Friends Forever

You might be best friends one year,

Pretty good friends the next year,

Don't talk that often the next year,

And don't want to talk at all the year after that.

So, I just wanted to say, You are special to me and you have made a difference in my life,

I look up to you, respect you, and truly cherish you.

Let ALL your Friends know,

No matter how often you talk ,

Or how close you are,

Or how far apart you are,

Let old friends know you haven't forgotten them,

And tell new friends you never will.

Remember, everyone needs a friend, Someday you might feel like you have NO FRIENDS at all,

Just remember this Message and take comfort in knowing

Somebody out there cares about you...

57 Cents

A sobbing little girl stood near a small church from which she had been turned away because it "was too crowded". "I can't go to Sunday School," she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by.

Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday School class. The child was so happy that they found room for her, that she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus.

Some two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement buildings and the parents called for the kindhearted pastor, who had befriended their daughter, to handle the final arrangements.

As her poor little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump. Inside was found 57 cents and a note scribbled in childish handwriting which read, "This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday School. For two years she had saved for this offering of love.

When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he would do. Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion.

He challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building.

But the story does not end there!

A newspaper learned of the story and published it. It was read by a realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands. When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered it for 57 cents.

Church members made large donations. Checks came from far and wide. Within five years, the little girl's gift had increased to $250,000 - a huge sum for that time (near the turn of the century). Her unselfish love had paid large dividend.

When you are in the city of Philadelphia, look up Temple Baptist Church, with a seating capacity of 3,300 and Temple University, where hundreds of students are trained.

have a look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of Sunday Schoolers, so that no child in the area will never need to be left outside during Sunday School time.

In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made such remarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russel H. Conwell, author of the book, "Acres of Diamonds".

A true story, which goes to show WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH 57 CENTS.

May today there be peace within.
May you trust your highest power that you are exactly where you are meant to be...
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received and pass on the love that has been given to you...
May you be content knowing you are a Child of God...
Let this presence settle into your bones and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance.
It is there for each and every one of you...