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It is hard to put into words the joy it brings all of us involved with Be the Gift to help Single Moms and their amazing children. Our personal lives and hearts are forever changed. We cannot imagine life without helping others and are grateful for the opportunity to do so. We are especially blessed by Laura's words to us. Her situation was one where she did not feel safe in her home. Among the many projects we did for her a couple weeks ago, one most important was to install security doors and other features in her home to improve their safety.
"I am overwhelmed by not only the all of work that the volunteers accomplished, but also by the fact that all these people would help me and my son - initially strangers to them - by giving so much of their time, expertise, and all the supplies and the materials. This experience has truly been transformative for us. Logan was so excited when he saw his new fort, and has really been making it his own by building hot wheels ramps in the bushes and 'building' a roof and walls with sticks. He LOVES it and feels very special that this was made just for him!
For me, the transformation has been in the form of peace of mind and a real sense of safety. I can't tell you how comforting it feels to not have the last thoughts before falling asleep be of fear. And to not wake up many times every night to sounds, walking through the house to make sure Logan is safe and nobody is (trying to get) in our house. That fear has been replaced by the most comforting sense of peace in knowing we are safe. Nights are so different for me now - I can fall asleep easily and know that my son is in a safe space in his room and I can sleep through the night worry-free.
It's been like a novelty to have hot water in the bathroom sink again, and Logan is much happier washing his hands in warm water (I am, too!). EVERYTHING that was done has lifted a heavy weight off my shoulders. So many needed repairs and tasks that consumed my thoughts and caused stress have now been lifted. And I can't believe all that was done to the yard! I look at it now and think that it's manageable for me to maintain instead of feeling overwhelmed by it, and the space is so much more open without all the yard waste! Having the gutters cleaned and the extensions put on the downspouts lifts a big worry, too. Whenever big rains would come, I'd cringe and just cross my fingers that the foundation was ok, as the water pooled against the foundation walls. And now with clean gutters, the water can actually flow through them to the right place!
I truly am thrilled with our new house and yard, the how much more functional and safe it all is. If only one of the things on the list was done, it would've been a Godsend - but seeing everything that was done, I know without a doubt that Be the Gift is truly an answer to my prayers. I have been seeing God work in wonderful and surprising ways in my life lately and I know without a doubt that each person who helped was placed there by God. I am so humbled and blessed to be the recipient of God's love in action. I am so full of gratitude and simply overwhelmed by the generosity of Be the Gift and of each volunteer. Laura and Logan"
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