Day 29 - Simple Ways of Giving

Thought I'd take one day...the last day of the 29-Day Giving Challenge...and look at different ways I give in one day:

- Sewed/embroidered two wool felt sheep ornaments (gift to a woman in Ohio).
- Read 2 chapters in a book (gift to self).
- Made breakfast (gift to family).
- Took my daughters to church so they could sing in the choir (gift to the girls + congregation).
- Listened to a friend who I hadn't seen in a long time talk about her parents who have been sick (they are in their upper 80s and low 90s) plus her brother who has been sick (gift to a friend).
- Laid out the squares I had cut from fabric on hand for an "I Spy" quilt for my youngest daughter. Sewed 8 rows of 9 blocks (72 blocks total). Still have quite a ways to go to finish before Christmas (gift to Olivia).
- Made lunch (gift to family).
- Cut out seahorse shape in felt for a toy that I'm making for a Christmas gift (gift to Sophia).
- Cut out four snowmen ornaments, and sewed/embroidered two of them (the completed ones are gifts to 2 women in different parts of the U.S. that will be mailed on Monday; the other two are gifts to Sophia and Olivia for Christmas).
- Made dinner (gift to family).
- Let the girls watch the Felicity and Samantha (American Girl movies) on t.v. since both had a Christmas focus. They were specials on the Hallmark station. Normally, I don't allow them to watch that much television, but both movies have such powerful and inspiring messages about giving, kindness, and adoption. These are all important issues and very relevent at this time of the year with the girls' Adoption Day anniversaries on 11/17 and 11/26 (gift to the girls).
- Called my sister and listened to her talk about her second date with a guy who sounds wonderful. My sister became a widow at 35 years old with 2 small children the day after Christmas five years ago. She has dated somewhat over the past couple of years, but this guy sounds like he is very different and much more like her than other men she's gone out with (gift to my sister).
- Let the dogs out; and pet and fed the dogs and cats throughout the day (gift to the pets).

The 29-Day Giving Challenge is technically done now. What a wonderful experience! However, I don't anticipate that giving stops now that the challenge is over.

I think giving has always been a part of my life - that's just who I am because of how I was raised. My parents taught me that serving and giving is important...no matter what your circumstances are in life. Their philosophy was that even though you may have difficulties, there is always someone who is struggling more than you. Your challenge is to find out how you can help within your means, and in a way that helps make life easier for someone else.

The 29-Day Giving Challenge has taught me to be more intentional in giving, say "yes" to things that I may have passed by because they required a bit more work than I felt I could offer, and showed me that giving can be in done in very small things. Giving doesn't have to be huge financial gifts...it can be little things that make a difference to the people who receive them.