Day 30: Honoring Local EMS

Day 30: Honoring Local

Emergency Medical Service Providers

     The last week of May is generally dedicated to honoring those who selflessly serve as our EMS Providers.  Today, we were happy to bless them with our gratitude in caring for our community!  

     We took a red gift bag and filled it with chilled water bottles proudly sporting the PARK Logo saying, "THANK YOU - B Refreshed!".  

     We then came up with words that reminded us of water and wrote a THANK YOU Note for the bag.  Here's what we came up with (Corny Alert)...

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU for IMMERSING yourself in this opportunity to impact Many Lives!

Like water, your RESPONSIVENESS has the Power to Save!  

We realize that through the Long Hours and Tireless Investment, it is your heart to serve that QUENCHES you Passion to Be a Blessing!!

Be REFRESHED by our REFLECTIVE Gratitude!!

     We are truly grateful for the Sacrifices of those "called" to serve; and invite you to PARK with us in remembering them this week.  

Day 29: Library Late Fee Fund Donation

Day 29: Library Late Fee Fund Donation

     We LOVE the Library, and visit at least once every week!  Last week, while waiting to ask a question, the family in front of us, while checking out, learned that they had overdue late fees.  The Mother quickly began scrambling through her bag looking for some loose change, and was relieved when the Librarian told her she could take care of it on her next visit.  This seemingly embarrassing situation got me thinking; and then I found another "PARKer" who had an excellent solution!!  Following the leading of both; we gathered our loose change, placed it in a Pink Plastic Cup with one of our PARK Water Bottle Labels, and happily delivered it to our Library's Main Desk today. 

              

 

     We were pleased to learn that others have had a similar thought, however, the Librarian was pleased with our Display Cup rather than the raggedy one they had been hiding under the counter and promptly combined the coins.  Let me remind you that Summer Reading Programs are beginning, so now is an Excellent time to PARK at the Library!! 

Day 28: Go Silent

Day 28: Go Silent

     Happy Memorial Day!!  Please join me in PARKing in Silence today as facilitated by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).  "6,442 Americans have died in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11.  This Memorial Day, we stand together to remember and honor their lives, legacies and last full measure of devotion for our Country.  At 12:01 pm, IAVA  will lay a wreath before the Tomb of the Unknown Solider at Arlington National Cemetery.  Gather your friends and family across the country and pause with us for a national moment of silence in their memory." - Excerpt from IAVA's Invitation

Please PARK with me, and Pledge to Go Silent!!        

Day 27: Remembering...

Day 27: Remembering...

     During this Memorial Day Weekend, I am choosing to PARK today in remembrance of ALL those who have laid down their lives for my freedom!!  I am spending time praying in gratitude for lives lost, praying peace for those left behind, praying protection over those who stand in harm's way this moment, and rejoicing for the joy, peace, hope, love, freedom that is SO very apparent by countless sacrifices!!

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for another!"

- John 15:13

"Let Us NOT Forget"

Day 26: Sent an eCard to Great Friends

Day 26: Sent an eCard to Great Friends

     Today, I PARKed by sending a free eCard to some great friends, in honor of International Jazz Day!!  These friends are the kind that are Solid, Like Minded, and Treasured!  They LOVE good Jazz Music, and so I knew they would be happy to celebrate with us today!!  It is my experience, that we continue to delight in unique communication from friends!!  Care 2.com offers tons of free eCards for just this purpose!!  Please join me in brightening someone's day with a digital "Hey"!  (p.s. This message is brought to you while enjoying Smooth Jazz on Pandora!!)

Day 25: Taking 25

Day 25: Taking 25

     Today, I am PARKing in an arena that some may consider unapproachable, but that I consider VERY close to home!!  "Take 25 is a preventative child safety campaign created by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in honor of National Missing Children's Day.  This day serves as a reminder to make child safety a priority"!!  Take 25 has organized incredible resources on their website to not only inform the reader,  but also to encourage Awareness - which in our experience is thee Key to Prevention!!  

                        

Unmask the Predators Book Trailer

     "In America today an estimated 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused by the age of 18.  A family's chance of encountering a sexual molester exceeds the risk of most diseases we inoculate our kids to prevent.  That is horrifying.  But what about other evidences of the devil's deceptive work in our midst: 11 percent of teenage girls ages 12-18 report homo-sexual "girlfriend" relationships; media reports that oral sex is the new good-night kiss of the teen generation; more than two-thirds of the buster generation (who are raising kids now) say living together before marriage is morally acceptable."  These statistics from Unmask the Predators' Introduction alert us to an alarming reality we and our children face!  I passionately believe that it is high time for a New Generation of Parents Rise Up!!  

     5 years ago, our family was faced with the painful reality that we were Not Immune from these statistics!! Please join me on my family blog as I share a bit more about the heartache and hope of walking UnAware!!  Likewise, Please join me in Taking 25 today - it could change lives forever!!

Day 24: Mentor!

Day 24: Mentor!

     Today, I was able to PARK with one of our Teen Mentee's!  It is Always SUCH a blessing to spend time with a Young Adult who wants, needs and deserves Love, Encouragement, Validation, Insturction and Grace!!  This particular Young Woman, like many others in need, has SUCH a heart of gratitude for time and attention!  We were able to stand in the gap for her today, and it SO blessed me to offer her a ride, a meal, some needed toiletries, and Most Importantly our love and time!  I encourage you to consider PARKing as a Mentor!!  There are many Really Great Opportunities to bless youth in foster care right in your community!!!  Two of our favorite organizations doing Great things in this arena are Christian Family Care and Mentor Kids USA.  I am SO Passionate about this invaluable opportunity that I would Love to PARK by assisting you in getting plugged in and matched with an organization/program that suits your time, talents, desires, etc.  Thank You for Being a Blessing!!

Day 23: Lucky Penny Day

Day 23: Lucky Penny Day!

     Happy Lucky Penny Day!!  Our Son and I had SO much fun PARKing at Walmart this afternoon hiding shinny pennies for Random Patrons to find!!  We first requested permission from a Customer Service Manger to ensure support, which She was More than Happy to Offer.  Her only request was that we NOT place them on the floor in order to prevent safety hazards.  I had originally intended to attache each Penny to one of our PARK Cards encouraging the finder to "Trust God", however, we did not have time to complete that great idea.  It was fun to not only strategically place them, but also to observe patrons.  What we noticed was that most people were oblivious to these random pennies - interesting!  This ARK gave me an opportunity to consider my level of awareness.  Do I truly seize opportunities, or do I put things in categories of relevance...would I have gratefully delighted in finding a penny, or simply passed it by since it was "only" a penny?  What a fun day!!

Day 22: GRATITUESDAY

Day 22: GRATITUESDAY!

     Today is "GRATITUESDAY" - a weekly opportunity that I take to share things I am grateful for on Facebook, along with several friends!  I am a HUGE fan of having a Grateful Heart and SO appreciate the joy thanksgiving brings to me!!  With that in mind, we took time to honor and thank the Administrator at our Children's school today.  Ms. Lynn has been a HUGE support this year, particularly for our Son!  She has generously supported our family in being able to fully participate in events, and for that we are SO Grateful!!  

      

 
     We prepared a Thank You Bag including a Bottle of Water, a pack of LifeSavers, and a 100 Grand Chocolate Bar with a note that reads, "Ms. Lynn ~ We have been SO "Refreshed" by your Generous Support this year!!  You are a "LifeSaver"!  We think you're worth "$100 Grand"!  May you always be Blessed for ALL you do!!"
     I was SO inspired by our Teacher Appreciation Bags that the "corniness" hasn't worn off yet!!  We encourage you to take time each week to consider ALL that you are Grateful for and Proclaim It!!

Day 21: Giving Thanks for ExtraOrdinary Customer Service!

Day 21: Give Thanks for ExtraOrdinary Customer Service!!

     I am a HUGE fan of Excellent Customer Service!!  I generally go out of my way to acknowledge those that display this invaluable quality; so today, I am choosing to honor one of my favorite restaurants - Chick-fil-A at Mesa Riverview!!  Years ago, Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-A implemented the practice of treating customers as if they were at a luxury establishment.  One way they accomplish this is known as the "Chick-fil-A Difference"!

     Earlier this year, Help Scout posted a really great article on "Why Customer Lingo Matters" where they highlighted Chick-fil-A's consistent response to any request, "My Pleasure!"  Brandon Barrett, the Operator at Mesa Riverview does an ExtraOrdinary job at training the Staff in the art of Excellent Customer Service!!  We choose to dine at this particular location because of the attention to details!!  Not only is the food consistently fantastic, but the service is most inviting!!  This location also goes out of their way to provide events where they offer the entire menu from linen clothed, served at tables!!  This year, we enjoyed Daddy/Daughter & Mother/Son Valentine's Day Dates, where we were given a rose and served dinner at our "reserved" tables!!  It was SUCH a great memory!!

                    

 

      Another thing I Love about this Chick-fil-A location, is that they understand what it is to have a Servant's Heart!!  The motto for today's celebration is "Service NOT Servitude".  What is the difference?  Service is a "contribution to the welfare of others", a proactive choice to make a difference; while Servitude is "a condition in which one lacks liberty" - being enslaved, bondage, etc.  In our home, we recognize a Servant's Heart as a "Happy Heart"!!  It is SUCH a delight to experience, and that is ALWAYS my experience when we dine at Mesa Riverview's Chick-fil-A!  

     Today, we are PARKing in Honor of this Amazing Staff and their hearts to Serve Happily by writing and submitting Positive Diner Reviews!  I have also posted a note of Gratitude and Acknowledgement on their Facebook Page!  We will continue to support them and recommend that whenever you're in Mesa, Arizona, stop by and PARK at this ExtraOrdinary Chick-fil-A!!