Don’t count the days

Goodness – it’s been almost a month since my last post.  So much for that once a week goal of mine!

Then again, if you know me at all, you know that my life is a bit busy right now.  There are parts of my life that I wouldn’t change at all, such as some terrifically supportive friends and coworkers who see me through each school day, my loving husband who helps me keep an even keel, my parents, my cohorts, my friends, and my family.  I wouldn’t change the fact that I am an educator and I wouldn’t change the time I get to spend with my younger cousins on a somewhat daily basis.  Yes, there is much to be thankful for!

But…

I wait for the end of the school year and the end of my graduate school experience with great anticipation!  In the back of my mind I hear my Dad.  “Don’t count the days – make the days count.”  I’m trying, Dad.

Let me just briefly express my gratitude to any and all of you who have been a listening ear, a friendly face, or have offered any other type of support to me in recent months.

I can do this.  With the grace of God and with your help, much is possible.

I end with a passage I read this afternoon after pulling weeds from my flowerbeds: “When we speak of God’s grace, we mean all the good gifts we enjoy freely in life. There are so many. We could spend a lifetime celebrating them: blackberries, buttercups, moonlight, salamanders, etc. A more summary approach is to affirm that life itself is the fundamental gift, with all its delights.”

 

Birthday Factoids

1981:

I was born

Ronald Reagan was President of the United States of America

Annual income was $ 19,074

MTV was born

Raiders of the Lost Ark was released

1991:

I turned 10 years old

George HW Bush was President of the United States of America

Persian Gulf War ends with a cease-fire

Annual income was $ 30,126

Nirvana released “Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Beauty & The Beast was released

2001:

I celebrated my 20^th birthday

George W. Bush was President of the United States of America

America is attacked by terrorists on September 11^th

Annual income was $ 30,413

Britney Spears releases her first album

Gladiator was released

2011:

I turn 30!

Barack Obama is President of the United States of America

The husband & I will go to Disney World for the very first time

I will graduate with my Master’s Degree in Education

 

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 New International Version

Thanks be to God, my family, & my friends.

All You Need Is Love

Valentine’s Day is upon us.  For those of us strapped for cash, finding that special someone a great gift (that we can afford) presents a challenge.  The husband and I opted for a night in, cooking dinner together, eating some of a sinfully delicious chocolate caramel cake, and talking about life as it is and how we hope it to be.

I thought back to our discussion while at church today.  I know we are strapped for cash, and don’t have a lot of extra time for things besides work, school, his banjo lessons, and our new/temporary kid sitting after school.  We enjoy the little things right now – the rare evenings we have together to watch a movie or catch up on our DVR, for example.  It’s the idea of little things that inspired this blog.

We all can make a difference by doing small things regularly that could make a big difference.  Big money is not required, a huge commitment of time is not required either.  No need to wait for a holiday or special occasion.  It’s an every day type chore to go grocery shopping or clean out your pantry, so why not buy a couple extra cans of soup or other non-perishable item to donate to those in need?  Don’t know of a food bank near you?  Try http://feedingamerica.org/foodbank-results.aspx While you’re cleaning out or taking stock of your pantry, why not also check out your bookshelves for books that could be donated to a nursing home or library near you?  Certainly we all do some sort of Spring Cleaning.  Be sure to donate your old clothes and if you’re looking for tax deductions, be sure to keep an itemized list of what you donate!  The Lions Club International is always interested in your donation of sunglasses and old eyeglass that you no longer use.  Check them out at http://www.allaboutvision.com/resources/donate.htm

If you don’t have time right away to clean out and clear out your pantry, closets, or drawers, here’s are even faster ways to make a big difference in someone’s life just by doing something small.  Drop a card in the mail to someone who needs a pick me up or is recovering from an illness.  Low cost, little time commitment.  I guarantee they’ll smile at not only getting a note from you, but that they received mail that wasn’t a bill!  While you’re at it, say a prayer for them or anyone else on your mind.  If they are someone who perhaps doesn’t have a church, invite them to yours!  You are always welcome at mine.  We love new faces and would love to welcome you into our family as we worship the Lord.  You’ll find us on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scenic-Hills-United-Methodist-Church-in-Memphis-TN/175588183388

Certainly you are contacted by worthy organizations throughout the year to make charitable donations, and if you are short on time, it’s a easy way to go.  However, if you are short on cash and have even just one hour a week to give, may I suggest volunteering?  You can use this website to help you find something that matches up with your interests and time available.  http://www.volunteermatch.org/?_kk=volunteer&_kt=f395d4ed-1a49-4ea3-95d1-19bae041a176&gclid=CMCT0J_nhacCFQxl7Aod0kIJgg I learned just recently of the U.S. Dream Academy.  What a worthy cause to mentor an at-risk child.  They are calling the school-aged children of today the “Lost Generation.”  You and I can prevent what might be a bleak future for children out there with no positive role models.  http://www.usdreamacademy.org/

Lastly, I leave you with this.  We all have something to give.  And a calling to do so.  Whether you are continuing the work you already do or just beginning to think of ways you can help those around you, I know that God is smiling upon you.  We are the body.  We are the hands.  And my hands are about to go bake some bread for a neighbor in need.