This past weekend I went on a canoe trip with a group of people. The trip was awesome! We started at this camp ground and took a bus to where the canoe trip was to begin. There were two people per canoe and we all took turns starting out. About 2 hours into the trip, it was time for lunch. It was relaxing which was needed before the next 2 hours of the trip. We ended up back at the camp ground and it took about 25 minutes for everybody to come back on shore. Then we had a great cookout for dinner, which was all supplied! I met a lot of people and had a great time.

That is how many cookies that a group of volunteers, that I was a part of, put into bags last night. This was for an organization called “Night Ministry” located in Chicago.

http://www.onebrick.org/eventdetails.asp?EventID=3185

This organization helps the homeless in Chicago and among the many things they do, groups of volunteers go out at night and hand out things the homeless need. The cookies we bagged last night will be handed out and I think that’s something the children of homeless families really like.

It took two hours to bag all those cookies and the smell of all those cookies really made it tempting to eat some. Well, if any were broken, we could eat those. No, I did not break any cookies on purpose. Hehe. After this, the group went out to dinner and that was a nice way to talk to the other volunteers. It was interesting for me, as I was the oldest volunteer there. For me, it’s great to see so many younger people who have a strong interest in helping others.

Today Sarah received a nice "Cookie Bouquet" from the teacher she had selected to be with her at her 8^th grade awards night. This was the teacher Sarah said who was the most influential to her in her early school career. The cookie bouquet was very cool and Sarah has really enjoyed eating the cookies, which are shaped like flowers. Attached was a note that was the most special to her and I wanted to share that with you here.

"Dear Sarah, I know you are going to make a difference in this world. I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds. Not only are you compassionate, tenacious, and have a contagious smile, you are "Sarah!". You made a difference in my life and I thank you for that. Congratulations from one of your biggest fans! Love, Mrs. Mac"