I spent hours there in the VIP Tent and even a few more hours at the Seagraves, TX High School where Ty, the design team and Emma Roberts presented the family with news of the Alex Brown Fund yesterday.
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| My waiting buddies! Can I say "AWESOME" girls! |
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| Yes, this really happened!!!!! OMG! Once in a lifetime for me! |
It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it…
You can read all about the Brown family here and learn how to donate: http://www.palmharbor.com/extremephn/extremephn-2/family/
Where do I begin?
Okay, so I signed Mr. Strong and myself up to be volunteers at the site and I was all “gung-ho” and ready to give my all at building this house – by myself if I had too!!! I was prepared to just “get in there” and put my whole heart into creating something tangible for the family. Well it turns out that the EMHE people knew better (or maybe they received an anonymous tip about my ability) because we weren’t chosen to help with the build. We did however donate a large amount of money (probably more than we should have…), so naturally the emails and calls began saying “Come visit us!”
Let me start by telling everyone that Wellman , TX has a population of 300 people. Yes you read correctly! The producers of the show hosted “pep-rallies” in Midland and Lubbock TX over an hour away in each direction in fear of a volunteer shortage. I think I read that there were some 3,000 volunteers and a waiting list a mile long just in case the chosen “few” didn’t show up.
This show really is about the volunteers and what coming together in numbers and a variety of skills can accomplish! I got to watch the furniture movie-in and I can’t wait for the episode to broadcast!
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| "LET'S MOVE IN SOME FURNITURE!" |
When you take out the reality of the whole event – the scheduling, the time delays, and the somewhat organized chaos that is happening everywhere – you look through every bit of it and see true magic. You see people from all walks of life and all skill levels volunteering their time and abilities in an unorganized harmony that somehow evolves into a spectacular house built with nothing but good and deserving energy.
When you step back from the reality of the West Texas wind, hard work, blood, sweat and tears, you get to experience the purest form of the generous human spirit. EVERY single person involved in the process can confidently stand back at the amazement of what THEY accomplished together. There is nothing they can be more proud of…
When all is said and done and the Bus is moved – every one of us involved can take a deep breath and experience what it is truly like to be able to give a gift of this magnitude to someone. There is no better feeling in the world than seeing the joy, gratitude and honest happiness on someone’s face after receiving “the impossible dream.”
I wasn’t that worried or hurt when we weren’t chosen as volunteers. I started the whole process off with a drill in hand hoping to find my place on the tangible foundation of this new house for the Brown family.
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| This - by the way - made Mr. Strong laugh hysterically! |
But it turned out that this was the only tool they needed me to use to help accomplish their goals for the Remember Alex Brown Fund.
I joke a little, but I know that the check I signed is just as important as the other volunteers because this process requires two sides - labor and money – to make it WHOLE. EMHE doesn’t have one without the other and although it would have felt GREAT to get in there and “nail” something, I was still able to help in the only way that I really knew how.
Extreme Makeover Home Edition has been one of my favorite shows from the very beginning. Now that I have actually been a (small) part of this episode and process I have truly experienced an Extreme Makeover Inside Edition.
I challenge all of you forever more to give what you can - physically or monetarily - to ANYONE that needs help. The challenge is not in the giving, but in the recieving of their pure happiness and joy as you help them. Don't give nonchalantly - be present in your giving - whether it is a dollar, a coke or simply opening a door - be grateful in your giving abilities because you never know what or how much can complete the impossible dream for someone else.
AND - the Law of Attraction states the more you give - the more you recieve of the same! Like attracts like!
Can I just say that you are my idol! I have a huge crush on your blog and I can't get enough! EMHE is great! I have loved them since the beginning too. I cry every episode!
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