Carissa’s Circle of Five

Count Your Blessings

2010-03-01T21:18:00.000-08:00

Count your Blessings!

If Earth's population was shrunk into a village of just 100 people - with

all the human ratios existing in the world still remaining - what would

this tiny, diverse village look like?

That's exactly what Phillip M. Harter, a medical dr. at

Stanford University School of Medicine, attempted

to figure out. This is what he found.

57 would be Asian

21 would be European

14 would be from the Western Hemisphere

8 would be African

52 would be female

48 would be male

70 would be non-Christian

30 would be white

70 would be nonwhite

30 would be Christian

6 people would possess 59 percent of the entire world’s wealth,

and all 6 would be from the United States.

80 would live in substandard housing

70 would be unable to read

50 would suffer from malnutrition

One would be near death.

One would be pregnant

One would have a college education

One would own a computer

The following is an anonymous interpretation:

Think of it this way. If you live in a good home, have plenty to eat and

can read, you are a member of a very select group. And if you have a good

house, food, can read and have a computer, you are among the very elite.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of

imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation.... you are

ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest,

torture, or death,...you are fortunate, more than three billion people in

the world can't.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back,

a roof overhead and a place to sleep...you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish

someplace...you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If your parents are still alive and still married....

you are very rare, even in the United States.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly

thankful....you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even

touch them on the shoulder you are blessed because

you can offer a healing touch.

If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that

someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than

over two billion people in the world.. that cannot read at all.

Have a good day, count your blessings. And please pass this on !!

I have so many things in my life that God has blessed me with. A wonderful, helpful, and understanding husband, three healthy and loving children who bring so much joy to my life, my mom who is my best friend that helps me through all my trials, a caring sister and two brothers who I can talk to about anything, a Dad who I love and pray for daily, a Step dad who is great to my mom and my children, and a sweet dog named Cash who has added so much fun to our lives. I am also blessed with a roof over my head, food in my fridge, gas in my car, and clothes on my back. Who knows how all these things will be provided for my family in the future. The way the economy is I have no idea, but I do know that God always provides somehow. I am so grateful for the happiness and contentment that God has given me.

A Testimony of Listening to God When He Speaks to You...

2010-02-14T20:56:00.001-08:00

I have a great testimony of following your heart when God speaks to you that I really feel God wants me to share with my family and friends. Ron and I went out for Valentines Day on Friday evening because that was the night my mom was able to watch the boys for us. We had a great time going out to dinner and we got to see The Book of Eli which was a great movie. On the way home it was really late and we had to stop by Winco to pick up a couple of things. I just ran inside and Ron stayed in our vehicle with Gracie with the heater on. As soon as I walked in I saw a lady walking around with three young girls. They were all about my kids age and it reminded me of myself for some reason. I saw her several times throughout the store and all I saw in her cart the whole time was a couple Valentines things and some milk. I all of sudden had a very strong urge that I needed to give this lady with her children some money. I'm sure everyone that has had God speak to you before you just know when it's Him and it's very hard to ignore Him. I really wanted to give her some somehow, but I didn't want her to take it the wrong way. I checked out and went out to the vehicle to see what Ron thought and he told me that I should definitely follow my heart and listen to God's voice. So, we prayed about it and I went back inside to give her some money. Luckily, I caught her just as she was walking out. All she had was one small bag of stuff in her cart. I went up to her and told her that I didn't want her to take this the wrong way, but that God had placed it on my heart to give her some money and I would like her to receive His blessing. She looked at me in disbelief for a second and then broke down crying. She told me that she had ten kids and that her husband had just lost his job and that she had no idea what they were going to do. She gave me a HUGE hug and said thank you so much over and over. I just told her God bless her and her family and that I hope it helps. She was very thankful. It felt so great to be able to listen to God and to be able to bless someone in just a little way with some money. It ultimately was a huge blessing for me and a very good lesson on listening to God when He speaks to you. You never know how much you could help someone in need.

Just Starting Out...

2010-02-12T11:12:00.000-08:00

I decided to finally start a blog for my family. Kids grow up sooo fast and I want to have a way to keep track of good memories with them as they grow. I love my kids so dang much and I can't wait to share this adventure we call life!