Holiday Cheer in the form of an email

This story was emailed to me from a good friend. I thought I'd share it with you. Enjoy~
 

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.

 

My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six-year-old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant."   I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production.  Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there would be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.

 

So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song. 

 

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas" I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment - songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love" I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.  Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Those in the front row - center stage - held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song.  As the class would sing "C is for Christmas" a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy" and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love." 

 

The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down - totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W."  The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake.  But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W." Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities.  For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:

 

"   C H R I S T W A S L O V E "

Stop and think before you react

STOP- before you yell at your kids, get mad at your husband, stress out about all the things you need to do, remember this: Elizabeth Edwards died 3 days ago. What do you think she would give to live one more week, to hug her kids one more time, to make one more dinner, to be stressed out? Think about your actions and adjust them to actions that give and show love to those around you~

Don't get caught up in the hussle of the season

I'm trying not to but I've had my tree since Nov 30th and it's still not decorated!

These last two weeks have been extremely busy for me. Probably the busiest I've had all year. What is it? Why do I feel so overwhelmed? I know. Because I want to make everything perfect for my family. I want my house to be nicely decorated. I want the Christmas tree to look fabulous. I basically want my house to smell, feel and look like Christmas and I am not cutting it. LOL! Do you feel what I am saying? The only thing I can do to relieve the anxiety is to let go.....

So here I am on a Monday morning. The kids are off to school and I have decided to take a moment, get a cup of wonderful Starbucks Christmas blend coffee and type. You see I am fully aware that Christmas is a season for giving. When Jesus died on the cross, He "gave" his life for us. He essentially is a gift. So...during this season I feel I too must give back.  10 years from now will it have mattered that my tree didn't look like the ones in the magazines? Will it matter that my shopping wasn't done on time? Will it matter that my house wasn't spotless? NO! What will matter today and in 10 years from now is how I helped to change a life during the Christmas 2010 season. What will matter is the smile on the face of the child who received my donated gift to the church, and the toy I put in the basket for the Toys for Tots drive, and the dollars I sent off to the Los Angeles Union Mission to help feed a homeless person a Christmas dinner. What will matter is that as I gave, my children watched and they too will have the spirit of giving to others. 

You see my friends, life is a gift. No one is promised a tomorrow. Today could very well be your last day here on earth. Make a difference in the lives of the people around you. Change your attitude, forgive, love, speak words of encouragement to people or give a smile to a stranger.  When you love everything around you and you are vibrating feelings of love and gratitude for all of God's blessings, you will see your life change.

When you truly remember that you too were given a gift and you FEEL the feelings of God's grace and mercy in your life, then and only then will you be able to experience the true meaning of Christmas.

Well enough said for today. I must get back to the tree. I will post a picture of it (when I get a quick second.) Feel free to comment. I love hearing from you.  Talk soon......

Juju

(P.S. Please share my blog site with your friends)

LIVING A THANKFUL LIFE AND THEN GIVING BACK

So it's Tuesday November 23rd and I have more on my plate than I can probably handle. My daughter is with grandma (needless to say, I worry when she's gone), my nails need to be done-forget the pedicure- I have no time, my wash is piling up, I stepped on the scale and I'm up 2 lbs, the bills need to be sent out and to top everything off-my husband is getting off of work early today and needs me to run some errands with him! (Sigh)

But I thought it was important to reach out to you to let you know that even though I feel out of control, I am so thankful to God that He has blessed me with my life. You see, last week I met with a video director. He is going to do a video interview for me AT NO CHARGE!! So, I had to drive around Los Angeles to decide which areas I wanted him to shoot and use in the video. As I drove down skid row and saw the mass of homeless people, the wino's, the prostitutes and the drug deals happening in the open, I was humbled once again. To think that I come from a dad that once walked those streets. To remember the horrible places he would take me as a child and the drug use I witnessed, once again humbled me. As I write this my soul is on it's knees in complete surrender to my Savior.  In the past, I have had really rough times economically, in relationships, in marriage and in keeping things together for my kids. Through the rough times I prayed so - so much! But, I always gave thanks- no matter what I was going- through because I knew then and I know now that I will never have it as bad as those people on skid row.  I have made different choices in my life.  My heart goes out to them!

If you come from a rough beginning, if you find yourself worrying about money, if you are in a bad relationship, if you are depressed, I tell you today to rise up! You have a God that is alive and ready to listen to every cry of your heart. He will get you through these times. Don't stop seeking Him. Don't give up on yourself - on the miracle of YOU!

As you read in my book WAR DAD about the years of torment I was subjected to by my dad, it never stopped me from giving back. I always had a passion for the poor and the needy and I still do. At times I was only able to give one turkey at Thanksgiving to the local church. Some years it was a couple of canned goods. I remember making a shoe box for a needy child one Christmas that my church was going to give away. I went to the 99 cents store and bought really cheap items, but I filled that box and off it went. I felt so good because regardless of the items in that box, I knew that child was going to love receiving a box of goodies.

So, what I want you to know is that regardless of your situation, there IS something to be thankful for. (maybe for the eyes to read this)  And regardless of your money situation, any little thing you can give to help someone in need is one more thing that person didn't have until you gave.

You matter! You make a difference! You are needed in this big ol' world! And for you - I am thankful :)

Juju

I finally get to blog my thoughts!

Although Facebook and Twitter are fun, they are no match for having your own blog! I cannot wait to hear from you! I have been waiting for this day for so many years. A platform in which I can share my experiences, my opinions, my ideas, my quirkiness and most of all my faith in God. You see, no matter what path life was taking me down, I always had someone to take with me. I live by Matthew 6:33- Seek first the kingdom of God and all His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. That verse has shown itself in my life. I hope to be living proof to you that life is good, there are good people and good times to be had. You just need to go out there and claim your stake in this wonderful world. I hope you get the chance to order my book WAR DAD. After reading my book, you will know a lot more about me. As I state in the beginning of my book, "I am not a professional writer."  I write as if you were sitting here next to me and we were in conversation. I am not an English major so please don't bother correcting me, I am too old and I type too fast to care.  I am a mom raising two kids, two dogs, and a husband. Between my two jobs, cooking, cleaning, and speaking engagements I spend little time proofing.  I don't pretend to be a professional blogger either. This is a whole new world for me, but a world that I know without a doubt, I need to be a part of.

To sum it all up, this blog will be for sharing life experiences, shopping tips, headline news, hot topics, entertainment news, music, recipes and anything and everything that gets women talking. So with that, I say to you, welcome- it is my honor to be here with you :)