BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE!

Tonight the temperatures in Houston will dip to the low 40's.  If you know anything about Houston, we consider that a freeze.  The weathermen will remind you to bring in the pets and the plants.

And few will even think about the people who will be sleeping on the streets trying to stay warm while we are snuggled down in our warm beds.

My son, Cody, went with me tonight to hand out some sleeping bags.   We visited one of our feeding locations and gave out about 9 of them.  

There was the old man who lives on the street in his wheel chair.  He is missing one leg completely and most of the other one.   I wish you could have heard him thanking us.   The face of Jesus.

And then the vet who lives behind the brick wall of the old Sonic Drive-in.   When I called at to him, he was so hesitant to even come near us.   I asked how many were sleeping there tonight.   "Just two of us.  Just two of us."   He seemed fearful.   "Well, here is a sleeping bag for each of you.  It's gonna be cold tonight so be sure you get in your bags."

His eyes filled with tears, "You are an angel, ma'm.  Thank you so much."  

We traveled down a street in downtown Houston.   There sat a man and a woman.  She was bundled in an old blanket.  I handed them each a sleeping bag.  Her name is Rocky.   Her face lit up.  "Are those for us?" 

"Yes, ma'm, they are!  It's gonna be cold tonight so be sure you bundle up."    "Thank you so much for these."  When we drove off, she was hugging that sleeping bed like it was a luxurious bed in a fine hotel. 

And then the man that walked up to me, "Can I shake your hand?  I see you come out here and all you do for the homeless.   Not many people do that, ma'm.  Thank you so much and God bless you."

People ask me why I do these things for the homeless.   I do it for me.   It makes me so grateful for all the blessings I have.   It makes me remember what being a Christian really is.   It's about doing for others.   It's about doing unto the least of these as Jesus would.  

It is about giving to those who cannot give to you in any way.   For the first time in my 62 years, I know that I am doing God's work.  And it completes my soul.

Thank you to all who have helped provide sleeping bags for my homeless friends.  I'm ordering two more shipments this week.  As cold fronts hit, the sleeping bags will be delivered.  

I wish I had 1000 sleeping bags.   But even with a 1000, it wouldn't be enough.

Please give to those who are less fortunate.   It will bless you more than it could ever bless them.

copyrighted 2015

caryn cannatella

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HOW MUCH HAVE YOU SAVED?

Anyone still doing the 52 week Savings challenge or as we like to call it, The Christmas Savings Club? It's not too late to start saving. You can start at the beginning and still have money by the end of the year.

I have gotten so many of my employees on it! I'm so proud of them all!

Trent has his 7 year old on his own little savings program along with his parents.

Richard asked me the other day to explain it to him because his wife just didn't see how they could do it. He said, "we need to do this."

Javier is 25, married and has 3 kiddoes. Yesterday he came in and said, "How much are we supposed to have saved by now?" We checked the chart and I think it was $551 or so. "Know how much I have saved?" "How much?" $2700!!!!!!! I want to be his kid for Christmas this year!!!

WHOA!!!!! Go Javier!

So here is my question to you to encourage you to start saving: If you or your spouse, partner, significant other, etc. were to be unable to work for a month or more, how long would you be able to continue to pay your bills?

Most people in our country are a month away from being homeless. If you don't have family and friends to buffer you and help you if that happened, you better start making you an emergency fund. If you need help, ask me or send me a message.

So let's get to saving!

copyrighted 2015

caryn cannatella

Skinny Fiber Sales:  www.caryncann2.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Caryncann

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THE INVISIBLE PEOPLE

If you have never fed the homeless, you have missed out on a great experience.

It will make you grateful. It will make you sad. It will make you feel useful. It will give someone hope. It will make you see people the way God does. Just like you but less fortunate.

Homeless people are not taken care of by the government. They are invisible people. Hoping for shelter but usually lying on concrete or sitting in wheelchairs in the same place day after day. The food lines are never long enough for everyone to eat. They will tell you how long it has been since they have eaten. They never take more food unless it is for someone who can't walk to the line.

They aren't greedy. They aren't mean. They are just like us. Just down on their luck. Most have no families that can or will help them.

If you or your partner were injured or got sick and couldn't work, how long would you be able to live in your home or apartment before you became homeless?

For most it is less than a month. Just a month away from being like the people who live on the outskirts of one of the most beautiful and successful cities in the world. And we don't even see them. Except when we go to an Astros game and we just don't want these dirty homeless people near the parking or stadium. Then we see them.

They hurt. They cry. They are embarrassed. They are hungry. They are dirty. They have few clothes. Many have no shoes. All they have are a few belongings that if they walk away for a few minutes will probably be picked up by the city and thrown away.

We are the homeless. They were once us. No matter where you live, there are homeless people. None of us can feed them all. But we can feed 50 or 30 or 10 or even just one. Even one will make a difference. And a difference in your life.

Matthew 25:35-40 New International Version (NIV)

35 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,

36 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.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?

38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?

39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “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.’

Brothers and sisters. That's what they are. Just like us but down on their luck.

copyrighted 2015

caryn Cannatella

Skinny Fiber Sales:  www.caryncann2.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Caryncann

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