Day 9: Cooking for Friends Again

Today my gift was cooking supper for two of my friends.  I cooked BLTs and used fresh produce from my garden for the BLTs and salad.  Each day this summer, I took care of my vegetable plants, and I had to give them tons of water with the hot summer we have had.  At times, I didn't feel like taking the time to water and take care of the plants, but I always keep thinking about how great it would be when I finally had some homegrown vegetables.  It is so rewarding seeing and tasting the fruits of your labor, and all the hard work is worth it when you take the first bite of a homegrown tomato or cucumber.  Work hard, share the fruits of your labor with others, and live a Better Life Today.

Day 8: Spending time with a GREAT friend

Today my gift was making time and making an effort to spend time with my friend Lacy.  My path and hers crossed many years ago walking home from school back in the 6th grade.  Since then we have shared many memories together over the years and still remain great friends.  But sometimes the busy-ness of everything gets in the way, and we don't spend as much time together as we would like.  Today we went to supper together and just hung out.  You know those friends you can do absolutely anything with and have a great time, Lacy is one of those friends! I believe God put us here to make the world a better place, and God put friends into our world to make it a better place.  Cherish the friendships in your life because it's the people not things that bring true joy to your life!

Day 7: Compromise with my Boss

My gift today was compromising with my boss.  I work at GTM Sportswear in Manhattan, KS in the Screenprint Department.  It's not flashy or a high-paying job, but it is a place I enjoy working while I finish my teaching degree.  Lately, the Screenprint Department that I work in has been very busy, and we have been required to work the dreaded Saturday shift.  To tell you the truth, I don't mind working Saturdays, but it seems lately I have had prior engagements each Saturday we are asked to work.  With the three upcoming Saturdays busy, I decided to talk to my boss about a different plan.  I proposed I work six 10-hour days instead of coming in for two six-hour weekend shifts to make up the hours.  Needless to say, my boss is a kind, understanding soul, and he agreed very quickly to my proposed plan.  The thing is that he didn't have to agree, and I didn't have to even make up the hours.  But I decided my gift today would be working with my boss to do my part and put in my time for the weekend shifts I would be missing.  Compromise is a key essential in any relationship.  We have to be willing to see each other's point of view, and we have to be willing to do things that we particularly don't want to do to make things work.  Cherish those people in your life that are willing to compromise and see your point of view, and be willing to do the same for them!

Day 6: Spending Time with the Kiddos at Boys and Girls Club

Today my gift was spending time with the youth in our community at Boys and Girls Club in Manhattan.  I have been volunteering there this summer, and it has been a great experience.  Today was an extra great day volunteering.  I volunteer for two hours each Tuesday, so I get to meet lots of kiddos eager for attention and fun.  Today I met a young girl that I will call J.  She was sitting out and not participating in the activity planned.  I sat down next to her and introduced myself.  She said she just wanted to go home.  I started asking her about herself, and we started talking about our favorites (food, color, etc.)  She then started telling me about school and how she was going to be in 2nd grade.  J thinks she is going to like her new teacher because she kinda looks like her old teacher and that's a good thing.  I love little kid logic :)  Anyways, she instantly brightened up when I asked her if she liked to read.  She went to the library and picked out two books for us to read together.  The first I read to her, and the second we took turns reading.  J struggled reading basic words, but she tried her hardest to sound them out.  She didn't get frustrated and enjoyed the story as we took turns reading.  When it was time for her group to move stations, she didn't want to leave my side.  I told her I needed to stay in my assigned area, and how I enjoyed our time together.  She gave me the biggest grin, and I could see I had made her day.  The thing was that her smile had made mine.  Find someone from your work, school, home, or neighborhood that is sitting on the sidelines as my little friend was.  Give them some of your time, and show them that they are noticed and you care.  Who knows, you might just make their day and yours a little brighter! 

Day 5: Cooking Supper for Friends

Today my gift was cooking supper for some friends.  I've always really enjoyed cooking because it reminds me of my family.  When I was little, I loved to watch my Dad cook.  He didn't ever follow a recipe and just cooked with such spontaneity and love.  Like my Dad, I love the creativity of cooking, and I love not to follow the rules when I cook.  As a cook, you can do whatever you want, add whatever you want, and it's always a surprise when you take the first bite.  I feel like life is a little like cooking, sometimes you follow the directions and things work out okay.  Sometimes you take risks and things turn out great!  Don't be afraid to show the world the best you, and don't forget to take risks along the way!

Day 4: Sweet Tea for a Sweet (Awesome) friend

Today my gift was a nice, cold  McAlister's sweet tea for my friend.  I decided I would bring her a sweet tea today while she was organizing her books for the upcoming school year.  Sweet tea has been our treat to help motivate us to study these past two semesters.  Small acts of thoughtfulness make life a little sweeter! :)

Day 3: Gift to a friend

Today I got the chance to run in the Warrior Dash with two of my best running buddies.  One is my former roommate who just moved in with her bf two months earlier.  I decided I would surprise her with a sweet "I Miss Manhattan" tee because I know Manhattan and everyone misses her too!  A big smile flashed across her face when she saw it, and she said "I've been secretly wanting one of these".  We need to cherish the friendships in our life and show our friends how much they mean to us.  I believe God brings us together to enhance and bring joy to each others lives. 

Also, the Warrior Dash was a great success and a challenging event.  It was a dream come true, an awesome obstacle course and running event!  I loved that I got to share it with my running buddies.  Running in these events always inspires me because so many people come together for a common goal:  to compete, have fun, and be healthy!

Day 2: Donation to Nelson-Atkins Musuem of Art

 My gift today was a donation to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City.  I decided this morning to go the the museum when my friend in KC wasn't going to be home until later in the evening.  I'm so happy I decided to go visit the museum; the experience was absolutely wonderful.  It was my first time to the museum, and it is filled with some interesting/beautiful pieces of artwork.  I especially enjoyed the photographs and contemporary pieces of artwork.  Also, I had the chance to meet Zach Houston, who creates poems on the spot about any subject.  I had Zach create a poem about running for me since I will be running in the Warrior Dash this weekend.  It was really interesting to watch Zach type on his typewriter to create a one-of-a-kind poem.  The museum experience made me feel very at peace, and I'm glad I had the chance to make a donation to the museum.   After leaving the museum, I started following my mapquest directions to my friend's house.  Needless to say I got a little mixed up and ended up a little out of the way in Liberty, MO. I was trying to navigate with my giant atlas and decided to stop and get some supper since it was approaching nine o' clock.  I planned to stop at Chick-fil-A, but I spotted Jimmy Johns and just had to go there.  I'm sure glad I did because I met this nice gentleman who helped me find the exact directions to my friends house.  He was so patient, kind, and helpful.  It just made my day!  I walked out of Jimmy Johns with a skip in my step.  Small acts of kindness and giving make a big difference!

Day 1: Giving Blood

Today my gift was blood.  I went to the local Manhattan Community Blood Drive to donate blood to the American Red Cross.  I have been giving blood for about seven years now.  My best friend Becca gave blood in high school, and I thought it was really cool.  She inspired me to give blood, and I have been doing it ever since.  Today the Blood Drive's theme was the "Battle of the Badges" where the local Police Department, Fire Department, and EMS were battling for the most votes.  They were giving away free ice cream and even had a BBQ for donors. 

I always enjoy giving blood because I know I am potentially helping three people with each donation I give.   Also, I enjoy the people.  Everyone is always so upbeat and friendly.  Today the American Red Cross workers were dealing with a new computer system, so things weren't going exactly as smooth as usual.  I was able to give my patience when I had to wait longer than usual during the screening process.   I could see my calm demeanor was rubbing off on the workers, and they worked together to solve the problem.  

Another positive to my blood donation experience is that I got to talk to this really nice volunteer today.  I don't really like needles so when they poke me I always look away.  One of the volunteers, an older lady, came to talk to me to distract me from the poke of the needle.  She was wearing this sweet sweatshirt with the ties and beads hanging off of it; I love grandma sweatshirts!  It was really delightful to get a chance to talk to her and hear about her experiences with the American Red Cross.  She said that they used to have blood drives on the bottom floor of the dorms on K-state campus.  She got involved with the American Red Cross in the late 60s, but after being exposed to Hepatitis C she is no longer eligible to give.  She said her goal was to give 10 gallons of blood after seeing another donor wearing a 10 gallon pin at a local blood drive.  She only had the chance to give 8 gallons of blood before her exposure to Hepatitis C.  Well my new goal is to give 10 gallons, and if I get the change I want to give that lady my 10 gallon pin.  She deserves it.  I recognize her every time I go to give blood.  She is a friendly face and a reliable American Red Cross volunteer in the community.  Giving blood not only makes you feel great but you get to meet a lot great people too!  Also, you get free food/drinks, sometimes sweet t-shirts, and the knowledge that you are helping others!  The next Community Blood Drive in Manhattan is September 29th and 30th!  Hope to see you there!