A B C D E F T...

Life is amazing. Sure there are hard times. Friends come and go, trying circumstances can wear me down, but still life goes on. I love being amazed by the little things. I couldn't help but laugh when I was driving with a two-year-old in the back seat tonight. She burst into song singing the ABC's, only about half which I could understand. But most distinct were her O's. "H, I, J, K, O O O O P." After singing with her once, she insisted we repeat the song until we arrived at our destination.

Many times I catch myself complaining about unimportant things. Sometimes it takes me awhile to realize that I give too much value to fickle things. Then God nudges me with a hint of true joy and shows me that I have everything I need to sing. And with that joy, I could sing the ABC's all day long; cause I have my True Love. And that's all I will ever need.

I have a dream...

This picture encapsulates my dream. This is my heart's desire. Not to become president, not to be a world-class pianist, not to become a millionaire. - No. My dream is to bring laughter. To go where no one else will go; to help the forgotten people that are struggling through life. I want to bring joy where there is none. I want to give life where there is only death. I will share with them my life song, so that they can sing with me.

My goal in life: to spread smiles and laughter until everyone has caught the disease of true joy.

christmas trees? nah.

It's December. The month of holiday celebration. Christmas! Our house doesn't smell like it though, because we have yet to get a Christmas tree. I love the smell of them....

Every-other house is adorned in bright lights. Fred Meyer smells of scented pine cones and fir trees. The store entrance always greets me with the ringing of a bell next to a small red bucket. Children write their letters to Santa, assuring that he knows of their good behavior. The eggnog has been released for my enjoyment once again.

Despite all this, I can't help but acknowledge this feeling of a lack of Christmas. When I was little I used to make a Christmas list of everything I wanted and wished for. But I can't bring myself to do that when I see homeless people on the side of the street. Seeing that bell-ringer makes me think twice about spending three dollars on a Starbucks drink. The holiday spirit that is contained in a store - that is not Christmas. It never really "feels" like Christmas. No green tree with a wonderful aroma - no iPod under the tree - no Christmas-carol singing will ever give you that warm and fuzzy feeling.

Who am I to ask for trivial, meaningless things when there are people struggling to survive? How could I be so self-centered as to spend my money, time, and effort on fleeting things? Instead, I will choose to use that which has blessed me to bless others.

For me, the only time it's truly Christmas, is in the silence. When I see what I have, what others don't have, and I do something about it. When I lend a helping hand in secret - when I slip a note of encouragement to the person who's having a bad day. When I sit in the secret place, and my heart overflows with gratitude for my Savior. For the gift he has given me is Christmas.

I don't need no stinkin' Christmas tree.