Volunteering = Time + Support + Love

There are so many people out there who need our time, our support and our hearts (A.K.A. LOVE). We may not always have money to give but we can surely give of our time. Many think that you have to make a grand stand or do something so that it gets noticed by others. As long as the people you help notice, that's the payoff--all others are a bonus. I volunteer via the telephone, the internet, as well as in person. This way I am always helping someone and with the variety of ways to volunteer, there's no excuse for anyone to say "I have no time." You can become a pen-pal, you can email cards, you can write a letter, you can send a gift. You can put a smile on a someone's face: children, elderly, veterans, or anyone in need. Won't you join me in my venture? I pray you will. Check out the links below and if you know of any, please contact me by responding or emailing me. I would love to hear from you! God Bless!

LoveLinks:

Volunteer Match
PostPals

Spending for the Holidays

How much are you planning to spend this holiday season? I plan on going broke because I feel we are all worth it! Hold on, it's not what you think. My spending for is made up of time: spending time with family, spending time with friends, spending time volunteering, spending time with myself-can't be good to me, can't be good to you :-), and lastly but should be first but I wanted to make an impact-spending time with The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit! We get so caught up in trying to please (and no matter how hard we try, we always fail on some level), trying to make people happy (that's not our job), try to find the perfect gift (usually meaning the most expensive), not wanting to forget anyone (you always do). Well, this year I'm starting a new holiday tradition with my family and maybe yours too. I will focus on what's really important. I will spread love and this way everyone will get a gift. This is worth so much more than material things. Yeah, you may call me cheap but you won't be up early in the morning returning that gift you really didn't want (lol lol lol)! And don't worry, I'm not expecting a gift but it would be nice and you don't have to spend $$$! I wouldn't mind getting a phone call, a hug, a kiss, LOVE. These are the gifts that keeps on giving. If you think about it, this is a very expensive gift because not only is it hard for some people to give love, it's hard for some to receive love. And guess what, if you start now, who knows? It may become contagious! You may just give love just for the sake of giving a gift. You won't just wait for a special occasion, a birthday, a holiday. You'll make it a part of everyday of your life. Imagine getting something everyday? Wow!


LoveLink:

Giftofluv

Holiday Decorations

In this world, there will always be something not liked by someone. There's always going to be differences of opinions and you can't please everybody. But when it comes down to it, that's all it is-a difference of opinion. With everything going on in the world today (WAR, Natural Disasters, Homelessness, Hunger, Poverty), you would think holiday decorations would be minute. But I am yet again proven wrong. As a Christian, I do not denounce anyone's religious beliefs and I deserve the same respect! It shouldn't bother you to see a nativity seen, a Christmas tree, or any type of decorations for that matter. But if it does, you have a few options; you can choose to stay indoors of your home during the holiday season, voice your opinion to yourself and keep moving, try not to go in those areas where they are posted. But please, please, please don't waste precious time and energy fighting over something so trivial. Christians are included also because there are many who don't believe in Christmas decorations either! I don't go in places that have the confederate flag flying about, I can't do anything about people hanging it on their cars or in their homes, being shown on television. And TO ME this is extremely blatant racism. There was a fight to remove the confederate flag but to no avail. I don't like it but we are in America! A person has the right to his/her own beliefs.


LoveLinks:

Kwanzaa
The History Channel

CHRISTmas

Why is the holiday called Christmas? Could it be because this is the birth of Jesus Christ? People are forgetting the TRUE meaning of Christmas. Christmas literally means the Mass (celebration) of Christ. It's fun to decorate and buy presents and make fancy dinners but we often leave Christ out of it. Imagine it being your birthday and people celebrate but forget about guest of honor--you--the main reason for this celebration. They're having a grand time just because. It happens once a year and it's a reason to get all dolled up, spend some money and get out of the house. Doesn't feel so hot does it? This happens to Christ every single year!!! We can't fathom how he feels.

I remember driving home one night about three weeks ago and I was listening to this radio station. And the DJ made a comment and it stunned me to the core. He said "Please don't write XMAS-don't take Christ out of Christmas; write out the whole word"! I thought about this and said I am guilty of this-not often but I have done it while rushing. We get so caught up in this fast pace and think that people know what it means. While that is all well and good, it still doesn't make it right. This is the reason we celebrate Christmas-because of the birth of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ who later gave his life so that we might have eternal life! Maybe if we pronounced it the way it was meant to be pronounced CHRIST then mas, people wouldn't get so defensive and they wouldn't forget. All I want for Christmas this year is: Don't take Christ out of Christmas! Please Remember CHRIST!!!


LoveLinks:

Jesus Institute
Christian Answers
Kwanzaa
The Bible