Volunteer Monday

There is nothing more inspiring than learning you have unknowingly encouraged someone to step forth and become a part of something bigger than themselves by volunteering . How ? By our own actions in serving our community . 

Since starting this Crocheting Ministry a little over a year ago , I would post the different organization that we have donated to along with any information regarding their work in the community . 

A deep desire was awakened in one individual as she read about the different charities in her own backyard . The serving in itself required so little of her , only a few hours here and there . She felt  she could donate that much to her community . 

We are taught to serve in our Churches , but we never think about serving in our neighborhoods . Why is that ? Please don't get me wrong , I think serving in your Church is very important . Churches need servants , but we often forget about the world needing us . 

Serving in a Church is easy , safe and convenient , but try being bold in your serving . Try stepping out and serving people who aren't Christians . Maybe people who have never heard of God . Or have heard of Him , but are angry with Him for their situation in life . 

Try packaging and distributing care bags to the homeless of Logan Square like our friend Gene . Perhaps spending a few hours playing bingo with the seniors in a retirement home like Brigette and Lola have done . Give up  a Saturday , once a month , labeling and packaging in the food pantry  like Cindy . Maybe  delivering goods to charitable organizations like Belen or Crystal once every few weeks . 

One thing I find is that people use that old adage of " I just don't have time " , way too often . Who has Time ? We have time to watch a movie . We have time to spend with our friends . We have time to sleep in on our day off , but we can never find time to help another person in need ? 

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me .Matthew 25:35
Volunteering seems to scare people, for some reason . Is it the harsh reality of it ? Or are we afraid their situation will rub off onto us ? I don't know why. It's almost like we want to detach ourselves emotionally so we don't have to actually feel . We know that if we begin to feel , we will begin to care . 
We can begin slowly . You have too much food left over and have no idea what to do with it ? Make a couple of plates and pass them out to the homeless . They're easy to find , they're usually holding a sign that says : HELP ME .
Have a blessed day everyone .

Dancing Lula

The nurses on my floor all accompanied me down the elevator and to my waiting ambulance on the day of my discharge . Being surrounded by the nurses that fed me , medicated me, bathed me , and did only Lord knows  what else , made my going home that day so wonderful .
Excerpt from 90 Minutes in Heaven

I loved the nurses at Rush . They were more than nurses , they became friends . On their breaks , some of them would stop by for a chat to see how I was  doing . Being in a hospital for long periods , creates relationship that can feel like family . 

One nurse in particular , her name was Lula , stole my heart . Seeing her every morning , five days a week , she would tell me stories of her children , all ten of them . She always had a smile on her face no matter what she may have been feeling on the inside . 

Years later , I was invited by my niece Kathy to a Baptist Church in Chicago to hear one of her bosses preach . Of course , our Church being casual , we were very under-dressed . 

During worship , I saw  a familiar face . There was Lula , dancing up  a storm praising our Lord , right up front . She was smiling that same smile that I remembered so well . 

After the service , I introduced her to my niece and she did the same to the entire congregation . I used to be her patient and look at me now .  More dancing . More celebration . How could you not love her ? 

Have a Blessed day everyone . 

At Summer's End

This morning was the first time in a very , very long time that I was able to fling open the windows . Let the cool , cool breeze come into my humble abode . I'm looking forward to Fall . 

I've noticed that I'm much calmer and carefree outside of work .  It has been horribly humid in the warehouse as well as the rest of the      building . Add in my hot flashes and all I've wanted to do is play     hookie  . These summer months have been a real struggle for me at work , preventing me from truly enjoying the weather . Home has become my haven where the air conditioner has been running on 
  high . 

At least , on the inside it is quiet . On the outside , my little village life has been turned upside down with construction on every street and on every corner  . Drills , jackhammers and John Deer equipment play havoc on a daily basis , starting promptly at 7 a.m. every morning . So punctual ! 

As the outside roars with busyness , so does the inside of our little apartment . While my Crocheting Club has been off for two months of no meetings , I have been busy preparing for the Fall . I've  gathered  yarn donations , done some ad work in promotions and an overhaul improvement of our Club . A new year is ahead of us with new ideas and plans . Looking forward to this new journey . 

As the summer days are at an end , I know appointments have to be made to the dentist and oncologist . Having taken the time to rejuvenate and just play  has been great , but it's time to get to work . A new doctor means an all out testing will be done from head to toe
   ( uggh ) , not looking forward to that . 

My peeping ex-neighbor is not the only one vacating the building . We have another unit that is leaving soon , so two new neighbors will be joining our little apartment family ( heehee ) . I wonder what they will be like ? 

A new season brings about changes that are welcomed and some that are not . Some are exciting and we cannot wait for them to happen , while others we hope never do . Changes occur on a regular basis , because it is a  must in our life to grow , accept and learn so we can move on to the next chapter of the next lesson . Isn't life exciting ?

Have a Blessed day everyone . 

A Four Day Feast

This past Labor Day weekend, was one of the most enjoyable times  of my life . I can't remember the last time I was so relaxed and content with my lot . 

We ended up having a four day weekend , since there was a power outage at work . We are surrounded by construction  and someone struck the wrong line , causing one of our transformers to retire early . 

I did find out that I am not equipped to drive in rush hour traffic . My goodness ! How do people do this every single day ? I could not deal with this on a regular basis . Maybe first shift is not for me  ? 

A group of us from work decided to go out for dinner and drinks and what better place than Friday's . I have never been there before , so I was looking forward to trying out their cuisine . I had their ultimate burger with bacon , which was so good and reasonably priced . 

We had so much fun together , laughing and catching up . In fact , this entire weekend was like that . Everyday was spent with either friends or family members enjoying a special meal  together . Salmon or take out , it didn't matter , it was the company . After the meal , a movie or a game was enjoyed . 

Even now  , the memories are so fresh in my mind of the kidding around , the bonding , . . . . . the love  that was shared . It was evident in all we did . In the end , it's the people in our lives that matter the most and the time spent together . Isn't that what it's all about ?

Have a Blessed day everyone . 

Throwback Thursday

As I re-read the following story , I am transformed to that day . I remember that drive and I can see the beauty vividly in my mind . I haven't been down  that way in a very long time . 

When I began these Throwback   

Thursday 's , it was more for the readers who haven't been around from day one . I wanted them to know the beginning . 

 Also , I wanted to add on an update to where I am now . What I didn't expect was how much I would enjoy re-visiting the past . This is why we keep journals , dream diaries and pictures . . . . . to keep the memories alive .

Life Goes On

    There is a stretch of road that I take on my way home from my brothers house . It's simply beautiful during the Fall . All the greens , browns , reds  and orange tones are in full display in these woods . Once again , I'm amazed at God's beauty .
     The road is long and winding , surrounded by the woods . The seasons will change no matter what happens in my life . The leaves will keep falling and the snow will come . Once again , in the spring , everything will come back to life . Life goes on.
    I feel lifeless but very calm  as I drive through this beauty . I've had another draining morning  dealing with "paperwork" and " reps" . I'm tired and exhausted of dealing with these people .
    You call your benefits rep and he tells you they faxed a document over to your doctor . You call the doctor and he never got the document . You call them back requesting the same darn thing you asked for three days ago . .....PING PONG...PING PONG .......PING PONG .
    We are incompetent creatures , yet Jesus loves us . We kill , we hurt others , we lie ,cheat and steal . Yet , HE shows us mercy , grace , love , forgiveness and sent His only Son to save us . What do we do ? We beat Him , torture Him and nail Him to the Cross . He still loves us .
    We are very incompetent . We change peoples lives with a click of a button .What does it matter ? Life goes on . What is the worst that will happen to them ? It's a mistake . People do the same thing with God . When everything is fine , who needs Him ? What has He done for me lately ? How do you know its not a she ? When they hit a bump in the road , they fall to their knees and scream HELP ME ! Where are you God ?
    He truly is a loving God to put up with the likes of  US . Seriously . Take a look around . Look how we impact each others lives without any feeling of consequence . Nothing matters . No responsibility . No accountability . Life goes on , Right ?

Have a Blessed day everyone . 

Hello Miss Marple

Sitting here on a train to Springfield , crocheting every inch of the way , I rather feel like Miss Marple . I sit quietly sipping my coffee , my fingers working quickly through the stitches . 

I don't engage people in conversation , they approach me on their own . I watch them , wondering what their story is , making one up in my own head in amusement . 

On the second stop , a young woman in her thirties sat down next to me . She opens her Nora Roberts novel and almost immediately keeps nodding off . Shifting in her aisle seat , she keeps jerking awake with a gasp . Fully awakened and feeling embarrassed , she tells me of her night terrors ever since her little girl passed away a few years back . Oh , how she wishes she could just rest her head for a minute .

Would you like to change seats with me ? 

Her face lights up in gratitude , and upon changing , immediately curls up , laying her head on the window sill and falls fast asleep for the rest of the journey. I say a small prayer for her rest . 

It's amazing what people confide in me . I'm a perfect stranger and maybe that's what so easy , they don't have to see me again . I really must resemble the elderly Miss Marple . She , too , had people tell her all sorts of things . Why not ? She looked perfectly  harmless , always a ball of yarn and knitting needles close by. Sitting and observing all that is around her . 

An elderly couple sitting across from me , leaned over and asked if I could watch their things while they went for lunch in the cafe . I nod   yes , thinking how grandmotherly I must appear to people . It must be the crocheting . Crocheting fills me with a calmness and I suppose the serenity is evident upon my face .

 I look over behind me and catch the eye of the person sitting there . It seems they were watching me watch everyone else  the entire time . Oh , the irony ! 

Have a Blessed day everyone . 

Forgiveness Monday

I'm not striving for perfection , I'm striving to be better . 

It's only been a little over a month since beginning a Monday series of inspirational stories and already I've messed up . It happened last week around Thursday before I realized that I didn't post a Monday story that week . 

Almost immediately , I felt disappointment towards myself and my lack of organizational skill . Messed up already ? Really ? 

Just as quickly , I forgave myself . 

Not too long ago , perfection ruled my life , but not anymore . I don't have a need to be perfect in all I do . I've learned to accept myself the way I really am . Isn't that what Jesus does with me ?

We spend so much time trying to achieve that impossible dream of becoming that super person who can do everything correctly . Two people were created long ago to reside in a perfect world and they still messed up . 

If we can forgive ourselves for the big things , why can't we do the same for the little things ? 

So we had a slice of cake when we should have been dieting .

So we were late when we should have been on time . 

So we overslept and missed church .

The world is full of instances similar to these . We will mess up , so start forgiving yourself . Let's begin this new week not sweating the  the small stuff , just strive to be better , not perfect . Imagine how much better our week will be . 

Have a Blessed Labor Day everyone .