Throwback Thursday: Giving

I originally posted this post in November of 2012.  You can see the original here.

This is one of my favorite personal posts.  I used it as one of my writing examples when I applied to write for TBMB.  I wanted to "throwback" a couple of years to love it again...  So you can either click on the original link, or just read here:

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To me, it is one of life's great ironies... When you give, you get more than what you gave.

Today our family (all 16 of us) went to downtown to feed the hungry.  We made sandwiches, chips, apples, and water.  The kids decorated bags and packed them.  We handed them out.  It just felt good.  (57)

Even the 2 year old got it.  As we're driving away from the experience, our conversation went like this...

C- "We gave man our lunch."

Us- "Yes, C.  He didn't have any food for lunch and we did so we gave him some to eat."

C- "Yeah.  We share lunch."

Oh my gosh, it hardly gets sweeter than a conversation like that!  I have to admit that I wasn't thinking that he was going to get it.  But on his own level, he did.  I can't express the happiness I felt knowing that he felt good helping someone out.  (58)

We may have given those people some meals, but we walked away with SO much more.  I feel so grateful for the lesson and experience that they gave our family.  It's important to us that we raise our boys knowing that there are needs and wanting to fill them.  Holidays are so fun and I love the traditions that go along with them, but I want them to get more than just the receiving end of the holidays.  I want them to get giving.  I also really want to give them experiences and I can't wait to turn something like this into a tradition.

Before going, we read a story about our favorite role model. (59)  Especially when it comes to giving.  We read a story to all of the kids (and adults) from Luke 17 where Jesus heals some men with Leprosy.  It's a good read if you're wondering.

If the Bible isn't your favorite read then know that giving isn't just in the Bible.  I know that Christian people aren't the only ones who can be good at giving!  I also read in Good Housekeeping Magazine this week that giving is a good habit of people who are happy.  I have to agree!

If you have given or are giving please let me know, let our hearts sing together!

Spring Break 2014

Well,  Spring Break, what can I say?

We had big plans.  Lots of outdoor time.  Lots of sunscreen.

It just didn't totally work out that way though did it?  It was cold, it was wet, there was vomiting involved.

At the end of it though, today being Sunday, the sun shining beautifully, I look back on this week as a total blessing.

Some much needed R&R.

This is legit sleeping

A family road trip to Georgia to see family and farm.  (Post here)

To celebrate.

Lots of time to just do nothing with my guys.  Chuck E Cheese, bowling, jumping with great friends.

                                                                                                                    


To even read a book that's been on my list for a long time!  (The Help- I know, I'm behind, but it was SO worth the wait!)

Lots of time to get to a few Honey-do list/school list items and a 10K family run.

Maybe it was rainy and cold last week so that I could appreciate just being.

Well played Spring Break.  Lesson Learned.

My Heart Sings

The Sun is up

The sky is blue,

It's beautiful,

and so are you.

Song Lyrics by The Beatles

No "Me" November

Are you up for a challenge?  Are you expecting a back story?  You should be nodding your head "yes" to both of these pieces because you will be receiving both a challenge and a back story.

It's the season of giving.  I think we know a lot about what that means.  Money, canned goods, gifts, and such.  But what about the giving of your prayers?

The first year Cameron was born, I was home alone during the day and terrified.  I was not a calm and collected new mom.  One day it dawned on me that I was constantly praying to God to do things for ME.  "God, I this" and "God, I that"  and "God, why aren't you giving me this or doing that for ME?"  blah blah blah.

(Disclaimer) Yes, God totally cares about me and what I have to say and the things that are important to me.  Please don't hear me say that God doesn't want to hear about you or your day, because I wholeheartedly feel that he does.  But I was being selfish, maybe you are too, maybe you're not, I don't know.  But sheesh, isn't it awesome that we have a patient and loving God who is happy to put up with me, because I have to say, I would not have handled listening to me very well.

The day I realized this was during a stroller walk.  It was in October.  I had this gentle nudge of a feeling and I made a goal for myself that every day for the month of November, I would not pray for myself during my "prayer time" in any regard.  I would have to get creative and turn what (frankly) was my daily God-gripe session into a way of giving to other people.

No- ME November

You guys, this was so much easier than I ever thought it would be.  I started close to home.  I thanked God for all of the people who were blessings to me.  This made me feel loved and grateful.  After that, I started to focus on the world, this made me feel so blessed.  I tried really hard not to use the words, "I" or "me" while praying.

At the end of the day, (or should I say month? haha) My prayer walk and view of the world and God had made a total shift.  By taking myself out of the picture and focusing out, I had created the most focused prayer relationship that I think I've ever had.  I felt love and compassion for others, It was not about me.

So here's my personal challenge, and if you can relate to me then I'd love to invite you along.  I realize that it's now mid-November (wow, that was fast!) but for the rest of November, I will be praying for you.  I will not be me focused in my prayer time.  But rather everyone else focused:

I'd love to hear if you are going to participate, so let me know, but only if you want to.  This can also be a very personal thing.  At the end of the month, I'll give a re-cap and I'd love to hear yours as well!

Another disclaimer:  If I need to rely on God to get me through something, I will be relying on God and that may involve praying for myself.  I encourage you to do the same.  Please note, there is a difference between that and my challenge.  :)

451

So Long Sweet Summer

As teachers, our summer vacation ends today.  We go back to school on Monday.  I am excited for my upcoming school year, but right now I just feel reminiscent and really grateful for the amazing summer our family could share.  

We traveled:

Georgia Farm

Twice:

Maine

We stayed close to home too:

We had quality time together:

And with some good friends:

We celebrated:

And had an overall great time.  I think someone else thought so too:

And Hers

I showed you his on Monday.  What I didn't show you was the other half (not to scale) of our holiday break.

Photo Courtesy of my Cousin :)

Excluding the cousins from before, and my 3 favorite guys, the photo above gives me another 18 reasons for my heart to sing. (172-189)

All of us eating, talking, laughing, and seeing each other again really made my heart sing for the whole trip.  This group of people is really fascinating with all of the different interests and life stages and I loved the whole "family reunion".

This Week

We had a great time away with the family at the farm. (60)

We played (61).  

We ate (62). 

I know it's hard to see, but the way he is looking at his Dad is super sweet

We hiked to a waterfall (63).  

We ate some more.  Hubs and I saw a movie, in the theater!  I actually saw 2 movies! (64) We shopped a little. (65) We ran our 3rd annual family farm Turkey Trot. (66) Most of all, we got to love on our family.  It was refreshing, fun, and I loved all of it.  (67)

Now that we're home things are going to get back to normal (68).  

That means a normal blogging week.  Work.  Fort building. School.  Library.  Running (PS I made my November goal of 5 miles yesterday 69)  You know, the normal.  

I'm grateful for a normal that I look forward to.

Boys in funny winter hats (51 and 52):

Funny Winter Hat Hair (53):

Cousins (54, 55, and 56):