In the Storm

52 Weeks of Giving 2019 | 42

52 Weeks of Giving 2019 | 41

 

52 Weeks of Giving 2019 | 40

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Let's be honest here. Sometimes, a week will slip by, life happens, and I realize I haven't given that week. Mostly, I don't stress about it because this project isn't about making giving something legalistic but it's about changing my heart toward giving. Giving rather than receiving. Acknowledging the Giver of all. Experiencing the heart change from regular, consistent, cheerful, glad giving. Listening for the Spirit to speak, give here.

Because I am still growing sometimes I can't hear. My ears are not attuned to the Spirit leading because I'm just not listening. Because I've allowed life to get in the way. Or, maybe I have 'given' where I was supposed to give but I, in my humanity, in legalism, have deemed it unworthy of being a giving gift. I have to be careful that I don't make this about what I have done but what He is doing in me.

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We weren't sure we were going to be able to attend this year. Jeff will be in Austria the beginning of November. We have a birthday trip to Jacksonville to see the play Wicked with an extended stay hanging out and relaxing for a lo-ong weekend. I couldn't remember the dates of the 30th anniversary of the unit 3/160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) based out of Hunter Army Airfield. Jeff was - is - a Night Stalker, which makes me a Lady Night Stalker, of course.

But, thankfully, the dates worked out and - November is going to be busy!

Not only will we attend the formal we are planning on attending the building dedication of a fallen Night Stalker, and memorial for all those who gave all. It will be emotional. It will be gut-wrenching all over again. But, it will be good.

I'm not a fan of formals. Just being honest. I am an introvert and this type of shindig is not for the introvert kind. But, I will sacrifice the psychological trauma for Jeff because he is most definitely not an introvert and likes these kinds of shindigs.

These shindigs are not cheap, though. So, besides a dress and our tickets we'll be putting out a chunk of money. But, imagine if we were lower enlisted wanting to attend. Ah, that would be tough. So, we have gifted two tickets for a lower enlisted couple to at least have their tickets paid for. One less thing for them to worry about and maybe, if it's only a dress, they'll be able to swing that.

52 Weeks of Giving 2019 | 34

52 Weeks of Giving 2019 | 33

I saw this posted on Facebook, from Morgan of The Dream Campaign: “One of our amazing volunteers with The Dream Campaign, after totally rehabbing a classroom as a first year teacher and teaching at her first placement for a couple weeks, is being transferred to a new school to teach new students and a new grade immediately. She has a stellar and understanding attitude, but after purchasing and setting up for a different age of students, she needs some new items for her new classroom STAT. Teachers absorb a ridiculous amount of cost in setting up their classroom but they do it because they love what they do. If you would love to bless a new teacher this year would you consider purchasing something off of her amazon wishlist?” So we did!