Christmas International House - Day 2; Freedoms

Day 2
OK, I’ll admit it. I’m already beginning to question how I’m going to get my job done. During our CIH student’s two-week stay, my husband and I both still have to work. Somehow, I’ve got to get five days worth of work done in three days because of the holidays, and also take time to drop off and pick up our student at the various planned events. What was I thinking when I signed us up for this?

I take Ren Zhe to the drop off point, a 50-minute drive without traffic, and a $6 toll, each way. Fortunately, the students’ schedule is long today and includes dinner at a church, so the rest of the day is mine to work.

It proved worth every minute, as we all enjoyed hearing Ren Zhe’s accounting of her day. They toured NASA and got to meet an astronaut who has been to the International Space Station and will be going again very soon. Considered a celebrity in China, it is a special event indeed to meet and speak with an Astronaut for Ren Zhe.

I ask Ren Zhe is she has siblings, and learn she is an only child. China has a one-child policy. I had heard that before and should have remembered, but it seems such a foreign concept to me – having a government policy in place that says how many children you can have.

I feel lucky and blessed to have the freedoms we enjoy in our country.

A Service Project - Cookies and Goodnight

Like most everyone I know, I've donated items, helped with food drives, and contributed monetarily to worthwhile causes. I've very proudly espoused my daughters' service endeavors too, like Locks of Love ponytail donations and Lake Houston cleanup efforts. But this most recent event gave me a very meaningful one-on-one experience of handing the “gift” directly to the recipient.

Our Brownie Girl Scout troop recently participated in a program called “Cookies and Goodnight” at the Star of Hope in Houston. The Star of Hope is a Christ-centered mission dedicated to the homeless. They offer a comprehensive approach to addressing both immediate (food/shelter) and long-term (education/employment) issues of the homeless. “Cookies and Goodnight” is a program whereby volunteers provide an evening snack for the residents living at their Transitional Living Center.

Because we volunteered and served on a Saturday, there were many residents absent on weekend passes. Others were attending classes, so we didn’t have the expected 250 or so residents show up for the evening snack. What we did have though was a tremendously grateful and appreciative group of mostly mothers and children.

The “thanks” we heard were sincere and plentiful. These people so appreciated our cookies and milk, some of them coming up and asking for a second serving. Something so simple meant so much to them, and it made me mindful of my own abundance and blessings.

As we gather together with family and friends across the country this Thursday to celebrate and give thanks, let us not forget those less fortunate. I’m glad to have participated in this program, particularly that my kids were able to share the experience, and I look forward to my next service opportunity. Happy Thanksgiving! What are some of your most meaningful volunteer experiences?

Learning to Be Grateful

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe everyone has been charitable at some point or another. People give to those in need in huge numbers. Perhaps you donate to a favorite cause, or you've prepared a meal for someone who has experienced loss, or you adopt a family over the holidays and buy gifts they otherwise wouldn't have. Or maybe your giving is the gift of time as a volunteer, tithing to the church, preparing food at a soup kitchen, or simply comforting and talking to the lonely. We've all “been there, done that” - just some more than others. But what happens when you are the recipient of all that giving? Have you been?

Blessed with friends and family that are unbelievable at lending support and help, recently, I’ve been heavy on the receiving side. My friend had a household item repaired for me – something she knew wasn’t a priority in my current financial situation, but something she knew I would love to have fixed. The Chevy I am driving belongs to my parents – they loaned it on pretense and immediately began calling it mine. Even businesses I frequent have bartered. And there’s been more. It’s been an incredible journey throughout this period of under- and unemployment.

What I wasn’t prepared for was the barrage of emotion that would go along with these gifts and acts of kindness.

Most obvious, of course, is the direct joy and pleasure resulting from these expressions of love. To know that people care, and care so deeply, is undeniably mind-boggling. It is a true reflection of fellowship and community, and of complete selflessness and generosity.

But on the flip side, and where I’ve been surprised, are my conflicting sentiments. I feel beholden, that I need to repay these offerings, but how? What could I possibly do to repay all this bigheartedness? Am I a charity case, and when did that happen? Do I talk too much about my personal situation? Am I accountable for this assistance? And what about moving forward?

In a nutshell – I’m feeling guilt when I should be feeling gratitude. Which, by the way, makes me feel shame. However, I am truly thankful too. It’s confusing to say the least.

So what about you? Have you received something that has left you with conflicting emotions? How did you work it out?

Puzzle Fun

This is a picture of my family taken at Thanksgiving. If you click on the arrow in the bottom left corner of the picture, it becomes a fun puzzle! I heard about this from the Stay At Home Mom blog, and you can create your own puzzle at JigZone.com.

Thanksgiving List

Thanksgiving wishes for a very happy holiday!

While I am still adjusting to unemployment, there is yet so much for which to be thankful. Here are ten things I'm thankful for, in no particular order.

1. My wonderful husband and family
   
2. Friends and neighbors
   
3. Acquaintances, both in-person and on-line
   
4. My discovery draft of a novel nearing completion
   
5. Books to read; movies to watch
   
6. Jesus Christ
   
7. Mashed potatoes and noodles
   
8. Watching a sunrise
   
9. Health
   
10. Spending time with loved ones
    

Guess what? Most of my list comes free! What does that say about what is important?

So Long Ike

Written 9.20.08

We lost power approximately 7:00 pm on Friday, September 12, well before Hurricane Ike even made landfall. Ike packed a mean punch. It was long hours of howling winds and pounding rain, followed by the calm of the eye, and then more wind and rain.

Even though we were exhausted, sleep was next to impossible. We heard the constant roar of the wind, tree limbs whipping through the air, and broken branches smacking against the house. The kids would doze, only to fully awaken with the next accelerated blast of wind and the whistle echoing through the fireplace. Reassured of their safety, they would then fall back to sleep, only to awaken again. Hurricane Ike was extremely large, and the storm lasted many hours. It was a truly long and terrifying night.

But everything must eventually come to an end, and so it was with Ike. Finally, the wind stopped blowing and the rain quit falling. Our home and property escaped damage, although many of our friends, family, and neighbors fared less well. We were limited to a messy yard with a lot of limbs and debris. We were lucky.

Our first full day without power was hot and humid – typical Texas weather. But the following days were glorious! A cold front moved through, and our highs only reached the 70's/low 80's and our lows were in the 50's and 60's. Great sleeping weather – and little to no humidity.

It felt odd being completely disconnected with no telephone, electricity, computer, or cell phone coverage. I wondered how my parents were, my sister and our friends, yet all I could do was hope and pray that they had made it through OK. Our only remaining connection was a battery-powered radio. We soon discovered however, that my home office telephone landline worked with a corded phone plugged in, so then we were able to check in on family and friends.

What happened next was short of miraculous. Neighbor helping neighbor, everyone pitched in to begin the cleanup and recovery. Debris littered throughout the neighborhood became mounds at the end of driveways. Ice and chests were shared. Generators powered up with strands of extension cords draping lawns. Everyone wanted to help out. What had looked like a war zone began taking shape once again as our neighborhood.

Invitations were extended for dinners as food needed used before it went bad. No one was in a hurry. People stopped and talked, kids played together outside, and families took bike rides and walks. And of course the weather was wonderful and made the outdoors very enjoyable. It was a very pleasant time socially indeed.

One by one stores began to open. First, there were incredible lines for necessities such as gas or food, but as more and more stores opened, the lines diminished considerably. Finally, six days later, our power was restored. We were one of the lucky ones, as there are many more still without power. Soon our cable TV and internet connections will be restored, and the kids will be able to go back to school.

I asked my husband if there were another storm, would he stay or evacuate. Of course, it would be somewhat dependent upon the storm itself, but we both felt as though we would probably stay again in the future. I am frequently accused of turning lemons into lemonade, but while Ike was a very bad storm indeed, it also gave us invaluable time. Time to re-connect with family, friends and neighbors.

We were lucky (I can't say that enough). We never lost our water supply, the weather was very comfortable while we were without power, and we did not have damage to our home. Others weren't so lucky and they still need our prayers.

9.27.08 UPDATE

Finally, seven days after drafting this post, Comcast restored our service! Extremely thankful we had electricity after only six days without, I was beginning to experience severe internet withdrawal. Fifteen days in total without a home telephone, internet access, and of course, cable TV. I have felt so disconnected - what have I missed?

A Thanksgiving Prayer

O gracious and loving Father,

It is with thanksgiving we pray for your many wonderful blessings.

First for your creation.

For the heavens and earth,

The sun, the moon and stars.

For the vast and beautiful Oceans,

Incredible majestic mountains,

Lush landscapes,

And for all living creatures in it.

Thank you for our homes.

For the safety of living in this country,

For the freedoms to live as we choose, without persecution,

And for the comforts of shelter, warmth, and food.

Thanks for our families and friends.

For fellowship,

Laughter, love,

For kindness and a cheerful spirit.

Thanks also for our health and our welfare.

And where these are deficient,

Let us remember that as we walk in faithfulness,

We are not alone,

For you are always with us.

Bless us during this feast

And make our hearts joyous.

Help us remember always your wonderful works.

Praises to God.

Praises for all of God's wonderful works!

Amen.

CHAOS SHOPPING

Chaos shopping, that's what I call shopping on the day after Thanksgiving, is as much a tradition for me as having noodles on Thanksgiving Day. It supposed to be there, it should happen, but if it's missing for some reason, well, the day does go on.

It is with pleasure I set my alarm on Thanksgiving night for an early morning wake-up. Armed with sales circulars, I quietly get ready and exit the house careful not to wake the slumbering. I used to head out on my own, getting more and more charged with each purchase. Since moving to Texas, now I go out with my sister, and it is fast becoming one of my favorite shopping days ever.

Along with the satisfaction of making a huge dent in my Christmas shopping, I also get to spend quality time with my sister. Even though the stores are mobbed and the lines are long, we find precious time to visit. And we always further enhance the day by dining out for lunch. We talk about our families, our hopes, our worries.

In our fast-paced, too busy lives, if nothing more, our annual day after Thanksgiving shopping trek gives us an excuse and an opportunity to spend time together merrily and guilt-free. After all, we are accomplishing some major shopping efforts while we get together and have our fun. While sales are oftentimes now offered during the whole weekend following Thanksgiving and are certainly offered online, I would hate to see our newly created tradition of chaos shopping end. Here's to another fun and successful year of chaos shopping! Happy Thanksgiving!

Traditional Thanksgiving Food

It's interesting to hear and compare the various foods that are served traditionally at Thanksgiving. Aside from the typical turkey (roasted or fried or both), mashed potatoes and gravy, we always serve homemade noodles. Many of us opt to use the noodles in lieu of gravy on our mashed potatoes, and what a delicious treat that is.

Our sweet potatoes will vary, some years we get a mashed variety and some years sliced and candied. Our cranberries too differ year to year, but we never use canned jellied cranberry, it is always a recipe with fresh cranberries. And it wouldn't be Thanksgiving dinner without homemade rolls; my mother's are the best!

When we lived in New England, carrot casserole was a Thanksgiving dish tradition. Sliced cooked carrots layered with Velveeta cheese and buttered Ritz cracker crumbs. Yum. I'm not a big carrot fan, but these are wonderful.

I'd love to hear more unusual but traditional foods so please feel free to add yours in the comments.

A Thanksgiving Survey

What are you most thankful for this Thanksgiving season?
	Family
	Health
	Career
	Wealth
	Pets
	Kids
	Other
pollcode.com free polls