Well, it is that time of the year for our annual SUMMIT !
Years ago, Craig and I started taking the time between Christmas and New Year's to plan our goals for the next year and we dubbed it "The Summit". It takes us days to complete it because we work through a little bit at a time. Our "summit" includes our budget but it also includes evaluating the use of our time in relation to the goals that we set at the previous summit. Topics that we discuss are: discipleship of our family, mission trip opportunities, local service projects and/or giving ideas, fellowship time with other believers, local service in our church, etc. You get the idea.
It has been a very beneficial time because it makes us really look at what we believe is important and what we are doing about what we believe.
Growing up, I had a mother who did not let life "happen" to her....she was proactive in making her life "happen". In otherwords, if she wanted to learn something, she found a class to take or a book to read. If she wanted to experience some activity, she found a place to do it. (Maybe that is why at 75 she still line dances; volunteers at the hospital, the zoo, and for Hospice; coordinates a few things for her church; travels extensively to wherever she wants to go, etc.)
That is what "The Summit" does for us....it makes us make life happen ! Sure, we have interruptions and have to readjust oftentimes, but at least we know where we are headed.
Hope this encourages you to think through what you will be doing with your time, money, and resources in 2009 !
Debra
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
New Traditions for 2009
This year, in 2008, we have tried to be more aware of the needs around us and in the world. We have given as the Lord has impressed us -- both of our time and our resources.
A few days ago, I was pondering this new organization that works towards clean drinking water that a friend of ours shared with us (to see the article you can link to her blog to the right of this post - At Home for Him and scroll down to her post about this organization). Oftentimes, I feel frustrated because the need is so great and our part is so small. The Lord has been showing us through our local church and through friends how He takes all of our small efforts together and they do make an impact. It is important if all we do is impact one person. But you know how it is ---it just seems better if you could see the difference made by your giving.
Thus, I ordered a digital counting jar from Avon ! Yes... at www.avon.com because I could not locate one in a local store (I was informed that these are seasonal items, sold only at Christmas - go figure !). The reason I wanted one was because I wanted to show our children (and myself) how we could save what we think is minimal (leftover change from a purchase) and it would collectively make a solid amount for giving - either to a local organization or to one like the one that does clean water.
Because I was in the mood to save money, I did a quick goggle search for coupon code for Avon (I never like paying full price for anything !). When I did this search, it did not give me a code, but told me if I would enter my zip code on the Avon site, I would receive a list of local representatives. If I would order through one of those local reps, I would receive either free shipping or a discount. So, I read through the list of local reps, found someone I used to go to church with, selected her, and ordered ! I save over $10 and it will be shipped directly to me - she doesn't have to do anything. I think that is a pretty good deal - she gets blessed and doesn't even know it (yet - I am sure Avon.com will send her an email or something).
If I knew how to post a pic, I would but that is Giann's department. She is the creator of our blog with all the cute things on it.
Many blessings to you and may you be a blessing to those around you,
Debra
A few days ago, I was pondering this new organization that works towards clean drinking water that a friend of ours shared with us (to see the article you can link to her blog to the right of this post - At Home for Him and scroll down to her post about this organization). Oftentimes, I feel frustrated because the need is so great and our part is so small. The Lord has been showing us through our local church and through friends how He takes all of our small efforts together and they do make an impact. It is important if all we do is impact one person. But you know how it is ---it just seems better if you could see the difference made by your giving.
Thus, I ordered a digital counting jar from Avon ! Yes... at www.avon.com because I could not locate one in a local store (I was informed that these are seasonal items, sold only at Christmas - go figure !). The reason I wanted one was because I wanted to show our children (and myself) how we could save what we think is minimal (leftover change from a purchase) and it would collectively make a solid amount for giving - either to a local organization or to one like the one that does clean water.
Because I was in the mood to save money, I did a quick goggle search for coupon code for Avon (I never like paying full price for anything !). When I did this search, it did not give me a code, but told me if I would enter my zip code on the Avon site, I would receive a list of local representatives. If I would order through one of those local reps, I would receive either free shipping or a discount. So, I read through the list of local reps, found someone I used to go to church with, selected her, and ordered ! I save over $10 and it will be shipped directly to me - she doesn't have to do anything. I think that is a pretty good deal - she gets blessed and doesn't even know it (yet - I am sure Avon.com will send her an email or something).
If I knew how to post a pic, I would but that is Giann's department. She is the creator of our blog with all the cute things on it.
Many blessings to you and may you be a blessing to those around you,
Debra
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Christmas Traditions
Dear Family and Friends,
When we were putting away the decorations from Christmas 2007, we were stumped about what to do with all the Christmas cards we had received. We decided to put them in a basket in our living room with the plan of randomly drawing a card every Sunday evening during our family prayer time. The card drawn would be the family or person that we would pray for nightly during that week. Toward the end of the week, we mailed a card to the person or family to let them know that we had been praying for them. It was amazing to us the number of people who either called, emailed, or sent us a note by regular mail to let us know what had been occuring during the week that we were praying for them. Some families had experienced a death or health crisis, some had new births, some had salvation experiences, some adoptions, etc.
Our family was in awe because we knew what we thought was a random drawing was not random. Just another confirmation of God's Sovereignty and concern for our lives. This experience birthed a new tradition for our family: Christmas Card Prayers.
We are already looking forward to continuing this tradition in 2009 ! And, if you sent us a card by email, we have printed it and will add it to the basket. If you didn't do Christmas cards this year (or you didn't send one to us) and you want us to put you in our Christmas Card Prayer basket, send us a quick greeting at hoosier4@bellsouth.net and we will put you in the basket.
Merry Christmas !
Debra
When we were putting away the decorations from Christmas 2007, we were stumped about what to do with all the Christmas cards we had received. We decided to put them in a basket in our living room with the plan of randomly drawing a card every Sunday evening during our family prayer time. The card drawn would be the family or person that we would pray for nightly during that week. Toward the end of the week, we mailed a card to the person or family to let them know that we had been praying for them. It was amazing to us the number of people who either called, emailed, or sent us a note by regular mail to let us know what had been occuring during the week that we were praying for them. Some families had experienced a death or health crisis, some had new births, some had salvation experiences, some adoptions, etc.
Our family was in awe because we knew what we thought was a random drawing was not random. Just another confirmation of God's Sovereignty and concern for our lives. This experience birthed a new tradition for our family: Christmas Card Prayers.
We are already looking forward to continuing this tradition in 2009 ! And, if you sent us a card by email, we have printed it and will add it to the basket. If you didn't do Christmas cards this year (or you didn't send one to us) and you want us to put you in our Christmas Card Prayer basket, send us a quick greeting at hoosier4@bellsouth.net and we will put you in the basket.
Merry Christmas !
Debra
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Greetings from Jason
Greetings Friends,
This is Jason and it is my turn to blog ! This year, we went to Costa Rica on vacation and I had a blast ! We rode/drove jet skis, toured the market, and went zip-lining through the rainforest. I personally was scared to death zip-lining --it was 320 feet high at some points. During the zip-line, I was able to see God's creation from a different view.
Lastly, we went on a monkey tour. We were in a mangrove and the tour guide would call the monkeys to the boat from the trees. We had bananas to feed them and they would hop on the boat and on your head just to get the banana. The tour guide had a mango for the head monkey so he would let the other monkeys eat.
Leave me your comments so I know you were here ! You can post anonymously...just sign your name in the message.
Jason
Friday, December 12, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Welcome!
Greetings dear family and friends and welcome to the Alabama Hoosiers’ Blog. We are delighted that you have joined us and hope this is just one of your many visits to converse with us about what is going on in your lives as well as what’s going on in ours. The AHB will be a family blog meaning that everyone, Debra, Giann, Jason and myself will be contributing to the content of our website. In the same way, we hope that your family members will take time to send us a note, a picture or a “link” (Now that’s twenty-first century speak) so we can stay connected. Come on in and renew some friendships and enjoy some fellowship, stay as long as you want and come back often.
Craig
Craig
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