It's RED DAY!!!

RED (Renew, Energize and Donate) Day is a new Keller Williams Realty service initiative dedicated to improving our local communities. We are asking all Keller Williams Realty associates in the US and Canada to donate their time on May 14, 2009 to renewing and energizing aspects of their local communities. Because of her constant commitment to the culture of our company, this day has been dedicated in honor of our Vice Chairman, Mo Anderson.

Our vision for this day is that all Keller Williams associates will actively engage in a coordinated effort to improve their local community. Activities may include rehabbing a house, cleaning up a local trail, providing food for the homeless, or any other service related activity needed in your community. This will be one of the single biggest events ever undertaken in the real estate industry, and could possibly inspire others in the real estate industry to start their own community service project.

Watch a video about RED Day!

Cultural Summit

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

GREAT news!!!

SALLY MORROW is the 2009 CULTURE ICON!

Exciting news! Our very own SALLY MORROW, has been chosen by the region to be the 2009 CULTURE ICON! Sally will be honored at the 2009 Culture Summit with the other regions and the KW International staff on Friday, May 1st, 2009 in Austin, TX.

Sally is on the Rockwall KW ALC board and is also the chairperson of the KW Cares committee and has done so much to help others in our office and in the community. You can read the many stories of culture in this blog with the individual family stories.

When I told Sally the news, she said it was a group effort by the wonderful people at our office. She is absolutely right but we couldn't have done it without her tremendous leadership!
A big thank you to Sally and the Rockwall KW agents! Thank you for your generous hearts! You guys ROCK!

Your Proud Team Leader,

Enjoy the video below with highlights of what our office has done in the last year.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

If you would like to know more about what Keller Williams is doing to help it's agents and the communities we live in, go to: http://www.kwcares.org/.

WHO ARE WE and What is CULTURE?

Missing you...

Today would have Steve's birthday...we miss you Steve!

Happy Hour Challenge

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Rockwall Cares Video

Amazing Story

I am always amazed to find that even in today's busy world, and in tough economic times, that people will stop and help someone in need. This story is about such a time.

I want to tell you about a very special man, Steve Warren. Steve has been a very special part of the Rockwall Keller Williams office since October 2005.

On Wednesday,July 16th, 2008, Steve and his wife were shocked to find that Steve had cancer including 3 significant ulcers as well as a growth on his lower esophagus, lymph system and cancer in the spine. A few days later, they found out that the cancer had metastasized to the spine, pelvis, ribs and femurs. Technically speaking, Steve had in-operable, Stage 4 cancer. Steve passed away Saturday, September 6th, a short 8 weeks after being diagnosed. Steve leaves behind his wife Sheri, and his two sons, Charlie (17) and Andy (12).

Words can't express the feeling of loss that we have at the Keller Williams office. Steve was a light in the office and was a perfect example of the KW Culture. He was full of energy and laughter. He had the best sense of humor and had a way of lifting every one's spirits even when he was in a lot of pain. He was a Christian man who gave much of his life to missions and sold real estate partly to provide funds for his missions trips.

When Steve was diagnosed, he wrote this letter on his blog to all of us. I want to share a portion that letter:

"The strongest desire that Sheri and I have had for quite a while, is for not only our lives, but the lives of the entire Church be totally God-centered. We know that a life that is totally centered on God is one that will be used to bring Him glory, and there is no greater purpose in life than to bring God glory. May His perfect will be done."


I cry as I write this because I am moved by his tremendous Faith. In a time when many people would be asking God, "Why me", Steve was trying to bring people closer to God. This is just one example of Steve's amazing character. This taught me a great lesson. I am a better person for having known Steve and his family.

When Steve was 10, he got ulcerative colitis, and he suffered with that until he was 30. Because of this "pre-existing" condition, Steve had been unable to get health insurance. The medical bills that the family accrued was significant.

The Rockwall agents through our Rockwall Cares committee quickly established a game plan to raise money for Sheri and the boys. In the meantime, one of our agents volunteered to work with Steve's real estate clients while we were fundraising. The agent worked for free and gave all Steve's commissions to the family. In addition, the Keller Williams owners took no company dollar so that Steve's family could get 100% of his commissions to help cover medical bills.

In addition, Over 50% of the KW agents volunteered to donate a portion of their closing commissions to Warren family. I was absolutely amazed and so proud to be partners with such giving people.

Over the next 3 months, the Rockwall KW office held fundraisers including a City Wide rummage sale and a Texas Hold'Em Tournament. The whole city chipped in and brought things for the rummage sale, even real estate agents from other companies. Every day our office was getting more and more full with donations. Every time another person came into the office to donate, I stood amazed and thanked the Lord.

The KW agents raised a total of $9,090 in a short amount of time through the fundraisers and donations from commission checks.

We also asked Sheri Warren with our assistance to apply for a KW Cares Grant and KW Cares Education Grant as Sheri decided to go back to school to complete her nursing degree to support the boys. What is KW Cares? KW Cares was the brainchild of Keller Williams agents who had a dream to reach out and support fellow KW associates facing financial hardship due to major emergencies and is run out of our International office in Austin, TX.

A few weeks ago I was told the awesome news that Steve Warren's family was approved for the KW Cares grant and was awarded $22,000!!! Sheri Warren was also awarded the first ever KW Cares Education Grant to cover her school!!!! KW Cares has already given Sheri the checks. I was absolutely elated to find this out. The neat thing was that the KW Cares staff was just as excited as I was. I have never worked for a company that had such influential leaders. I am proud to be a partner in such a generous and caring company. Wow!

Thank you to the all the KW agents in Rockwall and all around the country who gave of their time and money and to the Rockwall community for their amazing support!!! Sheri has expressed so much gratitude for all who helped. I pray the Lord is with Sheri and the boys as they continue to grieve. I know that God will supply all their needs according to His riches and glory, financially and emotionally for their faithfulness. This whole process has taught me so much and has blessed me beyond belief. God is good! We love you Steve and we will see you again.


With sincere gratitude,

"Life's most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”

~Martin Luther King, Jr.


Here are some pictures from the Rummage Sale...

Great Recipe for 2009

RECIPE FOR 2009. . .

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about what is going on in your life. Buy a lock if you have to.

3.When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to__________ today. I am thankful for______________'

4.Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

5.Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

6.Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7.Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

8.Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

9.Life isn't fair, but it's still good. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

10.Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

11.You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

12.Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

13.Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all
about.

14.No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

15.Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

16.Forgive everyone for everything.

17.What other people think of you is none of your business.

18.GOD heals everything - but you have to ask Him.

19.However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

20.Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!

21.Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

22.Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for__________. Today I accomplished_________.

23.Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

24.When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings. You'll be smiling before you know it.

KW Cares Emergency Contact Card

Click here to download a contact card that you may carry in your wallet with all the KW Cares contact information.

Rockwall County News

KW Cares come through again!

KW Cares would like to thank each and every associate who generously put their time and effort into helping those associates who were affected by Hurricanes Ike and Gustav. While the recovery process for the Gulf-States and Texas-South Regions is in place, many residents are just now recognizing the true impact that the hurricanes have had on their homes and businesses.

Currently, 185 Keller Williams family members have received assistance in the wake of the storms and KW Cares is working to provide support to more associates every day.

KW Cares would also like to recognize the phenomenal efforts of John Davis, regional director of Texas – North and New Mexico and Greater Heartland, for rallying his regions to donate more than $50,000 to associates facing financial hardship due to the hurricanes.

It is their generous donations that are helping many get through the difficult process of rebuilding their homes and businesses.

Rummage Sale Pictures

Here are some pictures from the Rummage Sale...

This came in the mail today...

Poker Tournament

Saturday's Rummage Sale Benefiting Steve Warren's Family.......

On behalf of the KW Cares (Rockwall Cares) Committee, we want to send out a huge thank you to everyone who helped make the garage sale this past Saturday a HUGE success!! It was awesome to see so many agents and family members pitching in to "make it happen"... So far we are at.... $4800!! ...and we still have money coming in!! Our goal for the garage sale is $5000... we are almost there!! We are hoping to have the total of all the fund raisers for Steve's family by this Friday!! So, now is the time to make your donation if you have not had a chance to yet!! Thank you again to everyone... what an honor to be a part of such a caring office!!! Together... we CAN make a Difference!!

-Sally Morrow and Teri Renfro

Home with Jesus

It is with great sadness that I tell you that Steve Warren passed away Saturday and has gone on to be with the Lord.
I am at a loss for words at this time so all I can say is that he will be greatly missed.

Please pray that God will provide peace and comfort to his family. I appreciate all of you who have prayed with me on his behalf.

Arrangements:

Monday from 6-8 will be the viewing at Rest Haven. 2500 State Hwy 66, Rockwall, TX

Memorial Service 10:00 Tuesday morning. Lake Pointe Church (main auditorium), 701 E. I30, Rockwall, TX
with the internment following at RestHaven.

Instead of flowers, you can make a donation to the Steve Warren Memorial Missions Fund c/o LakePointe Church (address above).

Amber

Update on Steve...

Thank you to all those who have prayed for Steve and his family. We are continuing to raise money for the family and donations are pouring in for the garage sale to benefit Steve and his family.

Steve's health has continued to deteriorate. I wanted to update you on what his family is saying. His wife wrote on their blog a few days ago,

" Yesterday, the hospice nurse told me that she thinks the end will come in about a week. That's her best guess based on the signs and condition she sees physically. Only the Lord knows the days He's ordained for Steve."

I'm still believing for a miracle. I can't stop thinking about how blessed I am to have a healthy family. I don't know what I would do in this painful situation. Thank you Lord for all that you have done for me and I owe You all the glory!

You can visit Steve's blog here: Please continue to pray and be in agreement with me for Steve and his family.

Amber