Ronald McDonlad House Charities of the Carolinas : 30 Years!!!

Last night, I was winding down to fall asleep and was scrolling through my feed. A post caught my eyes from our awesome Kindermusik of Greenville teacher, Rosalind Cross, regarding a play date at the Ronald McDonald House in Greenville as they celebrate 30 years and a new wing recently built. She would be giving a free Kindermusik class and there would be cookies involved! My heart started pumping fast; I was so excited!

First- do you know what this charity is? Let me give you a brief understanding. Ronald McDonald House Charities are all over the world. In particular, I am speaking on two of them in this blog. Today we visited the one in Greenville near Greenville Memorial Hospital. This charity provides a temporary home for families whose Children are in need of long term medical attention. The house is located right across from the hospital in walking distance. They help provide a comfortable solace and a bright light in a dark time. They essentially remove any and all other concerns from a parent's mind so the family can focus on the attention of their sick child. Ronald McDonald house provides 3 solid meals a day, snacks, housing, and entertainment for the families who stay, all at no cost to the families.

My family was fortunate enough and well blessed to stay in the Ronald McDonald House in Charleston when I was flown by Helicopter from Greenville to MUSC to undergo my first open heart surgery at days old. My family had enough on their minds with an older daughter and a newborn who they expected would die of multiple heart defects doctors were not sure what to do with. Having a warm family in the Ronald McDonald house who provided all the tangible means of living as well as emotional support was a lifesaver truly to my family. I am forever grateful to them and moved by them.

Pic: My mom has photos in album of their time at the Ronald McDonald House at MUSC; I do not have those in my possession, however; I have a photo of me in the MUSC playroom during my 3rd open heart surgery playing at a McDonald's station...thought this was still appropriate. :)

So today, I had the honor and blessing of being able to financially support this beautiful charity and show my daughter a fun time as well as teach her about being a cheerful giver as God calls us to be! The most important thing I will ever teach Ellie is not academics. The most important thing to equip my daughter with is the love of Christ. We give, not to receive, but to be a blessing to others. And just as the Ronald McDonald House gave to us, we give back to them in gratitude. Being there today and seeing my own child running through the halls and playing on the playground was wild. It made my eyes form tears as I thought....look how far I've come....that my own daughter could be here today to learn about this place and be so healthy and her mommy to be so healthy.....that I can actually stand here, alive, today, healthy and strong and give back....we are blessed by the hands of God. Who can you help today?

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

The Cheerful Giver

"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."