Summer 2008

School started this morning... Great time to reflect on the summer... This summer was filled with fun, excitement and hard work. Our family was dedicated to A Fresh Hope and the Back to School drive this summer. I thought I would write some thoughts about this summer:
* My church is an incredible church with a heart for Outreach
* Kendall is more compassionate than I gave her credit. She has really jumped on board with A Fresh Hope. She even feels bad if we walk into a store and don't buy anything.
* My parents are fantastic grandparents. They are 100% on board with A Fresh Hope and Waverly's dreams.
* People like to support kids
* Cardboard boxes are hard to crush
* We need fundraising ideas
* Peoples lives were changed this summer
* Follow-thru is important.. we need to connect with the back pack kids at Christmas
* An SUV holds approximately 100- 104 back packs
* Pencil boxes are $.77 at Target, $.57 at Wal-mart. Filler paper is $.50 at both places. Reinforcement labels are $.99 at Target and $1.69 at Wal-Mart
* It is hard to get money from large corporations for local outreach projects. Waverly delivered letters to many large stores and grocery stores. She received less than $100 total from all her deliveries and follow-up calls. That was disappointing.
* I wish we had more coupons in the goodie bags for the Back to School Drive. We will work on that for next year.
* My biceps are more defined than they were in May.. Still nothing to write home about but a little improvement from toting back packs.
* After looking at thousands of back packs, none were quite what my son was looking for. We eventually gave him $20 to use the same back pack for the 3rd year in a row. It is all about negotiating.
* Friends rally behind your children. Hillary Clinton may not be a hero to a lot but it does take a village to raise a child. Our village was incredible and I thank God for our friends and family.
* We you have a cart loaded with school supplies, people ask you how many kids you have or if you are a teacher. Happened more times than I can count.
* We went to Rockmart to look at coats and winter clothes for our next project. Rockmart is beautiful. Love the mountains.
* I worried about the Back to School Drive too much. I should have let God do His thing.
* I did not talk to my friends as much as I would have liked this summer. I will make up for it this fall.
* We need mobile back pack delivery next year. See the Fresh Hope blog for an incredible story.
* Little kids love back packs with characters on them.
* MY HUSBAND ROCKS!!!! He has been there every step of the way. He has carried more heavy stuff than I care to imagine.
* We did a community make-over project at a friend's home. It blessed us more than you will ever know. See Crumbs in my Butter blog for photos.
* Waverly is still 10. As much as she appears older at times.. I would go downstairs to see how the back packs were going and she would have a Barbie house set up. It is hard to step back and let her be a kid but it is necessary so her heart will not burn out. We want her compassion for others to stay strong.
* You cry a lot when serving others.
* You cry a lot when you get very little sleep.
* You cry a lot when you give a beloved dog away. See prior post.
* I cried a lot this summer.
* Waverly and Kendall's friends were so supportive. A friend from church even had a lemonade stand to help A Fresh Hope.
* KIDS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
* As adults, we need to follow our hearts blindly as kids do.
* Jamie Sizemore is a wonderful woman who has a heart for others.
* My neighbors are incredible... You know who you are!
* Kids love to get school supplies. They love to open a back pack and see goodies inside.
* More people in the community need help. There are more hurting people in a 15 mile radius from our house than I ever dreamed. It comes with a feeling of guilt.
* Stacy Brown is a great woman who is taking A Fresh Hope to a new level and starting a ministry for teenagers. We need prom dresses. More to come....
* We met some great folks this summer.. Tytus and Kim at Bargain Station in Rockmart.
* Grant stuffed 2 back packs this summer. Yep, 2, not a typo. It is not his time.
* Jane Swanson was so awesome with the signs.
* The Haights are the best folks... They will do anything for anyone.
* It is hard to be on a radio show.
* From Waverly "Coats will be more fun to shop for than back packs". From the mouth of a girl.
* I read THE SHACK. Unbelievable. It cleared up a lot of questions for me.
* Pastor Paul Richardson is such a Godly man. He has the purest heart for people. All people. He is a mentor to us all.
* Pastor Brian was so wonderful allowing A Fresh Hope to partner with West Ridge.
* If you don't go to church, try West Ridge one Sunday. I'll help you get there and get your kids in the right place. I'll even pick you up. It will change your life.
* Panama City is too crowded on July 4th. Too many crazies with fire works. Watch out..
* We did our annual boat ride. Always a great time!
* A Fresh Hope is now established. Watch out for more.

A Fresh Hope - Now I get it

As most of you know, Waverly started an organization called A Fresh Hope. (see prior post for more information). To be honest with you, until this past week, this organization was 'hers' and we were there to just support her. Well, this past week changed that! I had a mother come up to me and ask how to create the website and how to get started. Her daughter wants to feed hungry people in our area. Go Victoria! We will support you in any way possible. I had another father say her daughter wants to start an organization to raise money to send Bibles to other countries. Go Haley! Kendall has now started to talk about ways she wants to help others. She wants to do something different and hasn't come up with her passion yet but the seed has been planted. So.. it hit me, it is contagious. Waverly has, in her own way, inspired other children and let them know they can make a difference. This was one of her main goals.

Another "Ah, this is what this is about moment" was yesterday. West Ridge Church has taken the biggest leap of faith and partnered with A Fresh Hope for a Back to School Drive. They did an interview which was video taped. Pastor Paul is a man my whole family has the up most admiration for. Waverly thinks he just hung the moon. He was giving a message on service and getting out into the community to share Jesus and serve others. He showed the video of Waverly's interview then brought Waverly on stage with him. The church (which seats over 2000) gave her a standing ovation in one service. There were tears all over the worship center. My tears were flowing for several reasons: 1. my church is supporting my daughter 2. My daughter has reached people 3. Pastor Paul was incredibly complimentary of her 4. She was just a baby- I saw her grow up at that moment and it brings me to tears as I write this. But I think the reason I cried most was that Jesus is in her heart. She is the light of Jesus! I think God knew I needed a visual and sent her to me. As a mother, I was very proud of her. She was reaching people and she his only 10. As a Christian, I was disappointed that I had been missing the whole point. While my job is to support Waverly, it is also to support the mission.

After the worship services, she has booths set up outside worship center. She received so many donations for A Fresh Hope. The Back to School Drive is going to work. Yes, I had doubts but she never did.

Serve others wholeheartedly...

If there is anything I have learned from going to West Ridge Church the last 5+ years is to 1st: Love God and 2nd: Serve others. West Ridge has a fundamental belief that you are to serve others unselfishly.



As some of you know.. our daughter Waverly, has started a foundation: A Fresh Hope. Her foundation is now non-profit. Boy is that complicated...... But, she is now officially non-profit. She wants to serve others by providing back packs, school supplies, shoes, toiletries items and clothes to less fortunate children in Cobb and Paulding County. Waverly received the Janet Street Grant from the Jr. League of Cobb County. They are graciously making a donation to A Fresh Hope. She attended a banquet. It was awesome as a parent to watch other adults validate your child's dream. The Jr. League has been so supportive. West Ridge church has been very supportive too, thank you Pastor Paul and Pastor Rodney! Thanks to Waverly's grandparents.. they do more than you could imagine. Also thanks to Jim and Pam Duryea for their very generous support. Mt. Paran Christian School did a school supplies drive in May and donated a ton of goodies.... Thank you all!

Waverly has the gift of compassion which is a struggle at times. She read a book on AIDS in Africa (without our knowledge) and cannot get it out of her mind. We hosted 2 girls from Uganda last September and she cried for 2 weeks when they left. She still carries their picture in her backpack. We know this gift will be her driving force through life and we selfishly hope she stays close and we are not visiting her in the jungles of Africa one day for the holidays.



Coming soon:
A Fresh Hope is partnering with West Ridge Church for a Back to School event on August 9, 2008. It will be great.. The goal is to hand out 1000 back packs, school supplies, new underwear and new socks to children from Paulding and Cobb County. She is collecting money and goods now and boy does she needs the goods to meet the 1000 back pack goal. Please visit her website if you would like to make a donation: http://www.afreshhope.com/

Also, if you are a business owner and would like to put coupons of any sort in the backpacks, please contact Waverly: waverly@afreshhope.com