Author: Kelly Owens

Fundraiser is a huge success! My heart is so full!

Posted on March 4, 2017 by - Uncategorized

My heart is literally bursting with gratitude! Tears flowing with thankfulness! I cannot begin to explain the emotions I am experiencing – but I am going to try.

Back story: In conjuction with my onsite volunteering at Ronald McDonald House I coordinated a “families helping families, wish list fundraiser”. This charity is so important to me because of the connection it has with Robby Rosmann and his family. Remember his name, it is important later in the story. Robby was only 10 when he lost his battle with non hodkins lymphoma. His family was provided services thru RMHC during his stay at Children’s Hospital. I am volunteering and coordinated this fundraiser in his memory.

SUCCESS! Last night I drove into Kenosha from my apartment in Mayville to pick up the donation boxes that had been collected through the Mahone Middle School Generosity Club. What a fitting name. Generous doesn’t even begin to describe what transpired through their efforts! Thru the commitment of their teacher and club advisor, the school faculty, the parents and the students, they filled 25+ boxes and raised $105 in cash donations! When I showed up yesterday in my 4 door sedan, it became immediately obvious that they weren’t all going to fit (brilliant conclusion right?) Invoke plan B.

The local rental company had no vans or trucks available for today so Marsha Rosmann and her husband Bob (YES Robby’s parents) loaned me their van to make the trip.
So, this morning I picked up the van and returned to Mahone. The students once again helped me stuff the van, stacking boxes 2-3 levels high in places, leaving just enough room for my co-pilot, my dog lacie. I drove up to Milwaukee and thankfully had called ahead so they knew to have volunteers ready to help unload.

As I drove up to the facility, I was overcome with emotion; I could feel Robby’s presence with me. How fitting that I was in his parent’s van, delivery hundreds of items in his memory, bringing it all full circle. I’m glad the rental service had no options, I think it was meant to be, I’m glad he was with me!

The story does not stop there. Tonight, I met with the grandma of one of the students (Jaelyn) and received 2 additional boxes! This 6th grader wanted to do something more. She and her grandma Kathy got permission to put collection boxes at the senior housing complex where Kathy lives. I admit, I panicked after seeing the 25+ so boxes at the school and although I wasn’t scheduled to pick up the senior boxes til next week, I picked up what they had tonight and will return as scheduled next Saturday for any additional donations.

Thank you Brenda for being so committed to the success. Thank you Mahone Middle School for your true generosity. Thank you Bob and Marshafor allowing me to share your story and for sharing Robby with me! He has had such an impact in my life and continues to touch others through his legacy!

Record high temps, sore muscles and lots of food!

Posted on March 1, 2017 by - Uncategorized

My 2nd week of sabbatical was blessed with very unseasonal temperatures, 60⁰, nearly 70 in February in Wisconsin? I’ll take it – thank you God! My fitbit activity has been off the charts – longs walks, lots of activity!  This week however, winter returned.  I’ve been reflecting on my sabbatical goals.  I’m doing very well in the area of family, friends, and charity, however the others still need work.  I have volunteered a total of 25 hours so far with the RMH, not taking into account the 45 minute commute each time.  Last week I met several new families that were just checking in, all with their own stories.  Some of them feel a need to share while others are more private (which is always respected).  WOW the stories, the strength, the gratitude!  I am constantly being reminded of the great service that RMH provides and blessed by the simple fact that these families NEED us and I am there answering the call.  Whether it is stripping beds, making beds, folding laundry, giving tours, stocking kitchens, or a myriad of other mundane tasks, it makes it possible for these families to be together and concentrate on their own wellbeing.  My onsite sabbatical work at the RMH comes to a close after my shift on Monday 3/6, believe me, my muscles and knee are going to thank me! 😊  I hope to continue my work with them for 5-6 hours a month going forward.

I have had so much fun reconnecting with friends and family.  Seeing friends that I haven’t seen in years, enjoying meals out, making a meal in with my sister, making and sharing meals with my neighbors, reconnecting and talking with friends for hours at a time; doing some of the simplest things yet building memories along the way.  I am so blessed to have so many amazing people in my life and a few returning to my life!

The remainder of this week will still be hectic but starting next week I hope to catchup on my sleep (hit that coveted 8 hrs), continue to reconnect and connect with friends and family, catchup on my reading and enjoy this time at a more relaxed pace.

I am so blessed by this sabbatical and the opportunities it has provided.  It has certainly reiterated that I am happiest when I am with family and friends, my purpose in life is helping others and when I do, my life feels complete and I feel true contentment and satisfaction. I am so grateful and look forward to the next 14 days (but who’s counting?).

What a great 1st week!

Posted on February 22, 2017 by - Uncategorized

And I was worried about not being busy! Whew – having this much fun is exhausting! On Saturday, I started the week by attending movie night at my son’s and daughter in law’s house. They invite friends and family over for a themed day/night of fellowship over movies. It was “musicals” this month, one of my favorites. On Sunday, I had a great mother/daughter day, we painted pottery, had lunch and spent hours just talking (no better feeling than that). On Monday, I attended my volunteer training at Ronald McDonald House (I encourage you all to visit their website http://rmhcmilwaukee.org/ to learn more about this amazing organization, better yet visit your closest RMH and get involved (there are 359 domestic sites). Wednesday was my first day of actual physical work at the RMH, and oh man is it physical work!  I came home exhausted lol, but returned to do it all over again on Thursday. I chose RMH in memory of my lifelong friend’s son who lost his battle with cancer at age 10 back in 1994. Their family was very grateful for the availability of such a wonderful place that allowed them to be near one another and yet also close to their son’s hospital. I stayed there with their daughter while she was going through pre-bone marrow donor procedures. When I first entered the building, even this many years later, it brought back a flood of emotions. Like the book I am reading, these families are enduring so much and yet they are filled with hope, faith and optimism. Very humbling place to be. Thursday after working at RMH I drove back to Mayville so that on Friday I could prepare for a visit from my sister (by prepare I mean clean and do laundry). It was a sunny day so very motivating. On Saturday, she came to town and we had a wonderful day/night filled with a lot of sisterly bonding, starting with lunch at a small local place (the owner is legally blind) but operates this store, albeit with help, like a well-oiled machine. Very inspiring. Sunday I returned to Kenosha to start week 2!  This is a very applicable bible passage to summarize the folks I interacted with this week. Psalm 31:24
“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord”.

Let the journey begin!

Posted on February 14, 2017 by - Uncategorized

And so it begins!  I enter into my sabbatical with a variety of emotions; excitement, nervousness, faithfulness and gratitude, just to name a few.  I am incredibly nervous about what I WON’T be doing!  How do you break away from a typical nonstop routine?  I am hopeful that I can learn to focus on my own needs (body, mind and spirit).  I am looking forward to spending time with friends and family, volunteering at Ronald McDonald House and learning to relax.  Like most of you, I have spent most of my life focusing on the well being of others both personally and professionally.  I am prayerful that this next 30 days of focusing namely on my own self will bring back a spring to my step and clarity to my personal life. My goals for my sabbatical are listed below.  I ask for your prayers and support as I enter this amazing journey.

  • Renewing my commitment to my faith
  • Continue to work on mending a few relationships, reconnecting with a few friends and family. Righting a few wrongs.
  • Complete my 30 day devotional “A 30 day walk with God in the Psalms” by Nancy Leigh De Moss
  • Quiet my mind at night and prayerfully sleep, sleep and sleep. A Good night’s sleep eludes me most nights so this will be a challenge!
  • Rejuvenate and Refresh! Because I invest myself wholly and completely in our work, meeting with several families a day, creating the emotions and talking about death every day tends to get ME emotional.  I am looking forward to hitting a reset button and having a bit of a break.
  • Eat healthy, cook for myself, take longer walks, and visit the lakefront and local parks. There I can spend time in quiet reflection and break out my camera to capture God’s beauty.
  • Read “Always Looking Up (Biography of Michael J Fox) – The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist”. I have always been a fan of MJF, but this book is truly inspiring.