Don't let life pass you by! Make It Happen!

As I sat and watched my grandmother sleep in her hospital bed in the rehabilitation center, I had a vision that I was her. I imagined myself being in the pain that she was in from sustaining a fall into a bathtub backwards. My legs were throbbing, the cast on my left arm was heavy, and I was all around uncomfortable. I could hear residents in the distance moaning in paining and through blurred vision, I think I saw nurses walking past the room wheeling carts of medication around.

Then in a blink of an eye, I was seeing things through my eyes again. I was back to being a

34-old, able-bodied person who was going to get up and leave this depressing place in a few minutes. I feel bad for my grandmother who is still there struggling to get better. Her incident is a wake-up call for me, though, and it should be for you too!

You know that phone call you've been meaning to make to a long lost friend? Make It Happen!

Or how about that hobby you've been longing to start? You know the one you are so good at you could turn it into a side business? Make It Happen!

When was the last one you told your spouse you loved them? Make It Happen!

What about that trip you've been meaning to take? Make It Happen! (ok, you might need to plan a bit, but you catch my drift!)

I am not kidding you when I tell you kids, that life is flying by. I was sitting as my craft table the other day and discovered scrap booking materials that I bought an expo LAST YEAR. I could have swore that I just bought them a few weeks ago when went to the expo again. How could a year have gone by already?

Not only does time go by quick, but you don't know what is going to happen along the way so if you have a fairly healthy body and mind, get to it. Don't wait until the right time comes along; the kids are out of the house; kids come along; you have extra money; you lose weight; you get another job, etc. You are wasting time. Just Make It Happen! (Just make sure it is a positive thing. Don't do anything illegal or immoral!)

Feeling inspired, but not sure what you want to do? Here are a few suggestions:

-Run a marathon.
-Take a walk in the beautiful weather.
-Admire a rainbow for as long as it lasts.
-Ride your bike.
-Read that book you've been interested in, but never have time for.
-Tell a family member you love them.
-Reconcile with an old friend or family member you haven't talked to in a while.
-Go back to school.
-Start a new hobby.
-Start your own business.
-Go on a trip.
-Do the small things you want to do and stop putting them off. Go to the movies, go down the shore, stop and get ice cream on the spur of the moment and just let the laundry go already.
-Adopt a pet.
-Start volunteer work.
-Go to church.
-Just make a friend's day.

So what am I going to do? Succeed at getting a girl's night together with my friend's from work, for starters. We've been trying all summer and haven't been able to get our schedules to cooperate, but I am determined. We're going to make it happen!

On Labor Day, I am going to a local lake with my husband, which once again, we've been trying to get to all summer. And on one of my days off, I am also going to try to get to the shore (I may have to go by myself so I am not sure if this is going to happen, but I am going to try!)

On a more long term basis, I am going to Las Vegas for a blogging convention in September that I swore I wouldn't get to because it's almost on the other side of the country! Hoorray! I am so excited. I also plan on fighting my way through lack of blog design skills to create something that looks a little better and has advertising spots. I'd like to be able to raise extra money for myself and donate a portion of it to a Christian organization. Whew! I better get busy!

Please share with me the things you plan on doing while you still have the time to do them. And if you've already done them, let me know what you did and inspire the rest of us!

Let's keep after each other to do these things. You'll be happy you did later. I don't want anyone having any regrets about not doing what they wanted during their life.

Wishing you "Blessings from Above" and the wisdom to "Make It Happen,"

Denise

One More Day to Win Robin Gunn's new book Sisterchick's Go Brit!

Tomorrow, August 26th, I'll pick a winner for the next copy of Christian Author, Robin Gunn's, new book Sisterchick's Go Brit! For details, for visit Robin Gunn book contest.

I had the privildedge of interviewing Robin Gunn back in the spring. What a sweet woman! Read that interview here.

Good luck!
Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"
Denise

9 Ways to Be a Blessing to Others

How To Be a Blessings to Others

Ya know it really isn't all that hard to make a difference in the life of someone else. And it doesn't have to be a huge undertaking like giving another person a million dollars or pay off their mortgage (although that would be appreciated!)

Sometimes it's the little things that really help perk up a person's day. What seems trivial to you may really help out a person in need. Here are somethings that you can do now to be a blessing to others:

Send a note of appreciation thanking the other person for help they gave you. Or send an email or ecard if you aren't into hard copy letters any more. Just a few seconds will let that person know you care and truly appreciated what they did for you.

Organize a basket of cheer among family and friends if a loved one is sick or feeling blue. Get a nice basket that can be used later and include all kinds of comforting and pampering items such as a fuzzy bathrobe, plush blanket, soft slippers, magazines, their favorite snacks, candles, relaxing music, and whatever else you can think of.

Send flowers to someone who is grieving. Their cheerful and brighten up a room.

Pick up groceries or other needed item while you are out getting things for yourself. If you are already at the store, why not pick up a few things your mom needs?

Visit a loved one in the hospital or nursing home. Bring their favorite snack and a good book to read. It can be really lonely sitting there by yourself and company is always welcome.

Open the door for someone particularly if they have their hands full. This not only helps the person, but can make them feel almost like royalty since you are "waiting on them," if only for a second.

Provide your unique skills to help a family member with something they can't do for themselves. Maybe you have the ability to build or fix things - help fix an appliance. Or perhaps you can sew. Get out the sewing machine and fix that hem on your friends dress. They'll appreciate it and it will help them save money.

Support a loved ones cause. Donate money if they are participating in a Walk-A-Thon, visit their blog if they are intent on making one successful, help them learn a much needed skill for a business they want to launch - you get the idea.

Pray for another. You can be silent or pray out loud with that person. Either way, asking for God's help is one of the best things you can do.

I challenge you today, to do a least one thing that will be a blessing to someone else. Feel free to use this list or think of your own things!

To see how to be a blessing at work, visit: Bless Others at the Office

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"
Denise

Pray for the Lost Whale

I have a bit of an odd prayer request for a poor lost baby whale! Apparently the one-to-two month old baby whale lost its mother and is meandering around Australian waters by itself. Confused, the poor little creature connected with a Yacht, mistakenly thinking it is it's mother. Because the baby whale still needs it's mothers milk the poor thing may die if it doesn't find it's mother or another mother willing to care for it.

Please pray that God performs a miracle for this little creature. God please provide for this baby whale and help him or her to find another whale to nurture it even if it isn't the mother.

Thanks for your support!

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"

Denise

Do It Anyway

There is a wonderful poem that Mother Teresa wrote that I'd like to share with you. I keep it framed on my desk at work. It has been a true blessing to me - I will it will be to you as well. Enjoy!

Do It Anyway

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered: Forgive them anyway!If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motive; Be kind anyway!If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some enemies; Succeed anyway!

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway!What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway!If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway!The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway!Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you’ve got anyway!

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway!

-Mother Teresa

Robin Gunn Book Winner and New Drawing!

Good afternoon all,

We have a winner for the first copy of Robin Gunn's new book Sisterchicks Go Brit!

The first copy goes to Professor Marlene Cueto, author of The Fearless Blog. Visit her blog when you get the chance.

I apologize for not getting to the drawing sooner. A long getaway weekend coupled with a bad cold and a sick family member has put me behind. Poor excuse maybe, but it's the truth.


New Contest!
For those who didn't win the first contest, don't fret! I have more copies of the book Sisterchick's Go Brit! Simply comment on any one of my posts and I randomly draw a name as a winner on Tuesday, August 26th. Get commenting now. Good luck!


Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"

Denise

Interview with Robin Gunn and Book Giveaway!

I had the opportunity to interview a wonderful Christian author, Robin Jones Gunn. She's written dozens of books including the Christy Miller and the Glenbrooke series, but is most known for her Sisterchick's books.

What's a Sisterchick you ask? Close women friends who deeply care about each other and really enjoy the ups and downs of life with each other. Each book in the series features a different pair of women in different countries including: Sisterchicks Do the Hula, Sisterchicks in Gondolas, Sisterchicks Say Oh La La!, Sisterchicks Down Under, Sisterchicks in Sombreros, and her latest, Sisterchicks Go Brit.

Currently located in Portland, Oregon, with her husband of 30 years, Robin is a mother of two grown children, a daughter and a son, and enjoys telling the world about God and traveling whenever she can.

Talking with Robin was a delight. I hope that you'll enjoy our "conversation" as much as I did.


Interview with Robin Jones Gunn

Denise: "Do you have your own "Sisterchicks?"

Robin: "Yes, I consider a friend, Donna, a Sisterchick. We met at church about 25 years ago when our kids were young. Her steady friendship is such as gift. She is a lifter and really values our friendship. Some friendships are just effortless."

Denise: "Can you tell me a little bit more about your Sisterchick series?"

Robin: "I wrote about Sisterchicks do the Hula because we lived in Hawaii at one point and I knew it well. Then my husband suggested to the publisher that they pay for me to travel to do the research for other books and they said yes. It's the ideal job to have. My publisher sends me to travel and write about it. It's rich and full. There wasn't a lot of Christian Chick literature at the time and we thought we could really launch this is in the Christian market."

Denise: "What made you write with a Christian flare?"

Robin: "It comes from my heart. It's at my core, the love of God. This is what I think everyday so it comes out in my characters. It's what I believe."

Denise: "Do you feel God has blessed you?"

Robin: "God has blessed me so abundantly, above and beyond anything I could expect. I've received his blessings at just the right time. I've received gifts of people, finances, and things. I've written in my journal all the wonderful things he has done for me - there's just so much. My life long desire is to travel. I love going and meeting interesting people and eating different food. For the Lord to give me this opportunity to travel around the world - that's extravagant blessings. I think 'What are you going to do next?'"

Denise: "Do you think your writing has blessed others?"

Robin: "I do. I receive so much mail, particularly from girls around the world. They've surrendered their lives to the Lord. They were making bad decisions before, but if they turn all their attention to God, there are unlimited opportunities out there.

Check out Robin Jones Gunn's website for more information on this inspiring author and for more details on her books by visiting The Robin Gunn website.

Book Drawing!

Enter to win Robin Gunn's latest book Sisterchicks Go Brit! Robin and her staff were kind enough to give me five copies of her newest book, complete with Sisterchick stickers and a highlighter marker. I'll give away one copy every two weeks until their gone to a random winner.

To participate in the first drawing, simply comment on any of my posts and I'll choose someone at random as the winner. The winner will be announced on Friday, August 1st.

The next drawing for a second copy of Robin's Sisterchicks Go Brit! will begin on Saturday, August 2nd.

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Book Information

I've read many of the Robin's Sisterchicks books and I can tell you they are an enjoyable read. Sisterchicks Go Brit! is no exception. Here's more about what you'll enjoy if you win the book as taken from the book's back cover:

Two mid-life mamas hop over to jolly ole England and encounter so much more than the usual tourist stops. Liz does have a bit of a childhood crush on Big Ben, and she has hoped to “meet” him ever since her fifteenth birthday. Kellie dreams of starting an interior design business and figures Liz needs to be a part of that equation–a calculation that hasn’t added up for Liz yet.

Nothing on the excursion goes the way these two friends had envisioned. They start with a village pancake race and end up being held for questioning on The Underground. Kellie and Liz take a wild tour through the land of C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien and then find themselves swept up, up, and away in a hot air balloon over the Cotswalds. London beckons with the Tower of London, Windsor Castle, shopping at Portabella Road in Knotting Hill, and of course, reservations at the Ritz for a posh high tea.

A few detours along the way and the possibility of being lost in a London fog of wonderment aren’t enough to stop these two Sisterchicks! Each step of their regal journey is lined with evidence of God’s gracious compassion, and both come to realize that God knows their every wish. He is the One who planted every dream in their hearts.

And, oh, what a surprise awaits them when they return home!

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Good luck!

Wishing you "Blessings from Above" and a copy of Robin's book Sisterchicks Go Brit! ;)

Denise