Monday, November 10, 2008

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I would like to say thank you to all the veterans out there for their courage and service to our country. If you see a soldier in uniform on the street don't be afraid to just say "THANKS". A simple word or two from a stranger can make a big difference! While we are here enjoying our freedom there are thousands of brave men and women in far away places, not able to be with their family and friends celebrating holidays and special moments. They aren't seeing their children grow up-and we all know how quickly our kids change and grow. No one wants to miss that. They are making the ultimate sacrifice for people they don't even know...so the least we can do is say thanks.








Take some time this week to write a couple of Christmas Cards for the soldiers. Enlist the kids to draw or paint some pictures. There are always people collecting cards and gifts for soldiers who are spending the holidays away from home. A few minutes of your time can brighten the day of a hero.












If you live in the Central Ohio area check out shoeboxforasoldier.com. They send shoe boxes full of gifts to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan for Christmas.







Little things mean a lot when you have nothing. No gesture is too small. Even if you are struggling it doesn't cost more than a piece of paper and postage to write a letter. Have I said enough? Then get to work!!!





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1 comment:

  1. AnonymousNovember 10, 2008 at 8:28 PM

    AMEN!!!!!!!!


    P.S i think Ken,Abby and I are going to stay in Columbus for the night on the 6th for the COSI fun plus of course the shopping...We try to spend the night twice a year to get away!!!! I know what a big trip!!!! LOL

    Cant wait!

    Luv,leslie

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Guatoberfest Cruise 2009

My soapbox about the Advent Conspiracy

I came across this video on another blog. I have to admit I only looked at it for entertainment value. I assumed with a title like that, it had to be some wacko conspiracy theory and who doesn't need a good laugh. Suprisingly enough it really touched me and made me think. It didn't grab my interest because of it's religious value, because that's not really my thing. I am not the type of person that flaunts religion or believes in pushing your beliefs onto others. It touched me because of it's human value and because it shows me how quickly I forget.

When we were in Guatemala it was truly a life changing experience for a myriad of reasons, only one of which was bringing home a baby! We saw poverty that we could never imagine in this country. I remember thinking when I was there that despite all of the stress of the situation, I was more at peace than I had ever felt in my life. Among other things, there was no pressure to have more...there was nothing to have. People just lived their lives. Families worked together, lived together in cramped housing-if they had a roof over their heads at all-and they were happy! We were forced to enjoy eachother without our "creature comforts" and I loved it. I now remember hoping that once we got home, I would never lose that idea that we don't really need much at all. I realized our society makes us think we need more but we really don't. And after watching the video it makes me realize that I have failed miserably.


I had made up my mind that in order to honor my new found attitude and our sons heritage, we would sponsor a Guatemalan family every year so that they could have food and heat and their children could go to school-things we take for granted on a daily basis. For some reason I can never seem to find the money to do that- BUT- I can find the money to buy coffee every day, sometimes several times a day, Collin will see a room full of gifts on Christmas morning, I can go out to eat, I can do whatever I want for the most part. My priorities have gone right back to where they were before I experienced Guatemala and it makes me sad. That is the reason that I am posting the video in a permenant spot on the blog, so that I am constantly reminded, not only during Christmas but all year to give PRESENCE to my friends and family not PRESENTS and to give back to something that I feel very strongly about. I don't write this to push Guatemalan charity or any charity but to encourage anyone reading this to slow down and take a look at your life and see what means the most to you and see where it takes you.

Advent Conspiracy