Together We Can Make a Difference!

"Buy American" has almost become a cliche. I have actually grown up hearing this phrase from nearly everybody. But are we? Judging by the number of companies who have taken their manufacturing to other countries in attempt to cut cost, I would say not. If we were buying only product manufactured in the good old USA, companies like Herseys wouldn't be closing their plants here and moving them to Mexico. But maybe that is the reason why. You may think you are buying American, but in actuality, you are not.  Maybe it's time we start checking those labels even closer.

The following was an email that was sent to me this week that really got me thinking:

Check this out. I was in Lowes the other day, and just for the heck of it I was looking at the hose attachments. They were all made in China. The next day I was in Ace Hardware, and just for the heck of it I checked the hose attachements there. The were made in the USA. Got me thinking. Start looking at the labels.

In our current economic situation, every little thing we buy, or do, affects someone else - maybe even their job. My grandson likes Hershey's candy. I just noticed that it is marked "made in Mexico" now. I choose not to buy it any more. My fovorite toothpaste, Colgate, is also made in Mexico now. I've switched to Crest. You have to read the labels on everything.

This past weekend I was at Kroger. (Can be true for any store) I needed 60W light bulbs, and Bounce dryer sheets. I was in the light bulb aisle, and next to the GE brand I normally buy, was the off brand labeled, "Everyday Value". I picked up both types of bulbs and compared the stats - they were the same, except for the price. The GE bulbs were more money than the Everyday Value brand... but the thing that surprised me the most, was the fact that GE was "made in Mexico" and Everyday Value brand was "made in (you got it) the USA", in a company in Cleveland Ohio.

So throw out the myth that you cannot find the products you use everyday... made right here AT A GOOD PRICE!

On I went to another aisle. Those Bounce dryer sheets I needed - yep, you guessed it Bounce costs more money and it's made in Canada. The Everyday Value brand was less money and made in the USA. Bye-bye Bounce! I did laundry yesterday and the dryer sheets performed just like Bounce Free I've been using for years and at almost half the price!

Judging by this story those companies didn't cut costs to save us money, they did it to increase their profits. So why should we stay loyal to a company that is not really loyal to us, the American public.  Let's revive that old cliche and "Buy American". Check the labels when you shop, the job you save may be your own.

Think about it!

A Story of Faith

This weeks blog is about a little girl name Audrey and a story of faith and real commitment. The video you are about to view was created by Cross Point Church in Nashville, TN by a pastor at the church named Pete Wilson. Pete named the video Plan B, what do you do when things don't go as you planned.

I was so moved by this story and the courage of Todd and Angie, I simply had to share it with you. Todd is a member of Selah, a christian group who latest album features a bonus track called I Will Carry You - Audrey's Song, which is also included in this video.

You can follow Pastor Pete Wilson's blog at http://www.crosspoint.tv/.

Closing point I would like to make. You don't know what God has for you and I know you sometimes you feel like you don't matter. But here is a story about a little girl who only had 2 and half hours to make a mark on this world. You must agree Audrey mattered.

When I heard this story a vision went through my head... God is in heaven with such a sweet spirit. So loved by God He was only going to give her minutes on earth before He called her back. Then He thought, about what He would put her parents through, and who He would choose to be the parents. Then he thought of Todd and Angie. A couple with faith so strong and their love is so great they would be able to handle it and take what He had given them and count it as a blessing. So instead of minutes he gave them 2 and half hours.

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