Just a note

The girls are in camps this week.  B is in ballet camp and A is in "gymnastics" camp.  We picked this camp for A because she thinks she wants to be in gymnastics and we wanted to give it a shot and see if she likes it.  Well, let's just say, the "gymnastics" camp is not gymnastics... it's just a fun camp.

The camp is supposed to go from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.  When no one was even there to open it until 8:30 on the first day, and the kids still weren't doing anything at 8:45 a.m. when I left... I was not very impressed.  THEN I noticed everyone had lunch boxes.  We thought lunches were for the kids staying until 5 p.m.  We were then told the kids have lunch at 12:30 p.m.  I thought it was kinda tackey to be "paying" for A to eat a sacked lunch from home there... but tried to let it roll as B's camp ended at 12:30 p.m.  I thought I could just pick A up at 12:20 and then go get B.  When I returned at 12:15 in hopes of seeing her doing some gymnastics, they were in the back room WATCHING A MOVIE!  Needless to say, my mouth was hanging open.  They had started lunch at noon (not 12:30) and were watching a movie!  A had no lunch.  I spoke to the the owner and voiced my disappointment in the program.  I was offered my money back and A could just not come.  Well, A has been looking forward to camp all summer and so that was just not an option!

So I have tried to go with the flow.  I have tried to re-adjust my brain to just thinking that A is at a fun camp and that is all that matters.  I have my moments.  But A is having fun and so that is really all that matters.

I have decided to give the owner a note on the last day... a note card.  Instead of telling her how I think the camp was not presented in the proper way and how I think they just offered baby sitting services with LOTS OF FUN THINGS TO DO (which there are lots of fun things), I am just going to thank her for giving A a week of fun.  Hopefully, it will encourage and bless her.  And it will stretch me in my quest of "something more than you and me".

Dawn

How cool is this?

I love that giving can be in so many more ways than just money.  Especially during hard economic times, people may still want to give and just not feel they can.  So Children's Hope Chest has this amazing program where you can purge items from your house, go online here, http://www.creativegivingsolutions.com/ , fill out a form online and THEY COME PICK IT UP!  They then liquidate it and all the money goes to Children's Hope Chest!  Now, it just doesn't get any simpler than that!

I didn't see clothing listed but they take ALOT of items.  They have it much more defined on the site but here are just some ideas: computer printers, vcr's, cameras, cell phones, clocks, radios, artwork, knick knacks, lamps, dishes, tools, and old CARS! (and much more)  How many of us have old cell phone lying around!  And a garage full of things that can go!

Get your kids involved.  Ask a couple of friends to purge and throw your stuff together.  It only takes a few minutes but has eternal affect!  That money provides food to an orphan.  It provides clean drinking water.  It provides hope.  It provides God's love.  It provides LIFE.  Do IT!  :0)

Free Fridays

Being the hands and feet of God, being a reflection of His love, and being His servant does not cost money all the time (even microgiving money).  There are so many ways to reflect that love.  And when we take the time and thought to do that, we often uplift people who need it at the exact time they need it.  That's where the Holy Spirit comes into action!  Just bringing a smile to someone's face is sharing God's love... and that is free... free to give at anytime and anyplace... and in many ways.

Today's free Friday gift of love involves a phone... a land line phone or a cell phone.  It can be as big or as little as you want.  Call one person and tell them you are thankful and glad they are your friend... and tell them one thing you really like about them or that you like to do with them.  That could be it!  Terribly easy and almost effortless... but THOUGHTFUL.

Or you can text one person... or five... or ten... and just tell them you love them.

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless."

"She opens her mouth with skillful and godly Wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness--

giving counsel and instruction." Proverbs 31:26~