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Time for Giving

Amy — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 09:27:25 +0000

School is out! Guess who is home all day for the next two weeks?

Yes, my almost 6 year old kindergartener! He’s crazy and loud. A typical boy who has a ton of energy. Believe it or not, I am really looking forward to taking some time off work to hang out with this wild little thing. Let me tell you a few reasons why.

1. He’s pretty much a hoot to be around. Last week, I heard him yelling at the TV when a cartoon character on Noggin was singing a song about the earth making the flowers. “Mom! They’re lying! The earth doesn’t make the flowers, God does!”

2. He just lost one of his top front teeth and looks so cute with 3 missing teeth. I can’t believe his top teeth are already coming out!

3. He is really excited to help me decorate our gingerbread house, which I’m obsessed with now. I can’t wait to show you photos!

4. He’s the perfect age for Christmas. It will be magical to him. He understands the story of Jesus, plus he still thinks Santa can fit down the chimney.

5. He’s old enough to keep his little sister entertained. Even though there is usually a lot of screaming involved.

I may go a little crazy while he’s home too, but when I do, I’ll try to remember what a sweet little boy I am blessed with to mold and shape into a wonderful young man.

We passed out some of the toys from our toy drive this weekend. My awesome friend Kimberly and her family came too. People were lined up, many with up to 7 children, to pick up toys.

Our boys were very happy to help. It made my heart melt watching them get excited to give away toys.

None of them asked if they could have one either. Shocking!

The best was when they handed the bag of gifts over to the mother who would then give these to her own children. Seeing the parent’s happy faces made us all so proud!

Even the little ones helped out.

We passed out over 200 presents to 67 families that day. Willow Creek Fellowship will do this again 2 more times before Christmas.

Not only was Willow Creek passing out toys, but also giving free music lessons to community children. As we were leaving a few members were going to deliver 200 gift bags to nursing home residents. This was all done in just a few hours, the people of this church never rest. I was totally in awe and motivated to do more for others. As we handed out toys, I thought about how little of my time this took and how many people were affected by this. After being apart of this giving day, I really hope I don’t go back into the hustle and bustle of doing things just for me. I want to make time to help my community. I’m not sure what I will do next. Whatever it is, I hope it will benefit others in some meaningful way.

Right now I’m going to focus on my little boy and hope that he grows up with a giving and serving heart.

We did make it just in time for his basket ball game that afternoon where he scored the team’s first basket of the season!! (he’s on the far right with his hands in the air.)

We ran around like crazy that day. I crashed and burned by 8pm, but in the end, it was all worth it. There were over 200 children that were given a bit of joy and that makes me smile:-)

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Giving is great!

Amy — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:23:48 +0000

I got to sort and wrap gifts for our Gifts of Grace – East Plano Toy Drive last night. I’m excited to announce the grand total of gifts was… 430!! Last we counted it was at 200, so what a blessing!

Thanks to everyone who bought toys!! I’m so very proud to be a part of this.

We did a LOT of wrapping!

I did a lot of eating these! YUM!

Thank you MOPS girls, Kimberly, Kerri, Joana and Christy for helping sort and wrap! Kimberly and I sorted and bagged the gifts until midnight!! There are a LOT of gifts that need to be delivered this Saturday. Anyone reading this from our church that wants to help, please contact me. We need you!!

Another big thanks goes to KayVonne who wrapped a ton of gifts! KayVonne and I met through our blogs, then a few weeks ago we finally met in real life! That was so much fun. We hugged and laughed and hugged some more. I remembered to get a picture this time!

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, KayVonne was one of the BIG 80′s hair winners. ha! (speaking of that… I still have your Starbucks card! I should have given it to you last night! arg:-) Oh, well… we can just go to dinner for your birthday instead. Much more fun right?

Again, thanks to everyone who participated in this event. Dot, Angie and Heather… thanks for sending toys! You are all awesome.

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The winner of my personalized wall art giveaway was Sylvia!!

Sylvia doesn’t have a blog, but I can tell you… she is ULTRA excited to make something personalized for her husband’s office. I’m excited too Sylvia!

Have a super Friday:-)

Free Printable Christmas Wish Lists for Kids

Amy — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:31:26 +0000

My 5 year old son has been talking non stop about what he wants for Christmas. He is constantly changing his mind or adding new things to his wish list. I designed these fun sheets for him to practice his writing. He’s not the best writer, so I made one where you can glue on a picture.

I hope you enjoy these for your kid’s wish lists too! Just click on the image to download a printable file.

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Toy Drive

Amy — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:14:50 +0000

October 15th was Blog Action Day. Over 12,000 bloggers banded together to discuss a single issue – poverty. I am sad to say that I didn’t know about this until the following day. Well, now I have something to discuss on this topic and I need your help!

I’ve always had a deep desire to do something to help people, but never stepped outside of my little box other than to donate money or sponsoring a child far far away. I’ve never really gotten involved personally, until now. I’m excited to say that I’ve started a mission project at my church! Yeah! I’m excited, but also freaking out a little!

I started by asking around for something my MOPS (Mother’s of Preschoolers) group could do to help needy families in our community. I was then introduced to Pastor Roy Frady, of Willow Creek Fellowship of Plano, who serves mostly an underprivileged, multicultural congregation. From talking with Pastor Frady, I realized this community was in dire need of help. Along with needing food and clothing, he told me many of the children got nothing for Christmas last year, but small things the church handed out. I couldn’t believe families living only 15 minutes from me couldn’t afford to buy their kids ONE toy, when I have an ENTIRE playroom overflowing with them!

Amazingly, Pastor Frady has come up with ways to provide this community with food, clothing and school supplies. Well, then by golly… I wanted our MOPS group to provide them with toys!!!

This is how Gifts of Grace- Toys for East Plano was started and where I need your help blog land:-) Please, Please help a child in need. All you have to do is 3 simple steps!!

1. Cut out a tag provided on this pdf file.

2. Purchase a toy.

3. Mail your NEW toy with a securely attached tag by Nov. 30th to:

Grace Community Church
Att: Toys for East Plano
4501 Hedgcoxe Road
Plano, Texas 75024

**Please mail gifts by November 30th
You may send wrapped or unwrapped toys as long as you include a tag.

Our goal is to provide 800 Toys for this community need. Please help us reach our goal and make a difference in a child’s life!

I can’t wait to show you photos of the day we get to hand out these toys to the families! I hear there will be a long line of very thankful people wrapped all around the church. I just pray we get enough gifts for each child! If you live in my community and would like to help, please contact me.

For more information about participating churches please visit: www.findgrace.org and www.willowcreekfellowship.us

We only have a few weeks to get 800 TOYS!

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