And the winners are...

Autographed "I Wish You Enough" gift package: Ann Marie Mehem
Night at the Holiday Inn Express/ Hummelstown: Susan Dwyer
"For Every Home" $50 credit: Grace Lalonde
Royer's Flowers of Hershey $20 credit: Agnes Maroney
Autographed copy of "The Indwelling: The Beast Takes Posssession": Judy Lasiewicki

Local Prizes:

Lunch at the Chatterbox Cafe/ Razzles Ice Cream: Libby Ogden, Lisa Rodden
King Kone gift card: Ellah, Trey & Ocean Ogden

Thank you so much to all who participated!

Dedicated to YOU

Mercy

Thunder seized my world,
I prayed against the storm,
Dark clouds marred a blue sky,
Winds chilled my heart to mourn.

I begged the Lord for mercy,
With rain my spirits fell,
A flood of sorrow claimed me,
As lightning struck my will.

But from the muddy waters,
Where I sank down on my knees,
The miracle of Son Rise,
Preserved my soul in peace.

Though sheltered by His love,
Our lives may still get wet,
A fire warms within His place,
Salvation has been set.

PRIZE LIST

COOL PRIZES COULD BE YOURS!! Really.

Enter to win!! All those who make a donation to The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund through this Poetry and Motion fundraiser will be entered in the prize raffle!

Donations may be made here: www.lybl2010walk.com/ruthhansen

or here: Ruth Hansen
405 North Hanover Street
Hershey, PA 17033

Questions? ruththomashansen@aim.com
or (717) 982-3579

Here's what you can win...

* Autographed by author, Bob Perks, "I WISH YOU ENOUGH" book package

* A night at the Holiday Inn Express of Hummelstown

* $50 credit for For Every Home- soy candles, cubes & more

* $20 gift credit for Royers Flowers of Hershey

* Autographed copy of Left Behind Book #7, "The Indwelling: The Beast Takes Possession"

***************************LOCAL PRIZES**********************

* Lunch at the Chatterbox Cafe/ each $15 gift certificate also good for Razzles Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor

* $10 gift card for King Kone Creamery

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!! GOOD LUCK!!

Christian Thriller!

Win an original hardcover copy of Left Behind book # 7, The Indwelling: The Beast Takes Possession!!

This book is autographed by authors, Tim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins.


To enter to win, please make any donation to our Poetry and Motion fundraiser for The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Donations may be made online through www.lybl2010walk.com/ruthhansen


or feel free to contact me:


email: ruththomashansen@aim.com


post: Ruth Hansen
405 North Hanover Street
Hershey, PA 17033


phone: (717) 982-3579

Thank You & Good Luck!!

Toddler Vision

Why does your face look like that?
I'm only having fun.
Now that I'm a big kid,
I'll show you how it's done.

We can go exploring,
This world is pretty cool.
There's lots of holes to stick things in,
And places we can drool.

Let's spin around in circles,
And run, and climb, and cheer!
Let's make noise, as loud as we can,
So everyone can hear.

Follow me, I'll teach you,
How to put away your toys.
Scattering is important,
We have to see each choice.

If you need to read a story,
Make room on your lap,
And maybe, if you're a good girl,
I'll let you take a nap.

Say it with flowers...

Win a $20 gift credit for Royer's Flowers of Hershey!

Raffle will be drawn next Friday, April 23.

To enter, please make a donation to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund through this website: www.lybl2010walk.com/ruthhansen or through Ruth.

Questions may be commented on this blog or emailed to ruththomashansen@aim.com.


Thanks &
Good Luck!

More Local Prizes!!

There's always room for ice cream...Win a $10 gift card for King Kone Creamery!

Contest winners will be selected next Friday, April 23.

To enter, please make a donation to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund through this website www.lybl2010walk.com/ruthhansen or through me (Ruth Hansen).

Question may be commented on this blog or emailed to ruththomashansen@aim.com.

Thanks &
Good Luck!

Precious

A fist full of dandelions,
In your favorite vase,
Kisses rich with cookie crumbs,
Planted on your face.

Warm sudsy splash times,
That always make you laugh,
Timeouts just to cuddle,
And make your soul relax.

Many priceless treasures,
That grow but never cease,
The blessings of a mother's days,
May yours forever be.

Today's Prize Announcement!!

Soy Candles, Cubes & more! Donated by Home Consultant, Libby Ogden. Winner receives $50 credit to spend on For Every Home merchandise. Great variety of scents and gift ideas!
Check out her website www.foreveryhome.net/libby


For contest information, please see post "So there's this contest..."

SHINE

A light above the water,
Current splashing at its base,
Strikes against the darkness,
Shining guidance in its grace.

Salty winds do not extinguish,
The radiance bestowed,
Nor does time allow a dim,
Or weakness to its glow.

Mom, you are my beacon,
My tower in the night,
You guide me through the waters,
You are my house of light.

Local Prizes!!

Lunch at the Chatter Box Cafe! Two winners will each receive a $15 gift certificate good for Roxy's Chatter Box Cafe (Certificates also good for Razzles Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor.)

Located on W. Main Street in Hummelstown, the Chatter Box has a variety of delicious soups, sandwiches and salads. Dine in and enjoy the nostalgia, or order to go.
For more information go to www.roxyschatterbox.com.

Yum!
Good luck!

Poems

I couldn't write a grandmother poem without thinking of my own Gramas. Below this poem I added something personal in their honor. I can only hope I did them justice. To all of those who shared/ knew them, I hope we share a smile as we remember.

GRANDMA

Grandma, I've seen pictures,

Of you in younger days,

Your hair a different color,

You dressed a different way.

I hear you speak of days gone by,

With a smile on your face,

Times I've seen through your eyes,

Could never be replaced.

But, if I may say, I like the gray,

You earned the look I know,

A testament of love well spread,

And the family you help grow.

*******************************************************************************

GRANDMA THOMAS

"Come and see me anytime,"

Gram would always say,

She'd fill our arms with homebaked goods,

And send us on our way.

"Be sure to bring my dishes back,"

She'd add as if to tease,

But we knew better than to forget,

'Cause she had a lot to feed.

A spunky little lady,

Devout wife and mother,

Grandparenting like a rich dessert,

Yet, always room to treat another.

She filled more than our bellies,

Shared beyond the recipes,

Love, laugh, life -with just enough spice,

Feast well, sweet memory.

I love you, Grama!

***************************************************************************

GRANDMA HUGHES

To say she smelled of Jean Nate,

Would be fair just to start,

But the air surrounding Grandma,

Came more from her heart.

Tender, yet protective,

Her life shared warmth and grace,

Blessings that still carry through,

The families she helped raise.

Checker games and gumdrops,

And safe walks past her dog,

Adventures on a city bus,

And peeks in her "tooth garage".

Small memories forever linger,

And with her love remain,

Seeds of our lives' flourishing,

And comforts of the same.

Love ya, Grama!

*********************************************************************************

Mom

For every time I needed you,

And you were there for me,

For all the little things you do,

You think I never see.

For every boo boo that you kissed,

And the comfort of your touch,

For seeing things that others missed,

And knowing when to watch.

Though simple words don't seem enough,

So much from you I've learned,

Thank you, Mom, for all your love,

A gift happily returned.

*********************************************************************************

SMILE

You smile just because I'm happy

And weep if I am sad,

You worry for me, just a bit too much,

Even when I make you mad.

You stand by me when I am right,

And guide me when I'm wrong,

Your words alone can lift me,

Your faith helps make me strong.

I love you, and I thank you,

For your precious care,

Your heart forever giving,

The beauty that you share.

Prize Announcement!!

Holiday Inn Express of Hershey has donated a One Night Stay! Located at 610 Walton Avenue, Hershey, PA, the Holiday Inn Express is just minutes from Hershey Park, the Hershey Medical Center, and tons of Harrisburg/ Hershey attractions (including our house ;) Winner may enjoy the hotel's indoor heated pool, on site fitness center, complimentary hot breakfast & more! Heck, maybe I'll even come over with a plate of cookies.

Good luck!

Please see contest post for information on how to enter.
************************************************************************************

Our first prize was donated by Bob Perks, the author of "I Wish You Enough!"

Winner receives a collection of items related to his new book. This includes a signed copy of the book, "I Wish You Enough!" Mug, T-shirt (white-extra large) and "I Wish You Enough!" tote bag. $44.00 value

Bob is a wonderful inspirational writer and speaker! To learn more about him, visit http://www.bobperks.com/

Thanks Bob!

Please see contest post for information on how to enter.

For Mom

This first poem is dedicated to my beautiful mother. I wrote it for her last summer when she was so sick. I am happy to report that she is doing quite well these days. Halleluiah!

Walk Together

Mommy, will you hold my hand?

This road is hard to cross.

Squeeze my fingers gently,

Remind me we're not lost.

You stood with me on countless curbs,

My steps safe in your care,

And when I started on my own,

Your touch was always there.

We can walk together still,

On your strength I stand,

Now let me be there for you,

Mommy, hold my hand.

So, there's this contest...

Hello friends!

Off to a great start. It's so much easier not to be shy online. I've handed my meak voice over to my crazy computer fingers and am ready to take some action.

On Mother's Day, May 9th, I'm going for a little walk with a very special lady. My mother and I are going to New York City to participate in Oprah Winfrey's Live Your Best Life Walk. As part of this participation, we are hosting a fundraiser to benefit the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

Everyone who makes a donation through our Poetry and Motion fundraiser may choose a homemade Mother's Day poem card as a thank you gift. In addition to the cards, donors will be entered in a raffle for cool prizes.

To enter:

1) Please go to www.lybl2010walk.com/ruthhansen and make a donation of any size. (Mail or in person is just as swell.)

2) Let me know which poem you would like and where to send it. Email is a great way to avoid the hug you'll probably get if you tell me in person. (Though I kind of like that part.)

ruththomashansen@aim.com I will send a confirmation email so you know I didn't drift off.

3) Some prizes are local, so there will be two drawings. If you are outside of the Hershey area, please remind me to put your name on the "Yeah, you should probably mail my prize," list.

Poems will be posted through Friday, April 16th. The first one to immediately follow in the next post.

Prizes are still in the works!!

Each will be individually showcased beginning Monday, April 12th. Winners will be chosen on or around April 23.

Thanks & Good Luck!

Ruthy

First Blog Post/ "Damn It!"

It's one of the dirtiest words I know. It's never funny or bold. It doesn't accidentally slip out when a person stubs a toe or when flashing red lights appear in the rearview mirror. I haven't heard it said by anyone just because he's angry or he thinks it's cool. Even slang speak won't go there. "Cancer" is a word nobody wants to say. It's a word nobody wants to hear.

Yet, we do.

Though I have been fortunate with my own health thus far, the obscenity of its presence is no stranger to my family.

Please excuse the use of foul language as I babystep into the world of public writing. There's a reason I'm toddling in on my weakest foot- I'm standing on my "cans".

I am blessed that I can look across the dinner table and see my husband. I can pick up the phone and call his mother, my father or my mother. I can read beautiful testimonies made by people I don't even know and be inspired. I can also remember those I love, those who have suffered, and know their days of pain are over.

The tears I've shed did not drown me, nor will they ever dry. Fate's gifts help me float, and I know I am far from alone. Drifting in a sea of trust, we rely on the flow of mercy that God promises.

When caught in the raging current, cling to the twigs of strength that bond us together- hope, love, faith. Take comfort in knowing mercy is coming. Twig by twig, cancer be damned.

Thanks for reading! Please check back tomorrow for details in the Poetry and Motion contest.

Peace to you,

Ruthy