Last night my mom and I ventured out into crazy town, aka: Black Friday shopping! We walked into Toys r Us at 11:15pm or so, and then walked back out about 15 minutes later. What I was looking for was gone, swept up by the throng of shoppers who were now waiting in an unbelievably long line which wound itself around the perimeter of the store and then snaked back and forth through all the isles at the far side of the building. We held our breath and dove through the sea of humanity – most of whom were dragging along incredibly large bags stuffed to the brim with plastic toys and trinkets – looking for a way out of the chaos!

Just for our own amusement we drove past Old Navy and Target on our way home, surveying the crowds and jam-packed parking lots with gratitude that we were headed home!

I was glad that my mother had humored me and visited crazy town with me. :) Sometimes I just enjoy seeing the lengths people will go to for a sale! It makes me laugh – and then it also makes me sad. An unbelievable amount of money will be spent in our country today – even as we talk about a weak economy and the “suffering” of the American people, we will spend vast amounts of cash on things with very little value.

If you’re looking for a way to make some of your Christmas spending do more than check a name off of your list, there are so many options available for creative gifting! Perhaps you might consider giving a charitable gift in honor of someone on your list, or even selecting a larger gift together as a family. After all, if all this fuss is really all about Jesus’ birthday…

Charitable Gift Options

• Give a goat, a blanket, a coat, or even help rescue a baby from the brink of starvation through World Help’s Gifts of Hope.

Give an orphan the gift of a forever family through Show Hope



Image from Show Hope

Give a simple but life-changing gift like a mosquito net through Samaritan’s Purse Gift Catalog – view an interactive catalog here.

Provide clean water or other life-changing gifts through Compassion International’s Gifts of Compassion catalog.

• Gospel for Asia has a wonderful Christmas Gift Catalog, as well – and please take a few minutes to watch this video! UNBELIEVABLE what 1% of what is spent on Christmas this year would do around the world…

Perhaps you still want to give a “real” gift to unwrap Christmas morning. You can still invest intentionally in gifts that literally change lives, and at the same time you can help spread awareness of these organizations to those on your list!

Fair trade “plus!” Purchasing with purpose!

• Women at Risk, International online store – gorgeous jewelry, scarves, and other great items! 90% of your purchase price supports the women and safe-houses who provided the item! {Their site got a facelift, just in time for shopping season!}

Image from the WAR "look book"

• Mercy House Kenya online store – you can learn more about this fabulous ministry here!

LOVE this tote!

• World Help Gifts of Hope merchandise

One of these will be under the tree for AG!

• Give Jewelry – one bracelet purchased feeds one Indonesian child for one week!

Image from GIVE jewelry

• Ten Thousand Villages – read about the history of this organization here.

Happy shopping, friends – let’s make it count!

If you found this post helpful or encouraging, would you consider sharing the link on facebook or twitter? Thank you!

We are big “This Old House” fans at our house. As in, my 3 year old was building something with his little foam rubber blocks this week and told me he was Norm Abram and was building furniture! We watch faithfully together for an hour every Saturday morning without fail, and the TOH magazines are scattered throughout the house.

This month’s Letter from the Editor (which are usually hilarious, I should say), had a serious and personal tone. NP read it and brought it to me, suggesting that I write a response. Scott Omelianuk, editor of This Old House magazine, was wrestling with the very real fear we face of natural disasters and economic pressures that can threaten our most tangible sense of safety and security in this world: our homes. He ended his letter with the following question.

“How do you deal with the realization that having a home – keeping this sanctuary and refuge that you pour so much time and effort and love into – might not be your choice but Mother Nature’s?”

This is the “long version” of my response. I’m still mulling over how to cut it down and make it more understandable for those not starting from a Biblical foundation. I think his question is a good one for us to ponder and think of our own orientation to and pursuit of “home.” So, blog friends, here are my thoughts for you on the topic of home.

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As a follower of Jesus Christ, I believe our quest for the safety of home has roots planted deeply in Eden.

The first man and woman lived in a perfect environment tailor made for them by God Himself. The Garden of Eden was their custom designed dwelling. It must have been a glorious place to live – but more than a physical space, home was defined by God’s presence there with them.

They were created to live and walk in unbroken communion with God.

We all instinctively know that home is more than the house we live in. Home is relationship. Security. Communion. Being truly known, seen, loved for who we really are.

When the tranquility of Eden was broken by humanity’s choice to rebel against God’s authority, home, real home, was lost. Man and woman had to leave the physical bounds of Eden, but they lost more than their material dwelling. They lost relationship with God. They left together, but with a relationship tainted by selfishness, blame, and shame. They journeyed from Eden and built new dwellings in new places, but home was never fully regained.   I wonder if they ever wandered back to Eden, trying to glimpse the safe haven of this dwelling that had been lost to them, longing to experience real home once again.

Because of their rebellion, the earth itself groaned in brokenness. Weeds grew up and choked the gardens they planted. The animal kingdom rebelled against them and animals, now often wild and destructive, invaded their safe havens. Eventually because of the extreme wickedness on earth, God caused a great flood to sweep away everyone and everything on the earth. Surely as Noah and his family huddled anxiously on an ark, bobbing like a cork on a water-covered world, they longed for home. They longed for all to be set right.

The  Bible is filled with accounts of those who wander, without what we might consider a true home. Abraham was called by God to follow Him – to enjoy a unique security, seen only with eyes of faith, defined not by geography or stone walls but by God’s presence with Him. Joseph found himself sold into slavery, falsely accused and sent to prison, waiting for years for God’s future plans for him to unfold – but the Bible assures us time and time again that God was with Him. Years later God would take an entire nation of people and lead them through the wilderness, feeding them with bread from heaven and quenching their thirst with water miraculously springing from rocks, vividly illustrating to them that the security of home is found not in a physical location but in His presence alone.

As God prepares His people to enter the promised land, where they would live in houses and plant crops and draw water from wells once again, He warned them: do not forget. Why?

It is enticing to trust in walls and doors. We long to find a piece of land and call it our own – to rest in a feeling of security and autonomy and self-sufficiency. We are deceived by an illusion of home, longing for a house rather than the home of God’s presence and provision.

Centuries later, Jesus, God in flesh, walked the earth without a home to call His own. He urgently calls us to realize that real treasure is found where moths do not destroy, thieves do not break in and steal, natural disasters do not threaten. The writer of Hebrews reminds us also – this world is not our home, we are from a different country, a heavenly one. This is only a temporary dwelling. We might have a house, but we don’t have home without God.

God’s story throughout Scripture urges us: don’t settle for the illusion of home, rather than longing for the real thing.

Earthquakes shake the very ground beneath our feet. Waters rise and wash away our memories. Fires burn unquenched. Trusting in a house to give us home is fleeting, anxiety-ridden, and destined to bring despair.

As Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Jesus, and the persecuted saints of the early church understood – home is not a physical place. Home is where He is. We are most human, most how we were meant to be, when in communion with God. We are only whole, known, loved, secure, in His presence alone.

In Eden, home was a dwelling place because God dwelt in their midst. One day, we will find our home with Him once again.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”

Revelation 21:3

Humanity’s search for the security of home only finds rest in God Himself. Finding our home in Him is the only way we free ourselves from the endless anxiety of protecting the fragile walls we build and adorn on a shifting and broken earth. There are countless ways I could lose my home to financial ruin or natural disaster or criminal activity – but real home is never threatened.

In the words of David, a man wandering and homeless, hiding in caves as he fled for his life:

“…in You my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.”

-Psalm 37:1

So, what would you say? How might you answer Mr. Omelianuk question?

Living for the smile of one… this quote has been on my mind frequently lately.

I thought I would share this little “word art” that I put together – hope it is a challenge and encouragement to you as it has been to me!

Feel free to download, print, or share this WordArt – find the image here.

Many of you know the burden on my heart for the victims of human trafficking. Sometimes with a heavy and heart-breaking issue like this, we just want to be able to do something. Something specific. Something tangible.

Today I’d like to share with you another opportunity to make a direct impact through Women at Risk, International. The needs of victims who have been rescued out of trafficking are complex and difficult – but this is one beautiful and tangible way that we can touch their lives with healing and hope. Below is a letter from Rebecca MacDonald, the president of Women at Risk. If you feel led to participate in this project, please note the contact information listed below the letter. If you have specific questions, don’t ask me – I have no idea. ;) Jennifer Roberts can be contacted via email or you can call the office for WAR in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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I need you….Because my women and children need you.

Imagine that you are a child that has been chained to a wall for 7 years and finally rescued at age 11…sold day after day, night after night. You can hardly express the pain you feel. You are only 11. Imagine the relief if you don’t have to verbalize your pain but can simply color, draw and share your heart through pictures. Imagine that you are a woman, sold by your family against your will into the red light district and broken, forced to support them through the sale of your very soul. Suddenly you find a safe place. You need to share your heart but it is too painful. Drawing is the universal language. No words are necessary.

WAR has the incredible opportunity to take a trained Ph.D. in art therapy with us on the circle tour to train our leaders in how to help our precious wounded women and children recover and reconstruct their lives, hearts, self worth and world. She is donating her time that is usually very expensive. If you wish to be part of this unique opportunity…please pick something on the list to donate or donate financially and we will buy what is not donated. Five safe houses will get the training that Dr. Hudak gives…

The Elohim, the Creator God delights in our creativity which is a reflection of us being made in his image. Indeed one Old Testament verse says he “decorates” our world and us. There is great healing in both making things and using our hands… Women who can not “fix” their lives over night can “make a beautiful piece of jewelry” or “color their pain, sorrow or joy” and conquer something small. …There is healing in the process of creation when words fail.

When sharing with one safe house that we were bringing this new resource to them at our own expense, they excitedly shared with me that one of their “neediest women” is a new person due to art. They gave her a room on the top floor to draw and color when she needed to decompress. It has become the place that the women go to on their break to refresh, regroup and renew. Suddenly this room is one more safe house sanctuary that all the women and their children go to when sad. Through art they have found one more way to work through the pain of their lives and journey toward health and wholeness. Another safe house that will be attending the Circle Tour from Cambodia has a whole room where small children born to the red light district come to “draw and tell their story.” All these leaders are thrilled that we are bringing one more avenue of healing to them.

…Thank you for so faithfully helping me do new, creative, fun and meaningful activities in the lives of our women. It is my privilege and joy to continually be looking for new ways to walk the valley of shadows with women toward dignity and worth.

See below and ask God if there is a way you can purchase, donate or get a local art store to donate toward this goal. The trip is in February, so we have to collect all this before Dec. 31st. What a fun Christmas gift!

Coloring my world in as many ways as possible to reflect the Elohim:

Rebecca McDonald

A – Mail donated items to Women At Risk, ATTN Jennifer Roberts | 2790 44th St SW | Wyoming, MI 49519

B – Financial Gifts may be dontated online or through the mail. (Women At Risk | C/O Healing Color | 2790 44th St SW | Wyoming, MI 49519 or click here and notate in the box Circle Tour: Healing Color

C – Financial donation toward the $2500 it will take to start up this program to help pay for the travel expenses involved may be dontated online or through the mail. (Women At Risk | C/O Healing Program expense | 2790 44th St SW | Wyoming, MI 49519 or click here and notate in the box Circle Tour: Program Expense

Items needed from the states

Papers

• Construction Paper (Various Colors)
• Tissue Paper (Various Colors)
• Brown Bags Small and Large
• Origami Paper
• Preformed Greeting Cards

Glues and Attachments

• Paper Mache Paste
• Paper Brads
• Various Colored Pipe Cleaners

Craft Supplies

• Colored Craft Sticks
• Felt Squares
• Jute
• Plastic Craft String
• Feathers

Items to be purchased in Thailand – need funding for:

Papers

• Drawing Paper 18 x 24(Smaller sized paper will work)
• Newspaper Print
• Brown Poster Paper on Roll
• White Butcher Paper on Roll
• Finger-Paint Paper
• Tag Board/Poster Board
• Paper Plates-White
• Aluminum Foil
• Waxed Paper
• Watercolor, Graphic Design Paper, Drawing Paper
• Corrugated Paper

Painting and Drawing Media

• Tempera Paint (all colors)
• Watercolors
• Fingerpaints
• Crayons
• Colored Chalk
• Colored Markers
• Felt Tip Pens (Variety of colors and sizes)
• Colored Pastel Chalks
• Oil Pastels
• Clay-Air Hardening Type

Glues and Attachments

• School White Glue(Any kind of Glue is fine)
• Staplers
• Staples
• One Hole Paper Punch Tools
• Masking Tape
• Variety of Colored Duct Tapes

Brushes, Tools, and Art Instruments

• Assortment of Brushes
• (Easel Brushes, Watercolor Brushes, and Painting Brushes)
• Drawing Pencils or Assortment of #2 Pencils
• Soft Erasers
• Scissors

Craft Supplies

• Wooden Craft Sticks
• Clear Straws
• Beads
• Fabric Scraps
• Yarn

Other

• Plastic Drop Cloth for covering surfaces
• Paper Towels
• Higher End Art Supplies

Once again, if you have specific questions, don’t ask me – I have no idea. ;) Jennifer Roberts can be contacted via email or you can call the office for WAR in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

A – Mail donated items to Women At Risk, ATTN Jennifer Roberts | 2790 44th St SW | Wyoming, MI 49519

B – Financial Gifts may be dontated online or through the mail. (Women At Risk | C/O Healing Color | 2790 44th St SW | Wyoming, MI 49519 or click here and notate in the box Circle Tour: Healing Color

C – Financial donation toward the $2500 it will take to start up this program to help pay for the travel expenses involved may be dontated online or through the mail. (Women At Risk | C/O Healing Program expense | 2790 44th St SW | Wyoming, MI 49519 or click here and notate in the box Circle Tour: Program Expense