Buttercup

For years, I used to think that I had a black cloud hanging over me. Once in a while, it would clear up and I'd have sunshine. For the most part, however, it was dark and gloomy. It's only recently that it's been sunshine and buttercups, and I really like it.
Part of me is thinking that someone is going to tap me on the shoulder and say, "Excuse me, but you are living the wrong life." then they'd point towards the dark, gloomy valley and I'd slouch off that way. Waiting for the proverbial shoe to drop.
However, I cant think like that, because I deserve happiness. Ive worked hard to get to where I am. I've been mired in the muck, and have worked hard for every iota of success I have.
So I will carry on being fantabulous.
I am a firm believer that you need to put out good vibes to get them in return. Receiving blessings means you have to give them out. You pay it forward by giving back. These aren't just slogans. This is how I live my life. Years ago, at St. Elizabeth's Sunday School I remember hearing a Bible verse and drawing a picture of it. It touched me on a molecular level and has become my mission statement:
34 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’
I've had a few people say, rather condescendingly I might add, that by me being me makes them look bad. I'm about building people up not tearing them down. I believe that the vibes you send out to the universe come back to you three fold. If you are negative, that's going to come back to you in a big way. I know, I've been there. I've been in that pit, too. It's being confident to know that sometimes you need the darkness to appreciate the light.
And, let the sun shine in, buttercup.

A Message to You

My Etsy shop, Deelightful Green is open for business! Featuring accessories, meal plans and more, you can save 10% now through Leap Day with the coupon code DEELIGHTFUL.


Its a great place to shop and save!

Also, please remember a portion of all sales are donated to Feeding South Dakota,

the Banquet milk fund

and the Sioux Falls Humane Society.

As always, paying it forward by giving back.

Goody Two Shoes

In honor of Martin Luther King day today, the Little Man and I had a chance to serve with Samaritan's Feet,
(http://www.samaritansfeet.org/)
providing shoes for community members in need.
We had started the morning off in Sunday School, were the topic of the day was be becoming a disciple. (ever feel like the Holy Spirit works in your life?) I also had the kiddos watch Dr.King's "I have a Dream" speech

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smEqnnklfYs&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Which for some of them, it was the first time they had heard him speak. They were transfixed and for my son, it had set the tone for the rest of the day.
We went to serve after church. For a kiddo with autism, the fact we weren't following our routine was a little troubling, but we made a nice recovery.
We got to the SF Ministry Center and were ready to work. Samaritan's Feet is an organization that provide shoes to those in need, both around the world and here in the US. When I count my blessings in my gratitude journal, I always add having shoes on my feet as a blessing. In many areas, there are no paved roads or sewage systems, so that is what you are walking through. Even in our own country, with today's economic circumstances, many kids are wearing shoes that dont fit properly, and are unable to fix that problem.
The guests were invited by 12 different agencies, and included families and individuals. Seeing kids his own age really impacted my son. He went from whining about not going home to play with his toys to being grateful he had multiple pairs of shoes to wear.
An object lesson come to life.
The guests had their feet washed by a team of volunteers and dried. They were then fitted with a brand new pair of shoes.
We served as shoe runners. We got shoes from the table and handed them to the guests. Little Man worked with me, and was very quiet the whole time.
We stayed about an hour, and on the way home, we had a great discussion on want VS need. Little Man said he never expected to see kids his own age there. He also was surprised that he, a 9 year old, was able to do something to make it better. Pay it forward is a common phrase in our home. I am a firm believer if you've been blessed you best bless others. I never understood people who didn't give back to the world. It's all about karma-you put out bad vibes, they come back to you.
Im just grateful my son helped to put love in action yesterday.