#LIGHTtheWORLD

We have been loving the Church's Light the World initiative this December. We've been following along trying to do one kind act a day, mostly following the suggested theme for the day, but not always. We've mostly been doing small things, but towards the end of November I sat down and made some plans for a few things that would require planning. I invited some friends and it has been fun.
To kick off the month with the Worldwide Day of Service Rachel and Annie held a sock drive in their classes at school from Dec 1-7th. They were able to collect 163 pair of socks, or 326 socks total. It was pretty cool for them to be involved in that. We delivered the adult sizes to a group that helps homeless people, and the smaller sizes that they wouldn't use we dropped off at AVIVA, a group that helps place and care for foster kids.

We were also able to help sew up a few bags for the kids at AVIVA so they can put whatever clothing/toiletries they get in something more substantial than a garbage bag.


For mutual the Mia Maids that I work with at church brought together donations and made 20 sack lunches for men going through a work program for the homeless. The kids (minus Rachel who was at school) helped me deliver the lunches the next day.

We this again last week with some friends so our kids could help pack the lunches. It's nice to find a some service activities that the kids can participate in at their age.

I had suggested that we go caroling at a nursing home when I emailed my friends with my ideas for the month. One of my friends that is much more of a performer than I took over that task and arranged a whole talent show for the residents at a nursing home. It was pretty awesome. Rachel played What Child Is This? on the piano, Annie told a few jokes, and Ryan and Megan donned doggie ears and barked along to a doggie version of Jingle Bells along with some other little friends. There were other musical numbers, including piano, violin, guitar, singing, and a dancing number, and an awesome hula hoop number. We sang a few Christmas songs altogether, and left feeling great.

That was the kids' highlight of all the #LIGHTtheWORLD activities we've done this month.

Other things we did include inviting a neighbor over for dinner, and taking cookies and thank you notes to the firefighters. I have loved all these ideas and the focus that has been in our house on finding ways to serve and thinking of others this Christmas season. It really has enriched the season and I think the kids have been focused a lot less on presents and themselves, and more on the reason for the Season.

Merry Christmas everyone!!