February “Gathering” set for Feb. 10 …

Hi Folks — I know I have been rather tardy in keeping up with news and headlines from “Heartfelt Smiles” land lately. Life and work do get involved and overly involved at that at times, too.

Anyway … Let me remind you that the February “Gathering” is set for Wednesday, Feb. 10, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center, located at 1220 N. Malinche, in Laredo. It should be a great “Gathering” as we’re going to focus on one specific emotional issue and start a conversation on that point. Of course, should someone need to share what they are going through emotionally right then and there … it’s a safe space to do so.

Other “HS” news: I’ll be heading up Saturday from Laredo on Interstate 35 to San Antonio for a visit to Wang Plastic Surgery, Dr. Peter T. H. Wang’s craniofacial clinic. I’m getting an opportunity to speak with their cleft palate team about “Heartfelt Smiles” and, hopefully, hold a “Gathering” soon in San Antonio. Growth into a major market … absolutely. It is just another step along the pathway to great, great things in 2010.

Drop a line my way with questions, thoughts and ideas. Spread the word. Share the love.

Grace and peace — Joe

Taking a moment out for Haiti …

While I devote this blog totally to Heartfelt Smiles (and I’ll have another entry about our latest “Gathering) … I want to devote a space here for Doctors Without Borders.

This organization is on the front lines all over the world.

Of course, our world came closer with the devastating earthquake in Haiti.

If you can, please consider a donation of any size to Doctors Without Borders. I am making a personal donation and would encourage you to do so, too. I fully support what Doctors Without Borders does. If you choose another organization to donate through, then that’s fine.

Now is a time for all of us to come together.

And, if you believe in it, say a prayer for the people of Haiti.

Thanks.

Grace and peace — Joe

“Gathering” set for Wednesday, Jan. 13 …

Hey Friends of Heartfelt Smiles …

Wow, time slipped away from me for a bit here so I’m posting this notice just to let you know that Heartfelt Smiles will hold a “Gathering” from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Wednesday,  Jan. 13, at the Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center, located at 1220 N. Malinche Ave. in Laredo.

Also, there will be a Cleft Palate Clinic taking place at the same time at the Cowl Center for parents who live in the Laredo/Webb County region. Bring your children and teenagers and have them checked out. Also, while you are there, please stop by and take part in our “Gathering.” It lasts an hour and, I believe, will provide a healing presence for all there.

Laredo’s local Univision station KLDO-TV interviewed me for a story on their Tuesday night newscast. Once it is on their Web site, I’ll post a link on here. Thanks to Pro8News, KGNS-TV, for promoting Heartfelt Smiles during its noon newscast this week.

I look forward to meeting more people on Wednesday. Let’s band together for a wonderful cause … healing, hope and nurturing a better way of living with cleft lip and/or cleft palate birth defects.

Grace and peace — Joe

2010: The Year of Heartfelt Smiles

Well it is 2010, a new year and Heartfelt Smiles continues to grow and gain interest throughout the universe.

Yes, I do believe this is true. What is starting to gain traction here in Laredo will replicate itself in metropolitan cities like New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, Miami, St. Louis and other cities, too. I am open to speaking with craniofacial teams across America and in foreign countries, too. After all, the larger vision of Heartfelt Smiles is to have a healing community in every major city around the globe.

I believe it can and will be done.

Now, onto current matters.

Our next “Gathering” is set for Wednesday, Jan. 13, from 10:30 -11:30 a.m. at the Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center, located at 1220 N. Malinche, in Laredo.

I put out a call to those in speech therapy, plastic surgery, orthodontics and healing ministries … let’s work together.

Heartfelt Smiles is recognized as a cleftAdvocate Pathfinder Partner Organization. cleftAdvocate is part of Ameriface, North America’s premier craniofacial and cleft organization.

I look forward to hearing from you in 2010.

Together … children and adults with cleft lip/cleft palate birth defects never have to live alone in shame, guilt, fear, isolation and loneliness anymore.

Grace and peace — Joe

Joe Rutland

Founder

Heartfelt Smiles

Phone: 512-968-4732

E-mail: rutland.joe@gmail.com

Updates and greetings …

Hello Friends of Heartfelt Smiles …

Our final “Gathering” for 2009 was held in December at the Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center in Laredo. A social worker from a local health care provider showed up, which is great as it will be a way for me to spread this message of healing and hope to other families in the Greater Laredo area.

As 2009 closes, Heartfelt Smiles has picked up steam in the latter part of this year. It’s been great … yet I believe 2010 will really be an awesome and awe-filled year.

The next “Gathering” will be held in January in Laredo. I’m looking forward to bringing HS to other cities across Texas, the United States and — eventually — other countries and continents.

So as I write this on Christmas Eve, I want to wish you and your families and friends a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

For those who have supported my mission and vision toward providing children and adults with cleft lip and/or cleft palate birth defects with a healing community … I most humbly thank you. It is your good energy, kind words, encouragement and hope that have helped me reach this point.

Now … the work continues.

Grace and peace — Joe

For more information about Heartfelt Smiles, contact Joe Rutland, founder, at 512-968-4732 or rutland.joe@gmail.com. Also, check back here at Heartfelt Smiles’ Web site, too.

TV coverage for Heartfelt Smiles …

Hey friends — I meant to add this wonderful bit of coverage for Heartfelt Smiles offered by KGNS-TV, Laredo’s NBC-TV affiliate, of the Kiwanis Club speech.

Here’s the link and many thanks to KGNS, Pro8News, for coming out.

http://www.pro8news.com/news/local/78836132.html

Grace and peace — Joe

‘Gathering’ all set for Tuesday, 12-15, in Laredo … and thanks to Kiwanis Club …

Hi there … Just a friendly reminder about Heartfelt Smiles’ “Gathering” set for 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at the Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center in Laredo, TX.

Hopefully, this daytime period will bring out additional people in Laredo and Webb County to hear about Heartfelt Smiles.

Also, I want to thank the noon Tuesday Kiwanis Club that meets at the Holiday Inn-Civic Center in Laredo for their availability last Tuesday. It was the first social gathering I’ve had an opportunity to speak at in regard to Heartfelt Smiles. I and HS’s message were well received.

HS also received some pub, too, in Laredo Morning Times’ “Salud” section last Sunday. “Salud” is a monthly health-related insert within the Sunday main newspaper. I’m grateful to Odie Arambula, longtime Kiwanian and former longtime Laredo Morning Times editor, for his willingness to write an article about Heartfelt Smiles. I’ll work on getting a copy of the article up on the Web site here.

So things are hopping along in Heartfelt Smiles’ world … thanks to you and many people.

I believe and know there are children and adults with cleft lip/cleft palate birth defects that have worked through life and trudged along with a lot of emotional baggage. Well, come home and drop that baggage off. That’s just one aspect of Heartfelt Smiles.

I look forward to hearing from you. Drop a note on the Web site here.

I’ll put my contact information after my sign-off.

As always, keep smilin’.

Grace and peace — Joe

Joe Rutland

Founder

Heartfelt Smiles

512-968-4732

rutland.joe@gmail.com

www.heartfeltsmiles.wordpress.com

Kiwanis Club speech in Laredo on Tuesday, 12/8 …

Hi folks … Just wanted to alert you all that I’ve been given a wonderful opportunity to speak publicly about “Heartfelt Smiles” at noon Tuesday, Feb. 8, at the Kiwanis Club meeting.

It will be held at the Holiday Inn-Civic Center in Laredo, TX. I look forward to sharing Heartfelt Smiles’ mission and vision with these business and community leaders.

Also, our next “Gathering” is set for 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, at the Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center in Laredo.

I want other cleft palate/cleft lip and craniofacial associations to know that I want to speak with them about Heartfelt Smiles.

Heartfelt Smiles is a Pathfinder Partner Organization under AmeriFace, the Premier Support & Resource Organization for the Cleft/Craniofacial Community.

I look forward to hearing from you all.

Grace and peace — Joe

Updating, updating, updating …

Hello Friends of Heartfelt Smiles:

Sorry it’s been awhile since we’ve talked. Life, life and more life has just gotten in the way.

Yet I do want to let you know we will be having another “Gathering” in December in Laredo. More than likely, it will be held during a weekday morning. I’ll be sending out more information as time grows nearer.

Did I mention to you that interest continues to come in around Heartfelt Smiles? I’ve been greatly blessed to have had contact with the Foundation for Faces of Children, located in Brookline, Mass., (near Boston), as well as the Children’s Craniofacial Association in Dallas.

Word is getting out.

This organization is picking up steam.

With support from AmeriFace and many friends, I know Heartfelt Smiles will continue to share its mission: bringing children and adults born with cleft lip/cleft palate birth defects into healing communities.

Won’t  you come along and join me in this journey? Together … we can make a difference.

I’ll be chatting with you soon.

Keep smilin’.

 

Grace and peace — Joe

 

Let’s talk … no, really, I mean it … tele-”Gathering” on Saturday …

Hello Friends of Heartfelt Smiles …

One reminder: Our next “Gathering” is set for Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center, located at 1220 N. Malinche Ave., in Laredo, TX. I look forward to seeing those of you who couldn’t make it out to our first one to come out, hear what it’s all about and become a part of this healing community.

Now … BIG news!!! A tele-”Gathering” for all interested in talking and hearing about “Heartfelt Smiles” will be held this Saturday, Nov. 7, from 1 p.m.-2 p.m. Central Time. This will be a golden opportunity for us to connect, talk, share, listen and ask questions.

Here’s the number: 605-475-4860; the access code is 372361#  … again, 605-475-4860, access code 372361# …

Take an hour out of your Saturday, which I know is precious time and it will last no longer than one hour. At one hour, I’ll let everyone know when time is up and if people want to stay over and ask questions or get further information, then I’ll be glad to answer them.

A reminder: I’m human and don’t have all the answers. I do wish to share this joint venture, this concept of a healing community for children and adults with cleft lip/cleft palate birth defects, with you.

Tell your friends and family members about it.

Get on the call yourself.

Let’s connect and begin to build communities around the United States and around the world. Global visitors are indeed welcome.

I will chat with you Saturday … and see you Tuesday.

Keep smilin’!!!

Grace and peace — Joe