CURB APPEAL!
I love curb appeal! As we drive along on our neighborhood streets, I look at all the yards and houses and wish I had that, or wish we could do that and even think; "Why can't we do that!" Jim always reminds me that not all of 'that' is necessary for our happiness. It is good for the neighborhood and for resale but it is not necessary for our lives. Just the same it would be nice! What is important to you? What would you choose to do if your pocket book would allow you your hearts desires?

Because we have chosen to be active in God's kingdom here on earth, most of our resources go into the offering plate and some missionary work and even this and that as we help out on affairs that uplift and encourage the Saints. Now understand, we are not putting funds into the coffer and being active in God's work because we are paying and working our way into heaven. No, that is not it at all! We are so happy that God has given us a way to come to Him through His Son Jesus that we not only want to share this with as many as we can, but we enjoy all that the church has to offer along the way.

Danny and Faye, my son and his wife, have three boys. Believe me when I say they are button popping boys! From the beginning they have brought much joy into our lives and they have been a delight to our souls. Dan & Faye made the decision early on that if they could, they would put them into a Christian school for their primary, Jr. High and Highschool years. This decision was made possible because Faye began her teaching career at Hosanna Christian School when Adam was in pre-school. She has continued throughout these 16 years and has seen Adam graduate, Ryan will graduate next year and Jordan in another 4 years. As a teacher she received financial educational benefits for her children but many things they would want, would have to wait. The greatest benefit of all is that she has been one of her boys teachers and know they have been taught what is the most beneficial of all, Jesus Christ!

Being happy does not depend upon our pocket book, the car we drive, how big our house is or whether our yard is big enough and manicured enough to appear on the front page of House and Garden Magazines. Our happiness depends upon knowing God and how much we care for one another. Our happiness comes from inner peace and good thoughts that come from knowing God. Our happiness is relative to how much we love life and making the most of all our encounters with one another.

"And He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the multitude putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two copper coins, which make a penny. And He called the disciples to Him and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living." Mark 12:41-44

I find this passage of scripture interesting because Jesus points out her poverty because she gave what she had and points out others giving in abundance. The point here is not her poverty or their abundance but how she gave all she had. We mow our lawns and we pull the weeds; We plant flowers and prune the plants and bushes; We take care of what we have and yet want more. We should be using our poverty or abundance to enjoy life and to learn more about Him who has given us everything.

Yes, I love to watch Curb Appeal on TV and wonder what we would do if we were so inclined. I would rather spend what God has given us on the things that are important to God and to us, like taking the kids out for Sunday dinner. Jane Ann