A friend of mine in her blog shared how she celebrates Christmas. At the end she invited us to share how we celebrate Christ. So I thought I would respond with a post of my own. On that note, I would encourage you to check out my friend Alison's blog called "Hospitality Haven" http://alison.blogsome.com/ There you will find many wonderful ideas for entertaining as well as yummy meal ideas and more! Alright, so how do we celebrate Christmas: Here it is (well a small part of it anyhow!)
We do things differently in our home as well. First of all, our 3 yr old knows there is no Santa Claus (Insert *gasp* here). Now we take a lot of heat for this at times but I just don't see how lying to my child will help her. I mean if we let her believe in Santa what happens when she finds out that we lied about him? Will she think we lied about Jesus being real too? Just not worth the risk to us. So that is one thing we do, we tell the truth. That being said we still have fun with "Santa" we watch the movies and stuff...and she knows not to tell any of her friends that he is not real. Bottom line is she knows that we give/get gifts because of Jesus.
Another tradition we changed is the buying of chocolate advent calendars. You know the ones that begin on the 1st of December and you eat one chocolate leading up to the 25th? Well this year I bought a nativity magnet calendar. So on the 1st of Dec. instead of us eating chocolate and seeing pictures of Santa, trees, elves or any other commercially centered images that appear on the package, our daughter will look through the nativity images until she finds the piece with the "1" on it and she can place it on the fridge and then we talk about what it is...The first piece is the stable. By the time Christmas comes, we will be done putting together our nativity scene. :) I LOVE that.
We also don't do the whole big turkey dinner. We dial it down a bit by rotating who chooses what for the appetizer, main meal and dessert. For example one year we had stuffed mushroom caps, flauta's (now if this was "Hospitlity Haven" you would have the recipe but it's not! LOL! but if you want to know what they are ask) and chocolate fondue. It is great! IF we have another child then we will add a special drink of choice. I find it cuts down on work (sometimes) and the cost is MUCH cheaper!!
Last year my side of the family drew names for gift giving. This year we are not doing that at all. We all decided that it is too expensive PLUS the joy for us and them is being able to see them open the gifts we give, if we aren’t there to see it, what's the point? We are drawing names on Mike's side of the family with a cap on the spending limit. Our daughter is learning how to give and share and we want to nurture that as best we can. She has not really asked for anything for Christmas and we have not asked her what she would like. So no big lists of "Wants" in our house...She HAS however expressed an interest in wanting to GIVE gifts to family members, so as I said we want to nurture this. SOOO she shopped at our Thrift Store, she helped me wrap the gifts, and she put the bow on and picked the tag for the gifts. She was SOOO excited and I am glad we are able to teach her the joy of giving and giving sensibly.
Let's see...We also hang our candy canes upside down to form the letter "J" for obvious reasons...I am sure there is more we do but I can't recall more right now. Anyhow, thanks for helping me to reflect on how we celebrate Alison. I like the Gifts of Hope idea...Might do that next year! :) Have a very merry CHRISTmas everyone.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
In Awe
Today has been one of those "Awe" days...You know the ones I mean? The ones where you stop and think "Wow, what did I do to deserve this?" That has been my day. Allow me to share it with you:
This morning started quite early as my whole family headed down to the hospital. Mike to get his dressing changed on his wound (ask me later). Me to get blood work done (I'll tell you a cute story about that in a bit) and Megan well...just because the couldn't stay home alone! So we were up and out the door before 7:30am! Reminded me of my college days...Glad those days are over. Anyhow, Mike stayed downstairs to get done what he needed and Meg and I headed upstairs to the lab. We got to the waiting room and there was a man there waiting to get his blood taken too. Megan and this man chatted off and on and then bluntly Megan says to the man "What are YOU doing here?" The man with wide eyes said, "Welllll, I don't know." It was obvious that he didn't want to or quite know how to tell a three year old that he was getting blood taken. Anyhow, after his reply he says to Meg, "What are YOU doing here?" Meg replied, "Wellll, I don't know either (pause) my Mom has to get blood work." The mans face was stunned. I chuckled...Here he was trying to spare her the gruesome details but nope not my girl...She just HAD to share. So along with the the blood work they needed a urine sample (T.M.I I know but it is part of the story) so while I was in the washroom doing what I needed to do, Meg decided to ring the "in case of emergency" bell! I was horrified!! So here I am trying to do what I am doing and yelling at the same time "I'M SORRY...THERE IS NO EMERGENCY" Meanwhile I hear the nurses chuckling. It was FUN! After that was done, we all went for breakfast before taking Meg to daycare and us heading to work. It was a nice morning.
Fast forward through the day...We are in the midst of an audit and that is going quite well. Tomorrow is the last day for it and I am glad this lady is here helping us! Such a blessing. It was a long day at work...As we were leaving work a man from our congregation came and dropped off an article for the paper that needed to be done (HUGE relief that it is done and that I didn't have to do it!) and then he handed me an old style kettle popcorn popper that he bid on at a fundraiser we went too. I REALLY wanted to bid on it but just missed it and couldn't really afford to anyways. I had asked to borrow it for our church family decorating night on Saturday and it turns out that they were giving it to me for Christmas anyways so they decided to give it to me earlier for Saturday. I was SO shocked and EXCITED! I was in awe. It makes the BEST popcorn! YES, I have already used it! Had it for a whole hour! LOL!
For weeks now our lawn has needed so much attention and we have not had the time to tend to it. It has been bugging us for so long. It added to the stress in our home because we would come home and see that it needed to be done so badly. By the time we get home we are SO exhausted and there was at least 2 days worth of work to do out in the yard that we just couldn't get to before the snow comes. Anyhow, we drove home on cloud nine with the article in hand and a brand new popcorn machine, to find another man from the congregation finishing up our lawn work! I could not believe my eyes!! The leaves were cleaned up, the lawn was mowed and he even cleaned the gutters on the house!!!! I stood there with my mouth hung open and my eyes stinging with tears. What had I done to deserve this? I stood in awe.
To top off the day, my cell phone has been missing for WEEKS I mean at least 3-4 weeks!! So odd for me to lose something like that and for that long...But as I was sitting here telling you my story, who should appear holding my cell phone? Mike. He was so happy to top my day off with that news! We have prayed hard that we would find it! Again, I stand...well right now I sit in awe.
This morning started quite early as my whole family headed down to the hospital. Mike to get his dressing changed on his wound (ask me later). Me to get blood work done (I'll tell you a cute story about that in a bit) and Megan well...just because the couldn't stay home alone! So we were up and out the door before 7:30am! Reminded me of my college days...Glad those days are over. Anyhow, Mike stayed downstairs to get done what he needed and Meg and I headed upstairs to the lab. We got to the waiting room and there was a man there waiting to get his blood taken too. Megan and this man chatted off and on and then bluntly Megan says to the man "What are YOU doing here?" The man with wide eyes said, "Welllll, I don't know." It was obvious that he didn't want to or quite know how to tell a three year old that he was getting blood taken. Anyhow, after his reply he says to Meg, "What are YOU doing here?" Meg replied, "Wellll, I don't know either (pause) my Mom has to get blood work." The mans face was stunned. I chuckled...Here he was trying to spare her the gruesome details but nope not my girl...She just HAD to share. So along with the the blood work they needed a urine sample (T.M.I I know but it is part of the story) so while I was in the washroom doing what I needed to do, Meg decided to ring the "in case of emergency" bell! I was horrified!! So here I am trying to do what I am doing and yelling at the same time "I'M SORRY...THERE IS NO EMERGENCY" Meanwhile I hear the nurses chuckling. It was FUN! After that was done, we all went for breakfast before taking Meg to daycare and us heading to work. It was a nice morning.
Fast forward through the day...We are in the midst of an audit and that is going quite well. Tomorrow is the last day for it and I am glad this lady is here helping us! Such a blessing. It was a long day at work...As we were leaving work a man from our congregation came and dropped off an article for the paper that needed to be done (HUGE relief that it is done and that I didn't have to do it!) and then he handed me an old style kettle popcorn popper that he bid on at a fundraiser we went too. I REALLY wanted to bid on it but just missed it and couldn't really afford to anyways. I had asked to borrow it for our church family decorating night on Saturday and it turns out that they were giving it to me for Christmas anyways so they decided to give it to me earlier for Saturday. I was SO shocked and EXCITED! I was in awe. It makes the BEST popcorn! YES, I have already used it! Had it for a whole hour! LOL!
For weeks now our lawn has needed so much attention and we have not had the time to tend to it. It has been bugging us for so long. It added to the stress in our home because we would come home and see that it needed to be done so badly. By the time we get home we are SO exhausted and there was at least 2 days worth of work to do out in the yard that we just couldn't get to before the snow comes. Anyhow, we drove home on cloud nine with the article in hand and a brand new popcorn machine, to find another man from the congregation finishing up our lawn work! I could not believe my eyes!! The leaves were cleaned up, the lawn was mowed and he even cleaned the gutters on the house!!!! I stood there with my mouth hung open and my eyes stinging with tears. What had I done to deserve this? I stood in awe.
To top off the day, my cell phone has been missing for WEEKS I mean at least 3-4 weeks!! So odd for me to lose something like that and for that long...But as I was sitting here telling you my story, who should appear holding my cell phone? Mike. He was so happy to top my day off with that news! We have prayed hard that we would find it! Again, I stand...well right now I sit in awe.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
My Funny Girl
Alright, so I have decided to catch up on some of the funny little things that my 3 yr old says...There are ohhh so many. I can hardly keep up with them! I try and write them all down but some unfortunately get missed. I will give you some of what I have. Enjoy!
Megan was "teaching dance" to her imaginary class.
Me: "Megan, what kind of dance do you teach?"
Megan: "Ohhh Roll over, Ballet and Wiggle."
(Insert chuckle here)
Someone asking Megan her how old she will be on her next birthday.
Lady: "So Megan, how old are you going to be?"
Megan: "5 and 4 too!"
On our holidays we travelled to see Mike's family. When we were there we had the opportunity to visit Mr. Musgrave's (a good friend of the family) new hotel that he built and owns. He invited us there to have breakfast with him. Megan was treated as a princess. Given gifts and the grand tour! A little while later she wanted to say something to Mr. Musgrave but she did NOT say Mr. Musgrave, NOPE! She addressed him as Mr. Muskrat! It was great.
Megan pretending to teach dance class (she does this often lately).
Me: "What time is your next dance class?"
Megan: "6-0-4-8…I better be on time!"
Ohhh to have that much time in a day!!
Well, that is all I am going to give you right now. Stay tuned...I have many more to share! :) Take care! Until next time...
Megan was "teaching dance" to her imaginary class.
Me: "Megan, what kind of dance do you teach?"
Megan: "Ohhh Roll over, Ballet and Wiggle."
(Insert chuckle here)
Someone asking Megan her how old she will be on her next birthday.
Lady: "So Megan, how old are you going to be?"
Megan: "5 and 4 too!"
On our holidays we travelled to see Mike's family. When we were there we had the opportunity to visit Mr. Musgrave's (a good friend of the family) new hotel that he built and owns. He invited us there to have breakfast with him. Megan was treated as a princess. Given gifts and the grand tour! A little while later she wanted to say something to Mr. Musgrave but she did NOT say Mr. Musgrave, NOPE! She addressed him as Mr. Muskrat! It was great.
Megan pretending to teach dance class (she does this often lately).
Me: "What time is your next dance class?"
Megan: "6-0-4-8…I better be on time!"
Ohhh to have that much time in a day!!
Well, that is all I am going to give you right now. Stay tuned...I have many more to share! :) Take care! Until next time...
Friday, November 13, 2009
Tough Love.
Ok, so the last couple of weeks we have been wrapped up in hamper applications for Christmas assistance. Seems early to some of you? Wellll, I wanted it earlier because this year is different from the others, This year I have a deadline for ordering turkey's. This is how else it is different: For many years clients would come in and fill out an application form...(which has been completely changed by the way...) but that is a different story! Anyhow, after filling out the form they would come back and pick up a voucher to go and buy groceries. This year is going to be MUCH more work because I feel REALLY strongly that we should be giving actual food hampers out. I was just unsure about giving people vouchers! Here is why: If people are coming to us because they can't make ends meet in the first place, why would I give them more money or what translates into money?? Yes, the vouchers had some guidelines like "no purchasing cigarettes, prescriptions, alcohol" but how do I really know that these kids are getting a nice Christmas dinner and not Mom and Dad's favorite chips and dip? I knew it was a problem when people were disappointed when they heard they were getting an actual hamper instead of a voucher. Some people actually turned the hamper down...Hmmm, a problem? I think so! Believe me when I say that a person/family would get a lot more in a hamper then what they would from a voucher! Now I know some people are probably thinking that I have no right to dictate how someone spends their money. I say WRONG! Where I am, my goal is to be accountable for all the donations that come in. People are donating thousands upon thousands of dollars in food and money. This is a VERY generous place! I want to be able to say where the donations actually went. Seems a litte hard butt for some but frankly, I don't care. I have a strong conviction about being accountable to what we are given so this is the way it will be done. Tough Love.
Now, here is the other side. For weeks now the deadlines for applying for Christmas assistance has been in the newspaper, on the radio, plastered on posters with handbills going out. STILL people are failing to meet the deadline. Now I review each case differently. For example, a single Mom who cares enough to call and tell me that she is working during the application process can arrange for a different time. It is evident she is working hard as she shows up in her uniform, frazzled from the days work. I have ZERO problems helping out. GOOD FOR HER! Or what about the 3-4 single Moms who have gone back to school and can't make the deadline? Of COURSE I will make room for them. Or even the person who CARES enough to call and say that those times don't work...Do I arrange another time? Yes. I LOVE responsible people! Now, I have some clients who show up on the WRONG day, AFTER hours wanting to fill out an application. The most recent person does NOT work and did NOT call. So I sent her away so she could come on the proper day and time. Yesterday was the last day and she did not show up, she did not phone (as many did to say they couldn't make it). So where it may seem harsh, I believe it is my duty to show some tough love. Unless she was in the hospital, sick or getting a job...She will not be able to apply for assistance. I just don't see how allowing her to fill out the application will assist her. All it would do in my opinion is enable her to keep believing that society owes her something. I WILL help her by teaching her responsibility. Now before anyone gets all freaked out...She does not have kids...I will never see a kid go without because of a parents selfishness. Some of my readers at this point may be completely appalled at what I am saying but TRUST me...Each case is different and in this particular case, the system is being abused. For the ease of your minds, this exchange of me telling her she can't apply is done very gently and with respect. There is dignity with it and it usually works out well.
People knew the deadline. What am I expected to do? Hold their hand? In some cases, I may have to...I am fine with this. However, a line needs to be drawn. My job requires a LOT of discernment and I thank God that He has given it to me. I am loving people into the kingdom with tough love.
The bottom line is...That for too long my community that I love has been allowed to use and abuse The Salvation Army. People in my community are experiencing tough love. The best part is, I am seeing results.
Whew...that was quite the post. Please pray as I continue to love my people here and assist them in ways that God has taught me. I am rejoicing that souls are being saved. I am excited that I am able to show the love of Jesus, meet human needs and I am SOOO stoked that we are becoming a transforming influence in this community! May God bless us all with a little tough love!
Now, here is the other side. For weeks now the deadlines for applying for Christmas assistance has been in the newspaper, on the radio, plastered on posters with handbills going out. STILL people are failing to meet the deadline. Now I review each case differently. For example, a single Mom who cares enough to call and tell me that she is working during the application process can arrange for a different time. It is evident she is working hard as she shows up in her uniform, frazzled from the days work. I have ZERO problems helping out. GOOD FOR HER! Or what about the 3-4 single Moms who have gone back to school and can't make the deadline? Of COURSE I will make room for them. Or even the person who CARES enough to call and say that those times don't work...Do I arrange another time? Yes. I LOVE responsible people! Now, I have some clients who show up on the WRONG day, AFTER hours wanting to fill out an application. The most recent person does NOT work and did NOT call. So I sent her away so she could come on the proper day and time. Yesterday was the last day and she did not show up, she did not phone (as many did to say they couldn't make it). So where it may seem harsh, I believe it is my duty to show some tough love. Unless she was in the hospital, sick or getting a job...She will not be able to apply for assistance. I just don't see how allowing her to fill out the application will assist her. All it would do in my opinion is enable her to keep believing that society owes her something. I WILL help her by teaching her responsibility. Now before anyone gets all freaked out...She does not have kids...I will never see a kid go without because of a parents selfishness. Some of my readers at this point may be completely appalled at what I am saying but TRUST me...Each case is different and in this particular case, the system is being abused. For the ease of your minds, this exchange of me telling her she can't apply is done very gently and with respect. There is dignity with it and it usually works out well.
People knew the deadline. What am I expected to do? Hold their hand? In some cases, I may have to...I am fine with this. However, a line needs to be drawn. My job requires a LOT of discernment and I thank God that He has given it to me. I am loving people into the kingdom with tough love.
The bottom line is...That for too long my community that I love has been allowed to use and abuse The Salvation Army. People in my community are experiencing tough love. The best part is, I am seeing results.
Whew...that was quite the post. Please pray as I continue to love my people here and assist them in ways that God has taught me. I am rejoicing that souls are being saved. I am excited that I am able to show the love of Jesus, meet human needs and I am SOOO stoked that we are becoming a transforming influence in this community! May God bless us all with a little tough love!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Cause for Celebration!
Alright...So here is what happened this week...We were so busy with the season and week that I found it so hard to spend a ton of time on a sermon. It did get done but it was done much later then I would have liked. I believe it went over well. The most exciting thing happened today at church during children's time. First to explain how we do children's time...During the service sometime, I call all the kids up to the front and I sit with them and tell them a bible story with an object lesson. It always goes with the theme of the service because currently the kids stay in the service. They sit at the back of the church in an area we made for them with table and chairs so they can work on their worksheets that go along with the lessons. Anyhow today, we did a Remembrance Day service and this time I knew what I was going to say but it wasn't as planned out as usual. Now I know why...God used this time to teach in a different way. I had ten kids up at the front and we shared about what Remembrance Day is and who veterans are and what soldiers do...Then we talked about Jesus as our spiritual veteran (theme of the sermon) and then I gave an appeal...One kid responded and I asked everyone to repeat the sinners prayer with us! It was so great! This kid has had a rough life and he is up for adoption....It was so nice to have him with us. At the end of the prayer we stood up and I hugged him and welcomed him into our family! Then we sang "My God is so Big!" It was really a wonderful lesson for me. The children's time was not over planned, and amazing things happened! Thank you God!
Here is a funny little story for ya...
During the weekend, our family went to A&W for supper. Sitting behind us was a cowboy. Well Megan in a loud voice says, "Mom! That man is a cowboy!!!" She got all quiet and thoughtful and said "I wonder if he rides cows." I wish you could have seen her face...Priceless!
Anyhow, life is going by one day at a time and we are taking all situations in stride. Mike and I are doing our first television interview for a local station here so that will be a new experience! I have one more speaking engagement to do this week. Another ladies group from around town! Should be great! Well, stay tuned...Looks like my blogging days are picking up again! :) Thanks for reading.
Here is a funny little story for ya...
During the weekend, our family went to A&W for supper. Sitting behind us was a cowboy. Well Megan in a loud voice says, "Mom! That man is a cowboy!!!" She got all quiet and thoughtful and said "I wonder if he rides cows." I wish you could have seen her face...Priceless!
Anyhow, life is going by one day at a time and we are taking all situations in stride. Mike and I are doing our first television interview for a local station here so that will be a new experience! I have one more speaking engagement to do this week. Another ladies group from around town! Should be great! Well, stay tuned...Looks like my blogging days are picking up again! :) Thanks for reading.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Good Advice.
A friend of mine gave me some good advice...She told me that I needed to update my blog. She is RIGHT!
I find that blogging is a great way for me to vent and share what is happening in my world. Right now, there is TONS happening in my world. If you are at all familiar with The Salvation Army at all...Then you will know what I am talking about. If you do not know, here is what I have on the go right now:
- taking applications for Christmas assistance (hampers & toys)
- getting ready for our kettle kick off which is on November 20th
- the kick off consists of a "Arrest Request" you may know it as "Jail and Bail" which is what the Cancer Society uses...Anyhow, many (20 now) high profile people in our community have agreed to allow the police to come and "arrest" them and take them to a mock jail that will be set up at our local Canadian Tire. They will be charged and thrown into jail where they need to call people in order to raise money to bail them out. This takes a TON of work because we need to get the jail, Sask tel donates the phones, food is donated for our jailbirds and the radio station comes on site and does their thing. It is great publicity and it will kick off our kettle campaign well! I am hoping for at least $10,000 from this venture.
- We are doing the "Adopt-A-Family" program which has taken a ton of time as well because I had to get the information packages all ready. Well worth it tho! Tim Horton's alone is sponsoring 3 families (any size)! :)
- Last year instead of Christmas hampers, vouchers were given to buy groceries. This year I feel that a hamper should be given...This means a whole lot of extra coordinating. PRAISE GOD the Wholesale Club will order our turkey's cheap and keep them at the store and accept vouchers for pick up. I also partnered with a small bakery down the street from the Church. They have agreed to bake fresh bread for the hampers! That is a lot of work on their part but it is worth it.
- With Christmas comes extra speaking engagements. I accepted two speaking opportunities and one of them takes place tomorrow. Prayers please.
- Mike and I will be on television next Monday for our local channel to talk about us and of course what is happening with The Salvation Army in Weyburn.
- Then the Holiday Train will be coming to Weyburn on December 18th. This train will have food that will be donated to our Food Bank. It stops here all decorated and lit up, has a live band and of course Santa Claus will be there!!! That will be nice.
- As with most Army churches, a lot is happening this time of year. On top of all of this, we had a fire inspection at both the Thrift Store and church so we are getting everything that needs to be done there done....as well we are prepping for an audit that is happening at the end of this month! It is soooo busy and I LOOOOVE it!
There is so much more happening here that I am sure is slipping my mind. I am enjoying my new life as an Officer. However at times I find myself feeling lonely. At times I miss living in the community we had at college. I would have a girls night, if I had girls here to do that. That all will come in time. Life here is wonderful! I LOVE our community and I love serving God in all ways.
Well...Thanks Alison for your advice. I hope this will satisfy until next time. :)
I find that blogging is a great way for me to vent and share what is happening in my world. Right now, there is TONS happening in my world. If you are at all familiar with The Salvation Army at all...Then you will know what I am talking about. If you do not know, here is what I have on the go right now:
- taking applications for Christmas assistance (hampers & toys)
- getting ready for our kettle kick off which is on November 20th
- the kick off consists of a "Arrest Request" you may know it as "Jail and Bail" which is what the Cancer Society uses...Anyhow, many (20 now) high profile people in our community have agreed to allow the police to come and "arrest" them and take them to a mock jail that will be set up at our local Canadian Tire. They will be charged and thrown into jail where they need to call people in order to raise money to bail them out. This takes a TON of work because we need to get the jail, Sask tel donates the phones, food is donated for our jailbirds and the radio station comes on site and does their thing. It is great publicity and it will kick off our kettle campaign well! I am hoping for at least $10,000 from this venture.
- We are doing the "Adopt-A-Family" program which has taken a ton of time as well because I had to get the information packages all ready. Well worth it tho! Tim Horton's alone is sponsoring 3 families (any size)! :)
- Last year instead of Christmas hampers, vouchers were given to buy groceries. This year I feel that a hamper should be given...This means a whole lot of extra coordinating. PRAISE GOD the Wholesale Club will order our turkey's cheap and keep them at the store and accept vouchers for pick up. I also partnered with a small bakery down the street from the Church. They have agreed to bake fresh bread for the hampers! That is a lot of work on their part but it is worth it.
- With Christmas comes extra speaking engagements. I accepted two speaking opportunities and one of them takes place tomorrow. Prayers please.
- Mike and I will be on television next Monday for our local channel to talk about us and of course what is happening with The Salvation Army in Weyburn.
- Then the Holiday Train will be coming to Weyburn on December 18th. This train will have food that will be donated to our Food Bank. It stops here all decorated and lit up, has a live band and of course Santa Claus will be there!!! That will be nice.
- As with most Army churches, a lot is happening this time of year. On top of all of this, we had a fire inspection at both the Thrift Store and church so we are getting everything that needs to be done there done....as well we are prepping for an audit that is happening at the end of this month! It is soooo busy and I LOOOOVE it!
There is so much more happening here that I am sure is slipping my mind. I am enjoying my new life as an Officer. However at times I find myself feeling lonely. At times I miss living in the community we had at college. I would have a girls night, if I had girls here to do that. That all will come in time. Life here is wonderful! I LOVE our community and I love serving God in all ways.
Well...Thanks Alison for your advice. I hope this will satisfy until next time. :)
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