Twelve Stones Scrapbooking: Scrapping Everyday Miracles Challenge #26

Hello blogger friends,

It's time for the March challenge over at Scrapping Everyday Miracles, and since I came up with this one it is extra special to me!

Here is what I wrote over on the main blog...

This month’s challenge is to scrap about how it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Have you even given someone something or done something for someone with absolutely no strings attached, expecting nothing in return? How did that make you feel? Have you ever been overjoyed after giving something that made someone truly happy? Have you been the recipient of a gift from a child, so eager to bring you pleasure with something they made for you? Has someone ever done something for you that you could never pay them back for? In this world of always striving for more we can easily forget the blessing of giving to others.

So put your thinking cap on...and create a project about a gift you received that really touched your heart or a sacrificial gift you gave. Perhaps you could even make a gift to give (specifically for this challenge). Also...it wouldn't have to be a physical gift, do you have photos of when you donated your time to help out?

The scrap twist is to include some gems on your project.

Back in the fall I was shopping at a thrift shop when I found something that I really, really liked. It was an umbrella, but not just any umbrella. This was one of great quality, well made, name brand, expensive...I really wanted this kind of umbrella! I looked at the price tag and they were only asking a few dollars for it. Of course I immediately put it in my cart, so totally excited about this treasure that I had found! As I kept walking through the aisle I was stopped by a woman with a very thick Russian accent. She asked me if there was any more umbrellas like this one. I told her no but that she could have it. She was so happy, she opened it up and smiled the biggest smile I have ever seen. She began to tell me about her life back in Russia, and we chatted about my children. I had never seen someone so excited about an umbrella! She eventually insisted I take the umbrella back. Her reasoning was that my kids needed this see-through umbrella so that they could look up and see the sky even when it rained. I so loved her child-like spirit, I had not thought of that! I continued my shopping and prayed about finding a way to give this woman the umbrella. To make a long story short, I ended up buying it and chased her in the parking lot to give it to her. She accepted my gift and insisted on giving me a flower in exchange. She again opened it and the child-like joy on her face will be forever etched on my mind. I wish I had a better photo of the moment so you could see it!

“Give expecting nothing in return.”