Today, She Is Silent!

My girl is taking the Vow of Silence today... standing in silent solidarity with many young people around the world to raise awareness for children who are denied a voice. I. Am. So. Proud. Of. Her!

I think this is going to be one of the hardest things she has ever done to date! Believe me when I say that she was *born talking*! ;-) 

She is lending her voice to these children...

:: 300 MILLION children under the age of FIVE live in areas affected by armed conflict.

:: 121 MILLION children worldwide are NOT RECEIVING a formal education, more than half of them are girls.

:: 215 MILLION children are FORCED to work as child labourers.

:: ONE in THREE children in developing countries are malnourished suffering UP TO 160 DAYS of illness each year.

Because family and friends have given so generously, to date she has raised over 175% of her fundraising goal. Thank you so much!!!

On reading the statistics above, if you have been moved by the plight of these children and are looking for a way to become more involved in making a difference... {especially during this Advent season as we prepare to celebrate Christmas}, please check out the ministry of Compassion International. To be a part in releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name, sponsor a child with Compassion today!

I am blessed. I can bless. A life contemplating the blessings of Christ becomes a life acting the love of Christ. ~ Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts.

Give the gift of HOPE this Christmas. Be a blessing to a needy child today.

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I promise you will be blessed!

Unwrapping more of His love in this world.

Act justly.  Love mercy.  Walk humbly with God!

Let Every Heart...

... prepare Him room!

~ Joy To The World, by hymn-writer Isaac Watts, 1719.

Advent --- a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of Christmas. It's here!

How will you expectantly wait?
How will you prepare?
How will you celebrate?

In celebration, this is how our family will celebrate this year! Will you join us... in doing Christmas radically?

In preparation, I am reading through Advent Devotionals from BibleGateway... delivered to my email inbox every morning. I love it! This is part of what I read this morning...

The essence of being a Christian is placing all our hope in God, knowing we can trust him to fulfill all his promises --- even the ones that haven't been fulfilled yet. We are willing to wait, trusting that "God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true." (Psalm 18:30)

~ from Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room by Nancy Guthrie.

In expectation, I am continuing to count grace-gifts... expecting this, more of this... on this season of Advent and throughout Christmas as our family seeks to unwrap more of His love in this world by living out Micah 6:8...

Use me then, my Savior,
    for whatever purposes,
    and in whatever way you may require.
Here is my poor heart, an empty vessel;
    fill it with your grace.

~ a quote by D.L. Moody, God In The Moment desk calendar by Ann Voskamp.

#1134 - #1143 of grace-gifts... blessings that overflow... gifts that keep on giving...

:: My boy's class jumping in to pack shoeboxes at the last minute, and...
:: Resulting in 19 more gift-filled shoeboxes!!!
:: Delivering over 180 shoeboxes to the Collection Centre!
:: Attending volunteer appreciation night at Habitat Toronto.
:: Firming up plans for a Christmas outreach at UrbanPromise!
:: Putting up our Christmas tree and decorations!
:: Like-minded church leaders who are passionate about being compassionate.
:: An awesome church family!
:: Wonderful time of worship and communion...
:: The start of this Advent season...

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Jump in... I promise you will be blessed!

Unwrapping more of His love in this world.

Act justly.  Love mercy.  Walk humbly with God!

One Month to Christmas...

It's exactly one month to Christmas, folks! Wow... how exactly did that happen? How'd it come so very quickly already?!?

As I start to reflect on Christmas... this year, like many previous ones... our family is determined to have a simple Christmas. One which focuses on its true meaning... not harried, not consumed by the *hustle and bustle* of the season. But... this year, unlike the many previous ones... I sense change... because our family has been changed.... hearts broken for the things that break God's heart!

And, I have a feeling that this change will be reflected in how we celebrate Christmas this year. For starters, my kids said they didn't want anything for themselves this Christmas. Wow! I am truly One. Proud. Mama! Instead, they asked their aunts {my sisters} to contribute towards this:

{Please pause the Playlist on the sidebar of this blog as you watch the video.}


Can we do it? Can we successfully fight *that middle ground* which is always pulling us to just go with the flow and do what everyone does... after all, it's just *normal*... right?

Today, my thoughts go back to this quote by Ann Voskamp...

The world, your community... even your family — they are going to try to push you back to the middle. North America feels pretty comfortable in the middle. Balance, everyone says. I don’t know what Jesus is going to say to you... How He might direct your life now… just don’t assume He wants you to live in the middle. Be open to the possibility… Of something radically different.

In light of these thoughts... today, I'm making a list... a radically different list, and checking it twice! ;-)

First off... our family will be giving gifts that will keep on giving and we will be shopping the Compassion Canada Gifts of Compassion catalogue and fair trade stores. 

We're also involving our family in a few activities which address social needs both locally and globally through Christian organizations whose mission/vision is to provide help and give hope to those who are marginalized.

To name a few of those activities...
:: Packing Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, of course!
:: Packing hygiene kits for homeless youth, via Yonge Street Mission.
:: Making and serving dinner to the homeless, with Out of the Cold.
:: A toy drive for UrbanPromise Toronto's Camp Freedom, and
:: Volunteering at their Christmas Party.

My thoughts have been filled with the truth from Isaiah 58 lately. It really is a recipe of how we, as Christ-followers, should live!

Let me close with words writen by Ann Voskamp, in her book One Thousand Gifts {Chapter 10, Empty to Fill, pages 196-197}... about the words written by the prophet Isaiah:

Feed the hungry,
    and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
    and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
The LORD will guide you continually,
    giving you water when you are dry
    and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
    like an ever-flowing spring. (Isaiah 58:10-11)

It's the fundamental, lavish, radical nature of the upside-down economy of God.

Empty to fill.

While the Deceiver jockeys to dupe us into thinking otherwise, we who are made in the image of God, being formed into Christ's likeness, our happiness comes, too, not in the having but in the handing over. Give your life away in exchange for many lives, give away your blessings to multiply blessings, give away so that many might increase, and do it all for the love of God. I can bless, pour out, be broken and given in our home and the larger world and never fear that there won't be enough to give.

Spend the whole of your one wild and beautiful life investing in many lives, and God simply will not be outdone. God extravagantly pays back everything we give away and exactly in the currency that is not of this world but the one we yearn for: Joy in Him.

Inspired?
Come join us!
Let's do Christmas radically!!!

I have a feeling that this year... when our family sings "Joy to the World, the Lord is come!" it will be packed with a lot more meaning... all because of the "wonders of His love" becoming even more real to us this year. Grace, pure grace!

It's a Merry Christmas... all because LOVE came down, LOVE was born!

Unwrapping more of His love in this world.

Act justly.  Love mercy.  Walk humbly with God!

Shoebox Packing Party!!!

This past weekend was the Shoebox Packing Party at our house!!! We had so much fun hanging out with family and friends... and making a difference at the same time! This has got to be our family's most favourite leading-up-to-Christmas tradition!!!

Folding boxes on Canadian Thanksgiving Day.

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:

to loose the chains of injustice 

and untie the cords of the yoke, 

to set the oppressed free 

and break every yoke?

Is it not to share your food with the hungry 

and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter —

First round of packing... just our family alone.

when you see the naked, to clothe him, 

and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Then your light will break forth like the dawn, 

and your healing will quickly appear;

then your righteousness will go before you, 

and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; 

you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

First round of packing --- all done!!!

If you do away with the yoke of oppression, 

with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

Second round of packing... so much fun!!!

and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry 

and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,

then your light will rise in the darkness, 

and your night will become like the noonday.

The LORD will guide you always; 

he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land 

and will strengthen your frame.

Third round of packing begins!!!

You will be like a well-watered garden, 

like a spring whose waters never fail.

Writing notes to shoebox recipients.

Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins 

and will raise up the age-old foundations;

Folding more boxes --- we ran out!!!

you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, 

Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

~ Isaiah 58:6-12 (NIV 1984)

All done --- 165 gift-filled shoeboxes on their way to make children happy!!!

Unwrapping more of His love in this world.

Act justly.  Love mercy.  Walk humbly with God!

Because He Gives Good Gifts...

Recounting... naming them one by one... for He gives good gifts! And this...

Humbly let go. Let go of trying to do, let go of trying to control... let go of my own way, let go of my own fears. Let God blow His wind, His trials, oxygen for joy's fire. Leave the hand open and be. Be at peace. Bend the knee and be small and let God give what God chooses to give because He only gives love, and whisper surprised thanks. This is the fuel for joy's flame.
~ Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts.

This learning to trust... it's a daily lesson... it's a lesson learned only by letting go. This week has been a lot of letting go and seeing God work out details... and truly seeing that He only gives love.

#1116 - #1133 of grace-gifts that keeps on giving...

:: My girl's excellent interim report card.
:: My boy's excellent progress report.
:: Getting to know a couple, Toronto City Mission community workers.
:: My girl's basketball team --- champs in their tier/division!
:: Good parent/teacher interview with my son's teacher.
:: Shopping for items to fill AIDS Care Kits for the MCC.
:: My girl guest blogging for Compassion Canada's The Loop... and,
:: Her having midnight inspiration resulting in this blog post, my fave so far!
:: Many things not coming together as I wish... yet knowing God is in the details.
:: 165 shoeboxes packed at our Shoebox Packing Party over the weekend.
:: A friend unexpectedly taking two of my Compassion child packs to consider!
:: My first time heading up AIDS Care Kits collection at our church... and,
:: It going incredibly smoothly despite my fretting. :-)
:: My girl playing keys on the worship band for the first time at our church!
:: Finding out that I have to resend 3 weeks' worth of email! :0
:: Our teaching pastor's message from yesterday...

God empowers us to grow, but we must do the work.
God supplies the energy – we supply the labour.
God is our trainer – we fight the fight.
God pays for our gas – we do the driving.

:: His sustaining grace... when I am worn out.
:: Fresh starts... His mercies are new every morning!

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Jump in... I promise you will be blessed!

Unwrapping more of His love in this world.

Act justly.  Love mercy.  Walk humbly with God!

National Philanthropy Day

Today is National Philanthropy Day. Let's band together to make a difference. Together, we can eradicate extreme poverty and make the world a better place. May we all learn to live simply... so that we can give generously.

Here are some quotes to fuel your thoughts:

Live simply so others may simply live. ~ Mother Teresa

Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back — given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. ~ Luke 6:38, The Message

No one has ever become poor by giving. ~ Anne Frank

As the purse is emptied, the heart is filled. ~ Victor Hugo

I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. ~ Mahatma Gandhi

The proper aim of giving is to put the recipients in a state where they no longer need our gifts. ~ C.S. Lewis

And, very fitting words today on Ann Voskamp's blog, A Holy Experience.

Model all that matters, the Beautiful, a life like Christ’s — and imitate Christ’s joy — the way He gives.

The way to happiness and healing is always in the opening of a hand.

— the opening a life to the largeness of God.

~ Ann Voskamp

Will you join in?

To live simply...

And give generously?

Our family supports... 

• Compassion Canada
• UrbanPromise Toronto
• Operation Christmas Child
• Samaritan's Purse
• Habitat for Humanity Toronto

... just to name a few. There are many, many, many worthwhile causes out there today. Choose one, maybe even choose a few... get involved, our world's extreme poor need you... make a difference today!

Unwrapping more of His love in this world.

Act justly.  Love mercy.  Walk humbly with God!

Oh, How He Loves...

I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. ~ Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)

An everlasting love... I get choked up when I really think about what those words truly mean. Just this past week, hubby and I were talking about how truly, truly, truly gracious our Heavenly Father is.

When we fall, He picks us up.
When we fail, He encourages.
When we struggle, He comforts.
When we are weak, He sustains.

With a heart forever grateful for His relentless love and His unending grace, this week's list of grace-gifts continues with #1106 - #1115, of blessings that overflow...

~ Writing to and encouraging our Compassion children.

~ Opportunity to learn more about the ministry of Toronto City Mission.

~ A time to reflect about our freedoms.

~ Both kids had an awesome time at White Noise, our church's fall youth retreat.

~ My boy's first time sleeping away from home!

~ A whole weekend to spend alone with hubby.

~ Dinner and catching up with a friend...
~ Thought-provoking conversations.

~ AIDS Care kits and cards starting to trickle in at church.

~ Compassion bloggers' stories from Ecuador.

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Jump in... I promise you will be blessed!

Unwrapping more of His love in this world.

Act justly.  Love mercy.  Walk humbly with God!

When Mornings Are Bright Again...

The end of daylight savings time is here... finally, 7AM is daylight again! It's become easier to wake up {again}... to be refreshed and renewed in His word and in His presence early each morning.

Frankly though, it wasn't just the increasing darkness of 7AM mornings that kept me comfortably snuggled in bed... since coming home from our missions immersion trip to the Philippines this past summer, it has been hard for me to live my *normal* knowing that this really isn't *normal* for the vast majority of the people in our world.

Staying comfortably snuggled in bed felt safe... at least my day didn't have to start yet... at least I don't have to be a part of this self-indulgent, North American lifestyle yet... at least I don't have to start fighting this middle ground yet.

Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

These past couple weeks have been reflective for me. What is God's plan for my new normal? How should my new every-days look like? Because one thing I know... my days can not look like how they were anymore... because after this past summer, we will never be the same again.

God is truly gracious to me... and patient, for which I am truly grateful. He is growing me one day at a time... this journey has not been an easy one... especially these past two months since coming back home to what once was our *normal*...

Because of Grace... with an attitude of gratitude for this new normal... it's become easier to wake up {again}... to truly live out Faith, Hope and Love.

The quiet song of gratitude, eucharisteo, lures humility out of the shadows because to receive a gift the knees must bend humble and the hand must lie vulnerably open and the will must bow to accept whatever the Giver chooses to give. ~ Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts

Yesterday at church, we were taught by Tony Campolo! What an awesome teacher and what an amazing message. I was very much encouraged... to continue fighting the good fight, to continue doing the good work, to continue to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with my God. 

If you have some time, I highly recommend that you watch/listen to his message. It is entitled "Love Changes Everything: Living with Passion to Change the World."

I've been challenged...

To risk more.
To reflect more.
To do more {things with lasting/eternal purpose}.

With that in mind, this week's 1000 Gifts list continues with #1091 - #1105... gifts of grace from our Heavenly Father, who is always good and who always loves!

~ Bright mornings! :-)
~ Living fully awake...
~ A new normal... and,
~ God's hand to hold as I navigate it.
~ Yet another one of my Compassion Child Packs has a sponsor!
~ Writing Christmas cards to all our Compassion children.
~ Refreshing time of sharing and learning at Home Church.
~ Meeting and chatting with leaders at UrbanPromise.
~ Coffee date and catching up with a friend.
~ A visit from my sister and her boys.
~ Saturday night dinner with old and new friends.
~ Tony Campolo's message.
~ Our church's response... to date, 966 Hope Child kids sponsored!
~ Our family's response... little Moses (see sidebar for his photo)!
~ Sunday afternoon nap...

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Jump in... I promise you will be blessed!

Unwrapping more of His love in this world.

Act justly.  Love mercy.  Walk humbly with God!

Our Hearts Broken...

... for the things that break God's heart.
Everything I am for Your kingdom's cause!
{Missions immersion trip to the Philippines - Summer 2011: A Slideshow}

We will never be the same... all because of God's grace!

Please pause the Playlist on the sidebar of this blog as you watch this video.

Music in the video is from Shaun Groves' newest album, Third World Symphony.

Would you also sponsor a child with Compassion International today?

Yes? Awesome! Please click here... a special child is waiting to call you friend!

Unwrapping more of His love in this world.

Act justly.  Love mercy.  Walk humbly with God!

Let It Rain... Let It Rain...

I am listening to Michael W. Smith worship tunes today as I work. Blasting out of the speakers right now is the song Let It Rain.

Let it rain, let it rain.
Open the floodgates of Heaven.

The Heavens proclaim His righteousness
And all peoples will see His Glory.

We want to see Your Glory, God!
Do you want to see His Glory?

Lift your voices, lift your hands!
Let it rain, let it rain.
Open the floodgates of Heaven.

Please pause the Playlist on the sidebar of this blog as you watch this video.


At the same time, this Twitter feed comes up:

I look up Malachi 3:9-11 and verse 10 says this:

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."

We want to see Your Glory, God!
Do you want to see His Glory?

Then we must "bring the whole tithe into the storehouse!"

Last week, Tony Campolo came to speak at our church. This Fall season, together as a faith community, we are aiming to pack 1000 AIDS Care Kits, collect 1000 AIDS Care Cards and sponsor 1000 World Vision children from Mposa, Malawi {pretty much all the children in that one village}!!!

All I can say is, "Wow, that is radical!"

Please pause the Playlist on the sidebar of this blog as you watch this video.

To watch Tony Campolo's message in its entirety, please click here.

Our family continues to be amazed, humbled and thankful that God has led us to be a part of a church family that is so passionate about being compassionate to those who are marginalized both locally and globally. It is truly a community of people living out the radical gospel of Jesus Christ!

And God is so gracious... despite my weaknesses, my fears, my selfish desires and my inadequacies. This Fall, He has graciously given me the opportunity to serve as the Volunteer Compassion Coordinator at the Uptown site of our church. It is a responsibility that I do not take lightly... I want to do this well, to be faithful.

There are still days when I ask, "Why me, God?" At the same time, I am challenged... I am full of anticipation... full of excitement... for how God will use me in this role, for what He will enable us to accomplish as a community of faith.

Lead me, Lord. I will follow... let it rain, let it rain!

Click on the banner below to read more Walk With Him posts every Wednesday...
I promise you will be blessed!

Unwrapping more of His love in this world.

Act justly.  Love mercy.  Walk humbly with God!