#LightTheWorld Photo Challenge

For those who are looking for simple ways to share #LightTheWorld on social media, I've created a photo challenge based on the "In 25 Ways, Over 25 Days" calendar that was released on mormon.org LINK FOR CALENDAR PDF. Some of them are pretty specific to a charitable activity so I had to get a little creative for the prompt. There are also a few that are really personal like apologize to someone and forgive someone who has done you wrong. Obviously, you don't have to air that for the public, but if there is a symbolic photo that you can share that would be great! How little or how much you choose to share is up to you!

Feel free to share this on your social media platforms, invite your friends and be sure to add the hashtag #LightTheWorld on your posts.

Happy Christmas, Happy Serving! ❤️
Follow my "In 25 Ways, Over 25 Days" on Instagram @beYOUdesignsMT 

Pageantry and All Its Glory.

Last week I included a hyper link to a new Nativity video that was released by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir this year.  I've probably watched that video 10 times this week.  It is magical.  You should watch it again by clicking HERE.  As I was watching it, I was reminded of my next holiday favorite and that are children's nativities and my favorite short story, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" by Barbara Robinson.  

Before we get any further, let's just talk about that super cute and sassy redhead angel in the photos above!  You wonder where the buns began?  Right here, folks.  This was a nativity photo shoot for church that we did when I was about 4 and I still love looking at the photos.  I had my mother send them to me in electronic form so I could share them with all of you.  There is something so stinkin cute about rambunctious children coming together to re-create one of the most important stories of Christianity.  When I was growing up we would always read the story of Christ's birth as a family on Christmas Eve, but those years that we acted it out (when we had a real baby that could be Baby Jesus in human form, not just some lame doll) were so much more memorable and enjoyable.  Notice the theme that memories vs. things prospered in my household?  I also remember another year that we had a nativity with all the church kids in our congregation and I was Mary and my crush was Joseph.  How dreamy?????  We were 11, but it was perfection.  Every time I see his family when I go home to visit I giggle inside because I still think of my time as Mary fondly.  He was a pretty dishy Joseph even for a man of 11.  

So let's talk about the book.  "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" is a book that we read often when I was growing up.  My parents had the original copy from their childhood collections and I LOVED reading it.  The story was written in 1971 and is about six hooligan children who raise so much hell in their town that no one wants to deal with them.  The book opens with us finding out about their love for fire and stealing, among other things.  Before long they get wind that they serve "food" at church (bread and wine) and that every year they put on a pageant that's all about Baby Jesus.  As you can imagine these kids were hooked at the word food and miraculously become the most faithful cast members ever.  What unfolds is so hilarious, but ends with a pageant that everyone thought was going to be a COMPLETE DISASTER, but is actually the town's finest performance ever.  A few years ago I found a new edition of the book at Barnes & Noble and decided to buy myself a copy to read each year.  I always read it the week of Christmas so that I am warmhearted and prepared for Christmas the way that everyone should be prepared..remembering the reason for the season and that is little baby Jesus.  I'm still in the process of reading it this year so I won't give away too many of the good quotes.  I will just say this....read it!  It's so cute!  I also noticed online that they've created a children's story edition that is shorter and has bright fun pictures.  You can find that here.  There was also a cheesy, low budget TV movie made in the 80's and it is classic and might bring a tear or two to your eyes both from laughing and crying.

As you've probably gathered from reading my blog posts, I am a big fan of the technique, "how can I apply this to real life?"  So, here's the deal.  Living in Ogden means I am surrounded by children who are living in conditions far worse than I care to admit.  My lovely friend, Sarah aka Ethel, teaches kindergarten at a local inner-city school and every year she tells me about her kids whose primary residence is the homeless shelter.  Sigh.  That is just shitty for them.  The other day when I was driving to work, one of the school districts was busing kids to a local theater to see "The Nutcracker."  It's the same school district as Sarah so I knew that a good portion of these kids were probably elated to have a fancy outing in the middle of their school week.  I happened to catch a green light while turning left so I had to wait for like 40 kids to run across the street.  As I sat in my car, I watched a child run across in a t-shirt that looked like a tent and a dirty little face and matted hair.  And then I thought of this book.  I thought of crusty Imogene as Mary and Gladys as she says, "Hey!  Unto you a child is born!"  and then I got all misty eyed and in mamma bear mode and almost missed my opportunity to turn.  I've been tasked with running the Facebook page for the Weber-Morgan Children's Justice Center and I posted some interesting, but very sad, content this week about children who are neglected.

Did you know?
1. Children exposed to maltreatment are at increased risk of educational underachievement, including lower verbal and math scores.
2. Neglected children have poorer academic performance than physically maltreated children.
3. Maltreated children have higher rates of absenteeism from school than non-maltreated peers.
4. Maltreated children are at substantially higher risk than non-maltreated children of repeating a grade.
5. Maltreated children are at increased risk of dropping out of school before high school graduation.
6. Maltreated children are more likely to be referred for special education services.
7. Maltreated children are more likely than their peers to exhibit poor social skills and classroom behavior problems.
8. A child’s risk of poor academic functioning is substantially heightened by multiple victimizations.

Ref: National Children's Advocacy Center "As A Matter of Fact: The Relationship Between Child Maltreatment and Academic Achievement"

That, my lovelies, is sad, sad and sad.  I often wonder what the author was really trying to prove when she set out to write "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever."  Was she proving that kids are hilarious, but can still portray the story of Jesus' birth in a moving and semi-spiritual manner OR was she trying to make a point about watching out for the kids in our communities who are probably hooligans more for the attention and seeking of love than just being little punks?  No matter her motive, I am so grateful that she created this story because it makes my heart happy and I STILL laugh out loud a lot when the pageant directors try to explain the story to the Herdman kids and they are nearly saying "what the hell" for chapters on end.

The moral of the story:  Kids are always going to be kids and generally that involves hooliganism and cuteness wrapped all into one.  But, if we will show some compassion and take heed to look out for the kids who really have no one else to love them, we will be richly blessed and so will they.  You can do it.  I can do it.

Until next time, my lovelies!
-R

Bless All The Dear Children.

Well here we are in December! Can you believe it? It seems like just yesterday I was at the pool and enjoying flip flops and sunshine and now it's.... Well it's still sunshine and flip flops, but with a Christmas tree in my living room. We've had crazy warm weather in the 'hood lately and quite frankly I am grateful. I get terrible seasonal blues and I feel like this is a reprieve and answer to some uttered prayers from a couple of weeks ago. I know my ski bum and shredding friends are itching for the white stuff but I'm good. 

So for December I'm going to showcase my favorite holiday songs and traditions. I'm a sentimental fool with a big heart and most of the things I will talk about stem from a very blessed, yet simple childhood. I hope you enjoy my holiday musings. 

Last week was quite the anomaly for my non-profit work. It just so happened that I had two really important events centered around organizations that help kids at risk or those who have been in abusive situations or both. As I reflected back on both events it got me thinking about my favorite Christmas carol: "Away In A Manger."  When I looked up the history of the carol its origin is unknown and there are numerous versions and melodies. This carol is so moving to me. One of the things I love about it most is the third verse, which I quoted in the graphic above. It becomes a lullaby and it's blessed. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care. Sigh .... This time of year tends to be especially challenging for me because I haven't been blessed with motherhood yet. I've really worked hard this year to channel those mamma bear instincts through my community involvement with the Weber-Morgan Children's Justice Center. This continues to be one of the most rewarding and equally humbling tasks I've ever committed to. Some of my readers may be recovering abuse victims and to you I say, never give up and let your voice be heard. The statistics are staggering for those who are textbook victims, but never do anything to get the help and justice they deserve. And I will also say, listen to your children and those around you and be very sensitive to what they talk to you about. If you have any reservations towards certain individuals around your children, talk to someone about it. The worst thing anyone can do is to not speak up.  

We hosted a holiday open house this week at the Children's Justice Center and I had extended the invitation to a couple of people. One of them was my friend who will be part of a donation effort in the spring. I wanted him to see first hand what really went on at the center so that it made sense when we had the event. I'm always really humbled by people's reaction when they walk into the first interview room and it sinks in what actually happens within those four walls. I was one of those people not that long ago and it was the kind of humbling that causes a lump to get stuck in your throat. This time was no exception and my friend asked questions and I answered them. We then made our way into the recording room with the director who is a former child crime investigator. This room is where the computer system and recording equipment is housed for the investigators to watch as the interview is happening with the child. Shit gets real oh so quick when you realize the magnitude of purpose that occurs on a daily basis. Now I've been exposed to it for awhile, but my friend had not. I just stood there and watched as he took it all in and asked questions to the director giving us the tour. The point was made and I could tell that he was moved and inspired. This is why I do what I do... For the kids... The kids who, at no fault of their own, have been thrown into a terrible situation and need those advocates behind them. 

The second organization I met with for le day job was The Christmas Box House. The director also happens to be one of the VanLadyLove mammas so that was fun too! The organization's motto is "every child deserves a childhood." To think that this is NOT the case for so many of our youth breaks my heart. As Lisa and I were visiting I told her that I've always said I would raise the whole neighborhood if it meant they had a safe place to eat, sleep and be kids. That still stands true. The Christmas Box House provides temporary shelter for kids who have lost their home for whatever reason. They are doing incredible things for these youth. They offer so many programs for them that helps them become functioning adults against all sorts of odds. 

So how can we connect this beloved carol and these two awesome organizations? Really simple... Watch out for the children and protect these dear babes who are in your life for whatever reason. And especially those who you know have been dealt a terrible hand and you can shift their future for the better. And most of all don't forget to pray. Pray to your God for the victims of the poor choices of selfish adults. Bless those sweet young humans all around us. 

The moral of the story: life isn't a lullaby for everyone, but with a little effort and prayer we can bring a song to the hearts of children all around us. 

 

Here is my absolute favorite rendition of "Away In A Manger" sung by Katherine Jenkins. 

 



Until next time my lovelies!

-R