Thoughts on giving....



In the past few years I have come across two sets of people in my life that have really taught me what giving is really all about.  This is something I really need to work on in my life.  And this time of year has really had me thinking about it more and more. 

I was having a bit of an attitude a week ago as we were buying a new bike for a little boy who deserves a nice Christmas.  He  had a DS and a coat on his list, but we had chosen a bike.  Then we found out that the people who had his brother were also buying the DS, a couple games and the coat.  My first thought was that is ridiculous, but then I really understood that I needed to change my attitude.  As I was talking to my mom and telling her I don't even spend that much on my own kids, she said something that was so true  - She said that my kids are able to get things through out the year and for this boy this may be all he gets for the year. 

The first set of people that have greatly influenced me and have helped me change my attitude of giving are my in-laws.  They are always helping and giving to others.  A small example is that Dianne works with teenage kids who have not had an easy life.  And her first year working with them she decided to bring in a birthday cake for one of the kids and he was so grateful and told her it was the first birthday cake he had ever had.  They are always buying witness bracelets to give to camps and to pass out to anyone who shows and interest in the symbols.  They have given Ben and I so much and never ask for anything in return.  It took me many years to fully understand that they truly enjoy giving.  Not to make themselves happy, or to be able to brag about what they have given, but they give to see other people happy. 

The other people that I have seen a type of giving that is so genuine are my Uncle Larry and Aunt Jan.  I see their love for each other and their children is so deep that they would give anything for them or for each other.  They are always offering and helping me and my family and never complaining even though sometimes, we didn't give much warning when we would need a place to stay or stop by or leave our car and the list goes on....  I remember when we called with less than a day warning asking if we could stay with them and I could take Ben and the two older kids to the airport the next morning.  They of course said yes, but then she went out and bought a whole bunch of treats and snacks for the kids to take on their trip.  I know she was crazy busy, but that didn't matter.  I'm just always seeing them doing things for others and never asking for anything in return - true giving. 

This is the type of giver that I want to be and am working on being.  I want to be someone who gives to make others happy.  I went out on Tuesday with a new attitude and enjoyed shopping for the little boy and knowing that he will be getting a few of the things that he wanted for Christmas.  It was all an attitude change about how I looked at giving.  Forced giving or expected giving takes all the joy out of giving of both the giver and the receiver. 

 

So on both ends of giving I need to work on

Giving to provide another person JOY

Receiving to provide the giver JOY

Untrained thankfulness...

So we decided to kinda do our own facebook thankful thing within our own family.  So every night we each said something we are thankful for and why we are thankful for it.  Here are some of the more interesting ones that the kids have come up with.  I am very proud of all three of them for thinking beyond what we are trained to be thankful for.

The kids are

Aubry - 9 (almost 10 - I am reminded daily)

Isaac - 7 1/2

JJ - 3

JJ - Daddy - because he loves me  (Ok so that was a typical one, but I still loved it :))

Aubry - Soap - So we can be clean and not smelly

Isaac - Air - so we can breathe

JJ - Basketall Hoop - so I can play with Daddy (I might start getting a complex from this kid)

Aubry - Benedryl itch spray - for my fire ant bites

JJ - Peanut Butter sandwich - because it's so yummy!

Isaac - April Fools Day - Because I get to play jokes on you - then he said just kidding   - :LOL

Aubry - Water - to drink and use.

There were many more, but of course, I would forget to go to my computer every night to type them in. 

For the month of December we are focusing on what the real Christmas story is all about.  I do seem to notice more and more of there being less of Christmas in Christmas and more Holiday in Christmas, so since my kids will get less and less of it out and about then it is even more of Ben's and my job to make sure they "Get the Christmas"

Merry Christmas!!!

Remembering

Remembering

Our miracle 7 years ago...

I am a couple of days late, but will always hold in my heart the memories of the miracle God gave us 7 years this past week.  Our son Isaac was almost 5 months old and was in liver failure. 

We had him dedicated at Brookwood Church and the Pastor said a special prayer for him, which we didn't know he was going to do so I'm pretty sure I cried a bit up on stage.  Two days later Isaac was officially listed for transplant.  We had met with the transplant team and were expecting to wait for several months to a year, so we just went on with our lives like everything was normal.  Our pager wasn't working so we were told to keep our phones with us at all times.  Three days later I was having a lazy morning with Aubry (who was 2 at the time) and Isaac.  We were all in my bed watching cartoons and just hanging out.  The phone rang and Julie from transplant said they had a liver for Isaac.  I thought she was testing me to see if I would answer my phone - but she wasn't.  She said we needed to get up to Cincinnati right away.  I said ok, but inside I was panicking.  I called the pilot who had volunteered to fly us up there when we got the call but they said he was out flying and couldn't get back in time.  I panicked a bit more, but then I called my neighbor Angela.  She came over and just took over.  I think she called some other pilots, but nothing was working out.  In the meantime, Ben had called his brother Mike who called the airline he used a lot for business trips and got us a commercial flight, but it was leaving in an hour.  Since I had pretty much become not very useful, Angela packed my suitcase for me :)  Thanks Angela!!!

Ben got home from work pretty fast - I'm pretty sure he did not obey the speed limits!  Grabbed a couple of things and we rushed to the airport.  The airport staff was waiting for us at the airport and helped us get through check in and security very fast so we could make our flight.  We then get on the flight and the flight attendants already knew our situation.  When we arrived to Cincinnati airport there was a backup for landing and for getting to the gate due to some heavy fog they had had that morning.  The flight attendant announced that there was a delay, but that we would be moved to front of the line because they were transporting a baby who was on his way to the hospital for a transplant.  They were able to get us through to the front of the line for landing and then to a gate right away.  As we were getting off the plane - they let us get off first - the passengers on the plane kept telling us that they were going to pray for our little baby. 

We got to the hospital in under 4 hours.  Only by the grace of God was that able to happen with our pilot unavailable.  But thanks to Mike for helping us get on that flight.  We got a hospital room, and had to wait while the doctors flew up to Canada to get Isaac's liver.  He didn't actually go into surgery until about 10 that night.  That makes for a long day of not being able to feed our baby so he'd be ready for surgery, but so worth the wait.  Isaac was able to get a whole liver so that means it came from another baby so our hearts have always had a special place for our baby Angel.  Isaac had one of the shortest transplant surgeries that they had performed.  His old liver was in very bad shape but the new liver was perfect for him. 

I remember the strange feelings of sadness that someone else had to die for our son to live.  And the sadness for the family who was suffering.  While at the same time, I was excited for my baby to have a second chance at living.  Very strange emotions to deal with when dealing with a transplant. 

So this time of year, The memories and the emotions come rushing back.  I remember all year long, but this time of year will always be special to our family.  And I will always hold a special place in my heart for the family who made such a selfless decision. 

Thank - you so much to our family and friends and church for all the amazing support and prayers during that time.