Easter Buddies
Cindy L, Lauren B (Tina B's daughter), Tina B, Jake B (Tina B's son)
Sara L (Cindy L's daughter), Cindy W (hostess), Laurie M
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Life gets busy,
we all feel like we have too much on our to-do lists from time to time.
But when we stop and recognize the real priorities in life, we
happily choose to reach outside of our own 4 walls. An added
bonus for whichever Buddies are able to gather on assembly day, is that
it gives us an opportunity catch up with one another and even see just
how much each our our children have grown in the last year. To my
amazement a lot of our discussions now center around college life, as
quite a few of our children have entered or even finished that stage.
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It's not about the "stuff", although the stuff is fun. It's more about a tangible expression of love, care and concern. Each selection is made in what might seem to many as random order, but we each trust that God is directing all the way. We are often asked whether we organize the items that get purchased at all ahead of time. For example do we have certain people assigned to buy coloring books, others stuffed animals etc. The answer is no. Again, a big part of the fun is just getting to see what all God brings together.
Just a sampling of all of the stuff.
As we put the bags together, we decide whether we're filling a boy or girl bag, and which of the 5 age groups it will be for - infant, preschool, early elementary, middle school, jr/high school and then we just kind of 'shop' the goodies table looking for a bunch of items that would be good for a child of that age. Once all the bags are stuffed full, we label them so the hospital staff will be able to distribute them. The last step for the Buddies is to actually deliver them to the hospital. Then on Easter morning the caregivers at Children's get to announce to the children in their care - "I have something for you" and deliver a filled basket of goodies. May we each give thanks for all of the bags full of goodies that God delivers to us each and every day - "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah." Psalm 68:19
Lauren found great joy in picking out things especially for her aged girls.
Jake enjoyed picking out just the right combination of sports items to keep the sick child and/or his siblings busy during their time at the hospital.
Mother (Cindy L) and Daugther (Sara) showing off their team-work.
I think I have this same basic pose from Cindy W each year - she's always willing to serve with a smile!
Laurie and Cindy L making a selection
from the filled tables.
Callie was our mascot 3 years ago, so Jake (the dog, not Jake B (son of Tina B)) wanted in on the action of the day.