Time To Give Back

In an odd way, I'm sad I have to write this blog post. Something like this shouldn't be needed, but it is.

In case you've been swamped with the words "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday", you may nor may not have heard of "Giving Tuesday."

That's today.

It's a day designated to giving back. Helping someone else in need. Doing something for someone else.

I love that we want to give back. It's an awesome thing. What makes me sad though, is that we need a day designated for it. Shouldn't this be something we do all of the time? Should we need a special day to give back only once a year? Why do we need to designate a special day to help other people? It makes me sad.

Yet, it's awesome too. Because it gives us an excuse to do something great. To help someone else. We should do this every single day, but I know I don't.

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Nate sent me an email asking if I would want to join him and his other blog friends in Giving Tuesday. For those of you who don't know, Nate is basically awesome. He's the guy behind Love Bomb, Love Drop, It Starts With Us, and that whole debacle awhile back where a rumor was spread about Lincoln wanting to invent Facebook. Nate and I first connected through Love Drop a couple of years ago, and have been friends ever since. So, when he asked if I wanted to join in on his shenanigans, of course I was in.

Meet Christian Hannah.

Photo taken from his site.

Christian is a 14 year-old boy with cerebral palsy. He can't walk, feed himself, cloth himself, etc. and his mom helps him with everything. (She's only 4'11 by the way. Go short people!) This involves a lot of carrying.

Growing up, because I'm short and breakable, I had to go to physical therapy twice a week and I remember there were always several kids with cerebral palsy. I remember how their parents had to help them with absolutely everything and how hard their therapists worked with them to help build up their muscles.

Even I had to have my parents help me. While I could feed and cloth myself and everything, I do remember they had to help carry me. A LOT. We had 20 steps to get up to our house and when my legs weren't strong enough they had to carry me up those stairs every single day. They had to help me in and out of the car. Then when I had broken bones, they had to help me even more.

As I got older, this wasn't the case as often anymore, and I had way more mobility than a lot of other kids with physical conditions, which is awesome. However, when Nate showed me Christian's story, I couldn't help but relate.

The goal? Raise enough money to get his family a wheelchair accessible van.

Photo taken from Christian's site.

This way, his mom won't have to lift him in and out of the car multiple times a day. He can roll right in with his wheelchair. Pretty awesome, huh? But, it costs money.

That's where we come in. This is how I decided to participate in Giving Tuesday. (If you want to donate, click here!)

Giving Tuesday isn't just about throwing money at people though. It's helping and appreciating those around you. If you can't donate, here are some other ideas:

• Spread the word about Christian. On his page you can share his story on other social media sites.
• Help someone in need that you see today. Even if it's just helping someone load up their groceries in the busy parking lot. Just help them out.
• Share with someone why you appreciate them. It can be through a thank you card, a coffee date on your tab, actually calling them on the phone instead of a text message, whatever. Just show them you appreciate them. 
• Volunteer somewhere today. A homeless shelter, soup kitchen, animal shelter, etc.
• Pay for the person behind you in line- even if you don't know them.
• Spread the word about a favorite charity/organization
• Give that tired waiter/waitress a little bigger of a tip today - they have to deal with awful people all day
• Talk about #GivingTuesday on social media. (Don't forget the hashtag!)

Helping out Christian is my thing. What's yours?

To learn more about Giving Tuesday, check out their website.

God Is For Us

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!!!

I hope you all are having a wonderful Christmas with those you love most. I know I am!

Here is one of my favorite Christmas songs by Casting Crowns - reminding me always of how powerful and wonderful God's love is for us.

December Update

Hello, Friends!

For the last two, almost three weeks now life has been crazy. Which  means I have been behind in pretty much... life. Ha ha.

However, things are starting to calm down. At least I hope they are. For all of you who have kept me in your thoughts and prayers, just thank you again. I know I've said that earlier this month - but you really have no idea how much it has meant to me.

But since I've been behind on life I've realized that I haven't properly introduced you to my blog sponsor swap of the month yet!

End of a Era of Love

For the past year I have have the privilege of being part of an organization called Love Drop.

Once a month they pick out a person or family who is going through a rough patch and drop love on them. It can be in the form of a huge check to help them pay bills, an all expenses paid vacation, service dogs, a car, gifts, cards, hugs - the sky is the limit for this group.

Every month I dedicate a post to Love Drop to help spread the word and share love with people who need it. 

This month is the FINAL LOVE DROP.

New York, New York - It's a Wonderful Town!

Love Drop is at it again! They just came back from the Indianapolis area where they dropped $2,500 worth of baby gifts on newborn triplets (they're so cute!!), and THIS month they're trying to round up the love for another mother who needs our help -- this time fighting against cancer for the 3rd time in 10 years.

Any of us in the same situation would probably use any extra money toward medical bills, so that's why this month we want to instead focus on giving Marci and family the gift of quality time together. Let's send them somewhere amazing and help them form memories that will last forever! We're looking for creative ideas this month... financial gifts too, but also anything that will help them escape together for a while.
Want to help Marci and her family from Fort Collins, Colorado out? Here are 3 ways:

Where Did You Go?

It's only October 10 - and I'm already freaking out wondering where October went.

Sisters... Sisters... There Were Never Such Devoted Sisters...

If you can name the musical the title of this post is from - you get the prize of being COMPLETELY AWESOME.

Any ideas where this is from????? ;)

I have to say - there is nothing quite like sisterhood. Sometimes you love each other - sometimes there is that dreaded sibling rivalry where you just can't stand each other. But even through those times... there is something about sisterhood that can't be denied. It's a connection that will never go away - and even those of you who say you don't like your sister, you know that you don't want it to.

I should know... my dad has been "blessed" to live with an abundance of women.

No one knows sisterhood like the four of us!

I have one older sister, three older half sisters, and a ton of sisters who don't actually share blood with me. And considering that I'm a girl who breaks a lot - having all of these sisters has been amazing. They are people who are there by your side every step of the way. My older sister has always had my back, and I think hurts more than I do whenever I've had to go to the hospital for yet another operation on my legs.

To the right I posted a picture of myself, my sister, and two of my "non-blood related sisters" (who are each others sisters coincidentally) that I've grown up with. Can you guess who is related to who in this picture? Ha ha. This picture was actually taken at the wedding shower for the "sister" in the right corner. I was blessed enough to be her bridesmaid.

But sisterhood - there for each other until the bitter end. There is nothing like it.

Which is why I want to talk to you about two amazing sisters - Lucy and Tracy.

Lucy is the recipient of this months' Love Drop - and her story is amazing! Check out this video:

From the Love Drop Website:

"This month we’re working with two of the sweetest sisters you’ll ever meet. Lucy was a healthy young woman until last fall, when she discovered that she had aplastic anemia, a very rare, life-threatening disease. A bone marrow transplant is Lucy’s best chance for survival, and her sister Tracy is a perfect match.

"These two women and their family are sticking together and working through the toughest time of their young lives, so this month we want to join forces with them and provide six months of insurance payments for Lucy, for a total of $3,000. As a thank-you to our team, the family will be sending out special “Lucy” bracelets to anyone who gives $25 or more."

You can find the other videos for Lucy here and here. 

Watching the videos of this family this month have inspired me! They are so amazing - and going through so much. Yet, they have smiles on their faces and laugh and enjoy each other's company. I know that through all of my operations, I wouldn't have gotten far without the rest of my family there by my side loving me. This is probably one of the toughest situations Love Drop has had to face yet. The drop goes down next week - can you help? Giving $1 can change a life!

Go to  http://www.lovedrop.us/ to find out how you can help!

How We Gonna Pay RENT?

The Love Drop  team is at it again! Last month they gave over $9,200 worth of cash, goods and services to their recipient, the Stalnaker family, who had been going through a financially hard time due to the effects of the BP oil spill on the Louisiana economy. The family was in need of a car and the Love Drop team was able to surprise them with one, making it one of the most exciting Love Drops ever.  You can watch how it all went down here. 

This month they rally behind the Aubins  - a Michigan mother and her three children who  are mourning the death of Keith, husband and father, after his lengthy battle with multiple health problems.  Our goal is to raise at least $3,600 to pay the family's rent for three months, which will allow them to focus on what they need to during this time, without fear of losing their home. Additionally, since Keith was an organ donor, he leaves a powerful legacy and the Love Drop team hopes to raise awareness of organ donation this month to honor Keith's memory. Help us make this month special for the Aubins! Check out the youtube video about the family:

Reminders

Today one of my favorite bloggers, Lauren Lankford, guest blogged for a friend of hers.

The premise is to list 10 Things That Make Your Life Fantastic.

Lady Bug

By now- most of you know that I am actively involved with an organization called Love Drop. 

I can't say enough good things about Love Drop and the people involved. Through the forums (and Twitter!) the people on the team are becoming my friends. Nate and J$ are two of the most amazing guys around, and wake up every morning (or stay up all night) ready to change the world. One person and family and dollar at a time. ]

Manic Monday?

It's been quite an interesting Monday - and a pretty good one at that. But still... quite interesting. I've had a few emotion ups and downs in the last twelve hours or so.

I wanna be a Starship Ranger!

Love and Dissapointment

Hey guys!  The Love Drop team is at it again!  Last month they gave over $5,000 worth of cash and goods to their recipient, Katie, who had been battling a couple of brain tumors over the years, and it culminated with a surprise gift of 15+ friends showing up at her house to celebrate with her. It was awesome. You can watch how it all went down here.

This month they start all over again and grow support for the Kahlen's - a family who has been hit hard by the economy, and by their daughter's serious medical condition, tuberous sclerosis. In addition to financial assistance, they're planning to unite the artistic community to help support Kent's glassmaking work. 

Katie

As my regular readers and some of my close friends may know, I have volunteered to be part of an organization called Love Drop by being on their blogger network. Which means that once a month I dedicate a blog post to Love Drop.

I have quickly become SO INCREDIBLY passionate about Love Drop. It's such a great idea. I feel as though God has truly put loving other people in simple ways on my heart. Love Drop (and it's affiliates ItStartsWithUs and Love Bomb) are AMAZING examples of this! With simply giving a small amount of your time/talents/money, you can change a life and show someone you love them!

I ACTUALLY Don't Have Words

Yeah... I'm speechless.

For those of you who know me, that's a pretty big deal. This video is from Love Drop. I'm part of their blogging network and you can read my blog to promote helping Love Drop here.

Drop Some Love- Ethan & Alex

Did you know....

That last month a family in Chicago received $2500 along with boxes and boxes and boxes of food, supplies, and other goods, from total strangers? Yeah. 400+ people came together, raised money, and donated to help a family in need. It's called Love Drop.

If you want to see the result of this check out my blog about it.

But now we get to do it again. Ethan & Alex have severe autism. Check out this youtube video about them.

Human Branding- Pt. 2

First of all... I know that this post is supposed to be my second part of Human Branding, and it is. But you may remember earlier this month I posted a blog for Love Drop. Well... they just dropped some love on Jill! Here's the link to watch the video. It's so awesome!

http://www.lovedrop.us/jill/the-first-love-drop-jill

If you would like to help drop some love go to: www.lovedrop.us

Love Drop #1- Jill

It's funny how God talks to us sometimes.

The last week or so I've been reading the book Save Me From Myself by Brian "Head" Welch. For those of you who are familiar with late 90's early 2000's rock/metal scene.... yes that is the lead guitarist from the band Korn. I wasn't that into Korn back then. I liked some of their stuff, but when they were popular I was more of an NSYNC girl. Although I was familiar with some of their hits because some of my closest friends were fans. So when I saw Head's book at Barnes and Noble I couldn't help but do a double take.

Is that who I think it is??????

Yup. Apparently I had been living under a rock and "Head" had become a Christian then wrote a book about it. He has another one out that is a 40 day devotional. I'm considering reading it during Lent. So naturally I pick it up. Today I finally got to the part when God woke him up and brought Head closer to him. It's pretty amazing. It happened so quickly and it was so drastic I felt like I was reading about the Apostle Paul's conversion in the Bible. The day after he did a public testimony he flew off to Israel and now I'm reading about when he goes to India.