December 6 and 7 - Give

This activity is a one-two punch. And believe me, we're gonna have fun!

The first part of this challenge involves a Salvation Army bell ringer. Now, if you're anything like me, you try to avoid eye contact with these people at ALL costs when you go into a store. Avoiding eye contact when leaving is also very critical. We typically avoid eye contact because we 1.) are afraid they'll somehow force us to put money in their bucket or 2.) feel sheepish for not throwing any money in when we KNOW they know we have money. Duh. We're coming out of the store with a bag. So it confirms that yes, we had money going into the store and didn't put it in when we passed them and yes, we may very well still have some money as we're leaving the store.

So, let's do them (and us) a favor by tossing in some money today. I don't know where you live, but here in Minnesota, it's mighty cold today. As we place some money in their red bucket today, let's also thank them for standing out in the cold to raise money for people in need.


Now, the second part of our give challenge today is to give $10 to charity. Many of you give regularly to all sorts of great charities, but today, let this $10 be on top of what you normally give. Who are you going to bless today? Imagine what good your $10 could do! It could purchase a few meals, it could heat someone's house for a few days, it could buy a pair of mittens for a kid...the list goes on.

Where will your $10 go today? It gets me so excited to think of $10 floating out from each of our pockets and blessing an organization today.

If you need help choosing an organization, here are a few that are near and dear to my heart:

Luther Point Bible Camp
Sky Ranch Bible Camp
Lutheran Youth Encounter
Latreia
Mennonite Central Committee
ELCA World Hunger
Global Health Ministries
TIE (Together Integrating Everyone)

If you'd like to search some other trusted non-profits, check out Charity Navigator. At Charity Navigator, you can search by topic and also see how thousands of charities are rated on organizational efficiency and organizational capacity.

Drop me a line to let me know how your giving adventure went! I can't wait to tell you about mine!

Yesterday, December 5

My apologies for not posting an activity for us yesterday! My Internet was actually down and what a strange thing that was! I wanted to pay bills, but I do nearly all of our bill pay online. I wanted to see if my friend wrote to me about dinner next weekend, but we couldn't access our email. I wanted to check the weather, but no Kare11 website for me! It was a strange feeling, but also liberating at the same time. I had to relax! What is that?!?

That event has made me decide that yesterday's activity (to most likely be done today!) is to unplug for 15 minutes or more. Shut off your computer AND phone. Don't worry, tragedy will likely NOT strike your loved ones in those 15 minutes, so you will be just fine to turn off the phone. :)

Enjoy being unplugged! Listen to the quiet. Let your soul find rest.

December 4

Today, spend 15 minutes writing a Christmas card to someone who may not receive many Christmas wishes this year. Take the time to make them feel special today.

Project for December 3

Frost Cookies!

December 2- Back to Childhood

I hope you had a good time reading the Christmas story yesterday. I loved it! It seems too short - only a few paragraphs to document such a huge event.

Today's project takes us back to childhood.

Materials needed: a notebook-sized piece of paper (or more), a scissors

Begin by folding a corner of your paper over to meet the opposite edge. Here's a picture to help you know what I'm talking about:


Then, cut off the excess that isn't doubled over.


Fold the paper diagonally. And again. And maybe again if you're feeling adventurous!


Now, cut various shapes out from the edges. Can you see where this is going?


I like to make some long shapes and some zig-zaggy shapes. Get creative! You may be tempted to unfold the paper before you're all done. Do your best to wait - it will make the "reveal" all the more fun!


When you're satisfied with the shapes you cut out, unfold the paper.


And now you have a Christmas snowflake! A great reminder of childhood, of God's beauty, and of the uniqueness in all of us. Hang your snowflake somewhere where it can remind you of these things.