Life Is Funny: What Do You Want For Christmas?

By Ginny (MAD21)

When I was working as an inclusion helper in our public schools, the main student that I worked with absolutely LOVED hippos. His mom even made him the cutest little backpack that was in the shape of a purple hippo (he was three at the time, now he is 15!!). The second or third year I was with him, this song started playing on the radio.  I just about died! I had never heard of it before, but believe me, I made sure his family got a copy of it. We had a lot of really great times together. I think of them everytime I hear it.

My friend and fellow blogger Wendy at Weight..What? has a fun carnival at her blog called "Life is Funny." Every Monday we talk about something in life that we find funny. Be sure to go visit her blog to read her post along with links to other blogs who are participating.

Every Day Life: All I Want For Christmas...

By Beth M

People constantly ask me what I want for Christmas, here are a few things I tell them:

All I want for Christmas is a day off, seriously, this whole working full time, being a grown-up is overrated.

All I want for Christmas is for my car to last the winter, that's all, just until I can save for a new-to-me one.

All I want for Christmas is a husband, but not really, I'm way too independent for that. How about just someone to go to movies with and snuggle with on the couch? I know…..

…..All I want for Christmas is a puppy! Oh, wait, you can't take them to the movies. Never mind.

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A Gift of Time Well Spent

By Pat

Well, another Christmas season has arrived. It seems like each one comes faster than the one before, and I find myself, as usual, worrying about what to buy, when to decorate, and how much to bake. I will fret over what to get grandchildren who need nothing. I will make myself crazy.

Somehow, I don't think this is what Jesus wants as we prepare to celebrate his birth. I remember the little drummer boy, and how the gift of music he gave to baby Jesus made Him smile. I remember that, in Matthew 19: 16-23, Jesus tells the story of the rich young man, and how distressed he was when Jesus told him to give all his riches to the poor. I remember that Jesus defines riches and gifts much differently than the world does...and I like it.

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Motives Count

By Pat

As I was doing a recent time of devotion, the scripture to which I was directed was Romans 12:1-8. I am very familiar with these passages, which encourage us to use the gifts God has given us, and remind is that each gift has a special value all its own. These verses have brought me comfort many times when I have felt that my talents and gifts do not compare well with the gifts others have, but what struck me this time was the heart with which we use our talents. "If it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give GENEROUSLY. If it is leadership, let him govern DILIGENTLY. If it is showing mercy, let him do it CHEERFULLY." (Romans 12:8)

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YOB: #3. Leave Random Gifts On Doorsteps (Part 2)

By Beth

This one is going back quite a bit in my memory. It was one of the first things we did in the Year of the Birthday and my memory is not as strong as Lara's. You'll have to bear with me, I may embellish a bit!  But, honestly, it's probably good that I waited so long to write about this event; gave me a chance to see how those who found the random gifts responded.

Who doesn't like getting presents? And who wouldn't find an anonymous, though tasteful, gift intriguing? Who left it? Do I have a secret admirer? Are they watching me right now? How do I look? Do they see the lettuce in my teeth? Or is it a secret message from the CIA or Her Majesty's Secret Service, requesting immediate dangerous action on our part? You know if either Lara or I were to receive such a gift we would create an elaborate story involving monkeys, glitter, secret weapons made from lipstick tubes and dashing, British spies. The thinking behind leaving random gifts on doorsteps was just that: people would wonder and imagine similar storylines. We're all about using our imagination, Lara and I. We were also hoping to hear about the reactions of the recipients, so we chose people we (mainly I) would have some interaction with after the fact.

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