Helping Hands

I am a firm supporter of helping people out. As the seasons start changing and winter comes I see the need for help grow. I feel that we as Gods people should ask what can I do for others. I asked myself that and I found a website of a wonderful cause. The Portland Rescue Mission. They provide food and shelter for those in need although, I believe there may be more need than can be provided. I for one will in any way I can help them out weather it be with my time or other means. Go and check out their site it is www.PortlandRescueMission.org see a need fill a need.

Let us therfore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

This was an email sent to my husband I know it may seem odd at first but keep reading it is well worth it. I believe this is a true story told by a mother of a Marine. It goes to show that even our men and women in Iraq need a helping hand once in a while. May God bless our soliders and keep them safe.

Tampons to the rescue in Iraq!! Don't worry, it's a good story - and worth reading - it's even humorous in parts. It's from the mother of a Marine in Iraq.

 My son told me how wonderful the care packages we had sent them were and wanted me to tell everyone thank you. He said that one guy we'll call Marine X, got a girl care package and everyone was giving him a hard time. My son said, "Marine X got some really nice smelling lotion and everyone really likes it, so every time he goes to sleep they steal it from him." I told my son I was really sorry about the mistake, and if he wanted I would send Marine X another package. He told me not to worry about Marine X because every time I send something to him, Marine X thinks it's for him too. He said when my husband and I sent the last care package Marine X came over to his cot picked up the box, started fishing through it, and said, "What'd we get this time?"

My son said they had the most fun with Marine X's package. He said he wasn't sure who we were sending the pack to, but the panties were size 20, and he said one of the guys got on top of the Humvee and jumped off with the panties over his head and yelled, "Look at me, I'm an Airborne Ranger!!!!" One of the guys attached the panties to an antenna and it blew in the wind like a windsock. He said it entertained them for quite awhile. Then of course, they had the tampons.

 When he brought this up my imagination just went running, but he continued. My son said they had to go on a mission and Marine X wanted the ChapStick and lotion for the trip. He grabbed a bunch of the items from his care package and got in the Humvee. As luck would have it he grabbed the tampons too, and my son said everyone was teasing him about "not forgetting his feminine hygiene products".

 He said things went well for a while, then the convoy was ambushed and a Marine was shot. He said the wound was pretty clean, but it was deep. He said they were administering first aid but couldn't get the bleeding to slow down, and someone said, "Hey use Marine X's tampons". My son said they put the tampon in the wound. At this point my son profoundly told me, "Mom did you know that tampons expand?" "Well, yeah!".

 They successfully slowed the bleeding until the guy got better medical attention. When they went to check on him later the surgeon told them, "You guys saved his life". If you hadn't stopped that bleeding he would have bled to death. My son said, "Mom, the tampons sent by the Marine Moms by mistake saved a Marine's life." At this point I asked him, "Well what did you do with the rest of the tampons?" He said, "Oh, we divided them up and we all have them in our flak jackets, and I kept two for our first aid kit".

 I am absolutely amazed by the ingenuity of our Marines, and can't believe that something that started out as a mistake then turned into a joke, ended up saving someone's life. My sister said she doesn't believe in mistakes. She believes God had a plan all along. She believes that female care package was sent to Marine X to save our Marine.

 Either way, our efforts have boosted the morale of many Marines, provided much needed items for our troops, AND saved the life of a Marine! God bless every one of you for your efforts and hard work, and God bless our Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force, and everyone.

 GOD BLESS AMERICA AND KEEP IT SAFE!

 I wish you Love, Laughter and Happiness Always .. An Old Veteran