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Secretly Pay for a Meal or Coffee

noreply@blogger.com (Marie) — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 22:58:00 +0000

Have you ever secretly paid for someone's meal? Isn't it the greatest?

Have you ever purchase a coffee or meal for the person behind you in a drive through? If not, you should...it is so much fun.

The next time you are in a restaurant, look across the room and find someone that you could do this for. Call over the server and ask for their ticket. Give them this cute little business size card and tell them NOT to let the people know who paid for it. When you do this, you are also bringing joy to your server, as they get the be the person that "hand delivers JOY" to the unsuspecting customer.

The next time you are in a drive through - tell the cashier at the window that you'd like to pay for the car behind you. Ask them to give this neat card to them. It explains that their meal has been paid for! Again, you are involving an additional person and spreading joy to more than just the recipient of the meal.

I love doing this!

I love thinking that if they've had a bad day, this will make it better.

I love surprising everyday ordinary people.

Do you know what I love more? I love that this simple act of joy will inspire them to do the same for others.

So that you can have fun Spreading Joy in this manner, I have these cards on hand for you to use. They are the size of a business card and will easily go in your wallet.

I will send you these cards for FREE!

Yes, you read that right. FREE

Please mail a self addressed stamped envelope to:

Spreading Joy
PO Box 1771
Denver NC 28037

If you put One Stamp on the envelope - I'll send you back 6 cards.

If you put TWO Stamps on the envelope - I'll send you back 12 cards.

Please, post this to your Facebook page, RT on Twitter and Share on Pinterest and Linked In so that others can know how to get these cute little business size cards for absolutely FREE!

Have fun Spreading Joy and making a difference!

Have you done this? Have you had a meal paid for by someone else? If so, take a moment to hop over to our main site and leave your story there - http://www.spreading-joy.org/site/secretly-pay-for-a-meal/

Thank you for sharing and encouraging others!

10 Things to Enrich Your Life This Year

noreply@blogger.com (Marie) — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 12:30:00 +0000

The Original Article on our Main Site is found here -

http://www.spreading-joy.org/site/10-things-to-enrich-your-life/

Please visit there to leave any comments or feedback - and thank you!

A New Year means a time of reflection on the past and more thought for the future. It is a time of making resolutions for ourselves, setting new goals and then feeling horrible because right around February, we realize we set goals that were completely unrealistic.

We primarily focus on the negative aspects of our lives, when we should truly focus on what makes us the amazing individual that we are.

Sure we all have things that we dislike about ourselves, but every single one of us are uniquely amazing and need to use our strengths and talents as we celebrate our life.

Whatever the New Year’s Resolutions you make this year, I hope that you’ll consider this list.

10 Things to remember this year as we approach another year:

Be Kind to yourself – This is an entire article on how we can be as kind to ourselves as we are to others. I hope you'll review it and really be kind to yourself this year.
USE your gifts – You are talented in ways that others aren’t. It’s a shame to waste those gifts while you are working to improve what you think are negatives about yourself.
Reach out for help – We can’t do it all. Don’t be embarrassed to ask for help. I’m thankful that when I get bogged down that I can call a sweet niece of mine and ask for help cleaning my house. I have friends that I can reach out to when my heart is hurting and ask for help, or just a cup of coffee and sweet time of refreshing chatter. Everyone needs help. Don’t be ashamed because you can’t do it all. Ask for help.
Plan something fun each month – It doesn’t have to cost a lot; it just needs to be fun. Maybe it’s a walk in a park or along the beach. Maybe it’s some time by the outside fire pit. Maybe it’s movie night or some time browsing through a local book store. We typically plan our days/weeks with work and necessary things, but the thing that we need the most – we leave it out. Plan some fun!
Laugh – There is never enough laughter. Tears will fall, trials will come and unfortunately things will happen that will shake us to our core. This year, laugh. Spend time watching some fun movies, some fail videos, and start yourself a humorous board in pinterest. Go to a live comedy show or watch videos of your favorite comedian. Laugh!
Move Forward – Don’t let your heart focus on the distance that you are moving or the pace. When you set your goals for the New Year, remember, any step forward is progress. Do you best today and be happy with that. Repeat the next day.
You are worth it! – If you forget, just ask anyone that loves you! Y O U are worth it. Do Not Give Up!
You matter! – Plain and simple…. Y O U matter. Your smile lights up someone’s heart. Your hugs help to dry tears. Your words calm fears. YOU matter!
Try something new each week – It could be a new recipe, a new place to explore, a different kind of outfit, etc. Yes, this might take some planning but – again – you are worth it!
Show compassion daily – I like to call this “Spreading Joy Daily.” You can make a difference daily and you will NOT break the bank doing so. Here are two articles that will give you over 100 ways to make a difference without spending a single penny. Here is a link to our book that will give you ideas for each day. When you purchase this book for you or a friend, you are not only giving a gift that will keep giving for them, you are giving back to our ministry for others. Every single penny of profit goes right back into Spreading Joy to others.

There you have it, 10 easy but important things to remember as we head into another New Year.

What do you think? What should we have included in this list? How are you approaching this New Year?

If you have an article on your site that is relevant to this, please do leave it in the comment section below so that our readers can quickly and easily get there and be encouraged!

Thank you for Sharing this article with your friends on Facebook, posting on Pinterest and Sharing with all of your followers on Twitter.

You ARE Spreading Joy and encouraging others!

Keeping Kids Safe in this Social World

noreply@blogger.com (Marie) — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 21:12:00 +0000

What I’m about to say here will not be popular with the kids and likely will not be popular with many adults. The reason being is that parents are more interested in being “friends” with their children than they are in being an authority figure in their lives.

There is a point in every child’s life that you will make them angry when you question them, ask them what they are doing on the various Social Media sites and you demand to see/know who they are texting as well as what they are saying.

My question to you is, do you want them to like you or do you want them to be safe?

As a parent we never want to hear our kids say they hate us, but truth is, if we are parenting correctly, we WILL in fact hear that statement.

YES - you can trust your teenager to do what they say or to be where they say but sometimes, you just need to check what they do in private to verify that the information they are giving you is actually the truth. I know this to be a fact that even though they “look” like they are at the home of a friend you know and love because their car is in the driveway, doesn’t always mean they are actually there.

Take the necessary steps to keep your children safe, and one day you will actually be able to be friends.

If YOU pay for your child’s phone, you pay for the roof over their head then you have every right to check their phone whenever you feel like it. Make sure that you do some, if not all of the following:

Tips to keep your child safe:

To see the actual article and read the tips - please visit our main site = http://www.spreading-joy.org/site/kids-and-social-media-safety/

Please take a moment to help those that read this article and JOYn in on the conversation by adding your to the link above where all of the tips are located.

What are some of the ways you keep your children safe in this social world?

Don't miss an encouraging article by using one of these RSS feeds or click to receive via email

http://feeds.feedburner.com/SpreadingJoy

Thank you for spreading joy and making a difference

10 Ways to Be Kind to Yourself

noreply@blogger.com (Marie) — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 19:30:00 +0000

I love that you are spreading joy and making a difference daily!

You make your way through the day, being kind, courteous and just plain nice to people.

You smile, open doors and treat others with respect.

You point out the positive, encourage those that are struggling and still do what you can to bring people up.

You Are Kind…to most people.

There is one very important person that you tend to forget.

YOURSELF

You know I’m speaking the truth here. Most of us are extremely critical of ourselves and there usually isn’t a good reason for it at all.

10 Ways that everyone can be Kinder to themselves:

Looks – This is first on my list because I know that everyone has something about their looks that they are dissatisfied with. Did you see that key word? EVERYONE. You aren’t alone in this. Everyone has something they hate about themselves. Long nose, big butt, frizzy hair, point ears, bushy eyebrows etc. When those people that love you the most look at you, they don’t see the things you are most critical of; they see YOU – the core of you! Your heart, how you love, how you give and how you care. When they flip through their pictures of you, they look at what you were doing, remember how much fun you were having and how special you are. Sure, work on losing weight if you need to, go to the eyebrow waxing torture chamber and tame the crazy hair somehow…but do NOT let those things hold you back from enjoying the gift of daily blessings and joy with those you love. Take the pictures, laugh with friends and have fun! Those that love you most will always love you regardless of your looks.
Goals – Everyone has goals and dreams that they long to reach. Trouble is, we set such unrealistic goals that we can never reach them. We often think that if we shoot for the moon and miss, we’ll land in the stars and that is true. Trouble is there are those that if they don’t reach their goals, they let that disappointment steal their joy and they simply stop trying. Learn to set goals that are attainable and keep raising the bar as you reach your goals. A small step forward is still a step forward. My friend and coach Bridget Haymond has an excellent article on this. I hope you’ll take time to read it and start reaching those goals you set. Article Here--> The 8 Beatitudes of Goal Setting
To Do Lists – Raise your hand if you are guilty of the never ending to do list. (Yes, my hand is up) Many people will judge the success of their day based on if they got everything done from their list or not. Don’t do this. You are putting unnecessary pressure on yourself. Let that list guide you. My list is because my memory is horrible. When I think of something that needs to be done, I jot it down so that I will not forget it. Don’t let your to do list bring you down and keep you there. Use the list for what it was intended for….a tool to keep you on track. Here are some fun printables that I use to help me remember.
Moments of Joy – Our days are busy, our nights seem short and before we know it, it’s time to go to bed only to get up and do it again the next day. Take some time to enjoy some moments that make your heart smile. It might be a manicure, a makeover or it might be some time curled up with a book and your favorite cup of tea or coffee. Don’t let a single day pass you by without enjoying a special moment for yourself. Don't let these thieves steal your Joy.
Housework – This is truly never ending. There will always be something to do in your home. Always. If you have small kids, don’t let housework interfere with some play time. Make sure you play with the kids. The housework will always be there, but the children won’t. If you have unexpected guests and your house isn’t white glove presentable, smile and enjoy the company. They aren’t there to see how you keep house; they are there to see you. PS...delegate. Get your kids involved. This will ensure that they can truly take care of themselves when they are older.
Activities – Everyone is busy and no one wants to say no. We have to take child 1 here, child 2 there and still find time to make family time count. Yes, you want your children to experience sports and other activities, but keep in mind it is ok to say no. Don’t over schedule them or yourself. If someone asks for your help and you can’t do it, kindly say “I’d like to but I can’t.” Or say, “I can’t do that, but I can do this for you” and then offer up what you could do. My philosophy is it never hurts to ask because the very worst that can happen is they will say no. Here is an article on taming the madness of special occasions.
Laugh – This is a must. You need to be able to laugh at yourself and for yourself. If you need to watch funny videos or read a joke a day, make sure you take some time to laugh today! Laughter lifts the heavy heart and helps you through the difficult days. And besides, your heart will thank you! I love crazy random things. Here is where I pin those things.
Celebrate your strengths – You have things you excel in! Celebrate them and do them. Use what you are good at to help you reach your goals and those things that you struggle with, ask for help. Don’t beat yourself up because you can’t do something. Find someone who excels in what you are weak at and work together. Focus on what you are good at and move past what you struggle with. We all struggle and we all need help with things. Ask for help when you need it and don’t feel guilty.
Let It Go – There are days when I simply wish I didn’t care so much. It’s something that I struggle with but every day, I’m learning to let go of things that I can’t control. I’ve always been a “roll with it” kind of gal, but the “let me fix it” “take charge” person in me just wants to handle things. That just isn’t going to always be possible. You truly have to “Change what you can, Fix what is wrong and find the good in the rest!” - Here is more on Letting Go
YOU Matter – Many struggle with feeling useless. As soon as you get this settled in your heart, you will be kinder to yourself. You are the world to someone and you matter more to them than you’ll ever know. Write it on your mirror, make a note to yourself at the top of your to do list or calendar – “I will be kind to myself today because I matter!”

FREEBIE – just because I truly want you to be kind to yourself, just like you are to others – One extra – keep a good attitude. I know when life beats you up and the struggle is great it is the most difficult time to maintain a positive attitude, but trust me – it will help you more than you realize!

Respect yourself, love yourself and be kind to yourself!

I challenge you to take the time today to be kind to yourself.

JOYn the conversation:

If you are willing to take time to be kinder to yourself, let me know.

What do you struggle with? Are you willing to share it? Doing so will help and encourage others.

What are your thoughts about how we treat ourselves? How else can we be kind to ourselves?

Do you have an article relating to this? If so, please take a moment and leave a link in the comment section so that others can easily hop over there and be encouraged.

Please visit our main site for this article & share your thoughts as well as check out other links on this topic. - http://www.spreading-joy.org/site/10-ways-to-be-kind-to-yourself/

Taking Hope and JOY Back to School

noreply@blogger.com (Marie) — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 23:11:00 +0000

I love that there are people out there who will do a little more, sacrifice for others and truly love making a difference.

We were able to provide some basic school supplies for these kids, but even greater than that - we were able to give them some of what they LOVE!

Reese's Cups, Gummies & Snack Crackers!

So simple - yet so amazing!

Going back to school is usually filled with so many emotions for children as well as parents. Thanks to YOU, being the hero that you are, there are 250 kids going back to school that will not have to face ridicule, teasing and laughter because they were using left over or hand-me-down school supplies.

Many parents are breathing a sigh of relief because they can purchase a few more articles of clothing or other things the school deems necessary because YOU, being the hero that you are, gave their children the basic but necessary items to waltz back to school with a little pride and joy in their step.

Take a look at what YOU provided this year:

250 Brand NEW backpacks were given out
220 of them were filled with the following item:
- 1 pack of notebook filler paper
- 1 package of pens
- 1 package of pencils
- 1 box of crayons
- 1 box of colored pencils
- 3 spiral notebooks
- Glue
- Package of snack crackers
- Package of gummy snacks
- Package of Reese’s Cups
- Many of them had composition notebooks in them
- Many of them had highlighters
- Some of them had pocket folders

Even though we didn’t have enough “items” to completely fill all 250 backpacks, we still gave away each and everything we collected! Some of the backpacks were only lacking the paper.

It was an amazing event and thanks to YOU – being the hero that you are, you also provided the following:

LOVE – their backpacks were just oozing with great love! Children are smarter than we give them credit for and they KNOW that someone loved them enough to help provide this for them! Yes – YOU Gave LOVE!
HOPE – Sometimes when “thing” after “thing” goes wrong, all hope seems to be lost. YOU helped to restore hope in their hearts and minds.
JOY – While many kids dread going back to school just because summer is over, there is NOTHING like the smell of a new box of crayons, or the brand new pencil that was just sharpened or putting your name in the front of that notebook. Not to mention the goodies that we were able to provide, all because YOU CARED, that brought JOY! Kids love crackers, gummies and Reese’s Cups so this was great joy all by itself!
KINDNESS – Spreading JOY is contagious and I believe that when a classmate has lost their pencil, that because these kids received an entire pack, they WILL SHARE!
POWER – Your gift empowered these children to face their dreams head on and take the next step towards doing amazing things!
PEACE – The peace from knowing they at least have much of the basics is such a priceless gift! Yeah, YOU did this!

Your gifts, voice, love and prayers will fill this new School Year full of these things and so many more things!

Thank you for having a heart for others!

Thank you for spreading JOY to these kids!

Thank you for your monthly gifts that enable us to keep spreading JOY!

Thank you…..

YOU are a hero!

YOU MATTER

- please visit/comment - subscribe to our Main Web Page at www.spreading-joy.org and thank you

Celebrate Life

noreply@blogger.com (Marie) — Tue, 09 Jul 2013 20:00:00 +0000

I came up with these ideas for my 2012 Mother’s Day Newsletter, but these ideas can be adapted for most any occasion.

Father’s Day, Christmas, 30^th, 40^th,50^th,…. Birthday etc. These things will bless someone that is just celebrating life after another anniversary of being cancer free or you just want to show someone in your world just how special they are to you.

One thing that I’ve learned is that sometimes, the best gifts don’t come with a price tag at all.

Have fun celebrating Life as often as you can.

Write about a special memory that you have that involves mostly that person you are celebrating. Talk about how it still makes you smile to this day. This will, no doubt, become one of their most treasured items.
Round up pictures of their children and make a neat card out of them. Either on the computer or actually making copies and then adding them to cardstock.
Write out ## ways she makes you smile (one for every year they have been alive) - in my case… for my mom I’d do 70+ - so I’ve got to get started.
Find one of their old black and white photos, copy it and attach it to the front of a journal. Inside, write questions that she could answer from her life. For instance – Your favorite Christmas, Favorite childhood friend. Did you have pets, what did she dream of being, etc etc. One question for each page. You could do #3 in the back of this journal! What a cool surprise for her!
If they are a reader, get them a kindle! They are never too old to learn to use one. You may have to go and download books for them, but do it! Trust me, they will LOVE it!
Get her a basket of all of their favorite treat/snacks. They will love picking through them for several days! Find some candy from when they were little! There are several websites that have retro candy. I love poking around them and thinking of who I can send them too. Check them out here: Old Time Candy & Nostalgic Candy (umm, my year is 1968 in case you are wondering)
Find out what is on their Life’s To Do List, and start working towards making something on there happen.
Give her 4 gift certificates to her favorite places. One for each weekend for a month.
Hide note cards that you’ve written something loving in, in her home so that after you leave they are still finding and opening those wonderful wishes.
Jot down all the ways that YOU have turned into your mother! (or father or how your friends have influenced you) You may be surprised when they look over the list and ADDS to it!

Most of all have fun!

Don’t let what you couldn’t do or desired to do but didn’t - spoil your time with this person. Focus on how awesome he/she truly is….honor them that way.

What are some other ways that you like to celebrate life with those that you love?

Thank you for spreading JOY by sharing your ideas in the comment section below so that others that read this can start some celebrations of their own.

If you have a blog and have written out about such celebrations or ideas that relate to this, please leave the link to it below in the comments! I'd love to check it out and know that my readers would too. Helping others in this fashion is such an easy way of spreading joy!

Leave that link!

Have fun Spreading Joy as you celebrate those close to your heart!

for our main site - please visit www.spreading-joy.org and sign up to get our encouraging articles via email - easy peasy!

I have Learned

noreply@blogger.com (Marie) — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:00:00 +0000

This year has been a roller coaster of emotions.

I’ve been thinking lately on all the lessons that I’ve learned this year and here is a quick list of 30 things that I’ve learned.

I have learned:

Time together is a priceless gift
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and those that truly love you will always see the beauty
Laughter and joy are contagious and we as a society need to do more of it on purpose
Changes usually end up for the best, even though the process is difficult sometimes
Pain is pain and it all hurts
Sometimes a phone call softens the horrid blows life throws at you
Just because something didn’t turn out the way we expected doesn’t mean we failed
Today is most important as tomorrow may never come
The pain, struggles and issues of today help to prepare me for tomorrow
Sometimes all you can do is cry
Yesterday can create a wiser today which creates a brighter tomorrow
That no matter how hard I try sometimes, that “it” just isn’t going to happen…and it’s ok
That there is beauty in brokenness
To focus on facts instead of feelings, because feelings can be and often are incorrect
Those that push us away need us the most
The legacy you leave is your choice
That even though your heart is in a million pieces that you can still love greater than you ever imagined
Unconditional love is such a gift
That sometimes there is just no understanding…that’s just the way it is
That even if it’s a good thing, it might not be good for you
Not to let the bad times steal the joy of the moment
That there will always be “something” going on, but more importantly the Lord is always by my side
Not to let the shallowness and criticism of others define who I am and what I do
That no matter how bad it gets, it will always work out for good….always
That spreading joy without expectation of anything in return has a far greater return than anyone can imagine
Anything that isn’t finished today, usually waits until tomorrow and it’s ok
That when I can’t even speak that uttering a simple prayer of “Lord, help me” can bring waves of grace and peace
That there is always hope
That I’m not going to please people, so I’m just going to focus on pleasing the Lord
That doing a little is better than doing nothing at all

Even though this is a mixture of good and bad…it’s truth, it’s real and authentic.

What have you learned through life’s lessons?

I hope that you’ll leave them below in the comment section and encourage those that will read this after you.

The Everyday Hero

noreply@blogger.com (Marie) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 20:27:00 +0000

Heroes

They don’t always leap tall buildings in a single bound and drive invisible jets. They normally don’t run around with capes and tights and have lasso’s that force the truth from people.

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Age isn’t a factor and neither is IQ.

Sometimes the biggest heroes are those that you’d never suspect. Their clothing, their education and their current home/vehicle doesn't indicate in the least bit that there is a hero around, but make no mistake – they are there.

Dictionary.com says that a hero is

“a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his bravedeeds and noble qualities.”

My favorite Super hero is Wonder Woman. She is an ordinary gal by day and when the circumstance calls for it, she transforms herself into a force to be reckoned with.

So many people feel that because they are simply “ordinary” that they don’t impact this world. This simply isn't true. The fact that you try says more about you than you'll ever realize!

It’s the ordinary people doing what they can day in and day out that leave the legacy and continually impacts the hearts of those they come in contact with.

Let me tell you of some of the heroes I know:

Their bodies are worn, their hands don’t work like they use to and their memory is cloudy at best. They still get up, expecting to make a difference for others and do so to the best of their ability
They are steady in the midst of instability
Pain is their constant companion but they get up one more time and do what they can
They give of the little resources that they have and expect nothing in return
They seize daily opportunities to bring a smile to someone, knowing that it could change that person’s entire day
They smile through the tears
They try and try again AND try again....
They are courageous, even when it seems everyone is paralyzed with fear
They are consistent day in and day out with kindness to friends and family
They play with their children, while remaining the parent that stands firm as an authority figure in their life, knowing that friendship will come one day
They laugh…. But are completely serious when necessary
They make memories and treasure them
They go above and beyond what is asked without hesitation
The realize the value of “a little bit”
They are gentle and full of compassion, yet firm and stand strong
They take action, not waiting and hoping that someone else will do it
They positively influence people, while being well aware that they WILL influence someone daily, so they make it for the best
The serve our country and stand strong for her, even if they have to stand alone

They are real… real as rain and I love surrounding myself with amazing heroes like this! Many people let the “ordinary” fool them, but I always try and look past the ordinary, deep into the heart and find the extraordinary…the hero!

Why do we focus on the negative aspects of our self? We are ok, just the way we are!

Why do we not see the hero that lies within our own heart?

I don’t want us to walk around puffed up and prideful, but too many people spend much of their lives at the other end of that thought, as if their life is meaningless.

YOU – you truly do matter and you make a huge difference! I’m thankful for the Spreading Joy Heroes that step up each month and make a donation to help make a positive impact on others. You are an amazing Spreading Joy Hero!

I’m thankful for those who give at each fundraiser, knowing that the kids we help will never get to personally tell them thank you – but still…they help anyway! You are a Spreading Joy Hero!

Do you see the hero in the ordinary? Or does the ordinary just glaze over your heart and you miss the gem that is there, waiting to be discovered?

Do you appreciate when someone steps up, doing a little more than expected?

What about you? YOU ARE a hero to someone! You may not feel like it on most days, but you are.

Tell me a little about the heroes in your world! Share a little of their story!

Be a Hero today!

Have fun Spreading JOY!

What in the World

noreply@blogger.com (Marie) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 20:06:00 +0000

After this week’s bombing attack in Boston, I’m hearing a lot of questions like:

What is this world coming to?
What in the world does it take to get someone to this kind of place?
Why would someone feel that this is the only thing they can do to get their point across?

And many others….

I have to say that I truly don’t know what or why and I wonder if we will ever actually know the real truth behind what has happened to provoke the Boston attack.

I know that we can’t change the past, we can’t undo the harm, fear and terror that so many had to endure and we can’t bring back the lives that were lost…. but I ALSO KNOW that we (those of us who wonder why, what etc) can stand apart from this type of violence and shine brighter than the shadow that this has cast on us. We can be beacon of good during this dark time in the USA. We can pierce the darkness and gloom by being what we want this world to be.

The truthful answer to the question “what is this world coming to” is that it is becoming what I am becoming, and what YOU are becoming.

If we want things to be better and a ensure better world for our children then we need to be mindful of what WE as individuals (and our family) are doing and take the extra steps to be force for good in this world!

Just for starters – here are immediate things we can do to pierce the darkness with a ray of JOY and sunshine that will be contagious!

YOU be the good that you are desperately looking for – don’t wait for others to do it – you start right now! Take Action!
YOU be the example that you want your family to follow – don’t assume that someone else in your family will be the matriarch
YOU be the one to help others without expecting a single thing in return – people are always willing to help, usually as long as there is something in it for them. Don’t be this way – stand apart from the crowd
YOU be the one to seek the positive and good in the negative situations – it’s there, it is usually covered up. I was so thrilled to see reporters trying to find the positive when they were reporting this tragedy. Yes, it’s a tragedy but like one reporter said, it could have been much worse had the bomb exploded just an hour earlier.
YOU be the one that sprinkles the day with joy – JOY is contagious, laughter is contagious – USE them every single day!
YOU be the one that is authentic when everyone is simply blending in – Doing this will give others courage to be authentic. Trust me, you are amazing!
YOU be the one to show the positive emotions – Hug daily, laugh a lot and enjoy every moment that you can! Down south, we hug lots and us southern gals don’t take offense to a perfect gentleman calling us Darhlin’ – A hug and smile are 2 of the most powerful things that anyone can do! It’s powerful – USE IT!
YOU be the one to encourage others and to do so passionately – be passionate about encouraging others! It helps more than you may ever realize
YOU be the one to appreciate and acknowledge – A simple thank you is a positive force that carries such an impact! Thank you for your time, thank you for caring, thank you for thinking of me, thank you for giving, thank you for doing, thank you for going….. Thank you is powerful!
YOU be the one to boldly lead the way and be the good that everyone is looking for – Let it start with you. Don’t worry about who is doing what – YOU be the leader you wish others were!

What are your thoughts as to what the everyday ordinary individual that is wondering “what in the world” can do right now to be the good they want to see and that everyone is looking for?

When people are asking what in the world is going on with society what do you tell them? Do you encourage them? Do you blend in with the gloom?

My challenge to YOU - - Stand out, be different – be the good!

Have fun Spreading JOY!

Overwhelmed

noreply@blogger.com (Marie) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 19:30:00 +0000

Overwhelmed

1/18/2013

I’m feeling a little overwhelmed with life right now

Not even sure what to say

There are immediate needs that need to be met and there is no way to do so

There are long term financial needs that will likely never disappear

There are questions that seem as though they will never be answered

There are changes that are coming to quickly

There seems to be no end in sight

Maybe it’s because I’m tired.

Maybe it’s because I’m not as strong as I’d like to think I am

Maybe…who knows. I don’t. I just don’t.

Even though I know “this too shall pass” I pray it passes quickly

I pray answers come soon

I pray for stability for just a little while

I pray that needs will be met quickly and then some

I pray…. I don’t even know what to pray

I’m glad HE does

I wrote this in the middle of January 2013.

In a matter of 19 days my world had been completely turned upside down.

My Step Mom (since I was a teenager) passed away suddenly, my son left for his last semester of college and my heart knows he won’t be coming home after graduation. Even though my son is doing God’s perfect will for his life, it’s still painful and I miss him. My stepdad (since I was a teenager) had heart issues and sever loss of blood due to unknown circumstances, Megan’s 2 test came back “normal” yet again – continuing a 15 month trend but something is obviously, horribly wrong AND my mom had a heart attack.

Those 19 days were full of millions of tears, yet God’s grace allowed me to simply rest in Him.

Are you overwhelmed?

Have you cried an ocean of tears?

Wrap yourself in Gods promises during this time.

Cling to Him.

Allow His mercy and grace to carry you through.

I usually wrap myself in the book of Psalms. So much comfort as I explore the raw emotion that is there. The pain, the praise and the trust displayed in the book of Psalms remind my hurting heart that even though I was caught off guard by much of what happened those 19 days, God was not surprised, nor was he absent.

Share your favorite verse(s) of comfort below.

Share your link of encouragement from when you faced a time of overwhelming issues.

When you share here, you will encourage all those that read this article!

Thank you for how YOU are Spreading Joy and making a difference!

Tragedy turned to Triumph

noreply@blogger.com (Marie) — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 21:31:00 +0000

You work hard to make ends meet.

You have little children that depend solely on you.

You can’t do much for them, but you decide to go and enjoy an inexpensive but fun meal at a local burger place. You load the kids up in the double stroller and you walk there, singing and enjoying the time together.

You order your meal, get the kids situated and simply enjoy this time together….right?

Amazing how quickly circumstances can steal the joy of a fun meal right out from underneath you.

This is a true story. The mom came out after her meal to find that her stroller had been stolen.

It wasn’t a BMW type stroller that was valued at $500.00 but it WAS hers and it was in excellent condition.

There isn’t extra funding to simply go right out and purchase another one. There isn’t even a car for “quick” transportation to go and pick one up; because that is the reason she was on foot to begin with.

Can you imagine her shock when she, with two young children in tow. One probably on her hip, the other, holding her hand and her stroller is gone?

Can you imagine the tears of frustration stinging her cheek? Can you imagine the disbelief running through her heart?

That’s where YOU come in. YES…you.

Every day, ordinary Spreading Joy Heroes!

I find out about this, I take a few days and tell everyone I know and with the help of social media, and a few friendly phone calls – funds for a new stroller have been raised!

See what you did? Well, if that wasn’t blessing enough, there was extra given. After speaking with the kind young mom, I found out that the kids birthdays were approaching. PERFECT – I thought.

The extra can help to get them extra gifts for their birthday.

Tragedy turned into Triumph…

As you see, Spreading Joy is not just book bags filled with school supplies and Christmas Gifts to forgotten kids, but it’s much more than that.

It’s caring….every day!

It’s spreading joy to others every day. It’s taking the little that a LOT of us have, and doing something great with it.

Thank you for being a HUGE part of what we do!

Some give because they realize how great they are blessed.

Others give because they’ve “been there, done that” and KNOW how huge $10 gift is.

Others give because they want to show God’s love to those around them.

Regardless of the reason – THANK YOU!! Thank you for being a huge part of Spreading Joy and impacting this young mom’s heart forever! I’m sure her heart smiles each time she thinks about how people she didn’t even know came to her aid.

YOU are amazing at Spreading Joy!

Thank you for your financial gift and partnering with us to impact the hearts of others! Thank you for Spreading Joy across America with us! Thank you for your monthly support!

Have fun Spreading Joy!

noreply@blogger.com (Marie) — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 22:35:00 +0000

Why I LOVE Women/Mommy Bloggers

I have this amazing online friend – Jackie - who, like me, is sick of the mean girl attitude when it comes to women in business and blogging. There is enough sadness, sorrow and disappointment in the world without women attacking other women just to get ahead or make a name for themselves. While I would love to be one of the few who makes amazing money from blogging online, I know that is not likely to happen. What I do know is that I will be one of those that are giving amazing encouragement, support and reminding others that they matter and to keep going.

I will boldly (and gladly) go where few women go – and that is to support others and to do so happily.

She recently challenged us to write an article that lifts up other women bloggers and business owners. Talk about spreading Joy – well, I’m all about that! I know many successful women/mommy bloggers and I’m happy to share exactly what I think about them here:

They write from the heart – Passion oozes from them! They encourage, inspire and motivate you to do more, give more and be more accepting of who YOU (the reader) are. You can tell they spend much time and effort building and encouraging others through their site.
They are either where I’ve been, where I currently am or where I’m heading – I will always and forever be a mommy! We all have things in common! They understand, they care, they love, pray and are willing to help! While each of our paths is different, they are certainly outlined the same way. I love reading about new babies and the challenges of new moms because I remember with a huge smile those amazing years. I love the posts from Jackie about the question her daughter asks because it reminded me of the crazy questions I use to get asked. I love the posts that share about the joys of teen age years because that is right where I am right now. I love reading about couples and marriage and ideas for the empty nest – as that is right where I’m heading. No matter where I am – I am not alone!
What they treasure – When I read of who is supporting what, I get the amazing opportunity to peek inside their heart and see it dripping with compassion!
Their Site Allows You To Know a Little More of Them Personally – I’ve had the amazing opportunity to meet and hug several women that I first met via Social Media. I spent much time getting to know them through their sites, tweets and various posts. When we did meet it was like old friends getting together for the first time. Priceless!
Their Writing – While some people think it’s all about kids, families or nothing at all, there is usually always great things in all the blogs I keep up with. It could be the latest adventures of Ninja Kitty from @Writrams or another Contagious reminder from @MarloTwells . It may be something to remind me to keep pursuing my passion from @BridgetHaymond or a great book review or Bible Study from @LifeVerse .
Their Strengths – Most people write what they know most about. While most people spend great amount of time on making their weaknesses better, I like to strengthen my strengths. Yes, I do need to and will work on imperfections, but let’s face it, I’m never going to be the master of ….. (you fill in the blank) but if I love it and someone out there can do it better, then why not learn from them?
Their Attitude –The ladies I keep up with are realists through any given situation but maintain a great attitude. It could be the struggles they are going through or the trials they have faced or are facing right now. The face it with boldness, determination and a great attitude! THAT brings me great joy!
Their Honesty – honestly enduring a hardship “out loud” often leaves us feeling vulnerable....even so, their honesty inspires and encourages those that are currently "enduring" major ickiness.
Their Adventures – So many people live and see things that I would never know about if I didn't see it on their blog! I love seeing something that I immediately think – “that is going on my to do list!”
10. The Fun – I love reading and if I ever win the lottery, I’ll invite you all over to see my amazing library of books, but until then – blogs it is! I love having an extra hot cup of coffee in hand and spend some time each day reading! Pure fun! I subscribe to few blogs via email but 99% of the blogs I subscribe to are kept in my google reader! Easy peasy done – all of my favorite blogs right in one place! (if you have a google account, you have a google reader – USE it!)

If we are completely honest, we see what we want to see in things. Most of the time we choose to see the negative, simply because it is easier to see. Seeing the good and the joy in things takes practice, but it can be done!

Let me encourage you to rise above the mean girl attitude.

Be a woman who encourages, inspires and motivates!

Be the woman who will stand alone when the mean girls are trying to get you to join in on their bashing.

Be the woman who does right….regardless!

Let me encourage you to check out the initial blog article that inspired this one – go here to see it

Let me also encourage you to leave your link here – at our original site . And for that matter – leave a link to any “like” article on any of my articles so that our readers can easily FIND YOU and be encouraged by what you have to say! I would be honored to have you do that!

Here is a link to our most popular articles – linking there will allow YOUR article to be seen by many

Have fun spreading joy and encouraging other women/mommy bloggers!

My Name is Barabbas

noreply@blogger.com (Marie) — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 19:00:00 +0000

I love that no matter how many times we read the Bible that there is always something new and wonderful from the precious scriptures.

I was reading about the release of Barabbas and how the people of the day demanded that Jesus be crucified.

As in the past, when I was reading this passage, I was amused at the fact that the people of the day honestly demanded that a murderer, thief and known criminal be set free so that our precious Lord and Savior Jesus would be crucified.

But….I was reading a passage that I had read many, many MANY times in my life time and then it happened, something new HIT me.

What happened to Barabbas after he was set free?

Because he was never mentioned again, my mind began to wonder:

Did he run home, grateful that he had been set free, even though he was guilty of all charges?
Did the old habits return and he continued on his criminal journey?
Did he return home as if nothing had happened, keeping his story to himself?
Did he go from city to city, telling his story, proclaiming the love and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus?
Had his actions and life changed to that of praise and gratitude for the tremendous debt that he was forgiven of?

What DID he do? What WAS his story?

Then another thought…. I AM Barabbas

Then….. my heart began to melt, thinking wow… I have that SAME story to tell.

My crimes are great and I’ve been forgiven of them
The innocent was sacrificed so I could be set free
I was guilty of all and condemned to complete separation but was shown great mercy as my freedom allowed me to be accepted once again
I deserve hell but will celebrate on the streets of gold one day

I’m only a sinner saved by grace so let’s bring the question close to home…. What is my story and how willing am I to tell it?

How about you? What is YOUR story of redemption?

Are you sharing it or are you keeping it to yourself?

Do you go from place to place telling your story and proclaiming the Love and sacrifice of the Lord? Have your actions and life changed so much so that praise and gratitude ooze from you because of the tremendous debt that you’ve been forgiven of?

Did you return to your old habits, old friends and old ways?

The Bible says that all things become new for the Christian.

Have you ever considered….that YOU (Christian) are Barabbas?

As you ponder the guilty man that was set free because of the innocent man that willingly laid down His precious life for his – remember – you ARE that guilty person.

What will you do with your story?

Do you have a similar story on your blog or site? If so, please do share below in the comment section, so that I can visit it as well as my readers.

Is your site about “your redemption story?” – please, PLEASE leave it here – linking up will easily allow others to be encouraged by you sharing your story!

If you don’t have a web site – Consider sharing some of your testimony here? You never know who you will encourage.

Sharing this is Spreading Joy. Please share on twitter, fb, linked in and other social media sites.

Thank you for your efforts in Spreading JOY

***to see all the updated comments, and amazing stories about HIS redemption - please visit http://www.spreading-joy.org/site/my-name-is-barabbas/

and thank you for sharing yours there as well...

Heart for Others

noreply@blogger.com (Marie) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:00:00 +0000

Heart for Others

Spreading Joy Corporation was founded on the fact that everyone has a desire to give more, do more and make an impact with their lives. We all have a Heart for Others.

We all want to make a difference, but many feel that they can’t due to lack of resources.

We go to groups of all kinds to help remind them that YES – yes you can impact this world for good, starting with your own corner of the world.

Heart for Others Day is a fundraiser to help enable us to do more of this during 2013. We want to be able to meet with any group that asks without having them worry about financing. We want those that are the most discouraged and often forgotten about to realize that yes, they are cared about and someone will come and help them see the resources that they have to make their life count. We want to show our heart for others, so that those can confidently go and show their heart for others.

We also know that finances are tight for so many right now and that giving all over this world is down. We aren’t asking for much…..a simple $5 from anyone who sees this will be HUGE.

This fundraiser will easily be seen by over 4000 people over the next few weeks and if each of those that see this will simply give $5 our goal will be met.

Trouble is, not everyone will due to guilt, difficulties and a host of other reasons. On the other hand, there are those that can give more than $5 and we truly hope you will do so.

Will you JOYn us on Heart for Others day on February 14^th by making a donation of any size? Will you set a reminder in your calendar? Mail your gift in? PLAN on being part of our Heart for Others Day?

Let me remind you of a few things about your gift:

There are ZERO paid employees in our Non Profit – Z E R O. So your funds will be use for others
My family makes monthly donations as well, to help cover the day to day expenses – again, so that YOUR gifts can be used for OTHERS
We aren’t here to get rich or get noticed, but we are here to help others feel rich enough to impact their corner of the world and your gift goes toward giving away our book, going into schools and other places to help encourage people face to face.
We are very public about what we do, so any events will always be followed up by photos, updates and links as often as we can. We want you to know beyond doubt how you are making a difference for others.

Please use all of your networking sites to re post this article – be a voice for us and share your heart for others by doing so

Please plan on making a donation of any size on Feb 14 and SHOW your heart for others (mail in or use the handy PayPal button over on the right sidebar)

Please email a link to this page to everyone in your address book, asking them to show their heart for others

Please, if you are a person of prayer, pray over our organization for direction, wisdom and more opportunities to encourage others in their journey.

Thank you for how you are spreading joy with us!

Any gift of $25 or more will automatically receive our book Spreading Joy Daily. If you already have it or know it would encourage someone and would like it sent somewhere else, please let me know by placing their name and address in the NOTE section of your donation when you give via paypal.

You can mail your gift to:

Spreading Joy Corporation

PO Box 1771

Denver NC 28037

Thank you for having a heart for others!

Let’s harness the power of our voices!

Let’s harness the power of technology!

Let’s harness the power of teamwork!

Let’s all come together to see something remarkable happen, right before our very eyes.

Will you JOYn us?

Will you be a giant and use your voice?

Will you spread the word and try and round up others to do the same?

Facing the Impossible

noreply@blogger.com (Marie) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Immediately upon hearing her words, tears welled up in my eyes and frustration and anger burned within my heart.

I miss the next part of the conversation because I’m looking up to the sky asking God…”really??? you WERE supposed to reveal to the doctors what is going on and you don’t? really??”

She stops speaking. She said, Ms. Wikle did you hear me? Megan’s CT Scan was normal except for a small twist in her intestines.

I told her I understood her, but didn’t understand what could be causing all of this.

It’s a process she said.

I shake my head and by now, tears are streaming down my cheeks.

My heart hurts for my daughter. She has endured so much and is just now 18. This last year alone has been filled with test after test only to hear "everything is normal." First her stomach was paralyzed and then 3 years later, something DIFFERENT is causing her food not to stay down but NO one knows what it is….

Really??

Frustrated I ask what next. 2 more test are ordered. One of which was done almost exactly a year ago.

We are journaling what will stay down. 2 teaspoons of grits, 4 spoons of mashed potatoes. 4 oz of applesauce or yogurt, 1 spoon of scrambled eggs with the hopes that it can help them to see or think of what could be going on.

Really – is this the life she is destined to live?

I don’t understand, I don’t know what God wants us to see. My heart is filled with what Lord, what do you want?

After much prayer and saturating my heart with verse after verse, I realize I may never know, I realize thing may or may not change and she may never eat more than that.

I know God is faithful and only God’s grace will get us through.

We are facing the impossible.

For comfort, I search the scriptures for those who faced the impossible.

Children of Israel – faced death by Pharaoh’s army or death in the Red Sea – impossible….but God stepped in and brought them safely to the other side of the sea.
Esther and her entire race of people faced death and their fate was sealed by the King – impossible….but God stepped in and prepared the way for them to defend themselves.
Elijah stood alone and faced hundreds of false prophets – impossible….but God was on his side and that was all he needed.
Daniel faced hungry lions because of his faithfulness to pray – impossible….but God shut the lion’s mouths and gave Daniel the peace that only God can pour out.
The 3 Hebrew Children were tossed into the fiery furnace that was so hot, the guy that opened the door was burned to death – impossible….but God walked in the fire WITH them.
Sarah longed for a son and God had promised her and Abraham that their seed would exceed the grains of sand and stars in the sky and now she was past child bearing years – impossible….but God gave her a son and kept His promise
Abraham was asked to make a sacrifice – of his one and only son – impossible….but God supplied a lamb upon seeing that Abraham was willing to offer up his son as the Lord had asked.

Impossible……

With God all things are possible:

Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me

Jeremiah 32:27 - Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

Genesis 18:14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD?

How long will this continue? I don’t know.

Will more tears fall? Yes – until she is healed, fixed or whatever needs to be done for her to consume a normal meal.

Do I trust God with her? yes…completely. It’s all I got and thankfully it’s all I need.

Will I cry out in frustration, anger and ask why? Probably. I’m a mom and we hate to see our children suffer.

I will continue to pray, to saturate our family in prayer and trust the Lord as HE can bring us through the impossible.

Will you pray with us?

Will you trust God through the impossible with us?

I can only imagine the ministry that He has prepared for Megan as a young lady. I pray daily that God will give her the strength to continue on this journey so that God can get all the glory.

I know God will use this and HER in a mighty way.

We will face the impossible….but we are not facing it alone.

Thank you Lord for the mercy and grace you pour out. I trust you with my family. Strengthen our faith and love as we walk this journey together. in Jesus name I ask...amen.

Because of You

noreply@blogger.com (Marie) — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 11:00:00 +0000

What I've learned from you cannot be expressed in mear words and my heart can't adequately describe for you the gift you've been.

I've grown, changed and will never be the same because of you.

You've changed the way I think, the way I see things, and the way I love.

You've changed how I pray, how I teach and how I learn.

You've changed how I trust, how I commit and how I act.

You've changed the way I approach each and every day.

Thank you.

You've shared tears of joy, agony of pain and laughter of love.

You've shared new adventures, new problems and new solutions.

You've shared milestones, memories and a peek into the heart of tomorrow.

Thank you.

You've brought new treasures, secured old treasures and allowed painful memories to turn into smiles.

You've brought great questions as well as answers that I would have never even imagined.

You've brought great joy and hope as well as the reminder of a brighter tomorrow.

Thank you.

You've made me adaptable, determined and curious for what awaits me.

You've made me enthusiastic, optimistic and anxiously anticipating more!

You've made me resourceful, realistic and practical!

Thank you.

You've showed me just how great life can be and at the same time, made me realize just how quickly pain, sorrow and tears can flood my heart.

I'll forever treasure you 2012 as you have been the most wonderful gift ever.

And somehow I know the same awaits me next year!

How has 2012 forever changed you?

Please feel free to share your comments and/or a link about a similar article in the comment section below.

Have fun Spreading JOY!

One Thing

noreply@blogger.com (Marie) — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 19:32:00 +0000

As another year comes to a close and talks of resolutions swirl around, my mind and heart considers what this upcoming year will hold.

I don’t typically make resolutions but do set some goals to work towards or try to spend time really enjoying the beauty that the ordinary day brings.

This year is no different. Instead of setting myself up for failure with a list of resolutions that would likely be long forgotten about mid February, I've decided that one thing is needed.

Just one.

Becoming a woman of prayer.

While I pray daily and often, I want to be closer to the Lord more than ever. I want to boldly speak for Him and of Him. I want to know that everything I do, any direction I take and each path I explore is exactly where HE wants me to be.

E.M. Bounds said “Prayer that costs nothing gets nothing.” And that is not the kind of Christian I want to be. I want to schooch in close to the Lord so that before one tear lands on my cheek, my heart is already whispering in prayer; before one thank you can be uttered, my heart is already praising HIM for His mercy and grace.

Speaking of Paul and Silas E.M. Bounds said “Their joy in Jesus was so profound that it expressed itself happily and sweetly in praise and prayer under extremely painful and depressing conditions.”

We’ve faced some hard times and will continue to do so I’m sure but in the end, I want MY JOY in Jesus to be expressed sweetly in praise and prayer. I want my faith to be built on the foundation of prayer, I want my praise to be continual, no matter what.

One thing is all that I’m focusing on this year. Just one.

What are your goals for the New Year? Do you have a list or will you focus on one or two things?

If you’ve written an article on your goals for the New Year, please feel free to share it below. If you haven’t but would like to list out some of your goals, please do so and encourage all those who stop by and read this.

E.M. Bounds has several books about prayer; I encourage you to get them. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from him:

Our ability to stay with God in our closet measures our ability to stay with God out of the closet.

Hurried devotions make weak faith, feeble convictions and questionable piety. To be little with God is to be little for God. To cut short our praying makes our whole Christian character short, small, improvised and careless.

Persevering prayer always wins.

Prayer can do anything that God can do. Pity is that we do not believe this as we ought, and we do not put it to the test.

Prayer moves the hand that moves the world.

Love Continues

noreply@blogger.com (Marie) — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 05:06:00 +0000

Let Brotherly Love Continue – Hebrews 13:1

I love sisters and how God has blessed me with a real one that I adore and love to torment….I mean treasure. I am also blessed with brothers that I adore and I know that I can call and ask anything of them and they will come to my rescue.

I’m also blessed with many, MANY brothers and sisters in Christ that simply amaze me as well! Letting brotherly love continue is a way of life for them and I’m thankful to be surrounded by some of the greatest family around.

I was given the honor of doing a devotional for our Secret Sisters group at Christmas time. Our theme was centered on Candy Canes. Candy Canes are such sweet treats all by themselves, but maybe the following devotion will help you to remember just how easy it is to….

Let brotherly love continue

The Candy Cane looks like a staff: Let it remind you to steady your sister.
- More often than not, when I’m out with my sister, something happens and I will trip. It could be the imaginary hump in the floor, a dip in the sidewalk or even a tiny rock. There have been times that NOTHING was there to steady me and I hit the ground, looking up wondering what just happened. (yes…we both laughed and I’ll wait till you are done laughing to continue.) There are those times that it happened and something was close by that I could steady myself with and boy was I thankful. Sometimes, just being right there to provide a little security and steadiness is all it takes to help them through the day or even through the tears. Love continues.
The Candy Cane looks like cane – Let your sister lean on you.
- We are so independent and hate to have to lean on others, but sometimes we simply can’t make it without some extra help. A cane, while such a simple thing is such a huge tool for strength. Being able to lean on our sister can take a horrible situation and make it easier. Through the trials of cancer, time of other horrid illness that seem to have no end and the pain of loss, being able to lean on others without worry is pure love. Love continues.
The Candy Cane looks like a hook – Hang a reminder of them in front of you.
- If you know someone is going through a rough trial, hard time physically or even emotionally, set yourself some reminders. Put sticky notes on your computer, in your Bible or devotional book to remind yourself to pray for them, send them a card or even a text or email. Love continues.
- Also – With the hook – don’t get hung up on the past. Instead of letting your past define you, let it drive you. You can’t change past decisions, past actions, past mistakes but you can determine that you’ll learn from them, grow from them and use your past to help define a better future for you and those that are close to you. Love Continues.
The Candy Cane looks like a “J” – Be Jesus to them.
- Matthew 5:16 says Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. We need to live a life of love, joy, hope and goodness knowing that all the while we are a light for Him. Others will see this light in their time of darkness and in the end, God is glorified. Don’t give a second thought to how bright you think your light for the Lord is, because even a teeny tiny flicker in the pitch black dark can been seen from a great distance. Shine for Him! Show them the JOY of the Lord is your strength! Love Continues.
A “pair” of Candy Canes looks like heart – Show great love to your sister.
- Showing love is easy and the fact is, it will last a life time! Showing love doesn’t have to be done in some huge way, often the tiniest, purest acts of love are the greatest. Here are some easy ways to show some love. Love Continues.

One last thought - Let Brotherly love continue…. It’s not a suggestion.

We’d like to hear from you! If you have an article on this verse, please share it below in the comments so that others can easily find it and be encouraged.

Spreading Joy is as simple as sharing your thoughts on this verse, sharing the link to this article on twitter, facebook, linked in and google+.

You Matter!

Have fun Spreading JOY!

Tears are Healing

noreply@blogger.com (Marie) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:30:00 +0000

I honestly believe that laughter is the best medicine!

Nothing like friends getting together, laughing and having a blast to lift the mullygrubs, remove the cloud of discouragement or to bring comfort during times of depression.

As the quote in the photo says, I also believe tears ARE healing.

I’ve never in my life understood why people say “stop crying, it doesn’t make you feel better” when sometimes it actually does.

Don’t get me wrong, if it’s a 2 year old pitching a fit, that is completely unreasonable and the parent needs to stop it before they have to endure the “fits” of a bratty teenager.

We, especially men, often feel guilty for crying. Many think it is a sign of weakness, but I disagree.

I think it shows great strength to expose a heart that is ripped apart so much so that the tears are flowing.

It takes great courage to show the side of you that is vulnerable while you are enduring great pain.

It is a courageous thing to allow tears to start the healing process.

There is something cleansing about allowing the flood gates of tears to just go. I can’t explain it, but I can tell you how I feel after allowing my heart and soul to release those emotions that have been pinned up inside.

Sometimes there are things that we simply can’t control and they often drive us to tears. Instead of fighting to hold them in, let them go and let the healing process start to take effect. Once you release those feelings and the pressures of what weighs you down, you will be able to see clearer, feel better and can start taking the necessary steps to move forward.

Besides…your tears are very precious. Don’t believe me, check this out. Psalm 56:8

When we empty our heart of hurt, God can take what is tattered, torn and in a million pieces and make it better than we ever imagined.

What are your personal thoughts about the healing property of tears?

Have you written an article on this topic? If so, please share that link in the comment sections so others can leave here and find you easily.

Spreading Joy is as easy as sharing this on twitter, facebook, linked in, and google+

Have fun Spreading JOY!

While laughter is the best medicine, often times, tears are completely healing.

20 Inexpensive yet Heartwarming Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Marie) — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 07:00:00 +0000

Christmas is a time for giving, loving and sharing.

If you are like me, you have so many people you want to give to but finances just don’t allow you to give at the level your heart desires.

Instead of cutting people off of your list, adjust it a little bit with some inexpensive gifts that are easy to make and will warm the heart with fond memories.

Practical, easy….memorable…let’s get to it hmm?

(Read all the way to the bottom to see how easy it is to make gifts dipped in chocolate, I think you’ll be surprised.)

Inexpensive, Easy yet Heartwarming Gifts:

Notes in a Jar – This gift can last an entire year long! A gorgeous jar from the dollar store and 365 notes, quotes, smiles and virtual hugs will warm hearts each day for an entire year! You can easily doll up the jar with ribbon found in the dollar store as well. Using notes like “Cause JOY”, “You Matter” to inspire them or use your favorite quotes. If you know they love the Bible, mix it up with your favorite encouraging Bible Verses.
Framed Photo – Give a gorgeous photo of the family that is already framed. Take a beautiful sunset/sunrise photo and add a quote to it and frame that. If they love the ocean or mountains, use a picture from there, add in a verse or quote and frame that. Every time they look at it, joy will fill their heart with thoughts of you!
Cup of Joy – Take a gorgeous coffee cup, tea cup and saucer and fill it full of sweet treats, coffee, coffee creamers etc for the coffee enthusiast in your world. It will serve double duty as it holds some delicious treats as well as provides them a cup of warm thoughts throughout the year.
Homemade Treats – Easier to do than you realize! Bake up a batch of brownies, chex mix or even dip some pretzels, marshmallows or Nutter Butter cookies in chocolate and drizzle with favorite sprinkles for a sweet gift. You can get the little kids involved here and have a day of making memories as well as gifts. The sky is the limit with these delicious gifts!
Heartwarming, hand written letter – Sometimes there is just nothing better than a hand written letter of thanks, love and appreciation. It can be read and re-read anytime! You’d be surprised a just how heartwarming this gift truly can be.
Photo Collage – We love photos and when you add 3 or 4 in one, the smiles just get bigger. Make a photo collage of your times together, the parties or celebrations. Do one with kids through the years, skipping a few years in between so they can see how they’ve grown. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this will surely be priceless!
A box of Kisses – With the decorative boxes that are available these days, this will be super easy and bring lots of smiles each time a kiss is unwrapped. Find a cute box, fill full of kisses and toss in a handwritten card and you are handing over a gift of love! Mix it up by giving “hugs and kisses” together.
Handmade Ornament – For the crafty types, this is quite an easy gift. Me, not so much, but some of them, I feel like even I could do. Take a clear round bulb, square or whatever you have, toss in some gifts you’ve cut off a garland, some shiny gift filler, or write on it with paint pens and poof, you’ve got an awesome gift that will be treasured each Christmas.
Gifts in a Jar – Brownies, cookies, soups and spices can be amazing gifts when you toss all the dry ingredients in a jar, attach instructions and package in a fun, creative way. Thousands of recipes will provide HUGE smiles as they are being prepared! If the jars are too expensive, use some Ziploc bags and then place in a Christmas Cello Bag that you get 10 in a pack from the dollar store.
Personalized Cookie Plate – Using a Christmas plate from the dollar store and some markers, and a little baking in the oven, you can personalize this gift and then add some cookies you’ve prepared just for them. The plate can also have a memory such as hand prints, feet prints etc. When you combine a foot with 2 hands, you have an instant angel for Grandma and Grandpa. Be sure to jot down what year and the age of the child.
The Write Stuff – Give a nice journal and gel pens to someone. On the first page tell them how thankful you are for them and that you hope they can fill this journal with warm thought s from their grateful heart.
Board Games & Snacks – inspire a time of food and fun with friends with this gift. There is nothing like game night! Great laughter, lots of memories and some whining….if you are like me and lose most of the time. PRICELESS!
Note Cards and Stamps – A gift that will keep on giving! The stamps will cost the most, but you can get the cards for a buck at the dollar store. Package it in a nice cello bag and know that your gift will encourage more than the one you gave it to.
Fuzzy Socks & Lotion – What a nice treat for the often forgot about feet. Use jergens or another non girly smelling lotion just in case someone is particular about smells, toss in some cute fuzzy socks and you’ll be warming hearts as well as feet.
Cocoa – A cup, chocolate dipped spoon, chocolate dipped marshmallows, chocolate dipped peppermint stick and you’ve got a sweet treat!
Strawberries and Chocolate – After you’ve dipped your strawberries, place them in some mini cupcake liners, put in a cute Christmas box and you’ve got a sweet treat that is sure to impress!
Candies in a Jar – You’ve seen it in Cracker Barrel and other country stores, talk about easy to make. Purchase some fireballs, m&m’s, reese’s pieces or other old fashioned candy and toss it in a jar, add ribbon and card and instant goodness! Did I mention fireballs?
Fudge a little bit – I’ve never made fudge but hear that it’s really easy. Pour it into metal cookie cutters or muffin liners, wrap and you’ve got a perfect little gift that is sure to please.
Personalized Survival Kit – By personalized I mean things that the recipient will adore, personalized. For instance, one year the kids got their dad a survival kit, it included his favorites & things he uses often: Honey bun, Starbucks cold coffee, BC Powder, cassette tapes from the thrift store, tie (also from the thrift store), note pad, pens, Sponge Bob stuff, gum, mints, and other things that I can no longer remember. Point is – everyone has little things that they love and adore, why not package it up and make is special just for them.
Video – One True Media will take your pictures and make them into an amazing video for FREE. What a gift! Have fun gathering up all the memories and preparing them for a video that will easily import over to youtube.

There you have it! 20 easy, peasy ideas that are sure to warm the heart.

The thing you have to keep in mind is that people will love the fact you took the time to put something together like this for them.

Enjoy Christmas and other times of gift giving without the unnecessary guilt, even times of simple laughter together is a priceless gift that will last for a lifetime.

May I add in one more? A Bonus:

The Spreading Joy Daily book, pair it with a mug, Reese’s Cups or just a note will be a gift that keeps on giving. You will be empowering others to make a difference without breaking the bank. It’s filled with practical ideas for each day and you’ll find that as you make a difference, your heart will be flooded with great joy! (PS, all proceeds goes right back into making a difference for others….double the joy.)

Ohh, I almost forgot - Giving chocolate dipped items is really as easy as melt, dip, decorate and package.

Many of these white chocolate bars or milk chocolate bars have their own microwavable dish so the cleanup is easy.

For about 10 bucks, you can get 2 blocks of these melting candies, package of marshmallows, pretzel rods, graham crackers or my personal favorite Nutter Butter Cookies, dip, sprinkle with fun and package for gifting.

I’d love for you to post pictures of what you’ve done over at our fan page – http://facebook.com/spreadingjoycorp

Also if you have a link on easy gift ideas, please do feel free to share it below in the comment section so others can be inspired and encouraged!

Spreading Joy is as easy as sharing this article on twitter, facebook, pinterest or emailing to your friends. Use the handy buttons below to do so.

Thank you for your efforts in Spreading Joy and making a difference!

Grateful Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Marie) — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 09:00:00 +0000

When November rolls around each year, so many people start the 30 days of Thankfulness on their Social Media sites. I love reading them, I love seeing what people are thankful for and I love how it encourages others to do the same.

The thing that gets me though is why does it have to end?

You are already updating your status daily; you are already sharing pictures, plans and pray requests. You are there, so why not continue it? Why not share something daily that you are thankful for.

Yes, November is the month that we celebrate Thanksgiving, but why not celebrate all year through?

For me, I want to express gratitude daily.

I look for the beauty in the ordinary, the rainbow after the rain and the good in the pain. I try to express thanks for something each day, just like I do one act of JOY for someone each day.

Diligence is the key. Instead of keeping it to myself, I will start posting something daily that I’m thankful for. It may be online or in my journal, but I won’t let my expression of thanks end after the festivities have ended. I won’t let April roll through without participating in some type of thanksgiving.

Will you?

Will you give daily thanks when this month of Thanksgiving is over?

I know things may get tough, finances may be difficult and the trials may seem to come in waves, but even if these things happen, there is still something to be thankful for, the question is, will you look up from the muck and mire to find it? Will you notice the light in the dark? Will you share what you find so that others can see the light in the dark as well?

I hope you will.

If you start something online, I encourage you to leave the link below, so that others can easily find it and be encouraged.

Will you start by listing 4 or 5 “ordinary” things that you are so thankful for and encourage others to see the beauty in the ordinary?

I hope you will.

Spreading JOY is as easy as sharing this on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Thank you for your efforts in Spreading Joy AND giving THANKS….daily.

PS…I’ll start

My beautifully ordinary things that I’m very thankful for:

Christmas Music anytime of the year
Silliness with friends
Waking up and not realizing I had even fallen asleep
Hope for tomorrow
Dishes being done by someone else

I could add sooo much more, but am hoping you will too.

Discouragement...Why bother

noreply@blogger.com (Marie) — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 06:00:00 +0000

Discouragement….

Its grip is so strong. Its power to stay wrapped round your heart simply amazes me sometimes. We get knocked down over and over again and, try as we may, sometimes discouragement simply wins out.

That’s when we grab the remote, a bag of Golden Double Stuff Oreos, cup of milk and just dunk away, ignoring the pain that seems to haunt us.

Trouble is…when the cookies are nothing more than crumbs, the milk all gone and the shows that we normally love don’t even interest us anymore, discouragement is still there.

Never underestimate the power of discouragement. It happens to all of us.

YES – US!

Even Me….a happy little joy spreader.

How do you fight it? How do you get out of the death grip it has on you? How do you over come?

You fight it with giving, choosing to see the beauty in the ordinary and pure determination.

I know, you are already thinking “Marie…I’m not a half glass full kind of person.”

My response to that is you can be.

You can take action and start focusing on the positive around you, the amazing blessings that fill your world and the great things that bring a smile to your heart each and every day.

People are typically discouraged when they “feel” like things aren’t going the way they should be or the outcome is not what they desired. Discouragement comes when feelings creep in and then stand up and shout “look at me, focus on me” even though those feelings are usually not true.

It’s easier to feel the negative things, like:

We don’t matter
They don’t care
It’s not the truth
They always lie to me
What does “it” matter anyway
Who cares
Why Bother

Etc etc etc

We should be focusing on the facts, not our emotional feelings that change with the tide.

Fact is YOU DO matter. You always have and you always will. YOU are someone’s entire world.

Fact is THEIR opinions are just that…opinions, and you will likely NOT change their mind, so move on.

Fact is the choice is YOURS and you have the choice to ignore the negative things you “think” others think about you.

Fact is Negative is easier to see and feel but being POSITIVE is a much greater force than you realize.

Fact is, we will always face discouragement, but we don’t have to “stay” and dwell with it forever.

Face it, stand up to it and then move on right past it.

Here are a few things to help move past the discouragement that grips your heart:

Surround yourself with positive people
Surround yourself with the things you love. (inspirational quotes, pictures, uplifting music)
Keep your spiritual life in check by staying schooched up close to the Lord. Daily Walk With Him.
Give yourself permission to feel discouraged and recharge
Move past it with confidence by remembering that sometimes failure is just a detour to where you are going
Remember Failure isn’t final – you have the final say.
YOU MATTER – remember this!
Focus on the facts, NOT feelings
Don’t focus on the fear, focus on The Father

How do you face discouragement?

What are some things you do to help get yourself beyond this?

If you’ve written an article on this, please feel free to share a link as well as some words of encouragement below, so that our readers can easily find you.

Thank you for your efforts in Spreading JOY and making a difference!

I LOVE the Ocean

noreply@blogger.com (Marie) — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 06:00:00 +0000

My heart is pounding! You'd think I had not been to the ocean in years, but actually, it's only been a few months. I quickly head to the sandy shores of the Atlantic. I'm giddy with delight!

No matter how many times I come here, my heart feels as if it’s the first time I’ve seen it in years.

I love the ocean. I love the smell, I love the sound, I love the sights! I simply love it.

The sand feels so cool on my feet. I must remove my shoes to get the full effects. I love walking thru the sand to the water. I reach the edge of the shore, the gentle waves lap up against me, saying "hello my dear friend! Do you know I love having you near me?" I sit in the sand, near the water but not so close as to get soaked.

I keep my feet at the edge, enjoying the cool water washing over my toes as I gaze out over the glorious ocean. I look straight ahead. As far as I can see is water. This mighty ocean is so peaceful, so calming as it rocks back and forth showing the world that God is in control of the waves.

The gentle rocking is luring me into its massiveness by it mighty power. So gentle, yet so huge and powerful. It can lull the most troubled heart to sleep easily and, yet, wipe out entire cities by its force. I love the vastness of it. I look to the left and the waters are never ending…just like God's love for me. I look to the right and the waters go on forever.

I love that.

I look ahead and imagine how deep the ocean must be. No one can touch the bottom of the ocean. I think how wonderful that is, because my sins are buried just that deep - as the deepest seas. And, better than that, God forgets them! He remembers them no more!

Amazing!

I look straight ahead and admire the utter vastness of the ocean and think of how big and mighty God truly is and yet – he takes the time to love me – little ole nobody – me. God is bigger than this ocean, mightier than the wildest waves and wind and yet, for some reason, He draws me to Him. He calls me and HE wants me to spend time with Him. He can have anyone on the face of the earth, and he wants me.

I look at the sand and the wonderful treasures that are buried there. I see the normal ole seashells, plain, like me. Millions of them are there. Usually, I never pick them up unless they are shiny and beautiful. I smile and wonder why God picks me up.

I’m not shiny and mercy, no where near beautiful. Oh, I adore the cool seashells! I love when they are in whole pieces, but I rarely find them – and yet – I laugh to myself – when mom comes to the ocean, she comes back with oodles of cool shells that she found as gifts from the ocean. I smile and think to myself, she deserves those treasures from the ocean, she is truly a wonderful woman who deserves more than I can ever give her.

I sit beside the ocean for hours, soaking up every sound, every quiet clap of the waves, every gentle swoosh of the the water retreating back into its bed. I love the deep and complete peace I feel as I sit there, beside the majestic ocean. Knowing that as God controls the ocean, he truly controls everything in my life.

I look straight ahead, a beautiful orange glow is emerging off of the horizon! I didn’t realize that God was giving me yet another gift! Another desire of my very own heart! The desire to see the full moon rise up out of the ocean, to light my night, to light my path, to lead the way for me. It creeps up, inch by inch, pouring more and more of its light right down upon me. I smile and think "thank you Lord for the full moon" I have always loved how I feel closer to the Lord when it is shining down. The full moon over the mighty ocean - the greatest gift ever.

I love the glory of it all! So majestic! The huge moon, watching my every step, lighting my way. The ocean that is gentle, peaceful, yet strong enough to violently shatter the earth with its great waves. I sit and dwell on His goodness. I soak up His greatness, His wonder, HIS love for me – thank you Father, that I can always visit the ocean in my minds eye. Your grace is enough, and it truly does amaze me. Your grace and love is sufficient and never ending – just like the ocean.

What do you see when you look at the Ocean? Can you imagine how deep God's love for you is? Can you look out over the ocean and realize the power it takes to hold the water in place?

My Prayer for you when YOU look at the ocean!

When you see the perfect cute little treasures of the "neat" shells, may you remember that YOU are that special and that out of all the millions of "shells" that you stand out and God is waiting to pick you up and place you with his prized shells so that you may bless the heart of others every time someone looks at you.

When you feel the gentle waves lapping at your feet - may you be reminded of how tenderly God holds us in his hands - and how he comforts our hearts when we are troubled.

When you see the waves clapping - know that HE is coming for us one day.

When you see the waves crashing on the shore - remember that this is a tiny portion of how much power God holds and ALL THINGS ARE possible by him - for his children that HE adores.

When you see the never endingness of the ocean, may you be reminded of how HE loves us - truly deep down loves us. and that love is never ending.

When you gaze at the ocean and wonder how deep it is, may you be reminded that it is sooo deep that our deepest sins are buried there and even God himself can not get to them, nor can he remember them.

May you feel the love of the LORD sweep over you and on to your life as you gaze at the majestic ocean, that is nothing short of awesome!

Last Thought:

Do you know that with all of the millions of "shells" that surround you, that God chooses YOU too! He draws you. He wants you to dwell with him. Are you spending time with Him. Are you being still beside the ocean and enjoying the view? *patting the sand* come...sit right here, next to me and let's enjoy how awesome God is - together!

Do you have a special place that puts your heart right next to God's?

Do you have an area that just makes you feel as close as you can possibly get to God?

Share with us in the comments below. Better yet, if you've written about it, then share the link below so that others can easily find it and be encouraged.

Spreading Joy is as simple as posting on Twitter, Facebook, Linked In or Google + as well as pinning on Pinterest.

Thank you for your efforts in Spreading JOY!

Depression

noreply@blogger.com (Marie) — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 05:30:00 +0000

Depression is fought daily by millions and when the winter months start creeping in, it typically gets worse for many.

The days are shorter, colder and many are forced to stay inside due to the extreme cold.

Depression often creeps in without the individual being aware of its sneaky attack. For me, however, the warning signs are huge red flags and I recognize it immediately.

Charles Spurgeon puts it this way:

Fits of depression come over the most of us. Usually cheerful as we may be, we must at intervals be cast down. The strong are not always vigorous, the wise not always ready, the brave not always courageous, and the joyous not always happy.

I’ve dealt with depression on and off like many people for years. It’s tough to get past and many simply never do.

For me, it comes in waves and usually at the most inopportune time. It sneaks up when I’m the busiest and I simply don’t have the time, or the energy to fight it.

Many people try to hide it, especially Christians. Such a stigma comes with it because we Christians are supposed to always be joyful…hmm? There is and can be joy through depression, but we are not always “happy.”

My depression includes lots of sleeping when 6 to 7 hours is usually more than enough, my “gumption” to do anything simply disappears and all that my heart dreams of doing usually comes to a screeching halt. To sum it up, when my depression hits – I simply don’t care. I know many others feel that way too.

So, what is a happy little joy spreader supposed to do when this happens? Just let it run its course?

NOPE…not at all.

Here is what I do to help push past this. But this is a process and the process is different for everyone. I don’t want anyone to think this will help everyone, I’m just sharing my heart and hoping others who struggle with this will do the same so that the many people who read this can be encouraged through this struggle.

More Sleep - I do allow myself more sleep, as that is something that I can’t avoid. I’ll decide to stay up all night watching things I’ve DVR’d and then wake up, not even realizing I’ve fallen asleep.
PUSH ON – Seriously. I force myself to do some of the things I need to do and allow the others to wait until the next day or when I can get to it. I’m a list maker and rely on them to at least be somewhat productive. Then, as I look at the things that I have crossed off, I can see that the day wasn’t a total waste.
Ask for Prayer – You should have a handful of friends that won’t “discuss” your issues with others but will simply pray for you.
Gratitude – Being thankful for what I do have, what IS going on and remembering just how blessed I am. DAILY!
Start and End the day in Praise and Prayer – Seems simple, but when depression hits many of us, this is usually the first thing we stop doing. We just don’t “want” to and give in to it. Praise and Prayer are the best weapons against this, USE them. (yes…I KNOW it’s a struggle)
Give Myself a Break – When the waves of depression hit, I don’t know how long it will tag along with me, but I also don’t let guilt make it worse. Cut yourself some slack. If you are doing a few things each day, pressing through, then you are doing well.
Remember…This WILL pass – It will pass. No clue when, but I remind myself it will pass.
FOCUS on Others – this is difficult during times of depression but again, it’s possible. I choose to make a difference for others daily anyway, but during these difficult times I will step it up.
Do Things I LOVE – I love being outdoors, I love reading, I love joy riding, I love looking through scrapbooks. I make myself enjoy the things I love. YES…make myself.

This is not an all inclusive list by any means. I’m hoping those that struggle with it as well as those that don’t will leave some helpful, encouraging comments below.

Many ask about Medication – use it if necessary. When my Dad died in 2003, I was in the deepest depression ever. I took medication to help get through it. I literally don’t remember much of the 2 years that followed his death due to depression. I do know that when I started “pouring” myself into being a blessing to others, I started coming out of it.

Winter is coming; depression will worsen for many as the darkness engulfs their heart. I challenge you to do a few things here. This article will be emailed to over 300 people once it’s published and countless others will see it on Twitter and Facebook.

ENCOURAGE someone who is struggling by:

Leave an encouraging comment to uplift, inspire and bring a smile to the discouraged heart
Share some of your story here. You never know who will relate to it.
Don’t argue, judge or assume the worst about others who are dealing with this daily.
If you’ve written an article on this topic, leave the link below in the comments, so others can easily find it and be encouraged.
Never underestimate the power of being nice!

Here are some articles that may encourage you in this matter:

Peering into the Darkness

Where is Goodness and Joy

Joy Thieves

Taming the Madness

From my Friend Geoff ( @soulsupply ) – Defeating Depression http://www.soulsupply.com/defeating_depression

Thank you for your efforts in Spreading JOY and making a difference!

Christmas Joy 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Marie) — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 20:56:00 +0000

Christmas…

A time of giving, sharing and just reflecting on those that we love, treasure and adore.

Should be such a time of great joy but in this economy so many people are struggling.

My heart often thinks of the many people who will simply enjoy time together this Christmas, and that in itself is a wonderful gift, but we can and should do more for the kids.

I mean really....we are only Children once.

We want to do some amazing things for some awesome kids of the Battered Women’s Shelter this year.

Will you partner with us and help us sprinkle some magic into their Christmas Morning?

We bring these ladies and children in (yes, bring them in by bus as they don’t have transportation) treat them to a very nice lunch, dessert and some encouragement as well as “free shopping” for Christmas Gifts. So, in the spirit of Spreading Joy this Christmas, we will move forward doing what we can with what we have.

It’s that simple.

We need your help! There is no way we’ll be able to do this alone.

Here are some ways you can partner with Spreading Joy and make a difference for these ladies that have courageously stepped out and are starting new. They dream of doing huge things for their kids, but many struggle just to keep them warm and fed.

Will you partner with us to make their Christmas Merry and Bright? Here are things that we need!

TOY COLLECTION:

Will you donate new unwrapped gifts for us to give? Think about it, if you purchase 1 gift a week starting now, until the first of December, you’d have 11 gifts to donate!
Will you see if your Organization can collect toys? Put out a wrapped gift box, attach this sign and collect gifts.
Will you see if your group (Sunday School class, small group, ladies group, men’s group, other group or even entire Church) will collect toys. Same process as above, place wrapped boxes at various entry points – and doing so earlier is better.
If you aren’t close by and would like to help but shipping toys is much too expensive, consider donating Wal-Mart or McDonald’s gift cards. We use these for gifts for the teens. Make them in $10.00 increments.
Could you come and volunteer? We will need people to help with wrapping, setting up, cleaning up, picking up toys, picking up food and other things. Please email me if you can volunteer and we’ll get you plugged in!

Donations:

Any gift of any size is huge! Will you make a donation? If you donate this weekend, once in Oct, Nov & early Dec, you’ll have an opportunity to give big without hurting your wallet or your Christmas budget. Think about it - $25 a month for 4 months is HUGE.
Are you receiving a Christmas Bonus? Decide that a small portion of that will help others.
Selling things on e-bay? Give back and the those that bid on your items know that a portion of the costs will be spreading joy to others.
Corporate Sponsorship will receive recognition below as well as weekly tweets to your website. We have over 500 views on our site a day as well as over 40,000 amazing interactive followers on twitter. People that engage, take action and care!

If you’d like to mail your donation of funding or toys, please mail to:

Spreading JOY Corporation

PO Box 1771

Denver NC 28037

Lastly - will you spread the word? Share this on Facebook, tweet this on Twitter....daily, Post it on LinkedIn as well as even highlight what we are trying to accomplish on your website. Your voice is powerful! It reaches people we may never come across. Use your voice.

Remember, we are an IRS Approved Non – Profit and your company may match Charitable Donations. Why not check it out with your HR Department?

Here are a few videos showing you what we have accomplished during Christmas Past:

We want to rise above the discouragement of high prices, the obstacle of dead ends and the disappointment of our comfort zone. We want to be the change that is so desperately needed!

And we want to JOYn forces with Y O U to do so this Christmas!

Thank YOU!

Organizations that are Collecting Toys:

Iron Mountain – Charlotte – The Positive effects of a smart information management plan drives cost savings, strongly supports compliance and increases efficiency.

Clark Nexsen- Charlotte - Clark Nexsen, PC is an award winning architecture, engineering, interior design, planning, and landscape architecture firm that has been in continuous operation for over 90 years. With offices in Norfolk, Richmond and Roanoke, Virginia; Washington, DC; Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina, and Macon, Atlanta and Brunswick, GA, Clark Nexsen, PC employs a staff of over 500 dedicated professionals ? more than 175 of whom are LEED Accredited. The firm’s architecture, engineering, interior design and planning design teams specialize in healthcare, commercial, offices, government, college and university, recreational, manufacturing and land planning projects. Clark Nexsen, PC has been recognized as one of America’s leading architecture and design firms, as cited in the Almanac of Architecture & Design, DesignIntelligence’s annual factbook and ranked as one of the Top 500 National Design Firms by Engineering News-Record. Clark Nexsen, PC works to shape the future worldwide, and their focus remains constant: extraordinary effort to make projects work for their clients. For more information on Clark Nexsen, PC, visit www.clarknexsen.com.

Sport Clips- Denver - Sports on TV, a relaxing neck and shoulder massage, legendary steamed towel treatment, and a great haircut from Guy-Smart stylists who specialize ONLY in men’s and boys’ hair care. It’s what we call the MVP Treatment, and it only takes about 20 minutes. Sport Clips - Catawba Springs Promenade, Denver, NC - (704) 827-7009 You can DROP off your new, unwrapped gifts here!

Corporate Sponsors:

He who has no Christmas in his heart, will never find Christmas under a tree. ~ Charlotte Carpenter