Things are Not Always as They Appear
by Shannon Parish

Several years ago, I had the unique pleasure of living in an area where people from all over the world lived and worked.  Our neighbors were from Egypt, Iran, Afghanistan, Vietnam and China. This rich cultural neighborhood opened my eyes in more ways than one.  The most enjoyable being our discovery of one another’s cuisines and customs at the dinner table.

One afternoon, my Vietnamese friends invited me over for lunch.  We could not talk much because of the language barrio, but thanks to exaggerated hand movements, drawing pictures and much laughter, we were able to understand one another amazingly well. 

Upon entering their apartment I saw that the table was beautifully set.  At each place setting there was a plate piled high with rice and many tiny shrimp and some chopped vegetables.  Chopsticks lay at the side of each plate.  

The smiled and motioned for me to please be seated.  As we began eating, I noticed that the tiny shrimp still had the shells on them, and their tiny feet stuck out from their tiny, fishy bodies.  Believe it or not, this was my first experience with fresh shrimp, and the idea of little legs attached to something I was going to eat, made my stomach queasy.

 Watching closely, I saw my friends swoop up the rice and shrimp bite after bite, grin and motion me to eat, and swoop up more, working those chopsticks like magic.  What I did not see, was what they were doing with the shells from the shrimp!  The best I could tell, they were eating them, shells, legs and all! 

I gulped and set myself to do the same.  The last thing I wanted to do was to offend my hosts by touching my food with my fingers or not eating things they way they had been given to me.  We ate, and they said nothing.  We smiled and nodded and continued eating in awkward silence, the shells crunching in my mouth, and scratching down my throat.  Lunch seemed to move in slow motion! 

Finally, all the rice, shrimp and vegetables were gone.  Now desert was served.  It was delicious!  They placed on the table what looked like firm Jello, only white, and smelling like almonds.  It was wonderful! 

Once dinner was finished, they began picking up the plates.  I could have died!  Under each plate, was a neat pile of shrimp shells!  All but my plate that is! 

My friends never said a word – but I bet they laughed their heads off once I made my exit for the evening! 

Things are not always what they appear to be.  We draw our conclusions based upon what our eyes see and our preconceived notions have already formed.  When encountering something new, we make many assumptions in order to put us on ‘familiar ground’.  What a shame that our pride prevents us from investigating further!  I wonder how many things could have been different in our relationships, family, workplace, and even our country – if assumptions had not been made. 

The next time you gasp at something and think you know what is unfolding before you – take time to investigate, and don’t be afraid to ask questions!  A few shells scratching down ones throat is not nearly as choking as words that can’t be taken back after a life has been destroyed.

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BE CAREFUL OF YOUR THOUGHTS:
THEY MAY BECOME WORDS AT ANY MOMENT.

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Getting Your House in Order – Paper Wise 
by By Vicki Brown ( BNDLight@aol.com )

Have you ever wanted to get organized?  

 Remember when you needed that important document and you couldn't remember where your latest "safe  place" was?  The birth certificate?  The Immunization record?  The auto insurance documents and phone numbers? 

Well, this little article will help you get it all together.  A lot of these papers are kept in a lock-box away from home, but what will you do if you need them over a weekend?  A good, fire-proof box makes a nice place to keep records inside your own home.  You can obtain some nice plastic page protectors and begin a notebook if you please.

 Here are some ideas for things you need to have:

 IDENTITY RECORDS:

1. Birth certificates for mom, dad and all the children. Certified copies of birth records can be obtained by dialing 1-(the area code of the capital of your state)-555-1212 and ask for the Office of Vital Records or Vital Statistics.

2. Social Security cards For a new card or replacement card, call Social Security 1-800-722-1213

3. Marriage Certificates, Divorce decrees, Child Support Documents, and Death Certificates Certified copies can be obtained by dialing 1-(the area code of the capital of your state)-555-1212 and ask for the Office of Vital Records or Statistics.

4. Passports

5. Immigration Papers

6. Adoption Papers

 OWNERSHIP RECORDS:

7. Property Deeds (home and other real estate)

8. Titles (autos, trucks, boats, campers, etc.  with vehicle identification numbers for each one)

9. Sale and Purchase Documents (home or real estate)

10. Stock Certificates

11. Brokerage Account Statements

12. List of Major Assets and Serial Numbers

*Bank accounts and account numbers

*Jewelry (w/ appraisals less than 3 yrs old)

*Major appliances that may need to be replaced in case of disaster

(washer, dryer, TV, stereos, computers, etc.)

*Clothing inventory (general values)

*All other household items (toys, books, collectibles)  include a photos if possible

*Warranties and product information.  Staple the warranty and receipt together.

 DEBT RECORDS:

13. Mortgage

14. Auto/Truck/Boat Loans

15. Credit Card Histories

16. Loan Information

 INSURANCE DOCUMENTS:

17. Life Insurance

18. Disability Insurance

19. Health Insurance

20. Home Insurance

RETIREMENT RECORDS:

21. Plans (401(k), 403(b), IRAs, Simple IRA, Life insurance annuities, etc.)

22. Military Service Records

23. Copy of your Earnings and Benefits Statement from the Social Security

Administration (available by asking for Form SSA-7005 at this number 1-800-772-1213)

HEALTH AND MEDICAL RECORDS:

24. Health insurance cards

25. Medical reports such as hospitalizations and surgeries, listing dates

26. Immunization records for every family member

27. Copy of Authorization for Treatment of a Minor form

(available at doctor's offices or hospitals)

28. Name and birth date for each family member

29. Primary physicians and their phone numbers

30. Hospital you prefer, phone number and emergency contact persons

31. Description of current health conditions of each member

32. Allergy reactions to both environment and pharmaceutical

33. List prescription medications, name, dosage, frequency of dosage

34. Medical history of both parents and siblings

35. Pharmacy phone numbers

36. Name and phone number of benefits coordinator for health policy

 EMPLOYMENT RECORDS:

37. Names, addresses, phone numbers and dates of current and past employers

38. Dates when professional license renewals are due

39. Current copy of resume

40. Letters of recommendation

41. High school and college transcripts

42. Proof of an continuing education

ESTATE PLANNING:

43. Wills and trusts

44.  Your wishes of where to be buried, music, minister, etc.

BUT WE ARE IN NO HURRY, RIGHT??

 Of course, on a final note, you may want to leave a list of email screen names, passwords, and www addresses for your spouse, if you should leave this world unexpectedly or become ill.  The passwords may be the most important records you need.  :)
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Take the Tour in our Model T 
and discover What's New?

_________________________

IF THE GRASS LOOKS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE,

YOU CAN BET THE WATER BILL IS HIGHER.

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Vicki Brown won the BIG PRIZE!

Vicki read last week’s newsletter and discovered the clue that we put in regarding where one might find the dancing penguin.  She hunted and hunted – visited the guest book and made a few comments,

And hunted some more – then…  WELLA!  She discovered the Penguin, “Dancing on the Word” under on the page that held Galations 5 (that’s right folks, if you click on the verses listed on our web site, a page comes up with the verse for your convenience.)

 Vicki has THREE ORIGINAL PRINTS now on their way via snail mail as her prize!

 Guess what?  The penguin has now been moved – and THE BALL FROM LAST WEEK WAS NEVER FOUND!  Happy hunting!

  Click Here to learn more. 
(pssst - the penguin is STILL dancing - and standing on the Word!)

Contributing a prize is a great way to show off your talents or business! 
Contact Sarahstent@sarahstent.com for more information.
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“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
~ Proverbs 12:18

________________________________
Our Sponsor
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This past weekend I made a chocolate cake that brought back a lot of memories.  Our youngest daughter and her family were with us for the weekend, and she reminded me that she had won a blue ribbon for this cake in 4-H a hundred years ago (more or less!!!).  It is one of those easy, inexpensive recipes that is SOOOOOO good! 

I'm going to include a chocolate frosting recipe that is of the same vintage as the cake recipe.  It's hard to goof it up, and so delicious! 

SHAWN'S CHOCOLATE CAKE

1 3/4 c. sugar
2 c. flour
1/2 c. cocoa
1 Tblsp. cocoa
1 egg
2/3 c. oil
1 c. buttermilk
Add 1 c. boiling coffee

      There are no instructions.  I just add it all and mix.  Add liquids slowly.  The batter is very thin.  350 degrees for 40-45 minutes

 DOT'S FROSTING

 1 1/2 c. sugar
6 Tblsp. oleo
6 Tblsp. milk (I use evaporated)
1/2 c. chocolate chips

      I melt the oleo a bit in microwave, add sugar and milk and bring to a boil in microwave.  Add chips, stir til melted and spread on cake.

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Chuckles and Thoughts 
Submitted by Herman Johnson 

While working on a lesson in world religions, a kindergarten teacher asked her students to bring something related to their family's faith to class. 

At the appropriate time she asked the students to come forward and share with the rest of the students. 

The first child said, "I am Muslim and this is my prayer rug.”  The second child said, "I am Jewish and this is my Star of David." 

The third child said, "I am Catholic and this is my rosary."

 The final child said, "I am Southern Baptist and this is my casserole dish."

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Joy in The Kitchen Volume 4 Issue 23