From pranking to giving a homeless man a new life!

YouTube Pranksters Behind VitalyzdTv Give Homeless Man New Teeth In Touching 'Extreme Homeless Makeover' (VIDEO)

READ/WATCH THE STORY HERE PLEASE

Watch Martin's tears of joy when the guys tell him he has a dentist appointment scheduled for the next day, and his reaction to the new dentures. 

Though Martin has faced harassment from other homeless people, he says his life has been changed by being featured on Zdorovetskiy's YouTube channel. He attributes his new job, his appearance and even getting back together with his wife to the strength thousands of viewers have helped him find. 

Now employed, Martin makes triple what he did on the street, and reminds us to have faith that it is possible to overcome all weaknesses. 

     I can't tell you how many times I am writing to a person I have met on FaceBook and they will tell me that they don't watch the World News, or the news at all because everything that they watch is BAD.  Well it is my goal to continue to bring out the good stories because only in seeing these things will people begin to believe in good things can happen to every day people like themselves.  But the GIVING has got to begin in YOU!

Shirley (my Mother In Law) with a new shirt for Mother's Day!

    Every year we donate to our local rescue mission.  We do so a number of times a year.  Sometimes (like on Friday of this week) we will take the clothes that I no longer wear or this year it will be that my Mother In Law left behind (when she passed away on Feb. 15, 2013) to the facet of the rescue mission for the women and children who live there in their building. 

   Saturday (11/9/13) would have been my Mother in Law's 91st birthday if she were still here and it will be very hard to face this first one without her.  Seventeen years of the best birthdays (not counting the year she knew she was going to have her cancer surgery on Dec. 24, 2009) with her.  We always made a major celebration of this day with however many people we could get together with her.  Please pray/send positive thoughts to my husband and I this year. 

Are there ways that you celebrate those who have passed on in your life on their birthdays?  And in our story here we learned of pranksters who did something really wonderful for a homeless man.  Do you have any thoughts after reading/watching that story?  I would love to read them here on comments or on my fan group on FaceBook at:  https://www.facebook.com/Chattingwithcarolyn anywhere on the topics or in private in my MESSAGES there.   Thank you so very much!

Practicing Random Acts of Kindness

This past week was a rough week, well when you think about it... it's been a rough month.  Some of my friends are still out of work, some have no place to live in a couple of weeks (FaceBook friends) because they don't know where there next check is coming from, my community has sent me three letters in the last weeks asking for money for one cause or another in time for Thanksgiving, I've had so much stress in my life that my body is shutting down and just refusing to go on without more sleep, I've been running my husband hard doing projects around the house that I want done before it starts raining (yes, God, I do believe you will send us some rain that we need here in Southern California!).  

Just this week there was a fatal shooting at the LAX.  More children were reported hurt by family members, more children were doing horrible things to other people, our society is crying out that it's not going to take it anymore.  We need love, peace, the rich reaching out to the poor .... everyday and not just at Thanksgiving.  And not just to "those people" (stated by an unnamed celebrity) referring to the homeless and how he dishes out Thanksgiving meals to "those people."

I have four active blogs and this one and one other seems to get the least of my attention and so that is going to change this month and they are going to see the most!

I'm directing my fan group on FB to read this blog and the other one that is my dog's blog to read more and interact by commenting.  We're all working towards a kinder society beginning with ourself! 

I ask you to do one thing...  SMILE.   It may be the hardest thing for you to do right now if you're like me.  But do it!  And make it matter.  Smile at someone.  It doesn't cost anything and is a random act of kindness! 

Thank you!

Would you do the same for someone else?

I just love seeing these examples of Random Acts of Kindness!  Doesn't it make you wish you had the money to do something like this? 

Well guess what!?  You don't need MONEY to do a Random Act of Kindness and you can start RIGHT NOW!  

I bought this book the first time so that I could help my husband who was always asking me for ideas of how he can help me with my fibromyalgia and degerative discs and depression.  He read through the book twice.  And then I gave it away online in a giveaway. 

Realizing that I missed the book and wanted a copy for our home for ideas on how to help anyone (including Random Acts of Kindness) I bought the book again for us to learn how to do random acts of kindness at home (first) because I thought it would be an easier place to start and should start.  But you know what?  There's no place that you "should" do it.  So if you can begin where you feel most comfortable, then please do.

So, if I can get 10 thoughtful replies to this blog entry,  I am going to again have another GIVEAWAY of this book.  You can also purchase the book for yourself at: 

AMAZON
 and the kindle version is LESS than $5.00


When commenting, please tell me IF you would be interested in joining my Book Club on FaceBook and reading this book and sharing together about it.  Thank you!

Are you a "judging" kind of person?

Pastor Jeremiah Steepek (pictured above) transformed himself into a homeless person and went to the 10,000 member church that he was to be introduced as the head pastor at that morning. He walked around his soon to be church for 30 minutes while it was filling with people for service....only 3 people out of the 7-10,000 people said hello to him. He asked people for change to buy food....NO ONE in the church gave him change. He went into the sanctuary to sit down in the front of the church and was asked by the ushers if he would please sit n the back. He greeted people to be greeted back with stares and dirty looks, with people looking down on him and judging him.

As he sat in the back of the church, he listened to the church announcements and such. When all that was done, the elders went up and were excited to introduce the new pastor of the church to the congregation........"We would like to introduce to you Pastor Jeremiah Steepek"....The congregation looked around clapping with joy and anticipation.....The homeless man sitting in the back stood up.....and started walking down the aisle.....the clapping stopped with ALL eyes on him....he walked up the altar and took the microphone from the elders (who were in on this) and paused for a moment....then he recited

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

After he recited this, he looked towards the congregation and told them all what he had experienced that morning...many began to cry and many heads were bowed in shame.... he then said....Today I see a gathering of people......not a church of Jesus Christ. The world has enough people, but not enough disciples...when will YOU decide to become disciples? He then dismissed service until next week.......Being a Christian is more than something you claim. It's something you live by and share with others.

FREE coffee to 500 people!

A man bought himself a morning coffee and doughnut. Then he bought coffee for the next 500 people in line.

On Monday, a Canadian man walked into his local Tim Horton's in Edmonton, Canada, got himself a Boston cream doughtnut and a double-double, and then paid for 500 more large coffees for his Canadian neighbors. So, great work, America. We got showed up by Canadians yet again wtih their friendly, selfless ways and their likeable doughnut chains.

The bill came to nearly $900, and the man refused to leave his name or a reason for his random act of caffeinated kindness. It took the shop until 8:30 the following morning to get through all the free coffees, and the mysterious man (I call rights to Coffeeman: the superhero) made hundreds of people's days.
No one ever does this in America. We've all thought about doing it, how good it would feel, how awesome it would be to sit outside the Dunkin Donuts, and see people's smiles as they emerged, and then tell them you were the one who bought them the free coffee and that they could repay you anyway they wanted.

But at the end of the day, we never do it, because 900 American dollars is a lot of French crullers for ourselves.
(by Shira Rachel Danan)


Question:  Have YOU ever bought anything in line for someone behind you or before you?   It's the most rewarding thing to do!  

Why Be Kind?

Recent research into brain functioning has confimed that we are hard-wired for love and compassion. So it's not all chasing about individual success - our communities and society flourish when people look out for each other.

When we're kind to people we know it strengthens our connections with them and provides a source of support. Research shows that we may benefit from giving support more than those receiving it - and we're also more likely get support in return when we need it. This may not be like-for-like support, or even from the same person, but being kind to others builds a wider support network which increases well-being all round.

Doing kind things for strangers helps build co-operation, trust and a sense of safety in our communities. It also helps us to see others more positively and empathise with them. These are the foundations of a thriving local community and a flourishing society - one which builds well-being all round.

 

 

DIY idea!

The above photo is from a gal named Kristy who calls this her Family Launch Pad.  I thought this idea was so cute that I'm including it here for you all to read as well.  I love the idea!  I love all the wonderful sayings and thought that you could build this with Doing Random Acts of Kindness.

What are some ways that you could make changes here and what would you write? 

Craft it Forward!

These are pieces of artwork that I've come across on the Internet that I wanted to share and then ask any of you to do something to share as well here or on it's own post.  I haven't opened up the fan page for people directing posting because I want to protect this blog from anything that is hating.

What are some ways that you know people (or yourself) share of themselves with others?

Sorry to be gone for 3 months... death in the family

Hi everyone!

I'm back from an unplanned absence and contacting new companies for the pet products and human products alike.

If you are interested in having me review a product for you,
please contact me here.

I'm also continuing to review products for the companies I have already contacted.

COMING SOON:

Pet Blog (not exact title of the blog)  I'm looking for authors of articles and products to review for dogs and cats


Life at the beach in Southern California (not exact title of the blog)

Private Selection Great American Summer:  Angus Beef and Grinds,  Syrup, Dry Rub, Artisan Bread, All Natural Preserves, Panko Bread Crumbs.   I will be posting mine and other participant recipes and my reviews!

OTHER NEWS:
I have quit selling Avon and Scentsy to make more time to do reviews and party plan.  That's pet play time with other dogs and human parties here.

Summer at the beach is the best time to have BBQ's for humans and dogs!  The cats are downstairs and the dogs are here and looking to play with each other.  This includes the pet products that I am reviewing.




I'll be getting together more ideas for DOING RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS! 

Hope to see more of you here!

Guest: What's so GOOD about GOOD FRIDAY?

What’s So Good about Good Friday?

Justin Holcomb

Why do we call Good Friday “good,” when it is such a dark and bleak event commemorating a day of suffering and death for Jesus?

For Christians, Good Friday is a crucial day of the year because it celebrates what we believe to be the most momentous weekend in the history of the world. Ever since Jesus died and was raised, Christians have proclaimed the cross and resurrection of Jesus to be the decisive turning point for all creation. Paul considered it to be “of first importance” that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was raised to life on the third day, all in accordance with what God had promised all along in the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:3-4).

On Good Friday we remember the day Jesus willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4:10). It is followed by Easter, the glorious celebration of the day Jesus was raised from the dead, heralding his victory over sin and death and pointing ahead to a future resurrection for all who are united to him by faith (Rom. 6:5).

Still, why call the day of Jesus’ death “Good Friday” instead of “Bad Friday” or something similar? Some Christian traditions do take this approach: in German, for example, the day is called Karfreitag, or “Sorrowful Friday.” In English, in fact, the origin of the term “Good” is debated: some believe it developed from an older name, “God’s Friday.” Regardless of the origin, the name Good Friday is entirely appropriate because the suffering and death of Jesus, as terrible as it was, marked the dramatic culmination of God’s plan to save his people from their sins.
In order for the good news of the gospel to have meaning for us, we first have to understand the bad news of our condition as sinful people under condemnation. The good news of deliverance only makes sense once we see how we are enslaved. Another way of saying this is that it is important to understand and distinguish between law and gospel in Scripture. We need the law first to show us how hopeless our condition is; then the gospel of Jesus’ grace comes and brings us relief and salvation.

In the same way, Good Friday is “good” because as terrible as that day was, it had to happen for us to receive the joy of Easter. The wrath of God against sin had to be poured out on Jesus, the perfect sacrificial substitute, in order for forgiveness and salvation to be poured out to the nations. Without that awful day of suffering, sorrow, and shed blood at the cross, God could not be both “just and the justifier” of those who trust in Jesus (Rom. 3:26). Paradoxically, the day that seemed to be the greatest triumph of evil was actually the deathblow in God’s gloriously good plan to redeem the world from bondage.
The cross is where we see the convergence of great suffering and God’s forgiveness. Psalm 85:10 sings of a day when “righteousness and peace” will “kiss each other.” The cross of Jesus is where that occurred, where God’s demands, his righteousness, coincided with his mercy. We receive divine forgiveness, mercy, and peace because Jesus willingly took our divine punishment, the result of God’s righteousness against sin. “For the joy set before him” (Heb. 12:2) Jesus endured the cross on Good Friday, knowing it led to his resurrection, our salvation, and the beginning of God’s reign of righteousness and peace.

Good Friday marks the day when wrath and mercy met at the cross. That’s why Good Friday is so dark and so Good.



Justin Holcomb is Theologian in Residence at Mars Hill Church, where he also serves as Executive Director of Resurgence and the Leadership Development department. He is also Adjunct Professor of Theology and Philosophy at Reformed Theological Seminary.
Justin wrote On the Grace of God. He and his wife, Lindsey, are the authors of Rid of My Disgrace: Hope and Healing for Victims of Sexual Assault. He is also the editor of Christian Theologies of Scripture. You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, and JustinHolcomb.com. 

Seek First to Understand and then to be Understood

I'm writing a very short comment here today because of a comment written on my blog entry about losing my Mother In Law.   Someone (anon) wrote to me and asked me to describe how to set up a blog, etc...  and NEVER once said I'm sorry for your loss as a reply to that article.   I mean WTH?  

I deleted it but there is still a lesson to be learned.  Do not ask grieving people to help you build a website or blog.  If you are reading this and have that problem, maybe this will help you. 

If you're like the rest of the world and would never do that, thank you!  I don't often respond to these kinds of things but this time I am.  I don't help others set up blogs or websites, thank you!  I have so much time trying to physically try to be online to write that all I do is write my own blog.

My Mother In Law died on Feb. 15, 2013

We don't just want you to donate, Carolyn and John want to give you something to thank you.  Carolyn sells SCENTSY and makes her own candles (when she's not confined to bed most of the day...  fibromyalgia and osteoporosis is bad right now)  So here is the donation button and please tell us what we can send to you?  We of course will send thank you notes (real ones) to those who donate.  

That is the button to click on.

 PayPal monitors all accounts for fraud, ensuring that donations are not collected by someone falsely claiming to be a non-profit organization, or by a group in violation of PayPal's Acceptable Use Policy, such as a hate group. PayPal's system will allow anyone to create a Donate button, but will monitor the donations for compliance with their policies.
https//www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/helpweb?cmd=_help

We're asking for help while our Mother passes away. Thank you.

 

We are asking you to consider and pray about making a donation to the "Mrs. S. Mullin/Hospice Colon Cancer Donations as my Mother IN Law is in her final stage now and we  just need enough to pay the arrangements (they do it right away) but we have to pay the money back to them.  Any money left over will go towards Hospice.  

We don't just want you to donate, Carolyn and John want to give you something to thank you.  Carolyn sells SCENTSY and makes her own candles (when she's not confined to bed most of the day...  fibromyalgia and osteoporosis is bad right now)  So here is the donation button and please tell us what we can send to you?  We of course will send thank you notes (real ones) to those who donate.  

That is the button to click on.

 PayPal monitors all accounts for fraud, ensuring that donations are not collected by someone falsely claiming to be a non-profit organization, or by a group in violation of PayPal's Acceptable Use Policy, such as a hate group. PayPal's system will allow anyone to create a Donate button, but will monitor the donations for compliance with their policies.
 http://https//www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/helpweb?cmd=_help

The above chart shows you what Carolyn is going through right now as I write this blog. <John>  She's in the Depression Fatigue Limited Activity stage.  She's saving her energy to visit my Mom in the Nursing Home in these final days. 

These are the sites of the things that Carolyn and John can do for you:  

Carolyn sells Avon now for 2 5 years!  She only does DIRECT MAIL which means that you buy from her store and the product goes from Avon to you directly.  LINK:  http://carolynmullin.avonrepresentative.com/

Maybe you want to buy something for you or a loved one?

Carolyn also works for SCENTSY as an independent consultant.  This is her store online (and this is direct from Scentsy to your house)  They have so much more than candles!  Check it out:

 https://carolynscandlesforsale.scentsy.us/Scentsy/Buy

    Again, think of your loved one or for you!  

And those products above and more products available for sale from our site:
http://carolynscandlesandcards.blogspot.com/

Carolyn handmakes Stampin Up Cards!  She's not a listed seller because she has so much in the way of card making that she uses the products that she has and makes them from her own imagination.  Sometimes she uses design ideas to send to people who need ideas.  

(Valentine's are available now and LOVE cards)  Coming up are so many things you can ask for.  If you have a special request and design, please send it to me at mullinjl2@gmail.com

 We are not including our phone number at this time because we are so worn out emotionally and physically that we are only taking calls from Hospice and the Nursing Home.  

If you need to check out this information about her condition then please call Fernando (her caretaker) when you write to me at mullinjl2@gamil.com and I will give it to you. 

Thank you and God Bless You always!

                                 John and Carolyn and Shirley