Tis' The Season...

To be giving!
I just read a blog post from my cousin Haley regarding the tireless job the Salvation Army volunteers do each year at Christmas time. It served as a reminder of our responsibility to help those in need.
It's easy to get lost in the hype of Christmas. It's easy to look at your beautiful Christmas tree and decor, your pretty lights hanging outside, all the nicely wrapped presents under the tree, and take it all for granted.
Not only is it a time to remember and celebrate the Birth of Jesus, but it's also a time to remember and help all those who are less fortunate than us.
Each year I contact a woman from our local school and "adopt" children to make their Christmas just a little bit more magical. I love doing this. In fact, I enjoy it just as much as I do shopping for my own children. I think about these children for several weeks. Each time I purchase something for them I wonder if they'll like it. I wonder if it will make them smile. I wonder if it will bring happiness to the parents seeing their child receive gifts they otherwise could not afford. I think about them Christmas morning opening their gifts. I so wish I could be there to see their happy little faces. Maybe it's a bit self-serving, but I love it! I love the feeling I get from helping others. It's the social worker in me I know. I felt the same way each time I visited with one of my elderly clients that had no supportive family, no friends. I felt it each time their face lit up during a visit, each time they thanked me, each time they hugged me.
This year we have a 4 year old girl, Ashley, and a 2 year old boy, Michael...brother and sister. Abbie has been involved in the past helping me pick out presents for the "adopted" children. This year Will is able to be involved as well. They help decide what we should purchase for them. This year Will had the job of picking out Michael's pajama color. It may be little, but I can only hope to raise them with a true dedication to helping others.
So what are you doing this year? Maybe you would like to help, but don't' know where to start. I offer you these ideas.

From a blog friend, Jessica's blog, www.newkindofnormal.blogspot.com
"I will be going to visit the NICU that was Alex's first home this December to hand out ornaments to the families who wont be at home this Christmas. The hospital is a very lonely place, nights are so quiet and lonely, but even worse than nights are holidays. Alex and I spent our first Thanksgiving in the hospital together, and it was one of my loneliest times. I have such a love for families with sick children, especially those in the NICU, and would love for you to all come with me! Since most of you wont be able to make the trip, you can still help!!!! Go to the store pick out a ornament that makes you smile, or two or three, and send it my way. I will deliver them on a Saturday in December, and your thoughtfulness will warm somebodies heart!Click here to see my visit from last year.
Are you in????
Email me japruitt99@msn.com for details on how to get me the ornaments."

Or perhaps you would like to help globally?
Water For Christmas is a cause I have learned about from my cousin Nikki's blog and her friend Becky's blog. Water for Christmas is a grass roots movement bringing both awareness and real "on the ground" change to Africa's water crisis. Stated simply, we see no reason for 4500 mothers to bury children every day for lack of clean water. And in most places, clean water flows just below the surface. With a little help, local African communities can tap into safe, clean water. Helping provide clean water and basic sanitation is thus one of the first and simplest steps to ending water-borne diseases and their accompanying cycle of poverty in the world. Please visit www.water4christmas.com for more information.
You may also help this cause by purchasing from an etsy store set up to benefit this organization. From my cousin Nikki's blog: "For those of you looking for the perfect Christmas item for those hard to buy people in your life, search no more. Water4Christmas.etsy.com – Here is an etsy site full of unique items that benefit a great cause! Who could ask for more? All proceeds from items sold on this shop go directly to building fresh water wells in Liberia, West Africa.

When you walk by the bell ringers, drop in some money. Pick an ornament off a tree and anonymously make someones Christmas a little brighter. Contact your local school district or church and help a family. Drop off food to your local food pantry or a shelter. Please get inspired to pay it forward! Tis' the Season!