Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Sharing the Shelter and Giveaway

To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere without moving anything but your heart. ~Phyllis Theroux


Do you remember the first card you received in the mail?  The first one I can remember was a postcard from my Grandma.  The front was a monkey, all dressed up.  My grandparents wintered in Florida and each year she sent me a postcard --  and I think each one had a dressed monkey on the front.  I looked forward to my cards every winter.

I don't know what the mail count was in the 1960s, but today there are approximately 212 billion pieces of mail travel through the postal service each year.  I wonder how many pieces are personal letters or cards.  I'm thinking most of the mailbox stuffing is political propaganda, bills, catalogs and magazines. 


Wouldn't it be fun to change that for some of those who need "real mail" encouragement?  I have my cards and notes beside me, ready to send a few.  One to a friend who had a hip replacement and another who had a knee replacement.  Another to a dear church member who  lost her 16-year-old granddaughter in a car accident Saturday night.

I thought it would be fun to see how many of you will pledge to send out some encouragement via the US Mail.  Leave a note (in the comments) letting me know how many pieces you plan on sending between now and next Wednesday, and I'll add them up and let you know in next week's post how many people we cheered.   

Try these ideas...
  • Tuck in a favorite new recipe.
  • Share a funny story of your child or grandchild.
  • Write out a "remember when" memory.
  • Cut out a quote or a comic strip you know they will like.
  • Search for free printable note cards on pintrest.
  • Cut up some confetti to surprise a child.
  • Get your own children involved.  


Giveaway

Jennifer Dougan from Jottings from Jennifer won The Simple Life fat quarter bundle.


Our giveaway this week is this beautiful set of Legacy of Faith note cards. The verse on front says, "Let your heart be joyful." Leave a comment so I'll know you want to be entered.


Sharing the Shelter

Do you have a recipe, craft or sewing project, an encouraging devotional, favorite book you like to gift, or other sheltering idea you’d like to share? Link up and enjoy the ideas. I like keeping the rules simple:
  • Grab my button or leave a text link-back 
  • Visit the two blogs before yours 
  • Shelter someone! 


Last year I wrote a series on letter writing you may enjoy.

Mailbox Sheltering:
Part 5
Edited to add: Let's all join in the Happy Day Project. life rearranged 




20 comments:

Esther Asbury said...

Pam, I LOVE happy snail mail and enjoy sending it too! Unfortunately, sometimes I get "too busy" so thanks for the friendly reminder!
I know of at least 1 piece of "enjoyable" snail mail I'll be sending, but with this challenge I'll be looking for more opportunities to cheer someone up!

Unknown said...

What a wonderful thing to do!

Shannon Wallace said...

Each day, my son and I (probably more so me) await our postman's arrival at our rural mailbox! Oh how I love getting a card or letter or little something in the mail! :) Typically, I send out 4 or more cards or letters to friends each month. Lately, I've gotten out of the habit due to being sort of down in the dumps. But I will pledge to send out 5 cards by next week! :) Love this idea, and I look forward to reading on your links about mail idea.
Shannon

Nicole said...

I will be sending out at least 3 cards out...2 to children and 1 to my best friend...thanks for the idea! please enter me in your wonderful card giveaway! So honored to be following you! Nicole at Seven Flowers!

joy said...

Wow, this post really inspires. Thank you for reminder.

Nancy McCarroll said...

Good for you for doing this post. Written notes mean a lot; I will try to do more this next month.

Rebecca said...

Count 6 for me (about 1 a day)! I don't always use the post office but frequently use the mailboxes at church to send notes and save postage $$....

Anonymous said...

Pamela - Your prayers for our region are much appreciated. Things are normal where I live now - minimal damage an we never lost power - but just a 30-40 minute drive from our front door is absolute devastation. Many "Sheltering Trees" down and whole communities destroyed. I LOVE this mail idea - and know just what you mean! I think I shall challenge myself to do this - and perhaps my own homeschool students. Always inspiring, milady . . .
Joy!
Kathy

Denise said...

Such a sweet idea.

Beth said...

A lovely idea!

Jennifer Dougan said...

Pamela,

What fun to win! Thank you. I emailed you my address separately.

Do you have some older furniture from your family too?

Jennifer Dougan
www.jenniferdougan.com

Laurie Collett said...

Especially nowadays, there is something so special about getting a handwritten note! The ladies' Bible study class that I teach sends out notes to those who haven't attended for awhile or who need special encouragement. Thanks for the giveaway & great post & for hosting, & God bless!

theconfidentmom said...

I love to talk about sending cards in the mail! It is such a lost art and can really make someone feel very special. Love to do that - everyone needs a little {hug}!

tipslifeandtravels said...

what a great idea, emails have taken over. Even Christmas time we send mainly emails.
Although I try and write a good message inside and decorate the message to make it more christmassy.
By the way thanks for following my blog. http://tipsandideasforcraftsandhobbiests.blogspot.com/
cheers Eileen

Julie said...

I have 2 letters to go out into the mail today ..hoping to write several more this weekend
thansk
aunteegem@yahoo.com

TheSnailMailer said...

If anybody wants to get more involved with mailing. I recommend Postcrossing (postcards around the world), sendsomething.net, letter writers alliance, and there are several other sites. Just an FYI. People you find on these sites tend to write back. I love my family and friends, but they rarely reply.

Jacqui said...

Thank you for this reminder of the importance of encouraging others. I have gotten lazy in sending cards, and just this week I felt as if the Lord was reminding me to get back on the band wagon. :) Thanks!

Jenni said...

Lovely ideas! Thanks for linking up to Thrive @ Home!

Terra said...

That is great you are encouraging snail mail letters and encouragement too. I have several snail mail buddies including my aunt who is 79 and I will write to her tomorrow. She lives alone and we enjoy exchanging letters.

Heidi said...

Pamela, thanks for stopping by! How neat that you had the same great idea! I love getting REAL mail and it is such a neat way to encourage people.