Special Thanks to Leslie for Story #6

Here in Michigan there is a orphanage in Detroit that has over 100 children that it cares for. since there is such a large number they are financially unable to provide a birthday for everyone.  Now other then Christmas, birthdays are my favorite! I feel it's your special day to celebrate you!! It broke my heart to think of these kids waking up on their birthday only to find it was the same as any other day. So I got the ladies in our church together and we put together birthday boxes for the kids. Now on their birthday they will have fun gift full of goodies. We're also working on putting Christmas together for this same group. I know that the Savior loves each and everyone of us and I hope that in some small way this can convey to them that they are not forgotten that they are loved!

Leslie :)

What a great idea to help these children feel loved, not only on Christmas but through out the year on their special day! Thank you so much Leslie for taking the time to serving these sweet children and for sharing your story with us! 

KEEP SERVING!!! 

I NEED 95 MORE STORIES!!!!!!!!! 

SERVICE OPPORTUNITY!!!

We are looking to provide a great Christmas for 6 children that lost their father last year. If you would like to be a part of it please let me know.

Here is the wife and children that were left behind.

http://sixmailechix.blogspot.com/

 

If you would like to help....

Contact Andrew from his facebook page facebook.com/andrew.payne1

Or email me at mallorymeacham@hotmail.com

 

Share a Smile

You have got to read story #5
So adorable!!!

I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve.  It is so sad how you get carried away with life and daily activities going on that you forget to do such simple things that can make someones day.

Asher and I decided to take on Mal's challenge and do an act of service today.

It wasn't much... but just enough.  Especially for a little four year old.

We spent all afternoon decorating letters.  Ash would write on them i love you, Asher and mom (seeing that's all he knows how to write) or draw cute little pictures.  We also added some fun stickers and I would write on them, 'HAVE A GREAT DAY!' 'SHARE A SMILE!' 'WISHING YOU THE BEST!' or 'MAY THE SUNSHINE MAKE YOUR DAY BRIGHT!'.  We had such a fun time coloring, talking, taking pictures and laughing together as we made pictures for people.

Shortly after we were done we drove to the Wal-mart parking lot and put them on random cars hoping to make some one's day.

I love you ash and I'm proud of you and grateful for this small act of service.  Thanks for the reminder Aunt Mal.

We put on the back of all the letters to pay if forward... we hope this will help spread the joy!!!!

Special thanks to Cassie and her sweet son Asher for brightening up others days. You never know whose lives you will affect and how much your act of service will mean to someone who might really need it. A very sweet idea indeed. Thanks again! Love you guys!!!

may your eyes be open to many serving opportunites

Another story has arrived!! This is #4 Keep em comin!!

 Ok so me and my husband Ryan decided to do a little secret Santa. I visit taught the bishops wife in my old ward and noticed a huge hole in thier ceiling one time when I was over there. I know how busy and crazy there lives were at the time. They had a son on a mission and I'm sure they were a little money tight as most of us get in the  holidays and such. My husband happens to be a drywaller. So sneakily I contacted there son, who is my age, and arranged the whole thing! We were able to get it fixed when no one was home so that it would be a surprise! 

 It was a great feeling to know that we can stop and take time for someone else and to keep in mind those around us even though we feel so busy over the holiday season. I plan to keep this tradition up for years to come. It helps our little family get in the holiday spirit. Thanks mal.

-Whitney

 
Such a great idea to use your own talents and rescources to help someone in need! A special thanks to Whitney and her husband for their story and for keeping their eyes opened to serving!! Love you!

sometimes the SMALL and SIMPLE ways to SERVE are the best!

#3
Read this story I received from Heather...


The other day my daughter & I were at Wal mart shopping for a few things.  There was this old lady who was having a hard time with her things and looked like she could use a hand.  My first instinct was to help her and then I started second guessing myself... Well, I have my daughter with me, it'll be too hard, what if she doesn't want my help, etc.  I went ahead with my gut feeling and started helping her with her bags and talking to her.  My daughter was loving it and kept saying "Hi!"  "Hi!"  and the older lady loved having some new friends to talk to.  Before she got in her car you could see the grateful look in her eyes, and that look is what made everything for that split second pure bliss.  All the worries of the world were gone and life felt meaningful.  Service is truly a gift.  It does wonders for the soul and puts things in perspective for me.  I want to thank Mallory for this challenge as it has made me step back and not dwell on my own struggles, but lend a helping hand instead.  ~Heather

A big THANKS to Heather for spreading her love with those around her. What a great example she has shown to her girls in being kind to others. We need to all spread a little more cheer! Love you Heather! Thanks again!

pay it forward

#2

Amber Kindred and her family are donating to this great cause. Take a look at this opportunity to service and join in their efforts!!!

Below is a recent post from http://presleespresent.blogspot.com/

 

 

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Pay It Forward

We are over joyed with the suport we're recieving for Pay It Forward and amazed to see how many left comments/emails. We heard back from PCMC and they are ecstatic about the project and know it will help so many families! Really the only "rule" they are asking is that all things be wrapped/sealed. Keep this in mind with food items. Be sure to get items in a personal size.

Here is the list for one basket/tote. We learned there are actually 44 rooms, so multiply this list by 44 and we'll have what we need :)

1 Box of Granola Bars
2 Trail Mix (Personal Size)
2 Goldfish (Personal Size)
6 Fruit Leather (At Costco you can get a box with 48 individual leathers for under $10)
Breathmints/Gum
Small Eye Drops (Visine)
3 Pens & Journal
Fleece Blaket for the parents (47" x 57" OR 42" x 52"- Try and go for the bigger one :) )
2 Pairs of Socks (preferably with grips on the bottom)
2 Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Chapstick
Small lotion (non-scented if possible)
Playing Cards
Disposable Camera

* With all the comments/emails the Sullenger's and Dave and I are recieving, we are coming pretty close to having all the fleece blankets accounted for, so it would be wonderful if you could focus on other items. However if you have your heart set on making a blanket or have already started making it (bought items), we will always welcome it and be sure to use them!

We're in the process of setting up a Paypal account, we're hoping to have it up and running in the next few days.

All donations or packages can be sent to:
(Chelsea Beckstrand)
1198 Pleasant View
Rexburg, ID 83440

Remember the list is only one basket. Whether you feel you can donate a box of fruit leather, chapstick, or your time by helping us in any way, it will all be greatly appreciated.

As of right now, we'll be compiling the baskets Friday December 17, 2010 at Madison Middle School in Rexburg, Idaho. We haven't designated a time yet, but we hope to soon. Madison Middle school has been kind enough to jump at the offer and we felt it was a great way to let students serve. A big thanks to MMS!

Any questions? Leave a comment or email me or Ashely at cnbeckstrand@gmail.com ash_sidd@hotmail.com

Again thank you for the support. Our goal for this project is to lessen the burden on the families who go into PCMC PICU and because of the help from everyone we're going to be able to acheive it.

Love,
The Becktrand's & Sullenger's

Go to http://presleespresent.blogspot.com/ if you would like to donate or to recieve updated information about there project and this amazing service!!!

Thanks again Amber! Love you!

to read their story go to  http://patrickandashley.blogspot.com/

LOVE this email i received

With only 52 days remaining til Christmas day I am so thankful to Sam Lloyd for taking the time to send me this email!!! It is the only one I have received so thank you for your input and for opening my eyes to many daily acts of kindness I can participate in. I love everything about this.... Read for yourself....

#1

Your blog got me thinking about what 'service' is. I've realized that it's more than just doing things for people, but ultimately it's about helping people feel good.

Our lives, as humans, come down to the emotions we experience. When we experience negative emotions, our lives are crap. When we experience positive emotions, our lives are bliss. So the quality of our lives comes down to the quality of the emotions we experience on a regular basis.

I know people who 'have it all' as far as material possessions are concerned but are absolutely poor when it comes to the emotional content of their lives.

I also know people who have literally nothing when it comes to material possessions but are totally rich emotionally. The classic example that demonstrates this concept is the studies on happiness where 3rd world countries often rank higher than the United States.

SOOOOO, what's my point? Service really comes down to making/helping people feel good. Being cheerful to the gas station attendant, including the 'uncool' kid with sincerity and authenticity, focusing on making people laugh and including them into your life, having intellectually stimulating conversations, etc. Those are a few small example.

When we do these small things, there tends to be a ripple effect. The 'pay it forward' principle happens automatically. For example, maybe you're proactively nice to the overweight employee at Wal-Mart even though they completely ignore you, then they are a bit more cheerful for the remainder of their day, and the people who came through their line are just a bit emotionally uplifted because of that and the 'ripple' goes forward.

Anyways, just thoughts.

Love you! ;)

Sam

Thanks again Sam! And to everyone else.... GO and PAY IT FORWARD!!!!!