Craft Idea--Positive Affirmation jars

 

 

This is a great service project idea!  Positive Affirmation Jars!  You can make them for women's shelters, boys and girls clubs, or the YWCA.  Any organization that services women. 

For several years, I've had church groups and neighborhood groups make these jars for the women in my classes at House of Hope (a drug treatment center in downtown Salt Lake).  By far it's the most popular service project.   

POSITIVE AFFIRMATION JARS:  The jar shown directly above obviously is filled with candy.  But, I loved how it was decorated.  The idea of a PA jar is this--to fill it full of folded pieces of paper that contain a positive thought, quote, or scripture.  I have a template for the quotes, if you're interested.  Email me at jodirobinson2182@hotmail.com.  Otherwise, you can download your favorite scriptures or quotes and put them on a strips of paper and fill the jar with them.  There are a ton on Pinterest. 

Decorate the jar with paper, fabric, whatever tickles your fancy.  Mod Podge or Decoupage works great!  For the top, you can use paper, or material.  A Girl Scout group glued a fake flower on the lid and wrapped ribbon wrapped around the rim.  That was adorable!  You can do just about anything to make them look cute. 

GREAT CRAFT FOR KIDS AND ADULTS!!!

Guardians of Our Daughters

Mothers are the guardians of their daughters...


"When you save a girl, you save generations.  I see this as the one bright shining hope...We must never lose sight of the strength of women. It is mothers who set the tone of the home. It is mothers who teach infants to pray, who read to them choice and beautiful literature from the scriptures and other sources. It is mothers who nurture them and bring them up in the ways of the Lord."

--President Gordon B. Hinckley

*** Never lose sight of the strength of women ***

Finishing Strong--A Life Lesson in What it Means to Finish Strong

Every student finished the race. Or, so I thought.

Teachers, parents, and students lined the pathway leading up to the finish line. They cheered and applauded with vigor as each of the kids passed by.

"You can do it!" voices called out to a few stragglers who lagged behind.

"Don't give up! You're almost there! You did it!"

About 200 kids participated in our elementary school's 5K Fun Run. Some sprinted. Some jogged. Some strolled. Some walked. Twenty-five minutes after the last student crossed the finish line, we all began to disassemble. Then the principle and a few teachers huddled near the corner at the edge of the school property. They informed us there was one more runner—a boy in a wheelchair. He had no legs to run on. With two pint-sized arms he pushed on his wheels, block after block, mile after mile.   

(To order photo Click Here)

An announcement was made. All the 5^th and 6^th graders who ran in the race were asked to return to the finish line to welcome in the last racer—the boy who couldn't run.

My friend and I got to the corner and looked down the street to see a boy with a smile as wide as the street pushing himself along. His name was Jag.

Surrounding him were a group of his closest friends, a few parents, and a police officer, who drove alongside in a squad car. For nearly ten minutes, we watched this boy make his way towards the school.  It had been more than an hour since the race began.  As the applause grew louder , students called out his name.

"Jag! Jag! Jag!" With each call, Jag pushed a little harder, a little stronger.

Watching the scene unfold, several of us moms wrapped our arms around each other. Tears ran down our cheeks as we witnessed the sweet taste of victory. With so much wrong in the world—this felt so right. It was humanity at its best. My heart beat faster and faster. It beat for a boy who rolled his way to the finish line to show us all what it means to finish strong.

Today, I'm speaking at a cancer fund raiser for a woman who is who is running a race against time, hoping chemo and radiation will lend her more of it. Just like Jag, Ora will push herself along until her race is complete. Ora may not be the fastest. She may not be the swiftest. She may not be the strongest, but I guarantee you whatever the outcome Ora will finish strong. Those who love her and support her will see to it. (I'm with you Ora!)

Remember...

"The race is not to the swift,

nor the battle to the strong,

neither yet bread to the wise,

nor yet riches to men of understanding,

nor yet favour to men of skill (Ecclesiastes 9:11)."

We all run a different kind of race with our strengths and weaknesses in tow. Some weaknesses are of our own choosing which we must learn to let go of so we can finish—strong. 

God is standing on the side lines cheering us on, but he's not going to push us—even when we're tired and blistered because he knows what true victory means.

After today's race, I'm grateful— for two working legs that can run a 5K—but more so for a young boy in a wheelchair whose legs couldn't...but whose heart wouldn't...keep him from finishing strong.

To ORDER the poster shown above CLICK HERE.

******  Whatever your race, finish strong. ******

Upcoming Speaking Event--Saturday, June 12, 2010 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Making a Difference

Ora George has cancer.  Her daughter Natasha is determined to do anything to help her--she even shaved her head.  Knowing cancer patients often lose their hair during chemo, Natasha wanted her mother to know she was not alone.  A daughter who wants her mother to know that true beauty is felt more than it is seen.  Now that's beautiful!

I will be speaking at the community fundraiser organized by Natasha and community leaders.  Join us!


Upcoming Speaking Engagement
Finding the Beauty from Within
Saturday, June 12, 2010    
10 am - 5 pm

Where:     Community Preservation Headquarters /
                 Animal Shelter
Address:  4522 West 3500 South, West Valley, Utah
Cost:        $10.00 in advanced or $15.00 at the door

(A portion of proceeds will go towards American Cancer Society, women and their self esteem groups.)

I will be signing books and conducting a workshop. 

All ages are invited. 

For more information,

email me at jodirobinson2182@hotmail.com. 

Young Women Craft Idea--Camp Craft

It's time for CAMP!

If you're looking for a fun, quick and easy activity, check this out.  Find the link here.  Courage Necklace


When I spoke at a Young Women's Camp last summer in Camarillo, California, the girls made something similar to this.  They had soooo much fun!  If you have questions, feel free to email me.  jodirobinson2182@hotmail.com

Making a Difference

You're familiar with the starfish story--the man on the beach who is throwing starfish back into the ocean.  Someone tells him there is no way he can make a difference.  There are just too many starfish.  Committed to his task, the man picks up yet another starfish and tosses it into the sea. 

"Ah," he says with a hopeful stare.  "But it made a difference to that one."

I think of Mother Teresa as a starfish thrower.  She didn't set out to change the world.  She merely started to share the love she had for God with others.  Who knows how many starfish she was able to save simply because she tried. 

When we desire to do good, perhaps that is where we should begin. 

With a single starfish.  

******************************

"I am a little pencil

in the hand of a writing God

who is sending a

love letter to the world."

~Mother Teresa

*****************************

 

Go make a difference.