Happy Easter!

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Get Your SERVE On!

Wow! What a week this has been!
I'm really kinda sad to see it come to an end, but as we all know, the "Servolution" should continue every day because that is what we are here to do. Even if it's only buying someone a cup of coffee or smiling at a homeless vagabond, perhaps offering him a bite to eat... That is serving.

I think, too often, people think they have to be part of some elaborate outreach and miss time from work or neglect their families to make a difference. This just isn't so!
Some of the simplest acts of kindness count, and truthfully, it is often the "simple acts of kindness" we take most for granted.
Like not honking at the guy who just cut you off in traffic.
Or paying for the gas for the mom of 4 at the gas pump next to you.
Even taking a colleague out to lunch or for coffee is a way that YOU can serve & show Christ's love through actions, not just words.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to be a part of (quite possibly) one of the MOST FUN outreaches my church does on a regular basis:
Water Give-Away!
This outreach consists of us standing at a busy intersection during a busy time of day and handing out ICE COLD bottled water to people sitting in traffic.
The various reactions we receive range from baffling to hilarious.

For most, they just can't believe that we are doing this for FREE -- really, for FREE (not just saying "free," and then asking for donations). Invariably, many of them will reach into their purse or wallet & try to hand us a buck or two, but we just smile and say,
"NOPE; this is FOR YOU, Free."

Some people won't even look at us... they are probably so used to peddlers & panhandlers asking for spare change. Or maybe they think we are some wacko cult group spreading propaganda.
The ones who actually take a chance and open their windows always seem both relieved and shocked that it's nothing but a gift -- no strings attached!
I really do think this has become one of my favorite outreaches.

Today, the girls & I will meet up with a team & go hand out candy to people sitting in, & working at, the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles). Those people could seriously use a boost to their blood sugar & something to make the wait a *tad* more bearable. This should prove to be very interesting.

Here are some pictures from our water outreach yesterday.
It was a gorgeous day & an amazing experience.

Me (far right) & some of the ladies I served with yesterday.

Merely a third of our team, led by the very cool
Paul Charbonnet (bottom right)

Me & Karina after the outreach was over...

In all, we gave out 800 (EIGHT HUNDRED!!!!) bottles of water in just a little over an hour!
How's that for efficient?

Servolutionizing Our City!

If you're wondering why I haven't posted more about Servolution this week, it's because I'm TIRED. =P
But it's a *good* tired, if you know what I mean...

And it's not over yet!
There are still 2 more days of Servolution left, leading up to Easter weekend.

Tomorrow, I am working with HP Women in the morning, planning our big, "PAMPER NIGHT" in early June. This is when we treat women in our church and community to an evening of FREE spa treatments, delicious food, and awesome door prizes! I am on the committee for assigning vendors and making sure we have enough masseuses and estheticians on the floor. Local spas and salons donate their hours to providing these services for our ladies to enjoy in a night of appreciation and encouragement.

After that, I will be heading out with a team to hand out free water bottles at some busy intersection in Baton Rouge during rush hour traffic. I have always wanted to do this kind of outreach & I can't wait.

But the outreach I am most looking forward to, is the DMV Outreach on Thursday afternoon. The girls and I will go with a team of Serve volunteers to pass out candy bars to patrons waiting in line at the DMV. I love it! The creativity of these various outreaches just blows me away.

Oh, I almost forgot!
Tonight, my church hosted "Feed the Children" and held a "PB & Shaq" night.
Shaquille O'Neal was there (he's a native of Baton Rouge) and to get in, each person was to donate 10 jars of peanut butter to "Feed the Children." It was a crazy-fun night & a LOT of peanut butter was donated to go to hungry families across the country. I've always thought that Shaq was a pretty cool guy; now I know he is!

Well, I am off to bed before I fall out from exhaustion... more posts & pictures to come!