kiva

My sister told me about Kiva awhile ago. She said that instead of buying shoes for her birthday, she gave someone a loan. The cool thing is, these people work off that loan and you get the money back. Then you can turn around and lend it to someone else. And it literally changes their lives.

Some people need help starting up a fruit and vegetable stand. Some people need money to build a bigger working space. Some people use the money to get educated. Whatever it is, it really does change their lives. I'm sure they explain it better on their website, so you can read about it there if you have more questions.

Right now Kiva is letting you lend someone in need $25. And you don't have to pay a cent. How cool is that? My sister sent me the link, and I was able to sign up and lend $25. I've wanted to do this for awhile, and I've been waiting until we have room in our budget to do so. But I just got to do it for free!

So follow this link and give a free loan. It's worth it

i love free stuff!

I just got back from grocery shopping, where I was able to get:

• 1 gallon of milk
• 1 bag of tangerines
• 1 big bag of cereal
• bacon
• orange juice
• 1 dozen eggs
• english muffins

for...

UNDER $4!

Thank you, coupons for free stuff! :D

developing talents

During my last year of junior high, I decided to play the cello in school orchestra instead of the violin again. There were two reasons for this. (1) There weren't enough people playing cello that year; in fact, I think there may have only been one before I switched. (2) I was bored playing the violin; I'd been playing the violin since I was 4 years old, and most of the other orchestranders (I just made that up, can you tell?) had only been playing since...the beginning of junior high. So the music was pretty easy for me. So I switched over to cello with a few other violinists. I had so much fun with the cello, but that was the only year I played it.

A few weeks ago, during primary, a sign-up was sent around for stake orchestra. Every year, our stake does a big Christmas program. For this program, they usually put together a little orchestra which will play a few numbers, and accompany the choir when they sing the Hallelujah Chorus. When this sign-up was sent around, I signed up. I put that I played the violin and the cello.

WHY DID I DO THAT!?

Not sure. But they actually asked me to play it. At least I have a cello, right? My mom has been helping me practice for the past few days, and tonight my little sister played her violin part while I played my cello part.

Amazingly, I had it fairly good the first time I played it, and by tonight I'm feeling like maybe I can pull this off. I know that it's not all me. There is NO way I could ever learn to play the cello in 3 days unless the Lord is helping me. And for that I am eternally grateful. He has blessed me for my moment of stupidity in saying I could play the cello when I couldn't. Kind of funny!