Last week, at the start of crazy Starbucks Christmas frenzy-which by the way, my New York partners would be dumb-founded to know that the amount of peppermint mochas we deal with is nothing compared to what our PNW partners handle during Christmas time...anyway, back to last week, a customer noticed that we had labeled one of our carafes as X-Mas blend rather than Christmas blend. So, in a smart-alic-y manner, he asked for the X-Mas blend because he preferred that to Christmas blend anyway. But I was SO excited to wipe that smirk right off his face with this information...
Take it away, Wikipedia! (please note the etymology of Christmas)
Quickly, his smirk was diminished and he replied with a, "Well, hell. I can't win."
I just smiled and nodded with a "Thank you sir, enjoy your X-Mas blend!"
What I really wanted to say was that, no his attitude for X-Mas can't win. Jesus already won it for us! Yes, he could walk out with a pound of "Holiday Blend" which happens to be the exact same blend, just packaged differently in a neutral silver tone. But that doesn't really matter. We celebrate the "holidays" because Jesus came and without His coming, there would be no X-Mas. (However, I will leave Hannukah, Kwanza and Boxing Day out of this because I know nothing of these) What I am referring to is the assumption that one can celebrate X-Mas without Christ. Just. Not. Gonna. Happen.
This isn't a judgment. It's good news. I could be annoyed with that guy because he reminds me of those that insist on "holiday trees," and the likes, but it's inconsequential. It doesn't take away from the fact that Jesus is the One whom was and is and is to come, whether our towns put up "holiday trees" or X-Mas trees. He's on His way.
That my friends, is good tidings and great joy!
So pray. Pray for those that need to hear the Good News.
Happy Wednesday!
If you're looking for an opportunity to give this season, think and pray about THIS! It's an awesome and practical way to offer hope!
Showing posts with label Hope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hope. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
I've been trying hard to balance out the blog subjects as of late. A little Jesus love here, a little commiseration there, throw in some Charity: Water and some Holiday cheer. And that's my blog. This is the time of year that we are all bombarded with opportunities to give. It's a little daunting. But it's a good, good thing. It means that so many of us have something that we are passionate about. Some of us want to bring awareness to orphans, polar bears, wells, societal inclusion, cancer, and so so so much more. There is so much depravity in this world. So why do we ask for multitudes of donations at Christmas time when we have parties to plan, presents to buy and planes to catch? Well because amongst all that holiday hub-bub; there lies hope. And if you believe, as I do, that our only hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ, who comes immaculately, humbly, fulfilling the prophets, than it is us whom is commanded to bring that hope to those whom would otherwise not have any.
Jesus is coming to save us from this depravity. It's going to be a good day. Scary as all get out, but good nonetheless. But until then, we are here to spread the word of hope through actions and sharing the Gospel. I chose to bring awareness to the awesome need of clean, safe water because, like I have said before, I take it for granted. It's such a simple necessity in our lives. One that if I'm not watching, I will overlook for a day or two and supplement with coffee, juice, lattes and whatever else I take for granted. I say no to water when so many would give anything to have clean, healthy water to drink.
We have so many choices in this country. We are blessed. We can choose which charity to support this year and what to drink. When I think about my niece and how we are all so in love with her, I could never imagine sitting her at the table and choosing to give her sewage water in her cup. We wouldn't do that. We love her too much. But we also have that choice. Join me in making sure that no more moms have to give there children dirty water that we would scoff at. Join me in doing something big this year. Join me in bringing hope.
Thank you for your support. Thank you for loving the forgotten.
Join me here!
Jesus is coming to save us from this depravity. It's going to be a good day. Scary as all get out, but good nonetheless. But until then, we are here to spread the word of hope through actions and sharing the Gospel. I chose to bring awareness to the awesome need of clean, safe water because, like I have said before, I take it for granted. It's such a simple necessity in our lives. One that if I'm not watching, I will overlook for a day or two and supplement with coffee, juice, lattes and whatever else I take for granted. I say no to water when so many would give anything to have clean, healthy water to drink.
We have so many choices in this country. We are blessed. We can choose which charity to support this year and what to drink. When I think about my niece and how we are all so in love with her, I could never imagine sitting her at the table and choosing to give her sewage water in her cup. We wouldn't do that. We love her too much. But we also have that choice. Join me in making sure that no more moms have to give there children dirty water that we would scoff at. Join me in doing something big this year. Join me in bringing hope.
Thank you for your support. Thank you for loving the forgotten.
Join me here!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Tid Bits, and Bits and Bits
We are celebrating the end of the (hardest) first six weeks of culinary school and All A's!! with a bottle of Alexander Valley Vineyards Cab 2005 tonight! (Thanks Mom)- Also, to add to the celebration, I made a new recipe:
*pour 12 oz. Trader Joe's ABC (almonds, blueberries, cranberries) Trek Mix
*Add 1 lb. of Nestle Toll House Premium White Morsels
*Shake!
I (didn't) cry when O'Neil won the car for Sunshine on The Biggest Loser this week.
I really wanted the girl in pink to win, but I guess us blondie's can't always have all the fun.
We still have ants.
A trapped mouse woke me up at 4:30 Wednesday morning. After 30 minutes of hearing panic and scrambling out of him, he went silent, and I thought he was put out of his misery. Later that morning, Ian threw him away...alive and kickin'.
Don't report us for animal cruelty. This mouse is obviously demon -possessed if he can survive 4 hours in a deadly mouse trap.
We're doing you a favor.
My new recipe is SO GOOD!
Yesterday, in order to save a swipe, Ian ate free salad bar and bread for lunch. Then he used 2 swipes for dinner and brought home a gourmet CIA dinner for me! Isn't that sweet? He saved a swipe for me!
Then, Ian came home from school today, after enjoying a Free wine tasting.
That he didn't have to spit out.
I'm not jealous.
I like my new job. It's not exactly what I had in mind. But it's fun.
Driving over the Hudson River is a GORGEOUS $1 commute.
I always look forward to Sundays.
And Tuesdays for Biggest Loser and Parenthood.
Car insurance is super cheap in New York.
I didn't need to get a food handler's card to work at Starbucks.
I can't decide if that's a good thing or a bad thing.
Today, a customer asked me if you need a college degree to work at Starbucks.
I can't decide if that's a good thing or a bad thing.
There is a siren that goes off everyday that I can hear from our house. Am I supposed to run for the hills?
No one has been able to answer that question for me yet.
When I was behind a school bus driving down Route 9G, I watched a high schooler shoo her peacock away as she boarded the bus.
I know, right?
Last night, I put Tide Washer Cleaner (NOT detergent) in our previously owned washing machine. It smelled heavenly. For a minute, I stood at the open washer...just taking it all in.
There is the BIGGEST Great Dane that lives down the street from us. We look every time we go by to see if he's in the yard. Just to get a look. We've also named him Princess. We LOVE him.
I'm glad Princess has an invisible fence.
We need milk.
Now that we've both been schooled on the importance of sustainability, (me in a soil conservation class at UW, and him in a gastronomy class at culinary school,) we're thinking raising a farm in Europe is lookin' pretty good these days.
In all seriousness, God has blessed me this week with a new level of perspective. I won't have health insurance for another 83 days, but He has kept me healthy and not in any need of a doctor since well before our wedding. We are both healthy, Ian is LOVING school. We aren't earning a comfortable amount of money yet, but we also haven't run out either. We appreciate your prayers and ask that you keep em' comin'. But also know that we are okay. (moms) Know that this is an amazingly hard time for us, but we have eachother, we have our faith and we continue to encourage eachother in our (exciting/crappy) endeavours. And really, this could be worse.
We've definitely both been sheltered up until now, but we are growing and learning each day. Proverbs 13:12 says that "Hope deferred makes the heart sick." Isn't that the truth? These measly 7 weeks have created a future and dreams that Ian and I both can be excited about together. The next 3 years (minus 6 weeks!) aren't going to be easy, and we really don't know where they will take us, but we know that they aren't forever. I really don't want to know where we are going to be after culinary school. Any expectation would elicit a count down, and I really want to enjoy our time here in the Hudson Valley. I have a hope that they will be with an all knowing, gracious, loving and forgiving God.
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