Monday, November 30, 2009

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Happy 2nd Birthday Brielle!


Today is Brielle's 2nd Birthday! What an amazing adventure these past two years have been, full of so many joys, surprises, and many testimonies to the grace and glory of God!
Our beautiful princess shines everyday and reminds us constantly how God's plans are so perfect, so much greater than our own! Every single day Will and I probably have at least one thought like, "would we ever have thought??" When we see our daughter sing and dance, chase after her brothers, or lavish us all with her hugs and kisses, we have to wonder how we could have ever imagined something so great. Many couples who have their last child say, "now we feel complete." I'm fairly certain we felt "complete" before Brielle came. Now we feel ABUNDANTLY BLESSED!
Thank you God for Brielle's life! Thank you for the person she is and that we are able to learn something new about her every day. Thank you for all she is teaching us!
Happy 2nd Birthday Brielle Jenae Jimenez!!!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Homeless Roadside Kits


Earlier I mentioned helping the homeless who stand on busy road intersections this time of year holding a sign asking for help. I thought it would be a good idea to get the kids involved in making bags for these people, considering we’ve had a few conversations about them when we’ve seen them and having sensed the awkwardness in our car. We are going to keep at least one in the car that way if we see someone who needs it we can give it to them.
I made just two of them and threw them in the car, "just in case." But we plan to package more in December with our church family. We will put the items in a plastic grocery bag, nothing fancy. We will include two general categories: non-perishable food and personal hygiene. The trick is getting the right things into the bag. "Compact" and "user-friendly" are the key. What I had on hand: canned chili with peal-top lid, tuna packet, granola bars, canned or bottled drinks, plastic spoon, paper bowl, peanut butter. Canned meat would be good too. Ideas for Hygiene: deodorant, wet wipes, soap, shampoo, (small packages of everything), tooth brush, toothpaste, floss, razor, shaving cream, comb or brush, lotion, cologne.
On my first two I wrote a simple note (that read, "Have hope! God will provide for you. He loves you", but we plan to include a verse of hope and encouragement as well. I explained to the kids about why we are making these and let them know that they can help come up with ideas too. Anyoneto pass them to the homeless. Who knows how it will go. But it’s a start!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

the Homeless

On one of my first few trips to New York City we went through Grand Central Station to get downtown to see Rockefeller Center and Times Square. It was New Years day and freezing cold like I've never known in my life. That is a whole story in itself that I'm not trying to tell right now. On our way back to New Jersey (where Will's family lives) we had to sit in Grand Central Station for awhile to wait for our train. It was there that I saw a man ask a lady for money because he was hungry. She gave him a $5 bill and a lecture about how she wanted to see him spend it on food. He walked to the McDonald's (in the station) and bought food. He came back and sat near her and she commended him for buying food with the money. At the fresh age of 20 I remember thinking, "what else would a hungry homeless person buy?" Surely food would rank above all else! Now I always wonder if I were to give a hungry homeless person money, what would they really spend it on? Not that I haven't done it despite not being able to know.
When the weather gets colder (or maybe it's because with the holidays approaching people are likely to be more giving) hungry homeless people stand on busy intersections in our city holding signs asking for food and help. It always feels awkward as the kids and I ponder what to do. Then, last night while I was reorganizing the food pantry (where I stock my rockin deals) it dawned on me! Why not make emergency food kits for the homeless? More to come on these and how we will package, arrange, and give them out.
But for now here are some pictures from our October Fall fun:


Wednesday, November 11, 2009

23 Days of Christmas

I feel like I just really need to post this. I have made a commitment for the month of December, but I feel myself talking myself out of it, due to the craziness of the approaching holidays. Not that anything has gotten crazy YET, I just feel it coming on. But I don't want it just to be like that...it should be about giving. Which is what I decided a month ago, when I felt God lay it on my heart to bless my neighbors this holiday season. Therefore, I have decided to give each of my neighbors a baked good each day in December. I have 23 neighbors, so I am starting the 1st and going through the 23. The 24th I will be busy cooking for my family. I'll let you all know how it goes, but I truly encourage you to do something similar. Maybe baking for just a few neighbors? Or, maybe God will call you to something entirely different, but just remember it's about the JOY of giving (or so I am reminding myself) not being overwhelmed by it!

Monday, November 9, 2009

New Commitment

I am making two new commitments to myself. I am sharing them with you because I feel if I share them, then I should probably *DO* them.
#1 update my blog weekly. facebook is really using up my free internet time, so I am going to switch over to blogging during that time. hopefully, it works out. i will continue to answer on FB, as it is sent to my email, but don't plan on reading everyone else's posts, at least not regularly.

the first three pictures were taken at Norfork Lake, Mtn Home, AR - Labor Day weekend

Teaching her to operate the vehicle:

commitment #2: no fighting. apparently we do this more than we realize, so hopefully we can cease fire.