But I stood in the classroom that day, speaking to them, and I was concerned: heads were on their desks; they were texting, and constantly getting up to get the hall pass (did they REALLY need to go to the bathroom, or was I that boring???).

But hey, we needed them…and from the sounds of it, they needed and asked for the experience.  Kelly and LaCita from Soles4Souls had been working with them, and had approached me months ago for a local opportunity.

March 28^th came quick, and we were all set-up and ready to go.  Project Homeless Connect gave us a large area to distribute in, the shoes are a hot commodity at the event.  Most of the men and women we serve are on the streets, and their feet are their main mode of transport.  So, sturdy shoes are needed. 

The Maplewood kids arrived, and just as I asked, they had no cell phones on them!  Yes!  They put on their Project Homeless Connect tee-shirts, Yes! They seemed awake and alert, YES!  YES!!  One student in particular was color coordinated, and had the earrings and hair all cute, aha, I had a kindred spirit there.

And we were off, we took 10-15 individuals at a time, and the students started fitting them with shoes.  We had a few other volunteers present as well, helping with crowd control and clean-up, but I must say the Maplewood kids had this in the BAG.  I watched the group of “sleepers” go to work serving, smiling, and running to and fro as they grabbed shoes for what we would call “the forgotten people” of Nashville.

I was blown away, humbled and filled with hope over the potential that these teenagers harnessed within themselves…and they HAVE NO IDEA.  One young lady in the group works nights to help provide for her family while maintaining straight-A’s.  Her enthusiasm and compassion was contagious among her peers.  She leads without even knowing it. 

One young man’s smile to the recipients of the shoes that day was a tangible gift to them.  His presence and sweet spirit just left us refreshed.

Four hours later, we were done and exhausted.  450 pairs of feet found some comfort and hopefully dignity in their spirit with their new pair of shoes.

 And then they became teenagers, and were hungry and exhausted and silly….

As we walked out to the car, I could see it on them, feel it through them, and hear it in their voice.  They served and they loved that morning, and believe me, I know, it gives you a “high”.  You cannot help but feel more whole after an experience like that.  I could see it all over them.  What this gives us is JOY, because we are here on this earth to connect with one another, serve each other and make sure we never walk alone in this world. 

So, Maplewood, thank you!!  You served well, with beautiful smiles, hands and spirits!!!!

*Thank you to the 450 men, women and children that allowed us to serve you that morning.  We love you.

*A special thank you to Erika Chambers, for volunteering her time and photographic skills.  All photos are courtesy of her!

One of the sweetest times of the day was watching the girls look in the mirror in their new dress and shoes.  One of the first girls kept peeking down at her new silver sandals, and saying over and over "I just love my shoes!”.

Their facial expressions would change as they viewed themselves in the mirror, and it was just fun to “ooh” and “aah” over them in their Cinderella gowns, and watch the smiles grow on their faces.  Another excited young girl kept giggling over and over while looking in the mirror in her new dress.

One young woman, a senior in high school, came up to me before she left and said “Thank you so much, I really appreciate everything you have done today for me”.  It was so genuine, and very touching.

Without this event and help from partners like Soles4Souls and Clothes4Souls, there really is no opportunity for these girls to have prom attire. 

These girls left with hope in their arms.  Hope in the form of silver and gold sparkly sandals, and frothy prom gowns with lots of tulle and beading.  I believe that our gift of Hope will transcend through the simple donation of a dress and a pair of shoes, and will become a defining moment for many of those young ladies in the years to come.

We always want what we don’t have.  We look at the lives of others and sigh and think, “if only…”

If only…I had their house

If only…I didn’t have to take care of a house

If only…I was married

If only…I was single

If only…I had their job

If only…I didn’t have to work

If only…

I have “if only” moments sometimes.  But this weekend, I had a little moment of clarity in this.  Instead of wishing for what I do not have, and looking at another’s situation, I stepped back for a second and realized that the grass under my feet is pretty green.  No, my life is NOT perfect…far from it.  There are also many things I still want to have, experience and achieve, but life is good.  I am blessed with many things.

Just like there are weeds under my feet, there will be weeds anywhere, in any environment. I also know that some of the “weeds” in the grass are beautiful flowers too.

Life is what we make it.  So the best thing we can do is find the joy that every day will bring us.

It is a choice to be thankful, and content with what we have, right where we are, in our little patch of grass…and it requires more courage than it does to be unhappy.

Even with the bad weather looming over Nashville (which I hope will clear up soon), I have received several emails that made my Friday morning a very Sunshine-y one.

I have to say first and foremost how valuable our Distribution Partners are to Soles4Souls.  As OUTREACH has grown in the last several years, it is amazing to see the relationships we have established with our partners grow as well.  I get emails frequently from our partners that are just checking in with us, or giving us a monthly report on shoe distributions.  Some of my favorite things lately have been the second and third requests we are getting from partners that signed up a year or two ago.  To me, that is an affirmation of our OUTREACH division, that these relationships are growing and producing continual outlets where our shoes and other items are being distributed.

 This morning, I received an email from one of our partners in Guatemala, and I wanted to share some of it with you:

“I wanted to follow up with you now that shoes have made their way to their final destination.  I am so happy to say that they made it to Guatemala a couple of weeks ago.  I made a trip last week and I spent a week there where I personally oversaw the distribution of the shoes.

The shoes are now on the precious feet of the entire school body at Escuela de IMA.

 I cannot begin to express "the difference" these shoes have already made.  I would venture to guess that none of these girls had ever worn a new pair of shoes (other than the shoes they are given with their school uniform).  The shrieks, the giggling, it was amazing to behold.  There was an even greater highlight.  One little girl, who had not come to school this year (the school year begins in January), had heard though the grapevine in the village that we had passed out new shoes to the students, and the next day, she came back to school.  A little girl decided to return to school based on her new shoes, given so graciously from your organization.  What this experience meant to me personally was profound."

I read stories all of the time, I see the photos we receive…and I know, I KNOW, we are changing the world “one pair at a time’, but to wrap my mind around this on a Friday morning.  One little girl came back to school…because of a pair of shoes. 

Keep giving.

Keep loving.

Keep. It. Up. 

Hibernating for animals gets them through until spring...they decrease their energy to a bare minimum in order to conserve energy during times of scarcity and stress.  Folks, I think I have been hibernating.

It sucks.  I like activity, flurries of busyness, action, action...I WANT ACTION. A-C-T (clap, clap, clap) I-O-N (I was a cheerleader).

But sometimes, you are just "give out" (to use my Southern vernacular), and after an unbelievably busy summer and fall, I was a little "give out", and I need to build back up my reserves so I have something to give.  And I am not fully "full" again...but I will get there.

I feel God most when I serve, and have "something" to do, according to my recent test I took from Monvee, for more info, check out http://monvee.com/.  I am like Abraham, which has its good, and its not-so-good.  Being still is tough for me, I want to please, to serve, because I am built that way.  But, my test said that I have to learn that God loves me not for what I "do" but for who I am, and who I belong to...

He loves when I am hibernating.  

He loves me when I sleep in and don't go running.  

He loves me when I eat fried chicken in my doughnut PJ's.

He loves me when I don't have anything profound to say, or write, or sing...or "do".

He still loves me, just as much, or even more so then.  Because in my moments of needing to rest and be still, it is Him, His love that I truly need to fill me and keep me warm, safe and full.

**One bright, unexpected spot to all of this hibernation...I have been writing with wonderful friends and working on another CD.  Something I truly never thought I would do...and it seems my heart has a lot to say.  The release date is uncertain, but it is coming along beautifully.  If you pray, pray for this...that God will provide all that I need to finish this, and use it as a tool to bring people joy and healing, and point them towards a place of wholeness.  And if you think good thoughts, the more good ones thought about this, the BETTER!

Here is a sneak peek at us in the studio (my air guitar player is the SHEEZY)

Love,

Tif

*PS. I am going back to bed....

I watched the women's faces as I explained what we were there to do, provide them and their children with a pair of new shoes.  It was so gratifying to watch the excitement on their faces, to see their eyes light up as they held their tiny infant shoes and were able to pick out some comfy, cute athletic shoes for themselves.  Even more so, to see them happily choose some fleece jackets, vests and tees that are cute and stylish, that will grow as they "grow", courtesy of our donation from Mountain Mama. 

I didn't have time to take photos last night of the distribution.  But in my heart and mind are their faces, a little anxious, a little scared as they prepare for the biggest job of their lives: Motherhood.  But, the stress and the worry was quickly replaced hope, and joy, and excitement with a simple gift.  They know what the gift represents, as we explained to them last night, we care about them, we care about their life and the life of the child that is growing inside them. 

That is why we give hope, love, time, clothes and shoes. 

Because we care.

We started around lunchtime in the Men's Mission, right in view of Centennial Park.  We were able to serve over 100 men in a two hour period.  Sweet souls who are trying, truly trying, to better themselves and live a clean life.  They were humble, thankful and excited.  I am always in awe of the fact that wherever I go and distribute our shoes, whether it is Antigua, Guatemala, or Atlanta, Georgia...there is a twinkle in their eye when they receive shoes. 

When we give someone a pair of shoes, yes, we are meeting a physical need, but more importantly, we are giving them the promise that the world has not given up on them.

I had a very interesting experience yesterday.  We were in need of a few more volunteers and we utilized 5 of the men in the program at the mission who are progressing very well.  They helped us organize the inventory and run shoes to the fitters also.  As the men's distribution progressed, they also helped fit!  They were given their shoes first, and it was so clear to me as they worked that they experienced so much joy in serving with us.  As we finished up, they asked about the Women's and Children's distribution that afternoon and wanted to come help.  We cleared it with the director, and our little motley crue went to Distribution #2 that afternoon. 

We set up quickly and began to fit the Women and Children, and I watched these 5 sweet men work so hard alongside the rest of us.  For one in particular, it was a chance for him to utilize his excellent customer service skills.  He had sold upscale men's shoes in the past, and I watched him in wonder as he gave everyone so much attention and care.  

It was amazing. 

Within the walls of the Mission, we were a group of people serving together, bonding with each other as we put our agendas aside and loved through serving. 

Outside of those walls, sadly, it is often a different story.

We equipped these men  yesterday, and it empowered them.  They were a part of something bigger than themselves.  As I drove back home last night, I thought of how powerful the day was.  If only we could equip everyone around us, give them the tools to soar, and then watch them fly.

A big job, yes.

But not impossible....

Somebody made us fly, why can't we do the same?

I cherish this word.

Peace.  From the Latin "pax", which now makes me giggle, how God weaves His hand into the smallest thing.  My hometown is Paxville, SC... it means, "peaceful village"

This is my word, for 2012.  To remind me to seek peace in my relationships, to be at peace in my stillness and in periods of busyness as well, knowing that peace can carry me through.  Sometimes, to even keep my peace, because it can work just as well as giving someone a "piece" of my mind.  And to make peace, with myself, my past, and anyone or anything else that can hinder my peacekeeping mission in this life.

Peace...see, I even wear it around my neck.

 Isaiah 26:3 ^"You keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you,  because he trusts in you."

Philippians 4: 6-7 "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

What is your OneWord?  http://oneword365.com/