I know you are probably wondering what these "soldiers" are doing here...
And what do they have to do with my big brother Scott and this bag of Dove candy that he just got as a birthday gift?
Well, Scott makes these "Ninja Warriors" out of those Dove candy wrappers. These are just a few of the many things he has created from the candy wrappers...and that is why people give him bags of Dove candy for every special occasion, like birthdays, Easter, and Christmas...
Aren't they really cool? He fashions these all by hand, using aluminum foil for a body base, and then covers them with the candy wrappers.
He started creating these "Warriors" when our other brother Matthew passed away after a four year battle with cancer. Scott wanted to do something special as a kind of "therapy" to deal with the grief of losing his older brother, but also as a positive way to symbolize warriors to fight this deadly enemy.
He actually, at the time, attempted to contact the candy maker to see if they would sponsor a way to manufacture these for charity to raise awareness and funds for fighting the type of cancer that Matthew had, Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor, or DSRCT, but there was no interest from them at the time.
So Scott just continued to make all kinds of other special "gifts" for friends and family... a cheerleader,
A weight lifter,
A golfer and a hockey player for someone who loves watching hockey,
And many other gifts and unique creations to make people smile...
And so today we celebrated Scott's birthday again, this time with the rest of our immediate family who live nearby, my big brother Benton and his wife Rose, (who I call "Auntie Rose"), and also her sister "Sherrie", (who I call "Auntie Sherrie").
So of course he had to blow out the candles again:
And I got to wear a special birthday hat for the party, (because no one else would wear it!)
And since Scott wouldn't wear the birthday hat, he had to wear "Me with the Hat" on his head!
Ha ha! I guess we got him!!
But he's a good sport...
And then we had cake again!! Here I am with MY piece of cake and ice-cream:
Daddy was helping me eat it:
"Auntie Rose" and Benton are back home from their vacation, and they were also enjoying the cake and the party...
Looky! I ate up all my piece of birthday cake and ice-cream!!!
It was a very good party!
Oh, and just in case you think I don't always eat right, here is what I had for breakfast today:
Yogurt with granola and fresh strawberries and blueberries, and some more of Mommie's home made Apple Bran Muffins and a banana!!! So there! That should make me very healthy, don't you think?
It sure was good!
Mommie said that Birthday parties and gifts are always nice and fun. But she said there are also other kinds of gifts that are very special, like the "gift" that my brother Scotty has for creating things.
His talent is very unique, and he uses it to bless other people and bring a smile to their faces.
You don't have to spend a lot of money on things to make people happy.
Mommie also said that you don't have to do outstanding or remarkable things to please God.
Take whatever you have and offer it up to God as an offering of thanksgiving.
Ephesians 5:1-2
"1. Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
2. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma."
Hebrews 13:16
"16. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."
So what I learned from this today was we should use whatever talents we have to please God and to please our families and friends in special ways. It doesn't have to be something that we spend lots of money on to make people happy. Sometimes just being ourselves, and being kind and good and joyful is a way to bless others, and that is also pleasing to God.
I hope that this little post today has brought a smile to your face! Until next time,
Be happy and Be joyful!!
Love,
Lily Grace
Miss Lily Grace, this post did, indeed, bring a smile to my face! I adore big brother, Scott's, amazing creations. He is one talented man, and his gift is being used for God's glory when he makes special statues for other. Isn't it marvelous how God gives us all unique gifts? You know what I think one of yours is? Spreading joy and a childlike presence whenever you post for us. These always lift my spirits and remind me that I am God's precious child, just as you are.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Oh, Thank you, Miss Martha Jane! I am always so happy when you visit! I think you have a special understanding for little girls like me, and that makes me feel really joyful inside! I hope you are having a good time visiting your Mother...did you get to go there yet? I've been praying for you to be able to do that...and then next time I hope you will get to see your sweet little granddaughters too! Please give them big hugs from me when you do, and your mother too! I bet she's just as sweet as you!! My Mommie said that she KNOWS you are very much "God's precious child" too. Bye bye for now. Love, Lily Grace xoxoxox
DeleteGoodness, methinks you've won the Family Lottery, Lily Grace! And these blog posts are your very special gift to us! Yes, I'm sitting here with a big smile on my face.
ReplyDeleteNow, your Birthday Brother! I'm so taken with his artistic gifts. Those folks at the candy company need their heads examined, don't-cha think? I'm curious if Scott has his own web-site to feature these warriors ...wouldn't it be lovely if they went viral? I'm thinking of all the brave little ones at St. Jude's (etc.) who'd love to have a warrior of their very own. 'Jus saying; I'm really a fan! Thank you for sharing your space with Scott today.
Sweet dreams little one. I look forward to reading more of your adventures!
Thank you Miss Myra! I shared your comments with my brother Scotty and he wanted to thank you for your kind words and good ideas! We especially liked the idea about the children at St. Jude's having their own 'warrior'. He said that the only thing is these are kind of "fragile" since they are made from foil and candy wrappers. Maybe a "virtual" warrior, or a picture on a card or something might be nice. But he said it would take lots of helpers someplace to make that happen. I said maybe God could help. We should pray about that, don't-cha think? Maybe you and I should pray and who knows what might happen? Anyway, thank you for your positive encouragement. It meant a lot to all of us. God bless you Miss Myra. Love, Lily Grace xoxoxoxo
DeleteWhat a fun and love-filled post from you, Lily Grace! Birthdays are made to celebrate and you all celebrated your brother quite well! He is very talented! I loved seeing his sculptures! Have a blessed Sunday, little one! xo
ReplyDeleteOh Thank You, Miss Terri! I am so happy you popped in for a visit! We are always glad when you come to see us! I hope that you had a good weekend and that your Sunday today will be very special. Mommmie and Daddy and I are still praying for you every day...and now we pray for Miss Helen too, 'cause we know she is having to get used to a new place to live and that is hard when you are in your 90's, Mommie says, although she isn't in HER 90's yet, but she says it is hard even when you are younger so she knows it would be a lot harder the older we get. So we pray for Miss Helen and YOU. Love, Lily Grace xoxoxoxo
DeleteLily Grace: I like reading about Scott's making those figures for people. I'm sure that touches their hearts. Yes, your mommie is right, that is a gift that God gave Scott when he needed help to work through his grief. Peace and blessings to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteThank you Miss Quiet Spirit! Mommie said to thank you for your thoughtful "insight" regarding my brother Scott's "gift". She said you are absolutely correct, and that she thanks the Lord for giving this "gift" to my brother. It is something that he continues to use today in different ways...sometimes with the candy wrappers, and sometimes working with copper wire to create interesting things like angels and motorcycles and special things to put on necklaces. He is very creative. Mommie said that such gifts do come from God, and she prays he will always use it for good and to encourage other people. I hope you are having a good week. Thank you for visiting me! Bye bye for now. Love, Lily Grace
DeleteThose little candy wrapper sculptures are simply amazing. Scott is one talented guy!!! Does he have interest in art or building things? Tell him Happy Birthday from Blogland for us.
ReplyDeleteThank you Miss Sandy! Yes, Scott is very talented and likes to create lots of different things with candy wrappers, copper wire, and even paper straw wrappers. He mostly just does it for fun and to share little gifts with people. It would have been nice to have found an outlet for the Ninja Warriors, but he prefers to do them more for a creative outlet rather than for business. He thanks you for the birthday wishes! Love, Lily Grace xoxoxo Tell Tucker hi for me!
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