What's Important
This time of year we talk a lot about what's important -- we say it's not about the gifts and Jesus is the reason for the season and Put Christ in Christmas.
But then they make big, long to-do lists and forget that they intended things to be different. They spend too much money and become stressed and don't enjoy a really wonderful time of year and chance to be re-connected to God and Jesus.
I do have a to-do list this December...I am sitting down each day and making a list of what I enjoy this time of year and then I'm picking one of them to do. One day it might be to read a Christmas story, another day, I might listen to a Christmas CD by a favorite singer. I'm determined to add in some new traditions and try some things I haven't done during the holidays before.
I particularly like to do something for charity -- for people or animals who don't have what my slightly spoiled pets and I I have. I feel good circulating some of what God's given me to others.
Yesterday, I sat at an adoption event with a new dog I'm fostering, and reflected on what I've gained from adopting a bunch of Chihuahuas this year. This time I thought I was done adopting and shouldn't take on more so I said I'd foster a dog until it got adopted. Chihuahuas and other little dogs become terrified in a shelter and act out in a way that makes some shelter workers think they are aggressive. This woman at a local shelter saw that I didn't mind working with the dog my daughter affectionately called Jaws when I brought her home. Well, I had Amber (a Chi and Jack Russell mix) on my lap for two hours to show her off and thought about how her family lost their home and so she lost hers -- and a family that evidently loved her because she's sweet, doesn't cower when you pet her as if she'd been abused, and she's a bit plump. I decided we have lots of room at this house and as she's still scared a week after she came here (I think she knew we were there to find her a good home yesterday), she may end up making this her forever home. And before you think I'm being generous, I'm not -- I like the way this little girl thinks I'm wonderful and has bonded with me. Don't we always need someone or something to think we're great?
What do you do to enjoy the holidays? What do you do to help someone else enjoy them? I'd love to know.
P.S. I'd like to help all dogs but I can only have Chihuahuas because of my allergies. I donate to shelters to help other dogs.
Blessings,
Barbara
But then they make big, long to-do lists and forget that they intended things to be different. They spend too much money and become stressed and don't enjoy a really wonderful time of year and chance to be re-connected to God and Jesus.
I do have a to-do list this December...I am sitting down each day and making a list of what I enjoy this time of year and then I'm picking one of them to do. One day it might be to read a Christmas story, another day, I might listen to a Christmas CD by a favorite singer. I'm determined to add in some new traditions and try some things I haven't done during the holidays before.
I particularly like to do something for charity -- for people or animals who don't have what my slightly spoiled pets and I I have. I feel good circulating some of what God's given me to others.
Yesterday, I sat at an adoption event with a new dog I'm fostering, and reflected on what I've gained from adopting a bunch of Chihuahuas this year. This time I thought I was done adopting and shouldn't take on more so I said I'd foster a dog until it got adopted. Chihuahuas and other little dogs become terrified in a shelter and act out in a way that makes some shelter workers think they are aggressive. This woman at a local shelter saw that I didn't mind working with the dog my daughter affectionately called Jaws when I brought her home. Well, I had Amber (a Chi and Jack Russell mix) on my lap for two hours to show her off and thought about how her family lost their home and so she lost hers -- and a family that evidently loved her because she's sweet, doesn't cower when you pet her as if she'd been abused, and she's a bit plump. I decided we have lots of room at this house and as she's still scared a week after she came here (I think she knew we were there to find her a good home yesterday), she may end up making this her forever home. And before you think I'm being generous, I'm not -- I like the way this little girl thinks I'm wonderful and has bonded with me. Don't we always need someone or something to think we're great?
What do you do to enjoy the holidays? What do you do to help someone else enjoy them? I'd love to know.
P.S. I'd like to help all dogs but I can only have Chihuahuas because of my allergies. I donate to shelters to help other dogs.
Blessings,
Barbara
Posted by Barbara Cameron at 12/11/2011 8:24 PM 
Categories: An Amish Christmas, Barbara Cameron
Tags: A Time for Peace
Categories: An Amish Christmas, Barbara Cameron
Tags: A Time for Peace
I WILL DECORATE MY APT DOOR BECAUSE PEOPLE SEEMMTO LIKE IT. I SEND OUT CARDS TO EVERYONE I KNOW OVER THE INTERNET. I PRAY A LOT FOR EVERYONE TO HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY. IF I HAVE A FEW DOLLARS I WILL TRY AN GET SOMETHING FOR THREE OR FOUR PEOPLE. I WATCH FOOTBALL AND READ A LOT. I LIKE TO MAKE MY GIFTS IF POSSIBLE BUT THIS YEAR IS NOT A GOOD ONE. NEXT YEAR WILL BE BETTER. I THANK GOD THAT I AT LEAST HAVE A ROOF OVER MY HEAD MANY OUT THERE DON'T. WELL HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE. I ALSO THANK GOD THAT I GET UP EVERY DAY AN GET TO VOLUNTARY TAKING CARE OF A EIGHT MONTH OLD LITTLE BOY.
Reply to this
I am pretty much house bound these days but I try to encourage people all around me and I am always here to talk to anyone if they are down and need a shoulder . I keep my own council and I listen with my heart and mind open. We adopted a kitty from Tarps and we love her . Last month I lost my beloved dog Kenobi who was only 8 years old to heart disease . This week our Pomeranian came back from the vets blind from complications of diabetes. I have been getting him acclimated to being blind and I am amazed at how much he trusts his "Dad "and Me his "Mom" . I love him and will give him all the love and attention that he has and of course all of the protection he needs to feel secure.
I am making gifts for people I have met on facebook that I feel can use cheering up and some that I just wish to share with. I wish you a Merry Christmas and I applaud all you do for our furbabies. God Bless you . We too try to help donate to our shelters. Sincerely. cindy rushford
Reply to this
You are so right about how we get stressed out at Christmas time.We just don't have the money, especially since my family has grown to 30 to buy for and for the giving tree at church. It's stressing out my husband even tho I try to keep things at a minimum in cost. Next year I've vowed to do something more charitable in their names. I'd love to do something like you do but I don't think our area has a program like that and I'd miss them too much when they go. Also my husband isn't hot on the idea. He knows I'd love another pet and I know how much trouble they can be. We live in an area that gets very cold and I would not have an outdoor dog, or cat, but that means letting a dog in and out in and out the back door which does not open to the backyard so we have to use the leash to get it there. We do dog sit for our daughter's Wheaton Terrier and after her normal greeting which is wild and woolly she settles down very well even to sleeping in bed with us. She even calms my Fibromyalgia and depression.. Hubby doesn't mind that because he knows she's going home. Pets have very much been part of our family over the years.... cats and kittens, dogs, gerbils and birds but hubby just doesn't want them now when we're pushing 70. I don't think a cat would be bad but some grandkids are allergic. Years ago, one of our kitties was left on our doorstep at Christmas time and grew into a big orange and white named, of all things "baby cat". We had 2 other cats at the time so hence the name. If I may say...one thing about helping pets that troubles me, tho.. it's putting the word 'adoption' in referring to getting them a home. You see, we have one adopted son and 2 Viet. refugee ones that are almost adopted...plus 4 born to us..all grown. Our oldest died of cancer at 41 leaving 3 little girls 5 years ago. A sweet story is that when we visit, the dog acts like he thinks I'm the mommy who died..going nuts with lovin'. Three of the other families have dogs too.I know using the word 'adoption' helps in getting people to provide a home but I wish it wasn't necessary to use it. They certainly do need people to give them loving homes but maybe just saying that is enough.
I'm just finishing up the book "White Christmas Pie". It is so frustrating with the misunderstandings. I hope you haven't misunderstood me.
A very Happy Christmas to you and everyone. Hope you can keep that little heart tugger..or have you? M.A.
Reply to this
How awesome, and great. i have 2 dogs on the farm - both multibreed that rescued us from the boredom of not having them. (We asked them to take down the sign at the highway that said our farm was a free for all for dogs after the third one showed up). i love dogs - no matter how old they get, they are still puppies
Reply to this
Hello again, Barbara.....
We are Brits living in Singapore. We won't be helping our furry friends this Christmas but a number of young singles at our church have nowhere to go after the Christmas service and are coming to our place to enjoy an "English" Christmas. I'm excited and trying to be organised. It's VERY hot here!
HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE X
Reply to this