Friday, April 17, 2009

Two fer

Today you get a two fer one deal. I have two things to share with y'all.

Firstly, we have a wonderful event that we are sponsoring/hosting on May 9, 2009. It is called A Cinderella Story. Young girls in grades 8 and 12, who might not otherwise be able to attend their graduations (proms) because they can't afford the expense, are invited to shop (for free!) for their dresses and accessories.

We are collecting gently worn dresses, shoes, purses, jewelry from friends of friends of friends. Our goal is to gather 1000 dresses, and we expect at least a few hundred young girls! We need all the help we can muster to make this event a success and to smother these young women with joy and love so if you can help, or know someone who can contribute please click here for more information and to download the information sheet.

Secondly, just a nice story :) This past Wednesday evening I was invited to speak about the dakbands at a Rotary dinner meeting - food is a great incentive! Although I know of Rotary, I didn't know much about Rotary (except that one of my best friends daughter just spent a year in Denmark on a Rotary exchange). I did a bit of research before my presentation however and learned that their motto is Service above Self - how do I join!

After a lovely meal, and conversation with my table mates (Susan Boyle of Britain's Got Talent) and an enthusiastic reception of my presentation it was time for the 'Happy Dollar' box. Now I have been at a few club meetings in my time and I have never seen this. They actually had a box in the shape of a happy face. Someone walked around the room with the box and people paid a dollar to share with the group something they were happy about or grateful for, and if they had two things to share they paid two dollars...I had a smile on my face the entire time. And something else really cool....almost everyone was happy about my presentation, so they made a killin :)

This is a story from band # 106756, it has 5 stories attached to it, this is just one of them:
March 23, 2009 15:06 - Brooklyn, NY,

My sister works at Brookdale Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, and she came across a patient who she saw on occasion, outside the building in an old tatterred coat that could barely shelter him from the cold. She did not know this person, but was moved with compassion to purchase a coat and give it to him. He responded by saying that no-one has ever done such an act of kindness for him before, and that she will be blessed because her generousity.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Kindness of a Personal Nature

This being a professional blog it is sometimes easy to forget the importance of keeping it real - and sometimes that means getting personal. And besides, I am terrible at writing thank-you cards :)

A month or so ago my husband had a health issue/concern that was quite serious. (in fact I may need post traumatic stress counselling in order to recover) Despite a few minor set-backs he is finally on the road to recovery. But let me share that these past weeks would not have been the same had we not been lavished with kindness.

My husband and I lead a Home Church group. About 15 or so individuals from church, whom we affectionately call homies, meet at our home every Tuesday morning to review Sunday's message, talk, share and pray. Although the group is not new to us, the leadership role is, and we have humbly wiggled our way into something that finally feels like it fits after 8 short months. Although there are Tuesday mornings, usually around 6 am, when I am washing floors, doing dishes, dusting and trying to make the house presentable that I wonder why on earth we are doing this......now I know for sure. Because we can.

Why did Liz, Elizabeth, Annette, Suzy, and Barb come and clean our home so we could move back in? And why did Jo-Ann bring us dinner? Why did Tim and Liz offer to host while my husband recovers? Why did Matt offer to lead? And why did everybody pray for us? Because they could. And that is how community happens. Acts of kindness and generosity that lift us up and give us hope.

If you really want an 'ahhhhh' dak moment this lovely Easter weekend, please go to our trak your dak page on our website and type 156788 in the Dak Code box and click GO. Be sure to scroll down past the map to read both stories associated with the band. Brotherly love is awesome!!

Happy Easter!!

"A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love." -- Saint Basil