Miss Beatrice, the church organist, was in her eighties and had never been married.  She was admired for her sweetness and kindness to all.  One afternoon the pastor came to call on her and she showed him into her quaint sitting room.  She invited him to have a seat while she prepared tea.  As he sat facing her old Hammond organ, the young minister noticed a cute glass bowl sitting on top of it.  The bowl was filled with water, and in the water floated, of all things, a condom!  When she returned with tea and scones, they began to chat.  The pastor tried to stifle his curiosity about the bowl of water and its strange floater, but soon it got the better of him and he could no longer resist.

“Miss Beatrice,” he said, “I wonder if you would tell me about this?” Pointing to the bowl.

“Oh, yes,” she replied, “Isn’t it wonderful?  I was walking through the Park a few months ago and I found this little package on the ground.  The directions said to place it on the organ, keep it wet and that it would prevent the spread of disease.  Do you know I haven’t had the flu all winter.”

Submitted by Rachel D. from Wilmore, KY

One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex standing in the foyer of the church staring up at a large plaque. It was covered with names and small American flags mounted on either side of it.

The six-year old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside the little boy, and said quietly, “Good morning Alex.”

“Good morning Pastor,” he replied, still focused on the plaque. “Pastor, what is this?”

The pastor said, “Well son, it’s a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the service.” Soberly, they just stood together, staring at the large plaque.

Finally, little Alex’s voice, barely audible and trembling with fear asked, “Which service, the 8:30 or the 10:45?”

Submitted by Chris N. from Cedar Rapids, IA

Submitted by Rachel D. from Wilmore, KY

A few quick facts:

How long to build it?
It was about a year and a half of planning, building and photographing.

How many pieces of LEGO to build it?
More than 75,000.

How big is it?
About 7 feet by 5 1/2 feet by 30 inches (2.2 m x 1.7 m x 76 m)

How many LEGO people does it seat?
1,372

How many windows?
3,976

It features a balcony, a Narthex, stairs to the balcony, restrooms, coat rooms, several mosaics, a nave, a baptistry, an altar, a crucifix, a pulpit and an elaborate pipe organ.

I am thankful: for the wife who says it’s hot dogs tonight, because she is home with me and not out with someone else.

I am thankful: for the husband who is on the sofa being a couch potato, because he is home with me and not out at the bars.

I am thankful: for the teenager who is complaining about doing dishes, because it means she is at home, not on the streets.

I am thankful: for the taxes I pay, because it means I am employed.

I am thankful: for the mess to clean after a party, because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

I am thankful: for the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have enough to eat.

I am thankful: for my shadow that watches me work, because it means I am out in the sunshine.

I am thankful: for a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home.

I am thankful: for all the complaining I hear about the government, because it means we have free speech.

I am thankful: for the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am capable of walking and have been blessed with transportation.

I am thankful: for my huge heating bill, because it means I am warm.

I am thankful: for the lady behind me in church who sings off key, because it means I can hear.

I am thankful: for the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear.

I am thankful: for the weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means I have been capable of working hard.

I am thankful: for the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means I am alive.

I am thankful: and finally for too much email, because it means I have friends who are thinking of me.

Send this to someone you care about.  I just did.

Live well, Laugh often, & Love with all of your heart!