Quote from Forum Archives on July 14, 2003, 2:53 pm

Posted by: jhbreneman <jhbreneman@...>

HEART TO HEART NEWSLETTER
ENCOURAGEMENT TO WOMEN
Compiled especially for YOU with LOVE by Lois Breneman

7/14/03 COLLEGE-BOUND, ICE CREAM CAKE, DAVID BLOOM
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CONTENTS:
FOOD IDEAS FOR LIFE IN THE COLLEGE DORM
HELP CUT DOWN ON THE MOSQUITO POPULATION
REPELLING MOSQUITOS NATURALLY
HOW TO EASE THE ITCH
DOUBLE-FLAVORED ICE CREAM CAKE
PAMPERED CHEF PARENT CORPORATION STOPS PLANNED PARENTHOOD FUNDING

NBC’S DAVID BLOOM’S EULOGY AND LAST E-MAIL

FOOD IDEAS FOR LIFE IN THE COLLEGE DORM
By Lois Breneman

Mothers, do you have a college-bound son or daughter, who
will be leaving the nest in August or September? Although board does
include three meals a day, all college kids seem to enjoy supplementing
their diets in their dorms as well. Maybe that’s why the average college
freshman gains fifteen pounds. Nevertheless, to help ease your mind and
no doubt make your grown-up child happy as well, you might want to send
him or her to college with a care package of food, at least emphasizing
the fruits and vegetables. Since many college kids these days have a
microwave and even a small refrigerator in each room, the snack
possibilities have definitely expanded since most of us were in college.

For students who only have a microwave available, however,
the following staples will keep in the closet almost indefinitely: Canned
soups, canned tuna and chicken, canned vegetables and fruit, applesauce,
Lipton rice and pasta dinners, macaroni and cheese, chili, noodles,
canned spaghetti, stovetop stuffing, microwave popcorn, hot chocolate
mix, herbal tea, coffee bags (like tea bags), peanut butter, crackers,
oatmeal, raisins, dried cranberries and salsa to use as a dip with
tortillas.
Perishable fruits that will last a few days include apples, bananas,
oranges, grapes and plums, with apples lasting the longest.
Potatoes could be baked in the microwave and topped with canned chili,
tuna or creamed soup.
A small crockpot (1 quart) can also be purchased new for about $10, which
would definitely increase the options.
Be sure to include a few dishes, flatware and cups, possibly some
disposable, as well as a few dishcloths and paper towels for clean-up.

HELP CUT DOWN ON THE MOSQUITO POPULATION
Moms, do you ever have trouble finding jobs for your children to keep
them busy and learn responsibility at the same time? Here's one!
Especially now that the West Nile Virus is a serious problem, we need to
take measures to cut down on the mosquito population. Deborah
Taylor-Hough wrote the following information as a letter. Her complete
bio is at the end of the next article. ~ Lois

The first step in avoiding mosquitos getting the bite on you - and your
family - this summer is to eliminate the local mosquito population at its
source. Mosquitoes use stagnant water for their breeding grounds, so
drain any collections of stagnant water found in your yard, neighborhood
or workplace. Also keep your eye out for these frequently overlooked
locations of standing water:

· discarded tires
· roof gutters clogged with leaves or other debris
· rain barrels
· wading pools
· drainage ditches
· paint buckets
· watering cans
· tin cans
· paper cups or other discarded trash
· trash containers
· infrequently used yard equipment
· plant containers
· bird baths
· broken toys
· pet water bowls
· holes in tree stumps

If your kids want to play in their wading pool, be sure to dump the water
out at least once a week and turn the pool upside down when not in use so
rain doesn't collect in it. And if you want to keep your birdbath and
pet's outdoor watering bowl, be sure to clean out the water at least two
times each week. If you have an outdoor fish pond with goldfish or
amphibians, the mosquito larva will be eaten by the fish so you won't
need to drain the fish pond.

REPELLING MOSQUITOS NATURALLY
Copyright 2003 Deborah Taylor-Hough
Used with permission. All rights reserved.
hometown.aol.com/dsimple/
contributed by Telesa Kessler of Virginia
(Note from Lois: Avon has several safe and effective insect repellants
without Deet.)

With the advent of mosquito season, many people are feeling
concern for more than just the annoying itchiness of a bite or two.
Worries about West Nile Virus -- and other mosquito-carried diseases --
are leading many who would normally avoid excessive use of chemicals, to
start spraying and slathering on insect repellents containing the
chemical, DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide).
But are there valid, healthier options when it comes to repelling
our fine buzzing and biting friends? You bet! Some ideas for natural
insect repellents fall into the category of folklore, myth and urban
legends, but other natural remedies can be an effective means of
protecting yourself and your loved ones from biting bugs and harsh
chemicals.
Natural insect repellents tend to provide coverage for a shorter
time, but their coverage is safer so you may find it worth the extra
effort applying a bit more often. Most natural repellents only offer
about one-tenth of the protection time found in DEET-containing products,
so plan on reapplying every 30 minutes or so. Because of their shorter
protection time, natural repellents are ideal for short evening outdoor
activities like walking the dog, barbequeing, or watering the garden.
REMEMBER: Don't spray or apply any insect repellents (natural or
chemical) over cuts, scratches, rashes, or other open spots in the skin.
Also, be sure to avoid the eye area when applying repellents.

ESSENTIAL OILS AS NATURAL REPELLENTS
The most common -- and most effective -- natural insect
repellents are various essential oils. Clove oil and citronella (rose
geranium) are the most effective against mosquitos, but be careful with
clove oil and use it sparingly -- it can be a skin irritant. Other
fairly effective essential oils include: Lemon grass, eucalyptus, castor
oil, peppermint, tea tree oil, lavender, and cedar. You can buy cedar
oil in spray-on bottles at your local pet store.
It's important to remember when using essential oils: Don't use
them internally! They need to be used externally on your skin and
garments. Be sure to test any oils on a small patch of skin before
applying widely to your body to avoid allergic reactions or skin
irritations.
You can make your own insect repellent sprays by combining
rubbing alcohol (or witch hazel, vodka, or olive oil) with one of the
listed essential oils (about 10-to-1, alcohol-to-oil ratio). Shake well
before each use.
To make a lotion, use: 2 ounces distilled water, 2 ounces olive
oil, and about 120 drops essential oil. Put the water into a deep mixing
bowl, and using a wire whip, begin beating quickly while slowly drizzling
in the olive oil. After oil is mixed into the distilled water, stir in
the essential oil of your choice (citronella is probably the most
effective for insect repellent use).
You can also add a few drops of your choice of insect-repelling
essential oils to your shampoo or liquid soap to help counteract the
perfumes in these products.
Keep in mind that the following criteria reduces the
effectiveness of all insect repellents: Clothing rubbing on your skin,
natural evaporation, your skin's natural ability to absorb anything
applied to it, sweat or rain washing off the repellent, and a windy
environment.
Some folks claim that garlic is an effective insect repellent,
but I think it works best for repelling friends (and maybe a vampire or
two).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
--Deborah Taylor-Hough (wife and mother of three) is the author of the
bestselling book, 'Frozen Assets: How to Cook for a Day and Eat for a
Month' and the newly released, 'Frugal Living For Dummies(r)' (Wiley,
2003). Visit Debi online at: hometown.aol.com/dsimple/ Browse
her latest book at: snurl.com/jpv

HOW TO EASE THE ITCH
Note from Lois: Then if those pesky skeeters do get you or your family,
try these remedies to help ease the itch:
· Hold a hot washcloth on the bite for a minute. Repeat several
times, keeping cloth hot.
· Coat the bite with Maximum Strength Oragel – This was my
husband's idea and it helps!

DOUBLE-FLAVORED ICE CREAM CAKE

1 lb. package of Oreos, crushed (A food processor helps)
1 jar of hot fudge
1 half-gallon container of ice cream
1 half-gallon container of another flavor of ice cream
1 container of Cool Whip
Decorate with Sprinkles, any kind of candy and/or lettering with
frosting.

Crush cookies in food processor or in a Ziploc bag. Form a crust by
pressing crumbs into a 9x13" pan. Evenly drizzle warm hot fudge over the
top. Cut one flavor of ice cream into 1" slices, pressing it on top of
the hot fudge, making one solid layer. Repeat with the second flavor of
ice cream. Spread the Cool Whip over top of ice cream. Decorate quickly
or freeze for an hour before decorating. Freeze overnight before
serving. This is sure to be a bit hit and you will save over buying a
ready-made ice cream cake. Buy the ice cream on sale and save even more!
This is a great make-ahead dessert!

PAMPERED CHEF PARENT CORPORATION STOPS PLANNED PARENTHOOD FUNDING
by Steven Ertelt - LifeNews.com Editor - July 7, 2003 - sent by Laurie
Moody of NC.
Praise the Lord! This restores my faith in our ability to make a
difference! Praise the Lord for those who were courageous enough to give
up financial gain to stand for a principle they believe is right! ~
Laurie
news.com/nat26.html
(Note from Lois: Thanks to all the Pampered Chef consultants who had a
part in getting this changed!)

Omaha, NE (LifeNews.com) -- On Thursday, Berkshire Hathaway, the
corporation founded by billionaire investment guru Warren Buffet,
announced that it will cease funding Planned Parenthood. For the pro-life
advocates working at Pampered Chef who had been fighting the donations
since the company was sold to Buffet's company, the decision is a
full-fledged victory.
Last fall, Berkshire Hathaway purchase Pampered Chef and just
last year the company's foundation distributed more than $11 million to
pro-abortion organizations, including Planned Parenthood. The foundation
also made a five year, $20 million financial commitment to International
Projects Assistance Services, the principle maker of suction pumps used
in abortions.
Only July 3, the corporation announced it will no longer allow
its shareholders to designate recipients of Berkshire Hathaway's
charitable giving. It also will cease funding Buffet's personal
foundation. The decisions effectively cut off Planned Parenthood and
pro-abortion groups from receiving funding from the corporation or its
subsidiaries.
Under the program, Berkshire's Class A shareholders could choose
up to three charities for Berkshire make donations to, with the size of
the donation based on the number of shares owned.
The company admitted the boycott was harming its Pampered Chef
company and said the independent kitchenware representatives were hurt by
not being allowed a say in corporate charitable giving.
"The independent consultants that serve The Pampered Chef have no
responsibility for what Berkshire Hathaway shareholders do, yet the
careers of many of these consultants are now suffering because of the
contributions program," the Berkshire Hathaway said in a statement.
Pampered Chef representatives nationwide launched an extensive
email and word-of-mouth lobbying effort to stop the pro-abortion
contributions. Numerous Pampered Chef consultant quit their jobs as a
result.
Despite her $5,000-a-month sales record, Tara Siler didn't
hesitate to quit when a fellow Chef told her about the pro-abortion
donations. "It wasn't a hard decision because I knew what I had to do,"
the 30-year-old West Virginia mom.
Cindy Coughlon, a 33-year-old Arizona mother of three, rallied
representatives from around the country and resigned her Pampered Chef
position as well.
"[The Pampered Chef] is dedicated to promoting family life, but
our money is dedicated to destroying life. That's not consistent," she
said at the time.
In an email to representatives regarding the decision, Doris
Christopher, founder and chairman of Pampered Chef, said she told Buffet
about the complaints from thousands of company representatives concerning
the pro-abortion contributions.
Christopher said the concerns "troubled him deeply" and Buffet
understands, as his corporation expands, he must take into account
diverse opinions about it.
Christopher also said the corporation will no longer donate to
Buffet's personal foundation.
"Berkshire Hathaway will cease all corporate contributions of any
kind to any non-profit organization," Christopher explained. "This means
there will be no donations from Berkshire Hathaway to the Buffett
Foundation."
Berkshire Hathway was a longtime boycott target of Life Decisions
International, a group that monitors corporate donations to Planned
Parenthood. The corporation also owns Dairy Queen, See's Candies and
Fruit of the Loom.
In all, 92 corporations have ceased funding Planned Parenthood as
a result of pro-life boycotts.
ACTION: Contact Warren Buffett, CEO; Berkshire Hathaway Inc.,
1440 Kiewit Plaza, Omaha, NE 68131.

NBC’S DAVID BLOOM’S EULOGY AND LAST E-MAIL
Contributed by Barb Campbell of Mississippi
(David Bloom was a young reporter with the big smile who died in Iraq
from a blood clot while covering the war, as he traveled with the 3rd
Infantry. This is a touching testimony of his firm faith in Jesus Christ
and his love for his wife and three young daughters.)

Many of you have asked for a copy of Jim Lane's eulogy for David
Bloom. Jim got permission from David's widow Melanie for us to send these
out to all those who were praying for David and his family... Jim Lane at
David Bloom's funeral service - St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City:
"Hello, my name is Jim Lane and David Bloom and I were best
friends. A moment ago, Tom Brokaw eloquently provided a picture of
David's extraordinary career. In a moment, his brothers John and Jimmy
will share some wonderful memories of David's life - his time with
friends and family.
In fact, it was his family - Melanie particularly - who asked me
to share with you another part of David's life - his spiritual journey, a
journey of faith - a story not fully told to date.
I feel honored and humbled to be here today. You see, I only
knew David for 2 ½ years. We met when he first attended a Men's
fellowship group and Bible study in my home - what we call the New Canaan
Society. From that first day, David loved it. From then on, he came every
Friday, when he wasn't on assignment.
In a short time, David and I became very close. We spoke often,
nearly every day, and ate countless meals together at 30 Rock.
One reason David and I became such fast friends is because we
had so much in common. We both had early successes in our respective
careers. I always thought it was ironic that I had become such close
friends with a Media guy.
As a Partner of Goldman Sachs, I was taught - when you see the
media coming, do a 180 turn - and run! We had another thing in common -
we were both tall, athletic and good-looking - well, that describes one
of us, anyway! We were both young at heart, passionate about life,
determined and extremely competitive!
We both have beautiful, wonderful wives; we both have 3 children
– in fact, we both have 3 girls (my youngest daughter turned 20 on the
day David died).
Our friendship deepened quickly due to these affinities, but it
always came back to Friday mornings and the New Canaan Society. The New
Canaan Society, which began in 1995, is all about friendship - friendship
in Jesus. And it's about men supporting each other to be better husbands
and fathers - men being better men!
For some reason, men seem to have a harder time forming deep
friendships than women. As a consequence, men, especially successful,
ambitious men - are often lonely. Like every other successful male, David
had struggles and personal issues to address and in those, we also
shared. On Fridays, he had a safe place to come to.
And in this environment of loving and caring men, guys who knew
David Bloom only as Dave, he came to a place of faith. He was thrilled
and completely satisfied by this new found faith - a faith based entirely
on a personal relationship. David felt that he had finally found the deep
purpose of his life - to know and to enjoy his Creator. He knew he could
now feel free and forgiven, free to be the man, the father, the husband
that God had created him to be. This meant a huge amount to him.
I don't believe it's a coincidence we are celebrating David's
life today at the beginning of the Easter and Passover seasons. You see,
David believed Jesus was the Messiah who came to live among us as a human
being, who lived a perfect life and then died, as a sacrifice for our
sins - all of ours - including mine and David's.
We would talk for hours and hours about this amazing concept and
its implications. David wallowed in God's love. At David's insistence, we
began starting each day together on the phone reading Oswald Chambers
devotional book, "My Utmost for His Highest." Every morning we would
discuss the daily reading, encouraging one another, and talking about our
love for our families.
In our last telephone conversation from Kuwait City, just before
the war started, David called to say that he wanted me to convey a
message to Melanie and the girls if he didn't make it back. I wouldn't
hear of it, I refused to even go there; but he absolutely insisted,
raising his voice and pleading with me. Realizing he needed to say what
was on his heart, I listened - and now pass it on.
Melanie, David wanted you to know, that he knew, how much you
loved him. He wanted you, Nicole, Christine and Ava to know that he loved
you too; that he loved you all very much - In his words - I love them
more than life itself!
Just eleven days ago, on April 5th, I left David what was to be
his last voicemail from me. I can't help being amazed by the content of
that day's reading. It concerned Jesus praying in the Garden the day
before His death (i.e. Maundy Thursday - tomorrow). Jesus was in agony
praying to God, His father.

Here is what I read to David from Oswald Chambers:
"The agony in the Garden was the agony of the Son of God in fulfilling
His destiny as the Savior of the world. The veil is pulled back here to
reveal all that it cost Him to make it possible for us to become sons of
God. His agony was the basis for the simplicity of our salvation. The
Cross of Christ was a triumph for the Son of Man. It was not only a sign
that our Lord had triumphed, but that He had triumphed to save the human
race. Because of what the Son of Man went through, every human being can
now get through into the very presence of God - AND I REPEATED THIS LAST
SENTENCE: Because of what the Son of Man went through, every human being
can now get through into the very presence of God." Within minutes of
hearing these words, David indeed was in the very presence of God.

(One of David's favorite songs which we sing often on Friday
mornings was "Knowing You." We recorded it onto his cell phone one Friday
morning when he was in Iraq. He saved the voicemail and played it back
every day for the last 2 weeks of his life. The last verse goes like this
-
"O to know the power of Your risen life
And to know You in Your suffering,
To become like You in Your death my Lord
So with you to live and never die"
"Knowing You Jesus, knowing You
There is no greater thing.")

Following last Saturdays' memorial service, one of David's close
friends remarked to me - "David was a young man; and yet I've never known
of anyone who was more ready to die - He seemed so at peace with himself,
his family and his God."
I can tell you that that's true. Let me read you a quote from
one of David's last e-mails to Melanie, which John Bloom will read in its
entirety in a moment.
"You can't begin to fathom - cannot begin to even glimpse the
enormity - of the changes I have and am continuing to undergo. God takes
you to the depths of your being - until you are at rock bottom - and
then, if you turn to him with utter and blind faith, and resolve in your
heart and mind to walk only with him and toward him, picks you up by your
bootstraps and leads you home.
I hope and pray that all my guys get out of this in one piece.
But I tell you, Mel, I am at peace. Deeply saddened by the glimpses of
death and destruction I have seen, but at peace with my God and with you.
I know only that my whole way of looking at life has turned upside down -
here I am, supposedly at the peak of professional success, and I could
frankly care less. Yes, I'm proud of the good job we've all been doing,
but – in the scheme of things - it matters little compared to my
relationship with you, and the girls, and Jesus. There is something far
beyond my level of human understanding or comprehension going on here,
some forging of metal through fire."
Today we grieve the loss of David Bloom - husband, father, son,
brother, friend, colleague - a man beloved by so many. This makes no
sense to us. We are angry. His loss is palpable.
I am so sad - I will terribly miss David's voice saying, "Hey
Buddy, how ya doing? Hey - love you, man!" This is a sad day for everyone
who loved David, especially for Melanie and the girls' but - there is
good news – I firmly believe - NO - I know that my friend, David Bloom is
in the presence of his Creator, smiling like never before - beaming –
forever joyful.
In the Gospel of John Jesus said, "Now is your time of grief but
I will see you again and you will rejoice and no one will take away your
joy." Mr. and Mrs. Bloom, John and Jimmy, Melanie, Nicole, Christine, and
Ava – be of good cheer, for even in this day of sadness, there is great
HOPE! - This is not a fairytale. This is the Gospel Truth!
Thank you and God bless you all."
END OF EULOGY

E-MAIL FROM DAVID BLOOM TO MELANIE
Saturday, April 5, 2003

"It's 10 a.m. here Saturday morning, and I've just been talking
to my soundman Bob Lapp about his older brother, whom he obviously loves
and admires very much, whose undergoing chemotherapy treatment for
Leukemia. Here Bob is - out in the middle of the desert - and the brother
he cares the world for - who had been the picture of health, devoted to
his wife and kids, is dying. Bob can't wait to be home to be with him,
and I can't wait to be home to be with all of you. You can't begin to
fathom – cannot begin to even glimpse the enormity - of the changes I
have and am continuing to undergo. God takes you to the depths of your
being – until you are at rock bottom - and then, if you turn to him with
utter and blind faith, and resolve in your heart and mind to walk only
with him and toward him, picks you up by your bootstraps and leads you
home. I hope and pray that all my guys get out of this in one piece. But
I tell you, Mel, I am at peace.
Deeply saddened by the glimpses of death and destruction I have
seen, but at peace with my God, and with you. I know only that my whole
way of looking at life has turned upside down - and here I am, supposedly
at the peak of professional success, and I could frankly care less. Yes,
I'm proud of the good job we've all been doing, but - in the scheme of
things – it matters little compared to my relationship with you, and the
girls, and Jesus. There is something far beyond my level of human
understanding or comprehension going on here, some forging of metal
through fire.
I shifted my book of daily devotions and prayers to the inside
of my flak jacket, so that it would be close to my heart, protecting me
in a way, and foremost in my thoughts. When the moment comes when Jim or
John – or Christine or Nicole or Ava or you - are talking about my last
days, I am determined that they will say 'he was devoted to his wife and
children and he gave every ounce of his being not for himself, but for
those whom he cared about most - God and his family.' Save this note.
Look at it a month from now, a year from now, 10 years from now, 20 years
from now. You cannot know now - nor do I - whether you will look at it
with tears, heartbreak and a sense of anguish and regret over what might
have been, or whether you will say - he was and is a changed man, God did
work a miracle in our lives.
But I swear to you on everything that I hold dear - I am
speaking the truth to you. And I will continue to speak the truth to you,
and I know that you still love me. Please give the girls a big hug -
squeeze 'em tight - and let them know just how much their daddy loves and
cares for them.
With love and devotion, Dave."

Ladies, give your husband and children each a big hug - squeeze 'em tight
- and let them know just how much you love and care for them!

Your “Heart to Heart” friend,
Lois

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