One Woman's Kindness Hits It Out of the Ballpark!

Amazing efforts by an amazing lady..... The founder of a relatively new project, Lisa Rosemarie Ray has been fearlessly and tirelessly embracing the tremendous support and growth of her hugely successful nonprofit organization, Lisa Ray's Donation Group.  Only a few years in development, she started out as a mom who saw the need of other children and started collecting items needed for others in her own community.  Over the years, the needs have continued and her request for donations blossomed.  She receives mountains of bags and boxes in her driveway everyday.  Over time she has recruited dozens of volunteers to help with the sorting, sizing, packing and giving of all of the things she receives.  I have had the honor of working with her and hope to do more.  The experience of the energy and focus of this effort is very powerful.  It is very humbling to realize how great the needs are right in our own back yard.  It is very humbling to see people step up to the call for donations of items and of time.  Additionally, it takes a very motivated, approachable, sincere individual ( or an army!) to pull of it together and on time, especially during holidays and special school dates. As our school district just began for the new school year, Lisa and her organization gathered, packed and delivered clothing, school items and more to over 170 children this week.  Watching the activity posted on Facebook it looks like she never stops.... and moreover, Lisa is always, ALWAYS   grateful and humble.  A remarkable woman with a remarkable vision.   Congratulations  to you Lisa on this great success.  The families your serve are lucky to have you and so are the families that you inspire to give and to volunteer.

Sacred Ground and Chocolate

How often does one get to write about God and chocolate in one brief statement?

God knows what He is doing.

I love the Old Mission Santa Barbara.  As a child it was so regal, almost glamorous compared to its sister in our town of Lompoc, the Mission La Purisima.  As I learned to appreciate the history and "grand design" of the missions, I realized they possess a deeper common thread of beauty, and each has its own character that defines it and its purpose.  None is better than another, in fact, the Mission Santa Barbara has allowed me to love La Purisima, and the other missions even more... it has revealed the uniqueness of each.

I cannot imagine a more amazing place for REAL to have its first public display for sale than the Santa Barbara Missions Retreat Center and Gift shop.  This has been an honor.  Thank you to Sister Susan and the gift shop for their affirmation and support!

Tonight we realize our second  invitation to display REAL for sale is at another heavenly and sacred place.  Eve at Sweet Earth Chocolates in San Luis Obispo set the books  on display to our delight!  Sweet Earth has mission projects of their own,  their chocolate is out of this world!  Fair Trade and organic and perfection!  Check them out at:

www.sweetearthchocolates.com       Teryl and I had a marbled chocolate tulip with white and dark chocolate, raspberries and sauce!