I went by the hospital last Thursday after I left my office to make a delivery of teddy bears. As I went through the security checkpoint in the ER, a lady at the triage desk followed me through the double glass doors. She said there was something for me to pick up. As I approached the first bin where teddies are stored, the lady removed the lid from the bin and pulled out a beautiful Vermont Teddy Bear!
She told me that a lady had come to the triage desk and said "in February, my son was here in the ER and was given a teddy bear. I went out and bought this one for the lady who brings the teddy bears to the hospital." It is one of the most beautiful teddy bears I've ever seen! I will probably never know who that lady was, nor will I be able to thank her, but I'm sure she knows in her heart how much I appreciate her most generous gift. At some point, the teddy bear will provide long lasting comfort to someone in need. The beautiful thing is that God already knows who will be the person to receive this particular bear.
God plans in advance for our blessings. Nan's good will bears is testimony of this truth. All of these bears in my attic at this moment are for people who aren't even sick right now. They don't know they will be going to the Iredell Memorial Hospital Emergency Room and they don't have a clue that God has already prepared in advance for them to be comforted by a teddy bear and a mother's poem.
I have included a photo of this Vermont Teddy Bear for your viewing pleasure. Let it be a reminder that when you have a specific need, God has already provided in advance for you to be blessed with exactly what will provide you the greatest comfort, strength, hope and endurance. This will all be granted to you in abundance, all because of love.
Have a wonderful day! Love, Nan
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Monday, April 16, 2012
Makenna and her mom
I must share a delightful story with you today! First, I have to back up a bit. Our local Community Thrift Store has graciously become a sponsor for Nan's good will bears. Cindy, the sweet lady at the store is my contact person. She called me last week and invited me to come to the store and set up a table with bears on display and talk with the customers. I went to the store on Thursday afternoon for about an hour. She gave me a bag of teddies that the store donated. The display was strategically located at the front of the store near the toys and stuffed animals.
Business was a bit slow that afternoon. That being said, a young mother and her daughter browsed nearby. The mom was paying close attention to a small wooden bed which held a brown Build a Bear teddy. We engaged in a conversation about the bed. All the while, I noticed her beautiful daughter with the long, flowing wavy blonde hair. Makenna attends elementary school. I don't know her exact age.
I asked Makenna if she would like to hear a story about teddy bears. She grinned and nodded her head. I began to tell her about the teddies and how I donate them to the hospital emergency room for sick kids. She and her mom were very interested in learning more. Suddenly I had an idea. I asked Makenna if she would like to read my poem that the parents receive when the child is given the teddy bear in the hospital. She appeared to be a very bright little girl. She read the poem "Nan's good will bears" to me and her mom. Her voice was soft and quiet as she carefully pronounced each word. She touched my heart deeply as she read aloud my poem. This experience was a very memorable and very special occasion for me, to say the least.
Makenna's mom said that they would look through the stuffed animals at home and see if they had some teddy bears they could donate to the cause. The plan would be for them to drop off the teddies at the check out counter in the store. When Cindy receives the bears, she will contact me to come get them.
The young lady and her beautiful daughter were smiling as they left the store and as for me, my heart burned with warmth and great joy.
We always have a choice in life. Had Cindy not called me to invite me to come to the store, and had I not come on Thursday afternoon, I would not have met Makenna and her mother. The opportunity would have been lost to hear the beautiful young child read my poem in the presence of her mom and me. I sure do believe that by the grace of God we were brought together. Remember, none of this is truly about me. It's about relationships and lives being brought closer together with God in whatever way He sees fit. He wants a personal relationship with each and everyone of us and if it is by way of a cuddly teddy bear, so be it.
Take care and remember that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Nan
Business was a bit slow that afternoon. That being said, a young mother and her daughter browsed nearby. The mom was paying close attention to a small wooden bed which held a brown Build a Bear teddy. We engaged in a conversation about the bed. All the while, I noticed her beautiful daughter with the long, flowing wavy blonde hair. Makenna attends elementary school. I don't know her exact age.
I asked Makenna if she would like to hear a story about teddy bears. She grinned and nodded her head. I began to tell her about the teddies and how I donate them to the hospital emergency room for sick kids. She and her mom were very interested in learning more. Suddenly I had an idea. I asked Makenna if she would like to read my poem that the parents receive when the child is given the teddy bear in the hospital. She appeared to be a very bright little girl. She read the poem "Nan's good will bears" to me and her mom. Her voice was soft and quiet as she carefully pronounced each word. She touched my heart deeply as she read aloud my poem. This experience was a very memorable and very special occasion for me, to say the least.
Makenna's mom said that they would look through the stuffed animals at home and see if they had some teddy bears they could donate to the cause. The plan would be for them to drop off the teddies at the check out counter in the store. When Cindy receives the bears, she will contact me to come get them.
The young lady and her beautiful daughter were smiling as they left the store and as for me, my heart burned with warmth and great joy.
We always have a choice in life. Had Cindy not called me to invite me to come to the store, and had I not come on Thursday afternoon, I would not have met Makenna and her mother. The opportunity would have been lost to hear the beautiful young child read my poem in the presence of her mom and me. I sure do believe that by the grace of God we were brought together. Remember, none of this is truly about me. It's about relationships and lives being brought closer together with God in whatever way He sees fit. He wants a personal relationship with each and everyone of us and if it is by way of a cuddly teddy bear, so be it.
Take care and remember that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Nan
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Seek and you will find
The important thing after setting a goal is taking action. Napoleon Hill
Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8
Just imagine that I had only thought of giving my 12 teddy bears to the hospital ER last year and had not taken action; so many lives would not have been touched; so many people would not have been comforted; so many times over God would not have been given the glory He so richly deserves.
I did take action and the result today is that with the remaining teddies in the hospital right this moment, when they have been given to children in need, the total given since July 22, 2011 will be 485 teddies. It boggles my mind at how greatly God multiplied those 12 teddies for His purpose!!
The teddies have not taken over my life. Yes, it has taken perseverance to continue to seek them out, to clean them, to copy the poems and stuff envelopes, to deliver them to the hospital and I have loved every moment of it all!!!!
These two Bible verses speak volumes to me. It's just that easy! Simply believe that someone willing is on the other side of the door upon which you knock to aid you in your endeavor.
Have a wonderful day in the Lord! Love, Nan
Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8
Just imagine that I had only thought of giving my 12 teddy bears to the hospital ER last year and had not taken action; so many lives would not have been touched; so many people would not have been comforted; so many times over God would not have been given the glory He so richly deserves.
I did take action and the result today is that with the remaining teddies in the hospital right this moment, when they have been given to children in need, the total given since July 22, 2011 will be 485 teddies. It boggles my mind at how greatly God multiplied those 12 teddies for His purpose!!
The teddies have not taken over my life. Yes, it has taken perseverance to continue to seek them out, to clean them, to copy the poems and stuff envelopes, to deliver them to the hospital and I have loved every moment of it all!!!!
These two Bible verses speak volumes to me. It's just that easy! Simply believe that someone willing is on the other side of the door upon which you knock to aid you in your endeavor.
Have a wonderful day in the Lord! Love, Nan
Friday, January 20, 2012
Mental Chemistry
Through some strange and powerful principle of "mental chemistry" which she has never divulged, Nature wraps up in the impulse of strong desire "that something" which recognizes no such word as impossible, and accepts no such reality as failure.
Napoleon Hill
"That something" presented itself this morning. I had some business to take care out of town today, and by "out of town" I mean outside my comfort zone of travel. For many years, I have had a fear of driving to a destination I have never been to before and getting lost before I could get there or lost before I could get back home. The fear isn't as intense as it used to be, thank goodness, but it hasn't left me completely. Today, I had an opportunity to face that fear head on and overcome it.
Equipped with my GPS, and thanks to my computer giving me a beautiful view of the roads between here and there, I set out for my destination. It was an hour long trip. Allen and my friend gave me verbal directions, also. I prepared myself mentally by creating a picture in my mind of having arrived at my destination. I knew what the building looked like and I imagined walking into it and speaking to the person at the desk. I further prepared for the trip by leaving home earlier than was necessary for prompt arrival. I wanted to take my time and not feel rushed.
You may wonder what this story has to do with teddy bears, right. Well, before I left home, I looked on the computer to find out if there was a Good will store in the vicinity. You guessed it! Not only did I reach my destination without any problems, I went even further to abolish my fear. Not only was I driving in unfamiliar territory to get to my appointment, I found the Good will store and purchased 16 teddy bears!
By facing my fear head on, I accomplished a great deal. I feel a sense of a thankfulness and joy. Our reality is never as bad as our imagination can make it out to be. You see, my fear wasn't real. It was imagined. I am so excited that I didn't give in to fear and let it control me. I trusted in God, in the accurateness of my GPS and I trusted myself. Because of all this combined, I know that in time, 16 people will be comforted with a teddy bear I purchased this day. They will never know "the rest of the story" as you know now. They will only know the joy they will feel when they are in the ER and are presented with a beautiful, cuddly teddy bear that is theirs to take home.
Because I was more in tune with the presence of God rather than the presence of fear my day was absolutely successful. I pray for success and joy in your life.
Take care and know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Nan
Napoleon Hill
"That something" presented itself this morning. I had some business to take care out of town today, and by "out of town" I mean outside my comfort zone of travel. For many years, I have had a fear of driving to a destination I have never been to before and getting lost before I could get there or lost before I could get back home. The fear isn't as intense as it used to be, thank goodness, but it hasn't left me completely. Today, I had an opportunity to face that fear head on and overcome it.
Equipped with my GPS, and thanks to my computer giving me a beautiful view of the roads between here and there, I set out for my destination. It was an hour long trip. Allen and my friend gave me verbal directions, also. I prepared myself mentally by creating a picture in my mind of having arrived at my destination. I knew what the building looked like and I imagined walking into it and speaking to the person at the desk. I further prepared for the trip by leaving home earlier than was necessary for prompt arrival. I wanted to take my time and not feel rushed.
You may wonder what this story has to do with teddy bears, right. Well, before I left home, I looked on the computer to find out if there was a Good will store in the vicinity. You guessed it! Not only did I reach my destination without any problems, I went even further to abolish my fear. Not only was I driving in unfamiliar territory to get to my appointment, I found the Good will store and purchased 16 teddy bears!
By facing my fear head on, I accomplished a great deal. I feel a sense of a thankfulness and joy. Our reality is never as bad as our imagination can make it out to be. You see, my fear wasn't real. It was imagined. I am so excited that I didn't give in to fear and let it control me. I trusted in God, in the accurateness of my GPS and I trusted myself. Because of all this combined, I know that in time, 16 people will be comforted with a teddy bear I purchased this day. They will never know "the rest of the story" as you know now. They will only know the joy they will feel when they are in the ER and are presented with a beautiful, cuddly teddy bear that is theirs to take home.
Because I was more in tune with the presence of God rather than the presence of fear my day was absolutely successful. I pray for success and joy in your life.
Take care and know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Nan
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Another "feel good" teddy bear story!
I give thanks daily, not for more riches, but for wisdom with which to recognize, embrace and properly use the great abundance of riches I now have at my command.
Napoleon Hill
God is surely embracing this teddy bear ministry! I have a new story for you! If you remember my story about the great purchase of 29 bears last Saturday where the store manager sold them to me at half price, plus the 13 bears Allen and I purchased at a local Goodwill store, I'll pick up from that story to share this one.
Ok. Saturday evening, John's friend Matt, and his fiance, Hope came over for a visit. I had taken all of the 42 bears into Ashley's bedroom at some point and Hope came into the room. The teddies were scattered on the floor. Hope is a high school senior this year. She began telling me that she volunteers at school in the special education class of six students (teenagers in high school). She shared with me that, as we all know, kids can be mean. Sadly, some of the kids, at times, are picked on by other thoughtless students. As we talked, Hope began to think of the bears in terms of comforting these six kids. She smiled as she said "Ms. Nan, I think those kids would appreciate having one of your bears. I really think it would mean a lot to them. I know the teacher would be fine with it." I asked her if we need permission from the teacher. She said the teacher would welcome this opportunity to do something nice for the kids.
I invited Hope to look through the bears on the floor and pick out six that would go along with the personality of the kids. She carefully chose four bears according to their individuality. She was having trouble connecting with the last two, so I told her "I have lots more bears in the attic. Let's go up and take a look." As we came into the holding room of bears, her eyes widened as she looked around at the masses! I told you I have lots of bears in the attic! She happily explored her options for the last two kids and found the two bears she wanted for them.
When we came back to Ashley's room carrying the teddies in our arms, I told her it would be great if she would take a copy of the poem Nan's good will bears and read it to the class when she takes the bears to the kids. She read the poem out loud and happily took the bears and the poem home with her.
I am thrilled to say today that Hope took the bears to school on Monday and she told me that the kids LOVE their bears and the teacher cried as Hope read the poem to the class. A copy was made of the poem for each one to take home to share with their parents.
Matt and Hope came over again tonight (Tuesday night) and Hope beamed as she told me more about how the kids and the teacher responded to the teddies. One boy saw her outside the classroom and grinned as he said "Hope's my best friend. She gave me a teddy bear." I just love it!! I trusted Hope's intuition and we acted on it.
I get chills (glory bumps) as I remember the joy Hope felt when she saw the smiles on the faces of the kids and the teacher. Friends, this is what life is all about....the joy of giving! I give to the glory of the Lord and for service to mankind.
Well, it's 4:30 am and I will get up and check on the clothes in the dryer.
Be sure to scroll down this page and take a look at the newest photo I loaded earlier. It shows two of my latest projects. I envisioned a tote bag with a teddy on it and Nan's good will bears embroidered on it. Here it is!! I also am showing the January photo of the newest 2012 calendar.
Whew! Getting long winded! Thoughts keep flowing along with the creative juices!! Gotta get up and and be creative when the Lord calls!!
Take care. Be safe, keep smiling! Love, Nan
Napoleon Hill
God is surely embracing this teddy bear ministry! I have a new story for you! If you remember my story about the great purchase of 29 bears last Saturday where the store manager sold them to me at half price, plus the 13 bears Allen and I purchased at a local Goodwill store, I'll pick up from that story to share this one.
Ok. Saturday evening, John's friend Matt, and his fiance, Hope came over for a visit. I had taken all of the 42 bears into Ashley's bedroom at some point and Hope came into the room. The teddies were scattered on the floor. Hope is a high school senior this year. She began telling me that she volunteers at school in the special education class of six students (teenagers in high school). She shared with me that, as we all know, kids can be mean. Sadly, some of the kids, at times, are picked on by other thoughtless students. As we talked, Hope began to think of the bears in terms of comforting these six kids. She smiled as she said "Ms. Nan, I think those kids would appreciate having one of your bears. I really think it would mean a lot to them. I know the teacher would be fine with it." I asked her if we need permission from the teacher. She said the teacher would welcome this opportunity to do something nice for the kids.
I invited Hope to look through the bears on the floor and pick out six that would go along with the personality of the kids. She carefully chose four bears according to their individuality. She was having trouble connecting with the last two, so I told her "I have lots more bears in the attic. Let's go up and take a look." As we came into the holding room of bears, her eyes widened as she looked around at the masses! I told you I have lots of bears in the attic! She happily explored her options for the last two kids and found the two bears she wanted for them.
When we came back to Ashley's room carrying the teddies in our arms, I told her it would be great if she would take a copy of the poem Nan's good will bears and read it to the class when she takes the bears to the kids. She read the poem out loud and happily took the bears and the poem home with her.
I am thrilled to say today that Hope took the bears to school on Monday and she told me that the kids LOVE their bears and the teacher cried as Hope read the poem to the class. A copy was made of the poem for each one to take home to share with their parents.
Matt and Hope came over again tonight (Tuesday night) and Hope beamed as she told me more about how the kids and the teacher responded to the teddies. One boy saw her outside the classroom and grinned as he said "Hope's my best friend. She gave me a teddy bear." I just love it!! I trusted Hope's intuition and we acted on it.
I get chills (glory bumps) as I remember the joy Hope felt when she saw the smiles on the faces of the kids and the teacher. Friends, this is what life is all about....the joy of giving! I give to the glory of the Lord and for service to mankind.
Well, it's 4:30 am and I will get up and check on the clothes in the dryer.
Be sure to scroll down this page and take a look at the newest photo I loaded earlier. It shows two of my latest projects. I envisioned a tote bag with a teddy on it and Nan's good will bears embroidered on it. Here it is!! I also am showing the January photo of the newest 2012 calendar.
Whew! Getting long winded! Thoughts keep flowing along with the creative juices!! Gotta get up and and be creative when the Lord calls!!
Take care. Be safe, keep smiling! Love, Nan
Sunday, January 8, 2012
With initiative, love, passion and conviction of purpose
Initiative means the doing of things without being told to do them.
Napoleon Hill
Why are we so full of restraint? Why do we not give in all directions? Is it fear of losing ourselves? Until we do lose ourselves there is no hope of finding ourselves.
Henry Miller
Passion rebuilds the world for the youth. It makes all things alive and significant.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Yesterday, Allen and I took the initiative to drive to a nearby town in our county on the search for more teddy bears. We weren't disappointed. I've heard that whatever it is that one looks for one finds. We surely did find teddy bears and lots of them. As I put bear after bear in the cart I noticed the prices were less in all of the other stores I had previously purchased bears. My objective is to buy as many bears for as reasonable a price as possible so as to help bring comfort to as many children as possible.
There were more bears on the shelves than I have ever seen in any store so far. My little shopping cart was soon to the point of holding a mound of teddy bears. Allen and I both had the same thought. We could make the most use of the money we had by putting the bears back on the shelves and going on about our business.
A very friendly and helpful employee named Brandi was kind and interested as I told her why my cart was filled with teddy bears. I explained the ministry to her and as we talked, I sensed God nudging me to ask for the manager. Brandi was happy to find the store manager for me. As I explained to Dana about the Nan's good will bear ministry and why I wanted all of the bears, and past history of prices, she listened thoughtfully. Rather than tell me the price was not negotiable, she offered to sell the bears to me for half price. Oh, my goodness! I was thrilled! There were still a lot of bears on the shelves, but I was happy to have the 29 teddy bears in my cart!!
Dana told me that she would inform the cashier of the arrangement when I was ready to check out. I rolled the light, but piled high cart to Miranda's register. She looked in amazement at the teddy bears and then she looked at me. As she rang up the bears and bagged them, I told her the story. She was delighted when I had her write her name on the receipt because I wanted to include her, Dana, and Brandi in my next blog message. She said "I feel so special" and smiled as she wrote her name on the receipt.
I asked Dana if the generous offer of fifty percent off would be possible upon my next visit to the store. She assured me that should she not be there that day two other gentlemen managers would be there. I felt so glad I wasn't afraid to ask to speak to the manager. There was a time in my life I was terribly introverted and unsure of myself. I think because of the passion in my voice as we talked, there was no doubt in their minds of my honesty, integrity and conviction of purpose.
I'm convinced that those three ladies felt good about what they had done. Dana took the initiative to offer the much appreciated discount. She is a fine example of generosity in action. She did more than think about helping, she turned her thought into a gesture of good will. Because of her act of kindness and generosity I was able to stretch the dollars entrusted to me by those of the hospital emergency department who purchased four large teddy bears at their Christmas party. It was with their funds I purchased the 29 teddy bears yesterday.
I've heard it said that it takes a village to raise a child. Value Village did their part yesterday in the comfort department. Dana's willingness to help will long be remembered.
Allen and I continued on our way with the trunk of our car stuffed with two very large bags of teddy bears. Our next stop was a Good Will store on the way home where we purchased another 13 bears.
As Allen and I came to our pew in church this morning his dad motioned with his hand to a bag of bears on the floor at his feet. He told me who brought them and I immediately went to the couple and thanked them. As Allen's mom came through the door and took her place in the choir loft, she motioned for me to come to her. She handed me two more teddy bears!
Friends, this brings our overall total to 634 teddy bears!! It all began with the purchase of one teddy bear three years ago. God intends that this ministry of providing comfort to those who can't help themselves will thrive and continue! Remember, every gesture of good will begins with a thought. Take the initiative to turn that thought into a physical manifestation of God's love in whatever way He sees fit.
Yes, even a stuffed bear can multiply more than six hundred times over! With God nothing is impossible!
Take care and stay tuned for a message about the hospital newsletter in which an article is printed about the teddy bears and the love of God. Love, Nan
Napoleon Hill
Why are we so full of restraint? Why do we not give in all directions? Is it fear of losing ourselves? Until we do lose ourselves there is no hope of finding ourselves.
Henry Miller
Passion rebuilds the world for the youth. It makes all things alive and significant.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Yesterday, Allen and I took the initiative to drive to a nearby town in our county on the search for more teddy bears. We weren't disappointed. I've heard that whatever it is that one looks for one finds. We surely did find teddy bears and lots of them. As I put bear after bear in the cart I noticed the prices were less in all of the other stores I had previously purchased bears. My objective is to buy as many bears for as reasonable a price as possible so as to help bring comfort to as many children as possible.
There were more bears on the shelves than I have ever seen in any store so far. My little shopping cart was soon to the point of holding a mound of teddy bears. Allen and I both had the same thought. We could make the most use of the money we had by putting the bears back on the shelves and going on about our business.
A very friendly and helpful employee named Brandi was kind and interested as I told her why my cart was filled with teddy bears. I explained the ministry to her and as we talked, I sensed God nudging me to ask for the manager. Brandi was happy to find the store manager for me. As I explained to Dana about the Nan's good will bear ministry and why I wanted all of the bears, and past history of prices, she listened thoughtfully. Rather than tell me the price was not negotiable, she offered to sell the bears to me for half price. Oh, my goodness! I was thrilled! There were still a lot of bears on the shelves, but I was happy to have the 29 teddy bears in my cart!!
Dana told me that she would inform the cashier of the arrangement when I was ready to check out. I rolled the light, but piled high cart to Miranda's register. She looked in amazement at the teddy bears and then she looked at me. As she rang up the bears and bagged them, I told her the story. She was delighted when I had her write her name on the receipt because I wanted to include her, Dana, and Brandi in my next blog message. She said "I feel so special" and smiled as she wrote her name on the receipt.
I asked Dana if the generous offer of fifty percent off would be possible upon my next visit to the store. She assured me that should she not be there that day two other gentlemen managers would be there. I felt so glad I wasn't afraid to ask to speak to the manager. There was a time in my life I was terribly introverted and unsure of myself. I think because of the passion in my voice as we talked, there was no doubt in their minds of my honesty, integrity and conviction of purpose.
I'm convinced that those three ladies felt good about what they had done. Dana took the initiative to offer the much appreciated discount. She is a fine example of generosity in action. She did more than think about helping, she turned her thought into a gesture of good will. Because of her act of kindness and generosity I was able to stretch the dollars entrusted to me by those of the hospital emergency department who purchased four large teddy bears at their Christmas party. It was with their funds I purchased the 29 teddy bears yesterday.
I've heard it said that it takes a village to raise a child. Value Village did their part yesterday in the comfort department. Dana's willingness to help will long be remembered.
Allen and I continued on our way with the trunk of our car stuffed with two very large bags of teddy bears. Our next stop was a Good Will store on the way home where we purchased another 13 bears.
As Allen and I came to our pew in church this morning his dad motioned with his hand to a bag of bears on the floor at his feet. He told me who brought them and I immediately went to the couple and thanked them. As Allen's mom came through the door and took her place in the choir loft, she motioned for me to come to her. She handed me two more teddy bears!
Friends, this brings our overall total to 634 teddy bears!! It all began with the purchase of one teddy bear three years ago. God intends that this ministry of providing comfort to those who can't help themselves will thrive and continue! Remember, every gesture of good will begins with a thought. Take the initiative to turn that thought into a physical manifestation of God's love in whatever way He sees fit.
Yes, even a stuffed bear can multiply more than six hundred times over! With God nothing is impossible!
Take care and stay tuned for a message about the hospital newsletter in which an article is printed about the teddy bears and the love of God. Love, Nan
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Mustard Seed Faith
written December 29, 2011
I learned to really practice mustard seed faith, and positive thinking, and remarkable things happened.
Sir John Walton
"a mustard seed faith ministry"; that's how our pastor described Nan's good will bears recently when giving new comers in the congregation an update. As I type this message today I am wearing a big, warm smile. I cleaned 24 teddy bears this morning. Allen and I took his parents shopping before lunch and on the way home, we stopped at a nearby Good will store. Yes, you're right! We came home with 24 teddy bears! We did leave some on the shelves, too. This mustard seed ministry began with 12 bears and as of today, has grown to more than 530 bears since July! We've given over 200 through the Iredell Memorial Hospital Emergency Room since July 22nd. I encourage you to visit www.wordchimes.com to read my poem entitled Nan's good will bears to learn the history of how this ministry came to be. The parent of the sick child receives a copy of the poem and the child is given the teddy to keep and take home. If surgery is necessary, the teddy goes in with the child and is the first thing the child sees in the recovery room.
Little did I know at the end of 2010 how the Lord would use me and a few cuddly teddy bears in 2011 to provide comfort to so many children and some adults, as well.
Practice your own mustard seed faith, think positively and you will see how remarkably God will show Himself to you and countless others. All we have to do is what is possible and let God do the impossible! Would you have ever thought that God would put 530+ teddy bears in my hands in five short months? And He won't stop at 530 bears!! This is only the beginning!
I pray God's blessings on your new adventures for the Lord in 2012!
I have a few teddies in need of minor repairs and then off to the attic they will go until cleaning time! I have to sit down long enough to write a poem that is dancing through my mind entitled Bears in My Attic!!
Take care. Love ya! Nan
I learned to really practice mustard seed faith, and positive thinking, and remarkable things happened.
Sir John Walton
"a mustard seed faith ministry"; that's how our pastor described Nan's good will bears recently when giving new comers in the congregation an update. As I type this message today I am wearing a big, warm smile. I cleaned 24 teddy bears this morning. Allen and I took his parents shopping before lunch and on the way home, we stopped at a nearby Good will store. Yes, you're right! We came home with 24 teddy bears! We did leave some on the shelves, too. This mustard seed ministry began with 12 bears and as of today, has grown to more than 530 bears since July! We've given over 200 through the Iredell Memorial Hospital Emergency Room since July 22nd. I encourage you to visit www.wordchimes.com to read my poem entitled Nan's good will bears to learn the history of how this ministry came to be. The parent of the sick child receives a copy of the poem and the child is given the teddy to keep and take home. If surgery is necessary, the teddy goes in with the child and is the first thing the child sees in the recovery room.
Little did I know at the end of 2010 how the Lord would use me and a few cuddly teddy bears in 2011 to provide comfort to so many children and some adults, as well.
Practice your own mustard seed faith, think positively and you will see how remarkably God will show Himself to you and countless others. All we have to do is what is possible and let God do the impossible! Would you have ever thought that God would put 530+ teddy bears in my hands in five short months? And He won't stop at 530 bears!! This is only the beginning!
I pray God's blessings on your new adventures for the Lord in 2012!
I have a few teddies in need of minor repairs and then off to the attic they will go until cleaning time! I have to sit down long enough to write a poem that is dancing through my mind entitled Bears in My Attic!!
Take care. Love ya! Nan
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