I've been concentrating on washing the clothes from the kid's dirty clothes hamper, so it had been awhile since I got to the hamper in our room. So it was that this afternoon, I made a discovery after doing a load of clothes from our room. I hung up seven denim skirts on the clothes line, and I hadn't washed the one that I left in with the other dirty clothes, or the one that is paint splattered, that I save for really messy jobs. Nine skirts, not counting the ones that I have of other colors and types!

Before I go on, maybe I had better explain. We are Pentecostals, and our ladies don't wear pants, just skirts. And I remember the time, right after a fire destroyed everything, when all I had were three skirts, that folks had given me. What with housework and barn chores and babies, I always had to keep one or two in the washer! Denim skirts are my favorite...practical and comfy. And look--now I have nine of them!!

It made me feel rich.

Never mind that most of them came from yard sales and such. I HAVE them. I don't have to worry about making sure I have a clean one everyday. And it made my realize yet again...you don't have to have lots of money in the bank to be rich, or certificates of deposit, or mutual funds. Maybe all it takes is the ability to be happy, thankful, and content with what you have. I'll bet LOTS of us on this forum have more than enough and to spare! I for one am giving thanks.

-- Leann Banta (thelionandlamb@hotmail.com), August 18, 2000

Answers

thanks for reminding us!!!!!!

-- Pat (pmikul@pcpros.net), August 18, 2000.

You are so right Leann....thank you for your reminder.

-- suzanne wilson (mtsuz@hotmail.com), August 18, 2000.

I had a good tag saling day oshkosh overall .75 sweatshirts,flanels.25 and a outfit for the baby 1.00 pants for the kids and me like new lee brand 1.00 .Thats what I call fun .

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), August 18, 2000.

Thanks for the reminder! Sometimes I forget how RICH I am and then I see or hear something that makes me step back and "count"!Thanks again!

-- Debbie T in N.C. (rdtyner@mindspring.com), August 18, 2000.

God, has greatly blessed us, also! I pray, I'm a good steward of God's things! Thanks for the reminder! Sonda in Ks.

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), August 18, 2000.

Leann! You're absolutely correct! And to think what we have waiting for us when He calls! I'm not Pentecostal but I guess you don't have to be to do a little shoutin! Just call me a "sooped up" Southern Baptist! Glory! Matt. 24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), August 18, 2000.

I wish I could find more jeans at yard sales, but their is not many people who wear a 38 x 36 jean. When they have a sale a Wal-mart (yeah I know) I buy as many pair as I can get a hold of. I also like Liberty overalls but our local stores don't carry them.

-- Mark (deadgoatman@webtv.net), August 19, 2000.

When my Mom visited me a couple of years ago I made mention of the fact that I to know I am doing much better than years ago simply by the quality of barn towles (for wiping off baby goats) I have. My old barn towles you could nearly see through, now my new barn towles are better than the old bathroom towles of years before. Skirts, towles, and some folks think its the car they drive ;) Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), August 19, 2000.

The kids are, above all-healthy! The roof doesn't leak, we have oil in the furnace, wood for the stove, and food in the pantry! You bet we're rich!! I know what it is to have none of the above! Thank the Lord. Thanks for the reminder!

-- Kathy (catfish@bestweb.net), August 20, 2000.

Leann, also thank you for the reminder. Lightening struck our well pump this afternoon, hence no water to house. But what we do have is 20 gallons of container spring water (for the elite drinking), with which we shall bathe in the a.m., and go to work. Our four old automobiles run, have at least 1/4 tank of gas, and we have at least 5.00 in our pocket for extra gasoline. We have at least five packages of Macaroni and cheese, six canned hams, and a boat load of dried beans, with extra seasoning. The Heavens opened up twice today, and the rain poured on a parched piece of earth, with woods all all around us. Threat of woods fire has remained with us for two years. Don't think there will be a forest fire here tonight, the frogs are croaking mighty loud. My Gramma made sure I went to her Church, in retrospect, don't really know that it matters much about denomination, as long as a heart strives to be pure.

-- Appointed Gate Keeper (tired@iwannagohome.com), August 20, 2000.

We are so truly blessed I couldn't begin to tell you! Thanks for helping me remember. I also am a shouting Southern Baptist. God is so good! I can't wait to meet all of you when we get to heaven!

-- bwilliams (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), August 21, 2000.

HI EVERYONE, I GUESS WE TEND TO FORGET WHAT WE ARE BLESSED. THANKS FOR BRINGING IT TO OUR ATTENTION. AS LONG AS WE HAVE OUR CHICKENS AND DUCKS LAYING AND PUR GARDEN PRODUCING WE FEEL BLESSED. WHEN OUR OIL FURNACE HAS OIL IN IT WE FEEL GREAT. WE'VE KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE HUNGRYA ND NOT HAVE ANY HEAT. I WORK AT THE SOUP KITCHENS IN OUR AREA AND THE FOOD PANTRY.WHEN I GET HOME I KNEEL DOWN ANDTHANK GOD FOR HAVING A PLACE TO LIVE.WELL GOD BLESS. PRISCILLA

-- MRS PRISCILLA WILLIAMS (GP83196@AOL.COM), August 21, 2000.

I have always liked the thought "Want what you have and you will always have what you want" and I like to add the line to it " and if something more comes along, enjoy.

-- Jay Blair (jayblair678@yahoo.com), August 21, 2000.

Thanks, Leann. The kids and I say often that we are "rich because we have everything we need. Noone can ever have everything they want! That's chasing a shadow!"

-- Rachel (rldk@hotmail.com), August 21, 2000.

I like the line from a Paul Overstreet song that goes like this: "There's a roof over our heads, and the kids have all been fed, and the woman I love most lies close beside me in our bed. Lord, give me the eyes to see exactly what it's worth, and I will be the richest man on earth...."

-- Liz Rhein (merhein@shentel.net), August 22, 2000.

I'm getting excited tommorrow is Friday and that means Lawn Sales, Garage Sales ,Tag Sales, Barn Sales , whatever you call them in your neck of the woods .I get such a high figuring out how much money I save ! So everyone get ready to rummage .

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), August 24, 2000.

I feel extremely blessed because yesterday we celebrated our 37th anniversary and Michael still puts up with me although many days I don't know how or why! If it wasn't for him I truly believe I would have been six feet under YEARS ago....PMS before it had a fancy name. He's priceless! No amount of money can buy the happiness I possess. I'm SO GRATEFUL. Not much else really matters.

-- Sandy (smd2@netzero.net), August 25, 2000.