Join the Giving Revival! -Blessmas 2013

It's that wonderful time of year again!!  Everyone is happy and friendly and Church is all decorated and looking so festive that it makes you feel like a little kid all over again.  The nostalgia of the old fashioned Christmas are fresh in our minds and we are trying desperately to regain the joy of our youth that is so fleeting in our adulthood.

This is what Christmas is gonna look like in
my house this year.

Every year I always feel the need to give back.  I as much as I complain, I do realize that most of my complaints are #whitegirlproblems and there are countries filled with people who would gladly trade my "miserable" life for theirs.  I do believe I have been blessed beyond anything I could have ever hope for and if I could help just one family feel that way, even if it's just for a day, then its a gift I would gladly give.

So here's the deal.  Last week, I alluded to giving you a way to be generous this Christmas.  Give to those that need and all that crap and I gotta admit...  I'm super excited to see how this thing takes off.

A few weeks ago I was in church, (You know how I need me some Jesus) and the pastor was telling this beautiful story of a regular family in our church who decided to pay off someones layaway randomly just in time for Christmas.  Well, they said that it felt so good to give that they ended up paying off 3 or 4 different layaways.  Everyone one clapped and of course was joyous at the example of giving that this regular family showed.

But it got me thinking.

If one family could save Christmas for four,  how many more could we help?  Everyone know that if everyone on their Facebook gave them 5 dollars we would be rolling in it.  But how about we get together and start a revolution?  What if we Started a Revival in Giving!  What if we started a movement?  What if ones family's story sparks an avalanche of good wishes and well being?  And what if that could start with us?

What if we could be the change that happens this Christmas?  What if we were the answer to a long awaited prayer?  What if we were able to make a family feel normal and loved and accepted for just once in their lives?  What if we were the ones who restored faith in humanity?

The Plan:  To collect as many gift card to Walmart (in any amount) as possible and then use those gift cards to pay off random layaways in time for Christmas!  Our goal is to raise $2,000 in gift cards so that we can help anywhere from 15-20 families.  We're planning on picking out layaways that have things on them like diapers and toys for kids under 10 and things like that.  (If there's an xbox on it... we probably gonna pass.)

This is a great way to make a huge impact on our community.  To build up the families in our area that may otherwise feel nothing of the Christmas season except for stress and fear and shame.  Imagine if your kids are wishing for nothing but a baby doll and you were collecting change just to get it for them.  Imagine how you would feel if you couldn't provide the basics that we take for granted on our holiday season.  Things like diapers or formula or new clothes.  Things that a parent wants so desperately to give their children but can't.

What if we could be an answered pray to a single mom who is just barely getting by and now has the stress of holidays to boot?

What if we could be a helping hand to a father that doesn't know the language and is trying desperately to provide for his family by doing odd jobs?  What if we could shower him with the kindness he isn't getting anywhere else?

What if after years of being dissapointed we were the reason a child believes in Christmas and Santa just one more year?

What if...

I think it could be supernatural.

Good news!  We are!  You are!  You can be part of a change in our community.  I made a Facebook page and everything:)  We're calling it BLESSMAS 2013

https://www.facebook.com/Blessmas2013

I know, I am so on top of it!  (That is a flat out lie.  I'm not on top of anything unless it's eating the last of the pecan pie.)

But this isn't just my thing, this is our thing.  Because this doesn't work unless everyone gets involved.  Each and everyone of you would have a hand in making this happen.   If you want to change Christmas for a family check out the page, get a gift card, post pictures and be part of the Giving Revival!!

Let's give back Christmas!!
Blessmas 2013!!

Antenella