Gifts that Keep on Giving

I think it's important to give meaningful gifts that keep on giving. So, when I shop for those I love, I try and give personal gifts; if all else fails, I give gifts in their honor. I found a couple of great websites that allow you to purchase great gifts that keep on giving, so in the spirit of Spring, that's what I'm going to share with you this entry! Here goes......

The Hunger Site:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/site.do?siteId=220&link=Store_Header_TRS_to_THS

The Child Health Site:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/site.do?siteId=314&link=Store_Header_BCS_to_CHS

Literacy Site:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/site.do?siteId=2001&link=Store_Header_CHS_to_LIT

The Breast Cancer Store:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/site.do?siteId=224&link=Store_Header_THS_to_BCS

The Rainforest Store:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/site.do?siteId=221&link=Store_Header_LIT_to_TRS

http://www.care2.com/shopping/

Another great site:

World Hunger:
http://www.worldhunger.org/

I think it's important to pick a cause you care about; for me, I care most about children, healthcare, and the environment. I also care deeply about the plight of hunger--particularly hunger in the United States; which contrary to popular belief, does happen! It's happening right now....http://www.worldhunger.org/us.htm.

America's Second Harvest has always been one of my favorite charities too: http://www.secondharvest.org/

ASH has a list of online stores that also help you give back as you shop, here's that link:
http://www.secondharvest.org/how_to_help/share_as_you_shop/

I'll talk more about this during another entry.......

For now, I wanted to say that 12 years ago today on April 19th, 1995, the Oklahoma City Bombing happened, killing 168 people. Back then, it was the worst thing we could imagine. Little did we know that things like September 11th, Columbine, and just a few days ago, Virginia Tech were to come; the latter two also happening in April. When I was growing up, April was my favorite month of the year (aside from December), but now, not so much. All these tragic masacres seem to happen in April and I'm not sure why, it's just an observation. I've tried to seperate myself from the VA Tech situation because if I get too into it, it will depress the hell out of me. I feel things so deeply and after Columbine (whcih was 8 years ago tomorrow) and after 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina and all of those awful events, I tend to slip into a depression over those things, and I just won't do that this time--period. It's not that I don't feel for the victims of VA Tech. It was a horrible, tragic, senseless thing, with no reason to it, the victims remain in my prayers, but I will not get caught up in it and let it depress my own life. There is evil in the world, bad things happen, period. Horrible, tragic things happen, and I cannot let those unforunate events ruin my happiness. Life is short, these tragedies remind me that life is too short to be depressed and unhappy. You grab your happiness where you can get it! I think the victims of VA Tech would want us to go on and be happy and enjoy our lives. So that's what I'm going to do. My thoughts and prayers, however, do remain with them! Oh crap, I just heard on the news that UNR is in lockdown. UNR is the University in my hometown of Reno, NV....man, I hope nothing happens there, now THAT would devastate me because that is way too close (heck, it IS) to home....let us pray for their safety!

Okay, enough sad stuff, here are some of my favorite gifts from the sites I mentioned above:

Teacher's Salary in Afghanistan:***
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=29378&siteId=220&sourceId=46&sourceClass=Category&index=5

Butterfly:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=4501&siteId=220&sourceId=46&sourceClass=Category&index=9

Africa Infant Feeding Kit:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=29788&siteId=220&sourceId=46&sourceClass=Category&index=4

Anything on this page!!!
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/category.do?categoryId=253&link=Store_THS_LeftNav_253&siteId=220

Jungle Chocolate:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=1381&siteId=220&sourceId=4&sourceClass=Category&index=1

Wish Necklace:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=27749&siteId=220&sourceId=807&sourceClass=Category&index=1

Literacy Site T-Shirt:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=26389&siteId=2001&sourceId=616&sourceClass=Category&index=2

Mother-Child Heart Pin:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=26920&siteId=2001&sourceId=438&sourceClass=Category&index=17

Waterfall Earrings:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=8233&siteId=2001&sourceId=438&sourceClass=Category&index=21

Paperbook Earrings--too cool:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=25507&siteId=2001&sourceId=438&sourceClass=Category&index=2

Real Orcid Pin--beautiful:***
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=25527&siteId=2001&sourceId=438&sourceClass=Category&index=54

Send Girls to School in Afghanistan:***
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=29377&siteId=221&sourceId=26258&sourceClass=SuggestedItem&index=2

Ethiopian Coffee:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=2082&siteId=221&sourceId=28160&sourceClass=SuggestedItem&index=4

Green or Blue Bracelet:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=25987&siteId=221&sourceId=214&sourceClass=Category&index=50

Feed a Rescued Wild Horse
(being a Nevada Native, this is extremely touching. Nevada had its share of wild horses and their capture, freedom and well-being has been ongoing for years in my home state--it's rare that I find a cause that's supports them, I don't consider myself an animal lover, but this is really cool!)
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=4573&siteId=221&sourceId=4760&sourceClass=SuggestedItem&index=3

Peace Tank Top:***
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=27083&siteId=221&sourceId=230&sourceClass=Category&index=8

Green Ribon Pin:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=26936&siteId=221&sourceId=25515&sourceClass=SuggestedItem&index=2

Acacia Sald Bowl Set:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=25705&siteId=220&sourceId=57&sourceClass=Category&index=22

Tea for One Pot:***
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=29331&siteId=220&sourceId=57&sourceClass=Category&index=20

Jade Necklace:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=29688&siteId=310&sourceId=292&sourceClass=Category&index=17

Jade Earrings:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=8398&siteId=310&sourceId=292&sourceClass=Category&index=15

Peace Earrings:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=27570&siteId=314&sourceId=522&sourceClass=Category&index=58

Peace Necklace:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=29613&siteId=314&sourceId=522&sourceClass=Category&index=64

Dove Pin:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=27418&siteId=314&sourceId=522&sourceClass=Category&index=116

Silicone Bracelets:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=28277&siteId=2001&sourceId=831&sourceClass=Category&index=4

Pink Orcid Pin:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=28277&siteId=2001&sourceId=831&sourceClass=Category&index=4

Bright Pearl Earrings:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=28904&siteId=2001&sourceId=436&sourceClass=Category&index=67

Hand Carved Wood Bowl:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=29314&siteId=2001&sourceId=579&sourceClass=Category&index=41

Rose Cameo:***
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=26704&siteId=314&sourceId=138&sourceClass=Category&index=4

Hand-loomed Silk Scarf:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=27805&siteId=314&sourceId=136&sourceClass=Category&index=30

Ring Sets:
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=30714&siteId=220&sourceId=20&sourceClass=Category&index=48

https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=30715&siteId=220&sourceId=20&sourceClass=Category&index=49

Hand-etched Heart Plaques Home Accents: ***
https://shop.thechildhealthsite.com/store/item.do?itemId=28625&siteId=221&sourceId=875&sourceClass=Category&index=4

That's a great start for those Mother's Day Gifts, what a great way to give, twice over!!!

Thank you Lord for an absolutely beautiful day!!! The gorgeous weather, my grandma's being out of pain and okay in the hospital recovering nicely, the great trip to Wal-Mart with my sweetheart, Colin, and the rest of the relaxing day with him filled with love and affection, the evening with my mama and the great conversation we shared and my delicious veggie pizza I ate for dinner-yum! All in all, it was a truly wonderful and awesome day! I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of it!

Thank you Lord for it all! Please keep my blessings coming and bless all those I love! Nighty night!

In Light N' Love,
-Sarah Liz :)