End of 2008 - Soon 2009 - I Believe

This is my New Year message to you... BELIEVE in yourself!

A Birth Certificate shows that we were born

A Death Certificate shows that we died

Pictures show that we lived!

Have a seat . . . Relax . . . And read this slowly....

I Believe...

That just because two people argue,

It doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue,
It doesn't mean they do love each other.

I Believe...
That we don't have to change friends if
We understand that friends change.

I Believe...
That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe...
That you can do something in an instant
That will give you heartache for life.

I Believe...
That it's taking me a long time
To become the person I want to be.

I Believe...
That you should always leave loved ones with
Loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I Believe...
That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I Believe...
That we are responsible for what
We do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe...
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe...
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I Believe...
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I Believe...
That my best friend and I, can do anything, or nothing and have the best time.

I Believe...
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you When you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe...
That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry,
But that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe...
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had
And what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I Believe...
That it isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others.

Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe...
That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe...
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are,
But, we are responsible for who we becom e.

I Believe...
That you shouldn't be so eager to find
Out a secret. It could change your life Forever.

I Believe...
Two people can look at the exact same
Thing and see something totally different.

I Believe...
That your life can be changed in a matter of
Hours by people who don't even know you.

I Believe...
That even when you think you have no more to give, when
A friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.

I Believe...
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe...
That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

I Believe...
That you should send this to all of the people that you believe in, I just did.

'The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the most of everything.

Thank you God for all the wonderful people who help us throughout the journey of life.

Stores closing in 2009 ASL tape

A friend sent me this link that was posted at www.deafnewspaper.com.

This is a video in ASL about all the different stores around USA that are either in the process now or will be closing in January 2009. Really really sad to see this as it only adds to the number of people who will be losing their jobs soon.

If you don't understand ASL, still watch this video as you can see pictures of the stores that will be closing. Keep in mind these stores if you have any gift cards from them. You might want to use them now while you can.

Watch this video in ASL

Christmas Message 2008

It's almost Christmas. I didn't realize I haven't blogged in over two weeks. Where did the time go?

This has been a pretty laid back Christmas for me. No real stress. We are taking it easy. I didn't do any baking (but will today). I didn't send out any cards but will send out an email to family and friends tomorrow. I bought my gifts gradually over the past months so it wasn't all at once. I didn't overdecorate my house. I didn't even put up a large tree. I have three mini trees with lights that stay up all year long. My daughter did add some ornaments and we hung up the stockings. My new thing this year is a new nativity set I'm displaying for the first time.

My business on eBay has been steady. I am not nearly as busy as I was a year ago but I'm selling higher priced items. I know some of this is from the economy being weak right now. The Lord has blessed and all is fine. We have what we need and I cannot ask for anything more. I already have the best gift which I would like ALL of you to also accept. I have Jesus in my heart and that is the best gift in the whole world. Best of all... it's FREE! What can you give Jesus for Christmas? Your whole heart.

This is my Christmas thought for you....

This Christmas don't worship only a baby in a manger. Worship Jesus, our Savior and our God, who was willing to become a person, live a life without sin, and die on the cross to give us eternal life if we believe and accept His gift of salvation.

Jesus was here BEFORE he came to earth as a baby. Read Genesis 1:1, 26 and Colossians 1:16. Jesus created the world and everything in it. "Let Us create..." ("Us" includes Jesus before creation and before Jesus became a person.) Jesus is GOD, CREATOR.

"Joy comes not to him who seeks it for himself, but to him who seeks it for other people."

-H.W. Sylvester

May the joy you bring to others return to you in great measure this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas to each of you!

First voice I hear will be Jesus'

Two things happened yesterday that brought tears to my eyes...

First during the sermon, the guest speaker was sharing a story about Fannie Crosby who wrote many many hymns. She was also blind. A person once told her, I feel so sorry for you... you have never seen the sun rise or set. Fannie responded, "I feel sorry for YOU! The first thing I'm going to see when I can see again is Jesus' face!".

wow... that made me think. I'm not blind but I am deaf and while I can "hear" if I can see the person (my mind puts a voice in my head while I'm lipreading their lips), I can't hear anything that happens behind my back or out of sight. So... Fannie's comment made me think...

The first voice I want to hear behind my back would be the voice of Jesus calling my name. I will immediately recognize his voice and that he called me. Can't wait!

The second thing was a moment of being proud of my daughter.

She is 13 and has gradually over the past month became more involved with the youth and children's ministry at church. There is an 8 yr old deaf girl who attends. Now and then an adult will interpret for Halley but too many times she is left out. My daughter has complained to me before about how unfair it is that no one is interpreting for Halley during the puppet show or junior church. I suggested she make that her ministry and start doing that herself. Yesterday, she told me she did it! She interpreted for Halley during Jr. Church! I asked her if she was nervous? She said no. Wow... she just might end up being an interpreter or some how involved with the deaf when she gets older.

Very proud of you sweetie! Keep on signing. You are doing a great job!

12 Days of Christmas - Internet Marketing

If you are interested in learning more about marketing on the internet...check this out...

I just found a webpage that has lots of great free gifts given by some of the top internet marketers around. Mark Hendricks has put together his own version of "The 12 Days of Christmas", and has pulled in favors from his friends who are among the sharpest marketing minds on the planet.

I've already found some really great stuff, and thought you might want to take a look too.

Here’s the site: http://www.hunteridge.com/12days.htm