Spreading Joy

There is no denying that I dream lofty dreams of giving big.  With the help of many awesome people from my twitterverse and a foundation with a huge heart for others, Spreading Joy Corporation was able to distribute 300 backpacks filled with some basic school supplies.  Did that come close to the goal of 1000 backpacks? No, not even close.  Am I discouraged? NO….far from it actually.  I’m encouraged in the fact that we were able to help 300 children start the first day of school with their head held high and their heart full of hope that this school year would be an amazing one!

These backpacks went to a few local churches that ministers to neighborhood children, to Amy’s House – a battered women’s shelter and a school received some as well.

I’ve received a couple of Thank You’s and want to share them with you here.

This letter is being sent to you to express the appreciation for all the book bags and school supplies you donated to our children in the church for their back to school supplies.  The book bags were extremely nice, and the assortment of school supplies inside them were wonderful.  This will be a great help to the children who would not have had the privilege to purchase these items for themselves.

Dr. Jerry Taylor Pastor

Putting it ALL together!

I teach at Mt. Pleasant Elementary School in Mt. Pleasant, NC.  I received bookbags filled with school supplies from your organization last week.  I can’t thank you enough for your kindness and generosity.  You have made starting back to school more exciting for our students.  There is nothing like a new bookbag and supplies.  I am sure you will be blessed  many times for the kindness you have shown towards others.  Keep spreading your “joy” to those in need.

Thanks again,

Susan Airheart
First Grade Teacher/MPES

Basic supplies included in EACH Bag!

I also had the wonderful honor of hand delivering some of the backpacks to some neighboring homes down the road from where I live.  The smiles and thank you’s can not be expressed in words.  I didn’t tell them who I was, nor how they can thank me, as I believe giving in “secret” is such an awesome thing to do.  My heart was flooded with unbelievable joy as I walked back to my car, smiled and went on to the next road.  Events like this is why my heart screams “There is NO joy like Spreading JOY!”

I’d like to thank Fred’s for giving me such a great price on the backpacks! The district manager even went to his local stores and gathered them for me so that I could easily pick them up from my local store in Lincolnton, NC.

I’d like to thank New Grace Baptist Church for the use of their fellowship hall to spread everything out and organized the backpacks, as I would have never had enough room in my tiny home.

There is no way this could have been accomplished with out the hard work of so many wonderful people.  My family Steve, Todd, Megan and My Mom and Step Father and of course my great little sister, Angie and her children.  Friends that have huge hearts for others – Kevin and Sonia Neal and their daughter Kayla.  Ms. Phyllis, Myra and Vern- Thank you as I could not have done this without you!

Vern & My Step Dad, supervising the project (Ohhhh they are going to shoot me for this!)

We had a lot of fun as well as our challenges.  But when you are trying to make a difference, look for those challenges and work past them.  Don’t let them discourage you or stop you.  The day we were putting the backpacks together, Todd was rear-ended as he was trying to bring items to the fellowship hall.  Much of the unloading had been done by the time I got there and I felt really bad, but we worked through the issues, had fun doing it and our hearts soared because YOU made this possible for 300 wonderful Children!

If you gave towards this project – Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a Spreading JOY hero that is completely in the background.  These children can’t thank you, but know that the difference you have made will have limitless possibilities in their future.

If your heart was crying out to give and you couldn’t afford to financially, but you used your voice to help spread the word of our project, I THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart too, as your voice was heard and you made a difference using what you had!  I know for certain that there were people who gave because someone used their voice to spread the word.

Here are 2 videos from the day that we assembled the backpacks.  I hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoyed putting this project together.

Robert Wilson, @CwbyWsdm on twitter was kind enough to interview me on his blog talk radio.  This act alone is an amazing way of spreading joy as it allowed me to get the word out to many that I could not have reached without his help.

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Here is the link to the Blog Talk Interview! Enjoy

Spreading JOY Blog Talk Interview

Thank you, Robert, for allowing me to talk about my passion of Spreading Joy and encouraging others to make a difference where they are, with what they have. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to tell others that “There’s No Joy like Spreading Joy!”  and  Thank you for always starting my day out with a smile.

What do you think of the interview? Do you think we could be spreading joy across America? Do you think we’ll be able to raise $20,000 for our Back2School project? 

Do you realize that the little things you do adds up to be HUGE rewards, return and will continue to grow in the hearts of those you touch?

{{HUGS}} Yall

Jonathan David Massey (my very cool nephew) & Me

I have the Greatest nieces and nephews in all the land.  The youngest nephew, Jonathan, recently did a little thing for me.  He told his teacher about Spreading Joy Corporation and how we help people.  In his mind, he was just telling her about how his Aunt Marie was making a difference.  What he didn’t realize was that he was actually doing something huge and giving me an opportunity that I may never have gotten myself.

After meeting with his teacher, the preparations start. I want to introduce Spreading Joy Corporation to them. I want them to know what we do, what we’ve done and what we want to do! What our hopes, dreams and desires are.  I want them to know that we’ve had goals and fallen short of them, but we weren’t feeling guilty about it because we simply did what we could with what we had.  More than all of that, I want them to walk away empowered, feeling like they can make a difference. I want them to see and KNOW that there’s no joy like Spreading Joy.

I only have 30 minutes to speak to them and know that I have so much more than that to say, but am prepared to make it work. After introducing Spreading Joy to them, I quickly run through our accomplishments (article on that soon to be published) explaining to them that while we didn’t reach the individual goals we set, we were not feeling guilty.  We simply did what we could, with what we had and used that to make a difference.  I fill them in on New Year of Hope (NYOH).  Explaining where we were and that we needed $802 to deliver HOPE to Dwayne and his 10 year old daughter Diana. Oh, I can’t wait to deliver this. 

Lincoln Charter School - Middle School Students 2010

We spend much of our time talking about noticing and appreciating the little things that truly make life big. I’m a lover of the million little things in life that make my heart smile.  While I’m sharing this, I hand out Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies.  The first guy to receive this Chris, wasn’t sure about what I was doing and offered it back as I was walking away.  I smile and told him to keep it, it’s what I love doing. My favorite thing to give out is Reese Cups, because they are my absolute favorite! But, Little Debbie makes is affordable to give sweet smiles.  While I’m “spreading joy” and passing out some of my favorite things, I want to remind everyone that holding the door for others, smiling at everyone, letting someone ahead in line and a whole slew of other “little” things make a huge difference. 

Middle school children do not have a lot of resources financially, but they do have huge hearts, creative minds and the power within themselves to make a huge difference.  We talk about a few of the 50 Ways to make a difference with spending a penny.  The list was printed out for them. I’m hoping that they will be inspired to start spreading joy from that.  I also tell them I want 50 more ways to make a difference for free and ask if they would consider sending in some ideas.

After giving Jason Lott a few of the “little things that make his life big”, I call 4 people (Tols Detmer, Thomas Butner, Madeline Tilley & Sabrina Twery) from the group of kids. Give them a “joy pack”.  This is not a gift for them to keep, I ask them to choose someone to give this to, someone that could use a little joy that day.  They are spreading joy heros.  They give freely, happily and everyone is hoping to be chosen. Are the bags huge gifts? NO. Remember, it’s the little things. 

The 4 heros come back to me after spreading joy.  I thank them for not grumbling, not whining and doing such a great job.  They are all smiling, standing there empty handed.  I’m hoping that their hearts are soaring because they just did something amazing!  Before I let them sit down, I give them a little something, more than what they just gave away – but still, little things, because I want them to know, first hand, little things are amazing!  I want them to realize that they (the huge hearted kids)  have the ability within themselves to make a huge difference.

So, what really happened because one little 11 year old boy cared? Well, let me tell you!

Spreading Joy was able to:

• Enjoy the snow while talking to one amazing teacher over delicious coffee
• Give away 300 joy packs of candy with our information attached to it.
• Joyfully hand out and throw into the crowd 10 Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies
• Give away 6 yummilicious, simply the best treat on the face of the earth Reese Cup – Reese Eggs
• Give away 9 packs of lip gloss (with 8 different kinds in each) I think
• Give away 4 packs of fingernail polish (with 7 or 8 different kinds each)
• Give away 3 $10.00 McDonald’s gift cards
• Give away 3 boxes of a beautiful necklace set
• Give away 9 books (I love giving away books)
• Speak to around 200 middle school kids with HUGE amazing Hearts! (and several Amazing teachers too!)

And….imagine with me, for just a moment, if you will.  If those 200 individuals tell one other person, JUST 1 – that will be 400 people hearing about Spreading Joy Corporation for the first time. And – if that second set of people tell 1 other person, then we are up to around 600 people hearing for the first time. 

So, Jonathan, you amazing Spreading Joy hero – do you see how the “little” thing of telling 1 person, has made a HUGE difference? I hope so.  I hope others will too.

What did I get out of all of this?  Oh, yes, new people heard about Spreading Joy. Yes, I enjoyed presenting my passion to the school – they were attentive and fun to talk to! But more than that, the hugs, the laughter, the smiles, the bright sparkly eyes – from realizing that “hey!!! I can make a difference, right here – right NOW!” filled my heart with so much JOY, I floated through the rest of the day! I was literally flooded with great joy from the response of the children afterwards! Warm, receptive and their minds were already thinking of ways they could make a difference!  My heart was completely overflowing as I was extremely blessed by simply being able to hear their comments as they were heading back to class.

This Little Blue Bunny has a HUGE place in my heart! Thank you Jason

So, when you think that giving a little blue bunny is something small – ohhhh…THINK again!! HUGE!! Huge Spreading Joy Hero there!! I love this guy and someone with a HUGE heart was kind enough to make my day and give him to me!

When Reese Cups are on sale, buy one, get one free….Get them, give one and discover how AMAZING you feel when you are instantly transformed into a Spreading Joy Hero! Chris, the first receipient of the Little Debbie Cake, surprised me with an amazing treat at the end of the presentation! Thank you for the wonderful Reese Cup! It was fantabulous!

There is nothing like being flooded with great joy when you see, first hand, the little things that make life big!

Thank you Lincoln Charter School for having me at your wonderful School!  Thank you Ms. Paula Micol for inviting me to present my passion for making a difference. Thank you Jonathan, for being one child who cared and acted on it – and made a Huge Difference!

Holding Pure Joy! Thanks Chris!

The question goes out to all who read this:

Have you ever considered for one moment, what telling just one person could do to help spread the word about Spreading Joy?  Do you see the amazing difference that just one person doing so has created? 

Who will you tell today?  Will you be a Spreading Joy Hero and spread the word about Spreading Joy? 

Thank you!

Thank you for making a huge difference, right where you are, with what you have, leaving the guilt behind – because you are truly making a difference!

Megan 2009

It’s 2010 and many are asking about Megan and how she is doing.  Here are the entries from her journey in 2009.  Again, my heart is amazed at how many people stepped up, encouaged, prayed and still to this day, ask me – how is Megan.  Lets journey back to November 2009.  Shall we? Love having you walk and talk with me.  It inspires me.

It’s November now.  Meg’s doing well.  Her stomach is working again, she is eating and digesting. It (her stomach) had stopped working completely.  No liquids, no solids – nothing would digest, everything would come back.  As bad as that was, as hard as that was, the worst part was that 2 doctors didn’t believe us.  2 doctors said, you are doing this to yourself.  Imagine, one Doctor, that has known her for her entire life, telling her that “if you’ll simply NOT throw up, your food will digest” or this is in your head…etc. etc. etc. Never had we had a problem with our pediatrician believing us, until this. Even though we told her doctor that she “held” her food in – YES – HELD in so she would not throw it up, for SEVEN hours on the fourth of July, sadly enough, he still didn’t believe us.  I could see it in his eyes.  I could see it all over his face.  He thinks she has been purging all these months. She has not. I am with her each time it happens.

Anyway – back to November.  She has been on medicine that cause her stomach to work, but at such a high price.  The pain it brings is horrid.  I see it all over her.  Every time I force her to take the meds, she has to endure pain so that her stomach will work.  I know there are so many parents who are going through so much worse with their children.  I simply can’t imagine some of the grief many parents go through day in and day out.  My heart goes out to you as you hold on to your precious child. As you journey through each day, one day at a time. As your heart is fearful of tomorrow.

I get a letter from a friend. One who is supporting Spreading Joy but feels like he needs to send an extra blessing along with the letter.  It says not to think, just go with the blessing.  I don’t have to think…I know what to do.  I want my princess to have peace in her stomach. I want her to smile again and be your normal, typical teenage girl.  I want her to have some good times of pure joy.

I don’t have Meg with me.  It’s Saturday night. I gaze at the letter. “All who touch it will receive a blessing. ” I want Meg to have it.  She needs to have this. She needs to smile, laugh and have a good time.  I contact Richard Mayhan, a fellow prayer warrior and friend who God has used to help round up prayer warriors on Meg’s behalf many times.  He knows that on Sunday afternoon, when we go to the altar and pray with Meg, we are praying for special healing and pure joy for her.  I take the letter to church on Sunday. I’m not at my own church because of a death in the family.  Many family members are there and I get separated from Steve and Meg.  I’m reading in my Bible in Matthew where the faith of the friends heal the sick.  I message that verse to Richard and he says that he is there, reading that as well and so is another person. To stay there, pray there – keep my faith right there.  That so far 10 people have agreed to pray with us when we go to the altar.  He is tweeting and asking who will pray.  I continue to pray that I would have enough faith. That I wouldn’t wouldn’t be the reason Meg misses out on a blessing of healing.  There’s 17 that have agreed to pray.  All I have to do is say when we are going to the altar and people all across the United States will pray at the exact same time. I sit in my pew in awe at the amazing friends I have, at the mighty God I serve.  Meg has struggled so much this year.  Her heart has hurt as badly as her stomach because we couldn’t get the doctors to believe us.  I hear back, 26 people are going to pray.  The service is almost ending.  My heart is racing as I hear 35 people are going to join us in prayer.   I give the word, we go to the altar – for a while we - Steve, Meg and myself are the only one’s praying.  WE don’t wait for the Pastor to invite us, no..we go.  Both Steve and I pray for our Princess.  Meg holds the letter. We ask for healing for her stomach as well as her heart.  We want her to be a happy normal teenager again. We get done, head back to our seats. I get the word that including Steve and myself 47 total people prayed at the same time for Megan. Amazing love for a little girl that they have not even met.

Now the faith begins.  We leave, go to lunch. I do not give the meds. She hates them. They hurt her so badly. She eats and the food stays. A week passes, two weeks passes. Still, food staying. No meds, no tears, no “but Mom”, no I need pain medicine. None of it.  I watch and laugh out loud - wow!! She is eating me out of house and home.  I’m giggling and thinking goodness….a few months ago I was forcing her to have milkshakes every day.  She says if she never has another milshake, it will be too soon.  4 weeks passes.  She is doing well. Eating. Gaining weight. While she doesn’t like it, I’m loving it.  Christmas Even rolls around.  The excitement of her brother being home, the festivities, the day itself. It gets to her and she is sick on her stomach.  Christmas day, she is sick for several hours.  Am I swayed – no.

Its now the END of January and Megan is doing well. No medicine and yet still digesting.  The Doctor had told us this was always going to be an issue.  That she would always have a problem.  And – maybe she will, who knows….but right now, as far as I believe, her stomach is working, on its own – thanks to My Lord.

Megan 2010

Oh, the wonderful friend that sent the blessing. He was part of the 47 that were praying for Meg, without knowing that I was using the blessing he sent. I had the honor of telling him sometime later that he was more instrumental than even he knew.  That was a great honor and joy.

If you have gastroparesis, we understand.  We believe you. We know how hard you struggle. Our prayers are with you. We will do all we can to help you walk down this path, and to have joy for your journey. WE will walk with you.

I love prayer warriors.  I love the faith of my friends.  I love how God gives us the desires of our heart. What is it that you need?  What are you praying for? We prayed all year long for Megan. Don’t give up.  Gather your friends and pray  – but don’t give up. Keep going before the Lord, don’t give up.  Keep asking, don’t give up.  Keep gathering with your friends and praying – but what ever you do…don’t give up…keep praying.

What do you need?

Thank you for your friendship, love and care for my princess! I’m blessed to have you in my life!

If you’re alone, I’ll be your shadow.  If you want to cry, I’ll be your shoulder.  If you want a hug, I’ll be your pillow.  If you need to be happy, I’ll be your smile.  But anytime you need a friend, I’ll just be me.  ~Author Unknown

I just like to know these things – maybe it helps me to remember they are a real person with real feelings or maybe, just maybe it satisfies my curiosity problem. Either way, I like finding out things about people.

In honor of that, here are some things about me. I’m just keeping it real and they are totally in a random order. Just as they pop into my head. You might want to check back from time to time as I’m sure I’ll add things to it.

More Recent as other above was taken in 2006

There you have it – 50 ways to make a difference without spending a single penny.