Giving Thru Christmas Challenge-Day 31

One of my favorite blogs is Cake Wrecks. It is a site dedicated to finding really poorly executed, professional cakes. I go there any time I need a good laugh. As a novice decorator, I can truly understand how these cakes go wrong. But, I have the good sense to keep it under wraps if it does. Wanna see my favorite? HERE it is. At the top is what the bride requested, scroll down to see what she got. Isn't it horrid?

The couple that runs Cake Wrecks has decided to choose one charity per day for the next two weeks. They will personally contribute $200 to each charity. They are encouraging us to contribute $1. If we participate in all of them, it is a total of $20 out-of-pocket for you and me. But, combined with all the other Cake Wreck readers out there, there is a potential for raising more than $20,000 per charity! That is the power of working together. I don't know what all of the charities will be, and that will certainly determine which I participate in. The first is certainly worthy, a clean water project for developing countries. HERE is the fundraising page for the first charity. As I see worthy causes come up, I will let you know. Or, check back with Cake Wrecks yourself. It is always good for a chuckle. (Disclaimer: Occasionally a wreck is posted with a reference to poo, and occasionally a cake comes across that looks racy, even though the baker produced it innocently.)

Giving Thru Christmas Challenge-Day 27

I had a fabulous giving idea today...too late to pull it off. But, I'm gonna be looking for a likely candidate over the next couple of weeks. Does that make me a stalker?...Nah.

Here it is. You know those nice people who stand outside stores ringing bells for the Salvation Army every year? On a cold day, go buy a cup of coffee or cocoa and bring it back to them. While you are at it, thank them for their sacrifice of time for a great organization. In our busy society, time is one of the greatest gifts you can give!

Giving Thru Christmas Challenge-Day 25

I have been slack for a while about posting ideas for giving, but the spirit is still there and I have still been at it on a personal level. I hope you are looking for opportunites in the world around you to reach out. I have been struck today by the vast number of people who are hurting, particularly the families of ministers. I know of four specific tragedies that have taken place since Thanksgiving Day in the lives of pastors.

There are certainly many who are hurting. So many are sick, so many are mourning losses, so many have dire financial situations, and so many are without hope. I struggle daily with not being absorbed with my own busyness. It is an effort to look beyond the four walls of my own home. Yet, I do not want to skate through life and miss the whole point. I pray to be focused on the eternal rather than the temporal.

I learned of another easy way to be an encourager to US Soldiers today. When you are addressing your Christmas Cards, address one to:

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue NW
Washington DC 20307-5001

Thank a brave American for their sacrifice this season! I encourage you to pray for the soldier who will receive your card as well, and tell them that you did. You may not know who will receive it, but God does!

Saving and Giving is hosting A Time to Give today that is sure to have lots of awesome giving ideas, check it out!

Giving Thru Christmas Challenge-Day 14

Add a little chocolate to a friend's day! Today, while volunteering at my son's school, I dropped fancy chocolate bars on a couple of the teacher's desks. Shh...they don't know where they came from, he he. :)

Giving Thru Christmas Challenge-Day 13

McDonalds is holding their annual McHappy Day fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities. You can donate by purchasing a "hand" for $1 at any McDonalds, or make a donation online. An anonymous donor will match all online donations between now and December 31st, up to one million dollars.

When you run through the drive-thru again, consider adding $1 to your purchase for a worthy organization that does so much for the sake of families with sick children.

Giving Thru Christmas Challenge-Day 12

Forgive me for being behind in these posts, I have several ideas for you that I will post over the next couple of days. Today I want to challenge you to say Thank You to a US soldier. There are many ways to do this, including adopting a soldier to send care packages and letters of encouragment to. We are checking into this option and I will keep you posted.

A cool new way that I just learned about is Let's Say Thanks, hosted by Xerox. Click the link to choose a postcard design, a greeting, and customize it with your name and hometown. Xerox will then print the postcard and send it to a brave man or woman who is standing for freedom somewhere across the globe. It took about 30 seconds...such an easy way to give.

Thanks, Sally!

Giving Thru Christmas Challenge-Day 11

Have you ever been in a parking lot with a shopping cart, trying to balance something big, while getting your car unlocked and the door open...without letting the cart roll away? I have been there and done that so many times! As I was coming out of Wally World today I saw a lady attempting to put a stand-alone basketball goal in a mini-van, while keeping her toe behind the cart wheel so it wouldn't run off without her. It took about 30 seconds to hold the cart for her while she got things settled. This is bound to be going on in parking lots everywhere for the next few weeks. Find someone to help, just don't startle them, ha ha!

Photo courtesy of FreeFoto.com.

Giving Thru Christmas Challenge-Day 10

Here's my challenge for today...lend a listening ear. Today I had the opportunity to listen while two different people, each of whom I've only known for a few weeks, unloaded some burdens. I was able to hug, cry and offer prayer for their situations. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in my goals for the day that I think I miss out on these little blessings. So, pay attention, and when you see an opportunity STOP and take it! You never know who around you might be hurting.

Giving Thru Christmas Challenge-Day 9

Here is a fun, easy and free way to bless others. Send a special American Greetings e-card to your friends and Kraft will donate 10 meals to Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest). The e-card is attractive and contains recipes featuring Kraft Products. So far I've sent 5, that adds up to 50 meals!


~Send the American Greetings/Kraft e-card to your friends!

Giving Thru Christmas Challenge-Day 8

I struggled today with what to do. So, while at the grocery store picking up my papers(COUPONS!), I also picked up a few canned goods and dropped them in the bin for their food drive.

I am discovering that if you intentionally look for opportunities to bless people, you will find them. A couple of hours ago a friend called and I was able to give her a hand with something as well.

I feel that there must be much around me that I am missing. It is my prayer that God will help me to shed my blinders so that I can truly see the need around me...because I know that it is there.

I would truly love to hear about ways that you are finding to bless others. If you don't want to "toot your own horn", leave a comment anonymously. This isn't about lifting ourselves up, it is about encouraging each other to recognize the need in the world around us. And remember, ultimately it is about reflecting the love of Christ.

Giving Thru Christmas Challenge-Day 7

My latest gift was time. My grandfather is diabetic, has heart issues and is on a strict diet. My grandmother works hard to prepare meals for him that are healthy and tasteful. She had been purchasing a wonderful sugar-free syrup for him at a local store, but it had disappeared from the shelves. Since I live in another state, I have looked for it in Maryland as well. It crossed my mind yesterday that I might be able to find it online. And guess what? I found it, for a lesser price than when it was available locally. It took about 15 minutes of my day to locate and order what they have been looking for. I know this is not a huge deal...but it sure will bring a smile to his face when I take it home during Christmas.

I have to share this, I received a wonderful gift myself today. My precious hubby swept me away for 24 hours to a lovely Inn, Antrim 1844. What a blessing he is! Leisurely meals and coffee by the fire with my best friend. Okay, I'll stop gushing now...

Giving Thru Christmas Challenge-Day 6

I am so jazzed about today! I sent a gift to a sweet young lady in college. We have been in a friend/mentoring relationship for several years. She checks in with me once every month or so to let me know what is going on in her life.

Okay...here's what I did...are you ready? It's a "Party in a Box"! I picked up party plates, napkins, cups, balloons and blowouts from the dollar store. Then I ran to the grocery and got cake mix and confetti frosting. (She lives in a sponsor home, so there is a full kitchen at her disposal.) I packed it all up in brightly colored tissue and mailed it today. I know this might not fly for all college kids, but it is right up her alley. And, I know her friends will love it too!

Find out about the Challenge, here.

Giving Thru Christmas Challenge-Day 5

My opportunity to give just dropped in front of me again today. Our preschool is hosting a food drive.

Looking for a place to donate? Check out Feeding America (formerly known as America's Second Harvest) to search for a food bank near you.

I'm going to need help with creative giving ideas soon. My goal is to do something different every day. Any suggestions?

Find out what this is all about in A Season of Giving.

Giving Thru Christmas Challenge-Day 4

Today is pretty simple. I sent a card to a friend. It is nice to get mail that isn't asking you for money:)

If you don't know what this challenge is all about, read A Season of Giving.

Giving Thru Christmas Challenge-Day 3

I spent some time at my oldest boy's school today. There are several opportunities to give through our elementary school each year via food, coat and toy drives. Right now they are collecting toys for children who are hospitalized with long-term illness. So, I dropped off a new, unwrapped toy for this worthy cause. (Found a great deal on a classic game!)

Before I go any further with these posts I want to explain that I'm not trying to "toot my own horn" by sharing the ways that we find to give each day. Rather, my purpose is two-fold: to keep me accountable to doing something every day, and to share ideas that some of you may be able to use.

So far, these have been pretty simple ideas. I hope to get a little more creative as the season moves forward.

If you aren't familiar with the challenge, read A Season of Giving.

Giving Thru Christmas Challenge-Day 2

Our opportunity to give today was birthed from a family tradition. I took my four year old shopping for items to fill a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child. I have been filling shoe boxes for 13 years now. OCC is a ministry of Samaritan's Purse, which was founded by Franklin Graham as a Christian relief organization. They respond in the face of natural disaster and war with practical ministry while at the same time sharing the love of Christ.

These shoe boxes are distributed to hundreds of thousands of children around the world who face disease, war, poverty and loneliness every day. Each child who receives a shoe box also receives a book printed in their own language that tells about the Greatest Gift of All, Jesus. Countless people have come to faith through this simple act of love.

For instructions on how to pack a shoe box, click here.

At four, my son doesn't completely get the concept. But, I want his earliest memories to include his family being involved in ministry (benevolence) and mission (sharing the Gospel). Both of these acts are represented in this simple ministry to children.

If you haven't been following along on the Giving Challenge, read "A Season of Giving". How have you chosen to give today?

A Season of Giving

Have you ever seen "The Toy That Saved Christmas"? "Christmas is when you get stuff" is one toy's mantra until friends teach him differently.

I know better than that, don't I? A recent conversation with a neighbor made me start thinking about how I live what I believe. She is struggling with celebrating any part of Christmas because of all of the things that it has become. So much of the holiday is commercial and self-centered. Oh, but I do love Christmas! I love the tree,the music, the movies, the smells and picking the perfect gifts for loved ones. I just want to make sure that all of these things are God-honoring in our home.

But, we do make sure that our family keeps the right focus don't we? Sure, we read the Christmas Story (the real one) on Christmas Eve. On particularly efficient years I've even remembered to start recognizing Advent on time. The first thing you see when you walk in the door is our Nativity, not the tree. We always pack shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. But, is this enough? I'm not so sure. One definition of "focus" is "a center of activity, attraction or attention." It still seems to me that the center of our attention might still be in the wrong place.

I've just started following a great blog, Keeping the Kindgom First. The author is inviting individuals to join in a "30 Days of Giving Challenge". As I read her post this morning I thought about all the little ways that I could give but do not. So I am accepting the challenge. I hope you will too! Giving doesn't have to be expensive, time consuming, or difficult. I've decided to try to find one new way to give every day between now and Christmas. It is my "Giving Thru Christmas Challenge" to you and to my own family. I realize that this is longer than 30 days. I hope that it will become a habit! I will keep you posted on my progress, and I hope you will let me know how you have fleshed out the spirit of giving in your own life.

One caveat though, let's try to make the focus on Christ, shall we? Use the opportunity to point someone to Jesus. Maybe they are a believer and you just want to remind them of the real meaning of Christmas. Maybe they do not believe and you can be a witness in the name of Christ. Maybe you won't even know. But, if someone asks why you have given to them in some way, take the opportunity to tell them that it is the love of Jesus that compels you.

A fb friend posted a status this week that caught my attention. She said that she had been having a terrible day and while in line at a coffee shop another person had paid for her order as well as their own. She couldn't figure out why, but thought it was a nice gesture. I don't know if the mystery giver is following Jesus, but I do know that they got my friend's attention with their kindness.

My act for today? Well, I've been under the weather for a few days, and I had to find something to do from home. So, today I spent some time going to sites to Click for Charity. Here are a couple of links that I gleaned from Keeping the Kingdom First:



What's on tap for tomorrow? I'm not sure yet. I'll let you know how it goes though. How about you? How's your focus this year?