Winding Up & Starting up the Week With Gives.

I was wondering what to give on Friday. It's a great thing when you wake up, go outside, thank God for the day and then wonder...what can I give? How profoundly this 29 day giving challenge has changed my perspective! I've always liked to give, but when you're acutely aware of it, it's different. The intention is so powerful and such a positive energy shift takes place inside. Ah...perhaps a key to this awesome outreach.

My best friend is also a recently ordained minister, (so proud of her!), and needed some music for the service she was giving Saturday night. She had a really busy Friday, (her job is a extremely busy and she's always keeping in touch with her family & helping out friends). As we spoke on the phone, some song titles came to me. I almost 'think' in song titles when I need to. Actually, my best friend does, too. We're just funny that way!

I digress. Elvis and his unbelievable gospel music came to mind as my best friend told me what her service was about. So did the song "Let There Be Peace on Earth", as peace was the theme of her service. I remembered singing that song way back when I was a kid.

She couldn't find the Elvis rendition of "Reach Out To Jesus", but I had it on CD. When she heard it on YouTube, she loved it.

After driving Charlie to pick up his car Friday morning, I dropped by my friend's house and left the CD in-between her two doors as she was already out for the day. When I spoke to her later, she expressed how thankful she was. It was no biggie, but I felt good knowing I helped out a wee bit.

Saturday was a teaching morning, (just one student, and what a cutie! Only 4!). I was so happy to see my friend and fellow teacher Barbara reading the 29 Day Giving Challenge book I'd given her. She only had it since Thursday, began reading Friday and was almost done Saturday.

We were talking after our lessons were over and she was getting SO much out of the book. She's got MS, too, and relates to Cami in a way I can only try to. I was moved by how powerful an impact Cami's story was having on Barbara.

Saturday night Charlie and I went out to eat. There was a guitarist/singer in the restaurant and he was quite good. Being a musician myself, I know how it feels to play a room, pour your heart into your music, yet you're really there for 'ambiance'. Anyway, when I walked quickly past the guitarist/singer, I told him he sounded great. He nodded in appreciation and I know it meant something to him. It may sound like a small give, but no matter the size, it was a good give.

Sunday, Charlie went to visit some flying buddies for the day. I gathered up some great clothes, a pair of brand new slippers and some shoes in excellent condition and placed them in a bag. I already found the closest drop off point for Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Before I left, my sister showed up on her motorcycle with the most awesome vegetables from her garden! What a super gift to receive. I'll share them with my friend as she's an awesome cook and loves her veggies...

Anyway, I dropped off the clothes, stopped by a craft store for a few supplies and headed home. It was such a beautiful day and it felt great to be outside without all the heat & humidity. I wanted to make some pink Hope Angel bracelets as I'm preparing for October. My mother is working on them too, now that I've finally got the pink swarovski crystal beads in. Not only is October Breast Cancer awareness month, it's also Miscarriage and Stillbirth awareness month. I want to be as prepared as possible and there's lots more pink on the way. So, I began making pink bracelets and it's just the beginning.

Monday is here and I've already made a beautiful, red Hope Angel bracelet for a friend who just had surgery. I spoke with her on the phone Sunday, and she sounded great! When I asked what color bracelet she'd like, she asked what I had. The minute I got to 'red', which was only the second color I mentioned, she stopped me. "Red's a good, healing color," she said. "That would be wonderful."

"Would you like your angel to say Hope or Believe?"

"Believe," she replied.

So, the sparkly, red bracelet with the "Believe" angel is here, waiting for me to drop it off today. I look forward to it, and before I went to bed last night I knew at least one of my gives for Monday. That's kind of a neat feeling :)

Love, Light and Blessings,

Ellen