TAC Simply Inspired

The Intention of the Giver

There are a couple of  Hallmark commercials that have really made me think.  One has a truck that goes across the screen labeled "Traditions." The other has gifts all wrapped in red with white lettering. Each gift is labeled with the gifts we truly want to give those we love... "Joy," "Thoughtfulness," "Love," "Meaning," etc. The more I have thought about them, the more inspired I was.

Then, I heard another phrase that inspired me this week. 'Change drove into the neighborhood.' I like it. It makes change seem not so threatening. It showed change in a friendly, helpful context. It encouraged me to welcome change into my neighborhood. You know, those places in our heads and lives that get so predictable. There is something to be said for traditions - doing the same thing year after year because it is meaningful and valuable. Our family has some of those and they are good. On the other hand,  I am always looking for ways to keep Christmas fresh and full of wonder, engaging and fun. One year I bought silly glasses that give the lights on the tree a 3-D effect. We laughed as much at each other as we did at the things we were looking at! We still bring them out each year but no time has been quite like that first year.

So, back to the commercial. I thought about doing the same thing with the gifts that I wrap for my family. I could wrap them all in red and label each one of them with big white letters according to what I intended to give to each one by giving that gift. There is a gift that I know will cause "Laughter" and another that may bring a couple tears that I could label, "Treasure." I'm afraid, though, that my family may think that I have taken this 'meaningful' thing one step too far.  So, I think I will be a little more discreet and put it on the gift tag. I'd be intrigued to see a gift with my name on it and the word, 'Peace,' or 'Joy,' or 'Hope' or a myriad of other true gifts that we'd like to give. Just knowing that the giver intended a gift to bring me peace would make it a hundredfold more valuable.

Perhaps that is why the gift of a baby in an obscure stable over 2000 years ago still means so much to me today. I know what the Father intended the gift of His son to bring and because of that, I am still touched and grateful. As we celebrate this Christmas season, may your hearts be touched, not just by the tangible gifts you receive but by the intentions of the giver.

Giving With Intention With You,

Much to Give and Plenty to Enjoy

The Christmas season is in full swing!  Christmas lights are hung, trees are decorated, Christmas music is playing and baking has begun. Lists of every kind abound! To do lists, to buy lists, ingredient lists, wish lists, and address lists are just a few of them. As much as there is to do at this time of year, there is just as much to enjoy. The truth is, it's easy to miss.

A few years ago, I made a pictorial journal of the month of December. I took a picture every day to reflect different things that I had busied myself with through the month. I wanted to see, at the end of the month, how much of it truly had to do with celebrating the birth of Jesus. I took pictures of the traditional things that we find ourselves busy with in December. There was the home decorating, the stocking exchange, cookie baking, and piles of wrapped gifts (15 alone for all my BIble Study friends). There were also pictures of not-so-traditional things such as a tea set to reflect the afternoon that my friend and I had a quiet lunch with a cup of Christmas tea. At the end of the month, as I looked back, I decided that I may decline some invitations the next year and that, if I could only do one thing in the month of December, it would be to attend "Christmas by Candlelight," a beautiful gift of music that one of our local colleges puts on each year. For me, it is truly inspiring and epitomizes all that this season is truly about. The truth is, I am still somewhat lamenting the fact that I missed it this year.  This year, it fell on the same day as a fundraiser for Jenna's mission trip to Chile. Up until the last minute, I was still trying to figure out how I could do both. It was just not possible.

Just as easy to miss, is the spirit of giving. We feel compelled to not only give, but give BIG at Christmas. The reality for millions of us this year, is that the amount that we can actually spend on gift giving has been drastically cut. That's where the spirit of giving comes in. That is when we look around our house and into our heart to see what it is that we have that we can give. One of the other lists I have been keeping this month is ways that I gave in December. Going through the day with that intentional goal - to give - really changes my perception of things. I have also found though, that there is a danger of it becoming one more thing to do. So what have I given so far this month? As I look at my list, here are a few of the things...

Hope to the mom of a 5 year old, quarters in the kettle, clothing, forgiveness, a listening ear, smiles to strangers, hugs of comfort, a chunk of my time and a bit of my talent for the missions fundraiser, written words of encouragement, gas money, some guidance through a sticky situation for my younger sister, and an invitation extended to a friend who would otherwise have spent Christmas Day alone. They are not the things I thought of when I embarked on this challenge. Very few are tangible gifts. Most cost time instead of money.

As I write, there are just 13 days left until Christmas. My encouragement to you is this. Take a moment to slow down and enjoy all the Christmas beauty that surrounds you. Let it inspire and refresh you. Then take a moment to balance your list of things to do with your list of things to be this Christmas. Make sure your family and friends will get the very best of YOU!

Balancing it All With You,

In December I Will Change 31 Lives

I'm sure that by now my sister in California is in shock that I am posting three days in a row! As my biggest fan, she usually waits (not-so) patiently for my blog on Fridays and has been extra understanding when I didn't post the last two Fridays.  I love you, Diane!

Anyway, a few have called and asked about how to find Jenna's Challenge on Facebook. The group she set up is called, "In December I Will Change 31 Lives."  You should be able to find it if you search with that. While you're here, I will leave you with a couple of quotes for today about giving. Thanks for checking my blog! 

"I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver."  - Maya Angelou

"Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing."  - Mother Teresa

Abundant Blessings!

Jenna's Challenge

I am always amazed at the immediate jump from Thanksgiving to Christmas. I am not quite there yet but Sunday definitely put me in the right spirit. First, a little background. Both of our girls work at the same restaurant in Salina. Jenna is a hostess and Hannah is a waitress. Both had picked up extra shifts over the Thanksgiving break to earn extra money for Christmas gifts. On Saturday, I spent the afternoon with some friends guilt-free since I knew both the girls were working a double shift that day. About 5:00 that afternoon Jenna called me to see where I was. I was actually on my way home but was surprised to hear from her. When I asked why she wasn't at work she told me she would explain it to me when I got home.

When I got home, she told me about a co-worker who has recently been evicted, has a 5 year old daughter and no real support system. As this young woman told Jenna, "How do you tell your five year old, 'Merry Christmas, honey, I got you a roof over your head?" The only money that she had was in her wallet which was recently stolen. Jenna listened with compassion, gave her the two shifts she was supposed to work this weekend so that she could have the extra money. As the story unfolded, I told Jenna that we could get the little girl a few things. In so many ways, Christmas is, after all, for children. My mother's heart (who was already feeling bad that I couldn't do 'enough' for my older girls) could not imagine a five-year-old with no gifts to open. In telling Jenna that, you would have thought I had just given her a big-ticket-item straight from her own wish list! She was so excited! We went to the restaurant Sunday afternoon to tell the mom that we could provide some gifts for her little girl. She cried with joy and relief.

Jenna and I continued the conversation when we got home. It was no longer  about her co-worker, but instead was about the feeling that giving brings us; the joy we have and the inspiration we feel. Though giving is the theme for the Christmas season, we sometimes lose sight of why we celebrate and why we give. God loved us so much that He gave... of Himself. He gave us a person but we have gotten further and further away from giving of ourselves. Rather than giving our time, we give video games. Instead of sharing our heart we buy  cds, clothing, gift cards, toys, jewelry, laptops or a variety of other items. It is because we love people that we want to buy them things but it is easy to give less and less of ourselves in the process. Jenna and I began talking about a little friendly competition... to see who could give the most during the month of December. How can we give of ourselves? How can we meet another's needs? How could we help another person this month? Could we afford a half hour or an hour out of our day to bless someone else? We  both got totally excited about the possibilities!  We truly felt the sheer joy of giving. We decided we would keep a journal at home too. I may call it "Ways We Gave" but will wait to see how the month unfolds.  Jenna decided to create a group on Facebook and challenge everybody else to do the same.  She wrote:

"So, I am challenging you to try to positively impact the life of one person in the month of December. My mom and I are going for a person a day, which makes 31 people this month, but do it however you'd like. Use this group as your journal to write down your stories or ideas, add pictures of how you helped people, and most importantly, have fun and get creative! So, instead of just receiving this year, let's give and make this holiday season great for everyone!"

She goes on to give practical ideas of how we can do that. We were excited about the idea all afternoon and evening! Now, just in the first 24 hours, more than seventy people have joined that Facebook group. It has already stretched beyond the state of Kansas. A number of colleges are represented as young people have signed on. Teachers have asked her about it. Mischelle, The Angel Company founder, has it on her blog. We may not fully comprehend the ripple effect that something like this has but are excited to be people who enjoy this holiday season because of what we were able to give, instead of because of what we received.

As Jenna wrote, "I think that if you do something for at least one person this December, you will find yourself receiving so much more than just presents this Christmas."

Here's to the "Spirit of Christmas" abounding in our hearts!

Thanksgiving Overflow

Before I move on to December and Christmas, I wanted to share a couple reflections of Thanksgiving. It seems like such a long time since I have posted.  A special luncheon on the 16th, a six day trip to Nashville, Thanksgiving and a full weekend afterwards, now brings me to the last day of November with a full heart. I have experienced so much in the last two weeks that my cup really does overflow. Little has been routine - much has been remarkable.

In my last blog, I had mentioned an object lesson of sorts that I was preparing for Thanksgiving. I wasn't sure how (or if) it would go over, so I didn't want to recommend it untested. Now that I've used it twice, I can say it was a meaningful addition to Thanksgiving. It could easily be incorporated at the Christmas table as well, or any other time of year. In fact, on a regular day, it may be even more powerful. No one would be expecting anything special.

Before the meal was served, we gathered at the table, younger children on laps, and I began to pour sparkling cider. The only thing that was different was that I had put small bowls under each of the glasses. I talked about how in the ancient East, a host used the cup as a symbol of how welcome his guests were. If your glass was not refilled, you had worn out your welcome. In contrast, if the host wanted you to stay, he would keep your cup filled, not always to the brim but sometimes overflowing. I made sure all of their cups were literally overflowing. I talked about how they were welcome at our table and even more importantly, how we are welcome at God's. He beckons us to stay. After reciting many of His blessings one by one, I said "Our cup overflows." I talked about how we need to be grateful, not just for the cup but for the contents; not just for enough, but for the extra. As a memento, in a round  tin, I  put a (TAC hydra) sponge. I wrapped the tin in Willoughby paper and where the band of paper met, put a tag on with pop dots that said "My cup overflows" - Psalm 23:5. I gave one to each family as a reminder that we need to absorb all the 'extra' in our lives. We need to see it as a blessing and not a mess! I did it for two families on two different days and for the most part everybody "got" it and loved it. Even Warren, a man that I am guardian for that has multiple disabilities, exclaimed, "WHOA!" with delight each time a cup overflowed. When I got to him he watched with joy as his sparkling cider ran down the side of his glass. He looked at me with a big smile, folded his hands and said, "Pray?" Yep, I think he got it!

Tomorrow we will turn our calendars to December and the Christmas Season will officially be upon us. Let's enter will full hearts, thankful for what we have, ready to share with others. I'll be posting a challenge in the next day or two that my daughter and I gave each other.  Until then, keep your eyes open for the overflow.

Abundant Blessings,

Creating Incredible Experiences

Thanks for checking my blog!  I know my post days have been a bit inconsistent lately. You have to know, I spend way too much time  over-evaluating everything that I think about writing for my blog and really don't want to post if it's not at least a tiny bit inspiring and truly from my heart. These last few days I have been back and forth about what I should write about. What I drafted yesterday, I decided not to use. Today, if you don't mind, I'm just going to think outloud. I have none of this written out. I decided to see what flows from my fingers as I type.

This week I received a forward from Seth Godin's blog. I have received them before and he always makes me think bigger and more creatively. Though it was referring to business decisions, I would like to apply it personally.  Here are the three thoughts that really struck a chord with me:

* How much of your time and money do you spend on creating incredible experiences vs. avoiding bad outcomes?

* As you get older, are you busy insuring that a bad thing won't happen that might upset your day, or are you aggressively investing in having a remarkable thing happen that will delight or move someone?

* Has my life become more about avoiding risk than providing joy?

GREAT questions, aren't they?

It seems that the older that I get, the more I try to create meaningful (though not always incredible!) experiences. I have been to way too many funerals in this last year or two. Each one reminds me that we are not guaranteed another day and that it really is important how we spend our 'dash.' So now, I spend more time playing. Though careful to attend to my responsibilities, I find myself adjusting my schedule more often to spend time endeavoring to bless someone, provide them joy, savor a remarkable moment, or enjoy a beautiful day. I'm really loving that part of my life! When I am up late in the evening working on something, I  ask myself more and more, "If I died tomorrow, would I be glad that this is the last thing I was doing?" Most of the time I can answer yes. If I can't, then I stop, call it a night and go to bed. It's been a great gauge for having my life reflect a more authentic version of what I really want to be known for.

With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, our family is once again daily offering thanks through the month of November  for the people and things that bless our lives by writing those thoughts on tags and putting them in our conucopia. I have written out the menu and grocery list and  ironed the tablecloth. What I am most excited about and preparing even more for, is an object lesson that I will present to my family on Thanksgiving Day and my best friend's family the day after. It all stemmed from the blog that I wrote last week about our cups overflowing. I don't know that it will be incredible, but I do know that it will be meaningful and memorable. When all is said and done, I will probably spend more time preparing that (along with some mementos for each person) than I will preparing the food for the day. I would rather be known for creating meaningful moments than for great cooking, Which is a great thing, as I'm positive I lost my award for best cuisine years ago!

This month and in the weeks to come, I encourage you to be more conscientious of the experiences you are creating. How do people feel after being in your presence, around your table, or in your home? Have you thought lately about how you could delight someone or bring them joy? I'm deciding to break out of the 'routine' and go for 'remarkable!'  Next week, I'll be posting from Nashville! I will share some ideas of how we can do that, in big and small ways.

Creating Experiences With You,

An Overflowing Cup

Hello November! I love the Fall season and look forward to Thanksgiving each year. Before October had ended, both of our girls were asking about and looking forward to starting our Gratitude tags. Score one for a new family tradition that seems to have taken root. This is our third year with the gratitude project and so far, everybody has contributed something every day! That is one of those things that 'fills my cup!'

I have been reading lately about having a cup filled to overflowing. In the book, Traveling Light Max Lucado explains it this way:

"Hosts in the ancient East used to use it as a powerful symbol to send a message to their guests. As long as the cup was kept full, the guest knew he was welcome. But when the cup sat empty, the host was hinting that the hour was late. On those occasions, however, when the host really enjoyed the company of the person, he filled the cup to overflowing. He didn't stop when the wine reached the rim; he kept pouring until the liquid ran over the edge of the cup and down on the table."

I love that word picture!  I keep thinking about how I can reenact this for my family at the Thanksgiving table. Would we notice if our table was wet? Wouldn't my family be utterly shocked for me to keep pouring the sparkling cider that we celebrate with at Thanksgiving until it ran out of their glasses and onto the table settings? I haven't yet figured out a way to do it, but I want to! What a powerful way to get their attention and share the message of an overflowing cup. What a memorable way to communicate our love to our family.  How many times do we tell our loved ones, "I want you to stay!" "I love being with you!"  "I want to spend more time with you!"

Then, my heart turns to look at my life. Have I noticed that the table is wet? Have I taken note of the new mercies that are available every morning of my life? Have I seen the overflowing grace that God and others have extended to me? Have I understood the forgiveness and compassion that has been made available to me? Have I given thanks today for the most basic of provisions... a home to live in, food on the table, a blanket or coat to keep me warm, family and friends to love me? Indeed, my cups overflows!

If that is true, then shouldn't my heart overflow with gratitude? Shouldn't I stop comparing or complaining? My heart screams, "YES!" So, I endeavor to enter into this Thanksgiving season with gratefulness, not just for the cup, but for the contents; not just for enough, but for the extra. As a reminder to myself, I think I'm going to start carrying around a sponge. Hopefully that will remind me to see the spillover not as a mess, but as a blessing.  I want to absorb it all, knowing it is God's way of inviting me to stay longer. This month, I encourage you to do the same!

Counting My Blessings With You,

Decisions We Must Make

I must admit, I have been seemingly void of inspiration these last couple weeks.  All that life has brought my way has, among other things, robbed me of the time to read or write. For me, when I don't make the time to read and write, it is like not taking the time to breathe. Not breathing = no inspiration.

A friend referred me to an awesome blog this week. I LOVED it, but could hardly relate to the author's perfect life, photos and writings.  I wished I could write like her and take pictures like hers. I wished I could still  dress my girls all in white with brightly colored bows. It made me wish I could sew and have tea parties like hers. My life, however, is much messier! I needed to close that blog and stop for a moment. I needed to intentionally examine these last couple weeks. As I did, I realized that, though there were a few things that did inspire or motivate me, there were no great AHA moments that I could build a blog around. I stopped to be thankful for even those seemingly insignificant moments that add up to a bigger life. Here's what I came up with...

Our street is filled with beautiful trees.  The gorgeous Fall colors scream for my attention each day as I pull out of our driveway. They inspire me to take a deep breath, take note and give thanks for the creativity and splendor of our Creator.

I watched a woman on tv yesterday morning buy $287 worth of groceries and with coupons, pay one cent. REALLY!  It inspired me to start using coupons!

I watched my daughter be there for her friends, after the suicide last weekend of one of their friends. It inspired me to be all the more thankful for her life!

I read the writings of our almost 21 year old daughter as she described herself for a class project. I was impressed by her articulation, the comments her teacher wrote and the fact that she got 24 points out of a possible 20. It inspired me to make a mini-album for her birthday with her very words in it.

I recently saw a travel journal that I love. The graphics, quotes and scriptures were perfect. I was inspired to buy one! In fact, I get to go today to pick it up!

I remembered the life of a dear 92 year old woman as I sat in her funeral service. She never neglected an opportunity to say "I love you." I am privileged to have known her. I was inspired to live a life that matters and that people will want to remember.

Finally, I revisited a book called Hope in the Dark. It is a book of beautiful photography and thoughtful descriptions of the people of Africa. It inspired me to think differently. Here is the part that struck my heart:

"Decisions I must make on any given day:  - Blue shirt or pink cardigan? - Tall soy chai latte or Grande caramel macchiato? - Write reports first or work on budget? - Text message or call? - Eat out or frozen dinner? - Reality television or Headline News?

Decisions SHE must make on any given day: - Blue dress or blue dress? - River water or puddle water? - Walk once for four hours to get water or walk twice for eight hours to get more water? - Sleep with the fisherman who will give food in return or let orphaned grandchildren go to bed hungry? - Persist through the struggle or give up? - Curse God or praise Him?"

That sums it up, doesn't it? Our lives may vary but we all have a variety of decisions to make each day. The decisions we make in regards to our attitudes and responses are much more far reaching then all the mundane decisions we make each day. These last couple weeks have showed me, though, that even in the thick of the mundane and messy, there are lessons to be seen, if we will but take the time to look. I encourage you this week to take a few moments to reflect. You may be amazed (and inspired) by what you see!

Choosing to praise Him this week,

Looking Beyond the Obvious

On the tour that I just returned from, I passed out a "Scavenger Hunt" list of things to look for as we traveled. Some of them were specific to the areas we would be traveling to and some were general things they could see as they watched out the window of the bus. Still others were things that I try to always look for in life such as the word 'abundance,' random acts of kindness, someone helping another person and Fed Ex trucks.

You may be asking, what do FedEx trucks have to do with anything? Have you seen their logo? Do you know that there is a white arrow tucked between the orange E and the x, formed by the inside contour of those letters? If you've never noticed it before, I encourage you to look for it next time you see their truck or packaging. It was very intentionally designed; intended to communicate movement, speed, precision and the dynamic nature of their company. If you've seen it, then no doubt you recognize it every time you see the logo.

You may still be saying, "And what does that have to do with anything?" Well, I think it's a great illustration of what we keep our eyes open to. Whether you are looking for the arrow, or abundance, or God, you are most likely to see it. All of a sudden, examples are everywhere...right in front of your face! Once you see that arrow, you are not likely to forget it. Once you start seeing examples of 'abundance,' they become easier and easier to find. Once we look for God's hand in creation, our families and our lives, we begin to see Him everywhere as well! If you are looking for the injustice or sadness or lack, you are most likely to see that just as easily. It all depends on what you are looking for.

Our house is a mess right now! Our older daughter has just moved home for the second time in her college career. The many boxes are now mostly confined to her room, though there are still a couple left in the living room. Our younger daughter and another girl we have taken in, share a second small bedroom. I cringe every time I look in there. My basement work room is filled with all sorts of memorabilia from tour, as well as all the stuff from about five different projects I've been working on. I completed two of them this week but have not cleaned up after myself yet. When I dwell on the piles, I get overwhelmed and frustrated. As much as possible, I choose to rejoice in the life that is present, rather than dwell on whatever is less than ideal.  Just last night both our girls were home. When I walked in the door from grocery shopping, our oldest said, "Mom, I apologize for everything I put you and dad through in my high school years." Though I know that her frustration coaching high school girls is what fueled it, I took it at face value and said, "Wow, thanks! I forgive you," and gave her a hug! Ideal relationship? No. Improving all the time? YES!  I choose to fix my eyes on what may be unseen to many others.

How we look at things can be a challenge and I believe, is a discipline. Weariness, sickness and discouragement are just a few things that can blind me from seeing the bigger picture.  I JUST received a phone call from a woman who had been on tour with me. Besides the tour, we shared a five hour adventure in a Quebec emergency room, where we were as eager to find an English speaking person, as we were for her diagnosis. She called to give me her health update. I asked if her insurance company was able to reimburse her at all for that very costly visit. Though they were not, she talked to me about her husband's comments since they have been home. That night in the Quebec hospital,  he was distraught, asking me questions  about how they could fly home, where they would fly out of, etc. They ended up finishing the tour with us and now, in hindsight, even with regards to the money it cost, he expressed his gratitude that she is ok and that it wasn't anything worse at the time. Another great example of perspective.

It's why I take notes on Abundance and choose to see God's hand in every gorgeous Fall color in the trees.  It's also why I continue to keep my eye out for FedEx trucks. This week, I encourage you to do the same!

Abundant Blessings,

We insist on playing out God's drama in black and white, ignoring the many colorful brushstrokes of His hand.  - Unknown

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.  - Ambrose Redmoon

Happiness is the art of making a bouquet of those flowers within reach.

Earth is crammed with heaven and every common bush afire with God: but only he who sees, takes off his shoes.  - Elizabeth Barrett Browning