Operation Send Hope: We're back!

  Over the past few years, I have started a project called Operation Send Hope. It began in 2011 when a string of tornadoes tore through the Midwest, killing over 520 people and destroying hundreds of homes and communities. This project was created as a way to send a message of hope and encouragement to those effected by these uncontrollable tragedies, by sending cards, letters or banners to the local Red Crosses. Since then, we have continued our mission of sending hope and we would like to expand beyond severe weather emergencies.
   Our next project will be to reach women and children who have been victims of abuse and domestic violence. We believe that a small act of kindness can go a long way.
   Our mission is to make cards to send an important message to those who have experienced great loss, you are not alone in this world. Each and every one of us know what it is like to lose, whether big or small. Hopefully, you also know what it is like to have someone tell you they are thinking about you. I am not naïve, and I know that a card can never bring back a loved one, rebuild a lifetime of memories, or erase a lifetime of pain. This project is about human connection and compassion. Just a small gesture that can change a person's outlook on life...and we need your help to do it. We just want to make someone smile, if only for a moment.  Please join our cause, and remember, it's the tiniest getsures that can make a world of difference in a person's outlook. Let's work together to end some of the selfishness in the world.

Please 'like' us on facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Operation-Send-Hope/153249934742842
You can also check us out on Blogspot. http://operationsendhope.blogspot.com/

Long Time Coming

Good morning, friends. It has been...well, two years since I last posted. I should have known that as a mother of two, keeping up with an advice blog would get complicated! Between soccer practices, t-ball, church, work, laundry, scraped knees, lost socks and a new diagnosis for my son...I've barely had time to give advice to myself. Hopefully, though, writing on here will become more frequent. Over these past two years I have learned more and grown more as a wife, mother and friend. If you are patient, I am looking forward to sharing it with you.  For now, let the wild rumpus begin! (for those of you who may not know, that is a Where the Wild Things Are reference....sometimes also known as my life :)

Operation Send Hope

I am working on a project and would like to get more people involved in helping. I would like to make cards and send words of hope and encouragement to those affected by the recent tornadoes and flooding. I know it doesn't sound like a lot, but you would be surprised how a simple kind word can go a long way. People need to know they are not alone in the world...especialy after they lost everything that was dear to them. Human connection is powerful, especialy in times of tragedy.You can check out our page Operation Send Hope. The RI Red Cross is on board and so is the Tuscaloosa, Al Red Cross. If you're interested let me know..it costs nothing and its just a way to reach out to humanity. I'm trying to get as many people together as I can because i know this will make a difference.....Thank you for your time.
-Kaleigh

Phoenix in the Ashes

You can't ignore your problems, Sometimes you just have to walk through the fire so you can come out a new person, like a pheonix in the ashes. Change can be scary, but it isn't always a bad thing.

We All Fall

The older I get, the harder I find it to blame people for their choices. I have begun to realize that people will always fail...at one point or another we will fail at something. Although, every failure is really a lesson. Either for ourselves, or for those on the sidelines. Everyone will make a mistake that they regret at one point in their lives...some are so small you can live with it, and others are so big they consume you.  When you look at life in this perspecitive, it makes it easier to forgive, because in the end we are all human..and we all fall. The hope is that we are strong enough to pick ourselves back up. Only God knows our hearts, so who am I to judge another, when we are all the same. 

A Day in Proverbs

  When I had originaly thought of this website, I wanted it to be a place where people could come for advice and maybe even some wisdom. Now, (you may find this shocking because I sure did), I actualy don't know everything, but what I do know I have learned from the people around me. Though, one of my favorite places to gather wisdom is from the book of proverbs. Although I do, you don't have to neccesarily believe in a religion to appreciate the wisdom proverbs has to offer. Even the first few sentences confirm the books purpose for giving wise and helpful life instructions. Let me share them with you.


The Proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:
to know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity;
to give subtlety to the simple, and to the young man knowledge and discretion.


So, what's my point, you may ask?  I have decided to add a new section to my page. I am going to call it "A Day in Proverbs". The reason is because some of the most common sayings we have come from this book and it's a great resource for some of life's toughest situations. It may not be everday, but as often as I can I will write a proverb and then write about it. ( I know, it doesn't sound that interesting, but I promise to try and make it exciting :-)  But for now, I will leave you with this thought:


  The words of the reckless pierce like swords,
   but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
  Proverbs 12:18

The Things That Matter

I work at a local nursing home and I only had a few residents to care for as oposed to the normal 12. It's always nice when the work load is light, then I can actualy take time with them and talk to them about their day. I realized last night that I am fueled by good conversation. Thats all I need and I feel rejuvinated. One of my favorite things about my job is getting to talk with the women about their lives and especialy about God. You really can learn so much from the elderly. If you think about all of the history that has taken place in the 85/90 years...these people have seen so much. One of the women used to be a navy captain during WWII. Isn't that amazing?? Women were rare in the millitary back then..let alone captains! After that she came home, had a son and then became a partner in a law firm. Another woman used to be a missionary and another a model. I look at them now, fragile and dependent...they were so strong once. I always leave my job feeling inspired and greatful to be alive. I get to see the end of life...it's so scary how fast our lives go by. Someone once told me that we "need to be present in our life. Live in the moment." It's so true. So many times we just go through the motions of living, that we forget to truly live. That doesn't mean be crazy and do things for yourself only. The more time I spend at work,the more I realize that truly living, truly is giving your time and love to the people who matter most in our lives. Otherwise, what's the point? Remember, if you live your life for yourself only, in the end that is all you will have. :-)