Bless back and pay it forward....

Bless back. Pay it forward. These two phrases are becoming increasingly common, it seems. Is the concept and the practice becoming more common as well?

A few years ago, Helen Hunt was in a movie called Pay it Forward. Though I didn't see all of it, it was about giving to other people in need, and continuing the tradition of passing on blessings, etc.

Recently I heard about a project a church in Charlotte, Elevation Church, did called the Bless Back Project. Everyone at Elevation Church on a certain Sunday was given some money, I think either $5, $10, $20, $100 or even $1000. They were instructed to use it to bless someone else. The stories were then told of how individuals and families used the money they were given, often combined with their own money, to bless someone else. Some of the stories were really cool, and you can read about them here.

This morning, I was reading AOL News (which, the people who comment on those stories are a riot, btw) and I was reading other stories of people who were given money or other necessities and how it impacted them. These aren't necessarily motivated by the same reasons, but some are interesting too, nonetheless.

Anyways, all this to say that I feel incredibly blessed especially this holiday season, and these stories have inspired me to think up some creative ways to share my blessings with others. It's a challenge for sure, because though I'm not broke, giving up money isn't an easy decision. It's just human nature I think to hoard that which we have, even though we are commanded to give. The Lord even says to "test him in this," allowing him to prove his goodness and blessings. This Christmas season, I am challenged to accept that challenge and to give, not so that I may receive more, but because Christ has already given me everything beyond what I deserve.

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." Malachi 3:10.

New look to my blog....

So, I decided to actually try and create a header for my blog today, rather than just use one of the generic ones in a template. I think it turned out well.

However, it was pointed out to me by my oh-so-loving coworkers, that as I created one using the phrase, "I am the vine, you are the koinonia," I was way off. I was sure I had seen that on a t-shirt at Union for women's small groups - Klemata....Nope. The phrase should read "I am the vine, you are the klemata," which actually makes a lot more sense when you realize the name of the group is klemata and not koinonia.

Klemata: Small off-shoots or branches.
Koinonia: Fellowship.

Maybe I shouldn't pretend to be smart by using Greek words unless I know what I am talking about. Seminary, here I come! :)

Christmas parties galore!

It's been a great weekend and last few days. Being that I am so blessed with friends, I have had lots of activities, aka Christmas parties!

Friday night kicked off party weekend with dessert with the girls at Mimi's Cafe for my birthday. It was a good time to sit and catch up and chill with everyone. I ate bread pudding...yummy. Saturday began the true Christmas celebrations, with Cookie Day and the Bayleaf Christmas party. Sunday was church, lunch at Chili's (some guy gave me my favorite dessert for free! Oh, it was the waiter :) then to the park with Ben and back to church for Yo! Christmas Tree and small group Christmas. We did a White Elephant exchange, and I ended up with the marvelous gift of a Ms. Pac Man game set...Thank you, Adam. I also received a new fondue set from Adam and Shonica to aid in my party-throwing!

We also did a Tacky Christmas Sweater party on Monday, which was a lot of fun. Bryan told me he spent about 3 hours making his sweater (for another party, not this one) and after seeing his sweater, it paid off! It was great, with lit-up snowflakes and a candy-cane filled stocking.

Finally, in the recitation of the parties, we had the office party last night. What a good time. Our "family portrait" gifts went over so well; everyone loved them! I did a puzzle, there was also a mug, a decorative plate and a mousepad, all of which were very popular.

All in all, a wonderful few days, despite feeling a little under the weather...

Christmas cheer

I have less than 2 weeks until Christmas, and not the foggiest idea of what to buy for anyone....Ok, I do have some foggy ideas, but nothing killer. I need to hit the mall and find some presents!

Speaking of presents, my birthday is Sunday and it will be kind of weird I think. It's shaping up to just be a normal ho-hum day....La de da, another year is passing.

I bought Benny some antlers last night so we can do a Christmas photo shoot. He's so cute with them on! I got really tickled taking pictures of him last night, because it's so precious and he is so funny about it! He acts very uncertain about having anything on his head, which makes him stand still and hesitate to move at all!



Some things I am looking forward to:
Birthday dinner with my family when I get home.
Christmas
A week of free (delicious!) eating and free laundry
Lindsay's wedding shower I am throwing (I need to do the invitations!)
My New Year's Eve "extravaganza" I'll be hosting
Going skiing with the college and singles from Bayleaf
Uuumm....spring/summer and fun outdoor activities

That's about it for now. Off to do some work!

Bleh...

Bleh...That's how I feel right now. All I want to do is go home and sleep. I don't want to walk Ben. I don't want to do my dishes. I don't want to clean. I just want to get in bed and sleep.

I wasn't feeling super earlier, but after Moe's, it's definitely not any better! Anyways.

It's been a while since I posted. Things are going pretty good, but I am feeling a little depressed about a certain situation, so that's no fun. I just don't understand why I can't seem to get over wanting something. I ask the Lord to take away the desires of my heart, and give me the desires of His heart, but I seem stuck. Maybe what I am feeling is His desire for my life, but if that's the case, where is the fulfillment? No where in sight, and when I do think I have found it, it always turns out not to be so...

In an attempt to get my mind onto other things, I turned in an adoption application for Grizzly, the dog I posted about a while back. I decided to keep Ben, as I recognize that I have a commitment to him, and I do love him. He shows signs of settling down, which is good. I am going to take him to obedience classes, for sure, so that will help too. However, I am excited to potentially get another dog. I would love to have a cuddly dog, and I know Ben would love a play-mate. I just hope it works out that I can get him and that he and Ben get along great!

In other news, Thanksgiving with the family went really well, and I am excited about Christmas!