Well it probably seems like we've fallen off the face of the earth. Truth is, we kind of did! Our fishbowl staff has had major illnesses and across-the-country moves in the last few months. Things are settling and we're gradually getting back into the swing of things. Which means, we'll be blogging again and updating the website again (and actually answering our e-mail again ).

As I'm looking around, I'm wondering if anyone is still posting on Xanga? I am currently looking into integrating our blog with our main website, but I don't want to do that if it means we'll lose touch with those at Xanga and in the blogring and such. So I'm looking for feedback. Anyone out there? Anyone have an opinion? I'll leave this question open for a while, because I know some may not log in as much as they once did.

Until then, take care. I look forward to blogging and updating again.

Love, Moose

Christmas may be the "most wonderful time of the year", but it can also turn in to the most stressful time of the year as well. As children, we delighted in the gift-giving and receiving, the special activities, the lights, the cookies, the stories, and all the things that came together to make the Christmas season special. And then we grew up...

Suddenly each of those activities required planning and preparation. Then they multiplied into many more obligations needing crammed in to an already hectic schedule. For many adults, Christmas becomes a season to survive rather than a season to celebrate. Somewhere along the way, many of us feel like somehow we're missing the whole point.

But it doesn't have to be that way.

First, Keeping it Simple:
If ever there were a time to simplify our lives, I believe the Christmas season needs it the most. I would love to hear the thoughts of others, and I will in turn share some of mine:

- Our yearly Christmas program is a simple rather than elaborate production during a regular evening worship time of our church. We perform it to glorify God, not ourselves. We also schedule it on a Sunday when we'd usually have a fellowship meal, so that we're not adding an extra event to the normal calendar.

- We don't have a separate program for children, youth, adults, or other special choirs. We do one program and each group has a small part in it, so that we're not adding additional stress to the season. The children generally practice their small part at the end of the Sunday school hour and/or for a few minutes immediately after our regular mid-week children's program.

- We do have other celebratory events, but they're also kept simple and scheduled during our regular meeting times.

- As a family, we carefully evaluate the events and activities we attend or participate in. We don't become hermits, but we do purposefully slow our social calendar down and spend more time together instead.

- We focus on our relationship with God. We let Him center us as only He can. I will often begin a new study or devotional that helps me to know Him more.

Then, Making it Meaningful:
When we simplify the season, we also make room for a more meaningful event in our lives and in the lives of those around us. We can volunteer in local organizations that make a difference in our community, and give the gift of our time and talents to others. And most of all, we make room in our lives for true worship and communion with the One who rescued us from a path of self-destruction and replaced it with an abundant life.

Several years ago, inspired by some of my fellow online pastors' wives, I put an end to the endless shopping to find gifts for those who already have everything they could possibly want or need, and started donating to charities in their honor instead. I did this for family, church workers, and even school teachers (how many apple-themed knick knacks or gallons of shower gel do they really need?) I matched their interests with gift ideas from the World Vision Gift Catalog, or I donated to a charity they already work with, such as the Gideons and denominational disaster relief organizations.  This year, thanks to other pastors' wives from around the world, I've also become aware of Tearfund, Heifer International, and The Leprosy Mission. Do you have a favorite charity or denominational ministry you like to give to? Please leave us a comment and tell us about it.

We can also be creative in how we give to others. Fair trade organizations like World Crafts and Trade As One offer opportunites to buy gifts that help families in developing nations earn a living wage and break the cycle of poverty. This trading relationship also gives missions personnel an inroad for sharing the gospel. Again, if you know of a similar organization, please make us aware of it in the comments section.

Looking for something more? Then perhaps you're up to the Advent Conspiracy challenge (versions of this video customized for Canada, Australia, and the U.K. are also available in the "resources section" of the advent conspiracy website):



I took the challenge this year and organized a charitable giving fundraiser for the Pure Water, Pure Love ministry. In exchange for a name-your-own-price donation, participants will receive a specially-labeled water bottle, an ornament made by our children's Sunday school classes, a gift card, and a gift bag to give to the person they're honoring with the donation. This is a project God called me to do this year, as I learned through tears how many parents in third world countries do not even name their children until they're at least two years of age, because it's unlikely they will live that long. It has truly been a partnership between us, and I look forward to what we'll do together next.    

I would encourage everyone who reads this article to be open and sensitive to a worthy cause God may be laying on your heart this Christmas season. And please... tell us about it in the comment section so that we can all share in the joy!

May God bless you with a worshipful and meaningful Christmas.

Love, "Moose"

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Did you know that today was national "thank you" day in the U.S.? Granted, it's only a two-year-old tradition created (or at least sponsored) by a chocolate company, but I've been thinking recently that my own lack of thankfulness really sours my attitude at times.

So what does this have to do with pastor's appreciation day? It really doesn't, but please bear with me and I will tie it all together!

Lately, I have been brooding because my pastor husband did not get what I thought was a well-deserved raise.  Unlike the supposed "average pastor", he does not receive anything near $80,000 a year. That's certainly not our goal, but a few hundred more a month would have been easily affordable for our congregation, and would have gone a long way for us.

I had worked through a lot of my disappointment by Sunday, when our church showed a short video produced by the WMU (Women's Missionary Union) of Texas that erased the remnants of my foul mood. One statement made in the video brought me to tears and put it all into perspective. Apparently, many parents in the communities the WMU works with for the pure water, pure love project do not even name their children until they reach two years of age, because the death rate from preventable diseases is so high.

And what was I so upset about again? I've suddenly forgotten! Seeing that video broke my heart. Some day, I believe God will call me to work long term in situations like that, and the relatively simple life I live now will seem extravagant by comparison.

God has been working in my heart that I need to give more, even in times when I've been given less and may not feel like giving. In a time when the economy here seems uncertain, our missionaries and the people they serve need our help more than ever. The decreased value of the dollar, coupled with less giving to missions, is really putting a strain on our missionaries worldwide. Christian disaster relief organizations are feeling the pinch as well. People generally give less when they suddenly have less to give.

However, just like Jesus taught His disciples to love and show kindness to those who didn't love or show kindness to them; He has challenged me to love more, to serve more, and to give more when times are tougher, as a testimony of His love and faithfulness. And... I have been convicted that I need to be thankful more often, too; even when I'm disappointed and don't feel like thanking anyone.

So then, with October just a few weeks away (and all the pastor's appreciation activities that may or may not go along with it), I'd like to change things up a bit, and I'm hoping others will join me. During pastor's appreciation month, I am going to write letters of thanks and encouragement to the people in our congregation. My husband has been their pastor for many years; and during that time, we have been the recipients of many acts of kindness. Granted, some of these notes will be much easier to write than others; but with God's help, I am hoping to find something kind to say to each family. If I can't recall something specific to thank them for, I'm trusting that God will give me a word of encouragement for them instead. And just like Jesus even washed the feet of Judas, I'm going to write a loving message to the one who suggested last year that the church fire the pastor dude, even though he may still be trying to stir up trouble.

Jan, one of our fishbowl advisors, has a similar idea. "I was thinking that instead of sitting here wanting to be appreciated, that I would write notes to others in ministry whom I've appreciated... former pastors," she said. "And maybe send a card to the pastors in our association [of churches]. I bet many of them feel the same way," she added, acknowledging that it would be nice to be appreciated.

That's a great idea, Jan, and I may do that as well.

So... will you join us? Why sit around and wait for your congregation to show appreciation to you? As I blogged last year (Hmmm... I Don't Feel Very Appreciated), God appreciates you and so do many other Christians; and while it'd be nice if your church family did something nice in the coming month, you have the opportunity to bless others in the way you'd like to be blessed. You don't have to write the entire congregation or every pastor family you know -- maybe just the ones who have helped or encouraged you. Regardless of what you decide, let's bring a little Golden Rule living into this. Shall we?

I look forward to hearing comments about how blessing others was a blessing in your life.


Posted by:  Moose

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