giving back

If you know me at all, you know I’m passionate about a few things…primarily helping people and supporting the local community.

This weekend I had the opportunity to do both!

I wanted to take some time to tell you about a few local ministries and organizations that are bettering the lives of many and are right here in our community of Jackson, MS.

Friday night I had the privilege of working with Sonbeams (a ministry of Pear Orchard church).

This amazing ministry helps in giving back by offering a “Parent’s night out” for those with developmental disabilities. Every other month, Sonbeams offers parents a night off while we (the volunteers and staff) get to know their children better and engage in a variety of activities.

This past Friday, we assisted in helping prepare boxes for Operation Shoebox drop (Christmas in July) to children all over the world who live in poor countries and have virtually nothing. We painted boxes and lids and I was amazed at our creative the children were.

We also played a lot of basketball, sang songs, and had a story and snack time.

I had the honor of being “buddies” with a 19 year old non-speaking girl. She immediately stole my heart. She held my hand as we walked around the church and was so kind and gentle. She was so alive and so full of life and yet this precious little girl can not communicate with the world like we do. But she does it in her own way. And she understands everything we say to her.

My heart was so full of joy when I left and I can not wait to go back and work with them again. My little buddy helped me more than I’m sure I helped her. And she didn’t even know it.

Last night (Saturday) I was honored to be a part of the JFP's  7^th Annual Chick Ball.

What is the Chick Ball? ( you may be asking)

The Chick Ball is a super awesome fund-raiser that celebrates women and supports the fight against domestic violence.

My dear friend and yoga teacher, Tara Blumenthal, pulled me in this year to help her Emcee and lend a helping hand.

I am pleased to say everything went much better than I had anticipated (in my head) it would. Hal & Mal’s was packed. At one point we had to shut the doors because the number of people inside exceeded the fire code!!!!!

There were so many amazing musicians who participated and every single dime went to the Center for Violence Prevention.

At the end of the evening, we all cut loose and danced the night away. I left sweaty and tired but again, my heart was full of joy.

Giving back brings me more satisfaction, more happiness, more joy than anything else in this world.

God has blessed with me an amazing life—full of sorrows and joys—but He’s blessed me with two working hands and feet and a mind that seeks to understand and know people—so that I may serve them; so that I may be used as a channel of love for others.

The purpose of my life is not really to be an Occupational Therapist someday. It’s not to be rich, skinny, and fabulous (although those would be great)…it’s not to be a mother, daughter, or sister.

My purpose is to be of maximum service to God and others.

My purpose is to give back as much as I can, wherever I can, to all the people I can.

And my purpose is served through being an Occupational Therapist someday, through being a mother (someday), through being a daughter and a sister and a friend.

I woke up this fine Sunday morning feeling good about my life; feeling good about the direction it’s taken for the past few years; feeling good about the world and the people in it. And I know it’s not because of me or anything I’ve done really. It’s because of letting go and surrendering and allowing people to come into my life and letting people leave my life.

Tomorrow I may feel differently.

But today, I’m super grateful.

With deep love and gratitude,

Jen

“Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more”

 ~ Anthony Robbins