Ready to Sign Books

My Mom and I had a great time in Anaconda, MT on May 10, 2012.

MaryPat Clark and Amy Dodd, of Beyond Necessity Gifts, did a great job setting up their store with snacks and drinks, including hand dipped chocolate covered strawberries.

We did not expect such a wonderful turnout. It was a steady stream of customers from 3-6 pm.

What surprised me most was that my hand didn’t cramp up after signing almost 150 books.

This was my first official book signing event at a store. What a great way to give back to the people of Anaconda who supported me by helping me buy my first wheelchair when I was two years old.

It was sort of like a pay-it-forward kind of thing where we got to come back to my Mom’s roots and say “Thanks” by presenting my encouraging message so the people could see how their support has helped make me successful.

Two Anaconda Businesses put a notice on their marquee about the book signing. That was a nice surprise to see my name in lights on the rolling marquee at Dee Motor Company and Glacier Bank.

We will be back in Philipsburg for Flint Creek Valley Days so if you didn’t get your book signed at this event, I’ll sign it for you then.

Photo by James Rosien, Anaconda Leader

Take care and remember to Live C.L.E.A.R.

Gabe.

I wanted to teach about the most polite way to handle petting a service dog.

I think Ruth both did a fabulous job.

Check it out!

http://www.joniandfriends.org/kids-corner/be-a-better-friend/

Have a great day!

Gabe and Ruth

The age group was between kindergarten and high school and they asked some great questions. I’m sure there are other questions that didn’t get asked so please feel free to comment here and ask away. I love to answer questions.

Here is some information I found on their website:

Jubilee REACH

Bring Jesus’ Healing, Build Community, and·Transform Lives

REACH- Provide Resources, Education, Assistance, Community and Hospitality to youth and families on the margins.·

Our mission is to Love, Listen and Learn and step in the gaps for our neighbors in need. We seek to provide the tools for an environment of Hope for children and adults economically, academically and culturally stressed in the city of Bellevue.

The situation in the Bellevue:

• 52 languages are spoken in local schools
• 64% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch
• School children are struggling academically; 50% earning D’s and F’s
• Often working poor, single parents are unable to afford medical or dental care, before and after school care and live in poor, overcrowded conditions
• A large population of immigrant families, suffering from cultural isolation, alienation and the resulting loneliness

At Jubilee REACH we:

• Build relationships, earn trust, and then respond to the needs—all with love and hospitality
• Partner with more than 1,000 volunteers, local schools, the city, churches, foundations, businesses and individuals to step into the gap with community care and programs that are stepping stones into long term success.
• Offer a hand up, not a hand out

Jubilee REACH’s model is not to duplicate or replicate, but to integrate, advocate and collaborate with those who are already invested and working in the community. The programs at Jubilee REACH rely heavily on donor and volunteer support in collaboration with local schools, city government, churches and businesses. Heavily supported by volunteers, Jubilee REACH is able to operate through the gift of more than 4,000 hours of service a month by 1,000 faithful volunteers in 39 “need based” programs. All programs are offered at minimal or no cost to the participants.

I hope to go back and share with these students and faculty again.

Thanks Jubilee REACH School!

Gabe

It is difficult for Kobey to hold a pencil and write for long periods of time. He had to use one of the school computers in the library to write his essays for class assignments. But each time he’d get a different computer and was required to retrain the voice software. It was frustrating and prevented him from keeping up with his work.

When we learned of this issue we went to work to figure out the best solution for his needs.

With a Gabriel’s Foundation of HOPE grant, we purchased him an Hewlett-Packard Laptop and loaded it with the programs he needed to succeed including Dragon Naturally Speaking voice software.

Kobey was delighted and went right to work training his new laptop.

He reported to us recently that he has been able to write four times as many sentences with this new computer.We look forward to reading more of Kobey*s work and watching how your dollars donated have benefited another individual dealing with disability. Watch for more updates on our website as we track Kobey’s success.

If you know someone who needs our help, our grant applications are available here on our website.

Another great way that your donations met the needs of an individual living with a disability!

THANK YOU!

You did an excellent job at the assembly.

I hope you remember to live with a CLEAR goal of honoring the diverse group of students at your school

• COURAGE
• LEADERSHIP
• ENDURANCE
• ATTITUDE
• RESPECT

These skills will help you live a successful life.

Let me know how you are doing too!

Gabe

They asked some great questions and enjoyed time with Gabe and Ruth.

We handed out postcards for these families to be able to order Gabe’s book at a special DONATION price of $10.00

We will deliver the books to the school so please be sure to let us know you are with MACK!

When you want to order the book select the recommended $10 donation and we’ll save you a book at that DONATION price.

If you want it shipped, please choose the $15.00 donation price.

Thank you so much for your support.

Have a Blessed Christmas!

Gabriel’s Foundation of HOPE

For the kids who read this, remember to live with a CLEAR perspective. If you need help ask God to help you and he will come be right there with you. I wanted to tell my favorite bible verse which is Philippians 4:13. It says “I can do all through Christ who gives me strength.” Just remember that we can do anything through God as long as we ask him. He can give you the ability to be Courageous. He can help you become a great Leader. He can help you Endure through the hard times of life. He can help you have a positive Attitude towards life. He can help you Respect yourself and the people in your life.

Thanks again for having me come to speak! Be sure to write me if you have any questions.

As I woke up this morning I was ready to grab my bible and read some scripture. I went downstairs put some Hillsong music on and just sat for awhile. Then I opened my bible, not quite sure where to start so I opened to Proverbs and read the seventh chapter being that it is Nov 7th. That was something I always did was read the same numbered chapter of a book on that same date. After I read I sat on the floor and just began to talk to God about my future. It was weird being the only one in my house and talking out loud. My dogs probably thought I had gone crazy or something. It was great to just bask in the presence of God with no other distractions like the TV.

After I was done I looked at the clock and I had spent about an hour and a half spending time with God. I was all proud of myself. Then I asked myself what should I do next? All of the sudden I was at a lost of ideas because usually I would just go turn the TV on and all was fine. This time I couldn’t do that. So I sat for awhile just thinking of what I could do for the next several hours. I first decided to go for a long walk around Woodinville and continue my prayer time with God. I then looked out the window and what do you know…it was raining. I know a shocker for Seattle. I scratched that idea and said I will…what? Again I couldn’t think of what else there was for me to do. For awhile I just said around and wondered about different things. At times I let my imagination run wild like I was a little boy again.

Then my dad came home for lunch. He was actually surprised I didn’t have the TV on but then he was so proud! Seeing that made the rest of the day worth it for me. As we were talking he brought up a very interesting point that I hadn’t really thought about yet. He asked me if I thought it was interesting how much time I had on my hands now that I wasn’t watching TV. When he said that it hit me. Yes this fast is to help me get closer to God and for him to give some direction. I think it is also an eye opener to the fact that we have so much time on our hands every day but we just don’t realize it. I know I sure didn’t. I has been so easy for me to wake up, then go turn the TV on to ESPN and watch time just pass me by. That is not what God wants for us though. He wants us to relish the time that he has given us because the truth of the matter is we are not guaranteed tomorrow. We don’t know what tomorrow will be like so we need to delight in what we have today!  I am thankful God told me to do this because it has definitely opened my eyes to certain things. I hope that everyone will be able to see how precious time is and not take it for granted like I have.

I will be posting everyday (hopefully) so stay tuned for the days to come! Thanks for reading

Thank you to Ms. Meredith and Ms. Hurley for allowing me to speak to your students.

If there is one thing I hope you took from the assembly it would be from the “A” in my C.L.E.A.R message.

ATTITUDE

This time of year can sometimes be hard. I understand that.

How about having an attitude of gratitude?

I challenge you to go through Christmas and New Years with a thankful heart.

Be kind to one another.  A little love goes a long way.

Help your family out in this sometimes stressful season.  Maybe even help with the dishes or take out the trash.

I’m thankful for each one of you.

I’m glad I had the chance to meet you.

Let’s keep in touch.

Leave a comment on my blog or Facebook me.

Merry Christmas!

Gabe

Remember that you are created for a special purpose so please respect yourself in all of your choices. Don’t just do things because the other kids are doing them. Do what is good and right for you. One student asked me if I have ever given up on myself. My answer was NO. And I hope you never give up on yourself either. You are important and there is a plan for your life that is good. Don’t die to be accepted by doing what everyone else is doing to try to be popular. Live to make a difference. You are worth it! Have a fun Christmas break. Let”s keep in touch. Post a comment and I’ll respond.

With Courage, Leadership, Endurance, Attitude and Respect, have a successful life!

Gabe