Inspiring or tiring??

For those of you who don't know how this Salsa Mama gig started, let me give you a little background.

Back in 2009, my friend Ann was fighting a valiant fight against breast cancer. Oh, how much I learned from her, including countless lessons of love and acceptance and keeping priorities straight. Ann's faith was awe-inspiring in many ways, but two messages remain with me on a daily basis:

1) Only do that which inspires you, not tires you.
2) Keep it simple.

The picture below is of Ann and our dear friend, Linda. For many years, they worked hard planning the Kaw Valley Relay for Life's Survivor Dinner together. I worked on the Relay committee for several years too, and what a BLESSING it was to soak up all the love from so many hard working, dedicated, and loving members of this community who genuinely wanted to CELEBRATE, REMEMBER, and FIGHT BACK against cancer.

Salsa Mama grew from this Relay for Life endeavor. Ann helped me with the logo and was very supportive, recognizing the potential for it to touch people's lives. One year she went crazy and made me two personalized Salsa Mama aprons, a tee-shirt and tee shirts for my boys. I think she had more confidence in it than I did! Having this encouragement, I decided to give it a go beyond the Relay world----to continue making salsa (a very simple task) and continuing the charitable aspect (which inspires me, not tires!). 

Each time Salsa Mama's "sale" changes, it is prayer that leads me to the next charity. Over the years, there have been a variety of individuals and groups who have tugged at my heart in that special way that I recognize now as the nudge of the Holy Spirit. In keeping with Ann's spirit, let me share with you that the recipient of the next sale will be Sacred Heart Catholic Church. 

Trust me when I say that it's very hard for me to keep this message simple...I don't really "do" simple. I do complicated! (Ask my husband, he'll tell ya!) A huge part of me wants to go on and on about the way my faith has developed and grown in the nurturing Sacred Heart parish community, but I will honor Ann by keeping this message simple. I am inspired by SO many people, families, causes...too many to count! But simply speaking, it is heaviest on my heart to support my parish at this time. 

I wish you a beautiful, blessed, happy and joyful Advent season and I invite you to reflect on where your inspiration and simplicity lead you. 

Thank you for your continued support over the years!!!

Blessed!

It's been a long time, I know, but here is what has been keeping me out of the salsa kitchen and in the whirling vortex of 2 under 2, and an 8 and a 9!

I feel blessed every single day by these gifts, so you won't hear a single complaint from me about what's keeping the salsa production erratic at best! You may not get an updated blog for another year, who knows! All I know is the laughter, the wrestling, the chaos and the love are music to my ears.

Jillian and Sofia are both mobile now, and that means "boo boos" galore. They are old enough to notice if you don't kiss the boo boo in the EXACT place, returning over and over for that perfectly placed TLC that makes it all better. I can't help but learn from their example. In my adult mind, I know that I have a much harder time identifying my needs and asking for specific help. It's easy to ask for help for others, though, isn't it? In our never-ending quest for balance, however, we know we are called to give and receive.

As we move into Thanksgiving and Christmas, we will be spending all kinds of time and energy focusing on doing for others, through gifts, food and visits. I encourage you to allow others to give to YOU. You will make their hearts joyful! Salsa Mama has been supporting the Garrett Bathurst fund for the past few months. Thank you to the Bathursts for allowing us to help them with the salsa sale!! 

In December a new fundraiser will be announced. Until then, thank you and God bless!

Wrapping our arms around them

You know how easy it is to remember people's kindness, especially when you're "the new kid?" I vividly remember being the new kid in 6th grade when Liz befriended me by the swings on my first day. As an French teacher, I clearly remember the friendly welcome of Pat when I moved from one district to another. These warm smiles and reassuring welcomes make such a huge difference to those who need them. Which leads me to my friend Kathy....

I remember being in the preschool hall at Sacred Heart, feeling rather "green" and inexperienced, watching my oldest son navigate the new world of 3-year preschool. Kathy walked right up and introduced herself, chatted, smiled, and really didn't do anything out of the ordinary for her. This moment of reassurance and love sticks with me even today as we're getting ready to celebrate that same son's 9th birthday next week. As I said before, it's easy to remember kindness.

I was so happy to eventually become close friends with Kathy as members of the same Christ Renews His Parish team in 2009. We have had all kinds of interaction in our church and school community (can I interject that she is the best school librarian...ever!!) and our families have gotten to know each other over the years.

Anyone who knows Kathy and her husband Ralph would agree that their four children are their most cherished treasure. In January of this year, their son Peter was killed in a tragic accident at the age of 25.  It broke my heart for them. It still does. It's May 1 and I'm just now writing about it even though it's been in my heart for months. I ask for your continued prayers for their family, for healing, for peace, for acceptance and for laughter in reminiscing on what made Peter unique. Like many people in our parish, I did not know him personally because he lived in Texas at the time; however, this amazing community wrapped their arms around Kathy and Ralph and the three siblings, Kaylan, Monica and Aaron. We will continue to do so!

The Salsa Mama mission is to help the community. This sale will benefit the Peter Clevinger Memorial Fund. Kathy and Ralph will use this donation to help others and to honor their beloved son.

Peter's funeral mass was (yes) a tear-jerker, but filled with smiles from stories of Peter's character. He lived a short but meaningful life. The program at mass had this on the back page, from his Facebook page. Read it once, twice, today, tomorrow and whenever you need a boost.

With love to the Clevinger family from the Salsa Mama community