Not the Getting, but the Giving

WOW!!! Where to begin....

My last post - I was so excited to find that some of my favorite bloggers were hosting some really cool give-aways!! I love give-aways!! Who doesn't? Right?

I am taking the long road of a short story - so hang with me...

I have been reading "Same Kind of Different As Me" by Ron Hall & Denver Moore, which is about GIVING selflessly & being obedient of God's calling to help those in need. I have been extremely moved by this book and feel blessed to have come across the Bloom Book Club Blog who suggested this book. On Wednesday, I finally found the time to catch up with the book club blog and listen to the hostesses, Jessica & Angie's discussion of the first 100 pages of the book.

Stay with me...

On Thursday, as I skimmed through all the blogs I follow relentlessly...I came across one blogger's post about her calling to give in the form of charity. She felt unsure of what she was supposed to give or to who. But, she was waiting patiently for God's direction. I found this interesting and...well...lingering...not sure why...but lingering...

This is going somewhere I promise.

As I moved on...I found a blogger, Jess Mac, hosting a raffle for a very sick baby girl named Calla, born at just 26 weeks, tiny & weak, growing stronger everyday in NICU.

Now Jess is truly a prayerful, faithful follower & obedient child of God. Over the past month, she has no knowledge of the fact that I have gotten to know her strength, beliefs, joys, pain & suffering, and now her son named little Levi & the blessing he is to her. She has no idea of the ways she has touched my heart & brought me closer to my Maker by her testimonial words she posts on her blog.

As I read Jess' blog closely about sweet tiny Calla & the raffle she was hosting to raise money for Calla's parents, I remembered clearly & specifically words from Jessica & Angie (The Bloom Book Club Blog)...back to the topic of GIVING & being obedient to God's calling. They brought up the fact that it is very easy to watch the news about the tragedy in Haiti & see so many people in need - but think "what can I do - my $5 won't make a difference", assuming that others are doing enough...celebs, large charities & organizations, etc. Angie says it's the "bi-standard effect" - thinking someone else will help. I am very guilty of this. I think "I can't give thousands of dollars & I am sure lots of other (rich) people are giving". Also, this tragedy has been talked about so much that we become numb to it.

As I was reading the blog about Calla & actually hurting for the struggles this family is going through and prayerful for the strength they need to endure this...for many months to come. I was thinking "I am sure lots of people are giving $ for this raffle and I bet they are raising lots of money". I struggled for a moment.

to give. me?

or not to give. why not me?

I was tempted to just click on to the next blog - but I stopped.

I prayed for this weak little baby girl & her family. For healing, strength & peace.

and then...(lightbulb moment), otherwise known as "Hello Kim, this is me, God."

I said outloud, "Ok, God, I got it."

I headed over to PayPal and donated some $ to the "Cora's for Calla" raffle. I fought my belief that I CAN'T make a difference. I didn't want to be numb to the pain of this family without helping, even if it was just a little.

Wow, it feels wonderful to give...it makes my heart happy, my soul filled with His love & grace.

giving.

giving.

giving. selflessly. being obedient.

Honestly...I am amazed at what I am getting from my little bit of giving. Really? I am going to get something from what I gave? Yep. I am filled with joy!

I am so thankful for The Bloom Book Club, Ron Hall, Denver Moore, Jess Mac & sweet sweet little Calla - for playing a part in my spiritual journey, for being messenger's of God's love and His need for us to be giving of ourselves, for teaching me to be a better & more meaningful giver, and most of all...for being such a blessing to me. Thank you my dear friends (even though we've never met). I will continue to pray for visible ways that I can give.

Where was this story going?

Oh yeah...

...end of my story...I WON the first raffle of "Cora's for Calla" and I CAN NOT wait to GIVE these raffle winnings (adorable children's clothing) to my sweet friends & their babies!

I love give-aways!

I love all my blogger friends & I certainly love fun give-aways. So, today's post includes, both! Head on over to http://shane-natalie.blogspot.com/ to check it out.

Natalie is redecorating in yellow/grey & is giving away "stuff".

First, an adorable piece of art from Karen Faulkner over at Etsy. Of course, I entered the give-away contest and chose the Chocolaqua Watercolor Flower and really hope I win. It will look great in me bedroom of blue & brown!

This is a photo of the watercolor piece by Karen Faulkner that Natalie purchased and hung in her bedroom.

She is also giving away an adorable candle from Zuz Designs (zuzdesign.etsy.com). You can check that out on Natalie's Blog as well. Yes, she showed this photo of yellow/grey, but I registered to win a lovely candle in blue/brown!

This is a glimpse of wishful thinking by Natalie...a beautiful room of yellow & grey. Ok, it really is beautiful...who would've thunk it?

No, no, no, I will not redecorate...no, no, no!

Oh great, Natalie...thanks for the itch to go yellow & grey!

Not Me! Monday

This is a fun idea from one of my favorite bloggers (www.mycharmingkids.com). I will love the opportunity to be brutally honest. But ONLY on Mondays. Just know that on the other days of the week I plan on going back to my usual "Super Mom" self who has it all totally together, clean and organized (Ha, yeah, right!!)

I am NOT washing a load of clothes AGAIN today that sat in the washing machine wet ALL weekend.

I did NOT let me boys go to bed last night without brushing their teeth simply because I was tired and wanted to go to bed. I did NOT only read 1 book to them at bed time because I was longing for bedtime too.

I did NOT get slightly nauseous last week when my 6 yr. old said he was getting older and didn’t need to sleep “with big yellow blankie” anymore.

I am NOT allowing my kids to watch too much TV this morning so I can catch up on my favorite blogs.

I am NOT starting ANOTHER diet for the 3rd time this year already. I am NOT dreading lunch since I know it is going to be diet food. I am NOT trying to talk myself out of throwing in the towel AGAIN today & starting this diet again tomorrow. I do NOT want to jump in my car right now and head to Chic-Fi-La for lunch and a forbidden Dr. Pepper. I am NOT starving. And, of course I do NOT have a head ache from lack of caffeine Ughhhhhh!!!!

I am NOT still in my pj's and it's almost noon. My kids are still in pj's too.

James just said "I want to go pee pee in the grass" & I did NOT just say "Ok, go out on the back porch."

I lastly, I have NOT and would NOT ever procrastinate a long list of things that really NEED to be done today. I am NEVER un-motivated, NOT EVER!

My Very First Finished Project

Check this out...my very first finished knitting project - a scarf. I was so excited to finish it & it only took me about 2 weeks. Yay me!!!!

The purpose of this new hobby was to calm me & help me find some peace in sitting still...& it works. I sit and knit about an hour in bed before I fall asleep at night (while listening to some brainless TV shows in the background). It helps me settle down & unwind after a crazy day. Yes, all of my days are crazy. Fun, but crazy none the less.

I have already started making a little baby blanket to use in some newborn photos sessions, as well as a pair of pink camo socks! Yes, I am attempting to knit socks! Can't wait to show pix!

PS - This is the "real" me in the pix - no make-up & a baseball hat to hide my not-fixed hair-do (or don't, I should say). It's a typical look for a Saturday with the family. My husbands says he loves the "natural" look. I find it somewhat harder to like the older I get. I feel the need for under-eye concealer and mascara more and more. But, oh well, now you've seen the "real" me.