Attitude of Gratitude...

I don't know about you, but I get called upon a lot to donate to different things. United Way, SPCA, March of Dimes, etc. I always want to help, and often times I do make small donations, but Dave and I have chosen to give the majority of our budgeted "gift money" to the Komen Foundation. You all know by now that is my passion. However, so many friends have supported me and my family that I really do try to give anytime I can. But for this very reason of understanding limitations, I always understand when someone doesn't participate in giving. I know that there are just so many options that you can only do so much and you must pick and choose. That is why I was BLOWN AWAY at the generosity of my friends and family when I simply asked for 6 swimsuits and wondered if I might have 2 others willing to join me. Boy did I underestimate my amazing friends and family and the way that God would use them to bless these girls!

Back in April God really laid the Texas Baptist Children's Home on my heart and I remembered something my mom had told me. She had taken things to the home at Christmas and although they were VERY appreciative, they mentioned that everyone is so generous during the holidays, but they need things year-round. Mom had mentioned prom and the fact that prom dresses and getting hair and nails done is a luxury that these girls might not be afforded. If there is anything my girls can do, it's some hair, nails and makeup! So I called out to the home in early April knowing prom season was approaching and asking if we could help. At that time they did not have any "prom aged" girls, but they did have 6 girls, ages 6-10, in need of swimsuits! Swimsuits we can do! I drafted an e-mail to local friends and thought that if I got 2 people besides myself willing to help we could each get 2 swimsuits and there would be the 6 that our cabin of girls needed. The chain of e-mails that followed blew me away and I immediately saw needs being met.

Within 2 days I had promises of swimsuits, beach towels, beach bags, sunglasses, flip flops, etc. These girls would be outfitted from head to toe and they would have everything they could possibly need to make a fabulous trip to the pool!! It was truly amazing to see the way God used these women to make an impact on these little girls. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for their selfishness and generosity and all because they were asked. My friend Lindsay in Dallas even read about it on this blog and within 3 days I had a swimsuit and 2 pair of flip flops sitting in my mailbox. Overwhelmed.

Last Thursday mom and I put everything together and took it to the home. We left it for the girls because they had left on an impromptu vacation because someone had given them that opportunity. The house mom called me at 9:30am Saturday morning almost in tears because she got home and got the basket full of goodies and she just could not believe what these girls had received from you all! She, too, was expecting swimsuits and was just shocked at what she found! She said that on their mini "vacation" they had completely run out of sunscreen, and she was thinking about how she was going to need to get money to go buy sunscreen for all of the girls.....guess what was given by my good friend Liz....you guessed it....8 tubes of sunscreen!! That's another thing, originally there were 8 girls and 2 have been adopted!!! Praise God! So we were able to give them a few extras that they can share with another cabin, or save it in case they get new girls throughout the Summer. It all started with a need for a swimsuit, but I want to share with you what each girl got...

• Swimsuit
• Beach Towel
• swimsuit cover-up
• flip flops
• sunscreen
• sunglasses
• goggles
• water toy
• beach bag
• water bottle

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving to the Lord and to these girls. Matthew 6:21 says, "For where your treasure is there your heart will be also." Thank you for allowing us a glimpse of your heart. The heart of a cheerful giver.

Love you all!