Do you pray? And if you do what does prayer mean to you? It seems as though some people feel about prayer kind of the way they do about Santa……. what can you bring me? I will be good if you give me this or that…. I don’t know, I am not trying to say that these people are bad for how they pray, after all prayer is a very personal thing. And I guess there was a time when my prayer life was like that too and I don’t think I was a bad person, but I do think that I had a lack of understanding! I also feel I did not have a deep and meaningful connection to God. I treated God as though he were this great Grandpa in the sky granting or <em>not granting</em> my wishes!

My prayer life these days is much different, I don’t know that I actually <em>ask </em>for anything in particular at least not in the way that I did when I was young. I mean I don’t <em>ask </em>God for anything….I do recognize that it is HIS will and all will be good no matter how it goes. I come to God with petitions for health and guidance…often…. I never <em>bargain</em> with Him….now I am pretty sure there was a time when I would have taken that course of prayer with Him.  I do not do that any longer. It has taken me years to get to a point where I am peaceful with the fact that<em> everything happens for a reason</em><strong>….. My biggest prayer today is that when the day comes that I am faced with my own personal tragedies, that I can remember everything I have learned about me..about God… and why we or I am here. That is my most earnest prayer!
Peace*

“Four Questions That Can Change Your Life……” that is what the book claimed…….

I am currently listening to an audio book by Byron Katie entitled “Loving What Is…..”  I have heard this book and author mentioned many times but never had the opportunity (meaning I never bothered to look up the book) to read it. This is recommended reading, as far as I am concerned, for anyone that struggles with issues of self defeating thoughts.

When I started listening to the introduction and heard the story of how Byron Katie herself had struggled with severe depression and heard her story, through her own words and in the case of the audio, in her own voice, when I listened it had me thinking….how terribly harsh it sounded. I admit that it was sad to listen to it. I would find it sad to hear anyone talk about how they, at times, could not get out of bed for days and that their children were afraid to walk past their bedroom door in fear of incurring their wrath! That is some serious depression. And then she goes on to explain how one day she woke up and was a totally different person. Her book is an instruction manual on how she did this and how you can do it to if you apply the four questions and the “turn around” to issues in your own life.

It sounds so simple and really it is…..but it is a bit of an aha moment when you hear it…..simple yes….. profound, yes.

In the audio you actually get to hear Katie talking to people who have issues and hear her walk them through the 4 steps and hear them as they realize the answer.

Katie has a website at  thework.org at this website you will find information on how to use the work as well as downloads of worksheets and videos about the Work.  There is a wealth of information at her website and all for free. At the website you can also read about her for profit program called Turnaround House. It is a very expensive ( $20,000…I think that is expensive) in house 28 day program that has apparently changed many lives.

A lot of, if not all of, the remaining parts of Katie’s program are free. The money raised from Turnaround House goes to support all of the other ventures…such as getting free copies of “Loving What Is…” in any non profit org that requests them.   Katie holds events all over the world about these 4 simple questions…and helps many people.

It appears that Katie does a lot to help others and much of her work is free.  I am impressed at the generosity she expresses….I have read stories of her even inviting people to Turnaround House on what I would guess is a scholarship or Grant.

I am not finished, actually only beginning the book and may want to post more once I am finished. I was just inspired to let others know about it based on the small amount of info I had read. If you are wanting to read an interesting book on self-awareness…growth….definitely in the realm of Psychology…….whatever you want to call it….may I recommend this one?

Blessings from Blessing in Giving!

2010  is going to be a year of growth for Blessing in Giving!  I am so happy to announce that we have raised half of the money need to file for our 501(C)(3)  !!  Once we are able to file and then get approved we will be in a position to open our own accounts and raise money and distribute money in a easier fashion then we are currently able to!

I am currently getting started on an official Business plan for Blessing! I have had one in the past year but I would not call it a very professional one! I have been receiving some mentoring from a very nice lady who has shared info with me which will make it easier for me to write up a professional business plan.  Praise God! As I find a business plan to be one of the hardest things to do!

I am looking forward to alot of growth in 2010! I am already looking towards 2011 when I hope that we will be in a better position financially to help even more families than ever before!

Did  you know…..

There are….13.6 million single parents in the United States today, and those parents are responsible for raising 21.2 million children

WOW….staggering numbers

I love you……Thank you!  Peace be with you and yours.

Remember…..be KIND. Kindness makes the world go round……smoothly!

And do not forget to be *REAL*

*PEACE*

Enter to win a $50.00 gift certificate to Mary Kay! Holidays are fast approaching, I bet you could use a gift for a friend, your wife or YOU. Mary Kay has a BIG product line. Enter to win at our website, use this link!

The drawing will be held on Oct 7th. The winner will be notified via email and the certificate will be mailed the following day via US Postal.

To enter follow this link. We are accepting donations,if you so choose…. there is no set amount…no minimum or maximum! All amounts help our families. The size of the donation does not matter…..What DOES matter is that you care! A little caring makes a HUGE difference.

You can visit the link above and fill out the form. DO NOT forget to mention that you are entering the drawing. Also, if you cannot use Paypal and do not want to send a check for $1.00, we are not recommending that you send cash through the mail BUT I am telling people that if they decide to, please send it to the address listed on the above link AND put a note in the envelope stating that it is for Blessing In Giving. It is not necessary to mention the drawing just the Organizations name.

Thank you and Good luck!

Join us for a fundraiser at Chick-Fil-A in Avon on Oct 3,2009 !  You can print this page and take it with you to the Chick-Fil-A !

Hope to see you there!  We appreciate the support!

OCT 3, 2009

5-8pm

Chick-Fil-A in Avon, Indiana

Come out and support Blessing In Giving to raise money for single parent families AND families that have suffered the loss of a child. On Saturday the 3rd of Oct we will be at the Chick-Fil-A in Avon and would like for you to be there.  With every meal purchased Blessing In Giving will receive 20% to benefit Single Parent Families. In order for Blessing to receive the 20% you need to present a flyer at the time of your purchase. To receive your flyer, please visit our website and sign up for our newsletter. When you do that, we will send you a flyer via email.

Hope to see you there! By the way, on Oct 3  Chick-Fil-A is holding their “Family Night” there will be lots of games to play! Don’t forget the family!

Blessing In Giving is having a Yard Sale/Silent Auction on Sept 26th from 10 am- 4pm. At this very moment we are waiting for confirmation on the exact location, we are looking at 2 places in Plainfield. One location is the Friends Meeting House on US 40 the other is 1st. Furniture Warehouse…same road just further East.

We are collecting donations from businesses and individuals alike. Businesses are doing more of the silent auction items, like gift certificates and little gift bags. We will have a sponsor sheet at the event. I will also be posting the sponsors on our website and right here!  We need some BIGGER items! Have a car you would like to donate?!?!?  I am SERIOUS! LOL Really! Furniture you are not using? A refrigerator,washer and dryer?? You get the point, we need some donations.

If you are someone who can donate to our cause OR know someone that is willing, please have them go to our website and send us a note with our contact form. We will get right back with them!

Thank you!!!  Stay tuned for the exact location AND for info on our Motorcycle Run/Dinner !!