I recently attended the baptism of my nephew. Following the beautiful service, family and friends gathered at the local town hall to chat, dine, and simply enjoy each other's company. We had a long road ahead of us and were just beginning our goodbyes when we heard cries of help coming from down the hall. "Help! Get us out of here!" As we rushed to find out what happened, I soon found myself in panic mode as the realization hit that my son and nephew were trapped in an elevator and I could not get the door open. The boys screams and fear were escalating as they realized we could not get the door open either. I spoke softly to the boys trying to clam their fears. I reassured them that we would get them out of there, so there was no need for panic. As I was reassuring them, these same irrational thoughts were creeping uninvited into the corners of my mind. After offering up a prayer to my Father in my heart to keep the boys calm and help us get them out, I proceeded to push the elevator button several times, tried to pry the door open with my hands unsuccessfully, and was not sure what to do next. My brother-in-law spotted a hole in the door for a key and started searching for a key. Failing to find a key he changed the search for objects that would fit in the elevator keyhole. Nothing was quite long enough to reach the lock. Someone suggested we call the fire department as my husband tried to insert a long object into the keyhole. The door then suddenly slid open. We are still not sure how the door opened, the object my husband had attempted to unlock the elevator with again failed to be long enough. As the boys gratefully exited the elevator they had been trapped in, it was apparent that the elevator had stopped short of the floor as the bottom of the elevator was about six inches higher than the floor we were standing on.
After hugging the boys, grateful they were out, my sister turned to her son. She asked him if he had learned a lesson. This is the point where I learned that she knew the elevator had not been working correctly and had problems. She had warned her son early to stay out of the elevator because it was not working properly. Another cousin had been daring the boys to use the elevator, and the boys caved to the pressure. We learned that the boys prayed to their Heavenly Father to help them get out to the stuck elevator.
How many times in our lives are we "trapped in an elevator." We are warned of the dangers of sin, yet succumbing to pressure, we all, at times in our lives, find ourselves trapped in our own elevators. God warns us of the dangers of sin and just like a loving mother warning her child of a faulty elevator, God warns us of the dangers of sin. The good news is, if we find ourselves trapped, God is there to help us out of "the elevator" His love is unconditional. He is always there. :)
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Thursday, December 25, 2014
10 Things I Learned by Giving Our Christmas Away
This truly was the best Christmas EVER! My family and I decided that this year we would forgo our own gift giving to help others with the money we would have spent on gifts. This included a letter to Santa informing him that we wanted our gifts from Santa to go to those who could use an extra gift or two this Christmas. I have learned so many great things this Christmas. Here are a few:
1. Sharing our story was a good decision. I hesitated while trying to decide whether or not to share our story with others. We like helping others and serving others in secret. The decision to share our story came mostly so that we could document our Christmas so that we could remember the Christmas we gave away and the thoughts and the feelings that came with it. With sharing our story came more wonderful ways to help others. We had a neighbor who knew a family whose home burned down right before Christmas and they lost everything. One of my good friends knew of a family with five children who lost their mother to cancer. We were able to help with both of these projects and would not have had those opportunities had we not shared our story. I am so thankful for great friends, family, and neighbors who are great examples of love and service.
2. Children are exponentially more grateful when they expect nothing. It has been a family tradition of ours to open one gift on Christmas eve. That gift is always a pair of pajamas. I decided to continue this tradition and added a few more small gifts this year since Christmas morning would not have gifts at all. I wrapped a pair of pajamas for each member of our family, a new blanket for each of the kids, a family game, (Headbands) and a family movie. When my Children saw gifts under the tree with their name on them, they were not only excited, but extremely grateful. They thanked me a hundred times before they had even opened them and were even more grateful when they unwrapped them.
3. Our focus this Christmas was more on family than it ever has been in the past. Because giving gifts was not the focus this year, we focused more on family activities. This was not a conscious effort, just a natural result of the decision to give our Christmas away. One of the most amazing family activities was Christmas Eve. We were so blessed to spend Christmas Eve with our extended family. We had a wonderful dinner followed by reading about the birth of Christ from the bible and a great movie about the birth of the Savior. After our perfect evening with extended family, we went to look at Christmas lights as a family. This is something we have done many times, this year however we took a Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt list found HERE with us. We decided that if we found all of the items on the list, we would treat ourselves to hot chocolate. We had a blast driving all over town looking at the lights and trying to find all the items on the list.
4. My children are capable of being happy on Christmas without any gifts. I never heard one word of complaint or second thoughts after our initial decision to give Christmas away. I was a little worried that one or more of the kids would change their minds. I also worried that they would be fine until Christmas morning when there were no gifts to open. My children were amazing during the entire Christmas season. They were content with the few items they received on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning was not a disappointment. Instead of unwrapping countless gifts, we shared why this Christmas meant so much to each of us and how we can continue serving others throughout the coming year.
5. Children are capable of finding ways to serve on their own. My daughter came home from school one day and told me that she had used her own money to donate to the quarters and cans. My boys had seen an angel tree and asked if they could use their money to buy something for one of the kids on the tree. At school, I give the kids quarters for a prize machine we have in our class. One of my students asked if he could donate his quarter to quarters and cans instead of buying a prize from the prize machine. Kids are great examples of service and love.
6. I see my children in a different light. Sometimes as a mom (and a teacher mom at that) I focus on the things in my children that I would love to see improve. Short tempers, bickering, etc. I found that while those things still bugged me in the moment they were happening, I was more focused on how proud I was of my children and the good things they were doing instead of nit picking at the little things they were doing that bothered me. I could not have been prouder of them and their decision to help others and forget themselves this Christmas. My middle son even said he wants to give his birthday away as well.
7. Giving is SO much better than receiving. This is something I especially wanted my children to learn. True happiness never comes from a package or things. Those things always get old, wear out, break, etc. True happiness comes from loving, helping, and serving others. Those memories and feelings never get old, wear out, or break. They are what make us truly happy. What a powerful lesson for my children to learn!
8. You don't have to search very hard to find people who are in need of a helping hand. We were never without opportunities to help others. Each day we found new ways to serve. There were so many opportunities to help that we wish we could have done more. We have committed to helping and serving more in the coming year (not just at Christmas.) One of our future projects includes putting together comfort bags for children who are taken from their homes awaiting foster care placement.
9. The true meaning of Christmas is much clearer without all the brightly wrapped packages and bows blocking the view. Christmas has become way too commercialized, focused on Santa,and getting, getting, getting. Take all of that away, and the true spirit and meaning of Christmas is abundantly clear. I ask each of my children today what their favorite thing about this Christmas was and this was their responses. My youngest son replied, "The true meaning of Christmas and the birth of Christ." My middle son's response was, "The feeling and spirit of Christmas." And my daughter said, "Spending time together as a family." It doesn't get better than that! In the past those responses have been about a certain gift they received. This year we all had a much clearer view of the true meaning of Christmas.
To quote the Grinch: "It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”
10. The "Best Christmas Ever" was still not "Perfect." Yes this was absolutely the best Christmas ever! Undoubtedly! But I am not here to say that it was perfect or that we are somehow perfect. In fact Christmas Eve day, I wanted to run away! My car had broken down, I had last minute errands to run and couldn't, my children fought about 80% of that day, and I had a headache the size of Niagara Falls! By the time my husband came home, fixed my car, and reprimanded my children I was better. This was not an isolated case. We had our ups and downs just like any other family. It was the ups that were amazing this Christmas. It truly was the Best Christmas Ever!!
1. Sharing our story was a good decision. I hesitated while trying to decide whether or not to share our story with others. We like helping others and serving others in secret. The decision to share our story came mostly so that we could document our Christmas so that we could remember the Christmas we gave away and the thoughts and the feelings that came with it. With sharing our story came more wonderful ways to help others. We had a neighbor who knew a family whose home burned down right before Christmas and they lost everything. One of my good friends knew of a family with five children who lost their mother to cancer. We were able to help with both of these projects and would not have had those opportunities had we not shared our story. I am so thankful for great friends, family, and neighbors who are great examples of love and service.
2. Children are exponentially more grateful when they expect nothing. It has been a family tradition of ours to open one gift on Christmas eve. That gift is always a pair of pajamas. I decided to continue this tradition and added a few more small gifts this year since Christmas morning would not have gifts at all. I wrapped a pair of pajamas for each member of our family, a new blanket for each of the kids, a family game, (Headbands) and a family movie. When my Children saw gifts under the tree with their name on them, they were not only excited, but extremely grateful. They thanked me a hundred times before they had even opened them and were even more grateful when they unwrapped them.
3. Our focus this Christmas was more on family than it ever has been in the past. Because giving gifts was not the focus this year, we focused more on family activities. This was not a conscious effort, just a natural result of the decision to give our Christmas away. One of the most amazing family activities was Christmas Eve. We were so blessed to spend Christmas Eve with our extended family. We had a wonderful dinner followed by reading about the birth of Christ from the bible and a great movie about the birth of the Savior. After our perfect evening with extended family, we went to look at Christmas lights as a family. This is something we have done many times, this year however we took a Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt list found HERE with us. We decided that if we found all of the items on the list, we would treat ourselves to hot chocolate. We had a blast driving all over town looking at the lights and trying to find all the items on the list.
4. My children are capable of being happy on Christmas without any gifts. I never heard one word of complaint or second thoughts after our initial decision to give Christmas away. I was a little worried that one or more of the kids would change their minds. I also worried that they would be fine until Christmas morning when there were no gifts to open. My children were amazing during the entire Christmas season. They were content with the few items they received on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning was not a disappointment. Instead of unwrapping countless gifts, we shared why this Christmas meant so much to each of us and how we can continue serving others throughout the coming year.
5. Children are capable of finding ways to serve on their own. My daughter came home from school one day and told me that she had used her own money to donate to the quarters and cans. My boys had seen an angel tree and asked if they could use their money to buy something for one of the kids on the tree. At school, I give the kids quarters for a prize machine we have in our class. One of my students asked if he could donate his quarter to quarters and cans instead of buying a prize from the prize machine. Kids are great examples of service and love.
6. I see my children in a different light. Sometimes as a mom (and a teacher mom at that) I focus on the things in my children that I would love to see improve. Short tempers, bickering, etc. I found that while those things still bugged me in the moment they were happening, I was more focused on how proud I was of my children and the good things they were doing instead of nit picking at the little things they were doing that bothered me. I could not have been prouder of them and their decision to help others and forget themselves this Christmas. My middle son even said he wants to give his birthday away as well.
7. Giving is SO much better than receiving. This is something I especially wanted my children to learn. True happiness never comes from a package or things. Those things always get old, wear out, break, etc. True happiness comes from loving, helping, and serving others. Those memories and feelings never get old, wear out, or break. They are what make us truly happy. What a powerful lesson for my children to learn!
8. You don't have to search very hard to find people who are in need of a helping hand. We were never without opportunities to help others. Each day we found new ways to serve. There were so many opportunities to help that we wish we could have done more. We have committed to helping and serving more in the coming year (not just at Christmas.) One of our future projects includes putting together comfort bags for children who are taken from their homes awaiting foster care placement.
9. The true meaning of Christmas is much clearer without all the brightly wrapped packages and bows blocking the view. Christmas has become way too commercialized, focused on Santa,and getting, getting, getting. Take all of that away, and the true spirit and meaning of Christmas is abundantly clear. I ask each of my children today what their favorite thing about this Christmas was and this was their responses. My youngest son replied, "The true meaning of Christmas and the birth of Christ." My middle son's response was, "The feeling and spirit of Christmas." And my daughter said, "Spending time together as a family." It doesn't get better than that! In the past those responses have been about a certain gift they received. This year we all had a much clearer view of the true meaning of Christmas.
To quote the Grinch: "It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”
10. The "Best Christmas Ever" was still not "Perfect." Yes this was absolutely the best Christmas ever! Undoubtedly! But I am not here to say that it was perfect or that we are somehow perfect. In fact Christmas Eve day, I wanted to run away! My car had broken down, I had last minute errands to run and couldn't, my children fought about 80% of that day, and I had a headache the size of Niagara Falls! By the time my husband came home, fixed my car, and reprimanded my children I was better. This was not an isolated case. We had our ups and downs just like any other family. It was the ups that were amazing this Christmas. It truly was the Best Christmas Ever!!
Saturday, December 20, 2014
The Washington D.C. Challenge
Soon after our decision as a family to "share Christmas," we were blessed to fly to Washington D.C. with our oldest daughter. Before we left, I challenged myself, my husband, and my daughter to find ways to help or share Christmas while on our trip. My daughter wasn't sure it was possible. She said, "But we don't know anyone there." "That's what makes it such a great challenge!" was my reply.
While in Washington D.C. we were in a rush to see as many of the incredible sights as possible in the 4 short days we were there. The wheels were continuously turning during the entire time looking for opportunities to help and serve others while there as well.
Of course there were numerous opportunities that presented themselves. A large tip for the cab driver who was so courteous and kind. Several handouts for people down and out, begging on the streets. And my favorite was inviting a fellow teacher to join us on a "Museums by Moonlight" tour of the city. She was traveling alone and later told me she would not have been able to see the city this trip if we had not invited her to join us. She was nervous about touring alone. (As I would be too.)
I have witnessed an incredible transformation in my children these last couple of weeks. All three are focused on finding people to help. One of the biggest transformations that I have noticed is the sincere and heartfelt prayers I hear now. Listening to them pray for others during family prayers melts my heart.. My children are not the only ones who have experienced a change. I LOVE the almost tangible feeling that has enveloped me this season. I truly know that this project has brought each member of my family closer to God and Christ this year. I am so blessed!
While in Washington D.C. we were in a rush to see as many of the incredible sights as possible in the 4 short days we were there. The wheels were continuously turning during the entire time looking for opportunities to help and serve others while there as well.
Of course there were numerous opportunities that presented themselves. A large tip for the cab driver who was so courteous and kind. Several handouts for people down and out, begging on the streets. And my favorite was inviting a fellow teacher to join us on a "Museums by Moonlight" tour of the city. She was traveling alone and later told me she would not have been able to see the city this trip if we had not invited her to join us. She was nervous about touring alone. (As I would be too.)
I have witnessed an incredible transformation in my children these last couple of weeks. All three are focused on finding people to help. One of the biggest transformations that I have noticed is the sincere and heartfelt prayers I hear now. Listening to them pray for others during family prayers melts my heart.. My children are not the only ones who have experienced a change. I LOVE the almost tangible feeling that has enveloped me this season. I truly know that this project has brought each member of my family closer to God and Christ this year. I am so blessed!
Friday, December 5, 2014
Proud Mom - Going to be the BEST Christmas EVER!!
I am sure most, if not all all of you have read the blog post from Lisa who "Cancelled Christmas." It you haven't, check it out here. This inspired me to make more of this holiday season by proposing the idea to my own family.
I did not want a "forced" sharing of Christmas. I wanted each member to fully agree to the plan with their own free will.
Monday night, which is family night at our house, I sat my family down and told them I had something important to tell them. I told them that I knew a family that had decided forgo their gifts this year in order to help those who truly need it. This included writing a letter to Santa to let him know that they wanted Santa to find families that could use the toys and gifts more than their family did. I told them about the service projects that Lisa and her family had already set up and talked about what a great opportunity for the true spirit of Christmas that will be for their family.
I then prefaced asking my family if they would like to embark on similar a Christmas adventure with pointing out the abundance of nice things we have been blessed with over the years. I also made sure to emphasis that this would totally be their decision. I proposed the project and immediately my middle son C-dog said, "Mom that is so cool because I was just going to ask you about giving our presents to kids who need it." My youngest E-man agreed almost as readily as C-man. My oldest, Sunshine, was a little hesitant at first but did agree to the project. She was uncertain of how Christmas morning would play out without presents. I assured her that we will do a good job of documenting our adventure and that Christmas morning will be focused not only on celebrating our togetherness and service this season, but on the true meaning of Christmas. The whole reason we have a Christmas season to begin with. The Birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I shared with them that true happiness comes from serving others. I told them about a Christmas 10 years ago or so where a beloved co-teacher found herself in undesirable circumstances right before Christmas with her husband gone and no money for gifts for her two little kids. I invited her to spend Christmas with us. We had two little ones at the time and very little money ourselves. Luckily our children were about the same age so we just divided what we were giving our children with her two little ones. It was one of the best Christmases ever. To this day when I see this co-teacher with whom I no longer work, she thanks me for that day. That is true happiness. Something money can't buy. Gifts grow old, used, outdated, break, etc. They never bring "true happiness." True happiness comes in serving others and making others happy. That is the kind of happiness that lasts a lifetime. Happiness that no one can take away.
I shared with them that true happiness comes from serving others. I told them about a Christmas 10 years ago or so where a beloved co-teacher found herself in undesirable circumstances right before Christmas with her husband gone and no money for gifts for her two little kids. I invited her to spend Christmas with us. We had two little ones at the time and very little money ourselves. Luckily our children were about the same age so we just divided what we were giving our children with her two little ones. It was one of the best Christmases ever. To this day when I see this co-teacher with whom I no longer work, she thanks me for that day. That is true happiness. Something money can't buy. Gifts grow old, used, outdated, break, etc. They never bring "true happiness." True happiness comes in serving others and making others happy. That is the kind of happiness that lasts a lifetime. Happiness that no one can take away.
With tears in my eyes, I assured them that this will be a Christmas that none of us will ever forget. We then brainstormed things that we could do to make this Christmas season more meaningful for others. We decided that our first stop would be to the homeless shelter where we, as a family, have volunteered many times. We took some of the money we would have spent on gifts for each other as bought a cartful of hats and gloves of all sizes.
Our next adventure was to purchase blankets and to round up gently used blankets from our home to donate to the homeless shelter. This is a project the youth at our church has put together.
Next came choosing an angel from the angel tree to help out this Christmas.
We have many more ideas and can't wait to get to as many of them as we can. We are planning to support a fundraising activity for a parent of a student at our school who is suffering from cancer. My daughter has a friend who spent a lengthy stay at Primary Children's Medical Center. She thought it would be a great idea to take toys to the kids who have to spend their holidays at the hospital. One of the biggest blessings so far has been to see the change in my children going from trying to decide what they want to get for Christmas, to deciding who we can help and how.
I am so proud of my family for willingly giving up their own Christmas gifts this year to bless the lives of others. I wouldn't call it cancelling Christmas...I would call it "Finding the True Meaning of Christmas."
This is truly the BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!!!
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