Sunday, February 5, 2012

Simply Sunday: I Love...To Give



I LOVE TO GIVE!

And I owe that to this amazing lady...(and my super terrific dad)!


I just need to go off on a tangent for a minute.

I love my mom.
Actually, I REALLY love my mom.
And I love her expression in this picture.
To me it says "love".
And it makes me get a bit teary-eyed.

...ok.
sniffle, sniffle

Back to the post.

I was taught at a very young age of the importance of serving. It is one of my parent's greatest examples to me. They were always doing things for others. Sometimes these things required great sacrifices from my parents, but that would never stop them.

Now that I'm older.....I understand why.


I've learned that to give requires very little at times, but other times it may require a lot. I've learned from watching my parents, that those are the times when it the most rewarding. Now, don't be mistaken and think that this is always easy for me. Sometimes I know I should do something for someone else and it's hard. Sometimes it's not the most convenient time. Sometimes what is required is not easy. But, I have learned that those are the moments when I need to act on it the most, especially if it's hard.

I have been blessed to be surrounded in my life by those who are such wonderful examples of giving of themselves. Their examples have blessed my life and have strengthened my desire to give, to love, to serve and to find ways to hopefully make a difference in this life. As a mom, I can't think of very many other things that I really want to instill in our kids more than this. I want them to love to serve. I want them to love people enough to want to do this. I want them to be aware of those around them who may need them. And I want them to learn the value of acting on it.

They are great kids and are off to a great start.

When I think of giving of one's self, I think of my friend Kay.


She's darling.

And she's so very special. 

Anyone who knows her will agree with me that her life is about giving.

She would give the shirt off her back if she thought it would help.
It honestly wouldn't surprise me if that had already happened!
I hope not! But, it wouldn't surprise me! :)

SO...

Because this is the month of LOVE, I really want to give.

It really is my favorite thing to do.

Why? I think because it makes me SO happy inside.
Practically giddy at times. 

Anyhooooo...

I thought it would be so fun to give something to you!
If you are reading this, then I may have something for YOU!

I love to make things.
I don't make anything super spectacular, but I've got a few cute little things up my sleeves!

Interested?

All you have to do is leave a comment about something you love...or someone you love.

On Monday, I'm going to randomly draw 10 names and send you something special. I don't want to tell you what, because I want to see who the 10 are. I want to make it something special just for you. There are a couple of things I'm thinking about...and I'm really excited. If you're a guy, I've got ya' covered! I promise I won't send you anything girly. I'm always up for a good challenge! :)

Please make sure you sign your name so I know who you are. I'll contact you for your address if I need it. If I have less than 10 comments, then you'll ALL get something! :)

So, share the love.

...and receive some in return.

Then share some more love with someone else!


20 comments:

cori said...

How fun to find your blog via Facebook. I really LOVE the quote you shared from Pres. Kimball, service truly is where we find true joy! I also LOVE my own sweet family, my parents who although they do not recognize the blessings of the gospel taught me well enough to accept it when I heard it, my amazing husband and children, as well as so many outstanding men and women who have touched my life for good. Love is grand!
Cori

marie said...

I love my little family. I love that Heavenly Father helped put me in the right place at the right time to meet my amazing hubby. And I love blogs so fun to get peeks in others lives ;)

Zappe Family said...

So fun to read your blog and see your sweet Mom on there too. I love, love, love my family. I also love surrounding myself with those who LOVE without borders. I love it!

Cassie said...

You are too cute!! I love you! I think it's so fun to read little stories about your family. I keep waiting for the story about a horrible day where you can't wait for your kids to go to sleep. SO I know I'm not a bad mom. ;) LOL

Miles said...

I think this is so fun! I hope I get picked :). I love having a newborn in the house again. There is just something so spiritual about a new baby. I love his new smell, his tiny features, his little grimaces, nursing, just everything newborn. This stage just goes too fast!

Jeri said...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on service! I am just now beginning to understand the true importance of service. I love being there for someone else. I love the feeling you get when you've done the service. I am trying to learn to live by the Spirit--more in my life--because, after all, it's the Spirit that prompts us to do the act of service--and to let us know what service there might be to render. I love what Julie Beck said in a recent Ensign article: "The ability to quality for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life."

York Family said...

First off, I love reading your blog! It takes me back to my time in Young Women's when, while my home life was a disaster, I'd get the chance to escape to church and see and talk to you and I'd just know that one day I'd have a chance to make a better life for myself (and my future kids). You, along with your family, were always a source of happiness and hope for me at a young age.

I love my family! I love my husband and my children. I love that we are an eternal family. I love all 5 of my children. I love the time I have been given with them (no matter how long or short). I love them all just the same.
~Ashlee

LaDean said...

You are great at making others feel good. You serve others just like your parents. I know you are a great mom to your nine of plenty.

Unknown said...

I seriously miss you! Next time you are up here we have to get together. I love my husband and 2 amazing daughters with all my heart. Thank you.

Mindy said...

I love my family and friends! And I have to tell you I so love your blog. I look forward to your posts. You are amazing and I am so happy that you found so much love in your life and so many wonderful kids. I have always admired you and love you!!! You deserve all the happiness in the world:)

Robin Jordin said...

I love so many things (my husband, my daughter, my family, my cat, shopping, eating, chocolate, eating chocolate, my savior, the young women in my ward, etc. etc.) but what I'm gonna specifically mention in this comment is how much I love the women I'm lucky enough to call my friends. As an adult, I have never had such an enormous support group of girls who care about me, who watch out for me and my family and who are so fun to be with. I don't have real siblings but I have an entire room full of women who I count as my sisters! I love these girls!! And the wonderful thing about them all is that they love me for who I am. As women move into our ward, the list of those I love grows bigger and bigger.

Thank goodness for great friends!! They add spice and fun to my already wonderful life...I love them!!

Jana said...

I love my husband and 3 little kids- They are always happy to be around me, no matter what mood I'm in. I love this warm winter (even though my daughter called it a "harsh" one). I love that our Heavenly Father answers prayers and wants us all to be happy. I love reading your blog- it always makes me smile. :)

Laura said...

Am I too late? I love my sweet little family. They make me smile every day and bring so much joy to my heart.

I also love Kay. She is such a sweetie.

shristi said...

I love Greg! He helps me be a better person and it's always nice to know there's someone you can love and trust.

Stephanie said...

I love this and I love that picture of Mom and you. So sweet! Someone I love is my sweet husband who keeps me sane and supports my emotional craziness.

Jessica said...

I love the unexpected. I adore my family beyond anything words can express and the new addition to our budding family tree. Savannah may not be blood related, but her spirit and personality was meant to be apart of my everyday life. I love that even though my parents should be retiring, they will spend every day to their death beds loving and caring for Savannah like she is their own. I love God and all the challenges he lays upon my path, because in the end I know I will be that much better because of it.

mallorie said...

I LOVE my sister Veronica. She is one of---really, THE most thoughtful person I know. On more than one occasion I have received a random email, text, phonecall or card sent to lift me up and make me feel better. She goes way out of way her way just to make someone else feel good. I have so many memories from when I was young woman and we'd be at the store and she'd buy a treat for someone she thought of, or she would bring something special to the young women, or she would hide a stuffed dummy in the biffy at girls' camp in the middle of the night so she could hear the girls scream and then she would laaaaaauuuughhhh....I'm pretty sure that even then she was thinking of someone else. :) She ALWAYS puts others before herself and it makes her happy to do so. I love her so very much and I love what a wonderful example she is. I love you!!!!!!!!!

Jodi Black said...

I love this...Nine A Plenty blog...I love the love you give unconditionally to all, and I love the love you receive in return! You are truly a beautiful person that always puts a smile on my face. :)

Wilder Family said...

I have really enjoyed reading your blog! You have always been someone I have looked up to and loved! :) Something else I love. I love having babies in my house! I never want them to get old.

Rebecca said...

I'm finally catching up on your blog posts, and I am so thrilled with this post! You and Kay truly are the most giving and loving people I know, and I love the picture of you two together. It's like a little glimpse of what heaven will be like. Love you!

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