Last year at Christmas time we had an advent that we did where there was an activity to do every day. The goal was to take a picture of us doing that activity to remember what we did and we did it! This year I wanted to do another action based advent, but I wanted to have the focus be more on service and our Savior, Jesus Christ. I drew inspiration from several different sites, but these two were the most helpful!
I have to say that this has been one of my favorite Christmas seasons of my life! It was at times very challenging to get up the will power to go out and serve (let's be honest, sometimes you just don't feel like doing something for one more person...) but we did it and I was so proud of my kids for how much enthusiasm they had for it. I chose to not take pictures of these acts since the point was to be anonymous, but we did do something every day. Some highs and lows came throughout and the kids kept things interesting for sure!
High: Jonathan telling me that it is better to do things for other people than it is to get something for ourselves.
Low: Jonathan throwing a fit (with screaming and crying) when we bought a toy off the giving tree for a little boy, but we "just don't love [Jonathan]" so we didn't buy something for him at the same time! (see above for the irony of this scenario...)
High: Spending Christmas Eve running around the parking lot of Safeway as a family pushing carts so those who had to work could get a break and those shopping had carts right at the door. I'm happy to say that when we got there that there were only 3 carts in the area by the front door and when we left it was pretty much full:)
Low: Adrian being a punk and getting to push carts for a half hour by himself on a cold rainy night with Andrew looking on. I am all for creative consequences and this was an awesome night as parents...he now admits that it was more fun doing it as a family during the day though, so that's a good thing. Right?!
High: Being able to take a van full of things to the women's shelter:)
Low: Having to barter with my children to give up things that they don't need, never use, and didn't even remember that we had:/
There were so many things that we saw and did while lighting up some small part of our community. We have been so richly blessed this year that it just seemed like the right thing to do. We have a plan for next Christmas that will be so much fun! I encourage all of you to consider joining the ranks next Christmas season, but more importantly to find ways throughout the whole year to make the world around us a little brighter!
1 comments:
You are AMAZING!!! I say it all the time, but it's true. :) What a great thing to do! I'm glad you put the highs and lows in, though, because it's good to know your kids reacted in ways mine would have. Still, a big WIN in your book!!
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