Reflection in the Midnight Waters

While penning some thoughts in my journal of recollections from the day’s events, something mystical interrupted the flow of my writing. For many people who know me, you understand how fascinated I am by the celestial kaleidoscope that appears on a clear night, especially when there’s a full moon perched in the heavens among the stars. I must share this experience with you stargazers out there who would appreciate this reflection. On the first night of this New Year, January 1, 2010, I walked by one of the Palladian windows in our house and the bright light that reflected through the window magnetically drew me to its presence. If anyone noticed and if it was a clear night in your neck of the woods, there was a perfect full moon casting its heavenly bright light over the land. As I stood awestruck, I was compelled to get a better look at this breathtaking wonder from my back door.

We have a small lake at the back of our house, and while you could see the reflection of house lights rippling amid the currents in the midnight waters, the reflection of that full moon took center stage and was simply mesmerizing. I cannot begin to tell you what an ethereal feeling this was, just to stand there looking up at that bright, spotlight shining down on little ole me. I had to thank God for another opportunity to witness such an incredible gift that He created on the 4th day, in the Beginning.

So even if you missed this beautiful sight on that first night of this New Year, just remember that some of the most incredible beauty lies among the heavens in a galaxy beyond our grasp, but no doubt a panoramic snapshot reminding us to embrace its exquisiteness. A love song reminded me of these special moments of intimacy that was recorded by a group named The Stylistics (circa 1970’s). It’s called “Stop, Look, Listen (to your heart)”. Sometimes you feel so unworthy by the natural wonders that surround us in one way or another on a daily basis. However, I cherish those special moments, any time of the day or night, where I feel that incredible connection and intimacy with God. It is then, I am reminded, that I am anchored in His love, mercy and grace. So every now and then, look up and humbly embrace the presence of Almighty God through His awe-inspiring wonders. And the best part: There is no purchase required!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! It's 2010 ya'll...

Well, the day is here that we have awaited for 365 days now. It’s 2010, and we must ask ourselves what type of person will we be? The type who always wonders what happened, always watches things happen, always wait for things to happen or the person who will courageously make things happen? As we leave our daily footprints in the sands of life, let them be so positive and unique that when people bend over to look at them, they will be the types of tracks that everyone will know led to your greatness!

Cherish every day and never take them for granted. You never know when you may be looking at your last minute. Here’s to your good health, the love within, unlimited prosperity, the presence of peace and the pursuit of happiness.

“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation.”
- Robert F. Kennedy

Happy New Year everyone!
Kym Gordon Moore
http://www.kymgmoore.com/

2010 New Year’s Thanks-olution!

As we embark on this final lap of 2009, may we reflect on the goals we accomplished, the progress and contributions we made, the lessons we learned, the people we helped, the food we fed our spirits and the way we renewed the fire of our gifts. So often, we fall into a trap of making New Year’s Resolutions that we rarely manage to keep after the first week or two of the New Year.

I am in favor of setting practical and obtainable goals, not just at the beginning of a new year, but throughout the year. Is there something from 2009 that you would like to change and make better in 2010 and beyond? So often, we seek to improve our finances, lessen our debts, take more vacations, find a better job, lose weight or get a better education on January 1st. Our failures thereafter, are sometimes attributed to a lack of vision and “discipline.” Your goals require activation in order to work.

If you are the consummate resolution maker and breaker, here is something slightly different that I would like to suggest. Create a “Thankful Journal.” This thankful journal needs to have at least one daily entry. That’s at least 365 entries for the year. Everyone has something to be thankful for, whether you acknowledge it or not. You could be thankful for good health, an unexpected gift someone gave you that day, grateful that you didn’t get into an accident while driving to and from your destination, or that God kept you and your family safe and sound for that day. Also in your Thankful Journal, you could include how appreciative you are to make a progressive step towards a goal you want to accomplish during the year.

As you go about your daily routine, remember to exemplify your nine fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. Remember to be thankful that you are able to make a positive difference and impact in your part of the world. Tomorrow is not promised to any of us. We had yesterday and have the present moment. So live life passionately and with purpose. Don’t forget to dance to the music, have fun and laugh contagiously like a child.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Wishing you abundant peace and blessings, now and forevermore.

From Behind the Pen,
Kym Gordon Moore

Tis The Season!

“A single lit candle can light up a dark room, just as a full moon can light up a midnight sky. Many candle lights can light up the world, just as the sun can turn night into day.”
- Kym Gordon Moore

Let the spirit of this holiday season comfort you and your family with great tidings of joy, love, peace, hope, gentleness, faith and the celebration of The Light of the World. One of my favorite scriptures is from Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.” Continue to ignite that light from within, so that its radiation breaks the darkness of discourage-ment, despair and the diabolical. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa and Happy New Year!

With the eternal flame of peace and blessings,
Kym

General Mills Charlotte Feeding Dreams Community Champions

CHARLOTTE, NC - I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Kelly Hutchinson, Founder of R.E.F.O.R.M. for receiving the first place award, at the 2009 General Mills Feeding Dreams Community Champions Award Luncheon, held at the Marriott Executive Park Hotel, on Wednesday December 2, 2009. Valarie Brooks, Executive Board Member with the Girl Talk Foundation received the $1,000 award for her organization and on behalf of The Dove's Nest, I received the $2,000 award to be applied to their Capital Campaign Expansion Fund.

Susan L. Taylor, Feeding Dreams Celebrity Spokeswoman, was the guest speaker and presented the Community Champions with their respective awards. It was an amazing, emotional and gratifying day. The experience felt so surreal, but in the reality of it all, we left there with a renewed spirit and determination to continue making positive contributions to our community.

Among others included on the program line-up, Beatrice Thompson, News & Public Affairs Director with WBAV-FM 101.9 was the Emcee. Debra Bryant, one of our local singers provided the musical selection. Rev. Thelma Gordon from Liberty Hill A.M.E. Zion Church delivered the invocation. Kimberley Bow Sundy, General Mills, Inc. Multicultural Marketing, PR & Community Relations Manager gave the Feeding Dreams Program Overview. Lafayette Jones, President/CEO of SMSi-Urban Call Marketing, Inc. introduced Susan L. Taylor. Modesty Dunbar Thompson, SMSi Lead Ambassador for the Charlotte Market made the prize presentations. Sandra Miller Jones, Founding Chair of SMSi gave the closing remarks.

Please feel free to click on the following link and visit the photo gallery from this day's festivities.
http://feedingdreams.com/charlotte/?cat=4

"CNN HEROES: Everyday People Changing The World"

Tonight, I watched CNN's presentation of "CNN HEROES: Everyday People Changing The World." Listening to the stories of the 10 finalists and how they are changing the lives of so many people around the world, just inspires me even more to continue doing something philanthropic with the God-given gifts and talents God blessed me with. As I continue to look around me, there is a constant reminder that it's not about me and what I have, but it's about what I have to use for God's purpose for me. If you didn't get a chance to watch the show Thanksgiving night, check out this link and watch the clips of stories about everyday people helping people.

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cnn.heroes/index.html

I hope these stories inspire you just as much as it inspired me.

Peace & Blessings,
Kym Gordon Moore
http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Deb Stewart Campaigns with Hope for the Holidays

Volunteers give something quite different and unique to the organizations they donate their time, money and energy to. The divine love, faith, stamina and compassion that personifies our human spirit, are the fruits that sanction our calling to be participators and not spectators when there is a human need to be met.

We met Deb Stewart during our fundraising event for The Dove’s Nest in September. She is also one of the valued volunteers for The Dove’s Nest, but continues to be an advocate for other causes that are not highly publicized. “I get a lot of personal satisfaction in knowing that God is using me to do my part for His glory,” says Deb. Like most volunteers, Deb shies away from a lot of attention. Nevertheless, in spite of her daily personal challenges, she still campaigns for causes to help rally support for those in need. We ask that you read the following heartfelt petition from Deb, for an organization that not many people have heard of located in Charlotte, NC called Blessings in the Storm. We think her message clearly states it all in the following letter she wrote:

Like many of us during the holidays, I struggle to focus on the meaning of the season more than the glitz and goods and social obligations. I have a tendency to over commit and then to re-evaluate in hindsight. Not this year!

With a group of close friends, I’ve pledged to support a local Christian ministry through monthly visits with gifts and prayers, and quarterly fund-raisers. But this quarter, for many, the busy holidays pose a problem: Who’s got time for another party or benefit? This season, we chose a different approach – we’re holding a “non-event,” an easy way to invite friends and family to make a big difference that demands little time or effort.

No searching for the perfect gift, no gourmet food to whip up … Just lots of Christian goodwill extended to people in dire need. I hope you’ll join me! Here’s how it works:

Your donation to our Hope for the Holidays non-event will benefit Blessings in the Storm, a Charlotte ministry that provides shelter for women and children escaping abuse, abandonment, addiction, or poverty. They arrive on Blessings’ doorstep with more baggage than they can carry, and yet they have next to nothing. They’re broke, and they’re deeply broken.

At Blessings in the Storm, they can heal in a homelike environment where rent and utilities are paid and children are well tended while mothers work hard to stand on their own. Blessings occupies four modest homes along a dead-end street in west Charlotte; but to the women and children there, Blessings is no dead end. It opens wide an avenue to healing, faith, and self-sufficiency. The growth I’ve seen among the women at Blessings is inspiring.

As a Christian organization, Blessings does not receive government funding, relying on private donations, and has struggled to meet operating costs this year. Would you consider helping Blessings with a donation of $10 or more, or a gift card to Target or Wal-Mart? Your tax-deductible contribution will help the ministry pay rent and utilities and will allow the women to buy a small Christmas gift for their children. Every penny goes to the ministry, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

If you’d like to donate, please call (980-254-1952) or e-mail me [dstewart@deborahstewart.ws] so I can arrange to receive your contribution by Dec. 10. Checks should be made out to Blessings in the Storm.

Checks can be mailed to my address:
14512 Limestone Lane
Pineville, NC 28134

Or you may go online to:
http://www.blessingsinthestorm.org/howyoucanhelp.html

Please browse this website to learn more about them. Your donations with make a difference this Christmas season and will be very much appreciated by all who love these women and believe in their future.

I know that, like me, you’ll find a great deal of peace and purpose this holiday season by spreading Hope for the Holidays. And I’m thankful that you’ve considered this opportunity to make one less mark on your calendar and leave one big mark on your heart!

Sincerely,
Deb Stewart
God bless you!

Favorite Things for a CAUSE salutes Deb Stewart for sharing some Hope for the Holidays on behalf of Blessings in the Storm. If you have any questions about donating to Blessings in the Storm, please email Deb at dstewart015@carolina.rr.com. We urge you to visit the website for Blessings in the Storm http://www.blessingsinthestorm.org/ and learn about this incredible mission started by Loretta Harris-Caldwell. Please go to the “Press Release” link and watch the life-changing video that shows you how Blessings in the Storm, is a blessing of deliverance.