Stretching that dollar

Did you know?  Every time you shop at Kroger's - buying groceries, a take-out salad, a gallon of gas - if you use a special Kroger's gift card purchased through Operation Faithfulness - the military ministry at Faith receives 4% of your purchase!  What a bargain.  I was going to be spending that money anyway, and this way a portion of my purchases goes back to help send gift packages to our soldiers serving away from home!   It excites me every time I open an envelope in my church mailbox from Kroger's:  "Maybe this is the month we will receive another check!"  About every other month we accumulate enough purchases to receive a check - usually between $200-400.  That is money we don't have to ask the congregation for!  And it was used before Christmas to send multiple packages of home-baked cookies and gifts to our soldiers. It will be used again around the 4th of July to encourage our troops.  And again near 9/11.

These packages mean a lot to lonely soldiers often serving in desolate and dangerous parts of the world, and usually separated from loved ones and home for long stretches of time. We get heartfelt letters from them thanking us for these "gifts from home."  Usually our boxes benefit many of the other guys and gals in the unit of the recipient.

Spread the word!  Prices are going up, but there are ways that you can stretch that almighty dollar!

Critical Questions

Preparing for the end of life

A friend shared with me some important things to think about if you are called to the deathbed of a loved one.  Better yet would be to have these discussions with aging parents or friends long before that crisis time arrives.  Have you thought through the decisions below?

 1) Have you reviewed the meaning of the living will and final wishes regarding the end of life.

2) Do you want to be buried or cremated?  Have you purchased a burial plot?

2) Is there a certain funeral home that you would prefer to use for your funeral?

3) Do you want an open or close casket, a viewing or a funeral alone? 

3) Have you picked out a casket?

4) Which pastor or elder would you like to officiate at the service? Are there certain things you would like said to the grieving friends who will gather? You can choose now the Scripture passages and music for the service.  You can even leave a personal message for those left behind.

5) What would you like to wear for that final viewing?

7) You can choose the words for your memorial or tombstone.  You may even want to select and pay for the tombstone ahead of time.

8)  Have you written an obituary for yourself?  What picture would you like to include?

9) What are the names and contact information for people to be notified in case of your death?

10) What is the location of important papers and financial information.

 At my grandmother’s funeral over 20 years ago, I still remember the words she had left to be read by the pastor addressed to her family.  She wanted to be sure we knew how to have assurance that we would join her some day in heaven.  Those words left a lasting impact on me.  I have always intended to write out my own message.  Since none of us know the length of our days here on earth, probably I need to address some of the questions above soon – like this weekend!