Change your world, one gift at a time.

Everyone has a unique purpose in life which God has given to you. Besides mothering, God has been leading me on this journey of giving. Being the gift giver has changed my life as I have come out of suicidal thoughts to joy from giving gifts to others.
Sunday I visited a friend's church. The theme of the service was "Change your world." I realize each of us have unique ways in which we can change our world around us. God has us where we are for a reason.
It was then that I thought of a giving challenge. I already had been giving gift baskets, boxes and other gifts to people for over two years. But I asked God how I could really change the world around me.
The I looked at the "stuff" around me in my apartment. One gift at a time, I thought. What would my world look like if I gave something everyday for a year. I don't have a lot of money, but the gifts didn't have to be lavish.
I remembered when I was having a stressful day this year and a woman came up to me. She had a small bunch of daffodils. "Blessings," she said and she walked away even before I could look at her. That gesture made my day.
On Sunday I left some new nailpolish and lipgloss in my apartment building.
Yesterday I mailed my father's birthday gift. Today I am going to give a scented candle to someone in starbucks. The candle is in a tin. The top of the lid has Psalm 118.4 on it. "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." I have written this blog address out on the gift bag tag.
So Lord, may these gifts touch others and may you guide me to the ones whom need it the most. Thank you Lord for the heart surgery you will continue to do on me as I take this giving to a deeper level.
May I impact the world around me, one gift at a time, each day for a year. I wonder if this will continue to be my ministry.
For others who feel lead to give more please leave your comments and unique stories in the "comment" section. May you be truly blessed. I hope to change the world by bringing back the love of giving back again in our rushed society, one gift at a time!

Change your world, one gift at a time.

Everyone has a unique purpose in life which God has given to you. Besides mothering, God has been leading me on this journey of giving. Being the gift giver has changed my life as I have come out of suicidal thoughts to joy from giving gifts to others.
Sunday I visited a church service of a friend. The theme of the service was "Change your world." I realize each of us have unique ways in which we can change our world around us. God has us where we are for a reason.
It was then that I thought of a giving challenge. I already have been giving for over two years baskets, boxes and other gifts to people. But I asked God how could I really change the world around me.
Then I looked at the "stuff" around me in my apartment. One gift at a time, I thought. What would my world look like if I gave something every day for a year. I don't have a lot of money, but the gifts don't have to be lavish. I remembered when I was having a stressful day this year and a woman came up to me. She had a small bunch of daffodils. "Blessings." she said and she walked away even before I could have a good look at her. That gesture made my day.
On Sunday I left some nailpolish and lipgloss that I had not been using in my apartment building. It was gone one hour later. Yesterday I mailed off my dad's birthday present. Today I am going to give a scented candle to someone in starbucks. The candle is in a tin. The top of the lid has Psalm 118.4 on it. "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." I have written this blog address out on the gift bag tag.
So Lord, may these gifts touch others and may you guide me to the ones whom need it the most. Thank you Lord for the heart surgery you will continue to do on me as I take giving to a deeper level.
May I impact the world around me, one gift at a time, each day for a year. I wonder if this will continue to be my ministry!! For others who feel lead to give more please leave your comments and unique stories in the "comment" section or email me for my book (giftgiversboxshowschristslove@gmail.com). May you be truly blessed!!
I hope to change the world by bringing the love of giving back again in our rushed society, one gift at a time!

Canadians rejoice as 3 year old Keinan Herbert is returned to his shome trou the power of prayer, polices actions, search parties and the a

As the world was grieving Sept 11th ten years ago, Canadians were also rejoicing the safe return of Kienan Herbert Sept. 10th, 2011. The three year old boy had been abducted four days ago from his home.
Police were notified immediently, search and rescue parties began, and an amber alert was issued. The whole county became aware of Kienan's abduction. Posters were made and newscasts showed Kienan's appearance, and the suspect's appearance and car.
Many of us across the country began to pray. We prayed fervently, and with great empathy.
Finaally the father of Kienan made an emotional appeal to the offender. He said this was his chance to walk away. Kienan was still non- verbal and the police wouldn't be there.
Then a miracle occured. Later that night Kienan was returned to his home!! His parents staying at the neighbors were given an anonymous phone call and Keinan was sitting on the couch in the living room. A police officer specializing in these crimes said it was the first time in 24 years he had seen an ending like this! This indeed was a mirale!!
One could only imagine the graditude and joy of this family who had been through this horrendous event!!
Later a press conferance was called and a very emotional father of Keinan. He even thanked the offender for returning his son.
But prayers need not to stop here, as there is much healing to be done. "May God use this experience to give hope to other parents of missing children, or give other parents the oportunity to grieve their own missing children, and may He continue to heal and restore everything this horrific trauma still stolen from all of them. God loves justice, and in the end, He WILL get the final word!" (Debbie Fortnum)
So keep Kienan and all affected by this trauma (especially his parents) up in your prayers continually. Also echo these prayers for families and friends of those going through chidhood abductions. Always remember God has the FINAL WORD!!

Christ will give you the strength you need.

Today as I sit at my keyboard as each key touches the pad and comes back to me, the thought come to m my mind. Do i have what it takes! I am learning all the features of blogging and the technology that comes along with that. The instruction has been fun but often foreign to me. Looking at others and their sites they are graphically more appealing. I like my content and writing style though! This is still at the heart of a blog.. My blog centers around giving and I am hoping I will inspire others to give. It has a bit of a unique niche. It specifically describes how giving along with self care has helped my very serious struggles with depression. Though I never know it my depression will return,If it does I know I will see someone in worse circumstances than me. The seed to giving will be planted. I will have the chance to bring forth flowers in a person's life which will bloom in a different season. My blog, though brings me to the main project in my life I am working on It is my book. . My book will be called "The Gift Givers Box". The box at the side of my blog "About Me" describes the book..It is a new and exciting process and I am having to narrow my niches to appeal to the right market place. When ever I am having a really bad day I remind myself of the bible verse : "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phillipians 4:13 NKJV. This verse helps me when the panic starts to head in. When self imposed deadlines are not met. When old pain resurfaces. May this be a verse you can really claim! God sees your pain and wants to help. Christ took all of your sins, past, present and future and paid the price. He was crucified and rose again! He will help bear your problems if you only open your heart and ask. God is a big God!! Just ask!! Blessings, The gift giver .

A heart filled gift can stitch two hearts together

Have you ever had a time of deep heart connection from the giver and recipient of a gift.

Some gifts are so unique, thoughtful, personal or timely that they touch the very core of our existance.
These pivital moments in giving and receiving can shape and change our lives forever.

Often someone who has developed this art of giving has had their own struggles and their heart has become fractured. Depression from deep hurts or losses have scarred their hearts.

Likewise for the recipient in pain. Often they are in a deeper stage of grief or pain.

The commonality is both parties need heart surgery.

The heart-filled gift brings these hearts together. God at that moment in time stitches their hearts and lives together.

The process of heart surgery has begun. The spiritual medicine for depression in part is giving. Receiving teaches this and can be a glimmer of hope in the deepest of storms.

The first dance

Being the gift giver, I am constantly amazed at the way God blesses me for giving. He always provides for my needs and often more.

He has taught me not to expect a "reward" on earth, but to know my needs will be provided and sometimes more. Today that was an emotional need He was going to fulfill.

It was a very special celebration. It was my parent's forty-fifth wedding anniversary and they were taking us to an exclusive restaurant where I had many happy moments as a child. We had stayed in the hotel there growing up. The restaurant was magical to me. I wanted that for my son though he was sixteen.

All my sisters',their husbands' , and children were there. I was the only single one in the group having been through divorce. But today that didn't bother me! All I could think of was wanting Andrew to experience the same joy I had.

We all were full of laughter and the children were mesmerized! There was a 1950's band playing and a dance floor. They had a special dance floor for children so all the kids wildly proceeded to the floor to express their own creative dance styles. Mom ordered "Shirley Temples" for them.

That brought back an instant memory of how fancy the "Shirley Temples" had been as a child. I used to sip on it slowly so it would last the whole night. Everything seemed so much smaller now. It was like when you go visit your elementary school. It just seems so small.

Gradually they brought out the three course meal, with no rushing between the courses. They knew people planned to stay about three hours here. My favorite was the strawberry cheesecake decorated with a rich chocolate sauce. Mathew was quite impressed with the meal.

But it was the socializing of my whole family that made the evening. I especially enjoyed seeing with my parents and seeing the love they shared. My dad was laughing and kept looking towards my mom when she was sitting away from him.

Mathew and I shared priceless conversation as he opened up to topics he never had before. Then I asked him the question I as his mother had wanted to ask him all night. He looked so dressed up in his suit and I did in my black skirt and black print top. "Will you have one dance with me son."

"Oh Mom, I don't know how. " he stated sheepishly. "It is easy and you will need it for the girls. But it would be so special if I had the first dance." I said. "Sure." he said to my surprise.

Together we bumped around touching toes and getting caught between the crowds, but I realized my boy was growing into a man!

"Oh Matthew ," I said, " you have no idea how special that was! You made my month!"

After that there wasn't dances shared between us. Three months later he went to his first youth group dance and danced with three girls. But deep in my heart I knew. I had the first dance.

If it is God's will for him to remarry and I am still alive, we will have another dance. But I have learned in life to enjoy the moment. You never know what will come around, but memories last a lifetime. That is why I treasure my first dance and Mathew may one day!

God only knows!

You are the only one who looks at me and doesn't turn away.

The aromatic smell of coffee wafted from the bathroom, which was the most dreaded room in my apartment. Looking today at my reflection I saw my sagging skin had come down near my elbows from my underarms. I slowly, painstakingly, lifted up my underarm to put on more deodorant. I slipped my sleeve down again. I clung to my walker and started the slow process of walking to my couch.

I had left the door open so Joy could come into my apartment without me having to get up again. I was so looking forward to seeing her for my birthday celebration. Being around three hundred and sixty pounds, I did not know how many more I would see.

My phone rang and my mind started to regret that I had not taken the time to shower and change. Joy was coming up now. Grease lined my short hairs which stood up unkempt at the back and sides especially. I smelled a musty odor coming from my jogging outfit and the stench of urine.

Joy came in brimming with a smile as she looked at me and she exclaimed, "Happy birthday Judy! Here is your coffee!" She handed me a cup of coffee prepared exactly how I liked it and she sat down. She talked about loving things that were going on in her life. My thoughts raced to wishing I had made similar choices in my life.

"Judy, today my gifts to you are going to give us a great time together! We are going out to lunch. You can use your wheelchair." she explained.

"First you are going to shower."she said. She pulled out a dress with burgondy roses on it and fresh smelling. Joy had always shopped at thrift stores so she could give more. There was some rose smelling body wash and rosemary herbal shampoo.

Every ounce of my being wanted to say no, but Joy had prepared so much. I went and got some fresh underwear and an incontinent pad. Slowly I undressed in the bathroom and showered. I was thankful to God that I could still do this independently with the help of the aids that the occupational therapist had recommended.

When I was finished with my shower and changing, Joy brought my wheelchair. "Wonderful."she stated. She had brought a blow dryer and began to style my hair. The slow stroking of the brush on my scalp made me feel like I was in a health spa.

"Now," she said, "we are going to do make-up." It had been over ten years since I had last worn makeup. She put the foundation on my cheeks, nose, and chin. Starting with the nose she started blending it in with her pad. The pad felt so gentle as it rubbed against my skin.

Next she put on the blush applying it in a similaar way to the foundation except using a make-up brush and different areas. The powder came next as she applied it lightly over my face sweeping the make-up brush. It had been so long since I had been touched in this way.

"Now for the eyes!" Joy exclaimed. She gve me different directions as she painted them with various colors and mascara.

Lovingly she bent down to my level in my chair. She put her hand on my shoulder. It felt so warm and calming. "Oh my! You look absolutely gorgeous!" she exclaimed. Her eyes were staring deep into mine. It was at that moment I realized what I loved most about Joy with me being so overweight.

"You are the only one who looks at me and doesn't turn away." I said as tears ran down my cheeks most likely smudging my mascara. My heart was filled with such a deep wounding remembering how many times people looked at me then quickly turned away.

Joy explained, "That is because you have such gorgeous eyes and your eyes are the windows of your soul!"

I have never forgot that day or my friend Joy. Each day, no matter how I am feeling, after I wake up I have a shower.