2 Random acts of kindness....and a challenge to my friends

It has been on my heart lately the last few weeks, that with all the things we are selling on CL, it would be nice to be able to give things away-besides all the items that we end up donating to Turnstyles every few months. So much has been given to us, with the 2 anonymous gifts, as well as a friend of mine gave me a dozen new and almost new Ann Taylor Loft/Banana Republic clothes, that I wasn't expecting or asked for. We have been so blessed, that I decided that I wanted to bless individuals as well-with practically brand new items.

The first item I gave away was a men's winter coat that I bought from Target less than 2 years old, that was in perfect condition. I posted an ad on CL, and it said, free men's coat to someone in need. I asked for the person to share their story with me, and to also let it go to someone who had a true need, that couldn't otherwise afford to go out and buy one, not just someone who wanted a free coat. This is the reply that I received, "don't really have a story, but i believe jesus died for me and i'm his child." This man called, and I talked to him, and he was going to drive down on a cold rainy night, and I asked him where he lived, and he said NKC, and I said "my husband works up there, how about I save you a trip, and he can meet you up there with the coat." This man was so grateful. So my husband arranged a time to meet him, actually on his way home from KC. He told me that the man said, "I've been cold for 3 weeks." I cried when he told me this. We take forgranted with all that we have, how little other people in our KC area have. This man can now stay warm through the winter.

The second item that I gave away was a beautiful Christmas dress that was also less than 2 years old from Kohl's. I posted the same thing-please let this go to someone in true need, and share your story, so I can try and find the right home for this dress. Here are the responses that I received:

"This dress is beautiful. I am a mom of 4 girls ages 11, 9, and twins that are 3 1/2 yrs old. I am only able to work part time because of the twins (I can't afford child care). My husband makes ok money but extras like that dress are something we just cannot afford, especially when I am trying to come up with christmas presents. The twins are in childrens choir at church this year and they always have a christmas concert. I'd love for one of my girls to wear that dress. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Even if we don't receive the dress you are doing a wonderful thing." (Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile)

"I don’t like telling my story to people but if that is what you need to see if I can get the dress so be it. My husband lost his job July 4th. I am the only income with a family of 6. Myself, husband, 3 boys and a girl. The boys for the most part have clothes I always have to buy new for my daughter. I am looking for a dress for her. I work 2 jobs and go to school. My husband is my daycare provider right now because no jobs he has looked at will pay enough for us to get a daycare. We have tried to get help with daycare but are told since an adult it there we are not eligiable for assistance for daycare help. We are a very proud family and if I have never told you this story you would probably have not know this about us if you met us out somewhere. I try to make sure my kids are always clean, fed and look presentable. My husband has been trying but I told him not to bother right now due to I may have to change my jobs to a different shift due to school and then he could start up then. That is my story in a nut shell."

"I'm sure you've had a big response from your generous offer, but if the dress is still unclaimed, I have a 5-year-old daughter who would love to have it. Please let me know. "

"You might try contacting a church or the school. They usually know of some family that truly needs help. I was on a school board and we always had list of families that needed extra help.
I think it is great you are trying to help a little girl feel like a princess for Christmas!
God Bless You."

"I saw the dress you have on craigslist it is very cute. I have a daughter that is 5 years old. I also have two boys 9 and 2. We are not a poor family but we are on a budget. My husband works and I stay home with the kids. Its nice to be able to put the kids in nice things for the Holidays. But not always easy to spend 30.00 on an outfit that is only used for one day. If you have any other dresses that are that size I would love to have them. We go to church and she is steadly growing out of her church clothes! :) If you get someone that is in more need then me please go with that person."

"We are a displaced family currently forced to live in a motel, which is being paid for by a church. Here is what happened: We both got laid off from our jobs, which caused us to fall behind on our rent and utilities. Because our landlord refused to repair the central air, all of our a/c was being sent into the storm cellar, which is where he was storing his trash. Not only did we have a light bill in the neighborhood of $800, but that was along with our rent which was $800. We were then evicted, as it was impossible for us to afford $1600 per month, along with spending about $150 per week in gas. We found someone on CL that were willing to offer us a place to stay. So we moved into a basement/garage with our five kids. The wife, we found out, was abusive to us and our children.....During this time, we contacted the police, and had only a short time to move out. As we moved out, she went through all of our kids' stuff, taking what she wanted for her kids, who are no longer with her because of the abuse. While we were staying with her, our van engine siezed, threw a rod, and then the oil pan broke in half allowing a jet of flame to shoot down from the motor. I understand the whole "no-show" situation, but we are in need, as we have no real home, no car, and we're still trying to find work. If you could find it in your heart to bring it to us, you would make our little girl's day, as she loves to wear dresses, but doesn't have any. We'd be happy to introduce you to our kids, if you could bring it here. Thank you for your time and consideration. God bless."

While I know it's hard for someone to pour their heart out to a complete stranger, it makes it easier to see the true need in their circumstances. The woman in story #2 received the dress and she was so grateful! The very last story broke my heart, but I couldn't put my safety on the line to deliver an item to a stranger at a hotel room. Please believe me, I'm not trying to make light of their circumstances, because some of them are so hard to hear. It was nice hearing from other people who sent in their stories, wishing it to go to someone that was in more need than they were. Hearing their stories, it's easy to discern a real immediate need, vs a want or need. Like the woman who sent the e-mail through her blackberry phone. I don't have a problem with someone owning that phone, but if you are in true need financially and are trying to provide, one of the 1st things to go for me, would be all the extra things, like having a blackberry.

I think so often that we get wrapped up in, "I need, or I want", only to fill up our lives with so much stuff, that we don't even notice when it's gone. How many coats or pairs of shoes do we or our children need, when there are some people who don't have any? How many toys do our kids really need, and are they really going to play with every single one? How much clothes does our family really need, and are we ever going to wear every single cute outfit, or piece of jewelry? Or could I donate or sell those things, and give money to charity to help people in true need?

We've sold so much stuff on CL to get by, that I honestly don't even miss those items. Even the things we donated. My kids used to have closets packed full of toys from the grandparents, and inexpensive things from the thrift stores. I would have friends say, wow they have a lot of stuff. At first I didn't think much of it, but then God started working on my heart, through stories of people in immediate need, and suddenly it wasn't a priority. There are so many more children out there in need in this community that have benefited from others donations-maybe their future Christmas gift is out there in one of your homes. We are a simple family, and not one to generally splurge on brand new items, mainly due to being a one income family. So it's not like we have all that much to begin with, but I still feel like God calling me to give more of it away. Getting rid of all the extra things, getting rid of the clutter, and simplifying. My way of thinking is that we're not going to be here forever, and while we're on earth, there are so many more people in need that have nothing. Why not share that with someone now? With less stuff, it leaves more time to focus on God and his plan for our lives.

I was so excited when my pastor spoke yesterday on this very thing! Talking about how we need a reality check...

Luke 12:15-"Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist of his possessions."

Luke 12:33- "Sell your possessions and give to the poor...."

1 John 3:17-20 "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presense whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything."

So my challenge is to you, my friends is to just pick one nice thing that you have, or that your kids have, and give it away to someone in the community who is truly in need, and help them see God's love through you, in giving something out of the kindness of your heart. If you're not comfortable with that, then I encourage you to donate to charity, or to help someone out this Holiday season. There are so many groups in need-Samaritan's Purse has an awesome catalog you can donate all types of things that are life changing to someone in extreme poverty; City Union Mission; Harversters; Salvation Army...

There is just something about giving, that is freeing to the soul...

More than anything, just to take the time to examine your hearts and hear the cries of the people in need in our city (You'd be suprised to find out that there are homeless people in JOCO) To share God's love with them through an act of kindness. Who knows how God will change your heart in the process...

Costumes and pumpkin carving...

Grace and her pumpkin that she designed, that I carved. She wanted it to have glasses just like her. I suggested it should have the same amount of missing teeth as she does, but daddy didn't end up drawing it that way. (she on loose tooth #8-with 2 permanent teeth in, and 2 more growing in, leaves 4 empty spaces still :)

My sweet Spiderman Braden

Grace as Snow White, complete with blue eye shadow, blush and lipstick-very princessy

My handsome Spiderman and sweet Snow White

The pumpkins are carved, and we're ready to go trick or treating...

They both had a great time, and we stayed out maybe a little less than 2 hours. Just enough to get their buckets each completely filled up. Then we were all wiped out. Too bad kids don't understand the concept of "fall back". They were up at 5:30am this morning, and were shipped right back upstairs to bed to sleep in for 2 more hours. But 2009 was a fun year of trick or treating :)

The Best Christmas Present Ever!!!

I just bought the best Christmas present ever for my daughter. It's a 3 story+attic barbie doll house, 4' tall, and 2 1/2 feet wide, with a complete furniture set for every room, for only $50!!! Yes, only $50. (It retails for $150, plus furniture would be at least $200 for the set)I was so excited to see this for sale on CL, as I had been searching for one like this for a while-and this one is only a year old.(If any of you are searching for one for your own daughter-I found 3 exact same ones for under $75 on CL fyi) I got Grace a sm. 2 story doll house for her b'day for $15, and it's a great deal, but this is the house that I've been dreaming of for her (and me).

When I was 8 years old, I had the best Christmas present ever-a 3 story Barbie Doll Dream House, complete with pull string elevator (see above pic on R-except it was the 1989 version, not the 1974 version)It was what dreams were made of. So of course my parents didn't hold onto it, and I still tease them about that, so I wanted Grace to have that dream Christmas gift at least 1 year of her childhood, while she can still enjoy those fun things.

I have to admit that I got out all my barbie doll stuff today, while organizing all the furniture, that it really did feel like being a kid again. Who wouldn't love this as a Christmas present???


I have never spent this much on our kids for Christmas, EVER, so this year is an exception. And here is my justification: Of all the money I've made selling things on CL, I have sold 6 things of Grace's that has equaled $50. So I figure this is a better use for the same price, she has really upgraded :) I'm also doing the same thing with Braden's toys, so far I've sold $42 worth of his toys, and that money I'm saving up to buy him a train table/set for Christmas-off of CL of course :) This way I'm getting rid of small cluttered toys, and trading them for things that they absolutely love, and focus their time on. *These are total suprises for the kiddos, so please keep it a secret :)* Thanks!

Grace is 7!!!

Here's my sweet birthday girl in her Cinderella costume! She turned 7 on Oct.1st, and had a great time with family and friends. She requested a pink cake, with pink frosting and sprinkles, and that's what she got :)

While out shopping at my favorite place, Turnstyles, I came across 2 Disney Princess costumes for $2 a piece- Here is Grace as Snow White, she wore her Cinderella costume all throughout her b'day party, she was so excited, to have not 1, but 2 halloween costumes/dress-up outfits.

Weston Red Barn Farm

These pics are from when our family went to Weston the 1st weekend in October for the Apple Fest, and to the Red Barn farm. Perfect fall day for fun and pictures!

My loving kids enjoying a brother/sister moment :)

Here are my 2 sweeties hanging out on top of the haybale.

Here is Mr. Adventerous jumping mid air off of a hay bale...

and also wandering through the corn rows of the pumpkin patch...

Here's my sweet hubbie and kids-had to stop for a pic by the pumpkins :)

Me and my hubby! It's not very often that we get a pic together

Another suprise in the mail...

Tuesday must be a special day for me, because this is the 2nd Tuesday in a row, that I have received an unexpected blessing in the mail. This time it was a cash gift, and a note that said:
The Lord will provide! how very true :) Thank you to my anonymous friends out there who have blessed me greatly!!!

I feel so blessed....

When I went out to check the mail today, I found an envelope addressed to me, with the following inside:

Dear A Family,

We hope you can use this. The gift card contains $xxx.

Love,

Some Friends

I feel so blessed that someone cares enough to make this anonymous gift to my family when times have been very stretched financially. My friends from church as well as those at Community Bible Study have all heard my prayer requests and know our families struggles.

And to whoever it might be, I am so very grateful!!!

Along with this in the mail today, came something from City Union Mission as well as the JOCO Christmas Store, which just reminded me that as much as we may be in need, there are many many more people out there who are struggling.

God has truly blessed our family through these anonymous gifts in the last few years. About 4 years ago we received an anonymous $200 in the mail, during the holiday season. A little before that time, some dear friends of ours from church gave us a $100 gift card to Hy-Vee so that we could buy groceries, when finances were tight due to my husband being off work for 2 weeks right after Christmas. Then a few years ago when we were out raking leaves in our backyard, we found a $100 bill buried in the pile. All of these unexpected gifts couldn't have come at a better time, and we know that they were all blessings from God.

I love it when things like that happen, because it reminds me that God hears our prayers, and he will provide, even in the most unexpected ways. It inspires me to give to those in need, through volunteer service, donations to charity, and even to friends in need through the simplest things. There is something about giving that is so freeing to my spirit, that it makes me wish I had more to be able to give away.

It is my hope this holiday season that our family will be able to bless others in return, who are in need, and see things from God's point of view-just as we were blessed today through the kindness of an unknown friend who was helping someone in need.

Master Bedroom Remodel

Update from 10-3-09: I found this beautiful quilt in Weston, and am now debating between which one I would rather use for the master bedroom remodel... decisions, decisions....

With all the change going on in other parts of our house, design wise, it has really made me take note on how much I dislike my bedroom right now. I picked a lavender color for the walls 6 1/2 years ago, and it didn't turn out as gray as I would have liked it to begin with, but am just now in the last few months getting sick of it. Thus begins my quest for a grown up bedroom....

It all started when I was looking on Craigslist the other day for random things, and found this beautiful 7 piece bed set + 4 valances for only $30, what a sweet deal! But it had already sold... So I was very sad, but decided to e-mail the woman to see where she bought it from-she told me, and I found it, and am so excited!!! (I would have been even more excited for getting that good of a bargain, but it wasn't to be) Of course $ is super tight right now, so it might be a month or so until I can actually buy it, but I figure with my $100 b'day $ to use, it makes a huge difference toward making it a reality.

So for the next few months, I'll have to really exercise some major patience, while I have to wait for the bathroom remodel to completely finish; tear out all the trim in our room, and re-paint, put up new pretty trim and crown molding, re-arrange furniture, get new hardware for the furniture, and then I can put up this beautiful new bed set. Blue is my all time favorite color, and when I saw this design, I fell in love. So here's to hoping that I can truly be patient :) When the room is finished, I'll definitely post before and after pics so you can see the difference!

God's perfect timing

As most of you know I had a super crazy schedule of activities through May of this year. One of the things that I changed around was the time that I did babysitting for my free jazzercise. I had been doing Thursday afternoons at 5:40pm for the last year. In July I switched to Thursday mornings, and am now doing Friday mornings from now on. Well. you might say that it doesn't seem like that big of a deal, but God has truly blessed my ministry as a counselor at the Crisis Pregnancy Center where I volunteer. Literally as soon as I switched my time away from Thursday afternoons, we immediately had an influx of clients at the center. Well, you may say, that's just a coincidence, or a normal thing that would happen there. Well not in my eyes. You see I'm the only Client Advocate/Counselor there on Thursday afternoons from noon-5pm. We have had some crazy busy weeks in the last 2 months. During this time, I've had the opportunity to counsel at least 4-5 women who were really needing someone to pour their heart and soul out to about their lives. 2-3 of these women I talked with for 2 hours. Something that is practically unheard of-since most of our counseling time is only 30 minutes or less. These women trusted me to tell me their story. God gave me the right words to say, and hearing them out, not judging their circumstances. My heart aches and is so heavy for these women, and I can just imagine how much more God's heart must ache for them as well.

When I tell people that I volunteer there, they often ask if I'm a Social Worker. I reply, "no, but I really wanted to be one." You see before I went to college, my 3 biggest career paths were, Nursing, Social Work, and Veterinary Medicine. How do you ask, I ended up in Interior Design? Well, my then boyfriend, now husband went to the school that had a great Nursing school, but our parents didn't want us to go the same school, so that ruled out that option. I told my dad I wanted to be a Social Worker, and he said oh no, you don't want to do that! Social workers don't make any money, you'd have to get your Masters..... And Vet school, it came down to getting married young and having kids,or going to school for 8 years, and I chose my sweet husband :)

Why I listened to my parents, I really don't know, but I do know that if it hadn't been for all of the life circumstances that I've been through since being in college, that I wouldn't be where I am today. Having experienced an unplanned pregnancy, and being a young mom. Knowing what it's like to live on limited resources, living in a diverse area, having diverse neighbors. It really helps me relate to these women, since I have been in somewhat similar circumstances that they have. I love being a counselor, and I love that God has blessed me with this ministry. I know in my heart that this is what God had planned for me all along. It might not have seemed that way when I was right in the middle of some not very fun circumstances, but God knew the plan for my life. I have a servant's heart, and such a desire to serve these women and help and impower them for better lives. I would have loved to be a social worker, and in a way I kind of am. As for Nursing school, I have seriously been thinking about going to get my Associates degree as an RN. It has always been a passion of mine, and now even more so being a mom, and experiencing all these things in my world, gives me an even better perspective than I would have had as a young immature college student.

I have come to realize, and know that God has perfect timing, and that everything in life happens for a reason. I pray for these women that I talk to and counsel, that God will give me the right words to say, to speak to their heart, and that they might make the best possible choice for themselves and their children. This is the best type of work in my eyes, because it's one that's making an eternal impact-working for God's higher glory!

My dream of small town life

My family and I have spent the last 2 weekends in a row visiting my parents in their small town an hour south of where we live. We went to the demolition derby-which I absolutely love, and hope to be a driver some day :), and then last weekend went to the county fair/rodeo. I get caught up in the moment, wondering what it would be like to grow up, and/or live in a small town. I pretty much grew up in suburbia, but spent a lot of summers of my youth in various small towns-Pinckneyville,IL; Weston,MO; Warner,OK, Lake of the Ozarks. I always had so much fun there, and have the fondest memories. Well, I found myself dreaming this last weekend what would it be like to live in a small town, and live the simple life. From the original town square, to the original hardware store, where they still measure out wires, and rope down the center aisle, over 40' long; the beautiful historic homes; the old bank, now a quaint library; the rolling hills, and open farm land so serene and peaceful.

I convinced my husband to drive me by my dream house there, that I photographed and toured 8 years ago-a beautiful Victorian house, with original gingerbread trim, original windows,stained glass, pressed tin ceiling...the list goes on and on. I LOVE this house, and before we got married, we had our biggest argument we've ever had over this exact house. I'm the creative dreamer, and he's the practical realist. This house is amazing at over 3000 sq ft at 2 stories, plus a full attic, it's my dream house, and was at the perfect price 8 yrs ago, only $85,000! Well, my dream home has been abandoned and neglected, with peeling paint, and tall grass. It looks like one of the old Victorians you see in the movies deserted up on the hill-well maybe not that bad, but getting close. If it weren't for having to worry about his job,and how much gas $ would be, I would move to this house in a heartbeat!

So to make matters worse for myself, I also convinced him to drive me by the Historic Hotel in town that I did photography and historic preservation consulting for. And low and behold, there was a worker there that day that I talked to and got updated on what was going on. So then I got home and contacted the owner to see if I could start helping out on it again :) I also am in love with this beautiful old hotel. It is a 3 story brick Italianate hotel, and it has seen better days, but I LOVE old abandoned buildings! Call me crazy, but this is a huge passion of mine. I literally cry when I see or hear about old buildings being torn down. Well this hotel needs hundreds of thousands of $ put into it to get it going, but I still have hope that it will reach it's former glory some day :)

So if it were me, I would pack everything up and move to my beautiful old Victorian, restore it, or maybe turn it in to a bed and breakfast :) and work full time helping to restore the old hotel. But then my sweet hubby, Mr. Practical says, do you know how much it takes to heat and cool, and what about the nearest hardware store, and what about the school systems, and about commuting to work, and the list goes on and on. I know he's right, but my heart still dreams of how fun it would be to live in this little, and as he would say "dying" small town.

All this reminds me of a book that I read called Steadfast Surrender, where the main character gives up everything they have, all their comforts in life, to respond to the calling to move to a small town. I have felt that way more recently, just wishing that I could give it all away and not have to worry about all these possessions we have here on earth. But then I think there is still so much to do on our own dream house, that it hasn't reached it's full potential either. My parents own 160 acres of land, and there is a perfect scenic spot my husband and I found, and have talked about how it would be awesome to retire down there some day and build our dream house. So maybe there's hope for my dream house, and maybe my other dream house that could be a bed and breakfast? assuming it hasn't fallen apart in the next 30 years. Until then, I'm working away on our 1887 Farmhouse, that still needs lots of love!