I was at Casey and Brad's house this past weekend when our friend Marty told us about this video that was produced by Kairos, specifcally Mark Champion. I could just post it and let you all comment on your feelings, but to probe (hopefully) a great deal of conversation/comments, I have a few thought-provoking statements.
1. Does it shock anyone else that there are more people that die every year for a lack of clean water? Water. Such a basic necessity yet it cannot be provided in every location.
2. The first year that Brent was a part of my Christmas gift-buying experience was tough. Tough because he prompted me to ask the same questions as this video: why DO we spend so much on Christmas? When we look back on it in a few years, will it really matter what we bought our grandmother? I love her, I don't need to buy her house shoes every year to show her that. And most of us have parents or in-laws that have everything they need. Case in point: my in-laws. This year we have chosen a few distant relatives to take care of their needs for Christmas. It has been the most rewarding Christmas yet!
3. What if each of us did in fact provide money to dig wells for countries that didn't have clean water? I remember a few years ago I had a boss who bought a pig in honor of her grandmother. Before you think about that being offensive, there are more details: she bought a pig that was given to a small village for food. What a FANTASTIC idea!! Do you have an out of the box idea on helping others in need this year?
Fashion Friday: Edition Happy November 1
1 day ago
3 comments:
I totally agree with this You Tube clip, spend less on toys and gifts that nobody will remember next year and give back to those around us.
Yesterday I was saddened to hear that one of my own co-workers will be losing her house on the 15th of December to foreclosure. She and her husband have three children, ages 14, 12 and 4. As she admitted this to me, tears filled up her eyes and she admitted she hadn't eaten in two days because she had to make sure her girls were fed first. I was devatasted. I offered to help but she won't take it. She did admit that she had called some places around town to see about getting help with Christmas this year for her children but was told several times that the cut off time has come and gone. I asked her what her girls had asked Santa for, and she said the girls were more worried about a house then gifts.
As I told Brian last night, I got choked up thinking about all the petty purchases I have made in just this week. Here I have a friend who hadn't eaten in two days just to feed her children, and I bought another Christmas ornament?
I haven't finished my shopping for Christmas yet, but now that I have witnessed this with a close friend, I am not sure if I will finish my shopping.
I am not sure about the clean water thing, but I know this year, I am reconsidering all my purchases and I will be more aware of how I spend my money and who I can help in the long run.
Merry Christmas!
I love this video. I saw it a few weeks ago on another blog. It is so true. It is completely ridiculous how much we spend during a holiday season and all it does is help us to forget the real reason we are celebrating in the first place. We already said we are not getting Ada anything for Christmas. She is so blessed already. She has food, shelter, clothing and plenty of toys to play with.
Jennifer, that breaks my heart in regards to the family that you work with. Really puts things in perspective.
LOVE THE POST!!!!
Water is a topic I am and have always been very passionate about!
I'm sure you know this - but right in your backyard you have the bloodwater mission. My aunt wrote an article about Heifer International (related to the pig comment).
Great stuff sis - keep it up!
http://www.bloodwatermission.com/
http://www.heifer.org/#
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