The One Thousandth Teddy Bear

I am spending time this morning catching up a bit on the latest news of the teddy bear ministry.  The poem printed below is the one I included with the 1,000th teddy bear (including the original poem "Nan's Goodwill Bears) when I delivered it to the hospital on Sunday, July 22nd.

Before you leave this site, be sure to take a moment to enjoy the newest photos I've included for you, one of which is posted to the right of this message (that being me holding the 1,000th teddy).  The other two photos are shown below the printed messages. 

One of the ER nurses, Heather gets credit for the idea of getting the silver tag engraved for the bear indicating that it's the 1,000th teddy bear.  Great idea, Heather!  You'll see the photo of the silver tag with the engraving to the right and the photo of the bear is to the left.  Have a wonderful day!! Love, Nan

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

The One Thousandth Teddy Bear

Written by Nan Forehand

July 22, 2012

God granted me a vision and I believed

So many blessings I have received

His promise, unbeknownst to me, of one thousand bears, began with one teddy

Eager to please – on His mark – get set, I was willing, able and ready

This twelve month journey, an absolute joy – never iffy

Each teddy cleaned head to toe – one and all looking mighty spiffy

To the hospital ER my teddies and I would happily go

All glory to God for His love and compassion to show

He prepares our blessings before we have a need

Most assuredly this ministry was blessed with Godspeed

To bring cuddly comfort to the little children is my heart’s desire

A life lived in service to the Lord is a life lived on purpose and on fire

No tellin’ how many more teddies the good Lord will provide

“Well done, my good and faithful servant”, I think He says, beaming with pride

Author's note: on July 22, 2011, I delivered the first two dozen teddy bears to the Iredell Memorial Hospital Emergency Department to be given to those little ones (and some bigger ones) in need of cuddly comfort.  Today, July 22, 2012, I will deliver another bunch of teddies to the hospital after I get out of church and these teddies being delivered today brings us to the total of 1,000 teddies provided to the hospital in the past twelve months.  This fact continues to amaze me!   Not that I am one bit surprised at how abundantly God has blessed what has become a ministry and has brought so much joy to so many, myself included! This ministry is called Nan's Goodwill Bears.  A poem of the same name is published in my poetry database at www.wordchimes.com.  The parents of the sick or injured child receive a copy of the poem to take home with them.  The teddy is given to the child to have and to hold in sickness and in health.  I hope you are encouraged and inspired to listen to the still small voice of God whispering in your ear to see His vision for your purpose and to get on His mark - get set - be willing, able and ready.  Trust me, you can't even imagine how wonderful your own life will be.

Love,

Nan 

 "Kindness in words creates confidence"


"Kindness in thinking creates profoundness"


"Kindness in giving creates love"
author unknown

I would like for you to open your Bible and read the book of 2 John NKJ.  It's one of those short books located in the back of the Bible.  You will be glad you did!  I was!