These are great questions, Ron. Each one deserves a post of it's own, but since I commented on Jeremy's post about the elderly, I'll stick to the question, "What would you do with a million dollars?"

When my parents' health began to decline in their seventies, I became acutely aware of the way the elderly are easily pushed aside, even by the church. We lived too far away to be of much help to them initially, and when I met with their pastor to discuss how their church might help my mother, who had early parkinsons and severe rheumatoid arthritis, care for my father, who had Alzheimer's and emphysema, the pastor said there was nothing they could do. My father went to therapy a couple of times a week and to an adult day care in the morning. It was physically difficult for my mother to load my dad and his wheelchair in the car. I was hoping that someone from the church could help provide that transportion for my mother, but the pastor wouldn't even consider asking the congregation for help. My mother eventually had to put my father in a nursing home. While we discussed adding on to our house so we could move them both into our small home, my mother's health deteriorated rapidly and my father died from a nursing home acquired infection within 3 months of moving into the facility. We moved my mother in with us anyway, where I cared for her until her death. If I was given a million dollars, I would first relieve my adult children of their debt burdens and then I'd put them to work helping us establish a foundation that would provide grants to churches to establish a ministry to and for the elderly and the families that care for them.

I like this answer, Jeremy. I'd do something similar, only my passion is the widows...the elderly. I'd provide financial help for families to be able to care for their own widows and elderly, rather than having to place them in nursing homes where they are often forgotten.

Lovely post, Ginny. Homeschooling my children is the best thing we ever did. Thanks so much for stopping by Pollywog Creek to comment. Your family, your blog and your photos are perfectly delightful. May God continue to pour out His blessings on your life and those you love. ~ Patricia

May God pour out blessings in abundance on Ian and Larissa and those that love on and mentor them in their life together in marriage. Thank you for sharing their beautiful story with us.

If used wisely - absolutely - and you are an excellent example and role model, Michael. The truth is that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" or the "fingers tweet."

My thoughts. Scheduled tweets and updates from individuals are not an attempt to be "social", but to draw attention to themselves only. When they come from a professional (author, blogger, entrepreneur, etc), I think they are part of their marketing plan and not particularly authentic socializing, unless they offer some feedback at the end of the day. Such as, "Thank you for responding. I hear what you are saying." Or "Your comments to that statement are helpful in my new project." Etc. When they come from a church (scripture verses, event reminders, etc.), it is an authentic part of their community outreach.

For over 2 yrs I've been voluntarily helping a widowed man care for his elderly disabled mother, and over those 2 yrs, she has little by little increased her demands on my time and energy. Just this week she requested that I do something that will double the work I already do for her. Honestly. I don't want to do it, but I know I should, and therefore, I will. I often remind myself of something Chris Brauns posted months ago. "You will know you are truly a servant when someone treats you like one." Very convicting. Sometimes when I am on my way to serve this lady I ask the Lord to make me a cheerful giver. God loves a cheerful giver...and I don't think that only means the giver of money.

It can be a nice touch if the message is right, but the worst one I received was from an author that I thought was being friendly. The author had asked to follow me and I followed them in return. The message thanked me for following and ended with a question that I answered in a reply. I expected a response (it was that kind of question), and when I never received one, I realized it had been an automated message. Personally, I was offended. If you ask me a question in a PM, I consider that an invitation to enter into a conversation.

Ditto what D'Ann said, she just said it first. And thank you, Mary, for "all those hours at the keyboard" that have made a difference in my life.

I love this story, Mary, and this photo of Julia hugging her daddy. I remember another photo of that baptism that you posted a long time ago. What a blessing for both Patrick and Julia.