Sunday, September 28th was the last day to donate food for the Food Pantry and InterFaith Community Services. As we began to load the bags into my SUV it became clear that one car would not be enough!! Luckily my husband Nate had driven his SUV to church that day and the food was enough to fill both cars!
Nate, Benjamin and I delivered the food to the Food Pantry at the Escondido offices of InterFaith the next day. When a volunteer with a cart arrived at the cars he simply stated, "We're going to need another cart!" The people volunteering in the kitchen were SO appreciative! Everyone we talked to thanked us profusely and wanted to know who had been so generous. I was happy to tell them that the congregants at The Center for Spiritual Discovery in Vista were happy to help! We should be very proud of ourselves for making such a difference in our community! So thank you, thank you thank you for helping to make this food drive a big success!
Hugs,
Cindy Huff
**Photos coming soon!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
InterFaith Community Services Food Drive
Are you ready to do something meaningful for your community? Then I encourage you to participate in this Food Drive! Read my post below to understand why I am so fired up about volunteering! I had the pleasure of touring the facilities at InterFaith Community Services. They provide so many needed services for people in need. They have services for low income, homeless and underserved populations. For additional information about this organization click here.
The best way I felt we could help would be to sponsor a food drive for their Food Pantry in Escondido. Last year InterFaith provided over 26,000 people with enough food for 3 days. They give away over 1,500 food items per DAY and their needs are increasing about 30% each month. 90% of the food items in their pantry must come from donations. When I visited their food pantry many of the shelves were bare. They need our help!
Here is a list of the most needed food items. While all of these are important there is currently a critical need for the first 3 items.
The best way I felt we could help would be to sponsor a food drive for their Food Pantry in Escondido. Last year InterFaith provided over 26,000 people with enough food for 3 days. They give away over 1,500 food items per DAY and their needs are increasing about 30% each month. 90% of the food items in their pantry must come from donations. When I visited their food pantry many of the shelves were bare. They need our help!
Here is a list of the most needed food items. While all of these are important there is currently a critical need for the first 3 items.
- Canned Tuna Fish
- Macaroni & Cheese (Not Easy Mac!)
- Canned Beans (kidney, black, etc.)
- Spaghetti Sauce
- Hearty Soups
- Canned Chili
- Dried Pasta
- Canned Panta Meals
- Cold Cereal
- Canned Vegetables
- Canned Fruit
- Peanut Butter
- Jelly
- Diapers
Beginning Sunday, Sept. 14th I will provide a brown paper grocery sack with a Food Needs list attached. Just take a bag (or 3 or 4!) and fill it/them up with the requested items. Bring your donations to church and I will do the rest! The deadline for donations will be Sunday, Sept. 28th. For any additional information or questions please leave a comment on this post, or see Cindy Huff! Thank you for your help in making this Food Drive the HUGE success that I know it will be!
Do You Want To Quit Your Job?
Last Sunday, Dr. Sheila's message was titled, "Quit Working!" I thought this might be an interesting message, if not entirely applicable to me. I have a job, a very VERY part time job working about 5 hours a week. It keeps me busy, give me a little extra spending money and gets me out of the house. Hardly a stressful situation! Of course I do have my other full time "job" as Mommy to a very busy 3 year old boy, lots of fun, sometimes stressful but with a very large payoff! So I sat to listen to the message and wondered what I would learn from it (as I always learn something!)
While Dr. Sheila was speaking I began to remember a few years ago when I did work outside the home full time. Monday through Friday (and sometimes Saturdays!) I woke up, dressed in my business attire (panyhose...yuck!) and put on my happy demeanor for work. A lot of days I would have rather woken up, put on some shorts and gone to the beach! But it was a job and it earned a decent living and helped pay the bills. But there was something else to that job, something that I didn't realize until I wasn't there anymore. It really fed my soul. Every day I felt like I had, in some way, helped another person. And helping other people has always been a passion for me. Before my "job" as Mommy I had worked for 10 years in the "Long Term Care" Industry. I worked at nursing homes and, at my last job, an Alzheimer's Assisted Living. I spent every day at work with some of the most fantastic people, Seniors with health issues, family caregivers, and nurses and caregivers that worked very hard to take care of their residents. So even though I had to go to work every day...in pantyhose....I was still feeding my soul. I never realized how lucky I was until it wasn't there anymore.
So now I work at a job that, while not stressful, is about as boring as they come! Those few hours a week that I spend copying and pasting serial numbers from an Excel spreadsheet into an Oracle database just doesn't seem that important. I do know that my tiny job is part of a larger process that does help others perform their jobs. And I know that some are very grateful that THEY do not have to copy and paste those silly serial numbers! But I don't have that same feeling of living my passion. So I began to think about what would make me feel like I was making a difference, and it just came to me, volunteer work!
I've always wanted to spend time volunteering in some capacity, but it's a challenge to find ways to do that with a 3 year old son. But after Dr. Sheila's message I just had a fire burning in me!! I just knew there was something I could do. On the internet I found InterFaith Community Services and read about all the great work they are doing in the community. I felt instantly that this would be my new passion! Something I can do to make a difference to people in my community. Are you ready to find your passion? Are you ready to follow your heart? What is it about your job that feeds your soul, or makes it possible to pursue other things that feeds your soul? I encourage you to really get quiet in your mind and look inside to see where your passions lie.
Hugs and Love,
Cindy Huff
While Dr. Sheila was speaking I began to remember a few years ago when I did work outside the home full time. Monday through Friday (and sometimes Saturdays!) I woke up, dressed in my business attire (panyhose...yuck!) and put on my happy demeanor for work. A lot of days I would have rather woken up, put on some shorts and gone to the beach! But it was a job and it earned a decent living and helped pay the bills. But there was something else to that job, something that I didn't realize until I wasn't there anymore. It really fed my soul. Every day I felt like I had, in some way, helped another person. And helping other people has always been a passion for me. Before my "job" as Mommy I had worked for 10 years in the "Long Term Care" Industry. I worked at nursing homes and, at my last job, an Alzheimer's Assisted Living. I spent every day at work with some of the most fantastic people, Seniors with health issues, family caregivers, and nurses and caregivers that worked very hard to take care of their residents. So even though I had to go to work every day...in pantyhose....I was still feeding my soul. I never realized how lucky I was until it wasn't there anymore.
So now I work at a job that, while not stressful, is about as boring as they come! Those few hours a week that I spend copying and pasting serial numbers from an Excel spreadsheet into an Oracle database just doesn't seem that important. I do know that my tiny job is part of a larger process that does help others perform their jobs. And I know that some are very grateful that THEY do not have to copy and paste those silly serial numbers! But I don't have that same feeling of living my passion. So I began to think about what would make me feel like I was making a difference, and it just came to me, volunteer work!
I've always wanted to spend time volunteering in some capacity, but it's a challenge to find ways to do that with a 3 year old son. But after Dr. Sheila's message I just had a fire burning in me!! I just knew there was something I could do. On the internet I found InterFaith Community Services and read about all the great work they are doing in the community. I felt instantly that this would be my new passion! Something I can do to make a difference to people in my community. Are you ready to find your passion? Are you ready to follow your heart? What is it about your job that feeds your soul, or makes it possible to pursue other things that feeds your soul? I encourage you to really get quiet in your mind and look inside to see where your passions lie.
Hugs and Love,
Cindy Huff
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
This Is My Stick!....This Is My Bowl!
I trust everyone had a fantastic Labor Day Holiday! Of course, now that the holiday is over, it's time to get back to work! So here I am updating our little blog. It's been a couple of weeks and I have a lot of excuses I could give you, but you don't want to hear those!
So, how many of you attended Dr. Dennis Merritt Jones' seminar? We weren't able to attend the afternoon seminar but we were at church that Sunday morning when he spoke. He was fantastic! I will definitely make arrangements to attend any seminar of his if it's offered again. That Sunday morning Dr. Jones told a story that many of you may have heard before. It has really stuck with me and come in handy over the last couple of weeks. So I thought I'd blog about it a bit. I will be paraphrasing the story a bit but the general message is still contained.
So, how many of you attended Dr. Dennis Merritt Jones' seminar? We weren't able to attend the afternoon seminar but we were at church that Sunday morning when he spoke. He was fantastic! I will definitely make arrangements to attend any seminar of his if it's offered again. That Sunday morning Dr. Jones told a story that many of you may have heard before. It has really stuck with me and come in handy over the last couple of weeks. So I thought I'd blog about it a bit. I will be paraphrasing the story a bit but the general message is still contained.
Once upon a time (I think all stories should start out this way) there was a young man. This man sat at the edge of a river with his legs folded beneath him, his hands turned upward on his lap. His eyes were closed and he was desperately chanting, "I am One with God.......I am One with God......I am One with God." It just so happened that an older man and great teacher, with a stick in one hand and his bowl in the other, came upon the man and began to watch him. After several minutes of listening to the young man chant, the Avatar began chanting loudly, "This is my bowl!.....This is my stick!.....This is my bowl!........This is my stick!" The young man, clearly irritated at the interruption, squeezed his eyes tighter shut and began chanting more loudly, "I am One with God!.....I am One with God!.....I am One with God!" The Great Teacher, not to be outdone, began his chant even louder "This is my BOWL!.......This is my STICK!......THIS is my BOWL!.....THIS is my Stick!" The young man was really becoming annoyed now and looked up at the old man and said "Clearly anyone can see that THAT is your stick and THAT is your bowl. It is obvious. Now can't you see that I am trying to be One with God?!" And to that the Great Teacher answered, "Can't you see that it is just as obvious that you already ARE one with God?"
I can tell you that that story really spoke to me in church that Sunday morning. I had just been experiencing the same desperation as that young man by the river. Due to some recent life experiences I had been thinking, "I really need to make more of an effort to meditate" or "I really need to make sure I ask a practitioner for a treatment for me." Instead of seeing an exciting and stressful situation in my life for what it really is (well, exciting and stressful!) I had become anxious and fearful and guarded. I began to feel as though I needed to TRY and reconnect with my Divine nature. I needed some task to WORK at realizing my oneness with God. That story just helped me remember who I really am, and that I am ALWAYS connected to Spirit. It really does seem so obvious now!
By the way......welcome home Rev. Brian and Dr. Sheila!!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
A Sunday You Will NOT Want To Miss!
Please join us Sun, Aug. 24th for a special Guest
Dr. Dennis Merritt Jones, author of "The Art of Being"
Throughout his lifetime, Dennis Merritt Jones has been on a quest to inspire and lift people to a higher expression of life. His personal vision is to guide people to their purpose, knowing that when a person is fully awakened to who they authentically are and why they are on the planet, they begin to naturally share their gift with humankind and, in the process, create an enriching life for themselves and the world around them.
Join Dr. D for the Sunday service (at 9:00am and 10:30am) and discover who it is you have come here to be, and how to be it by practicing the Art of Being...on Purpose!. Then return later for a powerful workshop at 1:00 -4:00pm entitled "Diving Into The Divine." This workshop has been designed to give each participant an experience of what it really means to be conscious and connected to Source in "real time" - every moment of every day of your life. That is how you dive into the Divine! Tuition for this seminar is $30.00. To register please sign up at the activities counter or call the church office at 760.724.9170.
Who Do You Want To Be?
Do you remember what you used to want to be when you grew up? Back when you were 7 or 8 years old...what did you say when the grown ups asked "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I had the pleasure of working in Children's Church today and this was the topic of discussion. While Mary sat with the teenagers this morning I had a group of about 9 children ranging in age from 5-11 years old. I began to read a story about a country mouse and a city mouse but frankly, the children became quickly bored with me! So I decided to ask..."What do you want to be when you grow up." Boy...that got their attention! Their hands went into the air and their voices got louder as they interrupted one another from pure excitement. One girl announced proudly that she wanted to be a "rock star" and the two girls sitting to her right decided they also wanted to be rock stars..."in HER band!" One little boy wanted to be a baseball player, several girls wanted to be teachers and one gal wanted to be a pastor. It was really neat to watch them get so excited!
I can still remember what I wanted to be when I grew up.....it was a tie between a Singer and a Psychologist. Well I don't sing for anyone any longer (except in the shower!) and, although I love listening to people, I am not employed as a Psychologist. I am sometimes amused thinking back at my childhood dreams, but when was it that I decided that these were things I could not become? I asked the children if their dreams for the future were really something they thought they could become. I actually broke down and referenced "Hannah Montana", asking if they thought they could attain their own goals the way Miley Cyrus has certainly attained hers. I asked them to close their eyes and really picture themselves as that thing they wanted to be. They all seemed very certain that their goals were attainable.
So I guess my question now is....have you become the grown up you wanted to be? Do you approach your current employment or hobby with the same exuberance as an 8 year old child? When did we decide that our childhood dreams could not become a reality? I think now, every time I tell my 3 year old son that he really can be whatever he wants to be when he grows up (yes...even if it's Superman!), that I will remind myself that I can also be whatever I want to be. It's never too late to realize a childhood dream!
I can still remember what I wanted to be when I grew up.....it was a tie between a Singer and a Psychologist. Well I don't sing for anyone any longer (except in the shower!) and, although I love listening to people, I am not employed as a Psychologist. I am sometimes amused thinking back at my childhood dreams, but when was it that I decided that these were things I could not become? I asked the children if their dreams for the future were really something they thought they could become. I actually broke down and referenced "Hannah Montana", asking if they thought they could attain their own goals the way Miley Cyrus has certainly attained hers. I asked them to close their eyes and really picture themselves as that thing they wanted to be. They all seemed very certain that their goals were attainable.
So I guess my question now is....have you become the grown up you wanted to be? Do you approach your current employment or hobby with the same exuberance as an 8 year old child? When did we decide that our childhood dreams could not become a reality? I think now, every time I tell my 3 year old son that he really can be whatever he wants to be when he grows up (yes...even if it's Superman!), that I will remind myself that I can also be whatever I want to be. It's never too late to realize a childhood dream!
August Affirmation and Book of the Month
August Affirmation
I dive deeply into the Divine flow of Life. Inspiration and ideas spontaneously flow to me and through me, and are expressed with ease and grace.
Book of the Month
Dennis Merritt Jones, D.D.
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