get ready for a GIVEAWAY

That's right, folks. I've been blogging for three years now. I started in 2006, but I began the "serious" almost-everyday-blogging three years ago. I have around 800 some odd posts. Many of which are poorly written and self-gratifying. I've seriously thought about shutting down my blog at least once, gone private twice, changed my address three times, been criticized more than I can count, felt frustrated about the lack of comments I'd received after sharing personal information, taken off comments all together, you name it. I believe I am finally in my happy place in the blogging world. Through all the ups and downs, the good and the bad, I've never even once thought about having a giveaway. Until now.

Most bloggers have giveaways so they can make more money... I say MOST because I know there are some that are some people who just love to give for the mere reason of giving.. I was sent a package from Scotland for this very reason from a selfless, awesome blogger. Hi Amelia! But the smart bloggers have giveaways to get more traffic, more readers, more advertisers, more money. It's really a brilliant idea for those who blog for business. I commend them on their efforts and LOVE to see an inspirational blogger make the big bucks just because they are good at being themselves. However, I don't even remotely consider myself one of those writers. I am a mom with a few followers who loves to blog. I love the readers who come back everyday-- who have been through the good and the bad with me. You are a part of my life and I appreciate you so much. There are many of you, say like maybe 100 or so, that I've never met. I love you too. And for this reason, I am launching my first giveaway. The prizes are going to be reasonable. They will be purchased out of my own pocket (justifiably from the little money I have received off advertising) and hopefully they will mean something to those of you who win.

I've decided to do a giveaway during my week away from the media.. It starts tomorrow for me. Instead of watching TV, listening to music, turning on my computer, picking up a magazine, I will be spending a lot of quiet time with my family. This year during my media fast, I am going to set a goal of serving at least one person every day. This is what I want to do the week before Easter. And since they'll be nothing happening on my blog, I thought it would be a great time to have a giveaway.

So, tomorrow I will launch it. Don't get too excited...because you have to do a little bit of work too. I want to hear YOUR inspirational stories of service. In order to be entered into the drawing, you need to think of a time when someone served you and write about it. It doesn't have to be a life-altering act of kindness or something miraculous. It can be something as simple as someone holding a door open for you or a smile you've received from a stranger. I just want to know why it affected you the way it did.

The entries DO NOT need to be written on your blog... but they most certainly can be and I encourage you to do so if you have one. You can write something short and send it in the form of an email. You can write it in cursive and mail it to my home. You can text it to me, for crying out loud (although this may not be the most convenient option for either of us.) For those of you who know me personally, I will even take your entries over the phone. If this means I can get a story or two out of my people who don't blog (like my siblings or parents) so be it. I just want to be able to share the most touching stories of service with my blog readers, after the giveaway is over.. So this means, I would like to post the winning entries on this blog.. (with your permission, names of authors can be optional.) Ideally, I would like to inspire as MANY people as possible to think about a time when they have been served. Hopefully, as we share these stories with each other, we will become more grateful AND be more willing to lend a helping hand along the way.

You will have two weeks to think about it and write your story. I will begin my media fast with my own personal story, take 7 days away from the internet and close the giveaway 7 days after I return.. it will take me at least that long to chose a winner. And all of us need a little time to reflect. So, tomorrow it begins.. stories can be written until April 11th.

Why did I chose this kind of theme? I believe it's my way of celebrating Easter. What better way can we celebrate the life of Christ than by serving others and reflecting on how others have helped us? Jesus Christ dedicated his entire life to serving others. He traveled searching for the poor, the needy, the hungry. He healed the sick, comforted the weary and clothed the naked. In the greatest act of service, He sacrificed His life for each of us. His love is pure and perfect. What does it mean to become Christ-like or develop the pure love of Christ? I believe it means to serve others. The only way we can truly become like our Savior is to serve selflessly. As we serve, we become more like Him, and we are able to see others the way He sees them.. to love in a Christ-like manner.

I believe this is the very reason a mother's love is so pure and Christ-like. To be honest, the only people I truly love in a Christ-like manner are my children. I believe I would do anything for them. Anything. I've developed this kind of love because I actually do EVERYTHING for them. I spend my days, hours, minutes catering to their every need. I am serving them constantly, and I ask or expect nothing in return. I don't think it's possible to selflessly serve someone and NOT develop love for them. This to me, is Christ-like love. If we understand this concept, I believe we can broaden our circle and learn to love others outside our immediate families with the same kind of pure love. As we serve those we know personally and others we pass by on the street, we literally spread LOVE. By making dinner for someone, opening a door for a stranger, or paying a compliment, we are genuinely saying to them, "I love you." This, to me, is exactly what the Easter season is all about. Of course, jelly beans and Cadbury eggs are a fantastic way to celebrate, but the real reason for the season is to remember what Christ did for us.. and to feel of His love more abundantly in our lives. And WHO doesn't need to feel a little more LOVE in their lives? I do, that's for sure.

Be back tomorrow with a giveaway! Get thinking of a time when someone served you.....

PS. You will NOT get bonus points for writing about me and all the good things I've done for you, so don't even try to kiss up. ha! I am kidding. Of course you can write about me! (kidding, this time for reals.)