Continuing in our new tradition of saving our change and having a new awareness of how we can help those in need, we have chosen to contribute to Sav-A-Life Bessemer for the month of February. We have been asked to sponsor a fellow homeschooler who is participating in their Walk-for-Life. She noted in her request that she was the direct result of her biological mother choosing life and thus given the opportunity to be adopted into a warm, Christian home.
Additionally, please read the comment by Beth on January's post about our giving bank. She, too, has a neat story about a Sav-a-Life's ministry.
As always, if you have encouraging words to share, please comment and let us know. Additionally, if you have an organization near and dear to your heart, please send us some info about it.
Thanks and many blessings,
Debra
Showing posts with label giving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label giving. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
The Summit
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
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
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
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