Family First - November 27, 2006

The Family First Newsletter
Promoting family unity one issue at a time
Vol. 10 Issue 48 - Week of December 17, 2007
ISSN: 1527-6201
©2007 - Joyce Pierce --All Rights Reserved

Just one more week until Christmas. This morning, in Houston, Texas, we had our air conditioner on. This afternoon it's a cooler 56 degrees. Still warm compared to what many of you are going through in the Midwest. I grew up there and know all about being cold.

This is a great video explaining the story of “stuff” -- the electronics, the toys, the clothes and all the other material goods that we in the United States use to express the meaning of the holidays and, at other times of the year, our very own personal value. I hope you'll take the time to watch it. I guarantee you'll be enlightened and have a better understanding of how the system works. For me, it looks like the advertisers just think we're really stupid! Are we?

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2007/12/11/awesome-video-you-need-to-see-before-you-start-holiday-shopping.aspx

Where do you shop for household items like cleaners, detergents, cosmetics, candles, lotions, dental care, and vitamins?

Sounds pretty good, doesn't it? What if the store manager actually gave you $100 in product just to give his new program a try?

Being A Mother
by: Author Unknown

After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, "I love you, but I know this other woman loves you too, and she would love to spend some time with you."

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands
of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally. That night I called to invite
her to go out for dinner and a movie.

"What's wrong, are you well?" she asked. My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a
surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.

"I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you," I responded. "Just the two of us." She thought about
it for a moment, and then said, "I would like that very much."

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up, I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed
that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair
and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary. She smiled from a face that was as
radiant as an angel's.

"I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed," she said, as she got into the car.
"They can't wait to hear about our meeting."

We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the
First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the
entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips.

"It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small," she said.

"Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor," I responded.

During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation - nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of
each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie.

As we arrived at her house later, she said, "I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you." I agreed.

"How was your dinner date?" asked my wife when I got home.

"Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined," I answered.

A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her. Some time later I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place my mother and I had dined. An attached note said: "I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son."

At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: "I LOVE YOU" and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till "some other time."

Financial Predictions
by Gary Foreman

Each year experts share their predictions for future events. So in an effort to help you do well financially, I'd like to announce the
following Dollar Stretcher predictions.

I predict that sometime over the next twelve months you will be tempted to buy something big that you cannot afford. It could be a
house, car, wide-screen TV or anything big and expensive. Originally you'll be tempted by a television ad, a purchase your co-worker or
neighbor makes or the desire to feel good about yourself.

I predict that you'll find a variety of reasons that you should make the big purchase. You'll think of different ways that you could
handle the payments. You'll begin to picture yourself owning the coveted thing and tell yourself that you 'deserve' the item.

I can't tell whether you'll give in or not. If you do you could be facing years of payments. It probably won't make you feel any better,
but many of the people in mortgage trouble today fell victim to the temptation a few years ago.

I predict that during the next year you'll be offered unnecessary credit. It could come in a variety of forms. A store credit card that
offers 10% off of your first purchase using the card. Or an increase in the limit on your existing credit card. Or a bank offering to set
you up with a "homeowners line of credit" on your house.

They'll tell you that the offer is made because you're special - a preferred customer or someone who manages their money well. Don't
believe them. The reason that they'll offer you more credit is because they want you to use it. It's easier to spend money you don't
have when there's credit available. And that's when the real fun starts.

I predict that sometime during the next year you'll face an 'unexpected bill'. The most likely sources for the bill are a home
repair, car repair or a medical bill. Most people don't have any money saved for this type of financial emergency. After all, who can
tell when an unexpected bill will come in. Since you don't have money saved you'll charge the bill and begin making monthly payments on it.
You'll find the payments frustrating since you really don't have anything new to show for them.

I predict that something you couldn't live without a few years ago will become a burden this year. There are a number of reasons this
will happen. It could be that the item didn't deliver as promised. Maybe it's just gotten old. In fact, maybe it doesn't work at all any
more. Even though the fun is gone you might still be making payments on it. Regardless of the cause, if you look around your house or
garage you'll find something that was irresistible before you bought it that you would gladly get rid of now.

I predict that you won't save enough. You'll find it 'impossible to save' on your present income. But you won't feel too bad about it.
Your friends won't be saving either. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis <http://www.bea.gov/briefrm/saving.htm> the saving
rate has been 2% or less of disposable income since 2002. You'll avoid thinking about things that could make you feel bad about not
saving. Like college for your kids, financial emergencies and your own retirement.

I predict that you'll accumulate more 'stuff'. In the last 35 years the average home size has gone up by 50%. And, self-storage places
are cropping up all over. So you'll have more stuff twelve months from now. It could be something you're collecting, or just routine
shopping. I further predict that all this stuff will cause you to wonder whether your present house or apartment is too small. You'll
be tempted to move to a bigger, more expensive home.

I predict that one of your neighbors will fall into serious financial trouble and you won't know it. What you'll see is a lifestyle with
new cars, designer clothes, a nice house with all the trimmings. But, underneath your neighbor will be stressed trying to keep up with all
their payments. Studies are estimating that 30% of employees are worried about their finances. So your co-worker is struggling, too.
The first sign that the prediction is true is when they abruptly stop spending money or when you hear that they're splitting up (financial
problems are the number one cause of divorce).

You've probably noticed a trend among these predictions. I'm not much of a fortuneteller and the predictions are not very bold. In fact,
most of them are so common that anyone could predict them. In fact, that's the point. You can be pretty sure that these things will
happen to you. Wouldn't it be wise to be prepared for them?

Gary Foreman is the editor of The Dollar Stretcher website www.Stretcher.com and newsletters mailto:subscribe-dollar-stretcher@hub.thedollarstretcher.com .
You'll find hundreds of ways to stretch your day and your dollar. Visit today!

Looking for a way to prepare your children the entire month of December. "24 Days of Christmas" is a great way to have your own advent experience. Download this book today and use it for years. Contains a scripture and a story for each day of December leading up to Christmas Day. This is a gift your family will enjoy year after year. http://www.emersonpublications.com/24days.htm

Christmas Adventure With Grandma
Author Unknown

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma...I was just a kid.

I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been.

I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her 'world-famous' cinnamon buns.

I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true!!!!!!

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything.

She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus?" She snorted..."Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me m! ad, plai n mad!!  Now, put on your coat, and let's go."

"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second 'world-famous' cinnamon bun.

"Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars.

That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car."

Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old.

I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but NEVER had I shopped for anything all by myself.

The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping.

For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for.

I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, and the people who went to my church.

I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker.
He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class.

Bobby Decker didn't have a coat.

I knew that because he never went out to recess during the winter.

His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough;! he just didn't have a good warm coat.

I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement.

I would buy Bobby Decker a coat!

I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.

"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.

"Yes, ma'am," I replied shyly. "It's for Bobby."

The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good warm winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it.

Grandma said that Santa ALWAYS insisted on secrecy!

Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk.

Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."
I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma.

Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open!!!!

Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.

Well...

Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes.

That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: 'ridiculous'!

Santa WAS a! live and well, and WE were on HIS team!!!

I STILL have Grandma's Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $29.95.

May you always have LOVE to share, HEALTH to spare and FRIENDS that care...

And may you always believe in the magic of Santa Claus!