Blessings Unexpected

I have always been one of those people with a giving hand and heart. I was raised with Luke 6:35 as my guide....

"But love ye your enemies, and do good and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest..."

Last week I received one of those unexpected rewards.

Last year I saw Kari struggling through finals in her second semester of nursing school and I really wanted to do something to help. I realized very quickly that it was not just her struggling; it was likely her fellow nursing class peers. Knowing that students spent hours pouring over notes and books, particularly for finals, I decided that I would do my part to keep their sugar and energy levels high and I created my first massive "candy bar cake". It was welcomed by them with many smiles and thanks.

I decided at that point that I wanted to make it a kind of tradition to do something for finals each semester and began plotting and planning for the Christmas winter finals round. I searched through Pinterest and found an adorable stocking made from nurse scrubs. It was then that I decided it would be my Christmas finals gift to them. I gathered together enough scrub tops and material to create 24 stockings, enough for each student, teacher, and office worker in the nursing building with a couple left over.

When the stockings were finished I stuffed them with "nursing survival kits", packed them up in a large box and sent them back with Kari after Thanksgiving break.

I sat at home, smiling my little smile, and waiting to hear what they all thought. I never expected what was to come. When Kari came home she had hardly made it in the door when she said, "The nursing students got together and sent you something." She then handed me a beautiful gift box. I opened it where I discovered this beautiful sweatshirt and a $50 gift card to Jo-Ann's Fabrics. She went on to explain that they just wanted to thank me for taking an interest in them and caring about them. It touched me so much that I actually cried.

I did things for them because I truly cared and understood the stress that they were feeling, since I had seen it in my own daughter. I did not expect anything in return. The kindness shown by this group of strangers truly touched my heart! The warmth and love I felt mirrored back to me in this gesture was my true gift and reward!

At this time of year I would like to ask you to think about the people around you who just need a little something to brighten their days and lives. How can YOU do some little selfless act for them? Give without expecting something in return. The reward that you do receive will be the BEST GIFT EVER!

Caring Hearts

If you know me very well, you know that I am always searching for yet another project. As soon as I finish one, I try to find the "next thing" to which I can dedicate some time.

Very rarely, I come across a project that just begs, "Do me NOW!" Today I found one such project and I am hoping that some of you will join me on this one!

I had just finished creating a video playlist on YouTube for an upcoming school presentation and I decided to reward myself by spending a few minutes watching some crafting videos. It was while watching a Jennifer McGuire video that I learned about a yearly card event called "Caring Hearts Card Drive".

In a nutshell, people from across North America and Australia create cards and send them to the organizing group. These cards are then distributed to people who live in nursing homes. Having visited a nursing home many times when my mother worked in one, I know firsthand that many of the people there do not have regular visitors. They crave any little bit of contact they can get with someone from the "outside". Just a kind word, a minute holding their hand, a smiling face, and even a tiny little card can really brighten up their day.

This card drive is running from October 2 to November 17. All cards must be received at the group headquarters by November 17. This year they are requesting that you make cards with a Christmas or winter holiday wish only. (For more of the specific instructions and for the submission form that must accompany your cards, go to Jennifer's blog at the link below.)

Want More Details? Go HERE

I know that I have many crafty friends out there. Some of you who do not consider yourselves to be "crafty" even work with group of others such as BETA Clubs or church groups. This kind of project is the PERFECT one for all of you to unite and join in efforts. Maybe your organization can have a card making party and then send in all of the completed cards together as one!

I only wish that I had discovered this opportunity earlier. I still have several days to get creative and make a BUNCH of cards to include in this project! Won't you join me?

Your participation in this project WILL be rewarded! You are sure to feel that warm tug of the heart that I always get when I do something like this. As if that isn't enough, the Card Drive has also assembled a variety of prizes that will be given to some of the lucky people who make and send in cards. (More information on that can be found at the link above also.)

I cannot wait to see how many of you commit to participate! Get creative and give from the bottom of your caring heart!