Love Offering Dolls: Gracie & Gregory

There's a group of busy people bringing joy to the hearts of others.  And what could put a smile on a face faster than a doll???

 

Dolls have been given to children for centuries; cuddled, collected and cherished.  They have been created out of various kinds of materials.  Carved out of wood, molded from clay or sewn from scraps of fabric.  They were stuffed with sweet grasses, sand, or left over bits of yarn.  All were created with ... love...

For almost two years now, a dear lady named Cheryl has guided several others at Abounding Grace in the cutting out, sewing, stuffing and decorating of a easy 2 piece pattern to make soft, comforting dolls to be given away to anybody wanting one.  That's right - giving away.  Simple dolls made of soft fabrics, stuffed with batting and lots of love are formed with the hands of many different volunteers.  Some cut out patterns, other folks sew the two pieces together, different people may add the batting, while still others paint the faces and decorations on every doll.  Each little doll is handled by one or more individuals and given just a bit more love to pass on to the next person that receives it.  They're called Love Offering Dolls!

And just who receives these Love Dolls?  Why anybody who wants one!  They have been given to local fire & police departments to give comfort to a child in a traumatic situation.  Dolls have found their way into the VA hospital and other medical centers to give hope to those who are ill.  Some have gone to assisted living centers and brought smiles to those who need a helping hand in their daily lives.  Still more have travel out of Tucson, out of Arizona, and even out of the USA to deliver their message of Love.

Hundreds of dolls have gone out and more are continually being created.  Requests keep coming in for more dolls.  So if you would like to help with this Love Offering Doll ministry, just contact me and I'll send your message on to Cheryl.

And in case you forgot... I'm Grace Anne Love

Soup Supper: Are you being Served?

There's been a lot happening in the Fellowship Hall lately. On Wednesday nights a group of hungry people are gathering around 6 p.m. I say they're hungry because some of them bring in these delicious smelling soups to share with all the others.

Everyone is having a great time talking and laughing and eating... they call it fellowship. It's been going on for the past 2 weeks now and the variety of soups is mind boggling! Most everyone tries more than one soup and they have so much that no one goes away hungry.

In fact, there's usually plenty of soup and bread leftover. Then faster than a mouse with a broom looming over his head, they clean up the kitchen, put away the tables and chairs and head over to the Sanctuary to have more time together.

Once there, they sing songs, listen to a bible reading and Pastor Keith tells us all a great story. If you haven't listened to Pastor Keith tell stories, you don't know what you're missing!

Why he tells a story about this man called Jonah and how Jonah tried to run away from God! How anyone could think they can hide from God is just... just... just.... so unbelievable! Well, you can check that story out yourself in the Bible. Better yet, come by Wednesday night at 6 p.m. for a bowl of piping hot soup and then stay to listen as Pastor Keith tells us more of Jonah's adventure. It's one whale of a fish story! Until next time...

God Bless you with His Abounding Love!

Grace Anne Love