The title is from my favorite hymn of all time. In fact, I just googled that line, and I found this great organization. You might want to check this out:
http://desertsaintsmagazine.com/2006/11/01/because-we-have-been-given-much-we-too-must-give/For those who do not know the song, these are the lyrics:
"Because I Have Been Given Much"
Because I have been given much, I too must give.
Because of thy great bounty, Lord each day I live.
I shall divide my gifts from thee with every brother that I see,
who has the need of help from me.
Because I have been sheltered, fed by thy good care…
I cannot see another’s lack and I not share-
my glowing fire, my loaf of bread-my roof’s safe shelter over head,
that he too may be comforted.
Because I have been blessed by thy great love dear Lord,
I’ll share thy love again according to thy word.
I shall give love to those in need. I’ll show that love by word and deed,
thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.
Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love to do for others. There is a new book out there that I am reading. I just started it yesterday. It is called "Why Good Things Happen To Good People". Anyway, here is an excerpt from the book. You can, also check it out online at:
http://www.whygoodthingshappen.com/home.phpEnjoy the excerpt:
*Giving in high school predicts good physical and mental health in late adulthood, a time interval of over 50 years! Psychologist Paul Wink of Wellesley College studied nearly 200 individuals who have been followed closely since the 1920’s, when they were children, and found that giving protected longevity as well as mental health even half a century later.
*Giving significantly reduces mortality in later life. In this new study from Doug Oman of the University of California at Berkeley, 2,000 individuals over age 55 were studied for five years. Those who volunteered for two or more organizations had an impressive 44% lower likelihood of dying. The only activity that had a slightly higher effect was to stop smoking. And sociologist Marc Musick of the University of Texas at Austin found that individuals over 65 who volunteer are significantly less likely to die over the next eight years than those who do no volunteer work.
*Generous behavior reduces adolescent depression and suicide risk. The Institute sponsored four special studies on teens. Boys, in particular, benefit markedly from feelings of love and from generous behavior. Just as intriguing is a study from David Sloan Wilson and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, showing that teen girls are more giving than teen boys, and that teens who are giving, hopeful, and socially effective, are also happier, more active, involved, excited, challenged, and engaged than their teen counterparts.
*Giving quells anxiety. Neal Krause of the University of Michigan followed 976 churchgoing adults over a period of three years. Offering social support to others reduced their anxiety over their own economic situation when they were under economic stress.
Late in life, giving to others helps facilitate self-forgiveness. Krause also found that giving is a potent trigger for forgiveness, and particularly for African-Americans. He studied nearly 1,000 older adults and found that providing emotional support to others enhanced the ease with which African-Americans forgave themselves for their own mistakes.
*Giving to others increases your longevity, although receiving the same kind of help did not. Psychologist Stephanie Brown of the University of Michigan spent five years studying 423 older couples. After adjusting for age, gender, and physical and emotional health, Brown found that those who provided significant support to others were more than twice as likely to remain alive in that five year period. These surprising findings ruled out other factors like personality, health, mental health and marital relationship variables.
*Giving is so powerful that sometimes even just ‘thinking’ charitable thoughts helps us. The simple act of praying for others, Neal Krause found, reduces the harmful impact of health difficulties in old age for those doing the praying. A new study from the National Institutes of Health shows that merely making a decision to donate to a charity increases activity in parts of the brain that release our feel-good chemicals, dopamine and serotonin. And a new Harvard University study showed that just watching a movie of helping activity boosts the immune system.
This is one of those "snap & go" amusement parks (where the rides get snapped together on-site). We saw this is the parking lot of the mall of one of the shops. Jaden begged me to let her go on the rides... But, I love her too much to put her on one of the rides that may collapse at any time. I guess I have heard too many horror stories. She was mad at me, but we didn't have to make a trip to the ER (so I am happy)!!
Ok, mystery shopping really isn't all that bad. It was a busy day, but I got to spend the end of my night with my family. The last shop was for Buffalo Wild Wings. The girls got balloons, and handheld games that they couldn't figure out (but it kept them busy anyway). The girls ate mini corn dogs, I had ribs (the worst I have ever eaten), and LeCount had a jerk chicken sandwich. The customer service was superb, but the food wasn't very good. Maybe we ordered the wrong thing. I don't know, but I bet we will figure it out after doing a few of these "shops". 
It's not really bring your kids to work day, but as I was looking at these pictures that I took today, it made me think. I am so blessed to be able to take the kids to different jobs that I do, and to be able to stay at home with them. Jaden helped me "shop" the Wooden Swing Co. She loves this shop, but it never lasts long enough for her. When we left there, she was crying because she didn't get to slide enough times. Well, it was still nice having her around, even if she was mad at me for making her leave after only 45 minutes.
Patrice, Andrea and Aunt Sally came by for a visit yesterday. They brought the girls some presents, and the girls entertained us with their antics. Patrice brought a banana for Morgan, since she heard that she likes them. I gave Morgan half of the banana, and she proceded to stuff it all in her mouth (likeshe usually does). Patrice took this picture of her... The puffed out cheeks are full of banana.
More hail!! I woke up to the sound of hail this morning. This is the second time this month we've had hail. 
I didn't get to take as many pictures as I usually do, and after we had left, I realized that I hadn't taken any pictures of Jaden. The reason is that we brought Rebekah and Joshua with us, so I was trying to keep track of 4 kids going 4 different directions. They all had a blast, and the girls are so excited that Rebekah and Joshua will be staying at our house during the day (starting in about 3 weeks or so). I hope we will get to go on a lot of outings... If I can teach them all to stay together, or maybe I can find a four-seater stroller. Anyone know where I can get one of those? I need it to be able to fold up and fit in the car, too. Let me know.
I took them to play at the mall again today. The reason that we went was because Children's Place had flip-flops for 2 for $5. I had gotten a pair for Morgan, and she wore them for the first time on Saturday when we went to the zoo... Well, wouldn't you know it... She lost a shoe!! So, her first day of wearing flip-flops and she doesn't have any more. Since they are 2 for $5, I decided to pick up two pairs... And, if she happens to lose a shoe, maybe it will be the right foot shoe, and I will still have a pair (to go with the one I have from Saturday)- since I have a left foot shoe... and I will have an extra pair for an emergency. 
Bryan and Amy decided to go to the zoo today, so we decided to go again. LeCount and Morgan didn't go with Jaden and I earlier this week, so it was a first for them. I know I put a lot of animal pictures on the last zoo post, so I am keeping this one with mostly humans. We took the train again, and spent the day walking through the zoo. The group was all of our family, plus Bryan, Amy, James, Edwin (Bryan's co-worker), and Jessica and Madison (Amy's sister, Kelly's, kids). We had fun, but the kids were worn out. If you look closely at the picture of Morgan in my lap, she is sound asleep. 
We just had to get out of the house today. It was in the 50's, but the wind really made it feel cold. Since I knew we couldn't play outside, I decided to take the girls to the mall to play in the play area. Amy happened to call asking if she could meet up with us this afternoon, so it worked out perfectly. We met up with Amy and cousin James at the mall, and the kids played and played and played. They had fun. Once the big kids got there (after school let out), it got more dangerous with them running around. We packed up and headed out of the play area around 5 PM, and then, we just walked the mall for another hour. It was fun, and I always look forward toi getting so exercise in where I can. I accidentally let my camera at home (which I never forget), so I have to get the pictures from Amy. As soon as I get them, I will update this post with pictures.
