I decided to post this letter that we gave to the kids for Christmas this past year. We gave everyone including ourselves this pillow that I designed and sewed. So far it has been very fun thinking of ideas to give service and what to do on the pillow. It has also kept communication open as we call one another asking about the pillow all month. - Barb
CHRISTMAS 2009
This year we wanted to do something a little different and unique so with a little thought and prayer we came up with the theme, “A Giving Tree Christmas” based on the book, The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein. It has always been one of our favorite stories. Thus everyone is getting a copy!
Someone once said, “Christmas means ‘giving.’ The Father gave His Son and the Son gave His life. Without giving there is no true Christmas, and without sacrifice there is no true worship”.
Christmas means ‘giving,’ and the gift without the giver is bare. Give of yourselves; give of your substance; give of your heart and mind…
Christmas means ‘compassion and love’ and, most of all ‘forgiveness’…How poor indeed would be our lives without the influence of His teachings and His matchless example…”He whose birth we commemorate this season is more than the symbol of a holiday. He is the Son of God…the Redeemer of mankind, the King of Kings, the Prince of Peace”.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Price of Peace.”
This year in the spirit of giving, we would like to give our family a challenge for 2010 to make it a special year of giving the gift of service all year long. We encourage you to reach outside yourselves by serving one another in your homes, in your work place, in your community, serving at every opportunity with the intent of becoming more compassionate, more charitable, and closer to one another, and most importantly more like our Savior.
To help with this endeavor we have created “The traveling tree pillow!” Using the schedule provided, we will add something to the pillow and then mail it to the next person every month. Some ideas include a thought for each day of the month, favorite candies, a treat, a letter, loose change, scriptures, quotes, photos, love notes, coupons, gift certificates, or anything creative to reach out across the miles to serve each other and say “I love you”. Next year we will all be in different cities and some in different states! We don’t want it to be a burden or big expense but do what you can. Along with the pillow is a notebook that you will use to record all your acts of service during the month. The notebook will be mailed with the pillow. At the end of the year the pillows and notebooks will be returned to their rightful owners to keep. Sounds fun? We hope so!!!
We love you!!!
Mom and Dad
Christmas 09
This is a pillow after being covered in 30 Shamrocks. Mom and Dad gave it to Devin. Each Shamrock had a reason why we love him.
