Jumpin' Gifts!

"Well...I did it!

I took the $5 from church, $20 Mary G. gave me for the sign I made for her, and some of my pocket money and made up five gift bags for Good Samaritan Inver Grove Heights holiday gifts. Each bag had a 'jumping jack' or 'jumpin jill' wooden toy (the little wooden gymnast things that flip when you squeeze the handles---I make those), a book of 20 'Forever' stamps, and yummy chocolate bar, and a peppermint stick. Sandy B. gave me the idea. I told the woman in charge to give me a call if they still needed some gifts. (They get donations from the people in the community, and give a gift to each resident.) I walked out of there feeling warm and GOOD inside.

I still want to go together with people to give to KIVA. And Heifer International will also get something out of me. Chuck is going to multiply his $5 by 10, and give $50 to the Salvation Army.

Thanks for the great idea!"

Dawn E.

A Neighborly Outreach

"Well, this was a unique opportunity. One should always think of our money as God's but this put an interesting spin on the challenge and the fun because it was specifically designated as such! In my first few days of prayer, I discerned that my growth of that money was towards that of God's kingdom during this special time in the calendar year, close to Christmas. This is the season when I focus on God and often - children.

I had heard of a new Christian value store opening in Knollwood Mall (and linked that with a 1 yr old in our neighborhood that I met at our summer picnic potluck.) I finally was in that vicinity and visited that store. Another serendipity was the fact that everything in the store was ........ $5!!! I found a nice but subtle child's prayer book about tucking in all of God's animals for the night that I thought any child would enjoy. Yesterday, I wrapped up that book, added a card that expressed my thoughts of God and children at Christmas, included a SPUMC 'business card', and delivered it to a neighbors' house. It didn't appear that they were home and I was also a bit excited that they would simply find the gift as a surprise, again 'soft-pedaling' the delivery and meaning to provide a more comfortable reception for them as I don't know if they have a church home so I thought this could be a good way to plant an idea with my prayers included.

Now, the fun part! Wait to see what God can do with our gift - with a reminder that we may be the last to know or may never know. However, I feel good to know that I have reached out on God's behalf to someone who may need to know him and honored to have been a possible vessel of the true gift of Christmas!"

Andrea L.

Just a Thought

I was in a meeting last week, and many of us were mentioning this "Living A Better Story" project.  Some mentioned what they had done with their money, others talked about how this little bit of money - a whole $5 - has reeked havoc in their life.  How they're treating it like it's $5000!

During the coarse of conversation, one of the people talked about a chat they had last week with a Salvation Army bell ringer.  He had asked her how it was going this year and she responded with more than a little disappointment.

She said that people were often very nice as they walk in and out of the store.  They often say "Hi" or "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" but very few put any money in her kettle.  She said that in discussing this with other bell ringers, everyone is seeming to have the same luck. 

As I listened to this story...  I thought, "I haven't put anything in yet this year, either!"  I'm usually pretty good about always putting something in.  The thing is..  I don't carry cash much anymore...  So I usually don't have anything to put in the kettle.  So I'm one of the people dashing our bell ringers' hopes!

I found some cash in a jar at home.  I put it in my purse.  The next time I pass a bell ringer, I'm going to put money in the pot.  And if I'm somewhere where I can buy them a cup of hot coca and say "thank you" - I will.  Somebody did that for me once when I used to ring the bell.

Have you noticed a person or a place that could use a little extra encouragement?  A little extra Christmas cheer?  What can you do to help this week?

Heifer International

"After praying and meditating on what to do with the $5, I was drawn to the idea that it should be something life changing. But how could just $5 be used as a life changing gift? It was shortly after that I saw the gift catalogs from Heifer International and World Vision. I thought maybe this is where the money should go, but maybe not. $5 won't buy even a chicken or a rabbit. So I prayed and thought some more without feeling any direction on how to use the $5. Then on Sunday December 5th the answer came as I was reading the church bulletin. Mike and Megan Adams were having an open house and the invitation stated: "No need to bring hostess gifts or goodies to share. Instead, please consider bringing a small donation for Heifer International." The pooling of funds just might get a chicken or a rabbit or maybe even a goat!"

Barb J.

Barb - I have your $5 set aside with a note: "Towards Barb's goat!"  Thanks so much for chipping in!  We'll be sure to update everyone on what we were able to purchase for Heifer International.

Santa's Toys

"Marge and I have given a $10 toy to Santa's toys. I am a member of the Northern Dakota County Golden K Kiwanis. Next Wednesday (Dec 8) at our meeting Santa's helpers will be at our meeting and at that time I will give them the toy for children who are less fortunate."

Ken K.

Thanks, Ken!  I'm sure some little kid will be over-joyed at their new toy!

Life in the Parsonage

I follow this blog called "Life in the Parsonage" - written by a mom and wife of a pastor.  Her post today shared about the craziness of how our culture tries to live up to Christmas, how it seems hypocritical to make the holiday about spending money on gifts, rather than just enjoying the gift that is Jesus.

It's not a judgemental post - just her struggle with the holiday.  I think many of us feel the same things at times.

Check it out - it's good stuff!

On another note...  I heard some more of your "Living a Better Story" experiences last night!  Be sure to send them in, so I can type them up and share them here!  Here's some hints:
*Christmas presents for abused kids
*A Thanksgiving turkey for a woman who realized, at the grocery store, that she couldn't afford it!
*Small gifts for lonely senior citizens
*Lunch money for a child

Keep 'em coming!

Momastery

If you have a moment today, please check out this blog post. I started reading her blog earlier this fall - and I think she is the kind of person we all seek to be. She lives her faith in amazing and generous ways - and humbles me each and every time she posts with humor and excitement about what God is asking her to do next.
If she had God's $5... I think she would change the world - with just $5.

Inspiring.

PS: I've added her link on the side bar so we can follow her!