IT HAS ARRIVED.
My favorite day.
Merry Christmas, loves!
People often ask me why I love Christmas so much, and if I've always been this way.
Well... my name means "Christmas Child". That's not why I love Christmas, but I think it's a pretty fitting name for someone who loves Christmas season as much as I do.
Now... have I always been this way? Yes and no.
I've always loved Christmas season. The kindness that people usually seem to have [except in mall parking lots... those bring out the worst in humanity...], Christmas carols, the baking parties, looking out for the needs of others, Christmas movies, colder weather, football season... All those things make Christmas season really fun & enjoyable. They're not the focus or purpose of Christmas, but they're really fun byproducts of this holiday.
So, why do I love Christmas so much?
#1: It's super fun to countdown to anything exciting. I like anticipation.
#2: Friend time, family time, and the best excuse to come to California for a 10 day visit.
#3: Most importantly, it is the perfect reminder of the gift of life, the purpose of life, and the reason why life is beautiful& enjoyable, even in the midst of hard times & tragedy: JESUS.
Now.. I know Jesus wasn't born on December 25th.
I know Christmas technically began as a pagan holiday.
However, those things don't matter. To me, Christmas is simply the representation & reminder of the birth of Christ. People say He was probably born in the spring. Whatever. That's awesome. Although it's really cute thinking of little 8 pound, 6 ounce, newborn infant Jesus, the date of His birth doesn't really matter. What matters is that Jesus was BORN.
He was born specifically with the purpose that He would live a perfect life, keeping Himself free of sin& failure, no matter what it took. He left heaven to be born in our imperfect world so that He could live perfectly and die for us. He was born so that He could later redeem us.
He was born to show us the relationship that God the Father wants with us. He came to be the perfect, tangible example of God's love and sacrifice. He came to bring abundant life, to redeem& to restore.
He came to show that we can overcome sin& death-- IF we look to Him for strength & fall on Him with our weakness-- because He overcame sin & death.
Everything He has done is for the glory of God, for the furthering of His kingdom& the exaltation of His name, and for our restoration.
Christmas is not great simply because people give gifts, or sing Christmas carols, or drink entirely too many Starbucks holiday drinks [...guilty...].
As I said before, those are enjoyable byproducts, but they're not the point.
Christmas is great, because it reminds me of the love, sacrifice, and deep compassion of Christ. It reminds me that God did the unthinkable--- He gave His only Son to come to this imperfect world. To enter a world full of tragedy & death; a world of people that would seek our own embetterment, without realizing that He is the giver of all good things. A world who would depend on our own strength& resources, and forget that He is the giver of life, and that in Christ we live, move, and have our being.
God knew all that. Yet, He knew that WITHOUT Christ, we would have no future; no hope. We would never be able to give enough or do enough to deserve eternal life. So He offered up His Son for us. And Christ was willing to leave heaven in order to be born as a baby, to a humble family with very little means. He was willing to live in a less-than-perfect place, and to give His life for us, because of LOVE.
Jesus loves us enough that He was willing to suffer for us. Now He lives to make intercession for us. That's why I love Christmas. I love Christmas because it points to everything I live, love, and believe. I love Jesus every day, not just on Christmas. But with the busyness of life, and the responsibilities and demands on my time& attention, it can be easy to forget ,to just sit rest, focus, and simply THANK Him. Not just listing off things I'm thankful for... but expressing my thanks to Him... FOR Him. This day--- this entire season, really--- is just a reminder of whom I love& live for, and why He is deserving of my life. Jesus is the Messiah. The man who came to this world to redeem it, to lay His life down for us, since He knew we couldn't. It is a reminder that I follow a Savior who is full of love, kindness, patience, and forgiveness. All the stupid crap I've done, all the terrible mistakes I've made, all the selfishness& harshness in my heart--- He lived His life simply so He could die for those things. He gave Himself so that, by His holiness, He could redeem me by erasing those things & giving me a fresh start.
HE is the one who gives the most... not simply on Christmas, but every day. He has perfectly orchestrated my life& planned my steps.
How can I NOT love Him? How can I not be implicitly thankful for Him? Thankful to Him? How can I not be humbled to the dust, realizing how great& mighty He is, and realizing how slight& insufficient I am? How can I not be overcome with praise& thankfulness to realize that although I am nothing, and have nothing to offer--- He places His worth& identity in me, and makes me someone worth dying for and worth saving? And not just "me" but all people who ever lived or who ever will live...
I will never stop being ridiculous& giddy over Christmas, because it is the reminder that Jesus died for all of mankind-- including people like me who do straight up stupid things-- and that He sees us as being worth the sacrifice.
Merry Christmas, friends. In the midst of all the fun, busyness, family/friend time, gift exchanging, food, and festivities.... remember that Jesus is the one who is most deserving of our love& appreciation.
He doesn't just give love; He is the very definition of it.
He is so worthy of praise.
Bon Nadal!
Feliz Navidad!
Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
December.
Whew... These last 4-5 weeks have been NUTS.
Weekend before Thanksgiving: Found out I need to be out of my house before the end of December, unless I want to be roommates & share a bathroom with two Casanova-aspiring dudes.
Ew. I don't.
Weekend of Thanksgiving: Finally decided to move to Aurora with the Wrights, even though I didn't have a job lined up there yet, which terrified me. I moved to Colorado without a job... And had never planned on making such a gutsy move again. Especially not within 6 months.
December 5: Met Sarah's chiropractor, who wanted to talk to me about a marketing position. Also, went to a group interview for Wells Fargo.
December 7: Met with Dr. Brunner AGAIN, filled out an application, and then Sarah jetted me over to Wells Fargo for my follow up interview.
December 10: Hired at Wells Fargo.
December 15: Moving to Aurora.
December 20: Last day at work in the Springs.
December 21: Flying to California.
December 21-24: Reunions with friends and family... My favorites!!!
December 25: CHRISTMAS!!!!
Hot dang. Exciting month. I am so, so excited for the future... And SO UNBELIEVABLY GRATEFUL to God for taking care of me & hooking things up, especially when I didn't have a CLUE what the next weeks& months were going to hold.
His timing is truly so perfect. I couldn't have planned it more specifically if I'd tried!
Weekend before Thanksgiving: Found out I need to be out of my house before the end of December, unless I want to be roommates & share a bathroom with two Casanova-aspiring dudes.
Ew. I don't.
Weekend of Thanksgiving: Finally decided to move to Aurora with the Wrights, even though I didn't have a job lined up there yet, which terrified me. I moved to Colorado without a job... And had never planned on making such a gutsy move again. Especially not within 6 months.
December 5: Met Sarah's chiropractor, who wanted to talk to me about a marketing position. Also, went to a group interview for Wells Fargo.
December 7: Met with Dr. Brunner AGAIN, filled out an application, and then Sarah jetted me over to Wells Fargo for my follow up interview.
December 10: Hired at Wells Fargo.
December 15: Moving to Aurora.
December 20: Last day at work in the Springs.
December 21: Flying to California.
December 21-24: Reunions with friends and family... My favorites!!!
December 25: CHRISTMAS!!!!
Hot dang. Exciting month. I am so, so excited for the future... And SO UNBELIEVABLY GRATEFUL to God for taking care of me & hooking things up, especially when I didn't have a CLUE what the next weeks& months were going to hold.
His timing is truly so perfect. I couldn't have planned it more specifically if I'd tried!
Sunday, December 2, 2012
GIVE.
Trying to brainstorm ideas of how to give according to people's NEEDS. Sure, I'm all about toy drives, and getting gifts for children. Even though they aren't exactly a necessity, I love knowing that kids have toys & stuffed animals, just like their peers. When I was a kid, we didn't have a lot, but my parents would always get us Christmas gifts, and we cherished those things so much.
Still, I'm not going to give toys to adults, and although teddy bears are fantastic, people need food, clothing, and shelter. Especially in Colorado.
Here are some ideas I've come up with!
1) Whole Foods.I went to buy groceries today and saw cards at the checkstand with $5, $10, and $20 values.
I asked the cashier about them, and she told me that 100% OF THE PROCEEDS go to buying food items for families in need, within our community.
You buy a card. Whole Foods uses all of that amount to buy Whole Foods brand grocery items to give to needy families. Since they use it for WF items, it's more cost effective. They are in network with a few local shelters, and the employees at the shelters will let Whole Foods know the specific food needs [milk, bread, meat, etc.], so that everyone can ensure that the family is getting what it NEEDS. I love that. So I bought one.
I think that's one of the most fantastic ideas, #1) Because 100% of proceeds go directly to the families, #2) Because it's given within our community, and #3) Because they work closely with NPOs and there is transparency between the two organizations. Whole Foods basically takes your money, does the shopping for you [since they know specifically what the people/families need], and deliver it to the shelters.
2) Gift cards.
Chipotle does this thing where, if you buy a certain dollar amount of gift cards, they'll throw in an extra one. I know a lot of people prefer to not give money to homeless people, or to someone you might see standing at the corner of an intersection with a sign. I understand most people don't carry food in their car to give. But what if I had some Chipotle gift cards to give?
#1) Chipotle is delicious,
#2) Chipotle is nutritious,
#3) It's not expensive, so you can give someone a $7-10 gift card and know they will get a decent meal,
#4) It's not McDonald's, Wendy's, Taco Bell, or any of those other gross fast food places.
If I won't eat fast food because I know how terrible it is for my health, I don't want to give someone else a gift card for those places.
"Merry Christmas & Happy Artery Clogging"? NO. Not so much.
3) Speaking of not generally having food in my car to give away:
I used to keep bottles of Gatorade and protein bars in my car, in case I saw someone asking for food or money, so I could at least have something to offer them. I forgot all about that! I think it's time to buy more nonperishable snacks to keep in my car, just in case.
Again, granola bars, protein bars, bottled water, juice boxes, snack packs of almonds or trail mix--- something. Preferably with protein, since it keeps you fuller longer.
4) Beanies, gloves, or other cold weather articles of clothing.
Clearly, I'm not going to become some hoarder who keeps insane amounts of things in my car. However, one of our patients last week was telling me how she knits caps/beanies and donates them to homeless shelters and other NPOs. I don't knit, I don't crochet, I don't sew.
I DO always have extra sweaters in my car, for myself, since Colorado weather is as unpredictable as a moody teenager. If I were to ever come across someone who needed warm clothes, I could give them something of my own.
Still... It might be worth considering keeping some beanies or gloves in my trunk, just in case. Goodwill & the Salvation Army are perfect places to pick up perfectly wearable items [in GOOD condition!] without breaking the bank by buying brand new ones at Wal-Mart or Target.
I want to give and-- although sometimes it's very spontaneous-- if I want to give more often, I have to budget to some degree.
So far, Colorado has been unseasonably warm, with a few frigid days here& there. But I know colder days are coming, and next month is usually the coldest. Even with layer upon layer upon layer, sometimes I'm still cold. I can't imagine what it would be like for people who sleep on stoops or in shop doorways, or even in an actual house that they cannot afford to heat.
5) CharityNavigator.org.
You can go to this website and search for specific charities, or just for the top ranked ones. It will tell you what the premise of the charity is, what their revenue & expenses are, and will rate them based on transparency and how much of the money is actually used for what you think you're giving.
I like supporting organizations within my own community, or at least something local-- in my same county or state.
I found one called Jeffco Action Center, which has been given 4 stars. Out of 70 points possible, it has scored 65.91 overall, and 70 points on "Transparency".
It's "an immediate response to basic human needs and to promote pathways to self-sufficiency. It provides services to people who are in danger of becoming homeless, or attempting to move out of homelessness.
It serves as a haven of hope for the thousands of homeless, near homeless, and working poor who come through our door every year.
People can receive assistance with a five-day supply of food, clothing for the whole family, necessary household items, and medical care."
6) Give time.Volunteering for the Thanksgiving meal at the Salvation Army this year was so great. I definitely want to do it again! It was a very last minute decision, and I was able to register for one of the last 2 available positions. Next year, I'll register in advance, and maybe even for two days or two shifts. It reminded me of volunteering at the Way Station in Joshua Tree, and was so much fun, and so rewarding to be able to spend time talking to people, serving food, and cleaning up.
I'm hoping/planning to help out at the Way Station when I go home for Christmas, as long as the volunteer dates aren't before December 21st.
Even so--- as the holidays end, the needs& opportunities don't. I'm moving to Aurora this month, and will immediately be on the job hunt. However, as I determine a work schedule, I want to find something to be a part of: Salvation Army, Red Cross, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America... something!
I am so excited about this next season in life, and the opportunities that God is showing me. To be continued! :)
Still, I'm not going to give toys to adults, and although teddy bears are fantastic, people need food, clothing, and shelter. Especially in Colorado.
Here are some ideas I've come up with!
1) Whole Foods.I went to buy groceries today and saw cards at the checkstand with $5, $10, and $20 values.
I asked the cashier about them, and she told me that 100% OF THE PROCEEDS go to buying food items for families in need, within our community.
You buy a card. Whole Foods uses all of that amount to buy Whole Foods brand grocery items to give to needy families. Since they use it for WF items, it's more cost effective. They are in network with a few local shelters, and the employees at the shelters will let Whole Foods know the specific food needs [milk, bread, meat, etc.], so that everyone can ensure that the family is getting what it NEEDS. I love that. So I bought one.
I think that's one of the most fantastic ideas, #1) Because 100% of proceeds go directly to the families, #2) Because it's given within our community, and #3) Because they work closely with NPOs and there is transparency between the two organizations. Whole Foods basically takes your money, does the shopping for you [since they know specifically what the people/families need], and deliver it to the shelters.
2) Gift cards.
Chipotle does this thing where, if you buy a certain dollar amount of gift cards, they'll throw in an extra one. I know a lot of people prefer to not give money to homeless people, or to someone you might see standing at the corner of an intersection with a sign. I understand most people don't carry food in their car to give. But what if I had some Chipotle gift cards to give?
#1) Chipotle is delicious,
#2) Chipotle is nutritious,
#3) It's not expensive, so you can give someone a $7-10 gift card and know they will get a decent meal,
#4) It's not McDonald's, Wendy's, Taco Bell, or any of those other gross fast food places.
If I won't eat fast food because I know how terrible it is for my health, I don't want to give someone else a gift card for those places.
"Merry Christmas & Happy Artery Clogging"? NO. Not so much.
3) Speaking of not generally having food in my car to give away:
I used to keep bottles of Gatorade and protein bars in my car, in case I saw someone asking for food or money, so I could at least have something to offer them. I forgot all about that! I think it's time to buy more nonperishable snacks to keep in my car, just in case.
Again, granola bars, protein bars, bottled water, juice boxes, snack packs of almonds or trail mix--- something. Preferably with protein, since it keeps you fuller longer.
4) Beanies, gloves, or other cold weather articles of clothing.
Clearly, I'm not going to become some hoarder who keeps insane amounts of things in my car. However, one of our patients last week was telling me how she knits caps/beanies and donates them to homeless shelters and other NPOs. I don't knit, I don't crochet, I don't sew.
I DO always have extra sweaters in my car, for myself, since Colorado weather is as unpredictable as a moody teenager. If I were to ever come across someone who needed warm clothes, I could give them something of my own.
Still... It might be worth considering keeping some beanies or gloves in my trunk, just in case. Goodwill & the Salvation Army are perfect places to pick up perfectly wearable items [in GOOD condition!] without breaking the bank by buying brand new ones at Wal-Mart or Target.
I want to give and-- although sometimes it's very spontaneous-- if I want to give more often, I have to budget to some degree.
So far, Colorado has been unseasonably warm, with a few frigid days here& there. But I know colder days are coming, and next month is usually the coldest. Even with layer upon layer upon layer, sometimes I'm still cold. I can't imagine what it would be like for people who sleep on stoops or in shop doorways, or even in an actual house that they cannot afford to heat.
5) CharityNavigator.org.
You can go to this website and search for specific charities, or just for the top ranked ones. It will tell you what the premise of the charity is, what their revenue & expenses are, and will rate them based on transparency and how much of the money is actually used for what you think you're giving.
I like supporting organizations within my own community, or at least something local-- in my same county or state.
I found one called Jeffco Action Center, which has been given 4 stars. Out of 70 points possible, it has scored 65.91 overall, and 70 points on "Transparency".
It's "an immediate response to basic human needs and to promote pathways to self-sufficiency. It provides services to people who are in danger of becoming homeless, or attempting to move out of homelessness.
It serves as a haven of hope for the thousands of homeless, near homeless, and working poor who come through our door every year.
People can receive assistance with a five-day supply of food, clothing for the whole family, necessary household items, and medical care."
6) Give time.Volunteering for the Thanksgiving meal at the Salvation Army this year was so great. I definitely want to do it again! It was a very last minute decision, and I was able to register for one of the last 2 available positions. Next year, I'll register in advance, and maybe even for two days or two shifts. It reminded me of volunteering at the Way Station in Joshua Tree, and was so much fun, and so rewarding to be able to spend time talking to people, serving food, and cleaning up.
I'm hoping/planning to help out at the Way Station when I go home for Christmas, as long as the volunteer dates aren't before December 21st.
Even so--- as the holidays end, the needs& opportunities don't. I'm moving to Aurora this month, and will immediately be on the job hunt. However, as I determine a work schedule, I want to find something to be a part of: Salvation Army, Red Cross, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America... something!
I am so excited about this next season in life, and the opportunities that God is showing me. To be continued! :)
Saturday, December 1, 2012
All I [DON'T] Want for Christmas...
All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth...
All I want for Christmas is you...
"All I Want for Christmas" the Hallmark movie...
Nope.
I don't want gifts for Christmas. I don't need Starbucks gift cards. I don't need more clothes. I don't need Packers gear [luckily, I got my jersey last Christmas, so I'm good. ;) Haha]. I don't need hand lotion, or CDs, or fun socks, or wall art.
Don't get me wrong. I like all those things. My parents raised me to be an appreciative person, and I'm the type of person who enjoys the little things, like someone remembering I love coffee, or my favorite color, or the CD I've been wanting to buy [shout out to Audrey... it's like she can read my mind!]. Every time someone has given me a gift, I've appreciated and enjoyed it.
Except for that one year when an old boyfriend gave me a chocolate fondue set... I'm allergic to chocolate. So... that was fun. Hahaha.
However, I don't NEED anything. I don't need gifts and, to be perfectly honest, I don't want my loved ones spending their hard earned money on things I don't need for the sake of "giving" and making me happy.
There is only one thing I want, and I'm getting it: Going home for Christmas.
Just the fact that I get to BE with my favorite people in California is enough to make me completely content, excited, and thankful.
I've been learning so, so, so much over the last year about living within my means, not spending my money frivolously "just because I have money to spend", and being content with what I have.
I realize that I have so much. I have a roof over my head, clothes on my back, and food on the table. There are so many things that I don't need, but that I have to entertain me, or keep me busy.
I realize when I go to the store that I buy nail polish, or new pajamas, or a cute pair of shoes, just because I can... although I don't need those things.
People give gifts during Christmas because of the "spirit of giving". Well, this year I don't want people buying gifts for me. If you're truly doing it in the spirit of giving, please realize that there are people out there--- in our own communities--- who truly NEED clothes, food, a place to live, gas money to get to work, or money to support their own children.
In the spirit of giving, please pray about it, check out charitynavigator.org, and choose a charity to give to. Or, take that money, buy warm clothes& food, and give it to a person who needs it, or drop it off at a soup kitchen/homeless shelter.
I'm not trying to sound all Mother Teresa-ish. I'm no saint. If any of you know me well, you know I'm faaaaaaar from that. I'm definitely a selfish person far too often. So, please, instead of feeding my selfishness this year, use your money to give to someone who needs it.
I will not be buying Christmas gifts this year for any of my family or friends, except for my niece Lora.
And I would appreciate if you lovelies would see my heart in this, see that I'm deeply, deeply grateful for you& your presence in my life, and that my greatest happiness would be for us to join together to make a difference in someone's life.
Trust me. I appreciate gifts, and I love giving them. I know you don't give out of obligation, but out of a true sense of wanting to give. And I appreciate you so much for it. **ahem, Jen...**But the Bible tells us to consider the NEEDS of others.I don't just want that to happen this Christmas. Nor just every year ON Christmas. I want us to live lives that are characterized by generosity & hospitality, and to give with the heart & mind of Jesus.
Merry Christmas, my friends. I love you & I'll be seeing you soon.
All I want for Christmas is you...
"All I Want for Christmas" the Hallmark movie...
Nope.
I don't want gifts for Christmas. I don't need Starbucks gift cards. I don't need more clothes. I don't need Packers gear [luckily, I got my jersey last Christmas, so I'm good. ;) Haha]. I don't need hand lotion, or CDs, or fun socks, or wall art.
Don't get me wrong. I like all those things. My parents raised me to be an appreciative person, and I'm the type of person who enjoys the little things, like someone remembering I love coffee, or my favorite color, or the CD I've been wanting to buy [shout out to Audrey... it's like she can read my mind!]. Every time someone has given me a gift, I've appreciated and enjoyed it.
Except for that one year when an old boyfriend gave me a chocolate fondue set... I'm allergic to chocolate. So... that was fun. Hahaha.
However, I don't NEED anything. I don't need gifts and, to be perfectly honest, I don't want my loved ones spending their hard earned money on things I don't need for the sake of "giving" and making me happy.
There is only one thing I want, and I'm getting it: Going home for Christmas.
Just the fact that I get to BE with my favorite people in California is enough to make me completely content, excited, and thankful.
I've been learning so, so, so much over the last year about living within my means, not spending my money frivolously "just because I have money to spend", and being content with what I have.
I realize that I have so much. I have a roof over my head, clothes on my back, and food on the table. There are so many things that I don't need, but that I have to entertain me, or keep me busy.
I realize when I go to the store that I buy nail polish, or new pajamas, or a cute pair of shoes, just because I can... although I don't need those things.
People give gifts during Christmas because of the "spirit of giving". Well, this year I don't want people buying gifts for me. If you're truly doing it in the spirit of giving, please realize that there are people out there--- in our own communities--- who truly NEED clothes, food, a place to live, gas money to get to work, or money to support their own children.
In the spirit of giving, please pray about it, check out charitynavigator.org, and choose a charity to give to. Or, take that money, buy warm clothes& food, and give it to a person who needs it, or drop it off at a soup kitchen/homeless shelter.
I'm not trying to sound all Mother Teresa-ish. I'm no saint. If any of you know me well, you know I'm faaaaaaar from that. I'm definitely a selfish person far too often. So, please, instead of feeding my selfishness this year, use your money to give to someone who needs it.
I will not be buying Christmas gifts this year for any of my family or friends, except for my niece Lora.
And I would appreciate if you lovelies would see my heart in this, see that I'm deeply, deeply grateful for you& your presence in my life, and that my greatest happiness would be for us to join together to make a difference in someone's life.
Trust me. I appreciate gifts, and I love giving them. I know you don't give out of obligation, but out of a true sense of wanting to give. And I appreciate you so much for it. **ahem, Jen...**But the Bible tells us to consider the NEEDS of others.I don't just want that to happen this Christmas. Nor just every year ON Christmas. I want us to live lives that are characterized by generosity & hospitality, and to give with the heart & mind of Jesus.
Merry Christmas, my friends. I love you & I'll be seeing you soon.
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