#25 Volunteer in the Community - Done

I volunteered last night with 10 other people from my work at The Grand Rapids Home for Vets. We administered Bingo night for the vets. My job was to walk around and talk to people and verify their bingo's if they called them and then pay the winners. It was fun and I like carrying around a big wad of cash ;)

I had never been to a Veteran's Home before and I was told this particular one houses around 700 people. It was a bit overwhelming to see all these people who have served our country; with mental and physical conditions varying greatly among the group. I have always gotten teary-eyed when I hear the National Anthem or see soldiers...but have become more so since I've gotten to the age that people I know are serving abroad and I have seen the sacrifices they and their families make daily. One older man in a wheelchair and many visible physical ailments asked me what my husband's job was and when I told him he was a security officer, he grabbed my hand and said "I'll pray for him." I was taken aback, as I had just been thinking to myself "I'll pray for this man". When we were leaving after bingo was over, at least half of the veterans in attendance thanked us all individually for coming...and I felt ashamed. THEY are the ones who deserve gratitude, not me in the slightest. This is the giant flag in front of the GR Veteran's Home - pretty darn impressive.
So, here's to knocking one thing of my list officially...even though I'll keep finding places to volunteer throughout the next year. My life is amazing and I'm so blessed; I want to share my blessings with others.

26 Things I Want to do in my 26th Year!

My friend Laura has been doing this for a long time and I thought it was a great idea so I'm copying it! Here are 26 things I want to do in my 26th year!

1. Go parasailing
2. Run a 5k
3. Visit a winery
4. Take a trip with Travis
5. Go on a girls’ trip
6. Be in a friend’s wedding
7. Visit a new zoo
8. Go camping
9. Visit Burnett’s Camp
10. Take Maverick to dog training classes
11. Cut credit card debt in half
12. Find a new church
13. Take both sets of parents to Frederik Meijer Gardens
14. Finalize design for our wedding album
15. Get a promotion
16. Read a Jane Austen book
17. Visit brother in Kentucky
18. Visit brother on Mackinac Island
19. Babysit Jon & Laura’s baby boy
20. Go on a kayaking trip
21. Raise money for ALS Association
22. Sew a piece of clothing for myself
23. Take a self-defense class
24. Get a massage
25. Volunteer in the community
26. Attend a Michigan State sporting event

Here's to making this the best year of my life!