I just had a beeber-stuning experience!
Yesterday at church, an elderly couple whom we know slightly - he's in the Knights, crossed her path in Sunday School - stopped to admire Vlad and said they had a little gift for him. I had my hands full, so the gentleman put an envelope in my jumper pocket.
I figured it was $15 or $20 to buy Daniel an outfit, and didn't get around to opening it until a few minutes. Turns out there's a check for $500! I suppose they think we're investing in the future of the Church (and maybe noticed the Wal-mart clothes, which are getting worn out as we reach the end of the season :-). I hate to think we look that poverty-stricken, though!
Now I'm not sure what to do. There's enough to pay Anoreth's summer camp fee and still buy everyone that needs it a new pair of pants. Or we could get our pergola, and then invite the couple over to cook out! Suggestions?
WOW! And I thought I had Guardian Angels! My first thought would be to put it into savings, then discuss with the family how it should best be used. Family councils are always good, and often surprising. Kids are very astute and often come up with very good ideas.
Some of us need to give and some of us need to receive. This couple in obviously a giving couple and would be insulted if you did anything other than put the money to good use.
I've found that families with Knights in them are, on the whole, more than willing to spread the wealth. My own brother-in-law, the late Mr. Redhead, was a Knight and he was the epitome of generosity.
Have your council, and when a decision has been made, inform the couple. And don't worry about WHY they gave it to you. Or why they gave so much. Often, people who have a need to give something monetary will pray about where it will do the most good. Perhaps this is what that couple did.
In the mean time, pray about it. You'll have all the answer you need if you follow your heart.
As regards to the baby's elevated bilirubin level, my wife says to put the baby in the window in nothing but his diaper. Try using the sun to bring down those bili levels. Also, you may want to try giving him a little formula. The breast milk adds to the jaundice, she says.
The above all comes from my wife. She's taken you under her prayer-wing and feels entitled to offer you motherly advice.
Use it where it will give you the best bang for your buck.
It might be nice to get each child something brand new for them to wear for Easter at church (so the couple sees that you've done something)and use whatever's left over for something that all of you can enjoy.
In any case, it was a wonderful surprise. Enjoy it!