What’s It Worth? (A Chance to Give Water For Christmas)

December 15, 2010 in Faith, Guest Blogging, Life with 11 Comments

What’s it worth to you?  What’s it worth that you can go to your tap, refrigerator, local store or vending machine and get clean water?

What’s it worth?

The $1.00 plus you spend at Starbucks, Circle K, QT?

Every day we have access to clean water.  Water that is safe for us to drink and cook with.  But around the world every day millions of people don’t have access to clean water.  The are vulnerable to disease and death.  They trek miles to the nearest sources of water and trek home carrying 40-pound jugs of water that will likely make them sick.

You may be wondering, what can I do?

You can help.  You can give someone water for Christmas.

Today I am joined by six wonderful ladies.  We are blogging for water.  You have the opportunity to give back.  To help bring clean water to those that don’t have it.

To donate click the link below.  It will take you to Charity Water’s site.

If you do give thank you for the bottom most part of my heart.

Christmas Water Project

Want to help spread the word: Tweet using the hash tag: #PrudyChickH2O

To visit the other bloggers joining me today you can visit their sites listed below:

Jenny Rain
Elora (Love Wins)
Amy Sullivan
Mary Hess
Laura Leigh Parker
Kim Whitten

Joyful Joyful

December 14, 2010 in Family, Life with 5 Comments

#7 Without a doubt the worst thing about living in Phoenix is the summers.  With highs of 118+ we dream of winter.  I know I shouldn’t complain that we have 81-degree temps in the middle of December while dear friends are dealing with below freezing temps, but I would like it at least in the 60′s.  It is December in the Northern Hemisphere after all.  But what a joy it is that we don’t have freezing temps for the high and 6-foot snow drifts.

#8 I’m gonna brag here a moment.  I have the BEST husband in the world.  [he put the clean dishes in the dishwasher away.  last week he did it and then loaded it again.  BEST i tell you!]

#9 Shawn and I have tried to start eating better.  This means organic and all natural foods over stuff loaded with preservatives.  This also means I shop more often and spend more money, but it also means not shellacking our bodies with preservatives and antibiotics.  Last night for dinner I made homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza.  Dough, chicken, cheese, & bacon all from Trader Joe’s.  It wasn’t perfect but still yummy.

#10 I spent this last weekend baking.  With the exception of a massage & church & a couple of errands my Saturday and Sunday were spent making baby bundts.  I usually make cookies but wanted to do something different this year.  I have four boxes sitting here next to me waiting to go out in the mail to friends & family.  I hope these bring some delicious joy to their lives.

What are you finding joy in today?

Joy

December 13, 2010 in Family, Life with 7 Comments

In my post on Friday I mentioned that I’d been struggling to find joy.  That my heart wanted to camp out in a dark room and be by itself.  This week I’m making an intentional effort to take note of joy.

#1 November 19th last year I had foot surgery to repair a torn tendon.  I miss wearing heels.  I went from wearing them nearly everyday to wearing them maybe once a month.  I wear flats all the time.  I was so excited to find these adorably cute ballet flats Friday at Ross for $6.50.  Talk about JOY!!!  I adore the little studded ruffle on the heel.

#2 Every year at work we have a toy drive for kids who probably wouldn’t get a gift if it weren’t for donations.  I walked into work Friday morning to find this large box FULL of toys.  I love that my co-workers give like this!

#3 Saturday night is generally date night for Shawn and I.  This past Saturday we went to a local festival.  The downtown area was decorated with thousands of tiny lights.  Dancing ones.  Falling ones. We dined at a new burger diner & ended our time with funnel cake.  Such a blessed time to be with my husband.

#4 I tweeted yesterday that I was struck by the words of the Christmas song O’ Holy Night.  Particularly this verse: “Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His Gospel is peace.  Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother; and in His Name all oppression shall cease.  Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, Let all within us praise His holy Name!” Worship was so sweet this morning.

#6 I see this nearly every time I drive my car.  A note left by Shawn.  It’s a constant reminder that even when it seems the world is against me he loves me and he’s praying for me.

Are you finding joy?

The Tired Sugar Plum Fairy

December 10, 2010 in Family, Guest Blogging, Life with 0 Comments

Can you believe Christmas is 14 days away??

This week has been slightly crazy.

It’s been long.

Thankfully it is now Friday, 12:55pm.  My day is over half over.

Between head splitting headaches, a late night at work, hip & back pain that refuses to let up, I am grateful to see Friday 4 pm on the horizon.

Just a preview of the next couple weeks.

This coming Wednesday is Blog of Water.  I am being joined by six ladies.  I am looking forward with anxiousness to what God will do.

The other days I’m planning to record Joy.  This week I’ve struggled to find joy in things.  My heart just wants to camp out in a dark room.  So this next week I plan to be intentional.  I already have one for Monday.

The week after that I have a series.  One I’ve been looking forward to for weeks!  And a giveaway will be involved!!

I think this photo is hilarious and wanted to share it since it sort of fits in with the season.  Earlier this year Shawn and I had taken a weekend trip up north.  Our last day there we were having breakfast and I saw this gentleman on his laptop.  So tell me who do YOU think he looks like?  He apparently loses his winter Christmas weight fairly quickly. ;-)

Every Morning

December 6, 2010 in Faith, Family, Life with 8 Comments

I’ve been itching to get a new calendar for work since before Thanksgiving.  I usually get one in December but this year the itch hit me early.  As I looked at my current one sitting on my desk the pages coming to an end.  The prior pages filled with red squiggles forming words.

I got this cute plaid one at Barnes & Noble today.

And then…

It hit me.

.

Grace!

That is what this little book represents.  Blank pages.  New and fresh beginnings.

Jeremiah writes in Lamentations that God’s mercies, His compassions are new, fresh, unused, undrained every morning.

It also represents memories that haven’t happened yet.  People I’ll meet.  Places I’ll go.

Sadly it will also represent sorrow.  Written in the between in fine lines.  Heartaches.  Tears.

I’m holding onto hope with this little book.  Holding onto the mercies that preface each day.  Wrapping myself in the memories that will be written in here.  I’ll carry those sorrows that will tear stain pages to God; and each each tear new mercies.

Suffering in Joy

December 1, 2010 in Faith, Family, Life with 6 Comments

Have you ever suffered in joy?

I wonder if this makes sense.  I mean joy is well…joy.  It’s like a sunny day at the beach and they’re giving away free ice cream that is calorie free but tastes like normal ice cream.  And suffering well….

Yet, I contend that you can suffer in joy.  When your life doesn’t or isn’t going the way you want.  Your dreams are just dreams.  You move sideways never seeming to move forward or backward.  Yet, you rejoice in the joy of others.  You dance when they dance.  You shout hooray when they shout hooray.  But you sit on your couch with heart full of joy as your eyes over flow giant drops of tears.  Your own pain.

Christmas

November 29, 2010 in Faith with 5 Comments

Friday night Shawn and I made our way to his parents.  The chill in the air was delightful.  Future of Forestry sang Do You Hear What I Hear to us.  As the lyrics danced in my head I started to wonder…

  • What fear did Mary and Joseph feel as her contractions started?
  • Did Joseph beat himself up, feeling as though he couldn’t provide for his family as inn door after inn door was slammed with it’s proprietor saying no room?
  • Did Mary’s maternal instincts fret over all the nesting she’d done as they slowly made their way to Bethlehem and the fear that she might go into labor resting on her young shoulders?
  • Did the angels dance in expectant jubilation as Mary’s contractions became more frequent?  Did they “hold their breaths”?
  • What were the shepherds thinking/discussing amongst themselves as they left their fields for a rickety stable?
  • Did creation groan in joy as Jesus took His first breath and screamed as the chill of the night air rushed His formerly warm body?
  • Did Satan curse?

A Week of Thanks – Friday

November 26, 2010 in Faith, Family, Life with 1 Comment

I’m thankful for bright orange yarn of hundreds of knots, wrapped around my neck.  Cozy cups of coffee.  Lazy mornings.  The crispness of fall air and sheets with a pile of blankets.  For the official start of the holiday season.  For joyous Christmas music.

What are you thankful for today?

Happy Thanksgiving

November 25, 2010 in Community, Faith, Family, Life with 0 Comments

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving.

May it be filled with turkey and mounds creamy, lumpy potatoes with a deep pool gravy. With pies landscaped with fluffy, white hills of whipped cream.

With hugs and kisses.  With prayers and if tears must be had, may they be tears of joy and laughter.

I hope that you remember all the blessings that have happened over the last 365 days, and the memory of them be warm, cozy hugs that drown out the hardships.

You my friends are all loved.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Week of Thanks – Wednesday

November 24, 2010 in Faith, Family, Life with 2 Comments

I’m thankful today for time away.  For trips with Shawn.  Time off from reality.

For time to just be.

What are you thankful for today?

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