I Resolve to

December 26, 2011 By 7 Comments

We all waltz into the New Year thinking of things we want to accomplish during the year.  

I hope that my list of resolutions will inspire you to boldly resolve to make resolutions that truly matter.  

Doing this will inspire you as well as those around you.

 

I resolve to make the best of whatever comes my way each day

I resolve to smile daily, even if it’s through tears

I resolve to encourage my family to be their best, even when the worst is flooding our world

I resolve to enjoy the success of others and encourage them to keep pursuing their passion

I resolve to treat others the way I want to be treated, no wait… BETTER than I want to be treated

I resolve to be kind to those who are the meanest

I resolve to listen to my heart and not feel guilty for doing things for myself

I resolve to do what I can with what I have and enJOY it

I resolve to read a book a month (or listen…as I love audio books)

I resolve to be a positive force

I resolve to use my strengths without worry about how my weaknesses may come across

I resolve to allow my heart to sing freely

I resolve to find beauty in the Ordinary

I resolve to laugh daily….regardless (hey, if I’m gonna cry often, I may as well laugh even more)

I resolve to hug freely

I resolve to say thank you to someone daily

I resolve to learn from my mistakes

I resolve to face difficulties with courage

I resolve to let those in my world know just how important they truly are

I resolve to continue to be Matthew 5:16

I resolve to be compassionate

I resolve to let the hurt & disappointment that surrounds me to make me more determined

I resolve to keep taking the next step, even when I can’t see the path

I resolve to love, and do so freely

I resolve to celebrate the good, forgive the bad and enjoy the moment

I resolve to change what I can, fix what is wrong & find the good in the rest

I resolve to reflect on the blessings of the day at the end of the day

I resolve to celebrate small victories and push onward through challenges

I resolve to be content with what I have, while striving to improve where I can

I resolve to not allow circumstances to dictate HOW I live

I resolve to not allow guilt to eat at my heart

I resolve to stop and smell the roses when I’m near them

I resolve to believe that I’m enough and not compare myself to others

 

What are some of your resolutions?  Please encourage others by sharing them below.

 

Here is a free PDF of this article. 


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The Birth

December 1, 2011 By 1 Comment

The Birth is a stunning drama that literally has one simple focus…. The Birth of Christ.

 

I had the privilege of a sneak preview via the Producer Nathan Rouse and found it nothing short of amazing.

 

With obvious love for what they do and the message they are presenting, the cast pours their heart into each of their roles as they focus on the one thing that is so often overlooked during the Christmas Season, The Birth.

 

As you listen to the actors, hear the music and see the performance, your mind will resonate with the characters as you consider their words. Me, personally – I was struck by the Inn Keeper.  He saw them from a distance and knew what they wanted and the MILLION things he had going on instantly told him he didn’t have time for them.  I wonder how many of us get so busy during the Christmas Season that we are just like the Inn Keeper and don’t have room for the very One we are celebrating.

This production is a refreshing reminder to focus on The Birth of Christ.  It is done in a fashion that anyone, even those that are not active in a church, can enjoy.

If you are available to see The Birth, I hope that you will.  Go with a group or with a special someone, regardless, you are in for a treat!

If you look at the materials on the website and decided you’d like to have the crew do a performance in your Church, please Contact them, you’ll be glad you did.

 

Thank you Nathan for inviting me! It was an honor and pleasure to meet you! I’m excited to see where The Birth will be headed in years to come!

 

To Purchase your Tickets -- Click Here

 

THE BIRTH 2011: AT A GLANCE

  • Starving Artist Productions’ SIXTH YEAR staging The Birth.
  • Performing eight shows (or more if needed) over 7 days at the Duke Energy Theatre at Spirit Square in uptown Charlotte.
  • Shows run December 12 – 19, 2011
  • Show times, tickets and more information can be found at www.thebirth.net
  • Show has been twice-nominated (2009 & 2010) for Creative Loafing’s “Theatre Event of the Year”
  • “The Birth” is available for a limited number of private engagements for the holiday season
  • The Birth will host its annual Celebration Event with show and concert on Saturday, 12/17.
  • Check out previous reviews and stories about “The Birth” from Creative Loafing and the Charlotte Observer at www.thebirth.net/press/
  • The show features both original and traditional holiday music and is based on the writings of Pulitzer Prize nominated author and theologian, Frederick Buechner.
  • Source material for the monologues is from The Magnificent Defeat by Buechner.

Here’s a video of the Cast performing Shepherd’s Song

Shepherd Song -- The Birth -- thebirth.net from Starving Artist Productions on Vimeo.

 

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I Remember

November 24, 2011 By 1 Comment

Me and my Daddy

I remember the excitement of Christmas and thinking it would never get here (Wait..that was JUST last week *grins*)

I remember Thanksgiving trips to the mountains to see my Grandmother and other family members

I remember the many, many games of kill the man with the ball

I remember playing dodgeball in our street till way past we were supposed to

I remember walking to school and enjoying it

I remember my favorite doll being my Baby-That-Away and I carried her everywhere, until my Dad sat on her accidentially

I remember playing freeze tag

I remember always being the pitcher for the softball games and my brothers aiming at me when they were at bat

I remember a bus that came by on Sundays to take us to Church

I remember getting up and making Mom’s coffee early for her for a while

I remember sleeping with the window open as we had no air conditioning

I remember walking in the snow, always

I remember walking down the railroad tracks with Mom & Angie – but when we got to the bridge, I’d go down the hill, across the road and back up again.

I remember riding our bikes everywhere, even 4 to 8 miles away to the grocery store

I remember only having enough for “today” and being the happiest ever

I remember walking home in the rain from the grocery store and stomping through the puddles

I remember thumping Mom in the head and her chasing me down, sitting on me, thumping me back and NOT getting up when the cable dude came in to install our new “gift”

I remember getting up in the mornings and running to the heater to get ready as only one room had heat

I remember my first kiss, and then later…. I remember wishing I had not wasted it on someone who truly didn’t care

I remember burning up our toaster oven and feeling horrible as a teen because we had nothing else to cook with….nothing

I remember playing card games with Mom until 2 or 3 am and singing most of the time. The torture she endured while we had fun

I remember going to sleep anticipating Christmas and dreaming of wrapped presents all around me

I remember not having much by way of “things” but always feeling more loved than I could describe

I remember the few wonderful trips to the beach, Dad taking me WAY out, but I wasn’t afraid as he was a giant in my eyes. I remember him lifting me high above the water and giggling with delight

I remember the crab that got out of the coffee pot at the beach house and chased me out of the bathroom

I remember popping HUGE bags of popcorn and the popcorn fights

I remember chasing down the boys that picked on the girl that lived behind us

I remember being afraid of the “monster” under the bed, but not the bully down the road

I remember loving to sit in the library at school and reading, holding a rag doll that was always in the rocking chair

I remember never being picked for any team in school until last

I remember loving the balance beam

I remember keeping to myself in school with one or two close friends, and I often wonder where one from elementary school is

I remember loving each of my elementary teachers dearly – even the 4th grade teachers assistant that was always so mean to me and wouldn’t help me OR allow me to call her MOM in class. She totally made me work for those A’s

I remember being a safety patrol in school and loving helping the smaller kids

I remember watching scary movies with my mom till the wee hours of the morning

I remember hardly ever spending the night away from home

I remember wishing I could give my mom everything she needed…not realizing that loving her unconditionally was enough

I remember going to the Christmas Tree lot and picking the biggest tree they had. I remember Daddy always saying yes, even though it had to be cut way down

I remember so many things!

Some good, some bad and some worse – but more than anything, I remember always being loved….no matter what.

All these things, good and bad, have shaped my heart into what it is today.

and for THAT – I’m truly thankful.

 

What are some of the things you remember?

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

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Home and Free to be ME

August 28, 2011 By 2 Comments

Playing Around! Priceless Memories

Warmth in the Winter
Gentle Breeze in the the heat
Smiles through the pain
Encouragement after defeat

Relaxing, comfy and being myself
Fun, silly and serious when necessary
With no worries of judgement
And reinforcement during the scary

Late Night or early Morning
Enjoying coffee, diet coke or unsweetened tea
Messy hair, no makeup
I am free to be completely me!

 

I love the quietness of the early mornings.  I love how still everything is.

I love the noise of the late nights when both children are home, Todd has the TV entirely too loud and Steve is asleep, snoring so loud the kids shut the door to tone it down a little.

I love that we are all so different, yet we all feel free to just simply be ourselves.

Talk about freedom!  Priceless.

Are you making your home a place that is full of individual expressions? Is everyone completely free to be themselves?

What are some of your weekend routines? Are you up early on Saturday mornings? Do you hang out in your jammies, relaxing with coffee and slowly starting the day? Do you get right up and at ‘em?

{{HUGS}} yall

 

 

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Demonstrating the Love of God

August 8, 2011 By 1 Comment

Me & Pastor Harrison

Pastor Michael Harrison of The Community Fellowship in Collinsville VA invited me to come and see what was happening in their community for Back2School 2011.  I was honored with the invitation and decided to make the trip to see what was going on in his corner of the world.  What I saw and experienced was nothing short of amazing.

The entire event was very well laid out, from beginning to end.  People came at their designated times, signed in and went to the story area.  They were told about Christ and about washing feet/serving and how we show love for each other by serving and helping.  The next station was where all the children received free haircuts if they choose to. People from his church, community and others that wanted to help make the day special volunteered to cut hair.  Even though it meant standing much of the day, these volunteers were very professional, giving these children great cuts to start their school year off with.

Then the children moved on to received their new shoes and a pair of socks.  I had the honor of working in this area.  There were about 25 chairs set up for the kids to sit in and we (the workers) sat on the floor in front of them.  We removed their shoes, sock and told our runner what size we needed.  As we washed their feet, we chatted about what they wanted to be when they grew up and anything else that came up.  3 of the children that I served were enjoying their birthday that day.

I'd LOOOOVE to have a pair of these!!

The best part was when the new shoes came out and their eyes would light up.  From girly pink converse, to sky blue and then the one’s that had hope, JOY and love on them.  Some of the shoes lit up, some had Speed Racer and the Mach 5 on them, but ALL of them brought mile wide smiles from the kids as well as the parents and grandparents.  I was blessed to be able to pray with each and every child that I served.    Talk about an honor.  Several of the children gave me the biggest hugs and thanked me before leaving. I smiled and said you are welcome and invited them to come and be part of this awesome church, knowing I was just a visitor for a day and that the thanks belonged to a church with a huge heart for others.

They left that area and went on to receive 5 articles of clothes.  This clothing area was nothing like I’ve ever seen.  They looked neatly pressed.  I had the chance to speak with Nancy, who heads up the clothing closet and she told me that 25 precious ladies help keep it neat and in order by volunteering their time each week.

Once the kids received their clothes, they were then able to receive their brand new backpack filled with various school supplies.

I pretty much stayed in the one area from 9:45 am to 5:30pm.  My husband worked in various places through the day.   They started at 8am and I have no clue when the cleanup ended so that services could take place on Sunday morning.

Washing Feet

I can’t imagine the work that was put into this event through the entire year and invite Pastor Harrison to share in the comments below anything his heart desires.

The ladies I worked alongside of were simply wonderful! Everyone was super nice and had no idea I was from so far away, not that that mattered, as we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.

I felt at home there, serving with them and look forward to going back next year and even helping where we can before then.

It’s my honor to support them financially, to be a voice for them and to do what I can to help.

I went there to spread some joy and be a blessing to Pastor Harrison as well as to see how they are making a difference in their community so that maybe one day, my community can reach out to others in the same fashion.  I received a wealth of information on making a huge event like this happen as well as back2school supplies for my own upcoming event. Unbelievable!

If you are in the area, I invite you to check them out.  If you are on twitter, I invite you to follow @michaelharrison and his church @the_community.

Thank you Pastor Harrison for the invitation and the opportunity to serve your community!

Please visit the following

The Community Fellowship – church link

Pastor Harrison’s Blog

Information on the Dream Center in Collinsville VA

Here is a link to Pastor Harrison’s Summary – in short 938 students came to the event and when you include adults over 2,000 people showed up.  Over 400 haircuts were given, and over 230 volunteers helped to ensure this event was the best it could be.

Amazing.  Completely Amazing.

 

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Think Again!

March 22, 2011 By 13 Comments

Think you’re too small to make a difference? Think again!

  • Put a tiny rock in your shoe and walk a mile
  • Give a simple sucker to a toddler & watch their world light up
  • Try ignoring that fly buzzing about your meal
  • Leave that piece of dust under your contact
  • Smile widely with a tiny piece of black pepper stuck to your tooth
  • Watch what the ants will do with your slice of pie
  • Remember the grain of sand that became a gorgeous pearl
  • Think about the one smooth stone that took out a giant
  • Notice how one spark can consume an entire forest
  • One flicker of light pierces the darkest night
  • 1 person “going” for it, gives courage to the fearful
  • A reassuring smile brings hope
  • Gaze at the GIANT oak that was once a tiny seed
  • One single tear can soften the hardest heart
  • The difference of one second…. That allowed you to miss that accident or plane crash
  • Ignore that nail in your tire
  • Leave that splinter in your finger

These are just a few that I quickly jotted down!

I’d love to hear YOURS! Please leave them below!

If you are on twitter, please leave your @ name as well.

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Christmas JOY – The Celebration

December 22, 2010 By 10 Comments

It started like any other morning before a Spreading Joy event.  A million things running through my mind and this time, it’s a little different because I’m planning and handling much of the Christmas JOY event for the ladies at the Battered Womens Shelter & children from my hotel room in Virginia.  Then it hits me.  SNOW!! It was supposed to snow over night. I hurry to the huge window in my room and sure enough, IT’S SNOWING!!!! The little girl in me is so very excited! I can immediately see that there are several inches on the ground already.  I’m supposed to work a half day and then head home to Charlotte NC and start picking up toys for Friday nights Christmas JOY event!  I quickly get ready and head to work.

Much like a child that can’t wait to get out in the snow, I find a window and look out.  It is pouring snow!  Buckets! My heart is filled with worry at this point.  How am I going to make it home? I call my sister.  Tell her what I’m seeing.  She tries to comfort me saying, things will be a little stressful but it will be ok.  I quickly tell her that “you are NOT seeing what I’m seeing!”  We chat about the possibilities of me not making it back.  Two of the greatest things I love are both now tugging at my heart, snow and Spreading Joy.  I head back to work thinking ok, it will work out no matter if I get home or not.  I’m just going to enjoy my gift of snow! I finish out my half day of work, head back to my hotel and preparations start.  The phone calls to my mom, sister and friends asking for help.  The planning of who will do what, just in case I can’t make it back into town.  These ladies deserve a wonderful meal, a time of fun and laughter and these toys for their kids.  I’m determined to make it happen and with friends and family that have huge hearts, it goes off without a hitch!

The phone calls come in, “you won’t believe what Clark Nexsen collected for this event!” My friends Dave and Dale from Iron Mountain assure me it will be fine for them to bring the toys to me! Wow! Not only did they collect toys, but made things easier for me by bringing them to me, knowing that I was short on time! Amazing!

We get to the church, start setting up, sorting toys, picking up food, decorating and having fun.  Later that evening I hop aboard a bus with my brother in law and we had to pick up the ladies and children.  We are enjoying a trip back and I tease the ladies that we are having MY favorite meal – HOT DOGS! I giggle and tell them that Olive Garden has graciously given pasta, salad and bread sticks.  We are all excited.

Everyone gets settled, and is eating, laughing, relaxing and having fun.  There are enough workers so that the ladies that need help with their small children can eat their meals without worry for their tiny ones.  I love the view, the children laughing and slurping up spaghetti, the moms smiling and chatting with one another.  Peace, happiness and pure JOY surround me!  My heart is soaring beyond belief!

The children stay in the fellowship hall and I take the ladies with me next door so that they can “shop” for their children.  I thank them for coming and being such a wonderful part of my Christmas!  I have been thinking about them all week and take a few minutes to tell them the wonderful attributes I see in them.  I give them instructions as to where to find the toys, the gift wrapping stations and such.  I wander through the halls as the ladies “shop”, listening to the giggling, listening to the oooohhhhh and ahhhh’s, listening to the thrill in their hearts as they pick out toys for their children.  There are Easy Bake Ovens, dolls, Barbie dolls, stuff animals, play dough sets, Tonka Trucks, footballs, basket balls, games and so much more!  There are literally 4 rooms full of toys for these wonderful ladies to choose from!

The ladies finish wrapping and start heading to get their children and load back on the bus and van.  Several people volunteer to follow behind to “haul” presents as there’s no way all the people and the gifts are going to fit.  I love each and every single HUG that I am receiving! The sparkly eyes, bright smiles and huge warm HUGS are priceless.  Everyone leaves and I look around and the Spreading JOY heroes have already started cleaning up! Wow!! Amazing!

The night is perfect.  Chaos, silliness, fun, Christmas music, laughter, toys, food, drinks, hugs and the mile wide smiles make it memorable!

But, the giving is not over with yet! Sunday, more toys are given out.  To a local church and some for a teacher who has some homeless children in her class.  Thursday NIGHT – MORE toys will be given away!! A week of Christmas JOY, my heart can hardly stand it! It is flooded with happiness and JOY!

We were able to distribute 545 toys and books this year.  This is no small feat as we normally have 8 or 10 companies collecting toys and this year, we didn’t have that many.

Thank you seems so small in the light of what YOU did to make Christmas JOY 2010 possible.

Thank you to the director of Amy’s House, Vicky, for the wonderful work you do to help these ladies! It is my honor to make a difference for them, to encourage them and to remind them just how very special they are!

Thank you to Olive Garden for providing the meal for us! There was plenty of delicious food for everyone to enjoy! Thank you to Jim Taylor and Marvin McAllister for picking up food for us.  Thank you Dave Finley for meeting me with toys and saving me so much time.  Thank you Momma, Angie and Meg for picking up toys on Thursday for me while I enjoyed my gift of snow and stayed safely at the hotel.  Thank you Dale and Jeanne Strickland for being available at a phone calls notice to pick up toys for me and for helping out the night of the event.

Thank you to Pastor Jerry Taylor and Mrs. Taylor of New Grace Baptist Church for the use of your wonderful facilities and being available “just in case” I was snowed in!  Thank you to the wonderful members of New Grace for volunteering to help serve, sort, clean, wrap, entertain and for the great JOY you brought my way!  I could not have made it without your help!

Thank you to Patterson Pope for giving us employees paid Community Service time to make a difference in our world!

Thank you to my family for supporting Spreading JOY the way you do, helping and allowing me to make a difference right where I am.  Thank you Tripp and Bob for driving the vehicles to bring the ladies to the church.

Thank you Quiznos, Iron Mountain, Clark Nexsen, Arthur Squad, Stone Pump and Trench and Linden ARP church for collecting toys.

Thank you my precious twitterverse for your online donations, the interviews to spread the word and for using your voice to reach people that I couldn’t reach without your help! You were instrumental in making Christmas JOY 2010 a huge success!

YOU are all HEROES and I hope as you watch the video, read and recount this week of Spreading JOY that your heart is flooded with warmth, love and pure delight for the part that YOU played for Christmas

Thank you!!

{{HUGS}} yall

Filed Under: encouraging, fun, giving, passion, Spreading Joy, thanks, twitter Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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