10 Things To Keep In Your Car For Winter Driving Safety

You're driving along happily singing to your favorite tune on your favorite Christian radio station, when white crystals begin drifting from the sky. The traffic in front of you is slowing. Now you're stuck on the highway in the snow that's rapidly piling up around you.

Driving during winter weather holds an entirely different set of dangerous scenarios than driving during summer or cooler weather.  When driving during cold weather, ice or snow, there is a danger of becoming stuck or stranded.  At very least, the cold temperatures put added stress on vehicles' engines, batteries, tires and exposed parts.  There is also high potential of being caught in traffic jams from inclement weather conditions.  When this happens, you'll want to make sure you're prepared by continuously keeping certain items in your car throughout winter months.

... From: 10 Essential Winter Driving Items To Always Have In Your Car

You can help send music to MIWI

Last year after many disappointments attempting to make becoming a worship leader a part to full-time career, John picked himself up from the bootstraps. Instead of accepting defeat and discouragement, he chose to re-invent the performance side of his life. Though, he had longed to take this in the direction of leading a congregation in worship to our Lord and Savior every weekend. He decided to use the musical talent God had given him and perform musical entertainment in nursing homes and retirement centers to brighten the days of those who may otherwise have very little "sunshine" in their days.

Last summer, John scheduled a few retirement centers and nursing homes for performances in Wisconsin. The family came along, and we enjoyed a working vacation. The trip was so successful that we have begun to book jobs In WI for next summer. In fact, we have decided to not only perform in WI this summer but up the coast of MI and Upper MI as well. We are calling this our MIWI tour. This is all very exciting, but the truth is that many of these homes and centers where John will be performing do not have he funds to pay for travel expenses. So, we are presenting this to our friends and family to raise some funds to cover the transportation end of this tour.

To do this, we have decided to offer a fundraiser. The company we have chosen to do this is a Christian-owned, debt-free company that offers candles, baking mixes, gift wrap, books and items for tweens/teens. They are called "Celebrating Home."

Take a look at what they offer, and let me know what you would like to order. Because the company is debt-free, they do not encourage the use of credit cards and ask that the items be paid for by check or cash. So, to make it convenient for you - When you place your order, send me your Paypal email address where I can send you an invoice for the purchase price. If you are not in the O'Fallon area, also add $5.00 to your order so I can ship it to you when it arrives.

The fundraiser will close on January 15, and your items should arrive for me to deliver them to you 9 days later. So, you should receive all of your order by the end of January - In time for Valentine's Day!

Take a look at what the company offers. Then, email me at: Joyfulsoundsdj@juno.com with your order! Please put FUNDRAISER IN THE SUBJECT LINE - THANKS for all your help!!!!!!


Great Tween/Teen Items / Soy Candles that burn 65 hours for $15 / Gift Wrap and Books / Baking Mixes for $12 including yummy blueberry sugar cookies AND Candles for $10:

Don't Let a Grinch Steal Your Christmas

Christmas time is said to be the most wonderful time of the year. With friends and family members happily purchasing and exchanging gifts, it's also a prime time for scams, fraudulent offers and outright theft. There are some tips you can remember to avoid becoming a victim of online, shopping or in-home theft.
When shopping online, there are some basic things to keep in mind and steps you can take to make sure you don't become a victim of theft:

If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If someone is pressuring you online to "act now," guarantee... From: 10 Tips To Avoid Becoming a Victim During The Holidays

Christmas gifts your kids can make

If you're a parent, you've begun your journey once again of making your list and checking it twice to make sure your children get everything they asked for on Christmas morning.  But, while they await the opening of these gifts, children tend to get antsy.  If you fill their little hands with something interesting and fun to do, they are less likely to get into trouble.  So, why not take advantage of this childhood anxious energy and have your kids make Christmas gifts which they can give to their favorite teacher or grandparents or other family members or friends.  Here ar... From: Five Fun Christmas Gifts Kids Can Make

Gingerbread Christmas traditions

It's time to put on some Christmas music and enjoy some gingerbread house decorating!
In America, making gingerbread houses are a Christmas tradition. Some households may not even feel as though the holiday is complete without the building and decorating of a gingerbread house. They come in all forms and sizes from a simple house made out of gingerbread look-alike, Graham crackers which are "glued" against a small milk carton with frosting to several stories tall elaborate castles and other designs that are often designed by master chefs and pastry artists and displayed in shopping malls.  Some of these intricate designed houses are even auctioned off for chari... From: Gingerbread House Traditions and the Benefits of Ginger