What Are We Celebrating Today?

I hope all of you had a very Merry Christmas. It's STILL raining here in Georgia. It's too bad the rain wasn't snow, but it's in the 40's here. We didn't really do anything special for Christmas or Christmas dinner. The kids didn't get that much for Christmas, and Pher thinks we (okay, mostly me) view him as a villian. LOL. He didn't like the Darth Vader sweatshirt I got him (I still like it!), so he'll have to exchange that out tomorrow. Angela loved her picachu hat.

I have definitely picked something up in Florida. The coughing is worse and I've had a fever on and off since I got home. I seem to get sick every Christmas for some reason....pick it up from family ususally.

So...what are we celebrating....

1). Boxing Day: The roots of this holiday go back to the Middle Ages . On this day, members of the merchant class would take boxes, fill them with food and fruits, and give them to servants, tradespeople and the less fortunate. In the case of servants, they would work on Christmas Day, so it was only fitting that immediately after Christmas, they would be given a day off to celebrate. Usually celebrated the day after Christmas, some would celebrate the following Monday when Christmas fell on a Friday or Saturday.

2). Candy Cane Day: Yum! I do like candy canes, and they are probably on sale at a lot of stores today also. The candy cane was originally a straight, hard, and all-white candy stick invented by French priests in the early 1400s. The cane shape is traditionally credited to a choirmaster at Cologne Cathedral in Germany, who, legend has it, in 1670 bent straight sugar sticks into canes to represent a shepherd's staff, and gave them to children at church services. Candy with red stripes first appeared in the early 1900s. So celebrate this holiday by eating a candy cane...I will.





3). National Whiner's Day: In 1986 Rev. Kevin Zaborney designated December 26 as National Whiner’s Day. Zaborney founded the holiday in hopes of encouraging people to be thankful for what they have rather than unhappy about what they don’t have. Suggestions for celebrating National Whiner’s Day include visiting a mall or store to watch people whine as they return or exchange unwanted gifts, inviting friends over for a “Whine and Geeze” party, and holding a whining contest with family and friends.

4). National Thank-you Card Day: This one makes perfect sense, as it's time to write all those notes thanking people for the gifts you received on Christmas. And don't underestimate the power of a thank-you note, especially with the grandparents. I know my kids have a few thank-you notes to write. Start the kids off early writing the thank-yous and you won't have as many problems when they get older.

It's also St. Stephen's Day in the Western Church or on the 27th in the Eastern Church. For more on St. Stephen's Day go HERE.

Have a Happy Hump Day!

Crowned By The King = My Story

As part of the Christian Women Affiliates Review Crew, I was given the opportunity to learn about the Crowned By The King ministry. This is a word of mouth ministry, so there is really no advertising.
From their Website: "Crowned By the King" is a women's ministry that uses a unique, crown necklace to help women creatively share the love of Christ with other women (a friend, family member, or even a stranger). Our goal is for women to know they are loved, cherished, and beautiful Daughters of the King. Psalms 45:11 says..."The King is enthralled by your beauty; honor him for he is your Lord." How the ministry works is really easy. We have simply created a vehicle (the necklace) that carries a powerful message for women. When women wear the "Crowned by the King" necklace it reminds them of their beauty, their value, and their purpose in Christ. You carry this message by wearing and sharing the "Crowned By The King necklace."
I was given 2 Crowned By The King necklaces, and the photo (from the website) does NOT do the necklace justice. It's beautiful.

Since the one necklace was mine, I put it on when I got it. Well, that didn't last long. I picked up my daughter Angela from school, and she immediately noticed it. I mean, I didn't even get the truck started before she was asking me all about it. Since one of the ways to share this ministry is The Compliment Opportunity - This is the most popular of the Crowned Moments. This is when someone compliments you on your "Crowned By The King" necklace and as a part of the ministry you give them your necklace and share the love of Christ with them. This does happen often, so be ready!! (from the website) . Yes, I gave my necklace to Angela. She's actually been wearing it to school and has had compliments about it.
The other necklace went to one of Angela's best friends, Michaela. A lot of you sorta' know who she is from photos.


I actually decided to give Michaela the other necklace for a couple of reasons. She had admired Ang's necklace for one. She's also been going through a few things and needed reminding that she is special. Angela and I gave her the necklace together...and she really loved it. I gave her the pamphlet that decribes the Crowned By The King ministry and the bookmark. I also did discuss this with her mom ahead of time.
Our teenage girls are under a lot of pressure to be thin, beautiful, and to fit in. With all they see and hear, they sometimes forget that they are special and unique in their own way. Having a teenage daughter, I have been noticing it a lot more lately. Angela and Michaela are about the same height and size and can wear each other's clothes... Both of them are dancers too....so they do get a lot of exercise. Yet, I still hear the 'fat' comments sometimes. I want them to know that no matter what they are loved and special, not only in my sight, but in God's.
To learn more about the Crowned By The King
Their Website
To Learn More About Their Ministry