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I Help Because I am a Parent, Auntie & Missionary
When I participate in Operation Christmas Child, I do so as a parent on behalf of the children in my life: my 2 adult kids and my 5 nieces. I fill a box because I’d hope someone would do the same if one of my children was in the same situation.
Each year I participate in Operation Christmas Child on behalf of a child in my life. Like one year, I donated 2 shoeboxes to a boy and girl the same ages as my children. Another year I made up boxes with my three nieces who attend CNC. As I fill a box, I pray for God’s help in picking the items. I also ask God to bless the child and bring joy and salvation to him or her.
One word that describes the situation of the children who receive these boxes is lack. Because of things like famine, drought, earthquakes and war these innocents lack adequate housing, healthcare, water, food, family support, toys, and school supplies. I can’t do anything about most of these lacks, but I can help by providing toys, school supplies and hygiene products.
So I join with others in Operation Christmas Child because I am a parent.
I also do so because I am a missionary. A missionary is a person who intentionally spreads a faith often accompanied by charitable work, usually in a foreign country. Operation Christmas Child fits that bill. They consider each person who fills a box as a missionary because our work of filling a box provides an opportunity for a child to learn that God is good and that salvation is available to them.
As you fill boxes with your children let them know that they too are missionaries.
Franklin Graham, founder of Operation Christmas Child, says one of the most important things we (missionaries) can do is to pray as we fill our boxes. Let’s ask God that the child who receives the box and discipleship material that Operation Christmas Child includes will lead the child to know God’s love and salvation.
These boxes go into remote locations and are delivered by dog sled, bicycles, donkeys, and camels. This gift of a shoe box opens the way for the gospel to be shared which leads to hope. These children who experience so much lack desperately need hope. Our boxes provide that hope.
Consider today how blessed you and your families are. I know that for some of us, filling a box is a sacrifice. Maybe some of us can get together to fill a box? But do consider what a huge impact that sacrifice will have in the life of a child who knows lack in so many areas.
Here’s my prayer.
Father, Thank you that Operation Christmas Child is one way we can bring joy, hope and salvation to children living in hard circumstances. Help us to discern what to put in the box and how much to spend.
Father, we ask that you would bring extra money our way so we can participate generously in this missionary opportunity. Thank you for the many blessings you have given us. Help us to give in response to those blessings. I ask that you would pour your love into our hearts so that they are captured by the fervor of spreading the gospel. Amen.
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November 11 – Photo of the Day = Gratitude
Sisters. I’m grateful for sisters in the Lord.
Last night’s meeting with some of my women’s ministry sisters was productive & encouraging. We shared our concerns and gratitudes & ended with prayer.
I am grateful for their friendship AND prayer support.
To all my sisters, you’ve got a friend in me. I’ll be there winter, spring, summer or fall. Call me.
Previous Photos
- Day 1 Photo: Christmas Tree with Broken, Tangled Lights
- Day 2 Photo: Birthday Boy
- Day 3 Photo: Mums at the Church Entrance
- Day 4 Photo: Simple Technology
- Day 5 Photo: Mystery Ice Cream Gift
- Day 6 Photo: Rocking Godson
- Day 7 Photo: Spontaneous Friends
- Day 8 Photo: Children’s Influence
- Day 9 Photo: Shoebox Gifts
- Day 10 Photo: Changing the Woman in the Mirror
Other Related Posts:
- 11 Things That Give Me Joy Today
- Grateful for 11 Items, Like …
- Choosing 2 Express Gratitude During November
- Feeling Full On Gratitude
- We Cannot Be Grateful Without Being Thoughtful
P.S. Ann Tatum is hosting 30 Days of Thanksgiving. She encourages us to daily share our gratitude. Click here and be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post and click on Mister Linky. Then you’ll be able to read other participants on this thankful journey.
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Seven Reasons I am Grateful for Music
Music can . . .
- Support my effort to focus on a positve feeling or a thought.
- Help me learn something.
- Lift my sour, trapped, or depressed mood into one of peace, truth or even laughter.
- Expose me to beauty and creativity
- Motivate me to move it, move it.
- Reduce my level of physical pain and increase relaxation.
- Provide a medium to worship God.
I’m very grateful for the above. Why are you grateful for music?
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November 3 – Photo of the Day = Gratitude
These lovely flowers were planted by Shula.
She diligently keeps this front door flower bed looking cheery for visitors and regular attenders at our church. I am grateful for this bit of beauty. I am also grateful for Shula’s faithfulness.
Day 1 Photo: Christmas Tree with Broken, Tangled Lights
Day 2 Photo: Birthday Boy
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November 2 – Photo of the Day = Gratitude
Today is my bil’s birthday. Of course we celebrated with the traditional waffle and ice cream breakfast. Happy 50th to a caring, godly, fun man!
Oh, he loves preparing great fires. Check out the automated equipment. 
I am grateful for the role M plays in the lives of my 2 kiddos. Besides being a great role model, he is consistently interested in their lives.
I’m also thankful for the many ways M has helped me: insightful advice, moving furniture, and a calming influence (to name a few things).
Day 1 Photo: Christmas Tree with Broken, Tangled Lights
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November 1 – Photo of the Day = Gratitude
- I may or may not have a theme.
- I may or may not tell the back story.
- I may or may not post only one photo.
I don’t know where this will lead, but I hope I am more grateful and more aware of my surroundings by the end of the month.
How did you spend your “extra” hour today? I spent my “extra” hour (daylights savings) cutting off the broken lights from this artificial, 4 foot, pencil tree. The tree was needed to showcase ornaments that kiddos from CNC’s children’s ministry made.
These ornaments will be sold mid-December. The money will go towards off-setting costs of the summer 2010 sport’s camp.
I am grateful for Lori, the Director of CNC’s Children’s Ministry K-5th grade. She is providing a creative outlet for the children, letting them participate in a fundraiser that will benefit them, and is allowing plenty of time to raise the necessary funds for this awesome summer event.
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4 Secrets to Contentment
How content are you? Always? Never? Sometimes?
Pastor Mike is doing a series on Generosity in a World of Greed. Sunday’s message was titled, “The Lost Art of Doing Without.” One of the gems from the sermon was how to be content.
The most important step to contentment is . . .
. . . Seek the Lord above all else and you will have what you need
- How do you fare in this area on a scale of 1-10?
- Do you seek God before seeking goods?
- How will you seek the Lord today…Prayer…Read Scripture…Obey Scripture…Other?
- Make a list of your needs. Share this list with a friend. Would s/he agree these are needs? Share this list with God in prayer. Compare it to Scripture (I.e. Matthew 6:33). Are they truly needs or are wants mixed in there too?
“At one time or another, we’re all guilty of allowing wants to live in our hearts as needs.” Jim Fay & Charles Fay
Pastor shared 3 more secrets to being content. Read the 3 following statements. Pick the correct answer.
Fight the impulse to . . .
(a) “have it now!” (b) shop. Shopping is evil. (c) share.
Don’t buy things . . .
(a) you can’t afford. (b) ever. (c) that are cheaply made.
Remember your most important needs are . . .
(a) food, clothing and shelter. (b) good quality chocolate. (c) to be put on hold until you tithe.
The correct answer for each statement of truth is letter (a). Delayed gratification and correctly identifying/buying needs versus wants are actions that lead to contentment.
How are you doing with the above secrets? Is there a change you will make today? What is that change?
Pastor based his sermon on 1 Timothy 6: 3-19. Read and ponder these Scriptures. What is the Holy Spirit saying to you from these verses? Share what you learned/heard with at least one person today.
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Falling Into Place
Falling into Place by The Afters could be my theme song right now. The divorce shook up my image of who I thought I was, my path in life, my usefulness, and my likability. Was I even any “good”? The world didn’t make sense; God didn’t make sense; I didn’t make sense.The ground beneath my feet was crumbling
Day and Night had come undone
It was the season of my wandering
You found me there
It was the moment that it all became clear
Of a distant world
A shattered life
With no where left to turn
Till I saw you there
And everything I thought had gone to waste
Was falling into place
As I lay the pieces at your feet
It’s finally starting to make sense
I guess I found the missing part of me
Of a distant world
A shattered life
With no where left to turn
Till I saw you there
And everything I thought had gone to waste
Was falling into place
I had to lose it all
Just so I could find out you were there to break my fall
Peace and Hope While in the Depth of Pain – John Stumbo’s Story
The theology one has about God makes all the difference in how one handles the pain of hard times. It is the person with faith, the person who sees God rightly, that can say in the most painful of times, “God is in it and God is good.”
I recently heard John Stumbo’s story from this video. He is the pastor of Salem Alliance Church in Salem, Oregon. At the beginning of the week of October 17, 2008, John thought he had the flu. By the end of the week that was far from the truth. Many months and 100 tests later, the doctors still don’t know why John’s body weakened to the point of death (several times). One of the medications produced delusions some fun, but many dark and eerie.
Overview of John’s Reactions to Pain (Illness)
- John described having a deep peace despite his desperate illness.
- The hope John had in seeing Jesus upon his death helped John get through the dark, delusional times.
- This deep sense of hope helped keep John sane.
- The prayers and encouragement (verbal as in calls and cards, practical as in money and meals) aided John in his journey during the dark times and now in his journey back to health.
- These events have been good for his spiritual journey, marriage and congregation. God has already begun to use it.
- After 100 tests the doctors still don’t know what was/is wrong with John. But God is still in it and God is good.
Quotes I especially liked
- I had my hand on death’s doorknob ready to push the door open but I had about 3000 of you pulling back on me not letting me in. I didn’t have a chance to get into heaven with all you people praying for me.
- I’m running a marathon I didn’t plan on running.
- I don’t really like the journey I’m on…but God is in it and God is good.
- Some of you don’t like the journey you’re on either right now. You’re in a tough spot . . . Economically hard times . . . Financially bad news . . . Relationally tough situations . . . Physically struggling. Please know according to Psalm 139, He is the God of the light and the darkness.
- God is in it and God is good.
When I’m going through a painful time in life, I listen more readily to people who have been through their own painful times. John has been through such a painful time. Yet he still clung, and clings, to the truth that God is in it and God is good. I love this example of perseverance and faith, this illustration of a man’s deep love and trust in God.
Many times life doesn’t make sense and in fact its not always a likable journey. But it is also a fact that we, Christians, don’t travel alone. God is with us. And often, often we are surrounded by a faithful group of people who cheer us on with their prayers and encouragement.
Let’s Talk About It. Where are you in this journey?
- Needing prayers and encouragement? Who will you contact for this? Will you do so today?
- Able to offer prayers and encouragement? Who has God laid on your heart to help? Will you do one thing today?
- Do you believe that God is in your painful journey and that God is good? Why or why not.
- Listen to the video. What are your reactions? Favorite quotes?
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Journal Exercise to Complete at the End of Retreat
We just spent a lovely weekend right by Lake Tahoe. The weekend’s topic was an overview of Boundaries and presented in a low-key, sensitive manner. One attendee said she enjoyed how the topic was shared without guilt. Me too.
I also liked the word picture that boundaries, like fences, should have a gate.
Boundaries are supposed to be able to “breathe,” to be like fences with a gate that can let the good in and the bad out. Individuals with walls for boundaries can let in neither bad nor good. No one touches them.
God designed our personal boundaries to have gates. We should have the freedom to enjoy safe relationships and to avoid destructive ones.” (Boundaries by Dr. Cloud & Dr. Townsend, pp 52-53)
At the end of a retreat, class, or seminar, I like to evaluate the experience. This helps me to see what I learned and how to incorporate the learning into my life.
Below are some questions to ponder after your next retreat.
- What were your expectations and hopes regarding the following: The topic . . . Yourself . . . The ladies . . . God?
- Were your expectations and hopes met in each of the four areas? Why or why not? How?
- What one or two ideas made a great impact on you this weekend?
- What will you do with this information?
- Who will you share it with?
How did you answer the questions? What questions would you add?
Related Posts
- Do these 3 Things to Get the Most From Retreat
- Journal Exercise to Complete Before Retreat
- How Would You Evaluate a Retreat
- Retreat RSVP Postcard
- No Matter How Hard You Try, These 6 Things Will Not be at Women’s Retreat
- 10 Things You Won’t Find at CNC Women’s Retreat
- BINGO Your Way to Knowing Each Other Better
- 4 Assessments to Make Retreats Better
- Get Busy Making Some History With a Friend
- Three Things to Get a CNC Woman
