Salvation Army Christmas Moments

There's one thing I have to do every Christmas; volunteer for the SALVATION ARMY. Whether it's wrapping presents for children, preparing meals, or ringing the bells for the red kettle I so much enjoy being part of a the SALVATION ARMY. Every Christmas season I'm touched by people's stories about how the SALVATION ARMY helped them in their time of need. 

Last week when I got on the city bus the woman driver asked me where I needed to go. I replied the "SALVATION ARMY." I was her only passenger and for several minutes she spoke of  a difficult time her mother, sister, and she experienced while living in Dallas. It was the SALVATION ARMY that provided her family with comforts. She was delighted that she was dropping me off at the SALVATION ARMY building and mentioned that she always donates money to the SALVATION ARMY because of how kind they were to her many years ago.

The following day was one of the coldest days of the year. I volunteered to be a bell ringer that evening outside a  local supermarket. Every few minutes a person or people would appear and place money in the kettle. Where did they come from? The parking lot was empty.  Christmas miracles aren't uncommon and that evening felt as if it was touched by the angeles.

Merry Christmas! December 25, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Swedish Bakery Moments in Sweden

The Swedes are quite the bakers. Their pastries aren't overloaded with sugar. A visit to Sweden must include an early morning indulgence of a pastry and cup of coffee, preferably a cappucino. While recently spending time in Malmo in southern Sweden I made a visit to a neighborhood bakery called Gateau and had an extraordinary kanelbullar (cinnamon roll) with a delightful cup of cappucino. My visit to Gateau Bakery was one of the best bakery moments of my entire life. Sitting in a cozy bakery near the sea and having my very first authentic kanelbullar (cinnamon roll) and sampling other pastries that were displayed on the counter for sampling by the kind staff which was a sweet moment indeed.

                                               Famous Kanelbullar; Swedish Cinnamon Rolls

   

In life it's wonderful to be left with moments of pleasant experiences we've had. As I sit in my tiny studio apartment during the darkest days of the year I'm reflecting on that early warm November day in Malmo, Sweden at the bakery. I'm inspired now to make a homemade bash of Swedish cardamon/cinnamon rolls and warm the hearts of the people I'll bring these pastries to this month.