So last night Kellie came and told me that she wanted to go to church. Honestly I was dreading this whole weekend. I was planning on staying busy working on flooring our attic and getting things done around the house and trying not to think about not having our baby girl on this Easter weekend. But Kellie insisted we go to church last night so that we would not have to go on Sun with so many people and I can't thank her enough for it.
It is funny how when I am down she picks me up somehow. She didn't know that I was feeling so down because I didn't tell her, but by us going to church from her doing, she and God changed my perspective on this whole weekend.
We got to church and the message our pastor talked about was Borrowed Time. He explained that everything we have, including ourselves and our families is all Gods. It doesn't matter how many cars you have, or how big your house is, when we die it all goes back into the box. The only thing that matters in life is what you do with it to make a difference.
Even our children are Gods and he has a plan for everyone and everything. Just by letting us hold his angel for 4 short months, look at the astounding number of people she has helped through me and Kellie. There are countless numbers of people out there now that appreciate their children more and understand how important life is. We may have lost our 1 child, and it hurts bad, but she saved thousands of lives.
At the end of the service our pastor did something that I have never seen or heard of. They passed the offering bucket back around to everyone and had every person take an envelope out of it. In this envelope there was a five dollar bill. He said with this five dollar bill I want each and everyone of you to go out and make a difference. Now five dollars doesn't sound like a lot but they are giving out 11,000 five dollar bills. 55,000 dollars is going back into the community for God.
I would like to know what you guys think I should do with the money. I have a couple ideas but I would like to hear from you! I will post what I did with it and hope that I make a difference in someones life! Love you guys and remember we are all on borrowed time so make every day count!!
20 comments:
The only thing that comes to my mind right away is to buy a child an easter basket that may not get one or something. It may not change the world or anything but it will mean the world to that child and touch their lives probably for a long time to come.
The easter basket is a good idea there is also a lady I know who runs the christmas fairy and back to school fairy and they help families get christmas and school supplies.
http://www.facebook.com/?sk=lf#!/TheChristmasFairy
http://www.facebook.com/?sk=lf#!/pages/Back-To-School-Fairy/175530452484110
This lady does this through facebook and she does help people because my kids backpack broke mid year and I could not at the time get another one and she sent one right off she is a great woman with alot of heart . There are alot of things you can do but I know you and Kellie are wonderful people and will do what feels right and change someone's life . God bless and know that you and your wife have changed so many people already myself and my family included . I think of you two often and pray for you both .
I also think the Easter basket is a good idea!!
Love the easter basket idea but also the back to school/christmas fairy great ideas, i for 1 would be in ur situation asking what i should do with it :)
I just wanting to let you & your wife know that Maddie has touched my life & my kids' lives. I have 4 kids, a 10 year old girl, 7 year old girl, 5 year old boy, & a girl that will be 6 months old on Easter. I precious every moment even more now (even when the kids not getting along with each other). This might seem odd but a couple months ago we took in a dog because the owner was going to shoot her, her name is Maddie.
Touched by Maddie here in Osage City, KS.
I think you should make a Maddie money card.. write what your pastor wrote about, and at the end of your story add a charity youre wanting to help then ask the reader to add 1-5$ and put your 5 dollars in it. Pass it around to family, friends, coworkers etc for a certain amount of time then have it returned to you. Not only will ppl have the chance to help, the will have the privilege to hear about your beautiful Maddie and the True words from your pastor. Therefor not only is the money helping, but your story might impact peoples lives :) sounds like alot, but just a thought
Buy lunch for a homeless person.
The Easter basket idea is good. You can give it to a random child. Someone you don't even know.
i hope you dont get offened but, my best friend does photography for a group that has lost children/babies it world wide she started doing it after her baby was born sleeping as since there non profit any bit could help ..
http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/
sry if i touched a rough spot , i cant stop thinking and praying for you kelly and angel maddie
Since your interest is cars, perhaps you could organize a car show and have each car owner donate $5 to enter their car then offer a photo shoot (to those who attend the car show) with the car of their choice and have each person donate $5 for the photo. All moneies would then go to a charity your church sponsors within your area in honor of your daughter.
You could reach out to your friends, family, blog followers, and facebook friends explaining this story and ask them to match your $5 donation. The $5 could be sent to your home, where a savings would be established and all the $ would be donated to SIDS research. Have a deadline...the deadline is up to you and Kellie. :)
I love the Easter basket idea too!
Also having a "Match my $5 fund raiser" is also a great idea!
I always thought about planting a tree in an urban park in memory of our daughter that passed at 17 weeks. I grew up in an rough urban area and I remember our park had no trees so we didn't get to learn to climb one lol, or have shade when it was too sunny out, etc. Not sure how much a tree would cost though.
I personally would sit inside of Starbucks & pray for God to lead you to someone who is needing some words of encouragement... He will bring you someone broken. someone who thinks there life is bad but hasn't been through the heartache you have. so you buy them a coffee & sit & talk with then & offer you testimony... You will be amazed at the works of God. I have a friend who is a pastor & spends all his free time at Starbucks & he has bright so many to Jesus. I believe as a Christian, it isn't so much about telling others about our religion, its building relationships with Gods people. Just like you & Kellie have touched the lives of MANY & built relationships through Christ. Your in my prayers daily. Many blessings to you!
I personally would sit inside of Starbucks & pray for God to lead you to someone who is needing some words of encouragement... He will bring you someone broken. someone who thinks there life is bad but hasn't been through the heartache you have. so you buy them a coffee & sit & talk with then & offer you testimony... You will be amazed at the works of God. I have a friend who is a pastor & spends all his free time at Starbucks & he has bright so many to Jesus. I believe as a Christian, it isn't so much about telling others about our religion, its building relationships with Gods people. Just like you & Kellie have touched the lives of MANY & built relationships through Christ. Your in my prayers daily. Many blessings to you!
One idea is to give a "Family" Easter basket. Fill it with a family game, a few Mcdonalds $, candy, maybe a cute little picture frame and a few disposable cameras they can take silly pictures with and then put one in their frame. etc. (I know that is more than the $5 you got) Sign it from the Easter bunny, but send it to the whole family. Leave it on their doorstep.
Another idea, buy a homeless man a cup of coffee and just sit and listen to him. He probably would love someone to just listen and not judge.
Just a few ideas. Love this idea and it makes me think of what I could do. Thanks for posting!
Did you ever see the movie Pay it foward???? The Easter Basket is a great idea, but to change a life, I think that there is more to be made. Start a fund, ask everyone to match the $5. Donate to an abused single mother, who can barely care for her child, or an abused child who just needs adoption. Something like that perhaps??? Houston has so many organizations like that, that I do know that the owner of Curves has donated to. Did you ever think that our sorrow, could make a difference in other peoples lives??? Its so weird how it does, and that is what makes us who we are. I can honestly say that hearing the hurt you have had with your loss, has honestly made me spend that extra hour at night playing catch with my boys, even though they know mommmy "throws like a girl," no matter how tired I am. Thanks for sharing.
i just had another idea as i was about to go to bed but it would be more for kellie then for you and i read that she already had an idea for herself.. anyway it would be to charge people..couples, babies, families etc $5.00 for a mini photo session then take every $5.00 made and donate it to whatever you would like or to SIDS anything you would feel would make a difference. That way it would maybe be fun for everyone, someone would get awesome photos from kellie and then it would go to do good in the world..
just a possibility?
-candyce
Have you read the one red paper clip story? Amazing how something so small can make a difference. I know you and your wife will find the perfect thing to do with your five dollars. May God watch over you.
Have you ever heard of compassion international? It is a company that funds children through the help of different people, they not only help to raise money for the children. The main focus is spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. You can choose to give $19/$39 a month to your chosen child. It is very uplifting because they write to you and you do the same in return. I know that is more than $5, but maybe you could start with that. God bless you!!!!!
I like passing a card around, you can tell them about maddie, or they could write a memory that they have of Maddie, and add to your $5.00 send it around your office, and/or maybe a friends office then go to a local foster agency and see if they have a well deserving child(ren) that is wanting somethng special...not a need, but a want, a treat for them to let them know that they are 1. NOT FORGOTTEN and 2.That they are LOVED. Give them that memory of someone who cares and it will lest them a lifetime! You guys have an abundance of love to give and to share, so get to gettin!! :0)
as always James you and Kellie are in my thoughts and prayers! May you continue to find peace and comfort to your hearts!!
donna from california
dvidal1018@yahoo.com
530-521-9267
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