THANK GOD FOR LITTLE THINGS

Thank you God, for little things

That often come our way.

The things we take for granted

But mention when we pray.

The unexpected courtesy,

The thoughtful, kindly deed.

A hand reached out to help us

In the time of sudden need.

Oh make us more aware, dear God,

Of little daily graces,

that come to us with "sweet surprises"

From never dreamed of places.

by: Helen Steiner Rice

HAPPY EASTER !!

A lady opened her refrigerator and saw a rabbit sitting on one of the shelves.

"What are you doing in the there?' she asked.

The rabbit replied: "This is a Westinghouse, isn't it?',

to which the lady replied "Yes."

"Well" the rabbit said, I'M WESTING."

" HOPPY" " EASTER "

P.S. I couldn't resist passing this one from my e-mail buddy: Judi M

HOLY WEEK

Monday is the start of Holy Week.

The cleansing of the temple in the Holy City of Jerusalem is thought to have taken place on this Monday.

Tuesday of Holy Week is the day when the churchmen tried to trap Jesus into making a blasphemous statement.

Wednesday is the day when Judas, a disciple, betrayed Jesus so Jesus could be captured.

Thursday of Holy Week is associated with the Last Supper. It is the day before the crucifixion.

Good Friday is the day when Jesus was crucified. It is the day that Christians believe that Jesus sacrificed himself for the sins of men.

The day following Good Friday is called Holy Saturday. The day comes at the end of forty days of fasting.

Easter Sunday is a day of rejoicing and happiness. It is the third day after the crucifixion. It is the day that Christ rose from the tomb, and showed himself to his disciples to carry out his work.

DIFFERENT DRUG PROBLEM

The following letter has appeared on the Internet, and was viewed by many readers. Think it very appropriate to share.

The other day, someone at the store in our town read that a Methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question. "Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?"

I replied I had a drug problem when I was young: I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.

I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of a teacher, or the preacher, or anyone else, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity. I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's and grandma's garden and flower beds and cockle burs out of dad's fields. I was drug to the cotton fields in Texas to pick cotton, so I could earn a little spending money. I was drug to the homes of family, friends and neighbors to help some poor soul who had no one else to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood, and, if my mother had ever known I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, or think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place.

God bless the parents who drugged us !!!

P.S. This is what I was taught as a child, and I really thought I had it rough. Every day I thank my parents for the lessons they taught me. Their love and encouragement is what has gotten me some very tough times. I find the older I get, just how smart my parents were. Love you Dad and Mom, and Thank You for drugging me.

IRISES

STIGMA BUSTING CHALLENGE

NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS

SPRING IS HERE !!!

Give a package of Iris bulbs to a neighbor or friend with a note:

The Iris is the symbol of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in recognition of the many contributions of those with mental illness, as represented by Vincent Van Gogh's painting of Irises during his hospitalization for mental illness.