Day 41: Spending time with Little Sister

12-3-11
Today my gift was spending time with my little sister from Big Brothers, Big Sisters.  She lives in Council Grove, so I don't get to see her as often as I would like.  Today I got to travel to Council Grove to see her.  I planned some Christmas crafts to celebrate the Christmas Season.  We made Christmas cards to send to soldiers overseas, and we decorated Christmas stockings.  It was nice to spend time with Shea doing crafts, and it was nice enjoying each others company and conversation.  Shea seems so grown up since I first met her three years earlier.  As we grow older, time becomes more and more precious.  Spending time with the ones we care about is the best gift we can give.

Day 40: Donation to St. Mary's CYO

Today my gift was donating money to the St. Mary's CYO group of Ellis.  I received the letter below from one of my friend's little sisters.  She and her CYO group were getting ready to attend the National Catholic Youth Conference.  I attended this conference as a CYO member in high school.  It was such a great experience, and it was the first opportunity I had to go to Oklahoma and Texas.  I made many memories on that trip with one of my best friends, and I fell in love with traveling after that trip.  I want to give youth in my home community that same opportunity I had.  That same opportunity to broaden their horizons and meet new people.  Also, I hope these young people had an opportunity to deepen their faith and see the impact that faith can have on their lives.  Each opportunity, journey, or trip we had as youth has helped shape the person we are today.  Give back to those organizations, causes, or experiences that helped mold you into the individual you are today. 



Day 39: Homemade Apple Pie

Today my gift was making my Dad a homemade apple pie for his birthday.  It was Saturday, so I started preparing since it was my 1st attempt at an apple pie. I did a little searching online to find a good recipe, and I made a list.  I thought I would make it this coming week before I went home for the weekend.  I went shopping Tuesday to get all my ingredients.  I picked out the best granny smith and jona-gold apples I could find.  I then purchased some butter, and I had everything else at home.  Then came Wednesday night, I set out my recipe to make the pie crust.  It called for butter, water, and flour.  I added tablespoon by tablespoon of ice water to the flour and butter mixture to finally get a dough product.  I was pumped, it even smelled like real homemade pie crust.  The next evening I got to work on slicing the apples and mixing in all the other ingredients.  Peeling, cutting, and slicing apples was a lot of hard work.  I rolled out the crust, put in the apple mixture, and put the other crust on top.  I used the little knowledge I had about pie making to complete this task.  Thanks to those couple times I helped my Mom I did it.  After 45 minutes in the oven, the apple pie was finally done.  It looked amazing!  I only hoped it would taste as good as it looked.  I carefully wrapped it up to be taken the 2 1/2 hour drive back home.  When I arrived I was so excited to present this masterpiece to my Dad.  He was so surprised that I made it all by myself.  I think this was one of my best birthday gifts I have given.  Giving isn't about finding the next best thing, or about buying some expensive gift.  Giving is about thinking of others and thinking about what will bring them joy and a peaceful feeling.  It is the thought behind gifts that make them meaningful and special.  Give the gift of making another feel special!

Day 38: Cards to Friends

Today my gift was sending two of my best friends cards.  One was getting a root canal, and I thought a Get well card would be perfect.  So I crafted up a card with a tooth fairy and big tooth looking happy on it.  If anything, it would make her laugh.  My other friend was just trying to recover from the flu along with taking care of her sick husband and son.  Sometimes we can't physically be there for our friends and family members, but we can send them kinds words and wishes through phone calls and cards.  We each have the power to make another person's journey a little more joyful and bareable.  Do something kind for someone that needs it, whether it's a stranger in the grocery store, or someone you've known all your life.

"Everyone has a fair turn to be as great as he pleases." 
-Jeremy Collier

Day 37: Making a Sandwich

Today my gift was making a lady a sandwich just the way she wanted it.  I volunteered at Second Helping again, which is a program through the 1st Congregational Church in Manhattan, KS that serves meals each Sunday to those in need.  We had a great turnout of volunteers and even had two teenagers come to help.  Each week a home-cooked meal is made and sack lunches are put together for those that come.  This week I helped make the sandwiches and set up the tables.  As I was setting up the tables, a lady asked me, if we had any more sandwiches because she didn't get one.  I ran back to the kitchen and grabbed one of the extra sandwiches to give to the her.  As I presented it to the her, she looked at it closely.  She asked if she could have a sandwich with just cheese on it with no meat or lettuce.  I said, "Sure, no problem" and walked quickly back to the kitchen to solve this problem.  I took the meat and lettuce off and put it on another sandwich, so it would not go to waste.  I was so happy, I was going to make this lady's day by giving her a sandwich with just cheese.  As I presented the second sandwich to her, she looked at it closely again.  She replied she wanted white bread and would not eat wheat bread.  I walked back to the kitchen a little more slowly to solve this dilemma.  I took out another sandwich with white bread and thought I could just switch the white bread for the wheat bread.  And that's what I did.  I walked back over to the lady to present to her the third sandwich I had made for her.  Immediately, she looked at it, and she said she wanted American cheese not Swiss cheese.  I asked her if she was sure, and she said she was.  I walked back to the kitchen yet again to make her sandwich  for the fourth time.  I was determined to give her the sandwich that she wanted.  Other volunteers warned me that she was always making demands, but I wanted to make her happy and make her the sandwich she wanted.  So I pulled off the Swiss cheese, and I put a new slice of American cheese on the two slices of white bread.  I walked energetically over to the lady to present plain American cheese sandwich made with white bread to her.  This was the one, I just knew it!  She looked closely at the sandwich, which made me nervous.  She opened her mouth to speak, and I winced.  The lady said, "Oh, you are such a sweetheart!"  She was so overjoyed that she had finally gotten the sandwich she wanted.  I was overjoyed too that I had finally gotten it right.  The lady introduced herself to me as Diana and even introduced me to her son.  I told her I was happy I could make her sandwich right, and I told her it was nice to meet her.  As I left that day from volunteering, I thought back to my experience.  Diana was a "regular" at the Second Helping meal.  She probably did not have the opportunity to go out to eat at a restaurant or even enough food to get her through the week.  Sometimes in life, we have no control over our situations.  In those situations, I think we all react similarly to how Diana did.  We take comfort in rituals and in those things we still have control over.  I'm glad I met Diana because she reminds me that we are all going through something.  I believe with a little patience, a little kindness, and  a little determination, we can all make each other's journeys through life a little more joyful.

Our tables set up for the meal.

Sign outside advertising for the Free meal

Busy chopping onions for the Breakfast Casserole

Packing up the sack lunches

Day 36: Volunteering at Second Helping

Today my gift was giving back to the Manhattan community by coordinating a volunteer opportunity with Second Helping.  Second Helping is a meal prepared by volunteers at the First Congregational Church for those that are homeless or in need.  I recruited eight volunteers to help out with the event.  Two of those volunteers were my friends.  It meant a lot that they came and volunteered with me.  It was such a great experience preparing the meal, serving the meal, meeting new volunteers, and knowing that we all made such a difference by giving our time for those in need.  I realized that we all are going through things in life, but we all need to be aware that someone else might be going down an even rougher road.  We always need to remember that even when we feel like we have nothing to give; we still do.  We have our kind words, our friendship, our hugs, our kindness, and our helping hands reaching out to others and expecting nothing in return.

"This, then, is the test we must set for ourselves; not to march alone, but to march in such a way that others will wish to join us."
-Hubert H. Humphrey
From The Little Book of Positive Quotations that my Brother Jarret so thoughtfully gave to me last Christmas.

Day 35: Encouraging words

Today my gift was sending a good friend of mine a card in the mail.  She hasn't been herself lately, and I just wanted to let her know that I am there for her.  I wanted to encourage her and brighten her day.  Sometimes we reach out and expect nothing in return.  Today reach out to someone in need.

Day 34: Benefit Run

Today my gift was running in a Benefit Run in Junction City along the Riverwalk to raise money for an eight year old with disabilities to obtain a service dog.  It was so inspiring being able to meet CJ and his family.  They were all so thankful for the donations and those who participated in the 5K.  In this life, there are so many opportunities to raise money for the causes you believe in.  I think running in these sort of races is such a great gift to myself and others.  I feel great when I get to participate in an event to help someone else, and it is a great way to stay healthy!  Find a cause you believe in and get involved today either by raising money, running in a 5K, or volunteering.  Get involved!

Day 33: Supportive words

Today my gift was sending a Facebook message to someone I rarely see face to face.  I noticed their status said somethings that pointed me to thinking that they were upset about something.  Sometimes we see that others are going through something, but all too often we ignore these people and think they will figure it out on their own.  Especially in this world of social media, when someone cries out for help, we think they are simply trying to get attention.  Today when you see those messages of someone needing help, send words of support, words of kindness.  We all can do a little to make an impact in those around us.

Day 32: Helping out a lady at DG

Today my gift was helping a lady put her groceries into her car.  I noticed her when she was exiting Dollar General.  She had several heavy items such as kitty litter and other items.  It took a couple minutes out of my day to help this woman put the items into her car.  We can give the gift of service to anyone we see that we feel may need a little extra help. Seek out someone like this today and give the act of service as your gift today. 

Day 31: Helping Delbert

Today I was going about my busy day; going to work, going to class, going to the recycling center, and then going to volunteer at Boys and Girls Club.  While I was at the recycling center, I went about my normal business sorting my plastics, cardboard, paper, glass, tin cans, and other recyclables into the different compartments.  I got done rather quickly.  As I exited Howie's, I glanced over to see an elderly gentlemen unloading his recyclables onto a cart.  I quickly put my recycling bins back in my trunk and sat down in my car to start it.  I glanced over to see the elderly man continuing to unload his recyclables.  I started my car and put my car in reverse and then I reached for my phone and looked at the time.  It was 3:45 and I had to be at Boys and Girls Club at 4:00.  Thoughts raced through my mind.  What if he gets mad and doesn't want my help?  What if I leave and don't help him?  What if I do help him?  Then I thought of this, my blog, my inspiration, my want to really be the change we want to see in the world and how each day we are presented with these situations in which we choose to help someone or to ignore them.  I put my car back in park and turned the ignition off.  I walked over to the elderly gentlemen and told him I had some time to spare and asked him if he needed some help.  He kindly said that it would be fine.  I soon began emptying boxes of cardboard, bags of plastic, and bags of heavy papers.  It took about five to seven minutes to help this kind man out.  He kept saying "It is so kind of you to help".  I just knew I was supposed to stop and help him.  It's such a gift to offer help and have another receive it.  He was so kind and introduced himself as Del, short for Delbert.  He was so friendly and said it would have taken him much longer to unload all of his recyclables.  We all can be those helpful, friendly, and giving people in our communities.  Each day we are presented with situations that we have to make a choice about.  I hope this story opens your eyes to helping someone in need or just helping someone out to brighten their day. 

Day 30: After 29 Days of Giving...

So I think after 29 days of giving, my life really is changed.  I feel so thankful, so inspired, and just so HAPPY!!  Most days it seemed opportunities to give just fell into my hands.  I don't know if this normally happened each day, or if I was just paying more attention to the opportunities to give in front of me.  I feel each day was such a blessing.  I got to give a gift each day, and each day I feel like I received so much back from giving that gift.  It seemed some days things were just going my way and nothing could affect my mood and happiness.  It was just such a great, inspiring journey.  I am sad it's over, and I guess I have already decided it's NOT over.  I am going to change my blog to "Giving Back:  29 Gifts and Counting..".  I am excited for the challenge, the new experiences, and just to continue to do what I love.  I hope you enjoy reading about my experiences with giving, and I hope you will continue to read.  God Bless.

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“Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more”

Anthony Robbins quotes

Day 29: Thank Yous to Former Teachers

Today my gift was sending thank yous to one of my former high school teachers and one of my former college professors.  Both have impacted me and my learning.  I feel like a better writer because of my high school English teacher.  She always challenged me to do my best.  My college professor had a different way of teaching and was more of a constructivist teacher.  He inspired me to create my own questions, explore the world, and to be curious about the world.  It was very empowering.  I had always wanted to send both of them thank yous and I thought this would be the perfect time to do it with school starting. Teachers are such inspiring people!  Thanks to all those teachers out there, and I hope I can make an impact as my teachers did on me. 

“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell, where his influence stops.”
Henry Brooks Adams

Day 28: Celebrating August Birthdays

Today my gift was going out with the girls to celebrate the August birthdays in our group.  I love spending time with my friends.  It's always such a great time to go out to supper and just talk about whatever is on our minds.  I think spending time with the ones we care about is such a gift, and sometimes we do not take the time to do it.  We get busy with the craziness of life, opt out, tell ourselves we don't have time, and we seclude ourselves.  Sometimes spending time with our friends or family is just what we need when we are overstressed or overworked. 

Day 27: Recruiting for 5K

Today my gift was helping recruit runners/walkers for the Benefit Run for CJ in Junction City, KS on September 11th at 8am.  It is a 5K/10K to raise money for CJ, an eight-year old with disabilities, who is in need of a service dog.  I took advantage of Facebook, and Twitter to spread the word.  Also, I hung up posters at work and around KSU campus.  I hope that my recruiting will help get more people involved.  It's a great reason to run to help a child, and a great opportunity to be active!  I am passionate about helping others, running, and kids, and I am so happy I have the chance to run in this race.  We can all be instrumental in helping spread a message we believe in. 

Day 26: Helping Michelle

Today my gift was helping my friend Michelle move her classroom supplies and resources into her mobile unit.  Michelle's elementary school here in Manhattan has been under construction this summer, so she had to move out all her stuff at the end of the school year in May.  Michelle needed someone to help her move the supplies and resources back in, and my roommate, her boyfriend, and I were up for the challenge.  It's amazing how quick we moved the stuff from our basement, into three cars, over to her school, and into her mobile unit that will be her temporary classroom.  What four people completed in one hour would have taken her probably four hours or longer.  We all have the opportunity to help others each day.  Today take that opportunity to help another person.  Show them what you have to give.

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."
— Theodore Roosevelt

Day 25: Back to School Gift

Today my gift was sending my Little Sister from Big Brothers & Big Sisters a Back to School gift.  I sent her a new book to read, some pencils, and erasers.  I thought the gift might get her excited for school since last time I talked to her she wasn't too enthused for school to start.  I know as a child getting new school supplies was always such a joy.  I hope my gift will inspire, excite her, and bring her joy for the beginning of her 5th grade school year. 

Day 24: Donation and Birthday present

Today my gift was donating to a raffle to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness and giving my friend Sara a sweet running watch for her birthday.  I went home with my friend Sara and I got the chance to experience Old Settlers Days in Mulvane, KS.  It was quite the small-town experience equipped with fair rides, an awesome parade, lots of friends and family, and a rodeo to top off the evening.  My favorite part was probably riding the Tilt-a-Whirl with Sara, Kendra, and her little cousin Cara (aka Carebear...yeah she calls me Sherbear).  I was nervous at first.  I'm not a big fan of spinning rides, stemming from a bad experience at my own hometown Ellis Riverfest.  Cara insisted that we all needed to ride it together.  We stepped up, and we all gave the worker our tickets.  We picked out a cab towards the front and sandwiched all four of us in.  Once we started around the first curve, I felt the rush of the first tilt and whirl, and at that moment I knew it was going to be fine.  I screamed like a small child and laughed uncontrollably.  I felt so free and childlike.  What a great experience.  Sometimes the greatest of our experiences make us nervous or anxious, but I think that's the beauty in any experience.  We never know how things will turn out, but we have to take risks to truly experience life to the fullest.

Day 23: Birthday card

Today my gift was sending my Aunt Rhonda a birthday card in the mail.  I love sending and receiving snail mail.  In this fast-paced world, I love sending cards in the mail that make others feel your love and caringness from miles away.  Send someone you care about a card the old fashioned way through the mail, it'll brighten their day guaranteed! 

"In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love."  Mother Teresa

Day 22: Phone Calls

Today my gift was two phone calls to two friends.  The first I called to talk about a previous conversation we had.  I wasn't satisfied how we left things and wanted to fully understand why she was upset.  I wanted to show her I cared and wanted her to understand my point of view as well.  The second I just called to tell her how much I appreciated her friendship.  Simple acts of kindness and forgiveness...can make a difference in your life and in the lives of others around you.