Had a little problem with that last post. I had made some changes and deleted some stuff, but for some reason when it published the deleted part was put on the tail end. It gave the impression I was trying to determine how long it would take a letter to go from here (Abilene) to there (heaven)! When in actuality I was trying to determine how long it would take a letter to go from here (Abilene) to Sacramento, Nm. earlier in the post!

I hope GOD isn't looking for some mail!

Over the last few years, Krl and I have had opportunity to choose certain charities as targets for gifts from our former employer. Of course there have always been charities or organizations in close proximity to the seasonal work, St. Lawrence Catholic Church, the Glasscock County Livestock Show, The Todd Weishun Memorial Scholarship Fund, the local Volunteer Fire Department and the local Emergency Medical Service, just to mention a few.

However, we have chosen to include some others that are not so close by (especially when we are at the jobsite). One of Krl's favorites is St. Judes Children's Hospital and they have been by far the largest beneficiary of the small charitable budget we work with. Krl's short list continues with Rescue the Animals, and the Noah project.

My short list has been headed by the Cherokee Home for Children, and this year we did a matching gift with Rian's students through the Children's Miracle Network.

In some instances it has been a frustrating experience. We believe very strongly in supporting St. Judes, but after the initial gift, the company became bombarded with literature soliciting additional gifts. These publications have not been low end. They have been some of the very best print material you will ever see. Multi color, high gloss productions. Other promotional gifts include engraved plates, and personal notes from Marlo herself. Krl finally became so frustrated with the constant solicitation that she wrote Marlo, telling her that any benefit from the gift was being consumed by the print blitz for more! She went on to say that any future gift would be weighed against the amount of solicitation. Krl's and my theory is, the gift is not tied to the amount of solicitation, unless the wear us out in which our recommendation might be to make it smaller. Surprisingly, it would appear the solicitation has decreased.

My exposure to the Cherokee Children's Home goes back to college when one of my roommates was from Cherokee. They are celebrating fifty years of service to youth in need. Recently they had their annual celebration with ex-residents, house parents, employees, and benefactors in attendance. On this day they dedicated the Jesse Ratliff Smokehouse, which was a particular significance to me. That would be Uncle Jesse. I just thought it was kind of neat that we both saw the children's home to be a worthy recipient, although I feel sure Uncle Jesse's contributions would dwarf what we have given or been able to direct to them.

This has been a long way to get to the point, and in no way has this been any attempt to blow my horn, Krl's horn the our former employers horn.

I would encourage you to pick an organization or charity and give to them regularly. The size of the gift is not important. Many small gifts added together yield great numbers.

We have been blessed, and in whatever small way, want to share by blessing others.

Have a day.

FATHER, we continue to lift up Douglas's family for YOUR comfort. We pray that YOU would move anyone reading this to share their blessings with others.