For The "Benefit" Of Others...

Good Morning, Sweet Ladies!

The past two weeks have been

an exciting and blessed adventure

in our home!

You may recall that Samuel's boss 

and mentor lost his business

in a horrific fire this February...

Saturday night,

the local community hosted a

huge benefit supper/auction

to show their love and support

for this wonderful family.

The hall was donated,

all the food was donated,

many volunteers came to

donate their time and help out,

and over 300 items were 

donated to the auction!

Here is just a "sampling" of 

some of the items we collected

as donations...

My dad donated one of his

restored antique caned chairs...

The local sports shop where 

Sam used to work donated

a gift card...

and also offered to make

the sign for the new garage!

My son, Joshua, donated

one free lawn mowing

any size

for this summer...

A kind friend of ours 

donated these fishing items...

He has his own business

and makes these to sell to the

local boat shops.

A lovely lady from the local

theater gave me two free movie passes...

A good friend of Samuel's,

who has his own garage business,

donated three certificates...

a free tire rotation...

a free inspection...

and a free oil change!

In fact,
There were over 100
gift certificates donated
from area businesses...
and one business donated
box seats to a Red Sox game!

I made a "Swaddlin' Suzy" and a "Swaddlin' Sam"

doll to add to the list...

And this baby afghan as well.

But I think my favorite
part of this whole project
was working on this boy's quilt...
It was done in solids and
car and truck prints...
And I put a truck in
the center with the words
"Frankie's Garage"
embroidered on it.

The lady who won the bid
for the quilt
turned around and gave it
to Cecil and Sherry...
They were so pleased
it blessed my heart.

One of the many things
I have learned with age
is that I "benefit" so much
more when I am doing things
for other people...

This shouldn't surprise me
in the least...
For the Bible clearly
teaches us this...

"Give, and it will be given to you. 
They will pour into your
lap a good measure—pressed down, 
shaken together, and running over.
 For by your standard of measure 
it will be measured to you in return.”
Luke 6:38

"And do not neglect doing good and sharing; 
for with such sacrifices God is pleased."
Hebrews 13:16 

 "He who is generous will be blessed, 
For he gives some of his food to the poor..."
Proverbs 22:9 

"Do not merely look out 
for your own personal interests, 
but also for the interests of others."
Philippians 2:4 

What an amazing blessing
my whole family received
from having just a small part
in this incredible evening...

To see the love poured
out by our community...

 We were so very thankful
for this opportunity... 

Now...shhhhhhh...
We have two weeks
to get ready for another benefit...
For someone who is
very near and dear to our hearts...

Bet you can guess who!

 "For I was hungry, 
and you gave Me something to eat; 
I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; 
I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 
naked, and you clothed Me;
 I was sick, and you visited Me...
 'Truly I say to you, 
to the extent that you did it 
to one of these brothers of Mine, 
even the least of them, you did it to Me."
Matthew 25:35-40