The youth pastor at my old church always said "If you aspire to be great, you must give yourself to something greater than yourself." This has stayed with me and has applied to me in so many more ways than just my faith and relationship with God.
It also applies to my outlook on this little blog of mine. I'm just one small blog/blogger who aspires to be great and do great things... I am apart of a greater network of people and bloggers online. Many of which (that I follow) all have amazing dreams and goals of being great, making great changes, making not only themselves but the world better!
I love that! And I love being a part of that. Which brings me to the one of the other things I love about blogging. The PEOPLE! Beautiful people who encourage the world to shine, to live intentionally, to live artfully, to laugh, and laugh some more, to be a constant source of encouragement through genuine heartfelt comments, to be woman after God's own heart, to conquer the world and make it lovely, to never stop learning new things!
Each of those bold words link to a fabulous person that Ive gotten to know through the blogging world, and that I just adore! Today though, I'd like to tell you about another amazing person whom Ive 'met' through blogging. Barb T. - Now Barb is not a blogger, but I met her when she happened to stumble across a blog post of mine that pertained to something she is passionate about and she emailed me to tell me her story.
Her inspiring story brought tears to my eyes and goes to show that one small idea, one person can achieve great things and make a HUGE difference in this world. All it takes is going for it, and giving yourself to something greater than yourself. Barbs greater cause was helping those in need - and boy has she! So with Barbs permission I am thrilled today to share her story with you. We both hope that it will inspire you to do the same, join something great and make a difference in your own community.
This is her email to me, sharing her story....
This is her email to me, sharing her story....
Hi! I am so excited to "find" you!! I was looking for pictures of
Campbell's soup kids and somehow came across your story of painting the
picture for your sister and the fact that she has her kitchen decorated
in Campbells' soup items because it is her last name!! I would give
anything to see pictures of her kitchen stuff ! You see I have a few
items in my kitchen and am slowly getting more to kinda change it over
to Campbell's soup. Let me explain why.
I am a Christian too, since
Nov. 18, 1979. Several years ago our pastor preached a message on
Hospitality. Some of the things he said really stuck in my mind. He
said "People do not care what kind of house you live in, or what kind of
cook you are...they just want you to invite them over to your home for
love and fellowship!" So not being a person who loves to cook...I
wanted to do something simple and good for our small group. I thought
of Campbell's soup/grilled cheese! So I fixed that with some dessert
and I did a devotion on the sermon on Hospitality. The group loved
it. So, later on I did it for another group...They too loved the
idea. A few years went by and I didn't do it anymore.
One day (I believe
it was a God given idea at that moment) I decided to do it again, only
this time make it a girlfriend party with a mission! In 2005 I invited 20
girlfriends over for my first annual Campbell's Soup Party! I put in
the invitation my favorite quote by Mother Teresa (I am not Catholic)
just love her life and quotes..."Not all of us can do great things....Only small
things with great LOVE!"
I asked each of them to bring a love gift of
cash or a gift card. We ate soup, sandwiches, desserts and talked. I
had a nice big container for the love gifts to be placed into. At the
end of the night we sat in a circle in my family room, I live in a cozy
log cabin home, (pictured on the right) and we shared our hearts.
The reason for the love gift
of course was to help someone in need for Christmas. I had the party
right after Thanksgiving. People gave me names and a few of us prayed
over who to give the gift to. We decided on a single mom with a special needs
little son. This group of 20 women gave over $600 that night. Then to
be able to go and surprise the recipient was awesome!
One girl suggested
we make it a tradition each year...So I did! Nov 26, 2012 on the
Monday after Thanksgiving I hosted my 8th Annual Campbells'
Soup party!! I have been recognized twice in our local paper and also
received an award from the local United Way for being a person helping
behind the scenes. I was given tickets for my family to attend the
Harlem Globe Trotters game in town and they presented
me with a signed basketball! What was so cool was that the team's
sponsor is none other than CAMPBELL soup company! They had soup can
design on the chairs for the team...they had blow up cans which I would
like to have won!! It
was awesome and fun.
Over the last seven years my guest list has
increased and changed each year. I have had up to 70 women here...wall
to wall...upstairs in the loft and had a table set up in spare bedroom
too! We have collected throughout the 7 year span over $10,000 and given to
more than one recipient some years! So many single moms needing help!
I also encourage others to take my idea and do their own party and help
someone else, that way we cover many needs. I have had about a half
dozen do that!
One was my niece in Florida. She went through Pregnancy
Center for a name. They collected $300 for a young mom who was pregnant
and contemplating either abortion or adopting out her baby...She told
the lady at the Center when she was presented the gift from strangers
that she had drifted from God and was trying to find her way back. She
said she believed, because she had decided to keep her baby that God had brought this
blessing to her for doing the right thing!! Pretty cool story.
I have
tons of stories of my own with our recipients too. Some were able to pay
it forward eventually. I guess I am rambling but it is my little ministry and
I wanted to share it with you.. I am 65 years young, married
almost 44 years to Phil, retired law enforcement from Indiana. I
retired from Delco, GM factory. We have two daughters, one grandson,
three granddaughters. These kids are the loves of our life!!
My favorite verse is
Philippians 1:6.."He who began a good work in you will continue it until
the coming of Christ " Keep up your good works!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey friends, Maria back again. WOW, isnt her story and the ministry she has started amazing!? I am in awe of all that she has accomplished... All from a simple idea and Campbell's soup party. Barb's story inspires me so much, I am planning on getting several ladies together, myself to host a party! We both truly desire that Barb's story will inspire a desire in yourself to do the same. ♥ Think of the wonderful things you can accomplish when you give yourself to a greater cause. Think of the people you could bless, through a simple get together. Gives me goosebumps just thinking about it!!
If you think you may want to host a party too, here are some tips from Barb:
How To Have a Campbell's Soup Party
1. Decide on the person you want to bless, that is in need.
2. Choose the date and time to have your guest show up at your home or other location of party.
3. Choose menu. Campbell's chicken noodle and tomato are the two soups I use.
4. Ask friends to help you by bringing side dishes/desserts and make some grilled cheese sandwiches.
5.Write a letter of invitation explaining the purpose of the party, and request they bring a gift card or cash donation.
6.Have a special container for guests to drop their cash/cards into.
7. Buy a special Christmas card for the recipient.
8. Buy a pretty box, cookie jar, or some other pretty container to put cash/cards into for the guest and put a big bow on it!
9. Decide who will go with you to deliver the gift and when is best time to surprise the recipient.
10.Be blessed as you are being a blessing to someone else!And please, if you do host your own party, do share how it goes and turns out... Even blog about it if you can! Encourage others to do the same! Together we all do small things with great love and make a HUGE difference in this world. ♥
Much Love & Hugs,
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What a great idea. I love this and will think about doing this sometime this year. Thank you for sharing this story. If all people were like this the world would be a nicer place.
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing she is. When we submit to Gods will, rather then our own amazing things happen. Thank you for linking Girls Of Gods Heart. xx
ReplyDeleteAndee
What a great inspiration, and act of Christ-like love! Thank you for sharing Maria :)
ReplyDeleteI have had the privilege of knowing Barb for about 30 years. Since, I was a little girl. She was like a 2nd mom to my sister and I growing up. I've been blessed to have attended 4 of her soup parties. After attending my first one, I was inspired to do something similar. My hubby and I work with the youth ministry at our church and every Sunday night after youth group, we have people over to hang out. We decided to have all those people come like normal, but instead of spending money on fast food on their way, we just had them bring that money and I served Campbell's Soup and grilled cheese sandwiches (just like Barb). The first year, we were able to bless a family in our youth group who was struggling at the time. Since then, we've been able to send more than one of our students to church camp for free! It's such a great idea. Barb is truly an inspiration to me and so many others in this community. Thanks for sharing her story on your blog.
ReplyDeleteI have had the privilege of knowing Barb for about 30 years, since I was a little girl. She was like a 2nd mom to my sister and I growing up. I have also been blessed to be able to attend 4 of her soup parties. After attending my first one, I was inspired to do something like it. My hubby and I work with the youth ministry at our church. After youth group every Sunday night, we have people over to our home for hang out time. We decided to have everyone come like normal, but instead of stopping and getting fast food on their way, just to bring that money and we would bless someone else. I served Campbell's Soup and grilled cheese sandwiches (just like Barb). The first year, we were able to bless a family from our youth group who had been struggling financially. Since that first party, we've been able to send a few of our students to church camp for free. It's such a fun way to be able to bless someone. Barb is truly an inspiration to me and many others in our community. Thank you for sharing her story on your blog.
ReplyDeletelove love love this idea.
ReplyDeleteI seriously had goose bumps reading and I am already formulating in my head my first "soup party". Best idea ever--thank you so much for sharing.
My name is Brenda and Barb is one of my dear friends, it has been a great blessing to attend her soup parties over the past several years. One of the recipients for this past soup party was my great-nephews family. Last spring he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He is age 6 and is in first grade. His parents have had to travel many times to Chicago and New York City for his treatments. His illness has been devastating for our family. Part of the money Barb raised went to help my nephew and his family. Barb has a heart of Gold. Her generosity and love exude from her whenever you see her. She truly lives by being the Hands and Feet of Jesus. Thank you Barb for helping my family. Please pray for healing for my nephew. His name is Conner.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Brenda, Barb is one of my dear friends. I have been blessed to have attended many soup parties. She has helped so many people through her efforts from these parties. At this past party I was sitting there listening to her talk about the families that God had put on her heart to help. I was totally blown away when she announced that she was going to help my niece and nephew. Their son Conner, age 6 was diagnosed with a in-operable brain tumor last spring. They have had to travel from Ind to New York City and Chicago multiple times to receive medical care. His parents have had to miss a lot of work to help with Conner's Care. Through the generosity of Barb and her soup party friends my family was able to have some help with some of the financial stress. But most importantly they were shown the love of Jesus. Barb is truly the Hands and Feet of Jesus.. When you meet Barb you can see Jesus in face. Please keep Conner in your prayers.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless
Brenda Underwood
Um, yes she was inspiring!!!! What a joy!
ReplyDeleteThree years ago, my family was facing some of the darkest days of our lives. Barb showed up at our home one evening and presented us a gift from one of her soup parties. Talk about being blown away by the kindness and generosity of strangers! I was humbled, thankful, and most definitely inspired.
ReplyDeleteI love being a "giver." However, our situation made it nearly impossible for us to give. After hearing Barb's story behind her ministry, I knew immediately that I was going to host a soup party, and I did. My husband and I were both deeply impacted by the gift and I didn't want to exclude my husband from the joy of giving to another family in need. We added our own twist and decided to host a couples soup party. We held our party the week of Valentine's Day. We had around twenty friends show up and collected $1700. It was the most amazing feeling to be able to pay it forward.
I'm happy to report that things are looking up for my family. We would not be where we are today without the extreme love and generosity of many many people.
Thank you for sharing Barb's story. I've known her my whole life and can witness to the fact that she is the real deal. To know her is to love her, and believe me, she loves back BIG.
Three years ago, my family was facing some very difficult times. Barb showed up at our home and presented us with a cookie jar full of gift cards and cash. Talk about being blown away by the kindness and generosity of strangers! As Barb shared her story with us, we were humbled, thankful, and inspired.
ReplyDeleteI love being a "giver." Unfortunately, our situation made that nearly impossible. After catching Barb's passion for soup parties, we decided to add our own twist. My husband was equally as impacted by this act of kindness and I didn't want him to miss out on the joy of giving back to another family. We hosted a couple's soup party and hosted it the week of Valentine's Day. We invited 10 couples and collected $1700. We were thrilled to be able to pay it forward.
Thank you for sharing Barb's story. I've known her my whole life and can witness to the fact that she is the real deal. To know her is to love her, and believe me, she loves back, BIG!