Wedding Gift

[Aelon]

In our service group we have two brothers who are getting married soon. I asked them what gift they want but they both said, they can't think of one right now because there's a lot of things going on. Both the brother and their wife to be soon are our close friends. Any thoughts on what gift should I give?

[Doug]

WOW - You're right smack in the middle of Canada, aren't you. Is that where all the jobs are with the oil sands?

As far as a gift is concerned - you can't go wrong with cash. The bride & groom might not want to say it, but they probably could use the money to help pay for the wedding and/or the honeymoon.

To be more tasteful about it, you could give them a pre-paid (any amount) VISA card which they can use virtually anywhere on anything.

[surfergirl]

That;s great news for your friends Aelon..

Gifts are fun to give, Maybe some wine glasses and a bottle opener. Vases are always useful in a home. I don't know what your friends trades are like, But I have heard hubby complain about all the kitchen/house items. So it depends on what you can afford too. Some tools are handy for hanging up pictures.etc,

[GrumpysWife]

I really like Doug's idea. So practical and when they use the card, they will think fond thought's of how helpful your gift is. I used to give nice gifts, like glass ware and dishes, etc. but more and more now I think money in one form or another is best because of these times. My last gift to my grandson was a redneck wine glass with money inside. It was his favorite gift.

[GoldAussieGirl]

I was going to say a gift voucher? So hard to buy pressies sometimes isnt it?

[Mrs. Musky]

I'm with you on this one, Doug...Cash or visa card--always comes in handy, and then they can have fun shopping for what they really want/need, not another picture frame or whatever.

[Mrs. Musky]

I really like Doug's idea. So practical and when they use the card' date=' they will think fond thought's of how helpful your gift is. I used to give nice gifts, like glass ware and dishes, etc. but more and more now I think money in one form or another is best because of these times. My last gift to my grandson was a redneck wine glass with money inside. It was his favorite gift.

[/quote'] That's too funny! (the glass, not the money! Bet he loved both!!)

[rocket]

When I got married back in the early 70's everyone gave neat little gifts that we had no use for and for the most part never left the box they came in. Cash or prepaid visa card is really a good idea and most people will not think of it as being impersonal. The only time this might not be the best idea is if your friends are well off financially. Many department stores set up "buy list" for engaged couples. The couple puts on the list the things they need and others check the list and pick out something they can afford.

[Rajan]

Choose wedding gifts cautiously. Pls do not offer "Wedding Cake" as gift. read the following story....

----

A doctor was addressing a large audience in Oxford ...

"The material we put into our stomachs should have killed most of us sitting here, years ago. Red meat is full of fats and dye. Soft drinks corrode your stomach lining. Chinese food is loaded with MSG. High transfat diets can be disastrous and none of us realizes the long-term harm caused by drinking alcohol. But, there is one thing that is the most dangerous of all and most of us have, or will eat it. Can anyone here tell me what food it is that causes the most grief and suffering for years after eating it?"

After several seconds of quiet, a 70-year-old man in the front row raised his hand, and softly said, "Wedding Cake."

---

[clez]

hi I have just joined a few hours ago so this is all new to me. I agree cash or gift card whats I have found is getting lots of of small notes like $5 or $10 and write or cut out a picture like this is for a cocktails on your honeymoon or this is for the bag of of groceries when you get home. about five to ten different things. I layer-er it in a nice box. Its more fun than just money in an envelope and they can spend it on what they really want. All the best

[boodles]

I gave one couple a kite, so they could get out of the house and do something relaxing. They told me they have used it a lot, too.

I plan to give a couple that will be married in a few months a portable file organizer, so they can organize their important papers. Those are not very common in this part of Mexico, so maybe they will find it very usefull for a long time.

[Aelon]

Thank you all for your input. I really appreciate it. I will go with the gift/card money thing.

[Aelon]

WOW - You're right smack in the middle of Canada, aren't you. Is that where all the jobs are with the oil sands?

Yes I am. The congregation here is as diverse as the territory. The congregation is composed of brothers across Canada and US and various parts of the globe. You could see the operation of the holy spirit in the unity of the congregation. I have never seen a congregation as diverse as this one. The territory is very fantastic. People are receptive, they don't slam your door unlike in big cities like Montreal. One plus in working in the oil sands is seeing three greatest things in my life: the aurora (as long as the night is clear, you could definitely see it, every single clear night) sunrise/sunset of the orange-red color sun and the wildlife.

My family moved here more than a year ago because they saw the need of the congregation (then I moved in last Spring), all immigrants from the Philippines are in this part of the planet. Alberta is hiring more skilled workers in the booming oil sands industry.

We have a lot of growing Muslim community in here, which I find myself struggling to understand their culture. Once they trust you as a friend, you can talk to them openly about religion.

[clez]

Hi Aelon your cong. sounds grt it is so faith strengthening it see firsthand Jehovah's spirit. I would appreciate any pointers you can give me with success you had with Muslim people. The ones I have spoken to told me in the Koran Allah which is Jehovah forgave Adam and Harwa(Eve) for taking the fruit. That's why he is known as Allah the merciful. I came to a dead end and wasn't sure what to say next .

I have found they are lovely people very sincere and devout.

Ohh by the way love your cats.

[Aelon]

Muslim discussion thread could be found here:

http://www.jwtalk.net/forum/read.php?10,106324,106649#msg-106649

http://www.jwtalk.net/forum/read.php?10,36720,page=1

Aside from that: I got this from musky's folder:

Witnessing to Muslims

5/21/06 From folks who are serving in Ghana, wrote about witnessing to Muslims:

Following are excerpts from a letter from a brother who recently traveled from Dakar, Senegal,

to Bamako (the capital city of Mali). He bought a first class ticket on the train. However, when

he entered he found that there were no places to sit anywhere on the train! Many were

already sitting on the floor in all of the alleyways. He was wondering how he

was going to spend a 36 hour trip standing up.

He started discussing the Bible with some men who were already seated. They were Muslim

and he asked them where the paradise would be, in heaven or on earth? They all said in

heaven. He told them that he would throw his glasses out the window if their Koran did not

say that the paradise will be on earth. He said that he was blind without his glasses so that

would really be a loss for him. The men were all happy saying that they would watch this old

man throw his glasses out the window. He asked them to read two verses in the Koran: 39:73,

74 Al Zumar and 21:104, 105 Al Anbiya. They each say that the paradise will be on the earth

and one quotes from Ps 37:29 in the Bible. The men were shocked in disbelief. They right

away told some children who were occupying a seat to move and let the old man sit down and

they continued their conversation. He used those verses with a man in door to door and

afterwards he was convinced.

I also had a call that same morning with an Arabic teacher who got his Koran out and read them

in Arabic then translated them into Bambara correctly and he also was amazed! I'm trying to

use those verses more with people who have the Koran because they really listen to what

you have to say afterwards. It breaks down the barriers. Try to use them with your Muslim

calls.

I have my own copy of koran which is an advantage. I made a bookmarked on the highlighted text and showed it to them. This common ground lead to a very nice bible discussion.

Hi Aelon your cong. sounds grt it is so faith strengthening it see firsthand Jehovah's spirit. I would appreciate any pointers you can give me with success you had with Muslim people. The ones I have spoken to told me in the Koran Allah which is Jehovah forgave Adam and Harwa(Eve) for taking the fruit. That's why he is known as Allah the merciful. I came to a dead end and wasn't sure what to say next .

I have found they are lovely people very sincere and devout.

Ohh by the way love your cats.