Sprinkling Hope This Christmas

December 19, 2011 By 4 Comments

ONE little Question from this Child made many of us cry - "Ms. Marie, are you going to give my mommie Christmas presents for ME?"

Spreading JOY, making a difference and doing what we can, where we are with what we have.  That’s all that any of us can do.

When several hundred of us get together, it simply amazes me as to what can be accomplished.  I wish that I had the time and space to list what each one of you mean to Spreading Joy!  You should know because you cared, gave, worked and used your voice that there was hope sprinkled in the hearts of Mom’s and Children this Christmas.

The tears of joy, laughter and hugs were unbelievable as everyone enjoyed an afternoon of carefree fun.

Children held up “PaSketti” as long as their arms while trying to slurp it up. My friend and I were soaking up the moment as we watched one boy completely enjoying his “PaSketti,” he had a huge smile as he was navigating the food in the right direction and the Pasketti face was priceless!  Others enjoyed the hot dogs and scrumptious macaroni and cheese.  All enjoyed the delicious desserts that the ladies of New Grace Baptist Church provided for us.

We were able to reach out to these amazing women and kids because you reached out with your huge heart, time, talents and gifts.  Thank you! By partnering with us we were able to bring Christmas Joy their way.  Here is a look at what happened:

  • We fed approx. 120 Moms and kids and volunteers spaghetti, salad, bread, mac-n-cheese, hot dogs and dessert
  • There was an awesome selection of drinks for everyone to choose from
  • The Moms were taken next door for some encouragement and shopping for toys.  They were encouraged to Boldly Walk into 2012.
  • We were able to give each Mom a gift bag with the following – Chicken Soup for the Soul book, a second encouraging book, beaded bookmark, Oriental Carpet Creation purse, Nativity book/cd combo, body wash and/or hand sanitizer, coffee & condiment pack.  Do you realize how HUGE this gift is?  These Mothers didn’t come for anything for themselves.  They only wanted gifts for their kids!
  • Each Mom was allowed to Shop for Free for 5 toys for their child to open on Christmas morning
  • After the shopping was completed, they moved into our Wrapping Rooms and wrapped, tagged and secured each present for travel home. You should have been here to hear the laughter and giggles of delight!

While all of this was going on, the kids were having a grand time of their own!

  • They heard the story of the Birth of Christ and how the Angels proclaimed this wonderful gift!
  • We allowed them to row by row shop at our Candy Store.  There were about 30 different candies and treats for them to choose from.  YOU should have been there to hear their giggles and laughter at this! Such a sweet treat!
  • We brought the children over to the gift rooms and allowed them to choose 2 gifts each to take home THAT day.  (The others were from their mom to be placed under the tree)
  • Before each child left, I personally gave each one of them a hug and a Reese’s Cup.  As I hugged them, I told them just how very special they were and that people from all over the world cared about them and wanted them to have a very Merry Christmas.  Their smiles will forever warm my heart!

 

Thank YOU!

As exciting as this day was, there is no way it could have been possible without the help of so many wonderful people.

Huge thanks and a deep appreciation goes out to:

  • Todd, from Mooresville NC – For donating all of the spaghetti, macaroni and cheese and hot dogs.  A HUGE thank you to Murdock, my friend for being my knight in shining armor in this! Both of you guys saved the day!
  • Olive Garden for donating the Salad
  • Those that collected toys for us: Clark Nexsen Architecture, Sport Clips Denver, Lake Norman Oral and Facial Surgery, Iron Mountain & Sugar Creek Garden Center
  • Those that sponsored the Christmas Joy Event – Jeff & Kathy Broom, Teen Challenge Women’s Center, Hope Circle of Linden ARP Church, Sock Grams and LifeBridge Christian Center
  • Thank you Jackie and Bob for using your voices by adding our Christmas Joy Event to your web site and spreading the word as much as possible.
  • Thank you Michael and Angie for helping with emailing and rounding up places to collect toys and make donations.
  • Thank you to The Book Rack in Charlotte for Donating books and the beaded bookmarks and to Lincolnton Book Stop in Lincolnton for donating books.
  • Thank you to those that have Facebooked our event, recommending us for those seeking for places to give funding too.
  • The precious friends I’ve come to know and love on Twitter that help us make a difference! My twitterverse is an amazing place of love and I’m forever grateful for each one of you.  You’ll never know the extent of my gratitude for you! You encourage me more than you can possibly imagine!
  • Thank you to Patterson Pope – my full time employer, for the paid 16 hours of Community Service time to take care of the “STUFF” that is near and dear to my heart.
  • Thank you to Pastor Jerry Taylor and the wonderful family of New Grace Baptist Church! Thank you for your monthly support, the use of your facilities, vehicles and for how you always step up and volunteer to help when we do these various events!
  • My friends and family that always have time to help, volunteer and look for/round up what was missing, needed and offered an arm of support, smile of inspiration and heart of love. I love you and wouldn’t know what to do without you.

 

A special thanks to my Mom for helping me load and unload the majority of these gifts bright and early Thursday morning and last minute sorting on Saturday morning.  I hope that when I’m 70, I’ll still be going as strong as you are.  I love you dearly.

A very special thank you to Steve….my wonderful husband.  For listening to the endless chatter about the new ideas, the Candy Store and how excited I am to be spreading joy.  Christmas has always excited me, but making a difference in this fashion, kicks up the excitement factor…a LOT.  Thank you honey!! I love you.

I hope that you’ll watch the videos, see the pictures and that as you do, you’ll sit back, smile and say…

There’s no Joy like Spreading JOY!

 

Thank you! The hope you’ve sprinkled this Christmas will carry in the hearts of many for years to come!

[whispering] if I’ve forgotten anyone, PLEASE tell me so that I can fix it…and do so quickly!

Also – if you were THERE on this amazing day, please take a moment to comment and share YOUR story! I know you have one!  If you don’t, share how your heart soared in helping to sprinkle HOPE this Christmas!

Here is an audio recording of the encouragement I gave to the ladies:

Boldly Walk into the New Year!

Click here for a thank you video and a closer look at 90% of the toys

A Video for your Viewing Pleasure! Thank you for how you are Spreading JOY and Making a Difference!

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I Wish

September 18, 2010 By 7 Comments

I wish I knew what was going on
I wish you’d let me see
I wish I could bring you smiles
Just the way that you do me

I wish I could melt the hurt away
I wish you’d let me in
I wish for you great happiness
And that your heart will soar high again

I wish away the sorrow
I wish away the dread
I wish you a thousand blessings
Upon your life instead

I wish you every kindness
I wish you joy and peace
I wish you amazing laughter
And great love that’s within reach

I wish these great things for you
And even a million more
And for every one that’s granted you
I wish for hope restored.

What do you wish for?

Have you ever wanted to help someone and didn’t know what to say or do? What did you do?

{{HUGS}} yall

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Regardless of Sorrow

August 17, 2010 By 3 Comments

I don’t know what the day will bring
can’t even face tomorrow
Right now, all I know, is that my heart will sing
regardless of the sorrow.

The trials come and go in waves
The battles seem never ending
But joy and smiles can fill the days
so much that laughter is always pending.

The little things in life are key
to what really matters the most
for when you treasure these amazing things
your heart will easily float.

So take those little things that make your heart smile
and treasure with all your might
for there you’ll find the strength and love
to make it through the night.

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No Tomorrow

June 19, 2010 By 11 Comments

My Last pic that I took with my Dad. I miss you Daddy!

The Father’s Day cards, commercials and other various reminders have been going on for a while now.  Just last night, as I walked by the cards, my heart ached as I wanted one more chance to say Happy Father’s Day Daddy.

I need to write more about him, as he was the original Joy Spreader.  Always giving to others, $20, here – candy for bank tellers there, helping out the guy that had a truck load of watermelons by purchasing them all and GIVING them away. Doing all the things I dream of doing.  Making a difference the way I dream of making.

Until last year with Megan, I can not remember writing any poetry of any kind.  But these words flooded my heart this past week and it’s with tears of joy and sorrow, I’m sharing them with you here.

 


No Tomorrow


The times of love, smiles and hugs
The times of grief and sorrow
All have a special place deep within my heart
For with him, there is no tomorrow


I sit and think and smile inside
I wonder what you would say and do
My heart longs to see, to touch and hear you,
To tell you, once more….I love you


Father’s Day is bitter sweet
As you are finally free of pain
My heart and soul realize the miles
As my loss is heavens gain


I love you Dad, I miss you deeply
Your laughter, your love, your smile
This time of separation, free from your hugs
Will make the wait…. all worth the while.

Me and my DaddyI always loved kisses from my Daddy

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Magical Weekend

May 2, 2010 By 2 Comments

Marie and Magician Maxwell Blade

My mommie gave me a wonderful gift for my birthday. A trip to see my son who was in Arkansas in college.  Though the trip was long and the time spent with Todd would be short, the weekend would turn out to be quite magical, indeed.

I always try and focus on the positive. There’s usually  a lot of negativity swirling all around to cover up the happy, so finding the joy in things can be difficult, but – always remember, the joy and happiness is there! Look for it!

The weekend was full of laughter, singing, coffee and getting turned around, spilt drinks, my mommie’s broken Air Conditioner and my unexpected financial expenses that could have taken the joy out of the trip.  But – choosing to focus on seeing my son, HIS birthday – I decide that we are going to have fun, no matter how tight the funds were. There had to be plenty of free things to see, do and enjoy.  I was determined his 19th birthday would be amazing.

Todd was completely surprised to see us. No small feat, given the fact that he is always facebookin, texting, talking and the like.  I actually thought my heart would burst as we pulled into the mall parking lot.  We hug, cry and say a huge thanks to his wonderful boss and we leave for our weekend.  I have no idea yet what we will do, but it will be great fun simply being with Todd for his birthday.

The Glorious Majestic Hotel

I love the historical feel of downtown Hot Springs Arkansas.  The old buildings, and especially the Majestic Hotel. We walk around that evening and spend time looking at it, even though we are NOT supposed to be trespassing. I would love to sneak a peak inside. I can imagine the parties, the rooms, the dinners and the laughter.  We see a guard, stop and speak for a bit. I’m secretly wishing he would invite me to see a few of the rooms.  I love old buildings like that.  He doesn’t, I’m jealous, so we bid him a good night and head down the road.

(Seriously, if YOU have connections, I’d looove to see the inside, even though it’s abandoned!)

We talk about going to the lake, but have no clue where the public lake access is.

A very nice gentleman over hears us and starts telling me where to go to access the lake.  I’m getting excited as I can picture the lake and its beauty.  He tells me that he’ll write it down for me and asks if we are going to attend the magic show that night as he points to the entrance of Maxwell Blade’s Magic Show. Woow!! I LOVE magic shows!  I look at the entrance and back at the gentleman and realize that I’m speaking to the magician HIMSELF!! Oh my gosh! How cool is that?

A Magical Weekend With Maxwell Blade

He’s traveled doing magic shows all over the world and has now settled into Hot Springs AR, where he is on vacation all the time.  The show was spectacular! We settle in our seats, Todd treats me to a diet coke and we watch with awe and joy as the magic begins.  The card tricks were awesome, especially the invisible cards! He pulls children from the audiance and has a blast with them! We laugh, we oooohh and aaahhhh.  Bottles of wine come from empty containers that I can see through. Not just a few of them, no. An entire table full by the time the trick is complete.

This magician is not only gifted with the ability to WOW us with his magic, but also has a huge heart for others.  He is a giving individual and has a goal of making a difference by doing 3 acts of joy a day.  If you are trying to make sure you do one thing for others a day, that can be difficult, but 3 – that is simply wonderful.  He even stayed around afterwards to speak to everyone of us, even though he had a long trip to make that night for an event the next day – one of “giving back”.

If you are in Hot Springs Arkansas, I encourage you to stop by and check out the show.  I’ll be returning there several times and will be paying it forward, making a difference and giving away a couple of tickets to this show.

Thank you, Maxwell Blade, for a magical weekend. For your heart for others, for the smiles, laughter and joy you bring into the hearts of all who visit your show.

Please visit www.maxwellblade.com

You can contact Maxwell Blade by calling  501-623-6200  501-623-6200
Mailing Address: 121 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71901
E-mail: blade39@windstream.net

Adult tickets cost $15.00.
Tickets for seniors 55 and up cost $13.00.
Tickets for children 12 and under cost $10.00.

Oh…..another thing! When I asked for his card, he promptly wrote his email on a playing card and handed it to me! *grinning* now THAT is very cool! I love those neat little things!

Make it magical today! No matter the problems, worries or other little aggravating things that poke their way into your day! Look for and find the joy in the journey!

Tell me about a magical time you’ve had – even though the problems were swirling around you.

{{{HUGS}}} Yall

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