It's only December 2nd, but the Christmas spirit is in full force here. No, my tree is not up yet. No, I'm not done wrapping presents. I've baked no cookies and hung no lights, but I am basking in the happiness of the season. Let me explain:
1. I'm thankful for the #LightTheWorld campaign. For each of the first 25 days in December, another example is given of how Jesus served others, and a challenge is given to find a similar way to serve. The focus is on following his example, looking outward, and doing good. "25 Days, 25 Ways." I really love this!
2. To expand a bit (because really, #1 counts for more than just one), I'm thankful for the chance youngest daughter and I had to put together bags for some of the homeless people in our area. Even though we assembled more bags than we found recipients, we have bags in the car ready to hand out whenever we see someone in need.
3. I'm thankful for my grandma, who will be celebrating her 100th birthday in just over a month's time. I'm having fun helping with some of the preparations for her big celebration. (Let me know if you'd like to send a birthday card to her. Doesn't 100 cards for 100 years have a nice ring to it?)
4. I'm thankful for the safe travels of John's parents, his brother and sister-in-law, and our son and daughter-in-law, as they headed back to their respective homes after Thanksgiving. It was good to have them stay with us for a few days.
5. I'm thankful for my granddaughters, who are each now a year older. The preschool years are so much fun!
6. I'm thankful for humor, which sometimes comes from unlikely sources. This week, I received a telemarketing call. When I asked to be put on the do-not-call list, the man asked me if I was on the national do not call registry. When I said that I was (which I am), he said, "You do realize, don't you, that lying about being on the do not call registry is a federal offense?" That was so ridiculous that I couldn't help but laugh aloud. I politely told him that calling a number that is on the do not call is what is actually an offense. I then hung up, blocked his number, and reported his number to the Federal Trade Commission. What did he expect? That I would say, "Oh, please, don't report me! I will buy your product!" I'm baffled at his "logic" and it makes me laugh.
7. I'm thankful for Ivy. I received a sweet, homemade advent calendar from her this week. What really impressed me is that she wrote a scriptural reference for each day--not only from the Bible, but also from the Book of Mormon. That just really touched me, that someone who isn't Mormon would take the time to find verses in the Book of Mormon that referenced the birth of Jesus Christ.
8. I'm also thankful for, and in behalf of, Drexel. Ivy also sent Drexel a toy, and you can tell from this video that it was definitely a hit!
9. I'm so, so thankful to have met (in person!) Cheryl, Christian's mom. I blogged about how John and I met Christian back in September. I've been in contact with Cheryl via phone calls and texts since then, and have been relieved and delighted to hear about Christian's progress. Someday we will meet Christian again, but today we got to meet his mom. What a lovely woman! It's an odd thing to be total strangers, and yet share such a scary moment in her son's life. We were simultaneously like family, and yet we all asked the basic get-to-know you questions like "How many kids do you have?" and "What is your last name?" (Up until now, her last name in our house has been "Christian's Mom" and apparently my last name in her house has been "911 Angel"!)
We went to a Christmas creche festival together, then out for a meal. The time passed quickly as we talked like old friends. Fortunately, Cheryl remembered that we needed to get selfies of our meeting!
10. As always, I'm thankful for John. I woke up this morning and realized that he had put an extra blanket on the bed last night sometime after I had mentioned I was cold. I had just said it as a statement, but he fixed my problem. What a sweet guy!
What are you thankful for this week? Want to join in #LightTheWorld ?
1. I'm thankful for the #LightTheWorld campaign. For each of the first 25 days in December, another example is given of how Jesus served others, and a challenge is given to find a similar way to serve. The focus is on following his example, looking outward, and doing good. "25 Days, 25 Ways." I really love this!
2. To expand a bit (because really, #1 counts for more than just one), I'm thankful for the chance youngest daughter and I had to put together bags for some of the homeless people in our area. Even though we assembled more bags than we found recipients, we have bags in the car ready to hand out whenever we see someone in need.
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| Photo: Contents of bag: water bottle, applesauce,granola bars,lip balm, socks |
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| Photo: After I submitted my grandma's info. to the Today Show for possible birthday greetings, I was given this photo |
5. I'm thankful for my granddaughters, who are each now a year older. The preschool years are so much fun!
6. I'm thankful for humor, which sometimes comes from unlikely sources. This week, I received a telemarketing call. When I asked to be put on the do-not-call list, the man asked me if I was on the national do not call registry. When I said that I was (which I am), he said, "You do realize, don't you, that lying about being on the do not call registry is a federal offense?" That was so ridiculous that I couldn't help but laugh aloud. I politely told him that calling a number that is on the do not call is what is actually an offense. I then hung up, blocked his number, and reported his number to the Federal Trade Commission. What did he expect? That I would say, "Oh, please, don't report me! I will buy your product!" I'm baffled at his "logic" and it makes me laugh.
7. I'm thankful for Ivy. I received a sweet, homemade advent calendar from her this week. What really impressed me is that she wrote a scriptural reference for each day--not only from the Bible, but also from the Book of Mormon. That just really touched me, that someone who isn't Mormon would take the time to find verses in the Book of Mormon that referenced the birth of Jesus Christ.
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| Photo: Advent calendar, with 1 Nephi 19:9 as the scripture reference for Dec. 9th |
8. I'm also thankful for, and in behalf of, Drexel. Ivy also sent Drexel a toy, and you can tell from this video that it was definitely a hit!
9. I'm so, so thankful to have met (in person!) Cheryl, Christian's mom. I blogged about how John and I met Christian back in September. I've been in contact with Cheryl via phone calls and texts since then, and have been relieved and delighted to hear about Christian's progress. Someday we will meet Christian again, but today we got to meet his mom. What a lovely woman! It's an odd thing to be total strangers, and yet share such a scary moment in her son's life. We were simultaneously like family, and yet we all asked the basic get-to-know you questions like "How many kids do you have?" and "What is your last name?" (Up until now, her last name in our house has been "Christian's Mom" and apparently my last name in her house has been "911 Angel"!)
We went to a Christmas creche festival together, then out for a meal. The time passed quickly as we talked like old friends. Fortunately, Cheryl remembered that we needed to get selfies of our meeting!
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| Photo: John, me, and Cheryl outside the restaurant |
What are you thankful for this week? Want to join in #LightTheWorld ?
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Kristi, I love the positivity in all of your posts. The homeless gift bags are a wonderful idea. Happy birthday to your Grandma. A cousin recently wanted to surprise her mom with 70 cards for her 70th. She was happily surprised that she received over 100 in the process. I'd be happy to send a card to your Grandma in care of your address.
ReplyDeleteThank you! That would be wonderful! :-)
DeleteWow, this list is more amazing that the last. So glad to hear that Christian is on the road to recovery and that you met his Mom.
ReplyDeleteI would be delighted to send a birthday card to your grandmother. My aunt Pauline will be 100 on December 8th - her children are hosting a reception at the nursing home on the 10th. I love that you sent your grandmother's information to the Today show.
Thank you. I emailed you my address. I would be happy to reciprocate, and mail a card to your Aunt Pauline.
DeleteSo should i send Grandmas card to you??? And it was such a pleasure to make your calendar!!!
ReplyDeleteSending to me would be fine; I will take any cards I receive up to her when I go for the party. :-) Thank you, and thanks again for such a thoughtful calendar!
DeleteNumber 2 very cool. Simple and effective.
ReplyDelete(hey the vid of Drexel did not stick, perhaps re-post? though I may have seen in on 'the Facebook' dogs do appreciate gifts.)
The bags certainly aren't much, but hopefully fill a simple need.
DeleteHmm, I'm perplexed; the video shows on my computer. Is anyone else having a problem viewing it, I wonder?
I do hope that things turn out well for the man in the accident you witnessed. Such a traumatic event to experience!
ReplyDeleteHow amazing that you got to meet Christian's mom! My dad rides a motorcycle and I worry about him SO SO MUCH. Christian and his family are blessed to have had you there. Also, Ivy sent you such a beautiful advent calendar! How sweet! (she's super sweet)
ReplyDeleteHappy December, fellow Kristi. We just got our tree tonight and I'm feeling super thankful but without enough time to post I think... visiting others is light.
Thank you for taking the time to stop by and comment. This is a super busy time of year, that's for sure! Enjoy this Christmas season!
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