Needless to say, I was expecting to hear the usual..."Aw, Mom...do we have to?" I mean, I was prepared to do everything I could to convince them to do it just for me. Shockingly enough, I didn't have to take it to that extreme and they piled into the car and off we went to find the perfect picture-taking spot. There was no complaining, no questioning...and no arguing! Pure heaven, I tell you!! I was in total bliss!
We drove to a little town about 15 miles from where we live where there's a State Park. It had a lake running through the middle of all these different hiking trails and campgrounds. However, it was too cold to get too close to the water. We were all chilled to the bone as it was! So, we took most of our pictures in the woods. Here's a few shots that we ended up with. They aren't the ones we'll be using, but they're some of our favorites. It's just one more thing I can scratch off my list off my "to do" list! Hip, hip, hooray!!!
When church let out, Chris and I stopped by one of the tables in the vestibule and picked up some information about "Gift of Hope". Our church is having a two-week initiative, beginning Nov. 30th, that's all about sharing the hope we have in Christ with those around us. Here are a few ideas that were outlined in the pamphlet. They're things that anyone can do this time of year to make a difference in the lives of others:
1. Fast Food Friends: Pay the fast food bill of the car behind you in the drive through of a fast-food restaurant. Ask the cashier to give that car a "Gift of Hope" card and tell them their meal is paid for. Abby loves this idea...we definitely plan to do it!
2. Provide cookies to the local police and fire departments.
3. Provide breakfast sandwiches, coffee, and juice for commercial construction sites around the church community.
4. Visit and minister to residents and staff of a local nursing home. Deliver homemade cards to them.
5. Minister to the homeless by preparing a meal, providing canned goods and dry food items, socks, towels, t-shirts, sweats, and a Bible.
6. Host a Christmas gathering in your home for your neighbors. Gatherings include seasonal refreshments, sharing of Christmas traditions, and a short talk on the meaning of Christmas.
I think these are all wonderful ideas, don't you? After all, isn't giving in the spirit of love what Christmas is all about?
Oh, and if you haven't already done so, be sure to scroll down and enter my giveaway! I'll choose a winner today around 4:45 PM EST...I forgot that I have to attend Brittany's cross country banquet at 5:00 PM. I'll post the winner as soon as I can! Enjoy your day!!
23 comments:
Hi April--I love your pictures, and so neat that everybody was happy to participate. It does feel good to get something checked off the list too!
Your Gife of Hope ideas are so good. Thanks for posting them. I know I can get overwhelmed thinking that I can't possibly do anything that would make a real difference. But these are simple ideas that DO make a difference, that anybody can do. Thanks for the encouragement in this area!
Your family is gorgeous sweetie. Thanks for posting such great ideas.
What beautiful pictures...your girls are so pretty!!Love outdoor pictures!
I entered your contest...I did yesterday too but my comment was gone! Thanks for telling me!
-sandy toes
Great pics of a beautiful family!
And I love the fast food idea too. We will definitely do that! I mean, not that we eat fast food that often. HA! xoxo Ang
Great Christmas photos!!!
And what awesome Pay it Forward ideas!
Hi April
Your photos are wonderful. You are such a beautiful family. The country park looks a lovely setting.
I really liked your Gift of Hope ideas. They are such fantastic ways to show Chritmas Love.
Our church has a Christmas Toy Service where we take wrapped toys labelled with age/boy/girl on. They are then given to poor families in the area.
Enjoy the banquet.
Lindsay
Here from SITS! Your girls are beatiful - I have three of them :-) We are also going for Xmas pics next weekend and with a 1, 3, and 5 year old, it's always "interesting!" LOL Love your blog. I'll be back to visit!
April,
First, just precious pics!
Second, we love the Gift of Hope ideas...we have actually been doing this one thing for quite some time. When we go through a toll booth..we pay for the toll for the person behind us...we ask the toll booth operator to give them a track with the gospel on it.
Most times the toll booth operator is just shocked and a few times it has led into a witnessing event!
Blessings to you, sweet sis!
Stopping by from SITS to wish you a good morning!
Those ideas are great! I especially love the fast food friends one. How great:)
Sweet April!!! Thank you for your kind comments. I am loving your family photos! You don't look cold at all!!! Your girls resemble you so strongly... God couldn't NOT use your beautiful mold again!!!
I love the caring ideas your Church is being encouraged in... And I'm with Abbey, the first one's fabulous - imagine that!
Hope you are having a beautiful day... You on that treadmill yet?!!;)
Great family pic! Love all the great ideas to share with others during the holiday season.
What fabulous pictures of your family! They turned out GREAT!
Great ideas for sharing with others.
Oh I LOVE this! It made me want to drive to Dunkin Donuts right this second and get some cofee just so I could pay for the people behind me. I think I am going : )!
What a blessing it was to read this today!
Hi April...
Your photos are great! Do you know I laughed when you said you didn't have to talk the girls into going to the photo shoot. The older my kids get the less they complain abouttaking our Christmas photos-In fact they asked me the other day when we were going to go do that (I nearly fainted) :)
Here in Seattle we do the "pay for the customer behind you" at Starbucks-It goes on for weeks and weeks without being broken! Some customers even give extra money out to make it keep going. Good fun!
What fab photos! EVERYONE looks great; how unlikely is that? (in my family, VERY). At least our dog takes a good photo. And I love the ideas for sharing; Christmas is such a wonderful time to do that without having to have any other reason. I do like the "pay it forward at the ff window" one, too... although I fear I'd be looking over my shoulder first to make sure that there wasn't a van-load of football players behind me. Oh, the shame....
Beautiful pictures of a beautiful family! I love these!
Thanks for sharing the ideas. I can definitely do a few of them...especially paying for someone's else food behind me. What neat ideas!
The pictures are just beautiful and I love the spot you chose to take them. Wonderful! Also, love the gift of hope idea, especially the one about paying for the car behind in the fast food lane. What a wonderful way to spread the gift of hope!!!!
Glad I found you today! I feel like a made a new friend!
Cora
first of all...your girls are delightfully beautiful.
second...great fam!
third...love the pay the fast food deal. a def must here.
fourth...we do the andy project once a month where we go and serve the homeless. we make up lunch bags with food, grocery bags with clothes, bottled water and sit and eat anc chat with them. it all spawned from a trip to NYC where we served the homeless and less fortunate...all my hs kids! God is totally at work in the andy project.
so, in saying all that, another way to show some love, bring a sack lunch or two downtown in your area and feed some of the homeless. they really appreciate it.
The pictures are great! You have such a beautiful family. The gift of hope idea sounds very rewarding.
Your pictures turned out great! We're taking ours on Saturday. I hope we get a good one!
I love these ideas. I'm all for making cookies for police/firemen. Thanks for sharing great ways to spread joy this season.
It's so great that these little tiny things can so brighten someone's day!
Thanks for sharing in my SITS day with me!
Hi! You have a beautiful family! Congrats on the no hassle picture day! That is a dream come true. :)
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