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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Always A Mom

September 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Me and Mom Mother's Day 2010

When I was growing up and dreamed of getting married, having children and being a Mommie, I never really knew what all that entailed. I knew that Mom’s did so much for so many and always loved and respected my Mom for all that she has done for me over the years.

Even though I am a wife – I may not always be one. I will, however, always and forever be a Mom!

Moms wear so many hats and I’m often amazed at what all we can accomplish when we set our minds to it!

We are wife, mom, gourmet chef, short order cook, doctor, referee, entertainer, taxi driver, organizer, event coordinator, slayer of horrible monsters that lurk in closets. We provide miracle kisses that heal all scrapes, scratches and other injuries that do not require stitches or casts. We are alarm clocks to get the day started and the light switch when it’s “lights out” for the day. We are the believer of dreams, encouragers to the end and the gentle shove out of the nest when fear arises. We are a constant reminder that can’t never could and that won’t never will but if you think you can, then you probably will. We are a light in the dark and the sunshine on a rainy day. We sacrifice great things of the present for even greater things in the future. We cry tears of joy as well as endure the tears of sorrow. We handle untimely disasters single handedly while always knowing where the other shoe is. We know that the book you need is on the 2nd shelf to the left – if you’d just look there, you’d see. We multitask better than the most powerful CEO and can whip up a school project hours before it is due. We will believe when no one else around will and keep pressing towards the prize when everyone else is at a complete halt.

Even though we hate it sometimes, we are also the bad guy in this story of life. Hindering our children from doing what they “want” to do when they think it is ok. We are the policeman that strives to keep order and peace as well as the Security guard that keeps watch in the night for dangers that are lurking. We are the backbone when they are weak, yet softly praying that when the kids are older they will have the courage to do what is right on their own. We are determined to preserve and protect and will face the greatest danger for our children – all because we are always a Mom. Even though the kids may think of us as strict, mean, aggravating, ridiculous, uncooperative, hateful and just plain behind in the times – we will always be MOM.

I used to tell my Mom that “I’ll never say that to MY kids!” When ever she said “Because I said so.” Did that hold true? NO, absolutely not. In all honesty I probably said everything she said and then some.

That is why I LOVE this video. It reminds me that I am not alone. Other Moms say the same things to THEIR children. We are always a Mom and these things that Moms say will continue to be said by Moms all over the world!

Thanks Mom for always believing, loving and for giving me something good to grow up to be…just like you!

Filed Under: challenge, encouraging, favorite, fun, passion, Poetry, Spreading Joy, thanks Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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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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}}

Filed Under: choices, encouraging, goals, happiness, motivation, passion, Spreading Joy, thanks Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,