out as Jesus commanded us. If you have a story to share (either your own story or one you found on the internet) Please send it, and I will include it in our next Issue....December.

May God Bless your Family during this Holiday season and always!!

Love Mauri Gandy

From = Debbie aka Strawbaby
Email = rdhog@ns.egyptian.net

This was sent to me and I wanted to share it with my LOTH sisters .... sorry for the length!

I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was called "Smile." The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions. I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway.....so, I thought, this would be a piece of cake, literally.

Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's, one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special play time with our son. We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did. I did not move an inch...an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved. As I turned around I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell... and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men. As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was "smiling". His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance. He said, "Good day" as he counted the few coins he had been clutching. The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally deficient and the blue eyed gentle man was his salvation.

I held my tears....as I stood there with them. The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted. He said, "Coffee is all Miss" (because that was all they could afford to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something...he just wanted to be warm). Then I really felt it...The compulsion as so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes. That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me...judging my every action. I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue eyed gentleman's cold hand. He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Thank you." I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, "I did not do this for you...God is here working through me to give you hope."

I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, "That is why God gave you to me, Honey....to give me hope." We held hands for a moment and at that time we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give. We are not church goers but we are believers. That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love.

I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned in "my project" and the instructor read it....then she looked up at me and said, "Can I share this?" I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class. She began to read and that is when I knew that we, as human beings and being part of God, share this need to heal people and be healed. In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my husband, son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student. I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn.... UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.

Much love and compassion is sent to each and every person who may read this and learn how to LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE. If you think this story has touched you in any way, please send this to everyone you know.

May God bless you.

Debbie

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