Another 50 Ways of Making a Difference

October 10, 2010 By 30 Comments

There is something deep within us all that knows it is better to give than to receive.  That is why my heart is always screaming “There’s NO joy like Spreading JOY!” Just like most people, this economy is killing me financially.  I can’t seem to get out from under the ever growing snowball of horror as far as getting ahead goes.  That does NOT stop me from giving and making a difference.  It’s what I do, always has been, always will be.

This need to give inspired me to write 50 Ways to Make a Difference Without Spending a Penny last year.  I’m honored to say that it has inspired many whose hearts have the desire to give, but their wallet says NO.  My goal with these ideas is to get you to a point that you are keenly aware of ways to make a difference. That you’ll recognize various chances that tend to pop up.   I want your heart to soar as you are doing what you can, where you are, with that you have. And, believe me – it will.

EVERY act of joy, regardless of what it is, has limitless possibilities.  You may never know just how far your selfless act of joy went.

It is my pleasure to present to you ANOTHER 50 ways of making a difference with OUT spending a single penny!

1.  Click on Ads when visiting web sites. – You are already there reading & the owner of the site makes some money off each click, so why not?

2.  Blog Comments – Take a few moments and tell the writer of the article if you liked or even disliked what was written. Feed back is always wonderful!

3.  If you shop Amazon.com USE the affiliate link of a friend! WHY not let a small percentage of your purchase help someone? Don’t know anyone? I know of 2.  Richard @mcProdigal & Brett @ChristianRep (click their NAME to be directed to their sites which has their Amazon link there!)

4.  Make every phone call extremely pleasant. Even the “Non helping” help desk calls.

5.  Post Links to Charity organizational events to your facebook wall or twitter feed. If you can’t donate a financial gift, donate your voice! Do it daily to help promote the event without being asked to.

6.  If you know someone is having a rough day, make a video encouraging them to keep going and email it or facebook it to them. I have received a few of these, and LOVE it!

7.  Donate  your used computer, projectors etc to someone that doesn’t have one.  May take some time to research it, but completely worth it. Many single mom’s would love NOT to have to go to a public library to use the internet.

8.  Leave a comment below with a way of spreading joy without spending a penny. ;)

9.  Establish a monthly “NO Chore Day” for your entire family. Mom – yes, this includes you too. Do something fun with that time. The dishes will wait for you!

10.  Invite a friend over for coffee, dessert and a fun time of chatting.

11.  Color with some children.  Color with YOUR children.  Don’t even stay inside the lines. Be adventurous and color outside the lines.

12.  Email this list to someone who has a huge heart but is without the financial means to make a difference.

13.  Turn off all lights when leaving the room.  (Mom’s all over the world will thank you!)

14.  Send an encouraging text to let someone know you were thinking of them.

15.  Give a HUG – my goodness, just do it! One size fits all, you can’t hug the wrong person and even if you are having an awesome day, a hug will just make it fantabulous!

16.  When making homemade bread, double the recipe and give some away.

17.  If you have someone’s Instant Message or Skype contact info, leave them a message even if they are off line. They will find it and be encouraged when they log on.

18.  Send Ecards to people in your email address book.  I love using www.greetums.com and www.sendwisecards.com for this.  The possibilities are truly endless.  Go, encourage and email smiles!

19.  Recently read a book that you loved? Has a friend given you a book that they had published? Write a review and post it without being asked to on your web site promoting it.  Every bit of promotion helps. (I’m so far behind on this…I’m working on it!)

20.  Surprise your family with a HOT breakfast one morning, instead of the traditional quick milk, juice and cereal as they are running out of the door.

21.  Give kind words freely.  Honestly, after a day of “you didn’t accomplish this, you made a D on that test, you monthly projections were off by a long shot…blah, blah, blah” WE all need to hear more positive things that we did do.

22.  Be generous with the pat on the backs, the handshakes and eye to eye contact.  Positive reinforcement here!

23.  When my head is on my desk, don’t bother me. Honestly, there is reason.

24.  Share confidence! Remind others that they CAN do this. They are excellent at what they do. They are strong and will make it through.

25.  When you are sick with a head cold, don’t write. Just don’t do it. Spare us all the whinybrat ickiness and don’t write.  ok?  (LOLOL, that is a note to myself.  I currently have a cold and can’t think of anything to write here and am feeling kind of bratty!  Thus the “harshness” of #23.  I’m leaving this, but will do a for real #25 and stop writing for the night.)

25.  If you see someone in distress, tears or extremely emotional about something.  Even if you don’t know them, take a moment to smile and remind them that it WILL be alright.  Don’t make light of their situation, but do be encouraging.

26.   Return a favor – without being asked.

27.  Do not assume – Don’t do it.  What you think you might know isn’t necessarily the truth of the actual known fact. You just never know….you know?

28.  Wink at random people.  Make sure you pass along a huge smile too!

29.  Shake hands or some how, some way greet our wonderful Military personnel each and every time you see someone in uniform. Look them in the eyes and say thank you.  Make this a rule! I never pass up this opportunity.

30.  Take time to smell the roses.  You pass them in the store, you pass them in gardens.  Take the time to do it. You never know who is watching and how you will inspire them.

31.  Write a note for your child(ren) expressing how proud of them you are. Leave it on their pillow or put it in their overnight bag.  This is always fun for a lunch box too, especially if your child is young.

32.  Be forgiving today.  Bury the hatchet and let bygones, be bygones.

33.  SLOW down – so you won’t be grouchy! YOU know it’s true. When you are in a hurry every SINGLE thing gets on your nerves and you are grouchy.  (Pointing the finger at MYSELF!! I never do things slowly)

34. VOTE – Don’t let this opportunity pass you by.

35.  Tell those that you love, you love them.  Seriously.  Go on….I’ll wait.

36.  Designate your company MATCH to Spreading JOY.  Many organizations will match your contributions 100 % up to a certain amount.  Here are some Corporations that match donations.

37.  Attend the party.  Seriously. You were invited. The Host is working hard at putting it together! YOU will make someone happy…so GO – - have fun, sit back and ENJOY!

38.  When singing in the car, LOUDLY, be aware of the feelings of others – if YOU are not alone.  ;) Make sure its songs they can sing along to.

39.  Phone calls – for NO reasons.  Love this.  Go ahead and make that call. You never know who you will encourage,  whose day you’ll make brighter and how that person just might have needed that encouragement at just that moment.

40.  Eat Dessert FIRST.  You will be a huge spreadingJOY hero to your family when you plan this.  Go all out – do ice cream in waffle bowls.  Have Reese’s Cup Pie (and invite me over) or Chocolate Cake with Chocolate frosting.  Have it first and have lots of fun!

41.  Celebrate your UN-Birthday with your family.  Make a cake from scratch, using basic ingredients from the pantry.  The fun, laughter and the fact that it’s your UN-birthday will have your home filled with great laughter and JOY!

42.  Use a gift card that you received for someone else! Wow. HOW selfless is this?  You’ll make a difference and it will not have cost YOU a single cent.

43.  Share your frequent flyer miles.  Do you travel alot? Have an abundance of miles racked up.  Offer a night or 2 at a hotel to someone.  Let me know that you would be a resource of miles for Spreading JOY.

44.  Do not wake up Grumpy.  Let him sleep. ;) (hahahahaha. Ok, that is as old as the hills, but still funny to me.) Seriously.  If you wake up grumpy, focus on others, think of the millions of little things that make YOUR life big and keep the ickiness to yourself until it passes.  We want to be spreadingJOY not spreadingICK.  Check out Confessions of a Cranky Gal.

45.  Host an afternoon Tea Party with your child(ren).  These will be cherished memories indeed. Before you know it, you’ll be attending the wedding of your princess.  Remember, PINKIES up!

46.  Be happy for someone else’s success AND help them, in any way, shape or form to be successful.

47.  Watch your words.  This reminds me of “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” yeah, you remember that rhyme.  IT IS NOT TRUE! Your words are powerful! They will leave a mark on people! Either positive or negative.  You get to choose!  Choose wisely!

48.  Help your child(ren) complete an act of joy every day.  Starting joyful habits at a young age will instill a kindness that will last a life time.

49.  Leave the mole hill small. Do not make a mountain out of it.  Trust me, you’ll face enough mountains in your lifetime.  Don’t add to it.

50.  End on a positive note.  I realize this cannot always be accomplished, but it is worth the effort.

51.  Leave a sticky note of encouragement on a few of your co-workers computer.  Don’t sign it.  Just do it.

There you have it! Another 50 ways of making a difference without spending a single penny.  I love this stuff.  Spreading joy has never been easier.

I know things are tough, but you are tougher.  You can make a difference, right where you are, with what you have.  Free your heart of guilt because you feel you can not make a difference.  You can.  Do one thing a day.  Just one.

What are your thoughts?

Make sure you come back and tell me – How are YOU spreading joy?

((HUGS)) Yall

Filed Under: challenge, choices, frugal, fun, giving, Spreading Joy Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Finding Joy

August 7, 2010 By 5 Comments

It was my honor and pleasure to be a guest on the Partners in Prayer for our Prodigals Blog Talk Radio with Diane Viere.

Setting Boundaries knows when we love an adult child whose life is out of control we can often feel helpless and hopeless. How do you step back into joy when your heart is filled with sorrow? Regardless of the type of sorrow you are feeling, there are ways of finding joy.

Finding joy among chaos and the feeling that your world is falling apart is completely possible and it was my pleasure to speak with her on that topic. This is a very honest and candid talk about being joyful – even through tears.

Setting Boundaries & Finding Sanity Blog Talk Radio Interview

Easy steps to Finding JOY when your heart is sorrowful:

  • Give JOY – This should go without saying, but we often forget that it IS better to give than to receive. When we give anything to anyone, our hearts are often flooded with joy. Giving back doesn’t have to always be expensive, huge gifts.  Cards, smiles, hugs – simple pleasures are just as joyful as other gifts.
  • Smile – Simple, yet can often can make a huge difference to a heart that is sorrowful.
  • Do not compare – Don’t do it.  Comparing things, dwelling on the “have nots” is asking for sorrow.
  • Notice and count the JOYs that are swirling all around you.  – So many little things make our life big, yet we tend to miss it because we are counting our “sorrows” instead of our joys. One easy way to do this is by journaling.  When you write down the JOYs, the happiness, the smile starters – you have something you can look at to remind yourself of the good times.
  • Plan JOY – We plan meetings, Dr appts, visits here and there. Plan some joyful things. Plan a family night. Plan a walk in the park. Plan it and then expect joy. The only rule is that there is no discussion of the sorrow that surrounds you.  PLAN and COUNT the joy.
  • Remember, this too shall pass. We will have trials, tears and sorrow, but it won’t always be this way.  Look ahead into the future. Joy is coming.

Some Favorite quotes:

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy. Thich Nhat Hanh

Man is fond of counting his troubles, but he does not count his joys. Fyodor Dostoevsky

I could talk for days on end about finding joy, spreading joy and the like.  I hope you’ll be encouraged by listening to the interview and you’ll start finding joy.   Once you start looking for ways of spreading joy, you’ll easily begin to notice opportunities for making a difference.

To easily get started, take the 30 day challenge. One act of joy a day for 30 days, to get you in the habit of spreading joy.  If you think you can not afford to be spreading joy, think again!   Here are 50 ways of making a difference without spending a penny.

Are you ready to find joy? If so, you’ll soon realize that “There is NO joy like Spreading Joy!”

Follow Diane on Twitter http://twitter.com/prodigalHOPE as she regularly has free webinars and documents to help you while you are on the road to sanity!

So, tell me.  How do you step into joy when your heart is sorrowful?

How are you spreading joy?  Do you try to make a difference with someone at least ONCE daily?

Did this interview encourage you to find true joy, even through the tears? I can’t wait to hear YOUR story of finding and spreading joy!

{{{HUGS}}} yall

Filed Under: choices, difficulties, encouraging, giving, goals, happiness, ideas, motivation, passion, simple, Spreading Joy Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Getting to Know YOU!

April 23, 2010 By 5 Comments

Are YOU willing to let us see inside of WHO you are?

I am an open book.  I tweet/talk publicly about myself, family, likes and dislikes.  (ok, so I grumble about my dislikes, but still!)

I’m happy, silly, joyful, serious, concerned and whine in the cuuutest suuuthern axxcent ever. I enjoy the little things that make life big and am completely serious…..when necessary. 

I have a list of a “few” things about me on my blog.  (ok..so it’s NOT a few…it’s actually over 40…and I could add more..just sayin. I should update the picture over there though, as it is from 2006.  I have added a few more wrinkles and some gray hair.) I love letting people get to know me because I LOVE getting to know people. All kinds of people, from far and near and all back grounds.

Having said all that – to say – I love social media and the reach it gives me.  I love that I have friends (YES friends!) that live in Africa, Australia, Scotland, Canada etc and have never met them personally – but I feel as though I’ve known them for such a long time.  I love the friendships that I’ve developed.  I love learning about these wonderful people.  I want to share some of them with you.

I hope you’ll click on the links and learn more about them.  These lists can be found on their personal blogs.  I have loved reading them, learning more about them and becoming their friend. I hope that you will too.

Gene Bowker follow him on twitter @geneslens - Gene takes awesome pictures and writes from the heart! Fun follow, giver, friend - Read more about Gene

Elaine Kelly follow her on twitter @elaineremains - My chihuahua and I are trying to take over the world, it’s a work in progress. (Elaine has an amazing photo blog. Her pictures are awesome and she is quite talented.) And, doesn’t mind me umm.. mooning her – with @greetums cards – of course!! Read  more About Elaine

Richard Mayhan follow him on twitter @mcProdigal - My  Tworship ministry partner and friend –  as well as Counselor & advocate, married, apologetics, technology, math, music-loving guy with a witty sense of humor.   Was prodigal for 27 years. Now gives hope to all parents of prodigals.  They can and do return. Read more about Richard.

Michele Langlo follow her on twitter @shadowedwriter - Hiding in the shadows, she loves to write and is amazing at it. She also has an amazing love of the ocean.  shhh..our secret..don’t tell anyone! Read more about Michele

Dino Jag follow him on twitter @dinojag - Makin music… & lovin life and it shows. Huge heart for others and always brings a smile! Read more about Dino

Lark Neville follow her on twitter @larkn0298 - Poet, technical writer, movie lover, voracious reader. Horror flick chicks & dudes love her! (I love her heart and passion for writing and others) Read more about Lark

Stash Serafin follow him on twitter @stashskate - Inspiring blind ice skater. Motivational speaker, co-author teaches ice skating as a metaphor of life. (Completely inspiring!) Read more about Stash

Melinda Lancaster follow her on twitter @heartcures - A follower of Christ who ministers, teaches, counsels, writes, in hopes of offering encouragement to those who grow weary on the road called life. Read more about Melinda **Special Note**I have to give Melinda Credit for this idea.  Way back 37 1/2 years ago (grins), after reading my list of about me - we discussed getting more “About Me” lists from various tweeple.  Thank you for this idea and I’m honored to include you in my list!

Bonnie Squires follow her on twitter @bonnie67 - Wife and Mom of 8. I have many interest Crafts, Recipes & Social Network sites. (Love her blog article called Just Some Hugs - I love hugs!!) Read more about Bonnie.

Michael Sarles follow him on twitter @MasisMore - Kind acts of randomness. Sports fan, tall guy, sarcastic much, lived in L.A., Israel, NYC, Boston & now Dallas. Former mental health pro. & marketing consultant  – #7 is totally my FAV on his list! I can totally see him looking DOWN saying this! Read more about Michael.

Rio Denali - follow her on twitter @NotTypicalBlond - Her bio grabbed me from the get go! Not your typical blonde. Former military, formally trained in FBI interrogation techniques, and with a degree in law… Rio might just surprise you. You KNOW you want to know! Read more about Rio.

Gina Stark - follow her on twitter @SuuperG - Some people think I’m egotistical-but enough about THEM! Here 4 laughs & inspiration.Freelance writer/blogger.Love travel, dance,fuud,horses,hiking 2much2 list! (ok, had to twist her arm a tad bit…*grinning* but – turned out nicely!) Read more about Gina.

Corey – follow her on twitter @la_loquita - I dance like no one is watching. I smile at everyone. I walk-barefoot in the sand. I dream under the stars. I love till it hurts. I giggle like a girl. (I love YOUR giggle) Read more about Corey.

Tegan Cole - follow her on twitter @sandalgal - Yankee Fan, Thinker, A little bit of everything…I’m real, that’s what I am… (She is REALly cool. Love bantering back n forth with her, @marrangee and @Christianrep - although, I think she plays favs with THEM – *grinning* Read more about Tegan.

Brett Corbett - follow him on twitter @ChristianRep - Christ Follower . Servant . Prayer Warrior . Patriot . Dad . Friend . Mentor Romans 8:28 Proverbs 3:5-6 Psalm 139 – (Loves the occassional HUG fest but don’t tell him I told you that! It’s OUR secret!! shhhhh!) Read more about Brett.

Fragmentz – follow her on twitter @fragmentz – She caught my eye with her dashing avatar and the fact that she can say alot about nothing at all.  I love that.  Excellent writer. Her Cardboard Testimony – Worthless, abused, ashamed, depressed, broken and wanting to die – BUT LEARNING TO LIVE AGAIN! Read more here.

Bridget Haymond - follow her on twitter @BridgetHaymond - Wife & Mother; Biblical Values Life Coach Leading with Gifts, Strengths & Purposeful Living; Motivator & Collaborator; Blogger; Music Lover & Humor Enthusiast! She gives AWESOME hugs! Read more about Bridget.

Christine Smith – follow her on twitter @lifeverse –  Prayer Warrior, Bible Study Leader, Book Reviewer and Christian Mom. LifeVerse Jewelry artist creating inspirational jewelry.   Read more about Christine.

Bobby – follow him on twitter @louisvillebobby – Reformed Christ Follower  - a down to earth person that simply enjoys each day.  You’ll enjoy getting to know Bobby, just as I have! Read more about Bobby.

Angie – Follow her on twitter @Godswordistruth - John 17:17 God’s Word is Truth… I tweet quotes, & CEV bible verses. I Love to help people & make people smile! =) DM your Prayer Requests.  Read more about Angie.

Joyce – Follow her on twitter @JOYful_delight –  FULL of JOY - Hello Twitter, I’m Joyce.. I’ve been on Twitter going on 2 yrs I tweet Bible verses, Quotes & random things, I comment & #Tworship send a request  Read more about Joyce.

Linda - Follow her on twitter @twangytexan – Blessed to be blessed and walking this journey in complete freedom from guilt and shame.  Linda brings great joy to all those who get to know her.  Read more about Linda.

Elisabeth – Follow her on twitter @musiclover572 – This adorable Daddy’s girl that would love to be anything like her mom will win your heart over, just as she did mine. Read more about Elisabeth.

I want to get to know YOU more.  Do you have a blog that you can do an “About Me” post and share with me? I’d love to list you here!

No blog? Well, you can still tell us about you!  Sure you can! Look Below!  See that box down there? Yeah…the comment box! How about putting a list there and make sure you include your twitter name – so we can KNOW who you are there are well.

I can’t WAIT to get to know you more!

{{{{HUGS}}}} Yall!

Filed Under: encouraging, fun, happiness, ideas, links, motivation, passion, simple, Spreading Joy, thanks, twitter Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Knowing The Struggle is Over

April 10, 2010 By 6 Comments

I’m honored to share an interview with K. M. Johnson on the blog tour for her book Knowing the Struggle is Over. I would love to give you a copy of this book – If you would like to be entered in the drawing for the book, please leave a comment at the end of this post.

“When do we stop complaining and start thanking? For every negative there is a positive. Just like for every cause there is an effect. When we are complaining about the obstacles in our lives, we are complaining about the lives that GOD has so graciously given us.”

Q: K.M., the title of your book is, Knowing The Struggle Is Over, which is very fitting for the current economic situation. I know some people may be wondering, though, what exactly is the struggle?

A: Honestly, I get that question often. The struggle is not your typical financial situation or necessarily an addiction that I am speaking of. Though those are two great examples, a struggle is actually any situation, trial, or tribulation you may find yourself in.

When you find yourself in a struggle, it often means that you have come to a point where you must make a decision and ultimately a choice. I say this with the understanding that everything we do daily is a choice.

Q: In your book you tell the reader that they can get through any struggle in just three steps. So, what are these three steps?

The first step is to Stop Complaining. Now, I must admit I did say you can get through your struggle in just three steps, but I never said it would be easy! During this first step, the focus is on renewing our minds and changing the way we view the things that are happening to us. Oftentimes, we become so caught up in the world around us that we forget about the God within us.

The second step is to Let Go and Let God. For myself, this was the hardest step. Mainly because I had NO idea what it meant to literally “Let Go and Let God!” Once I had an understanding, it became a natural sequence in restoring my faith in God in regard to my situation.

The third step is to Acknowledge Him. Some may see that as easy and obvious, but how often do we know what to do and still we don’t do it! You have to develop a major spirit of praise and give Him ALL of the glory for everything, big and small. The noticeable things in our lives we always seem to give Him the glory, but God is truly in the details as well.

When we begin to pay attention and notice how He is moving and working in our lives, that is when we can truly praise Him. And a praise like that becomes a sincere and spirit-filled praise. It’s not forced, and you won’t even have to second guess.

Q: How did God lead you to write this book?

A: It’s funny and I talk about this at the beginning of my book. As I drove home on I-10 from Houston, TX, to Gulfport, MS, for Christmas, I received a revelation. I was somewhere in Louisiana, and I began praying about the situation I was in. As I finished praying, I remember thinking, “I should write a book.”

Now, what is interesting is that not only did God impress upon me the strong desire to write a book, but He also gave me the title and contents during that drive. By the time I had made it to my mother’s house, I was so excited because I knew I was about to write this book called Knowing The Struggle Is Over and I was going to have three steps that would help others accomplish just that.

If I were a writer, this wouldn’t have sounded so crazy. I never really had a true interest in writing an actual book before then. The only thing I had ever considered prior to that day was writing a children’s fiction book, or maybe a few songs or poems. But a non-fiction book? Absolutely NOT!

Q: Why did you feel that it was so important to write a book about getting through a struggle?

A: I truly would like your readers to know that with everything you go through, God is preparing you for the next level He wants to take you to in life. Sometimes, we think that we know who God is, and we really don’t. Just because we spent time with Him last week doesn’t mean we can ignore Him this week.

To better understand how He works in our lives, we have to continuously strive for a closer, more intimate relationship with Him daily. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, but that doesn’t mean to put limits on Him, that just means to trust Him.

We begin to lose faith because we aren’t spending enough time getting to know Him. We get through our situations by restoring our faith and developing a closer relationship with God. Everyone has an area in their relationship with God where their faith is not at the level it COULD be.

Q: How can readers get their hands on their own copy of this miraculous book to help them restore their faith in God?

There are several options. My book is available on both my blog: http://michelejenterprises.blogspot.com and my author site: www.kmjohnson3stepstoknowing.com.

You can also order it from your favorite local bookstore and have it within a few short days. It is also offered on various online stores. Regardless of how you get your copy, the most important thing is that you get your copy! This is a great way to revive your thinking and restore your faith!

Huge {{HUGS}} and great thanks for to KM for a complimentary copy of her book! Its YOURS – simply leave a comment and you’ll be entered to win.

Filed Under: Book Reviews, challenge, choices, encouraging, motivation, passion, Spreading Joy Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Desires of the Heart

April 3, 2010 By 2 Comments

As I sit here, watching my son sleep, my heart is incredibly HUGE! 

For weeks I desired to see Todd for his 19th birthday.  Spoke of it with a few people, (ok…whinned about it too) but pretty much hid the desire in my heart as we are recovering from a difficult financial year last year…and the added cost of tuition each month, well – that is something else entirely.

I had, in my heart, resolved to quietly sit at home on April 3rd, speak to Todd on his birthday (while hiding the tears from him of course. Not that I do that well at all…I don’t.) and just lay low, let the day pass and make it through some how.  I know that there will be birthdays that I do not see him, I was just dreading the fact that it was going to be this one!  I was going to keep myself extremely busy – avoiding the pain and void of not seeing my son for his birthday.

I’m grinning as he snores, such a pleasant sound to my heart.

I have my very own Mommie to thank for this gift!  I’ll never be able to repay her as it is priceless to me.  We plan on leaving and NOT telling Todd so he would be surprised for his birthday – and boy, was he was so surprised!  I worked it out with his boss, Linda, that we would meet him at the store.  (Thank you Linda for your awesome gift of TIME with him!)

Listening to him, it has been an awful week.  I had spoken with him many time, even past midnight my time because things seemed to be going from bad to worse.  First year of college blues wasn’t helping either of us. He told me many times, “I just want to come home.”  I wanted to tell him it was going to be ok, because I knew I was coming to see him in that week.  I wanted to leave before I was scheduled to, just so that I could hug him and tell him it’s all going to work out.  Even though he was turning 19, he was still my baby and I wanted to help him through this rough time.

It’s time to surprise him.  Knowing he received my facebook status’s to his phone, I entered the mall and updated my status to say “walking around the mall”.  He didn’t know I was walking around the mall he was working at in ARKANSAS.  It couldn’t have been MORE perfect!

He was turning around to do something as we were walking into the store! He had no idea we were coming. The shock, surprise and happiness were all evident as the emotions swept over his heart!  The best gift of all – the HUG!! I love hugs and am unashamedly a “hugger”.  I love real, two armed hugs!! The hug he gave me – priceless!

So, I’m floating through this amazing weekend.  Trying to pry my babies out of bed now, so that we can just enjoy the day together. But, I could not resist taking a moment and saying – Happy Birthday Todd.  Isn’t it just the greatest thing to have such an amazing gift of time?! Yes. I believe it is. Oh, one more thing.  You, the readers of this blog, will allow me to indulge and express my complete adoration for my son..right? [nodding, sure you will - and I thank you]

Dearest Todd,

As you lay sleeping and snoring, you are also doing something else.  Warming my heart!  I have been watching you for hours now, so very thankful for this gift of time with you.  You remember when you use to jump up in the mornings and get ready for school as quick as you could, then lay back down with me until the actual time to get up? You’d always hold my hand.  I love that.  I love how you are fun, how you love to laugh and how wonderful you make us feel when we are around you.  I love remembering the little boy that you were, running around in your cowboy boots and diaper only, helping yourself to the last drink of mountain dew and saying “Thanks mommie for sharing with me”…and I love seeing the fine young man that you are growing into today.  I love that you still hug and kiss me in public.  That is a huge honor!! I’m so proud of you! So proud of the Christian path you are choosing. Choosing because you want to, not because it’s what I taught you to do.  So proud of how you are seeking God’s will for your life.  No matter where God’s will leads you, you’ll be the happiest and have the most JOY, right in the center, as HE will provide a way for you to walk the course He has set for you. I pray you keep seeking God’s perfect will for yourself, keep putting one foot in front of the other…step by step, day by day – one problem at a time, one pleasure at a time. Always remember the little things, they truly are the biggest, bestest things ever!  I sure do love you son. I simply can not find the words that will express my love and gratitude to the depth that I feel them in my heart.

Love forever and always,

Mommie

To my very own wonderful Mommie….thank you!! I can only hope to grow up to be half as wonderful as you are!! I love you!

What are the desires you are longing for?  Is your heart heavy because you are missing a child in college?  Missing a child in the military – or something I can not imagine….are you missing a child, who is in heaven?

We have so many desires of our hearts don’t we?  Let’s take them one at a time.  Working towards our goals and desires if we can.  If we can’t, working with what we have to meet the desires the best we can…just as I had thought I would have to, using skype, cellphone, email and texting.  To tell you the truth, had I not been able to visit with Todd, I would have probably contacted him using each one of those means.

Keep plugging away at your dreams and desires.  You never know – you simply never know.

You are awake now! Time to get ready for a wonderful day! Love you Todd. I sure do love you lots n bunches!

{{HUGS}}

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