When I Want to Microwave Life

Sometimes I long to toss parts of my life into a microwave, punch noisy buttons, and watch goals get accomplished.

Change, growth, financial security, details from a publisher.

Beep, beep, beeeeep.

Ah, finished.

Then, Emily challenges us to notice the little, the ordinary, the special in our everyday.

The problem (or is it a blessing?), is I can’t zap the ordinary. I need to linger in the ordinary.

I resist the urge to look ahead, and instead, notice the beauty in my right here, right now, rain turning to snow, ordinary Tuesday.

The older one checked out four books from the library on how-to draw bugs. Then filled pages of lined paper with stink bugs, beetles, and centipedes. Joy.

The younger one calls her favorite bear Skunk. Then lives each day taking care of Skunk's extensive list of needs by painting his nails and feeding him chocolate chip, granola bars. Joy.

Unwrapping Tuesdays with friends here.

Photo of the bug artist and Skunk's caretaker shot by my way, talented friend, Renee. Find her here.

The Lust for Stuff

How can we serve others if we are obsessed with everything we don't have?

As children start to etch out Christmas wish lists, be certain to take a quick count of what already lines your home.

A few ideas to kick-start thoughts on stuff:

• Start counting. We’ve counted shoes, games, and shirts before, but Sarah Aaland from Doing Good Together suggests we take counting a step further. For every item counted, Sarah’s family places a penny in a jar. Sarah goes on to say, “I love this project because it gives young children a tangible sense of the stuff we’re surrounded by while reminding us of the needs of others.” What are some of the things Sarah is counting? Bedrooms, hats, and books. More ideas can be found here.

• Check out the 2011 Simplify the Holidays Challenge.

• Peek at some of the worst toys created this year. Then, consider taking action regarding the endless marketing campaigns directed towards our kids.

• Look for creative ways to teach your kids about stuff. Have you seen these short PBS videos?

(Email subscribers, please click here)

Question for you: How do you put limits on all of the "must-have" stuff this holiday season?


: :


Linking with Jen.

Dreams Are Like Popsicles

Dreams are like Popsicles.

They come in different varieties: syrupy Otter Pops, creamy Fudgsicles, and even, Cotton Candy Swirls.

Place your dream down for even a moment, and it melts into useless, sticky liquid. You no longer recognize the once treasured, icy goodness, and instead, you only see a gooey mess, another chore to complete, an unchecked item on your endless to-do-list.

And that’s why even if it feels selfish, protect your dreams.

Guard them while walking the playground of life.

If someone tries to snatch your dream away or knock it from your hand, be ready.

Hold on.

Scream out.

Put up a fight.

Dreams are too important.

Care for your dream. Eat it slowly. Let it permeate your insides and coat your soul.

After all, there’s a reason you picked that glorious dream from the ice cream truck in the first place.

Question for you: How do you treat your dreams? Are they silly ideas that only get attention when the house is quiet or do you make them a visible priority?

: :

Along the same lines, I hope you are failing.

Linking with the lovlies here.

Image credit.

And The Winner Is

On Sunday, I told you about my friend Karyn's store, Delicate Fortress Creations.

The message of my post was to encourage you to be intentional with the gifts you buy this holiday season (good), and to highlight an online store that works to better the lives of others (really good).

Oh, and I also mentioned a little something, something about free merchandise.

Let's find out who won that giveaway, shall we?

(email subscribers, please click here to view video)

What was it that she won? A pair of these from Delicate Fortress Creations, a store that provides products created by artisans escaping forced prostitution, modern day slavery, and extreme poverty.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends. I hope the upcoming days are filled with mounds of mashed potatoes, perfect pieces of pumpkin pie, and loads of time with the ones you love.

Opting Out of Black Friday and Free Punjammies For You

The busiest shopping days of the year are upon us: Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday.

Stores flood, wallets empty, and your sister receives another bottle of body lotion she hates.

This year would you consider trying something different?

This year, bring unique gifts to your holiday gathering and make a decision to shop with a purpose.

Delicate Fortress Creations is an online store with a mission to end human trafficking, poverty, and modern day slavery. I could go on for pages about all the great things DFC offers, but I understand the short attention span of bloggers, and therefore, here’s a tiny break down of some cool DFC facts:

• DFC works with over twenty-five different artisan groups from all over the world.
• DFC carries a variety of quality products including purses, jewelry, headbands, children's items, and clothing.
• DFC offers a way for people to raise money (nonprofits and families hoping to adopt). 
• On Black Friday, DFC is offering 30% off and free shipping on select items. Plus, $1.00 of each purchase will be donated to a literacy program for purchases bought on Saturday.
• This Tuesday, DFC is launching a brand new product- trendy, upcycled bags from Haiti.
• DFC is offering you one pair of free punjammies ($35.00 value)!

 What are punjammies? Glad you asked. Take a peek, and envision yourself (or someone on your gift list) in them now.

Not only are DFC's punjammies comfortable and cute, but they are made by survivors of forced prostitution. To win your free pair of punjammies (you pick the color and style), simply complete any or all of the following:

• Ask the owner of DFC, Karyn, a question about DFC, the store’s products, or the artists she works with in my comment section. Don’t worry, your question won’t get lost in cyber space, Karyn is actually answering questions here.
• Like Delicate Fortress Creations on Facebook.
• Click over to the DFC blog and become a follower.

One entry in the contest will be given for each task completed (If you like DFC on Facebook or subscribe to the DFC blog, just let me know in the comments as well). Then, on Tuesday night, I will announce a winner, and Karyn will send out your punjammies.

Complete your holiday shopping, give unique gifts, and help in the fight against human trafficking. Now that gives us all something to really “Fa, la, la” about.

Let’s begin: What question do you have for Karyn?


***Contest is now closed. Thanks for the support you showered on Karyn!***

: :

Linking with Jen and crew.

2 Little Tidbits Worth Mentioning This Saturday

1. Today my friend, Kim, invited me to share over at her place. Kim is a talented girl. She wrote a book called Beauty in the Darkness, and all the proceeds from her book are being donated to Gospel For Asia. Pouring your heart into a book only to give away all the proceeds? You'll like her. Click here to read my post and learn about three things I've decided to quit.

2. About a month ago, a company approached me about doing a giveaway. They offered to let me giveaway thirty pieces of cardstock, as in paper. After hosting this fantastic giveaway, they would then send me five additional sheets of cardstock to keep for my very own. Seriously. The whole idea of giving away thirty pieces of paper really made me laugh.

But do you know what won't make you laugh? (Although it may make you scream in delight). The real giveaway I'm announcing tomorrow. Come back to win something fun, and learn about a way to shop with a purpose.

*Comments are closed.

Because This Is Not Beauty

Oh, those Dove self-esteem videos. I could eat them up like a spoonful of crunchy peanut butter.

Pssst, what can you do to remind your kids, your friends, and yourself this is not true beauty?

(email subscribers please click here to view video)

Question: For all of you parents of girls, how do you play down appearance and point out real beauty?

The Gift of Prayer and Share Your Story

Are you ready for today's Share Your Story? Written by Stacy, author of Heartprints of God, this piece encourages us to do more with those fleeting thoughts that scamper across our minds.

Through her writing, Stacy weaves stories of life and faith, and she always leaves me thinking about things in a new way.

Here's Stacy.

: : : :

Today, I’m wearing one of my favorite pairs of shoes, my Miranda shoes. No, Miranda is not a famous designer of footwear, although she might grow up to be one someday. Miranda is a former student of mine, and the shoes, a constant reminder for me to pray for her.

Miranda was an excellent student and learning came easy for this energetic, independent 3rd grader. Easy in every subject except Math, that is. So, at the first parent-teacher conference of the school year, I offered to tutor Miranda each day after school, at no cost to the family. Her mother willingly accepted my invitation, and the tutoring began.

The school year flew by quickly and I was proud of the progress Miranda had made. At an Educational Fair held the final week of school, I was approached by Miranda's grandmother. She gently squeezed my arm, smiled, and handed me an envelope. Then, she slipped into the crowd gathered in the gym to view the exhibits on display. That evening, I opened the envelope to find a beautiful, handwritten note thanking me for tutoring her precious granddaughter. To further show her appreciation, she had enclosed a check.

A few months later, while shopping at a local mall, I came across a pair of black shoes.

They were just what I’d been looking for. There was only one problem. Our budget was tight. Then, I remembered Miranda and the generosity of her grandmother. Months earlier, when I had cashed her check, my husband had told me to tuck the money into a "hidden" place in my wallet so it would be there when I wanted to buy something special. Money in hand, I headed to the checkout.

Waiting in line, I thanked God for this gift. Then, I smiled and prayed a special prayer for Miranda. These shoes, in a roundabout way, had brought her to my mind and a prayer for her to my lips! At that moment, I purposed in my heart to say a prayer for Miranda each time I put on my "Miranda shoes".

How many times has something in your day made you think of someone? While driving to work you see a car identical to the one your friend drives. While eating at a restaurant, a waitress has the same name as your Aunt. While watching the evening news, you hear a story from a city where a friend lives. Are these simply coincidences? I don't think so. God has given us the unique privilege and the awesome responsibility to pray for others.
So, this morning as I put on my Miranda shoes, I prayed for her. A few days ago, a song reminded me of a college roommate, so I took a moment and prayed for her. Yesterday, a boy crossing the street reminded me of my nephew, so I prayed for him.

How humbling and exciting to remember God can use ordinary things in our lives to do extraordinary things in the lives of others when we allow these “reminders” to lead us into the throne room of prayer. 


Today, when God graces your life with a gift of remembrance, why not turn this gift into a gift of prayer?

: :

Thanks, Stacy. As for me? Who are the people that have popped into my head today? My neighbor, my sister, my mom, my forever friend's nephew.

Question for you: Who have you been thinking of today? A relative? Friend? Stranger?

: :

Interested in Sharing Your Story? I'm interested in hearing it. Click here.




Image credit.

On What Happens When You Get Off the R in the Wrong Place and Dreams

While in New York, the R train delivered my friend and I to the wrong stop. All right, fine. We delivered ourselves to the wrong stop.

Twenty-five minutes late, dressed in jeans, and sucking air, we raced down city blocks and trekked up three sets of white, stone steps to the mezzanine level of the Brooklyn Tabernacle.

We arrived to find church members genuinely happy to see us and four thousand people belting out "Amazing Grace".

Perfection.

The pastor preached on Proverbs 5:14. I have come to the brink of utter ruin in the midst of the whole assembly.

And the gist of the sermon was this:

Utter ruin.
People walk the ledge, and we don't know.
People cry behind closed doors, and we don't know.
People grasp tightly to hidden pain, and we don't know.

And why don't we know? We don't pay attention.

Apparently, God thought I needed an illustration of this sermon seared into my brain, and so after church, he allowed me to walk passed the "Before I Die Project". This project creates constructive spaces out of neglected places. Think of a giant, city block-sized chalkboard that invites passersby to scrawl out dreams they wish to achieve.

Detailed sentences with perfect manuscript. Short misspelled words and phrases. Some dreams silly, some serious, but all the work of people hoping to be heard.

Other messages included: "Be saved. Find my dad. Love someone. Graduate from college."

Now, tucked back into my life at home, I think about the authors of the above chalk dreams, and I wonder if anyone is listening to them tonight.

Questions for you: Do you consider yourself a good listener? Who needs you to hear them today?


: :

Linking with Michelle and Jen.

Bub Bi

A friend splurged on airline tickets. So today in just a few short hours, I will be hopping a plane and heading to NYC where I will suck in every possible sight, chow down on delicious food, and relive the glory days by attending this. Big hair. Think very big hair.

: : :

But before my adventure begins, I wanted to pass along some good reads.

Flower Patch Farmgirl. I met Shannan at a conference, and she really is as sweet and funny as she seems in her posts. Plus, she uses the word "swoony" a lot. Who doesn't love the word "swoony"? Plus, (yes, another plus) she's using her blog to help rally people to build a well. Yep, I admire that. Yes, I do.

THC. So much goodness. When I started blogging, this was the first community I joined. The people are sincere. The writing inspires.

What in the World R U doing for Christ's Sake? A new place in the blogosphere that hosts a variety of guests in hopes of "celebrating those going about His business".  Kim, the author behind the blog, is looking for guests.

Christy is wearing a key for a reason. Click here to see why.

Have a wonderful (and hopefully long) weekend, friends.

On Loving Your Neighbor With Thirteen Cats

So here’s the question: Are you required to love your neighbor even if they happen to talk constantly, let junk pile up in their front yard, and own thirteen cats?

When we lived on the western slope of Colorado, our neighbors were less than easy to love.

Every time I ventured onto my back deck, two little heads popped over our wooden fence, and attempted to hold extremely long and inappropriate conversations with me.

Then, envision a yard covered with a variety of plastic crap-o-la. Broken playhouses, bikes, balls, mini-trampolines, and the shell of an above ground pool. 

Shall we address the cats?

Because these people had so many cats, they just left the house window that faced my back deck open. That way, the cats jumped in and out of the house as they pleased. Brilliant. Now, when I say these neighbors owned thirteen cats, I am exaggerating, but I will say, one day as I was trying to ignore the two, jabbering children peeking over the fence, I counted nine cats jumping out of the window.

Ickity, ick.

I know the unlovable need friendship and compassion, but I thought a lot about the glorious day when Animal Control would show up.

My unlovable neighbors remind me of what Rachel said about sleeping on grates and frozen flowers, "Interesting how our eyes catch physical beauty and miss spiritual poverty."

And it's true.

Those chatty kids were alone, a lot. The random plastic toys filling the yard also filled the time they spent alone, and those nasty cats blocked the way for me to peek at the spiritual poverty that took place at a house I could touch from my yard.

Questions for you (Oh, yeah, there are multiple): Any bad neighbor stories out there? What are tangible ways you show your neighbors love?

: :

Linking with Jen and the crew.

Oh, my, did you read this post on Plastic Smiles and Predictable Popularity? Yep, it's over at Inspired Teacher, and it's a fave.

Image credit.

Get Kids Invested in Serving Others in Five Easy Steps

Step 1: Find a cause that interests them. For this group of girls, the cause was a local center that houses people traveling to Asheville, North Carolina to seek medical treatment.

Step 2: Brainstorm a tangible way in which kids can see the results of their giving actions. The girls loved the paintings they created (with a little help from a local artist!) for the new children's wing.

Step 3: Get out of the house and go see the where and why behind actions. It's easy to forget conversations. Experiences linger longer in little heads.

Step 4: Enlist the help of someone who knows more than you to explain why kid-sized help is important and needed.

Step 5: Celebrate small. Four paintings and a bin full of children's books and board games will not change the world, but I'm pretty sure it impacted little hearts.

Click here to view the video behind our involvement in this cause. Happy Saturday, friends. Hope you find ways to impact little hearts this weekend.

No More Plastic Smiles and Predictable Popularity

I know teens who tired of the usual prom court royalty. Who longed for someone more real. Who wanted a queen to proudly stand behind. Who became weary of plastic smiles and predictable popularity. Who thought a good heart was better than a good tan.

Today I am writing about teens over at Inspired Teacher. Yes, those hormone raging, overly emotional creatures are self-obsessed, but sometimes, just sometimes, they get it right.

Join me here.

: :

Also, while visiting Inspired Teacher, nominate a November Teacher of the Month.  One teacher will click away with some fun loot.

You don't have to be a teacher to nominate. You just have to appreciate a teacher, and come on, there has to be a teacher you appreciate. Get clicking!

*Comments are closed.

Sleeping on Grates and Frozen Flowers

My sister tells a story of traipsing away from a DC Metro station on a frigid winter morning. Walking the frozen block, her breath clouded the air.

As my sister and her co-worker, a botanist, traveled the icy sidewalk, the botanist noticed fresh cut flowers sitting in a bucket of water on the sidewalk.

“Brrr, those flowers must be freezing.”

My sister agreed.

Yes, delicate, fresh cut, flowers propped in a bucket of water must feel the sting of winter, but my sister wondered about the homeless man sleeping on a grate directly in front of the flowers.

Had the homeless become such a part of the cityscape that people noticed flowers before they noticed people?

In this case, yes.

Question for you: Do you have problems in your community that go seemingly unnoticed because they are so common? Drugs? Alcohol? The homeless? Do you find yourself desensitized to these issues because you see them so often? 

Image credit.