Our Uncomfortable Giving Challenge!!!!!

Our Giving Challenge

Steph and I truly enjoy the process of giving to those in need. Especially when it involves children. We have been scheming and strategizing a giving challenge that will stretch us and we think we have come up with a pretty fun project :-) We have given shoe boxes filled with Christmas presents for needy children all across the world as part of Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child in the past and it is a rewarding experience (if you have never participated, give it a shot this year!). All we have to do is fill shoe boxes with lots of presents and goodies and make a small donation and Samaritan’s Purse makes sure the gift puts a smile on a needy child's face somewhere around the world (they even say you can track your shoe box now! How awesome!). Their mission is totally aligned with Steph's and my values:

"The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ."

Here is a link to their FAQ and a video if you are interested!

Steph has been in a really giving mood lately and it has been contagious for me. While I was running on the treadmill last night it came to me, "STEPH - LET'S JOIN OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD AND GIVE A BUNCH OF SHOE BOXES TO NEEDY KIDS THIS CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!”

She was sold on the idea pretty quickly. I mean it involves helping children the world has forgotten so I am pretty sure I could have said, "Let's sell everything we own and help the children" and she would have said yes... ;-) We agreed on a goal that feels very UNcomfortable for us: 50 shoe boxes. It just kinda feels impossible (and maybe it is). That's kind of the point of any challenging goal. It should feel just on the edge of impossible! But we don't really care and we are going to do everything we can with family and friends to make this project come true. What's the worst case scenario? We only get 29 boxes sent out for children who wouldn't otherwise have Christmas presents this year?! Only 29 children were able to see the warm caring smile of a Samaritan’s Purse volunteer reach down, give them a gift and tell them about the greatest Gift of all: Christ Jesus? Seems like a win-win situation any way you slice this deal!

So here goes; the shoe store will be our first stop to see if they are cool with giving us a bunch of free empty shoe boxes :-)

FYI if you want to join us with this project just shoot Steph an email (or call) and she will hook you up! We’re pretty sure our family will be jacked up about the idea as well (they have been giving through Operation Christmas Child for years).

YEAHHHHHHH BOYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!! We are really excited about this.

We will definitely make sure to keep you updated as we start filling shoe boxes.

LET GO OF THE PEANUTS MONKEYYYYYY; and Something about Scrooge!!!

A friend of mine was telling me a pretty awesome story the other day about how African hunters catch monkeys. Basically they hollow out and put a hole on one side of a coconut. They then place some peanuts or oranges etc. into the coconut and secure it to a tree. Along comes an unsuspecting monkey slipping his hand into the coconut to get his treats. The problem arises when he makes a fist to pick up the food his hand can't get out of the trap... The monkey will jump all over the place trying to get out of the trap -- little does he know that if he would only let go of the food his hand would slip right out... Along comes the hunter. Finding the monkey still with his tight fist in the coconut; the hunter now has dinner :-)

That story always reminds me of how we can be with money (and material things.... and time.....) sometimes. I think it’s human nature to hoard and stake out "what's ours"... We get new clothes but struggle to let go of some of the pieces, “We might wear someday”. We want new cars; we want a new house; we want new furniture to put in the new house; we want our kids to have the best the world has to offer. We aren’t hurting anybody, but we want what we want and we want it now! The irony is that it's only when we LET GO that we truly experience what it’s like to be FREE (just like the monkey my friend told me about haha)! We have to take care of ourselves and provide for our families of course. But once our needs are met -- it is truly a freeing experience to begin helping meet the needs of those around us.

Ever seen how OVERJOYED Scrooge was in the story of A Christmas Carol when he finally opens his tightly held grip over his money and possessions? The guy is on cloud nine, he is literally a new man!

Giving has not always been easy for me or Steph. While we have never been like Scrooge (I hope!), we sure have passed up many opportunities to help those around us when we have the ability. And let's be honest, as citizens of the United States of America most of us (not all) have our basic needs met every day. We have not always actively engaged in giving as we do now. Honestly (and selfishly) we knew it was something we should do more of, but we didn't realize the fringe benefits of giving: joy, peace and contentment that surpasses logical understanding.

In the last couple of years God has truly given us a heart for people. We love people. We love you. We love these children we don't know (and probably will never know); we plan on helping make a difference in their lives this year. I hope you too are enjoying making a difference in someone's life today (this week, this year...)!

Your Giving Challenge

My challenge to you is to start giving. Period. I can't tell how significantly it will change your life to let go of something you have and invest in the life of another human being. Best investment you will ever make. It doesn't really matter if it's buying the meal for the person behind you in the drive-through @ Chick-fil-A or WHATEVER. The act of serving and helping others through giving will CHANGE YOUR FREEKN' LIFE!!! Do you have $5 in your pocket? Give half of it to someone in need today and see how it makes YOU feel (not to mention how the other person feels). You may change someone else's life through your generosity; you most certainly will change your own. I promise you that. If it doesn't, give me a call and I will pay you back every red cent you used to help someone else.

Just try it -- start with $5 and get rolling baby!

Tell us about your experience with giving. Who did you help? What did you give (time, money, skills etc.?)? HOW DID IT MAKE YOU FEEL? We really want to hear your stories so bring them on.

PS. Hey - Steph here! :) If any of you would like to help out, go to the the top and check out our OCC Project page for how you can help and for my contact information!

loving a person.

I just wanted to share this song with y'all because it is one that has been a theme for the challenges I'm going through and the growth I'm facing lately. I hope you can get something out of it or see the beauty in it. :)

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."
1 Peter 4:8

NEWS!

So. First of all. Let me say that I am HORRIBLE at doing hair - especially my own. But I did manage a decent messy bun up-do thingy that I was pretty proud of the other day for a first try. And I took a picture. I'm trying to be more adventurous with my hair and I'm slowly getting better with practice! But so far, all I can manage is pigtails, braids, and whatever you want to call this crazy mess.

And second. We have BIG news!  Those of you who are close to us already know, but for those who aren't - we are moving. AGAIN! Just to the other side of Charlotte this time - nothing too crazy. We're leaving Lake Wylie and heading up farther north. But nonetheless, it has been super crazy and super exciting.

We ended up having to move because of work, so we were going to have to break our lease four months into it. Which was going to mean a TON of crazy fees on top of moving costs. But after lots of prayer and consideration, God came through to take care of us. As He always does! A man who lives in our building had put in his notice to leave, but at the last minute ended up having to stay. When he went to the office to re-sign his lease, he found out they had already rented out his apartment so he had nowhere to go. So he had been working with the office to find a place in our building he could move to for a few more months.

At the EXACT SAME TIME, Nate approached the leasing office to see if we could find someone to take over our lease so we wouldn't have to pay all of the breaking fees. And in God's perfect timing, we all got together and now we had somebody to take over our lease and he had somewhere to live! The only catch to this was that we found out on Saturday that we had to be out of our apartment and have it completely cleaned by the 26th. Which meant we had FOURTEEN DAYS to get our lease switched out of our name, find a house to rent, get our application approved, pack everything up, move in, and then get our old apartment cleaned out.

And on top of all this, I have been going to job interviews like it's my, well, job.

Basically, life has been CRAZY.

But God is in control. And He is good. He is oh, so good. And even though things are very uncertain right now, they're starting to come together pretty nicely.

Have you ever had to do anything crazy like find a house and move in two weeks? What's your story?

dreams.

Abide in the simple and noble regions of thy life, obey thy heart. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Write down your top three dreams. Now write down what’s holding you back from them.
(Author: Michael Rad)

It's been awhile since I've done a trust30 post. I had committed. I was sticking to that commitment. And then I just let life get in the way of it. But I'm getting back on track now. No clue how long it will take to get through all of the prompts, but they WILL all be done.


Anyway. To my top three dreams.


ONE.
To have at least two children and stay at home with them until they are in school. Right now, this dream hasn't been fulfilled because Nate and I are waiting until we're in a more stable living environment where we actually have room to at least put a crib. We're living somewhere cheap now to save money so we can move to that more stable place soon. We're also working on saving money so we can afford for me to stay home with the children and better provide for them. So maybe these things aren't keeping us from fulfilling our dream, but rather helping us to reach it more quickly?

TWO. 
To more seriously pursue my artwork. Currently, I feel like I'm not doing much to reach toward this dream due to lack of time. I feel like there are so many other things I need to be focusing my time and energy on that I push this to the back burner. I keep telling myself that once I get these other things figured out, then I'll start focusing on my art. I have a feeling that if I started focusing on my art more, I would probably be more productive in my everyday life because I would have a creative outlet. I just haven't done anything about it yet. I'm going to make that an actual tangible goal this week. I am going to start spending at least one hour a week creating. 

THREE. 
To be in charge of whatever it is I am doing as a teacher - whether it means having my own classroom or doing behavioral therapy and creating my own programs. I have been working for two years now under the supervision and direction of other educators. I have a BA and a M.Ed. and experience and a good bit of knowledge (I think) and I have so many things that I want to do with my children. I am ready to have that responsibility. With the job I found most recently, I was finally given a taste of that responsibility and it was WONDERFUL. Unfortunately, it was just for a summer extension program and due to the fact that it is a private school where there is already an amazing staff, I might not be able to stay into the fall with a full-time position. And due to the job market and the way things are in the education world right now, it has been difficult to find the job I'm looking for. But I'm still looking. And still pushing forward. And despite the things that might be holding me back, I am going to continue pushing until this dream does come true.

What are your dreams?

 

wholly strange and new.

Day sixteen. Can't believe I'm over halfway through this and I haven't slacked off yet.

When good is near you, when you have life in yourself, it is not by any known or accustomed way; you shall not discern the foot-prints of any other; you shall not see the face of man; you shall not hear any name;—— the way, the thought, the good, shall be wholly strange and new. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Can you remember a moment in your life when you had life in yourself and it was wholly strange and new? Can you remember the moment when you stopped walking a path of someone else, and started cutting your own?

Write about that moment. And if you haven’t experienced it yet, let the miracle play out in your mind’s eye and write about that moment in your future.

(Author: Bridget Pilloud)

I think my life has been full of a lot of little moments like this. Times when I have chosen to do what is right for me, no matter what everyone else might think. There were the times in college when I made the decision not to go out every night with my roommates. There was the point where Nate and I sat down and made it a point to pay off all our debt and live a financially responsible lifestyle.

But one particular time stands out to me more than the others, because it was a turning point for me in multiple areas of my life.

I had gone off to school for my freshman year of college and had a lot of difficulty adjusting (for a number of reasons which I will not go into now because I could probably write a book on the subject). And after a semester and about a month, I ended up moving back home. My parents and I sat down together and worked out a plan for me to follow, which included me taking the rest of the semester and the summer off to work full time, going to the local tech school in the fall, and then seeing how much progress I had made at that point.

I had a life up at school. I had friends, a church, a boyfriend who I was still seeing long-distance. I had every intention of doing what my parents wanted (no more, no less) and then moving right back up to school.

But then things started to change. Once I was back home, I started to get involved in a church. I met Nate. And I started to see my life up at this other school in a different light. Up there, I was stuck in a rut. I had issues I had to work through, and the environment I was in up there - the people and things around me - were not supportive of my working through those issues.

I remember the night like it was yesterday. Making the decision to stay at home final. It didn't magically solve all of my problems. That took quite a few years. Honestly, I'm still working through a lot. But that moment was the turning point in my life when I decided that I was going to start doing what was best for me, no matter what the world thought I needed to be doing. The path has not been a clear cut, straight, or even a flat one by any means. I've fallen down and sometimes I haven't thought I'd have the strength to get back up. Sometimes I haven't had the strength to get back up, and it's only been with the help of wonderful people like my husband or by the grace of God. And sometimes I've climbed and climbed up giant hills only to get to the top and run freely down the other side with the breeze in my hair.

But I have made it. And it's my path. And that feels pretty good. :)

alternative paths.

Today's trust30 prompt:

When good is near you, when you have life in yourself, it is not by any known or accustomed way; you shall not discern the foot-prints of any other; you shall not see the face of man; you shall not hear any name; the way, the thought, the good, shall be wholly strange and new. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

The world buzzes about goals and visions. Focus. Create a vivid picture of exactly where you want to go. Dream big, then don’t let anything or anyone stop you. The problem, as Daniel Gilbert wrote in Stumbling Upon Happiness, is that we’re horrible at forecasting how we’ll really feel 10 or 20 years from now – once we’ve gotten what we dreamed of. Often, we get there only to say, “That’s not what I thought it would be,” and ask, “What now?” Ambition is good. Blind ambition is not. It blocks out not only distraction, but the many opportunities that might take you off course but that may also lead you in a new direction. Consistent daily action is only a virtue when bundled with a willingness to remain open to the unknown. In this exercise, look at your current quest and ask, “What alternative opportunities, interpretations and paths am I not seeing?” They’re always there, but you’ve got to choose to see them.

(Author: Jonathan Fields)

Where do I want to be in ten years? I want to be a wife. I want to be a mother. I want to be serving the Lord. I want to be working with children who have special needs. I want to be an artist.

I don't have a ten year plan, or a five year plan. I don't even have a plan for a year from now. I know what I want to accomplish within the next two months. And I'm taking that one day at a time, as God continues to reveal His will to me. But there are no decisions that are set in stone. And I'm not closed off to any paths to the goals that Nate and I have, or so focused on reaching them in a certain way that I miss out on alternative routes.

Life is good right now. And we're heading in the direction we want to be, and the direction that seems to be right. And I think we're going to be okay. :)

a good day. :)

Today was a good day. :)

I made it through my first week as a real live teacher alive and with no injuries. There were some crazy times, but nothing can beat the hugs and having the children hold up their work, beaming, saying "Miss Stephanie! Look at what I did!" It's a tiring job but it's worth every ounce of energy spent. And there is nothing in me that wishes I had chosen to do something else with my life.

Nate and I had a Mexican night tonight! Fajitas for two! Which is more like fajitas for about six - SO. MUCH. FOOD.

After dinner, we took the dogs for a walk down to the dock at our apartments. The weather was perfect. And there was nobody down there but us. It was so nice to have some time to relax together. :)

beautiful view from the dock.

watching the boats.

abby LOVES her daddy.

:)

her favorite place to be.

And here is a wonderful video of what happens when you try to get Chloe to do a trick.

Absolutely nothing.

 Most people say she's stupid. I prefer to say she does things on her own terms.

Anyway. Now it's 8:00 and we have the rest of the night ahead of us (and I have a four day weekend ahead of me). And it has been a good day. We are definitely blessed :)

Oh, I almost forgot. Nate just reminded me. We went to Carowinds yesterday for the bajillionth time so far this year and rode the Intimidator. And Nate took his iPod ON THE ROLLERCOASTER and took video. So here it is. In case you can't tell from the video, my anxiety level was through the roof because I thought he was going to drop it. I was seriously having a panic attack. I'm glad we have the video now, though. So yeah. Here it is. Enjoy. :)

I'll try to get to work on my trust30 post later on tonight. If not, it'll be posted in the morning.

What is something you've been blessed with today?

your personal message.

trust30.

To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, that is genius. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

What is burning deep inside of you? If you could spread your personal message RIGHT NOW to 1 million people, what would you say?

I think my message would be pretty simple. It would be that God loves you. No matter what. No matter who you are. No matter what you've done. No matter what issues you have or what your situation is.

HE. LOVES. YOU.

Enough to sacrifice His son for you. Enough to taken on all your sin and the punishment for all of that sin for you. And enough to forgive you for every single bit of that sin. Every little thing you have done in the past. And every little thing you will do in the future. Gone. Washed away. So far away. Down to the ocean floor. If only you're willing to recognize that you are a sinner and accept Him and all that He has done for you into your life.

There's more to the story, but that's really the important part.

I know it's a pretty controversial message. I know not everyone agrees with it. But it's my message. And it's my truth. And it's what I live my life for. And it has changed my life. So I really can't keep it to myself, can I?

As for my 'post-it' challenge, I figured out a couple small steps I can take to put myself on the right path:

• I have started waking up at 6:30 every morning NO MATTER WHAT.
• I have started every morning with a quick devotion. Since I tend to need motivation from somewhere else, a quick Bible verse and inspirational read will give me that drive I need to start the day off right.
• I have started carrying around a small notebook that I can use specifically for ideas I have or for things I think of throughout the day that I want or need to do. I so often forget about these things because I tell myself I'll write them down later or do them later and then never do.

So, there are my first three small things. Not much, but it's a start.

So, do you have a personal message you would like to share with the world? Or at least with the few people who read our blog? ;)

one strong belief.

Here is the third prompt in the trust30 challenge. I'm a day behind so I'm either going to double up or just go one extra day. Haven't really decided yet.

It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude. - Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance

The world is powered by passionate people, powerful ideas, and fearless action. What’s one strong belief you possess that isn’t shared by your closest friends or family? What inspires this belief, and what have you done to actively live it?

(Author: Buster Benson)

I had to spend a long time thinking about this one. While I believe certain things differently than certain people in my life and other things differently than other people in my life, I had some trouble pinpointing one major belief that really stood out more than all the others. But I think I finally settled on one.

Nate and I decided quite awhile ago that we were going to live our lives very differently than the way most people do. We decided that we were not going to have any debt. Not just for financial reasons, but also for moral and spiritual reasons. We believe that God does not honor debt and that we don't want it to be a part of our life together. Because of this strong belief, we have made a lot of choices that are quite different from those people around us might make. It hasn't always been easy to follow through with this decision but we are definitely sticking to it because it has been worth it.

What about you? What strong belief do you have that others close to you don't share?