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FALL / HOLIDAY 2011
CONTENTS
Holiday pointe!rs
Leftover Turkey & Ham Creations. . . . . . . . . . . . 6 I’m Thankful For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Thanksgiving in Kuwait. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Celebrate an Organized Home Life . . . . . . . . . . 10 Christmas Traditions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Presents or Presence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Celebrating Christmas All Year Round. . . . . . . . 16 Christmas is for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Everyday pointe!rs
Simply Celebrate the Small Things. . . . . . . . . . . 24 In Style. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Seven Days to Celebrate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Special Occasion pointe!rs
Great Expectations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Celebrating Milestones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Always Celebrate Your Anniversary. . . . . . . . . . . Cupcake Craze. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
30 32 34 36
5 29 21
EDITORS
Lori Stephanoff Wanda Litchenberg Cindy Van Horn
ADVERTISING Susan Thomas
LAYOUT & DESIGN
Sherie LaPrade
To advertise, go to pointemag.com or contact pointe@northstarcolumbia.org
Pointe! magazine asked 250 women questions relating to our Fall / Holiday issue content. Look for their responses in the 'cupcakes' throughout the magazine!
CHRISTIAN CENTER
Pointing The Way To Jesus
pointe! magazine northstar christian center 711 longtown road · columbia, sc 803.736.9250 · www.pointemag.com
simply celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, babies – these are just a few of the occasions we celebrate each year. What do you enjoy most about celebrations? The anticipation, planning, finding the perfect gift, making it a surprise, creating a special atmosphere, or simply being together? This edition’s theme, Simply Celebrate, perhaps seems obvious given the holiday season we’re entering. Christmas truly is one of our absolute favorite times of the year. We celebrate the most significant, historychanging birth of Jesus Christ, the one who came so we can have not only eternal life with God in heaven, but also enjoy life to the fullest here and now. Since celebrating is such a natural part of a fulfilling life, our team wanted to go further. So, we asked: “How do you make celebration a way of life?” Perhaps it’s simply a matter of perspective, seeing life’s normal events in a new way. Consider the last time you paused to take in a beautiful sunrise (or sunset) or listen to the sound of rain falling; treasured a friend’s hug, your child’s laugh, or holding a loved ones’ hand; did a happy dance because someone else changed the toilet paper roll or put the seat down; or thought that having dirty dishes and clothes to wash really is a blessing because they’re proof there’s life in your home. You get the idea. By deciding to see beyond the circumstances at hand to the greater possibilities, you’re choosing to celebrate. This season, we bless you with eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to understand that your life is worth celebrating, beyond mental assent to believing deep down with your whole heart that you are precious and your presence, priceless. With a heart of joyful celebration,
Brian & Susan Thomas Brian & Susan Thomas
pointe! magazine brings together the best of what women want and need – body, soul, and spirit. We are able to offer pointe! as a free publication because of our advertisers. Please support these businesses!
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Ham & Cheese Quiche
Leftover
Turkey & Ham Creations
Jambalaya 2 2 2 ½ 1 ¼ 3 1 ½ 2 2 1 1
cups diced boiled ham medium onions, coarsely chopped stalks celery, sliced green bell pepper, seeded and diced can whole tomatoes (28 oz) cup tomato paste cloves garlic, minced tablespoon minced parsley teaspoon dried thyme leaves whole cloves tablespoon salad oil cup uncooked long-grain converted rice pound fresh or frozen shrimp, shelled and deveined
1. Thoroughly mix all ingredients except shrimp in crock pot. 2. Cover and cook on LOW 8 to 10 hours. 3. One hour before serving, turn crock pot to HIGH. Stir in uncooked shrimp. Cover and cook until shrimp are pink and tender.
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5-6 ounces ham, diced 4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded 3 eggs ¾ cup heavy cream ⅛ teaspoon pepper 1 tablespoon chives or green onion, minced 1. Arrange ham and cheese in a large, greased pie plate. 2. Beat eggs, cream, pepper and chives well; pour over ham. 3. Bake at 350º for 35 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.
Ham and Swiss Loaded Potatoes 4 1 1 ½ ½ ¼
baking potatoes (about 1 ½ pounds) cup diced ham (about 6 ounces) cup (4 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese, divided cup thinly sliced green onions, divided cup sour cream teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1. Pierce potatoes with a fork; arrange in a circle on paper towels in microwave oven. Microwave at high 16 minutes or until done, rearranging potatoes after 8 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes. 2. Preheat broiler. 3. Cut each potato in half lengthwise; scoop out pulp, leaving a ¼-inch-thick shell. Combine potato pulp, ham, ½ cup cheese, ⅓ cup green onions, sour cream, and pepper. 4. Spoon the potato mixture into shells. Combine ½ cup cheese and remaining green onions, and sprinkle over potatoes. 5. Place potatoes on baking sheet; broil 4 minutes or until golden.
Turkey & Mashed Potato Croquettes cups finely minced leftover turkey cup leftover seasoned mashed potatoes tablespoon finely chopped parsley teaspoon black pepper
SAUCE 2 tablespoons melted 6 green onions, thinly sliced 1 clove minced garlic (optional) 4 tablespoons flour ¼ cup chicken broth ¼ cup milk ½ teaspoon salt COATING ½ cup flour 2 large eggs, beaten 2 cups bread crumbs 1. In a bowl combine the turkey, mashed potatoes, parsley, and black pepper. 2. Saute green onions in melted butter, then gradually add & stir the remaining “sauce” ingredients. Cook/stir for 2 minutes. 3. Combine the “sauce” with the turkey mixture, blending well. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. 4. Put ½ cup of flour in a plate. Beat eggs in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of water. Put the finely ground bread crumbs in another bowl. 5. Shape croquette mixture into 1½-inch balls. Roll gently in the flour to coat, then in the egg until coated. Coat with the bread crumbs. 6. Let the croquettes stand for about 30-45 minutes to dry a bit. 7. Fry the croquettes in small batches for about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. 8. Makes about 16 to 18 1 1/2-inch croquettes.
Open-Face Turkey Sandwich 4 slices cooked turkey 1 cup leftover gravy 4 slices bread
1. Heat up your gravy. 2. Place the turkey on the slice of bread, and then pour the warmed gravy (about a 1/4 cup) on top of it . 3. Serve, with a knife and fork, with leftover stuffing, or whatever you want. Enjoy.
Turkey Broccoli Quiche
1 9-inch pie shell, unbaked ¾ cup chopped fresh broccoli 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion 1 tablespoon butter ¾ cup chopped cooked turkey ½ cup shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese 3 eggs 1¼ cups half-and-half 1 teaspoon curry powder ½ teaspoon salt
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2 1 1 ¼
1. In a large skillet over medium-low heat, cook broccoli and onion, stirring frequently, until tender. Drain. 2. Sprinkle broccoli and onion, turkey, and cheese into prepared pie shell. 3. In a medium bowl, beat eggs slightly; beat in half-and-half, curry powder, and salt. Pour egg mixture over turkey and broccoli mixture. 4. Bake at 425° for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 325° continue baking for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.
Turkey and Stuffing Bake 1 stick of butter 1¼ cups boiling water 3½ cups seasoned stuffing crumbs 1 can (2.8 oz.) French fried onions 1 can cream of celery soup ¾ cup milk 1½ cups turkey, cubed and cooked 1 package (10 oz.) frozen peas, thawed
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. Combine butter and water, stir until butter melts. Pour over stuffing and toss. Stir in ½ can French fried onions and spoon into 9 inch pie dish. Press stuffing across bottom and up sides of dish to form a shell. 3. Combine soup, milk, turkey and peas; pour into stuffing shell. 4. Bake covered 30 minutes. 5. Top with remaining onions; bake uncovered for 5 minutes.
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I'm
Thankful for...
—E. Otto Tilley
THANKS + GIVING - two great words that go great together! Over the years, Thanksgiving has become characterized by a huge spread of delicious foods on a large table with family and friends gathered to feast. For some, it’s an exciting preamble to the Christmas shopping season. For others, it’s the superbowl of cooking events, a time to dig out those tried-and-true recipes that are saved for and savored on special occasions. Like so many other things in life, we tend to go into Thanksgiving a hundred miles an hour. There’s the shopping, the preparation, the invitations, the coordinating with family members who have their own families now, and of course...the cooking. In a wild commotion of ladles, pots, pans, and bowls, the meal is prepared and carefully laid out for presentation only to be devoured in a flying fury of knives, forks, spoons and elbows. Oh, I love the holiday of Fast-eating. Wait a minute, that’s not what it’s called. It’s... umm...oh yeah...Thanksgiving. My favorite family tradition at Thanksgiving is to go around the table and have everyone name something for which they are thankful. It’s amazing to feel the atmosphere change as everyone begins to slow down and really think about what matters. The person who goes first is at an unfair disadvantage because they have to “break the ice” under the pressure of having all eyes on them; they usually redeem themselves by having the last word and naming something a bit deeper for them than their “ice breaker” answer. Without fail, the thankfulness begins to center on those things
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in our lives that transcend possessions and occupations. It’s the relationships that we are surrounded by every day but that we seldom really see. You’ve heard the old saying, “You never know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.” For our family, this Thanksgiving will be different. This year, there will be an empty chair at the table. That chair represents 80 years of working, providing and fighting for family. It represents the loss of a father, grandfather, and friend. He is dearly loved and he will be dearly missed, but all is not lost. If death reminds us of the brevity of our presence on earth, birth reminds us of the miracle of life. Next to the empty chair will be a high chair, and in that chair will be 80 years of possibilities — working, providing, and fighting for family — all packed into a little body bursting with life. Now our focus will be honoring the memories of 80 years of living by passing them on to the next generation. Instilling the morals, values, and traditions that have been established in our family by those who have gone before us is our charge. The first lesson for this little one? Always be thankful and maintain a giving heart.
My faith in God gave me confidence; I knew things would be okay, no matter what happened to me. My biggest concern was for my family. I did not want to leave them so soon. I already knew from experience how hard life can be without a father. My dad died when I was only 13. My girls weren’t even that old.
I left Carol and the girls for what was supposed to have been a two-week trip to provide training on a software package that would help the Kuwaitis manage parts and maintenance for the armored vehicles they had purchased from our company. On August 2, Iraq invaded Kuwait and locked down the country. The airport was bombed, roadblocks were set up, and all communications were cut off; three of us from the company were trapped, along with thousands of other non-Kuwaitis who were working in that nation.
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It was 1990. I was heading to Kuwait on a business trip. Kuwait, 1990. Do you remember?
Thanksgiving 1990. A local Kuwaiti, who had befriended us, somehow managed to get us a turkey, a fresh turkey. It looked as scrawny as we did, but we received it gratefully. “Canadian Bob” took on the task of plucking and cleaning it. Phil and I, the bakers, made fresh bread and pumpkin pies. As we all gathered around for this special feast, the guys looked at me and asked me to say grace. I was so honored, and felt their respect for my faith for the first time. It was about two weeks later when we received the news that Saddam was letting us all leave the country. I suppose that was the most memorable Thanksgiving in my life, the one where I was in a situation that made me realize my total dependence on God. God is good, and I am thankful for that…every day!
It was a frightful and harrowing experience. At the highest count, there were about 17 of us, including some “ex-pats” (ex-patriots from other countries who lived and worked in Kuwait), hiding out in a house. Over four months, our group had dwindled down to just seven of us. Early on, we managed to get one of our guys out due to a medical condition. He was evacuated on a flight with Jesse Jackson. The third-world workers were allowed to leave first, then the women and children. Two more guys were able to leave because they were from Malta. We were down to two Brits, a woman from India (married to one of the Brits), an Irishman, a Canadian, and two Americans. Our house had been ransacked once by Iraqi troops, but we still had a pretty good supply of food hidden in the attic. I had honed some of my old cooking skills by this time, and shared daily bread-making duties with one of the Brits. It was the end of November. We were still stuck in Kuwait, but we were still alive and healthy, albeit somewhat thinner. Nevertheless, we were all thankful to be alive, and hopeful that somehow we would be freed.
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Celebrate an organized
Home Life
this Fall
—Dr. Linda Karges-Bone
Charleston Southern University
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As the writer and host of a series of “parenting minutes” heard on the radio, I’m often surprised by what provokes listeners. It is not the “heavy” stuff related to morals or medical concerns that kindle a reaction. Rather, the practical ideas about home and family seem to matter most.
Celebrate the shortened days and subsequent time change with a natural “pause button” in the rhythm of family life and take care of details and duties that can easily be overlooked. These ten tasks can help you to “fall into a more organized home life.”
One
At the time change in fall and spring, run white vinegar through coffee and tea makers. Vinegar is a natural cleanser and you will be surprised at how much better your beverages taste when brewed in a fresh pot.
TWO
Take time to purge closets of sweaters, coats, and shoes. As the autumn temperatures plunge, homeless and less fortunate friends in the community require warm clothing, and may not be able to afford what they need. How many navy blazers or red ski jackets does one need? Drop by Goodwill, the Salvation Army, or a church outreach closet and exchange these treasures for a tax deductible receipt.
Three
The Autumn Equinox happens to intersect with the first grading period in K-12 schools and the dreaded “mid-term” reports in college. Parents can make a good assessment of their students’ progress at this benchmark in the academic year. Time for a tutor? Is your child placed in the appropriately challenging set of courses? Too many distracting activities or friends interfering with progress?
Four
Clean out the attic. It is finally cool enough to brave the eaves and closets upstairs. In the same spirit as task two, look for items that might be useful to those in need and go ahead and pull holiday decorating boxes to the front for upcoming holidays.
Five
Swap closets. Many folks keep winter clothes in a separate closet or set of boxes during the summer. Time to pull those winter garments out and put the summer things away.
Six
Check out your fireplace, furnace, and filters. These three F’s of fending off winter chills are best attended to before the bitter winds blow. While filter-changing can be done by most sensible adults, a good inspection of fireplace, chimney, and furnace is the domain of an expert.
Seven
Plant bulbs now for beauty later. The first chill of autumn is a signal to begin scouring the aisles of the nursery and home improvement store for the best bulbs. One of the most meaningful experiences in the outdoor memories of my children came when they chose and planted daffodil and tulip bulbs in the autumn and then observed in sheer amazement when the flowers popped up in March.
Eight
Take down curtains and blinds if you can and give them a good cleaning. Air conditioning is marvelous, but it keeps the house closed up and dust finds a natural nesting place in fabrics and crevices. With so many children suffering from allergies, this kind of home maintenance is almost a prescription.
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Recently, I heard from a slew of folks who wanted more information about research showing a relationship between neat, organized homes and kids who performed better in school. Why is clutter so distracting and even harmful? Perhaps because homemaking is about more than cleanliness. It is the creation of a setting for living, learning, playing, and spiritual formation.
Nine
Purge magazines and paperbacks that have piled up through the year. Ask the local hospital, school, assisted living home or library if they would like your literary treasures.
Ten
Make a family calendar for holiday activities. Believe it or not, the winter holidays are just six to eight weeks away. If you want good seats for a special ballet or show or a babysitter for the night of your festive office party, now is the time to make reservations and phone calls.
With the exception of task number three, these little duties are hardly the stuff of life-changing magnitude. Why do they matter? As I go about them, they give me a chance to pause and enjoy my home and to deconstruct some of the clutter that presses in mercilessly. It is as much a mental process as a physical one. Research suggests that clean and organized homes offer children a respite from the clutter and messiness of the world. Will it produce a higher SAT score or an honor roll report card? Maybe. Maybe not. But at least your coffee will taste better when you get up on a brisk autumn morning. Best of all, you’re not in this alone. “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7) Controlling the clutter in our homes allows us to focus on our tasks and on God’s plans for our families. And that is something to celebrate!
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Traditions
CHRISTMAS
that bring memories year after year
—Keith and Angie Brown
Many years ago, we decided to look for a unique Christmas tradition that fit us. Oh, we tried the little elf hiding in different places. And then we tried the 'Find the Pickle' Ornament. Both were fun, but not quite what we were looking for to make fond memories each year. We finally put our heads together as a family and came up with two fun and very inexpensive traditions. Since we put up two Christmas trees, one upstairs in the game room and one downstairs in the den, we decided to make each tree unique and special in its own way. Our Theme Tree: Each year, all of the members of the family are responsible for finding a small ornament that represents the personality of the other family members. The themes or ornaments change a little each year as children grow and develop new interests. Since our family was into sports, our upstairs tree became known as the “Sport Tree.” I made a tree topper that had a basketball, football, golf club head, tennis ball, volleyball, golf ball, a badminton birdie and a glove to adorn it. We had balls and bats and sports figurines all over the tree. Now, we have ornaments representing our favorite teams: the Clemson Tigers, the Carolina Gamecocks, the Carolina Panthers, and the Atlanta Braves. We each had our own kinds of fun things, too. Our daughter Jessica’s favorites are Gone with the Wind and I Love Lucy. Brandon, our son, prefers sports and chocolate. Angie’s delights are teacups and the Peanuts characters. I love teacher and coach ornaments and The Andy Griffith Show. Every year as we decorate, we set out snacks on the coffee table, put one of our favorite Christmas movies in the DVD player and fondly remember who gave what to the rest of the family. Our Memory Tree: For the downstairs tree, we do things a little differently. As we travel around the country on vacations or sport outings, we always bring back an ornament from those venues or cities. Then, when we decorate the tree, we recount the events and special moments of the trip. “Do you remember that time we traveled to Boston and to the JFK Presidential Library...to Jamaica on vacation…to New York to see a Broadway play and tour Times Square?” We talk about the Christmas season weekend we spent at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC…the Liberty Bell ornament we got in Philadelphia… the trip up the California coastline that took us to San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco…and the ornament from Bermuda reminds us of when we took the kids on their first cruise. Over the last few years, we have incorporated the pictures of family and friends that come as Christmas cards each year. Those are clipped on the tree with a clothespin that has been painted a shiny metallic gold. As new cards come in, we clip them right on top of the last year’s card and marvel at how a child has As a family tradition, grown or a family has multiplied with marriages and children. All throughout the Christmas season, we have a reason to gather for quality family time. We spend time together reflecting on the events of past years and being thankful for all of the blessings that God has given us.
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do you open one or more gifts on Christmas Eve?
Yes 72% No 28%
As I reflect, I ask myself, “What was really my favorite thing of Christmas? What made it so special? Why did I want it to last forever?” I realized it wasn’t the gifts; in fact, I can hardly remember what the gifts were. What made Christmas morning so special was having the whole family together — the joy and laughter, the ooh’s and aah’s of celebrating together.
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little elf and his eight flying reindeer to learning how to celebrate the gift of Christmas for a lifetime.
The busyness of life was put on pause and time stood still for a few hours as we savored each other’s presence. Carrying out family traditions of Christmas morning where everyone comes together for the same purpose is now a highlight of the entire year!
Presents or Presence?
The presents are fun and exciting, but they are temporary. Becoming intentional about being in each other’s presence on Christmas morning and throughout the year has become a high value of ours. The presents eventually fade away, but the memories of being together last a lifetime.
—Susan Weathers
Celebrating Christmas can be a daunting task at times. Schedules are already packed full with the normal day in, day out obligations. The thought of trying to create and pull off the “Norman Rockwell” or “Hallmark” type celebration can be overwhelming. We dream of experiencing all that is portrayed in magazines or of waking up Christmas morning to the dream house in Miracle on 34th Street. I remember those amazing Christmas mornings as a little girl. I walked downstairs and somehow the living room with the simple Christmas tree had become a room where all my hopes and wishes came true. The awe, wonder and excitement took my breath away as I tried to savor each moment. Oh, how I wished it would never end! I wanted time to stand still so it would last forever! As I got older, the inevitable happened. You know what I mean. I was a bit disappointed at first. But when I realized that presents still appeared under the tree and our Christmas family time together happened just like always, I quickly got over it! The focus of Christmas began shifting from the once-a-year event, a jolly
Presents? $$$ Presence? Priceless
On the practical side, here are a few ways to keep the stress out of Christmas and the spirit of celebrating in the forefront. Shop year-round for Christmas gifts. Take advantage of end of the season clearance sales for savings of 80% or more. Upon returning home, immediately box and label the gift. Gather ideas throughout the year for the upcoming Christmas season. Before packing your Christmas decorations away, take pictures of the house. Then pack the decorations along with the picture. This makes next year’s decorating go quickly, especially if you have someone helping. Give them the box with the picture and they can recreate what you figured out the year before.
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Celebrating Christmas All Year Round!
—Karie Calhoun
Do you prefer to eat ham or turkey on Christmas?
Ham 37% Turkey 27% Both 25% Neither 11%
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I’ll never forget the Fall semester when one of my design students had to make up an assignment that she missed in school. We decided she would make her presentation at my house. However, it didn’t dawn on me until she rang the door bell that she was going to walk into my living room!! Oh, no! It was mid-October and I already had the Christmas tree up!
No matter how early, the reason behind the lights, glitter and decorations can be celebrated all year round! And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:8-14
Start by Sharing the Good News
Just like the angel did that night so many years ago! Perhaps this Christmas season, the hearts and minds of those around us may be more responsive to hearing the good news of Jesus Christ, the Hope of Glory!
Take Time to Praise Him
After the angel made the announcement to the shepherds, the rest of the angelic host could not hold back. They opened their mouths and began to exclaim their excitement about what was unfolding. They praised God! Try praising through music. One of my all time favorites is O Praise Him by David Crowder Band.
Seek Jesus Christ
The Wise Men were on a mission to find baby Jesus and followed the star in search of Him. The journey was long and weary; however they did not give up because they were determined to find their King. Jeremiah 29:13-14 tells us, “ You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” During this time of year, it is easy to be distracted with the hustle and bustle of the season. You have to make up your mind to seek Him just as the Wise Men did. And just as God led the Wise Men with the star, He will lead you, too, right to Him! Whatever your circumstances may be this Christmas, He truly does care for you and He wants you to cast all your burdens, finances, and fears on Him!
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What in the world was she going to think? After all, I am sure she had great expectations from her Interior Design Instructor. I’ll probably never know what she truly thought about my early preparation for a season that was still two months away. However, I do know from our conversation and her presentation that she was comfortable and peaceful.
Worship Jesus & Give Gifts
When the Wise Men finally arrived at the stable, they immediately fell to their knees and worshiped Jesus and gave Him gifts. One thing that pleases God is our worship. Did you know you can worship Him with your treasures, time, talents, heart, soul, mind and obedience? Worship God this Christmas by obeying Him and giving Him the best gift that you have to offer – your life!
I often tease myself (my friends do, too) about my love for decorating the house for Christmas so early. What makes this time of year so special to me that I simply cannot wait to start celebrating? Many years ago I gave my heart and life to the One whose birth we celebrate, Jesus the Christ who came to save us from our sins. Jesus is more than enough for me, and I am going to share Him with those around me, all year round!
Bless Others
After praising God for who He is, the angels spoke a wonderful blessing of peace and good will to those on earth. You can bring life to a broken spirit with just a simple word or phrase. Proverbs 18:21 tells us that “The tongue has the power of life and death.” Ask the Lord to give you words to speak as you encounter friends, family and strangers this Christmas and all year long. These blessings you speak will not cost you financially but may be worth a million dollars to the recipient.
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Let your child help with decorating their own personal tree for their bedroom. It doesn’t have to be big, any size tree will bring BIG BIG smiles!
Add festive sheets to their bed along with decorative toss pillows and a blanket!
Place a few new Christmas books (and old favorites!) on their night stand for bedtime reading. Hang some garland around their mirror and/or a wreath on their bedroom or closet door!
Christmas IS for Children
String brightly colored lights around the inside of their bedroom window, closet or mirror.
This Christmas, decorate your child's room!
Give personalized style to your child’s space by allowing them to participate in the decorating fun!
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Simplythe Celebrate the Small Small Things Things You’ve heard the phrase, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” This holiday season, let’s pause and 'simply celebrate' the small stuff. During what can be a hectic time of year, it’s nice to be reminded about the importance of appreciating the little joys that happen in your life. Simple, everyday moments we may take for granted can be all you need to help enjoy the bigger picture. Take, for instance, a long check-out line at a store. You’re impatient because you were supposed to be somewhere else five minutes ago; then, out of the blue, the person in front of you, a stranger, turns and offers to let you go first. Trust me, it does happen. Someone graciously offered that one-step-closer spot to me, and since then I’ve offered this same tiny gift. Some refer to it as paying-it-forward and others as one good deed deserves another. Either way, I learned from receiving the gift how great it is; and by giving it, I’ve discovered even more. The look of amazement and slow smile that stretches across your fellow shopper’s face is worth any additional wait. What about a celebration moment while driving? Have you ever been in a crummy mood only to have a song come on the radio that changes your whole perspective? A song you haven’t heard in years? Suddenly, the grey skies don’t seem so gloomy
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—Stacy E. Domingo
and the wind outside not as cold. Maybe the song reminds you of someone important in your life that you miss seeing, or a family member who has passed away. Treasured memories of a loved one can warm you better than any winter coat. Living in the South, a real treat is the occasional snow. It’s amazing how much joy a rare dusting of snow will bring! During our last snowfall, we allowed our young children to stay awake as long as they could. We figured college would come sooner than another snow! Around midnight, I overheard our birthday girl (who was turning five the same day it snowed) whisper a prayer as she stared dreamily out her bedroom window. “God, this is the best day I never had.” I recognized the moment and knew it was something I would carry with me forever. So, remember to look for joy in the midst of busyness this holiday season. Whether it’s purchasing everything you need for Thanksgiving dinner in only one shopping trip or getting home before a winter storm…it’s okay to appreciate the small stuff and simply celebrate.
—Brooks Hearn Whether you're heading to a wedding, party, or special event this fall or Christmas season, you can make a few key pieces go a long way.
No matter the outfit, jewelry and accessories can take a closet mainstay from ordinary to fabulous. If you have several events on your social calendar but a limited wardrobe, pair the same black dress with a different pair of shoes or belt to create an altogether different look. Belts are still big for the fall and winter season and come in a variety of styles and colors. Try a wide or embellished belt to add punch to an outfit.
EVERYDAY
High-waisted pants will be seen everywhere for fall and winter. No, these are not the dreaded "mom jeans!" Worn correctly, high-waisted pants can elongate the body. Flared or wide-legged high-waisted pants can balance wider hips. Petite ladies can tailor pants or add heels or wedges. This silhouette appears in a variety of fabrics, from denim to wool. Wear dark-wash, high-waisted jeans with a bright printed top and heels for a dressy casual look, or tuck a dressy blouse into black or high-waisted pants. Add layered necklaces or bangles to complete the festive look.
A sophisticated jacket is a great option for chilly nights. Look for fun fabrics like tweed or velvet, patterns, or details such as interesting pleats, collars, or buttons. As you've heard before, shoes can make or break an outfit! The right shoes can dress up your attire or pull a look together. When selecting your shoes for an event, consider what you will be doing (dancing, sitting, or standing) and the surface on which you will be walking. Do not try to break in a pair of stilettos at a party where you will be expected to stand or dance all night. If you are attending a party at someone's home, be conscious of their flooring and avoid wearing shoes that will leave marks or indentations. Also, don't forget the soles of your shoes! Many shoe stores and retailers sell non-slip pads to increase traction. Complete your festive look with a handbag or clutch and remember to throw in some mints or gum, blotting sheets, lip gloss, and a camera!
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Favorite plans for your birthday
Go out to dinner 47% Party with friends 20% Day Trip 16% Day-off work 9%
—Katrina Spigner
seven days to celebrate CELEBRATION is defined as “making widely known a day or event with ceremonies of festivity or rejoicing.” On our birthdays, my girlfriends and I have made it our tradition to get together for dinner. For us, these times are not just about having a good meal. This is our time just to be girls, just to be friends…just to be. We put on hold the tasks associated with being wife, mommy, career woman, sister, daughter, and every other role that life demands. This gathering is our time to let down our hair, to let down our guard, and anything else that needs to come down. We give ourselves permission to cast our cares aside and to tap into that part of us that longs to enjoy and to be enjoyed. In essence, we come together with one intention and for one purpose only and that is to celebrate. Therefore, our times together are filled with a mixture of lighthearted conversation, heartfelt sharing, information exchange, and most of all, frequent outbursts of robust laughter. On many occasions, I have laughed so hard my abdominal muscles were sore the next day. Without fail, we always leave our “girl time” saying to each other, “We really should do this more often.” My question today is, “What is stopping us?” Too often, we wait for birthdays, holidays, or other special events to celebrate. However, there are simple pleasures in our day-to-day lives which we often overlook as opportunities for grateful celebration. But, how would our lives be different if we approached every day with a spirit of festivity and rejoicing? What impact would there be if we saturated others and ourselves with pure joy and good cheer? What would be the effect on our overall sense of well-being if we simply committed to celebrate life? After all, life is the most important event any of us will ever attend! So go ahead. Get your party started!
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Monday: Reflect on the awesome blessings of God in your life. From your reflections, what reasons do you have to celebrate? Make a list. Celebrate! Tuesday: Create an invitation for yourself, inviting you to celebrate life. Place your invitation in an envelope, address it to yourself, and drop it in the mail (make sure you include an RSVP). Celebrate! Wednesday: Whom would you like to invite to celebrate with you? In your own unique way, extend an invitation. Celebrate! Thursday: With gratitude, reflect on all of your celebrations so far this week! Celebrate! Friday: As you approach your weekend, instead of making a “To Do” list make a “To Don’t” list. Celebrate! Saturday: At the end of your life, what would you regret having never celebrated? Begin making plans to celebrate those things now. Celebrate! Sunday: Write a letter to God expressing your gratitude for the life you have and for every blessing it brings. Celebrate!
Need another reason to celebrate? Take in a deep breath…Now exhale…Tah-Dah!
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“
With anxious hearts and open arms, we sought you everywhere. You, dear child, are a gift from God, the answer to our prayer. No matter whether birth or choice, a home is blessed from above. When caring parents claim their child, a family is formed by love.
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—Tracy Crane
My husband was neck-deep in preparing for a full week of work and meetings, so I decided to clean out every closet in our home. Time to rearrange and get rid of things we no longer needed.
We knew the time was right. Not because we had the financing in order, or because our lives were less chaotic after six years of marriage. Trust me, with two wonderful, yet wild, kids of our own, that wasn’t the case! Sitting together one night, Robbie shared his experience: The missionary spoke of going to an orphanage and seeing a young girl sitting in a corner all by herself. As he approached her, she spit right in his face! The workers told him that she had been abused by men her entire life and didn’t trust anyone!
In about 3 hours, every closet was unpacked. All I had to do was put the “keep” piles back and throw away the rest. As I stood admiring my progress, the phone rang.
That was the exact moment Robbie knew! God was calling him one day to reach out to a little girl who had never before known the love and protection of a father. Seeing the smile on my husband’s face, I was all for it! Yet somehow I felt a little left out. How crazy is that? I was going to be the mother. But where was my passion? My excitement? I didn’t want this to be just Robbie’s dream, so I began to pray. “God, give me a passion! Give me a love for this child I have never met. Match my zeal with my husband’s!” We started investigating. So many countries with endless lists of regulations. Where to begin? It was overwhelming! After weeks of searching, we finally decided on Taiwan and found a wonderful agency to lead us through the complicated process of fundraising, questions and legal paperwork. Until now, I had been going through everything out of obedience to God and love for my husband, all the while praying!
Today, we’re about 20 months away from meeting our gorgeous little girl! We still have a long road ahead, but through this journey God is preparing my heart to be the perfect mother for her! Every day is a step closer to celebrating our family of five.
“Hello, Kelly, this is Linda. How are you today?” “I’m great! I’ve been cleaning every closet in the house! Looks like a tornado went through!” “ You better get your house back in order fast because at 10 a.m. tomorrow morning you and Mark meet your new baby boy!” (Long silence.) “Kelly, are you there?” After four years of infertility, mounds of paperwork, interviews, home studies and months of waiting, it was finally happening! Lost in my thoughts and emotions, I suddenly realized, “I need to call Mark! How is he going to do this? And my house…oh my!” “Hey! Are you sitting down?” “ Yes, wwwhhhyyyyy?” “We need to be at the Adoption Office tomorrow morning at 10! It is real! We have a baby boy!!!” Before long, Mark was home, and we were on our way to the mall. We must have looked a little dazed from our sudden news. Once we explained that we only had two hours to gather clothes, diapers, blankets, car seat, bottles and a few toys, every salesperson jumped up to help! It was more exciting than Christmas morning! Back home, we quickly washed everything, packed the diaper bag, strapped in the car seat and laid out our clothes. How was I supposed to go to sleep? Thoughts kept racing through my head. “I wonder what he looks like? What will his personality be like? What if I go to sleep, only to wake up and realize this is actually a dream?” Next thing we knew, the alarm buzzed; the day was here! We got ready and on the road in record time. Every mile seemed like two. Would we ever get there? Four hours seemed like forever. The distance shifted from three digit numbers to two digits until finally, we maneuvered our way through town into our parking place. A very happy staff greeted us. They were all celebrating! After necessary finalizations, they placed a tiny bundle wrapped in a white blanket in my arms. One moment of 100% Sweetness, 100% Joy, 100% Completeness, all combined to bring nothing less than 100% Celebration of a Life that had been saved and that a Dream was now a Reality.
SPECIAL OCCASIONS
Recently, our agency asked for photos of our family and home so the orphanage in Taiwan could match us up with a child. “Whoa! Stop everything! A child? An actual little human being?” Okay, it’s not like I hadn’t known this before, but now IT IS REAL! You know that passion I had been praying for? THIS IS IT! I suddenly felt like a mother of 3! It’s crazy how God can bring new life to something so unexpectedly!
—Anonymous
I knew from our very first date that my husband wanted to adopt someday. My romantic heart fluttered. “What a sweet idea from an amazing man!” But, for me, that’s where it ended, until about 6 months ago.
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Celebrating milestones
would you throw yourself your own birthday party?
—Cindy Van Horn
Absolutely 43% No Way 57%
Every birthday, every year is a celebration; but some birthdays tend to attract more attention than others. These milestone birthdays usually mark the beginning of a new phase in the journey of life. Whether it’s 1, Sweet 16, 21, 30, 40, 50, or one of the other “0”s, special years deserve special attention! Over the years, I’ve approached my own birthdays differently. Some years, I’ve wanted to celebrate with a party but others with just a small gathering of friends and family. There were a couple of years when I wanted to stick my head in the sand and just wait for it to pass. Fortunately for me, my wonderful family and friends knew just how to celebrate who I am (and didn’t let me sulk)! I have a friend who is creative, fun and adventurous. We have celebrated her birthdays with surprise parties, skydiving and even a do-it-yourself painting party! Whatever you do, celebrate the birthday girl for who she is: her personality, love language and interests. Most importantly, make memories smiling, laughing and enjoying life together!
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Some tried and true, and maybe some new ideas on celebrating any birthday: Adventure Ahead – If there’s something the birthday girl
loves to do or something she has always wanted to try – plan it! For instance, if she’s wanted to go horseback riding, gather a group of friends and plan a date. Whether it’s a hot air balloon ride or riding in a limousine, an experience shared is a lasting memory!
Time with Girlfriends – Time together is the best
birthday gift ever! Whether a trip to a day spa, a night out sampling the fare at a new restaurant or traveling to a nearby city for shopping and girlfriend time, you’ll never miss the mark with a birthday gift of time!
Big Family (and/or Friends) Gathering – Consider renting a house or two in the birthday girl’s favorite region. Whether at the beach, mountains or a lake, the expense and work can easily be divided among the family and friends who will be going.
W hen You Were Born – Use popular music, movie, TV
shows, news events, etc. from the guest of honor’s birth date or year. Incorporate the theme throughout invitations, décor and even games.
Theme Parties – Anything can be a theme, you just have to know what the birthday girl likes. It’s amazing what ideas you can get just by paying close attention whenever you’re together.
Remember W hen – Consider
creating a scrapbook with pictures from her childhood, teen and college years, graduations and other milestones. Or use the photos to make a slideshow and pick an emcee from the group who is naturally funny, loving and kind.
Milestone Birthdays Turning 40 – Rather than the
typical “over the hill” theme, why not celebrate with “The BIG 4-0” party. Make everything BIG, from the invitation, the décor and the food.
Golden Girl at 50 – For this milestone, many people are focusing on their own interests (something new or a rediscovered hobby) or planning a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. Use one or a combination
of these as a theme. “This is Your Life” is another possibility. Have mom, dad and siblings tell early stories and a friend or co-worker to share more recent moments. Add photos from birth until now to complete the fun.
60th Birthday - The guest of honor may be
considering retirement. If so, a theme party about popular destinations could be just “the ticket.” From a Hawaiian Luau to Las Vegas or Hollywood glitz and glamour, the possibilities are endless.
Add fun to any celebration by playing a little trivia. Ask fun questions about the guest of honor, such as “What musical instrument did she play in middle school?” or “What states has she lived in?” Have everyone write their best guesses, then read the answers throughout the party. Another form of trivia may be guessing whether events or inventions happened before or after the guest of honor’s birthday. For example, “Was the microwave invented before or after her birth date? What about M&M’s? How about the DVD player?"
Whatever you choose to do to honor a friend or family member, celebrate with style, kindness and laughter!
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Always Celebrate Your Anniversary! —Alyce Reeves
Each and every wedding anniversary deserves to be celebrated in a memorable way. When you celebrate your wedding anniversary, it’s an annual renewal of your love and commitment to one another.
This is a time to remember and share the reasons you fell in love. It’s a time to commemorate the hills and valleys that you have conquered together.
love he feels when he holds you close. Your wedding anniversary will be fun and memorable as long as you are together and as long as you are doing things you both enjoy.
Couples with successful and long-lasting marriages make it a practice to celebrate their wedding anniversary. They don’t minimize or neglect the date. Loving couples make it a high priority on the calendar to do something special together every year. You two together are worth celebrating!
When your anniversary comes, let your spouse know that you’re still madly in love with him by finding a unique way to celebrate this year.
There could be hundreds of reasons why you celebrate your wedding anniversary, but the main one is God. Marriage is a gift from God that should be remembered every day and not just the anniversary of the day you were married. Throughout the Bible, God instructed His people to stop, celebrate special days, and remember Him. It’s not just another day on the calendar; it’s a year of your life together, and God was there. Every year on our anniversary, we each name three or four events, the ups and downs that touched our lives the most during the past year. When we talk about the situations and think about the ways God has provided, healed, led, and blessed us, we become more aware of God’s love and presence in our lives, and our marriage relationship is strengthened. Remembering God draws us closer to God and to each other. It brings a whole new dimension to a wedding anniversary. Talk to your spouse and consider trying this. If you’re the one in the relationship who values honoring the date, accept your role and go for it. Keep planning special times every year. If your spouse seems to forget special dates, find creative, loving ways to put the date on the calendar, iPod, or mirror in order to create anticipation of a good time coming soon. Just because your spouse forgets dates, doesn’t mean he has forgotten your beautiful smile or the
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Ways To Celebrate Your Anniversary
Stroll Down Memory Lane Cuddle up on the couch and watch your wedding day videos or look through the photo album of your big day. Remember the reasons you fell in love with your sweetheart and tell him.
Paint the Town Invite your spouse out on a date. Make dinner reservations at a special place. Dress to impress him and forget the worries of the day.
Stay at Home Deliver the children to a trusted friend. Shop ahead of time for lots of favorite foods and snacks. Put the electronics on mute, turn on your favorite music, and light the candles for a romantic atmosphere. Relax, laugh, kiss, enjoy each other’s company, and let love blossom.
Get Out of Town Plan and save for a special trip for a romantic weekend or longer. If you love to explore new places together, use your wedding anniversary as a time to discover a great new town or getaway together.
How many years have you been married?
0-5 22% 20-29 16% 6-9 14% 30+ 16% 10-19 32%
Throw a Party Invite some friends to celebrate your anniversary with you. You can splurge and make it big and fancy or you can let everyone bring something and help. Sharing your anniversary is fun and encouraging for you and your friends.
Be adventurous Do you both enjoy a sport or the great outdoors? Pull out your gear and get going. So much bonding and romance can happen while biking, hiking, fishing, or playing a sport together.
Go Dancing Sign up for a dance class together and take your fun attitude with you.
Share Your Love Be generous and do something together for someone else in need.
Plan a Surprise Think of things your honey would like to do and make it happen. Would it be a horse and carriage ride, dinner cruise, mountain bike trip, live music concert, tickets to a game, massages together, parasailing, walking on the beach, home-cooked dinner, checking out the shops, working on a project, or buying a gift together? Start thinking and surprise your spouse!
Buy a Gift The key in gift giving is to find something that fits your spouse’s personality. Or some years you may decide to buy something as a couple. This year we celebrated our anniversary with a new mattress for our bed, and we were both blessed.
Anniversary Gift Ideas Anniversary Traditional
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 20th 25th 30th 35th 40th 45th 50th 55th 60th
Paper Cotton Leather Fruit/Flowers Wood Candy/Iron Wood/Copper Bronze/Pottery Pottery/Willow Tin/Aluminum Steel Silk/Linen Lace Ivory Crystal China Silver Pearl Coral Ruby Sapphire Gold Emerald Diamond
Modern Clocks China Crystal/Glass Appliances Silverware Wood Desk Sets Linens/Lace Leather Diamond Jewelry Fashion Jewelry Pearls Textiles/Furs Gold Jewelry Watches Platinum Silver Diamond Jade Ruby Sapphire Gold Emerald Diamond
Great Conversation Starters for Couple T ime
1. What pops into your mind in each of these areas: Your best day ever? Your most cherished gift? Your most meaningful compliment? Your best job? Your favorite relative? 2. What do you think have been the five most important milestones we’ve passed together? Why was each so important to you? 3. What specific part of your work do you find most fulfilling? Most frustrating?
SPECIAL OCCASIONS
4. If you could keep just one memory of a past event or period of time, which would you keep? 5. Why do you think we are better together as a couple than apart? 6. What do you see as my three greatest strengths? How do my strengths complement yours? 7. What do you consider the three most important things we could do in our parenting this year? 8. From all the people you’ve known in your life, which three do you most admire? Why? 9. When you pray, how do you imagine God? Who taught you the most about God? 10. What things tend to put you in a romantic, loving mood? What things tend to turn you off? 11. Complete these sentences. I love you today because you ____________________________. I respect you today for your ____________________________________________. 12. What do you see as the three most important decisions we need to make in the next year? Why are they important?
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Cupcake craze! Today’s cupcake can be used for a birthday, holiday, wedding or any special occasion, limited only by your imagination! Fond memories of the cupcake may take you back to your elementary days…but today’s cupcake can truly be a work of art! You can easily learn tips and tricks to creating your own cupcake by searching online. No fork. No knife. No plate. Just LOTS of icing. HAVE FUN & ENJOY!
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A multicultural student ministry High Energy Deep Impact
Safe Environment Student Services Sundays 10:45 AM nsmstudent.com
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Summer Missions
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짜 Full Background checks 짜 Passionate mentors 짜 Dedicated Christians
Student Events & Outreaches
$5
30
OCTOBER 5-9 PM
A MULTICULTURAL STUDENT MINISTRY
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SAFE HALLOWEEN ALTERNATIVE HAY RIDES*BASKETBALL*GAMES SÕMORES*MUSIC*TESTIMONIES FOOD*FOOD*FOOD R.S.V.P
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Each day comes bearing it's own gifts. Untie the ribbons! - Ruth Ann Schabacker
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