Love… One Sip At A Time // A Valentine Tea Party
I started hosting tea parties in an older home propped as pretty as you please on the corner of a quiet street. A family of four in a two-bedroom, one-bath home made for a tight fit, and tea parties felt downright snug, but no one would change a thing. Some teas were scripture-based, and others celebrated holidays, but every time, the room filled with the scent of scones, floral tea, and...
Shhh! It’s Anonymous
Growing up, my dad often helped others anonymously, especially elderly people living nearby. My favorite excursion involved waking up at the break of dawn and dropping off an anonymous gift (fruit, firewood, or another need) on a porch step before the recipient awakened. Let's take that basic idea and kick it up one glorious notch. A few ideas to get the creative juices flowing:...
Six Gifts To Give the Hurting
Do you know someone who has lost a loved one this year? Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 Christmas is a joyous season but for many it can be a very lonely, tear-filled month. Below are some ideas on ways we can come alongside the hurting this year: Be there. One of the best gifts we can give is ourselves -- our time, our energy...
Creating Family Traditions
It's never too late to begin a new family tradition! Back in 2008, and again last year, I shared this post, so if it seems familiar—it is, but new readers have joined us since last December. (Welcome!) Now, with two granddaughters and a grandson, Brian and I are re-creating some of our past traditions and starting a few new ones as well. To most, this is a simple (and bare) Nestle Quik...
Joining the $5.00 Experiment
“It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” -Mother Teresa Care to join me for a little experiment this week? If so, let's go! Purchase a 5.00 gift card of your choice (mine will be Starbucks) Pray, asking God to lead us to a person of His choosing. When you sense you've found the right person, share it with him/her and ask how you can pray for...
Our Gift to God
What to give Jesus for His birthday? When the boys were younger, we'd bake a birthday cake for Him and at other times we'd create new ways to give Jesus a gift, i.e., buying for someone in need, or we'd all write out our gift (being more patient with others, an act of kindness, etc.) on a slip of paper and put it on the tree. While these celebrations, acts of service, and growing...
Christmas Every Day of the Year
Remember this post from Monday? Children were singing Jingle Bells and handing out little trinkets to all the residents. I didn't know a smile could stretch across a face with such grace as it did on Mrs. White that afternoon, but a sigh soon escaped her notice. When asked the reason for it, she shared how December is always a busy time at the nursing home with visiting church groups,...
Capturing Ordinary Moments
Yes, it's December. It's cold. It may even be snowy where you are (I'm envious!) but regardless of your location, it's the perfect time to bundle up, grab a basket, and head outdoors to search for things to create a holiday table centerpiece. Pine cones Evergreen branches Berries (if there aren't small children in the home) Sculptured bare branches Nuts Acorns Fruit As you walk,...
Hebrews 13:16 in Action
There are a multitude of ways for us to sacrificially give to others this season. A few ideas we may want to consider: Heifer International (Hunger and Poverty) Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child (it's not too late to build a box online) Samaritan's Purse Christmas catalog. We've used this resource for awhile now. It's a great way to get our children involved as some of the gifts are...
Cathy Baker
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