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| No, those aren't thought bubbles, but they could be because thats how I feel about these two! |
I didn’t want to do this. Well, I sort of did, but I was putting it off, thinking the whole things would go away. I figured everyone has seen it circulate on Facebook and that’s well enough. My thoughts are my thoughts and I’ll just keep them to myself. I know what you could be thinking, “Great! Finally! For once!”
Well, today’s not that day.
Today is a blog hopping, link clicking day related to giving gifts at Christmastime. These are other’s thoughts feeding into mine. So while I’m in the middle of it all, I thought you might want to join in.
Start here with Jen Hatmaker’s latest blog installment- A Christmas Conundrum. (psst… you can’t really get the rest of my blog post if you don’t read it.)
See what I mean? I was actually glad she wrote it all. It says to the world “Hey, we ARE doing this! We know, we look weird, we’re okay with that. Want to join us?” I do. I really, really do!
So last night the kids made out some wish lists. I tried the idea on them, gently, nonchalantly. My kids have a high sensitivity to their mom’s crazy ideas, so I had to act cool. Something you want, something you need, something to give, something to read. All went well until the something to give- mostly, I think because they aren’t quite sure how to think about it. Questions came popping up like “Do we all have to give towards the same thing?” “Why do we have to buy an animal or whatever? Can’t we just give money to the organization?” I didn’t have answers for them (except the last because, really, what organization is going to refuse money?). Their questions are a part of the thinking through process. And it’s also a part of the wrestling with selfishness process.
But you know how when God wants to get your attention He just sort of puts reminders in front of you time and time again? Yeah- so today’s mail contained Aunt Denise’s December prayer letter. Turkeys are a means to the gospel in Africa. I waved the little card to them from the couch. “This could be it!”
Popping in on a favorite blog, I was stopped in my tracks. So head over to Ann’s blog for When Christmas Gets Radical. Be sure to read it all. Then follow the links she has at the bottom. (Since I don’t want you to miss them, here they are: The Rich Family in Church and this one is a 10 minute video clip- The Gospel Demands Radical Giving.)
Wow! Bold statements! Radical thoughts!
So whatcha gonna do? I don’t know but I did read through the comments left on Jen’s blog and one person asked what she should do. She said she was full in the whole thing- could she jump ship mid-stream? Jen’s response encouraged her to start in some way and go from there. She said her own family’s process has been four years in the overhaul. For Ann’s it has been ten years in the making. You don’t get there overnight.
I’m not even sure what it’s going to end up looking like in our own family. It will undergo many changes, I’m sure. But while I’m at it, won’t you join me?
Catching up with my Happy Day Projects.
Day 6- Thank someone in service.
We will be doing this one a little later in the week. I’ll make a batch of our favorite cut out cookies, we’ll decorate them and take them to the kids’ classes on Wednesday night to thank their teachers for being such awesome servants to our family.
Day 4- Book for a friend.
I gave Kisses from Katie to a friend. She was very excited to receive it.
I thought this might be a page turner and what I found was even though I was compelled to keep reading, I also slowed way down and chewed and digested the words. I started taking notes. I marveled at how many of the things she said were an echo of my own life. I’m not saying that because I live this all great Godly life and Katie and I are practically like twins! I’m saying that the things God has revealed to me as of late, the truths I have been impacted by are the same truths Katie writes about.
“For years I had fantasized about doing something incredible for God and others; what I have learned is that I can do nothing incredible, but as I follow God into impossible situations, He can work miracles in and through me.” p. 2
“The children would run to me with gifts of stones or dirt and I saw myself, filthy and broken, offering my life to the God of the universe and begging Him to make it into something beautiful. I sit here in a broken world, small and dirty at His feet, and He who sits so high chooses to commune with me, to love me anyway.” p. 7
I have felt that last quote resonate in my own life over and over, especially in the last three months as a new set of exchange kids are here. They come with broken, messed up lives and people pour out their very hearts into helping them. Some receive it slowly, some lap it up, some choose to reject it- too many weeds, thorns, or simply the hard pack soil it falls on refuses the seed. And I see families pained in a hard way- not necessarily bad. And I fall to my knees for them. God chose in the middle of one prayer to say to me for all of them “I know and I love anyway”. He said that over and over until I clung to it. Here our eyes are opened, if we let them be, and we see our own sin and wretchedness. We let God peel back another layer of scabbing and it hurts and yet He knows and He lets us feel and He heals if we trust.
“And God spoke so plainly to me. He did not apologize for my heartache; even better, he shared it. He knew.” p. 203
“He called me to this and because He gave His life for me. This means that it has been granted to me, it is my privilege, not only to believe in Him but also to suffer for Him. Phil. 1:29 That suffering is not alone, but is with Him, and oh, what a privilege it is just to be able to to be in His presence, to share that with my sweet Savior. This is what it means when I say I do it for Jesus. he loved me first: I love him back. And sometimes it hurts. But even then it is pure joy to even be considered worthy to share in His suffering. That is the promise: not that He is sorry that it hurts, but that He sees; that He knows; that He is here with us.” p. 205
And then we grasp a portion of His love and we fall and cry and thank Him and we give more of our lives in return.
Katie is 22. 22!! That’s what keeps getting me. She’s has time trialed wisdom of much older person, not of a 22 year old.
Katie, I’m sure, does not want to be idolized. She wants you to turn and give your worship to God. Maybe you don’t need her book- there are lots out there that say similar things, I’m sure. I’ve just read this one and am sharing it with you.
You can borrow my book if you send me an email or you can purchase it through 147 Million Orphans, who will give 50% of the money to Amazima Ministries.
In case you were wondering, I did get that last clocked changed. It wasn’t quite as perilous as I described. 
Day 3- gift card to the homeless.
For this one, I did plan ahead; I bought a gift card yesterday when I was in town. I don’t go to town every day. I’m not sure how they are going to define “gift card to the homeless” but, honestly, does it matter if you are doing something? Look around you, I’m sure there is some place that wouldn’t mind a gift card to help out with whatever they are doing- a homeless shelter, food pantry, Birthright, etc.
This act is to love a stranger- someone you may never meet, may never get a thanks from, may never know how it impacted them. It really rubs against our ego. We want accolades for good doings. GAH!! That’s pride, people! I, for one, need to have my pride trampled upon so I can see!
Here’s how Christ sees it: Matthew 25:31-46, Luke 6:27-36.
The other option they list to give to is the Compassion Catalog. I’d like to highlight a different, yet equally awesome organization to give through. It is Christian Veterinary Missions. My sister-in-law, Denise, works with them, so this program is near and dear to our hearts. Click on over to their gift guide page to see what you can purchase or help purchase. I find some of the options a little humorous to me- camel, anyone?- but to those receiving the animal, it is a joyful blessing. Last year, Aunt Denise gave goats in her nieces and nephews behalf. They thought it was cool!
Among my list of things I hope to get done today, like change the last clock- you know, the one above the sink that you must climb onto the actual counter, straddling the dishes piled beneath- is to take part in The Happy Day Project.
Day 2- a handwritten note.
Let’s face it. Even in this day of emails, texts, Facebook comments and messages, we still eagerly rifle through the mail, hoping for a letter with our name on it (that doesn’t require sending any money or putting our children’s inheritance at risk with “low” percentage rates). I know I do. I don’t hold my breath anymore while looking but I still do.
I’m sure you know at least one person who could use a happy note. Come to think of it, my list is growing by the second!
The person I plan to write to has just adopted and she could use all the encouragement she can get to remind her that she is not alone.
All around me there are families adopting, families fostering, families hosting and my heart unites with these families as they set their course to do a very hard thing. Thanks to a link from some friends in the adoption process, I’ve found a very good blog post about how to help these families, especially after the airport . Written by adoptive mom, Jen Hatmaker, it is filled with humor, wit and wisdom. The article is How to Be the Village and you need to go read it. RIGHT NOW!!
Are you back from reading? Good, I’m glad. Now, how many notes are you gonna write today?
p.s. I really love Jen’s blog. She is very real. She’s got the truth and the humor to go with the life God has given her. I wouldn’t stop at just one post of her’s- keep reading. You’ll be glad you did.
I’m making this a double duty post. The Joy’s Hope blog is sharing The Happy Day Project and I’m going to do my best to spread some happy into someone’s day. If you want to know more, click on the button and it will take you to all the information. Then, get on it! People need happy!!
Day 1- Treat to a neighbor. Got it! Actually, I already have some cookies baked up and frozen for a neighbor, but haven’t had the chance to give them. Today’s the day! Very cute printable, too!
Here’s a cookie recipe my friend, Angie, said I needed to share. She had stopped by one evening, right after I had made these and tried them spread with this pumpkin cream cheese filling. She then told me she never makes sugar cookies or snickerdoodle cookies because she doesn’t have a good recipe. I said I would give her mine. It’s really my Grandma’s. I almost always make them into snickerdoodles by rolling the balls into cinnamon and sugar, but you can drop them on the sheet and flatten with a sugar coated glass bottom or roll them out and cut into shapes and frost. In any case, you and Angie never have to be without a sugar cookie recipe again. And neither does your neighbor if you choose to share!
Sugar Cookies
Cream together the shortening, sugar, eggs, water and vanilla. Add in the flour, baking powder and salt.
At this point, I refrigerate the dough before scooping it into balls and rolling into a cinnamon sugar mixture for snickerdoodles.
Or, without refrigerating, you can roll medium thin and cut out. Or drop onto sheet and press with a sugar coated glass.
Bake 350o for 10-12 minutes until set. Don’t let them brown.
A look at our most recent craft day…
It always starts with about an hour’s worth of conversation. It just has to.
Then to get started, we peruse the crafting selections. Thanks to Pinterest, besides the options being endless, everyone can read up on directions beforehand.
Usually the first thing to happen is the painting. Chalkboard paint is at the top of the list. We’ll chalkboard paint anything! Last month it was tiles. This month metal trays. Next month- our family. Just kidding.
In Angie’s basement is where the rest of the crafting takes place. And don’t forget the talking.
Here is Nicole working on a button bracelet. She’s doing it the true, genuine way- sewing each individual button on. She’s a do it right kind of gal- but after the umpteenth button she was ready for some hot glue. Girl stuck it out though and finished a super cute bracelet. She got the base ribbon at Hobby Lobby. It’s elastic!! Read her post on craft day here.
Lindsay came and brought her own craft. She was MAKING HER OWN FABRIC!! She cut out the stencil and painted on the duck cloth (I think) to make the fabric. I can’t remember what she said she was going to do with it- either hang it up somewhere or make a pillow. Girl’s got talent, for sure!
Marci helped Angie cut strips of fabric, sew them together and then wrap it around itself until this posy popped up.
Jenn, my neighbor came. I don’t have a picture of Jenn. I don’t have a picture of what she crafted. Why? I don’t know why. It was great! Lucky for us, though, she blogged about it and you can see it. She was pretty happy with how it turned out but still wanted to fuss with it to get it just right. But she had to go home and get her little one down for a nap.
I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to do. Part of the problem is that sometimes you have too many options. On top of that, I’m never quite sure how I’m going to use what I’ve crafted. I’m not really a craft just because I can kind of person. I’m more of craft because I have a need and crafting will fulfill that need kind of person. So I hemmed around a bit but then chose the chalkboard metal tray. I then remembered that I had a garage sale find Scrabble game back home. I ran home, literally and grabbed the game. (I also brought out the garbage for the garbage man, which is why I literally ran home.) When I got back to Angie’s, I placed a magnet on the back of each Scrabble letter and stuck them to my chalkboard tray. Craft done!
For lunch Angie made taco soup which was yummy, however, it was Nicole’s Pumpkin Pie Dip that stole the meal. She served it with fresh apples.
Yay for craft day, friends, food and, of course, fellowship!
My friend, Angie, hosted a craft day earlier this week. Ten of us gathered at her house for crafts and conversation. We crafted during the day while our younglings were all at school (at least, those of us who have younglings). Let me tell you, it was bliss. I wasn’t so focused on making every single project as I was just being with women. It just happened that fabric, paper, tile, hot glue guns, chalkboard paint, Mod Podge, and a die cutting machine were also a part of it.
What/Who was your inspiration for craft day? Meg Duerksen of the Whatever blog!! Here’s Angie showing us Meg.
Meg, we love you from the bottom of our hearts and since we may not ever be a part of your fab-o craft day, we made our own!
Here’s the fabric flower table. We took strips or cut out fabric and made a few varieties of fabric flowers. You can pin them on your gorgeous bag, on your blouse, in your hair or add a magnet, like I did.
Here’s the tag table but also has the chalkboard tiles some of us painted. Die cut tags were embellished with doilies, stamps, fabric and knock-your-socks-off calligraphy by Mary. Some were going to use the chalkboard tiles as menu planners. I might get some larger ones, 6x6 and make them as a note station for my kids. The rest of us used Mod Podge and adhered scrapbook paper to the tiles to make coasters or trivets.
Here’s an gathering of our crafts endeavors. The bright perky fabric is for Becky’s office. The bag is Nicole’s but the button on the purse is her creation. See the handwriting on the tags? Mary!!
We also had lunch and Angie made chicken salad. You can immediately taste the sweetness, but it is a pleasant surprise and not overwhelming. Yum!
Angie, thanks for clearing off your basement tables for all of us. I had a great time!!
In case anyone reading this still needs a Teacher’s Appreciation gift, here’s a simple, quick idea.
I found this printable via a blog friend, Tiffani.
I printed out three copies then trimmed the edges with pinking edge scissors. Don’t forget to have your preschooler write his name on the back.
Luke and I headed to Lowe’s and he picked out three perfect plants for his preschool teachers (and told every Lowe’s employee who(m?) each plant was for.) When we got home, we picked out 12x12 scrapbook paper and ribbon to match. I placed the plant in the middle of the paper, gathered the paper up around it, letting it fold where it did. I secured the edges with little glue dots to hold the paper flat around the plant. I tied ribbon around the whole thing and it was done.
Luke carried all three plants in an old large cake pan to his preschool graduation.
The scrapbook paper is double-sided, which I think is nice since you can see the inside of the paper. Mine is from Stampin’ Up. The ribbon- Stampin’ Up or Papertrey Ink. If you don’t have scrapbook paper, you could wrap them in fabric, or burlap, like my friend, Angie, did for her son’s graduation open house. I loved how that looked!
No teacher is going to mind, however, if your cutie gives them this gift, no matter how wrapped!
