Christmas Memories

Christmas 2010 may be our best Christmas ever!

Ellie and I both wore dresses Christmas Eve to church. Her request.

Ellie thinks the ornament on the tree makes it look like she's wearing a crown!
She sure is God's little princess!

Ellie got to see Santa -- which she really wanted to do all season but we never thought would happen! She wrote notes to Santa and Rudolph and put them in her stocking. He wrote back!

Ellie and Santa.
"Oh shoot. I forgot to ask if I made the kind of nice list."
She is sooo funny! Came up with that one all by herself.

Ellie's note from Santa. He knows the real reason for the season!

Santa even brought presents for Grandma and Grandpa. He's so kind!

The kids were so thoughtful with their gift giving to one another.

Ben and Nathan
These are supposed to be their thoughtful, pondering faces. Nice try, Ben.
Penguin paper for Ben. He loves penguins!

The Christmas book. A family tradition.
Nathan appreciates it now that he's "old." Ellie and Ben, not yet.

Nathan and Ellie always share a big smile!
He prayed her into our family and adores her to this day!

Our first Christmas with darling Daisy.

Daisy got a new bed and she loves it!

Hard to tell here, but the snow was as deep as she is tall!
She loved the snow!

My parents joined us for the first time ever, venturing here despite predictions of wacky winter weather.

Grandma Lori and Ellie

Grandpa Bob, Ben and Grandpa's new tie for his cruise vacation!
Ties by Ben. Grandpa is stylin'!

Grandpa and Grandma give Christmas with the grandkids two thumbs up!

The snow arrived, just before midnight Christmas night, giving our part of North Carolina our first "official" white Christmas since 1947! Really, though, the snow could have arrived just a few hours earlier... not that I'm picky or anything.

Ben and friends gave the red car a mohawk in honor of Uncle Jim.
He was stuck at home in the icy mountains of SC taking care of the dogs.
We love you, Uncle Jim, even if you give my kids weapons (see below).

Caleb, Nathan, Ben, Caroline and Ellie
The Fry/Dawkins snow day traditions continue.
Fun times!

Ellie and Daddy made a snowman.
Not easy in this snow -- a little soft -- but Daddy was determined!

The finished product, decorated with colored golf balls
-- and a plumbline powder "skirt."

Bonus time with the grandparents. They tried heading home ahead of the storm, but the black ice changed their plans. Instead, we had an extra day together. Grandma and Rob beat Grandpa and Karen at pinochle. They got lucky -- especially since Grandma couldn't remember what trump was called! We demand a do-over! Right, Grandpa?

My parents' SC car has never seen snow like this before!
It seems to like it though. :)

And the best wrapped gift of all time -- well, except the newborn King, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger!!! (From Uncle Jim. The paper he chose said, "Let there be peace on earth." My brother has quite the sense of humor!)

Ben wouldn't really shoot his brother, would he?

May your new year be blessed with the love, joy, peace and grace of our Savior.

Love,
Karen

Merry Christmas!!!

From our family to yours,

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

May you be blessed with

love (John 3:16)

joy (Psalm 16:11)

peace  (John 14:27)

and

hope (1 Peter 1:3)

With love,

Rob, Karen, Nathan, Ben and Ellie

Daisy and Buckeye too

Pen Pals!!!

I am SOOOO excited my friends! Really, I can hardly stand it!

You see, God blessed me with an amazing friend. We homeschool. We both have kids with sensory integration disorder. We both love our families. We both love decorated cakes. We both adopted. OOOOOOHHHHH....

And today... yes, today.... we FINALLY get to meet.

I'm headed out, Ellie in tow, to meet her -- leaving in just a few minutes! She's visiting family in the mountains of NC. I live closer to the beach, but... driving across the state is a lot easier than flying across the country!

Jennifer, HERE WE COME!!! I can't wait to hug your neck!!!

Thanks to my husband, sons, and church ministry team (covering for me) to make this happen. Thanks to Jenn's family for making room for two more.

When's the last time you were excited like a little kid? Jumping out of your skin with anticipation?

Memorial Box Monday: Generosity

A few years ago, our church collected a special missions offering. My son, then about 12 years old, asked if he could donate the money from his savings account. He had saved up about $100 to purchase his own bass guitar.

My husband and I took some time to mull over his request. I'm saddened that we didn't agree to his request right then and there. Maybe that's why Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 18:3 NIV) Eventually, we came around and he gave his savings.

We didn't tell anyone about it. He gave anonymously. The purest, most generous gift a boy could give.

About a week later, a guy from our church who happened to play bass guitar on the praise team, called. He stammered a bit, then finally asked if he could buy our son a bass guitar. He rushed on, explaining that he felt God telling him to bless Nathan with the guitar. He then added he had never done anything like this before, and he hoped we'd let him do it.

Really? God, really?

Can you imagine the thoughts roiling through my head? First shame, for not trusting God the way my son did. Quickly replaced with stunned amazement. God says, "Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38 NIV)

Our son understands generosity. Give. God's got you taken care of. Simple as that.

The following weekend after services were over, we led our son into the worship center, eyes blind-folded. The guys on the praise team brought out the new bass guitar -- AND CASE AND AMP AND CORDS AND STRAP AND CLEANER AND TUNER! They set it down and Nathan opened his eyes.

Nathan is back right on stage.
His friend, Matt, is in the foreground.

Stunned!

We all cried a few joyful tears that day. (I'm choking up as I share this now.)

Fast forward four years. These days, my generous boy, now 16, not only plays bass guitar, he is honored to serve alongside some wonderful musicians and lead our church in worship. Every time I see him, guitar strapped on, I remember this incredible blessing from God. Truly. Blessed.


Memorial Box Monday started at "A Place Called Simplicity." A friend of mine introduced it to me, and I love it! love it! love it!!! Memorial Box Monday provides an opportunity to remember all the good things God has done. Huge, gigantic things and little things that might seem insignificant. God's word is clear: "Cast every care on Me, for I care for you." (1 Peter 5:7).

Two Weeks Before Christmas

Twas two weeks before Christmas,

and all through the house,

not a creature was stirring,

dog quiet as a mouse!

The stockings were hung 

by the chimney with care,

The tree and the trimmings

were placed here and there.

The shopping was done,

the gifts done up in bows.

How we got done so early,

no one really knows.

For two weeks as we wait,

We'll bake cookies and bread.

We'll play games together,

Thankful we're ahead!

May not happen again,

of that I'm aware.

So please don't you greet me,

with grimace or glare!

Our family wishes you,

your family and friends,

A blessed Christmas season.

May your tasks quickly end!

**My apologies to Clement Clarke Moore, author of Twas the Night Before Christmas.**

Balanced!

Hi my bloggy friends,
Ready for a new type of post? I realize that for the past three days, I have looked at Christmas giving from just about every angle. Give meaningful gifts that make a difference. Give your time. Give your heart.

All that giving can turn our stomachs to knots.

A friend of mine decided not to decorate a tree this year. I, personally, was offended. I hassled her... then, another friend spoke up, suggesting that not having a tree might be a great idea. I humbly stand corrected.

Not to the tree part, necessarily (big grin), but to the essence of her point. Doing something -- particularly tradition-laden things -- can trap you in a place you just shouldn't be. Baking cookies to share with a dozen neighbors, purchasing small gifts for all the co-workers just because it's expected, sending Christmas cards (really, all those stamps are expensive and in this economy...), decorating the house and yard and even the car. Whew! I'm tired. My checkbook depleted.

Throw in generosity, giving to the poor, serving the homeless, or whatever, and you could almost literally explode. S T R E S S! What's a wonderful, generous, kind-hearted, well-intentioned person to do?

S T O P!

P R A Y!

T R U S T!

Stop trying to do it all. You'll be so tired you won't enjoy your family, your time together or the love of Jesus.

Pray and leave the choice to God. Lord, show me what is best for my family. Lead us to make choices this Christmas that glorify you. We give You our time, our hearts, our finances. Help us make decisions that honor You.

Trust His guidance. You aren't led to decorate the tree this year? Then don't let guilt or tradition (or a well-intentioned nagging friend) make you do it. Christmas isn't about the tree and trimmings anyway. It's about Jesus. So many "friends" on your Christmas list that you feel crushed? Trust God to reveal to you who to purchase (or bake cookies or send cards) for. If you don't find that perfect gift, maybe you aren't really supposed to buy one. Every time you pass the Salvation Army bucket, do you feel compelled to drop in a few dollars (this one always trips me up)? Trust that God will show you where and how to be generous this year. It's not that you shouldn't be generous. After all, Christmas is the season of love and generosity.  Just trust God's plan for your generosity. You don't have to do it all!

You don't have to do it all!


Trust God. Bless others the way He leads. Say NO when it's not the best thing for your family. Enjoy this season of miracles.

Merry Christmas!

Making a Difference this Christmas

Friends,

Check out this blog. One family. Giving a week of vacation. To love kids who have no family.
http://throwingourarmsopenwide.blogspot.com/2010/12/this-is-why.html

Or this story? One couple. Making a difference.
http://lutherandheather.blogspot.com/2010/10/swaziland-journey.html?spref=fb

How about you? Would you go down the street? Across town? Next door? to share God's love with someone this Christmas?

I'm not suggesting you take a week off to serve. Just open your heart to share. How?

• Jump a car that won't start. (Right, Barb?)
• Make dinner for a shut-in.
• Make Christmas cards with the kids for those who have no family coming in this Christmas.
• Invite someone to dinner.
• Smile at the bell-ringer. Whether you donate or not, thank that person for volunteering their time for the less fortunate.
• Buy a pack of paper -- or other school supplies -- and donate them to your local school.
• Say a prayer for those with no place to call home.

That's a short list. I know you all are way more creative than I am! What is your family doing to share God's love with others this Christmas season?

If shopping's your thing, that can be quite meaningful too! Check out these awesome gift options -- note the addition in the comment section! :)

Merry Christmas!

More Blessed to Give than to Receive

Have you heard the story of the "widow's mite?" It's one of my favorite Bible stories of all time. This lady, so poor and with no husband to support her, gave Jesus everything she had. Everything!

Even in our poor economic situation, most of us will spend more money on ourselves and our family than others who have great need. What if we did something about it? Every single one of us? What if we gave just one gift (not the junk from the attic that hasn't been cool in 20 years), but one sincere gift to bless someone this year? How about donating a new coat to the homeless shelter? Or buying a bag of non-perishable food for the local food pantry or other shelters?

**A news story in our area (Raleigh, NC) explained that the homeless need thermal underwear, socks, gloves and hats more than anything else. They benefit most from layering.**

What if we went beyond giving stuff? What if we give our time, our heart, our hope instead? It's not too late to help! What would that look like?

My brother and his family are visiting next weekend. Together, we agreed to give our time to a local agency instead of exchanging Christmas gifts among the kids. The kids are in on it too! My sons volunteered at this agency last year. They agree that working side by side with the family will be even better!

Who can you serve this Christmas season? Who can you bless and encourage?

Let's make a difference! Shop for a purpose. Serve with a purpose. Love others, always!

Happy birthday, Jesus!

Christmas Shopping with Purpose

Merry Christmas to you all!

Most everyone I know has decked the halls, strung the lights, and prepared their home for Christmas. Houses twinkle with merriment. Kitchens smell of gingerbread and spice. But the shopping... Oh, the stress.

This past weekend, my daughter and I joined the throngs at the mall with some friends. We enjoyed sweet fellowship. We marveled at the pre-Christmas snowflakes (so rare here!). We shopped, too, but only for those items we truly wanted. We resisted the slick sales and impulse buys. We. Had. FUN!

Do you dread the Christmas shopping? The hustle, bustle and chaos? Do you spend money you don't really have, ruin the budget and carry debt into the new year? How about shopping a little differently this year? Why not shop with purpose?

Lots of families who want to adopt children make one-of-a-kind gifts to raise funds for their adoptions. Here are a few of my favorites. Maybe you'll find special gifts here and bless a little child too!

One of a kind fleece blankets, size 6'X6'
They come in a variety of patterns.

http://lhbocean-thebaileyfam.blogspot.com/p/fundraising.html

Key fobs make great personalized gifts for friends, gift exchanges and teenage girls on your list!

http://keystochina.blogspot.com/

How about something personalized? T-shirts and notepads, personalized for you or a friend. Great t-shirt designs for girls and boys!

http://cuteepiedesigns.blogspot.com/


















Isabella Bracelets. These bracelets are incredible. Feminine, frilly. So southern belle. They come in adult and children's sizes.

She also makes dresses for children in matching patterns.

http://orphaned-no-more.blogspot.com/2010/06/red-thread-stitches-matching-bracelets.html







I could go on and on. If you're looking for something specific and it's not here, let me know. I'll help you find it.

Fundraisers with purpose. Bringing children home to their forever families. Families following God's call and choosing to honor it without going into debt. Make a difference. Shop in your jammies. Bless an orphan this Christmas! What could be better?

Small business owners, if you're running a Christmas special to benefit a cause, please let us know!
1. First, follow my blog :)


2. Share the link to this post with your customers, friends and family. Copy and paste the link: http://karendawkins.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-shopping-with-purpose.html


3. Comment!!!! Be sure to include your name, contact information, what you sell/provide, and who will benefit. If you have a Christmas order deadline, include that too!


4. If your fundraiser is ongoing, let us know that too. I'll link back through the year to support businesses benefitting others all year long.


Merry Christmas, everyone. Happy blessing!

A Babbling Fool

Hello my bloggy friends,
I haven't posted in a few days. Weird, huh? It's not that I don't have lots -- and lots and lots and lots -- of thoughts swirling in my head. Stuff is swirling everywhere.

One of my favorite Bible verses is Psalm 25:21, "May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you." Sharing my thoughts here is something I take seriously. I marvel that anyone cares what I post. Integrity matters. I don't want to spout off something just because it popped in my head.

Instead, I need to evaluate. Does it make sense? Does it glorify God, the One who gave me this desire to share? Do my words build up the kingdom? OR -- am I just taking up space out there in cyber-world?

Proverbs 10:10 says, "...a babbling fool will come to ruin." I don't want that! Do you?

While I may not post as often, I do hope that the words I share bless you. I pray you will be challenged to consider your life from a different perspective. I pray that my words will spur you on to live more for God and less for self. We all need encouragement as we run this race for God's kingdom. May you find encouragement here.

Thanks for following my blog. Would you pray for me to know what and when to share?

Let me know how I can pray for you! Leave a comment today -- you can even leave it anonymously. Let's pour out our hearts to God and LISTEN for His reply.

Much love in Christ,
Karen