This past week I volunteered at my church's Prom Closet. It gives away prom dresses, shoes, and accessories to those that can't afford it around the DFW metroplex at no charge! It's an amazing mission within our church and I'm so glad I volunteered this year!
High school girls from around the surrounding DFW metroplex had the opportunity to come to our church over several days and shop for a prom dress, shoes, jewelry and a purse. There were even several girls that are home schooled that came because all the home schoolers across the area also have one big prom together, which I thought was pretty cool for them. There were over 4,000 dresses that were donated for attendees to pick from, rows of shoes and tables of accessories. I worked the check-out area where we bag the dress and put their accessories in bags donated by Chico. It was the perfect gig since you get to see the dress each girl picks out and you see the excitement and gratitude they have as you send them out the door with their treasures. They were all smiles! It was so fun to see what kind of dress each girl picked out, what color and sometimes even why they picked it. It was also fun to see their mom, sisters, friends and even dad's have so much joy on their faces after going through the whole process. You could tell that they all were so appreciative and thankful for the organization and all the volunteers.
Seeing the excitement from all the attendees was a true joy, but it was also fun meeting the other volunteers I was working with. It was fun to meet new people and share some laughs as we wished each girl a great time at their prom as they left. One of the women I was working with didn't even attend our church, but lived in the area and saw the opportunity to volunteer in a local newsletter. I'm always looking for ways to volunteer and this is definitely something I'll do again next year!
We can all serve our communities in one way or another...through our gifts, our time or our service. If you have the money to donate to charitable causes that's always desired, but if you don't have the money then donate your time. Carve out some time in your schedule and volunteer! I know a lot of companies allow up to 5 hours of volunteer hours for their employees, which I think is a great benefit! Take a break from all the things that are stressing you out and think about someone else. Think about how you can serve. Think about the smile you can put on someone else's face, just by giving a little bit of your time or talents.
Think about how you want to spend your time this coming week and if you can squeeze in a little time to serve someone else! Blessings to you this last week of February!
Sunday, February 24, 2019
Sunday, February 17, 2019
Save the Date!
If you've been following my blog over the past few years you know that I co-sponsor the Holt International DFW Picnic. I've done it for the past 5 years now and love getting to meet all the families who have adopted and hearing their stories. It's a fun event!
We'd love to see you and your family there! It's for local (TX) adoptees (young to adults), as well as, prospective parents. If you have questions about adoption or are waiting for your child to finally come home, we'd love to share our stories with you to help you along the way. It's a lot of fun and there is a splash pad there so the little ones can stay cool. Bring a picnic lunch for your family and enjoy meeting other families, as well.
The kids always have a good time meeting other adoptees, but I find the parents enjoy it, too, getting to compare stories and share experiences with one another. It's a fun family outing, but it's a great way to connect with others in your communities. So, take advantage of one of the picnics near you!
I hope to see you at our annual picnic for some food, fun and fellowship! May blessings surround you this upcoming week!
So, save the date....Saturday, June 1st from 12-3 pm! It will be at Parr Park in Grapevine, TX. If you live in the area, please make sure you register for the event here: http://holtinternational.org/picnics/
We'd love to see you and your family there! It's for local (TX) adoptees (young to adults), as well as, prospective parents. If you have questions about adoption or are waiting for your child to finally come home, we'd love to share our stories with you to help you along the way. It's a lot of fun and there is a splash pad there so the little ones can stay cool. Bring a picnic lunch for your family and enjoy meeting other families, as well.
The kids always have a good time meeting other adoptees, but I find the parents enjoy it, too, getting to compare stories and share experiences with one another. It's a fun family outing, but it's a great way to connect with others in your communities. So, take advantage of one of the picnics near you!
I hope to see you at our annual picnic for some food, fun and fellowship! May blessings surround you this upcoming week!
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Be Inspired!
What inspires you? Yes, there are things that you see or read, mainly on social media platforms these days, that may inspire you for a moment or two, but what REALLY inspires you? What inspires you to your core? What inspires you to actually take action? What inspires you to think of others before yourself? What INSPIRES you?!
I think it's one of those questions that we don't really think about on a daily basis. It's one of those things we take for granted throughout our lives. Or it's just something we put on the back-burner...for another day...another time...another season. But, as they say...what better time than right now?! Right now is all we have. Right? We know it, but those things on our bucket list or cherished to-lists just get pushed further and further down the list day after day. So again, what inspires you...to take action now?!
This has definitely been true for me. Things I've wanted to do, had on my to-list forever and still haven't done...thinking I have time or I can do it next year, ok maybe next year...and on and on. So, I've come to the conclusion that I haven't been sufficiently or properly motivated or inspired to truly act on some of the things that I've always said I've wanted to do. That being said, I did go skydiving! Tandem of course, but it's something I wanted to do and the opportunity presented itself several years ago. So, I took it! It was awesome and I'm so glad I did it! I would totally do it again, too!
So, there are some things I've done, but not nearly as many things as I've wanted. What stops us? Life? Fear? Self-doubt? The list could go on and on. So, I'm challenging myself this year to tackle some of those things on my list. Do it! Do it now! Stop waiting! Live life! I want to help more...serve others more...so, I just volunteered at my church's prom dress mission where they give away prom dresses to those that need one. I donated a dress several years ago, but this year I'll get to see the mission in action. And, I'll get to see the difference it makes in these young girls' lives...the pure delight and happiness in their faces! I can't wait!
So, whatever "it" is that you want to do, whatever personal "to-do" lists you want to tackle this year...DO IT!! Just lift your heart up to the Lord and ask for courage, strength, or being able to look at "it" from a new perspective. Find your inspiration...and take action! Get inspired! It will be contagious and who knows, you might just inspire someone else to take action!
Wishing you inspirational blessings to make a difference...to change the world one step at a time!!
I think it's one of those questions that we don't really think about on a daily basis. It's one of those things we take for granted throughout our lives. Or it's just something we put on the back-burner...for another day...another time...another season. But, as they say...what better time than right now?! Right now is all we have. Right? We know it, but those things on our bucket list or cherished to-lists just get pushed further and further down the list day after day. So again, what inspires you...to take action now?!
This has definitely been true for me. Things I've wanted to do, had on my to-list forever and still haven't done...thinking I have time or I can do it next year, ok maybe next year...and on and on. So, I've come to the conclusion that I haven't been sufficiently or properly motivated or inspired to truly act on some of the things that I've always said I've wanted to do. That being said, I did go skydiving! Tandem of course, but it's something I wanted to do and the opportunity presented itself several years ago. So, I took it! It was awesome and I'm so glad I did it! I would totally do it again, too!
So, there are some things I've done, but not nearly as many things as I've wanted. What stops us? Life? Fear? Self-doubt? The list could go on and on. So, I'm challenging myself this year to tackle some of those things on my list. Do it! Do it now! Stop waiting! Live life! I want to help more...serve others more...so, I just volunteered at my church's prom dress mission where they give away prom dresses to those that need one. I donated a dress several years ago, but this year I'll get to see the mission in action. And, I'll get to see the difference it makes in these young girls' lives...the pure delight and happiness in their faces! I can't wait!
So, whatever "it" is that you want to do, whatever personal "to-do" lists you want to tackle this year...DO IT!! Just lift your heart up to the Lord and ask for courage, strength, or being able to look at "it" from a new perspective. Find your inspiration...and take action! Get inspired! It will be contagious and who knows, you might just inspire someone else to take action!
Wishing you inspirational blessings to make a difference...to change the world one step at a time!!
Sunday, February 3, 2019
Super Bowl Sunday
It's Super Bowl Sunday...an almost national holiday. It definitely resembles a holiday with all the game-day snacks and food, parties, camaraderie, and time spent with friends and family. And, even if you don't like football people watch because they love the commercials. It's the Super Bowl of new, fresh, innovative commercials every year. And yes, some people watch just for the half-time show (or at least they used to) before it became so controversial and political. So, it's a day to gather together and sit around your TVs and collectively cheer...or boo.
We're just a few days into February and it seems like it's going to be a jam-packed month. Next weekend is the Grammy's, the following week(end) is Valentine's Day, and the following weekend is the Oscars! A lot of primetime viewing this month. Are you in to award shows? Do you watch just for the fashion? Do you watch because you really care? Or do you watch because nothing else is on and you want to participate in the upcoming week's cooler talk at the office?
We're already one month down into the new year and "should" be hitting our stride in the new year. Or so it should seem as if we should be, but if January blew up (new year's goals) already, don't be discouraged. Each day is a new day...a new day to start over. A new day to start again...and again...and yes, sometimes even again. Just keep going!
So, if you're watching the Super Bowl tonight...enjoy! Enjoy the food, the game, the commercials, the half-time show, and spending time with family and friends! May the first full week of February bring sweet surprises and special blessings your way!!
We're just a few days into February and it seems like it's going to be a jam-packed month. Next weekend is the Grammy's, the following week(end) is Valentine's Day, and the following weekend is the Oscars! A lot of primetime viewing this month. Are you in to award shows? Do you watch just for the fashion? Do you watch because you really care? Or do you watch because nothing else is on and you want to participate in the upcoming week's cooler talk at the office?
We're already one month down into the new year and "should" be hitting our stride in the new year. Or so it should seem as if we should be, but if January blew up (new year's goals) already, don't be discouraged. Each day is a new day...a new day to start over. A new day to start again...and again...and yes, sometimes even again. Just keep going!
So, if you're watching the Super Bowl tonight...enjoy! Enjoy the food, the game, the commercials, the half-time show, and spending time with family and friends! May the first full week of February bring sweet surprises and special blessings your way!!
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