Save Second Base

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

 

Everyone knows that, so what are you going to do.  Unfortunately, I am unable to make the commitment to participate in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer this year.  However, I still plan to make some effort in the quest to end breast cancer.

 

Today I heard some negativity surrounding Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which startled me and almost had me on my soapbox preaching for the need for continued research.  Perhaps these people have not ever known anyone affected by the devastating disease.  Surprising if so.

 

Remember:

 

* One in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer.  That number is getting better but that is still alarming.

* The incidence rates for breast cancer has decrease two percent in women over 50.  Let's continue research to increase this decrease further and work harder for younger women.
* Five percent of breast cancer diagnoses happen to women younger than 40.

It is still necessary.  Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.  I am going to proudly support my pink this month and always.  Think of the women (and men) in your life.  Do something so that you or your mothers, sisters, best friends or aunts do not become a statistic.

All of my breast cancer efforts are in honor of my wonderful grandmother, who did not die from the disease, but was a two-time survivor!  She is an inspiration to me and I will continue to fight so that those in my family do not.

Hope Always.

Using My Time and Talents

As if it isn't enough that I spend 40+ hours of my week surrounded by books at work or that I am constantly rearranging my bookshelves at home, I have spent the last year using my time and talents to reorganize the church library.  It has been a long process that came to a culmination last night at the Bethlehem Fallies, a slideshow presentation and fall festival.

I was charged last summer with the task of reorganizing the library by the evangelism committee.  And to be honest, it was a much bigger task than I ever expected.  Realizing that I wouldn't be able to do this by myself, I quickly put together a committee of faithful volunteers to help me with the project. I all of them I great deal of gratitude for assisting with this project.

Our first step was to get rid of books!  My favorite part actually!!  Together we spent an afternoon last fall weeding the collection.  We were able to get rid of an entire trunk full of books.  Now, I'm sure you can imagine the condition of the majority of these church library books - old, vintage looking, yellowing covers, etc., which to a young librarian like myself means TRASHED!

Then my volunteers and I organized the books into categories and did away with the old Dewey Decimal System.  Really?  Who wants to use that in the church library?  Then we labeled the books.  I made shelf strips and some small displays.  I also pulled together a donation list, which brings us to our debut of rave reviews last night at the Bethlehem Fallies.

I am blessed that I had the opportunity to assist the church in this often forgotten ministry but still needed none the less.  The church library often provides resources not found in the public library, those niche to the church, religion and their beliefs.  In addition, it is the archive for a very fundamental institution in the community. 

So my gift to Bethlehem, a church that has been the pillar of my faith journey, an organized library using my time and talents.

And here my friends...the final pictures of what I have been doing the last year.

On a side note, I found some real gems while cleaning the library this weekend.  Pictures of my sisters and best friends over the years at camp, church picnics and other youth group activities.  Priceless.

Go be a light in the world.

Twelve years ago I had the opportunity to attend the Southwestern Pennsylvania Lutheran Synod Assembly as part of the Youth Convo.  It was an amazing experience.  I learned about how the church worked, served at worship, paged during business sessions, met new friends, grew in faith and of course had lots of fun.  The weekend had such an impact on my life for three years that I wrote about it for my college application essays.

Then it became a memory...

...until last year.

Eleven years after I attended my first Youth Convo, I returned as one of the leaders. It was a new experience but just as special as being a participant.  On Wednesday I left for my second year as a Youth Convo leader.  Last year was at Cal U and this year back at Thiel.  Being back at Thiel, brought back so many memories of my time at Youth Convo.

It was during this time that I truly realized the importance of faith in my life and my role as a member of the Lutheran church and my home congregation, as well.  I met other young people, who became dear friends and one my boyfriend.  I prayed; sang; played a lot of truth or dare and four square; learned about the church; and came to the conclusion that I would never attend college at Thiel!

(Twelve years later and we were still laughing as hard at lunch as we were when we were teens.)

As one of the leaders, I could not have been more proud of the 20 young adults who represented their churches at Youth Convo this year.  And for the first time, they were able to attend as voting members!  It wonderful to see a new generation so interested in the internal workings of the Lutheran church.  It was a privilege to watch them learn and grow in their faith.  They were an inspiration.

I would be lost without my volunteers.

Sometimes, I forget to say thank you but I am blessed with a dedicated team of volunteers at the library who help with programs.  I say I need help...they sign-up; never asking what they will be doing.

Yesterday was no exception at the summer reading kick-off.  The board, staff and teens graciously stepped up to assist with the event.  It would have been impossible without them.

They made cookies.  They registered participants.  They montiored program sign-ups.  They painted faces.  They served pizza.  They watched the moon bounce.  And they dressed up as a character.

With no complaints!

It's not just last night either.  Those same volunteers help me periodically throughout the year and the teens volunteer all year.  Libraries would not function without volunteers.  We are so lucky.

Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer. 

~Author Unknown