Marked Trails

The sign screamed, but I closed my ears. Warnings in all red, capital letters excited me.

“STAY ON MARKED TRAIL” isn’t what I want in life.

You want a marked trail? Go find the guidebook, and slide your hand over the glossy pages. The pictures, perfect. The views, majestic. The choices, safe.

Not me. For the first time, risk calls out, and I am open.

Open to new.

Open to choices that make my husband pull back his head, wrinkle his face, and wonder where our friend, Practical, hides.

Open to facts I used to whisper with my head turned down, but now I look you straight on and just state.

Open to big prayers that don’t make sense, but make my breath heavy and my heart quicken.

Open to leaving the marked trail because it’s too ordinary, and it’s too darn crowded, and because beautiful waits just beyond the red lettered warning.

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The idea behind this post was to write for five minutes and not worry if it is “just right”. Today a slew of others and I all wrote on the same word, open. Click here to read what open means to them, and thanks for letting me toss out my five minutes to you.

Oh, and along the same lines, I hope you are failing.

Question: When is the last time you left the marked trail? What keeps you living in safe territory?

On Climbing Without a Rope and Risk

I like sure things.

That's why Alex Honnald's story baffles me. He climbs without ropes, without climbing gear, without anything more than his bare hands. Oh, and this guy isn't climbing trees. He climbs 1,600 foot rock walls. Not so much of a sure thing.

In the full segment aired on 60 Minutes, an expert says it's only a matter of time before Alex falls and when one falls from 1,600 feet, the only thing waiting at the bottom is death.

Crazy, for sure. Thoughts to ponder, you bet.

I talk about dreams quite a bit, and Alex's climbing reminds me of dreams and risks. If we climb to our dreams too quickly, we slip and fall. We are too inexperienced, not ready. If we climb too slowly, our arms give out from exhaustion. We tire of pushing forward day after day.

And then there's the idea of risk. Not climb-up-the-face-of-the-mountain-kind-of-risk (yes, yes, I agree, Alex is crazy), but risk still the same. When we are young, risk proves easy. Fewer people look to us for stability. Fewer bills came addressed in our name.

For me, risk isn't physical risk.

Risk means starting a blog and sending out stories and bits of myself. It's easier to say writing is hard, and rejection is frequent, and I don't have time.

Risk means entering in situations with people different than me. It's easier to surround myself with people like me, people who live like me and drive cars like me and laugh at my jokes because well, they are like me.

Risk means pushing ahead because God tells me to and not because I feel like it. Just like Alex, I'm "pasting my feet to the ceiling and hoping they stick".

Question for you: When is the last time you took a risk? What big or small risks are you taking now?

When a Trampoline Symbolizes Hope

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Three days ago, I signed a statement promising I wouldn't tell anyone the location of a certain house.

My friend and I used a GPS to guide us to this safe place, and I’ve spent days using my heart to guide me back.

The place we visited housed girls involved in sex trafficking. We dropped off items others donated through a party with a purpose, but we didn’t leave gifts lining the wish lists of most teens. Nope, we left deodorant, soap, shampoo, toilet paper, and metallic wishes.

During this short visit, my eyes soaked up bits of life in this secret house: a small clothing area in a garage for girls who arrived without extra clothes, a Christmas tree with sparkling ornaments, delicate presents wrapped with bows, walls filled with art.

But the one item from this home that stood out to me the most was an over-sized trampoline. It stood alone outside as a quiet reminder that the girls who lived in this home were still kids, kids who liked to jump.

The trampoline made me wonder about living in secret and at what point one would decide to let go of some of life’s horrors and go jump, free of burdens and the much-too-heavy-weight stacked on tiny shoulders.

I think people associate hope with different objects: newborn babies, an orange sunrise, and blinking stars, but from now on, when I see a trampoline, I will remember these girls, and I will think of hope.

Question for you: What picture or mental snapshot from life reminds you of hope?

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Linking with Jen.

10 Fun Things to Do After You Open Gifts

Wait a minute.

What are you doing here? It’s Christmas. You should be drinking in family time and snuggling with little ones.

Me? Oh, I'm not online. No sirree (Really, mom, I write something one day, and then it goes up on a different day, poof! Yes, it is sort of magical).

This post has been hanging out in my scheduler. I put it up to tell you about my new writing gig. It’s over at Mom It Forward. In January, I’ll lead a series every Tuesday on Raising Giving Kids, but today I'm there just tossing out ways families can linger a little longer in Christmas.

Click over now for 10 Fun Things to Do After You Open Gifts, and if you happen to be in the neighborhood, come visit me there in January too.

Off you go. Click over, read up, and log off. Time make some Christmas memories. 

*Comments are turned off.

A Christmas Note to You

I wonder what your Christmas looks like this year.

If you hum carols as you tie sparkly ribbon on packages or if you dodge friends because you’d like to fast forward next week.

I wonder if you know how much I appreciate you.

If you know I sit in amazement at the people who show up here and read or if you understand how much you sharing pieces of your world moves me.

Thank you.

May your Christmas be filled with homemade tents that takeover the entire living room, wonder that surpasses doubt, joy that fills your dark places, and amazement over that baby boy born in a manger.

Merry Christmas, friends.

Eight Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas That Help Others

You searched every discount store and online shop for the last two weeks, and you just can’t find a special something-something for Uncle Joe or that distant cousin whose name you drew in the family Christmas exchange.

Before you cave and purchase yet another candle or gift card, check out these fab, last minute, gift ideas that help others:

1. Shoes. Tom's One for One means for every pair of shoes purchased, Tom's will donate another pair of shoes to a child in need.


2. Necklace. 31 Bits produces amazing jewelry made out of 100% recycled paper by displaced women in northern Uganda. Cute, seriously cute, will-make-your-jaw-drop-cute jewelry.


3. Birth Kit. Bloggers for Birth Kits assists moms in Papua New Guinea by providing basic supplies both mom and baby need for a healthy delivery (plastic sheet, bar soap, gloves, string, and gauze).


4. CambelBak Water Bottle. Water.org receives $10.00 from every water bottle purchased. Dishwasher safe and BPA-free, this 20 oz bottle ships for free.


5.  Tree. People Towels supplies a gift set for tree lovers which includes a tree in a box kit, gift card, and people towels (instead of paper towels, get it?).


6. A Goat, Chicken, or Pig. Have you checked out this year's Compassion Catalog? If not, you are missing out. It's full of gifts including food survival kids, a blanket and tarp set, household survival kit, and playgrounds (by the way, you can give a playground for $25.00, yes, really).


7. Cuff or for those of you who are less fashion savvy, a big, thick bracelet that will make you look super stylish. Delicate Fortress Creations sells a beauty for only $18.00, and the money you spend will help fight poverty.


8. A Piggy Bank. The WorldofGood.com  is a multi-seller marketplace for socially and environmentally responsible shopping. We are talking loads of products, and you can shop by causes you wish to support or by the subjects of people/animal/environmentally positive choices.

Question for you: Do you have any gifts that give back ideas that we can add to this list? Have you ever been on the receiving end of gifts like these? What was your response? Cheers or yawns?

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Did you you see the holiday party pics from the friend that pushes me to live better?

Linking with Jen.

When Friends Push You to Live Better

My dad told me, "You become who your friends are." I'm sure this statement referred to his concern about the people that clouded certain years of my life. At the time, I thought his words silly.

Years later, I see truth in my father's words. Of course, we take on habits and characteristics of our friends. They are the people who blanket our lives and fill our days.

Today, the idea of becoming a little more of who my friends are thrills me.

Why?

Well, I have a friend whose heart beats for girls involved in sex trafficking in our community and the world.

Instead of hosting a Christmas Party, my friend gathered girls in our circle and developed a plan.

She asked us to donate personal items to girls at the Hope House.

She encouraged us to share inspiring words with these girls.

She sprinkled the party with spray paint, picture frames, and metallic pens.

She tossed in wine and tasty treats.

And through this gathering, she shared her passion, helped girls who are overlooked, taught friends about a new way to become involved in our community, and encouraged us to live better.

Am I becoming more like her because of our friendship? I hope so.

Question for you: Think of your friends. Who inspires you to live better? Why?

Baby Steps Towards Giving

Susan DiMickele. She's talented. She's hilarious. She's author of the book, Chasing Superwoman: A Working Mom's Adventures in Life and Faith. Susan pushes you to think harder about your life and your heart, and today, Susan is our Share Your Story guest (insert loud shouts and thunderous clapping).

In this post, Susan discusses Christmas lists with Amazon links, "Over Consumption Issues", and why baby steps matter. Here's my friend, Susan.

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My son’s Christmas list is two pages long with corresponding Amazon links. He’s made it easy for me. I don’t even have to think – I just have to point, click, and surrender my credit card. My daughters – who aren’t quite so tech-savvy -- have cut and pasted magazine pictures on their lists to Santa. I keep trying to throw the magazines away, but just when I do, a new one arrives in the mail.

Let’s just say we suffer from OCI (“Over Consumption Issues”) this Christmas.

I know what you’re thinking. I’m thinking the same thing. Things have gotten really over the top. Is it really possible to cultivate a spirit of giving this Christmas? Is there hope for an OCI family?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m inspired by the season of giving and especially by your blog Amy ( I’ve been reading it for over a year!) – but when I look at my own lifestyle in addition to the three OCI kids I’m raising, I get a bit overwhelmed. Even paralyzed. And I can only move forward by taking teeny tiny baby steps.

What do baby steps look like?

It’s Sunday morning. We’ve skipped missed church. The kids are acting up a little more than usual, and I could kick myself for not getting us out the door for real worship. The kids are fighting over what to watch on TV, and Nick keeps teasing Abby about her princess PJ’s and Abby is crying because Anna won’t stop touching her and Anna is screaming that no one wants to play with her. I’m starting to get a headache and it’s only 10:00 a.m. My husband leaves to “run errands.”

Before I can take some aspirin, Spiritual Mommy takes control and announces we are having church at home. After all, it’s the least I can do during Advent. I make the ultimate power move and turn the TV off. Unannounced. Next, I move the white board into the living room. My children are watching with eyes wide open, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

“Ok kids, we’re going to make a chart with two columns. Each column has a question, and you must provide your own answer. Take some time to think it over. Here are the questions:

Column #1 - “What Do I want this Christmas?”

Column #2 - “What Do I want to give this Christmas?”

Next, we talk about possible answers. “It’s ok to put down whatever you want,” I tell them. “There are no right or wrong answers. Once we’re done, we’ll look at both lists and we’ll pray together and decide what we can get and what we can give.”

My children become silent. They hang on to every word. Next, they surprise me.

They don’t ask for stuff. Nick and Anna ask for family time, health, and peace. Abby asks for a new friend. What do they want to give? Real (albeit small) tangible goods to friends, family, and those in need. Nick wants to give toys to hurting kids. Anna and Abby want to bake cookies to thank special friends. And we all decide to participate in several food drives. What interests me most – and encourages me most – is that they pick projects that are small and measurable. Unlike me, they’re not overwhelmed – and they’re not paralyzed. They want to jump in and make a difference.

It’s a start.

Even an OCI family can take baby steps.


What’s your baby step toward giving this Christmas?

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Thank you, Susan. Ok, friends, I knew you would love her, and you do. Please take a minute to check out her book and peek at her blog.

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My Daughter Stole Baby Jesus

My daughter stole Baby Jesus.

She stole Him from our manger, and He lived with her for an entire Christmas season, mostly in her pocket.

Initially, I wanted that tiny, breakable baby back in the manager. I wanted Him somewhere safe and protected by the Wise Men. I wanted Him next to that sorry-looking sheep whose ear chipped off years ago. I thought Baby Jesus should be returned to His manger because well, that’s where Baby Jesus belongs in a manger, right?

But, as time passed, and I found Baby Jesus in my daughter’s bed, aboard the caboose of the Polar Express, and on the edge of the bathtub, I saw things differently.

See, I started thinking that Jesus was probably happy He was stolen.

Instead of being thought of when someone happened to glance at the Nativity Scene, He was carried around and spoken to often. He was a constant participant in the life of someone He loves, and He felt important and special.

Isn’t it strange how much a tiny, stolen baby Jesus relates to our faith?

Sometimes we want Jesus in a safe, predictable place. We want Him at church when we have time to spend with Him, or during difficult situations, but I’m pretty sure if given the opportunity, He’d love to hang out in our pocket.

Question for you: Tell me about your Nativity Scene. Do you have any stories of missing nativity participants?

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This is a repost from last year, but I thought it relevant because Baby Jesus is missing. I think He might be hanging out in the sandbox or worse, hidden my daughter's closet. I'll keep you posted.

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The Gift of Sincere Compliments

In eighth grade, I begged my mom to put me in another school. 

I was a country girl plopped down in a city school.

I wore sweatshirts, and they wore Guess. I laced-up scuffed Reeboks, and they sported sparkling Keds. I played Madonna, and they jammed out to Beastie Boys. I knew about secret crushes, and they understood full-blown sex.

And somewhere in between my lack of multiple Swatches and relentless comments from the pom squad, I decided I was done.


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Today I'm hanging out over at Inspired Teacher. Care to join me there? Also, while you are visiting, check out the December giveaway, a perfect something to give that teacher in your life.

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Linking with Jen and the crew.

Image by Jonah McClure

On This Sleepy Sunday

On this sleepy Sunday, you could:

1. Watch an episode of Missions in Action. These webisodes seek to identify problems people around the world face, highlight actions individuals and companies are taking to help those in need, and provide a way for viewers to help.




2. Take a quick listen to a bit of the "A Very She and Him Christmas". Oh, I love Zooey Deschanel's voice.




3. Peek at the Top 11 Kids Who Made a Difference in 2011. Yes, sirree, kids as young as seven are stirring things up.

4. Drool over some pretties in Gifted.

Question for you: What are your plans for this sleepy Sunday? Maybe it isn't so sleepy.

Every Teen is a Library

Teens. Some perceive them as hormonal and lost.

I view them as powerful, world changers.

Guess who else is a big fan of teenagers? My friend, Michele. Michele, library lover, book borrower, and our new bi-monthly guest. Michele has agreed to hang out here once every other month, and highlight others-centered books lining the shelves of our local libraries.

Her kick-off theme focuses on beautiful teens, the gifts they share, and good reads that inspire service for that rowdy bunch. Here's Michele.

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My Top 10 Reads For Inspiring Service in Teens:

01) Pilgrim's Progress "You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you."


02) It's Not About Me "The gift of pleasure, the purpose of problems - all for Him. The God-Centered life works. And it rescues us from a life that doesn't."


03) The Third Wave "I'm not helping good people or bad people. I'm just helping human beings."


04) The Bridge of San Luis Rey "There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love, the only survival, the only meaning."


05) The Things They Carried "They carried all they could bear, and then some, including silent awe for the terrible power of the things they carried."


06) How To Build A House "Some things you can fix, and some things you can't. And I just think it's a shame to walk away from the things you can."


07) 77 Creative Ways Kids Can Serve Inspiring ways to help and serve right now.


08) The Insiders Guide To The Peace Corps Am I qualified? Will I be lonely? Is it safe? Will I get sick? Answers to these questions and more.


09) It Happened On The Way To War "Waste is not really waste until it's wasted."


10) What Can I Do Now? Science Careers in science fields that teens can participate in now, including internships and volunteer work.
  

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Thank you, Amy, for highlighting and encouraging the importance of teenagers.

Photography Sources: Photographs of the gorgeous teenage girls were taken by the brilliant photographer, Megan Britt. You can find more of her inspiring talent at http://meganbrittphotography.blogspot.com/ The rockstar library volunteer is courtesy of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

This post would not be possible without the inspiration of Beth and her amazing insight into teenagers: she is my hero in real life every day.

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Thanks for all the great leads on books Michele. Happy weekend, friends!

If You Get Knocked Down

The idea of mercy eluded me for years. In my eyes, both giving and receiving mercy were signs of weakness, and Amy Sullivan is not weak. 

If you are knocked down, get up. If you collapse, get up. If you can’t muster an ounce of strength, too bad, get up.

I'm hanging out with a friend today, and we are discussing mercy.

Care to join me here?

*Comments are turned off.

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On Directional Signs Written in Haiku

Did you know New York City's Department of Transportation now posts traffic warning signs written in haiku?

You remember haiku, the good 'ol 5-7-5, Japanese poetic form taught to you eons ago.

For real. Check it out.

Yes, real signs on the real streets of New York.

I'm not sure about you, but I have trouble obeying signs, even cute signs written in haiku. Often, I think I know best.

Today, I drove through the same construction zone that caused me to birth my baby on the side of the road. Men held signs "SLOW" and "STOP", but they should have said, "Ignore me because you are going to do your own thing anyway."

And I did (Don't think less of me. It was a really long wait).

"How often as a people do we make eye contact with God as He is waving us down the narrow path, and we just decide to gun our motor and go down the wide path instead."
—Quoted from here

Sure, there are occasions when I listen to whispers, but most of the time I gun it, especially if I don't like the way God is waving me.

Question for you: What decision have you made recently? Walk me through the process in which you discovered the answer. Friends? Prayer? Dreams? Signs written in haiku?

On Learning the Story

I like stories, life stories.

Some (my husband) call this desire to learn pieces of the lives of others nosy.

I call it genuine interest.

I want to know why you chose that job, married your mate, took a trip to Sweden, and left Indiana. I want to know why you named your daughter Siri, hold a grudge against Cassie, cry when you hear that song, and still write your fifth grade teacher.

Yesterday, I watched a parade. A few feet from me stood a teen mom and her daughter. With each passing float, the mom guided her toddler out to the street and picked up Tootsie Rolls and Whoppers. Then, she quickly ushered the girl back to the sidewalk.

Some (my husband) view my fixation with people I don’t know staring.

I call it prolonged investigative looking.

Somewhere in between shrieking sirens and unicycling tweens, stuffed animals were thrown out to parade watchers.

The young mom walked over and offered us a stuffed pig. Her daughter had caught two. I wondered why the mom made that effort, why she lingered to talk, why she was alone, and where she lived.

As I adjust the way I approach giving, I've discovered one of the biggest gifts we can give is making time to learn the stories of those around us.

Questions for you: Are you able to go beyond surface level conversations? Are you interested in the stories of others? Do you share parts of your story freely?

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If you are a bit like me (a tad nosy and a lot interested) NPR's Story Corps bubbles with goodness.  

Linking with Soli Deo Gloria.

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On Why You Should Recycle Blog Posts

You spend time pounding out blog posts only to have them considered old news two days after they post. 

Why not think about a little recycling?

I've had posts reprinted in other places for money, and posts reprinted for fun, but regardless of the dollars involved, recycled posts generate something very valuable, more readers.

This post on How-To Raise Selfish Kids only received 250 hits, but then I recycled and submitted it here. 

And all of a sudden, I'm speaking to an audience of 16,000. Nice.

The recycling process prompted me to wonder about you. For those of you who blog, what happens to your old posts? Do you submit them other places? Use them to prompt off-line writing? Allow your words to sit in cyberspace as an online journal of life?

Tell. Tell.

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Should you click over to WNC Woman, be sure to check out my friend, Kendra's article (not recycled!) on "Apps for a New You".

On a totally unrelated note, I happen to be addicted to this. Go ahead, crank up the volume. Happy weekend, friends.

Share Your Story and Jackie Brown

To meet Jackie Brown, author of today's Share Your Story, I traveled all the way here, but I could have just peeked around a bit in my own backyard. This freezer cooking mom of four is stirring up things in my community, Asheville, North Carolina.

Here's Jackie.

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Are you looking for a frugal way to bless another? This is an activity Mom on a Mission has done with several groups by purchasing the dry ingredients in bulk. This past event at my Mothers of Preschoolers meeting, we asked the ladies to bring in one cup of their favorite candy, such as chocolate chips, butterscotch, M&M’s or Reese Pieces. This event is especially easy for people to contribute the candy themselves when it’s around a holiday like Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day or Easter. We tend to have excess candy floating around for some reason. This can be customized toward any holiday through decorative scrapbook paper, ribbon and holiday gift tags.

Our jars were generously donated by an individual family. Normally a dozen jars cost around $10 or a little less through a discount store like Wal-Mart. You can always look around for free jars on Freecycle or Craigslist or advertise for a donation on facebook. Jars can also be found at thrift stores and Goodwill if you’re really on a budget and just want to make a few.

Here’s a breakdown of what we purchased at Sams or the grocery store for up to 40 women:

2 standard baking soda boxes (grocery store)

2 standard baking powder canisters (grocery store)

1 standard canister salt (grocery store)

25# bag all-purpose flour

10# bag sugar

Two 7# bags brown sugar

Donated Items:

Ribbon

Scrapbook paper

Cut fabric

Mason jars and lids (we had a combination of small and wide mouth)

This event would make a fun girls “night in”, school project, volunteer project, kid’s craft or Mothers of Preschoolers event, like we did. Enjoy making gifts for others. Give away to a neighbor, teacher, friend, co-worker or unrecognized recipient, such as grocery clerk, garbage man, postman, pharmacist, librarian.

Homemade Cookie Mix In a Jar

Layer the following ingredients in the order given into a 1-quart canning jar. Pack each layer in place by lightly tapping the jar on a hard surface or slightly pushing down with the hand (in wide-mouth jars only) before adding the next ingredient.

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp.  baking soda

¾ c. all-purpose flour

¼ c. white sugar

¼ c. brown sugar

1 c. chocolate chips, butterscotch or M & M’s (if you forgot today, omit and add top off your jar with the ingredient at home)

½ c. brown sugar

¼ c. white sugar

1 c. all-purpose flour

Mixing Directions:

Cream 3/4 c. softened butter, 2 eggs and 1/2 t. vanilla. Add cookie mix and stir well. Drop 2 in. a part. Bake in preheated 375 oven 8 to 10 min.

Jar Prep: 

• Attach a piece of scrapbooking paper around the jar. 
• Stick on the Homemade Cookie Mix label to the scrapbooking paper. Stick the mixing directions label on the opposite side of the jar 
• Attach a coordinating ribbon and/or fabric if desired 
• Intertwine a punched gift tag within the ribbon bow, optional 
• Give away to a neighbor, teacher, friend, co-worker or unrecognized recipient, such as grocery clerk, garbage man, postman, pharmacist, librarian

Imagine the face of a stranger receiving a gift of love made by you or your child. Who can you bless with a homemade cookie mix in a jar?

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Jackie Brown is a mom of four, freezer cooking for her family while serving the poor and the needy. She blogs everyday at Mom On A Mission for Christ while educating the public on the FUNdamentals of freezer cooking. Her organization  partners with her local church of 5000 preparing monthly freezer meals for the needy and providing a monthly meal for the homeless women and children in Asheville, NC. Visit her non-profit, Cook and Play to find ways to serve our community with your grade-school children.

Need help coordinating mission events or want to freezer cook with a group? Contact Jackie Brown at ministrymeals@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook for monthly make and take freezer meal events and recipes.

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Thanks, Jackie. Are you interested in sharing your service related story? Click here for the details.


*Comments are closed. Please take a minute to click over to Jackie's.