McPIFP Goal for Week #18

Memorial Day

Goal: Send a "letter of thanks" or care package to a brave solider overseas

Today we celebrate Memorial Day... which is a day to preserve a memory of a lost loved one. But today we also celebrate LIFE! As we remember the ones we've lost and honor them by maybe visiting their graves, we must also remember to cherish the moments we have with the friends and family currently in our lives. Every day with them is a blessing. =)

Memorial Day is also a time when we remember all of the brave men and women who have/are serving in our country making this such a wonderful place to live.... and the United States IS a wonderful place to live! We're enduring hard times, yes, but we endure these hard times with strength and freedom, so yes... I am still a patriot no matter what we go through! =) "And I am proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me....."--the famous song of Lee Greenwood... ha ha... I love it!

This week's goal is to send a "thank you" letter to at least one of those brave men and women in our United States military. I've included a website where you can find addresses of hundreds of soldiers to choose from. When you click on a name that you want, you can also find a personal message from that soldier maybe even telling you what his unit is in need of if you'd like to send a care package. Be sure to read all of the "what to send"; "where to send"; and "how to send" because it will answer all of your questions.

http://www.anysoldier.com/

There may be a time when we are powerless to prevent injustice,

but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.

-Elie Wiesel

McPIFP Goal for Week #17

Goal: Forgive (others or yourself)

I've been praying for the past couple of weeks about what I should make the McPIFP goal, and granted, this project is supposed to be a pay-it-forward-project; so when I kept hearing the words "forgive", I tried to put it in the back of my mind and use the words for myself personally. But everywhere I've gone and every time I seek the Lord, I keep hearing that I need to share about forgiveness. I've come to this conclusion because really.... this is pay-it-forward-project... and who can really move forward in life if they're held back by unforgiveness?

For the past 4-5 years, I myself, have been held back by unforgiveness... not neccessarily towards another person, but towards myself and the stupid decisions I've made. This past year specifically has been a revelation for me. I have experienced a freedom unlike any I've ever experienced before. I've chosen to forgive others and myself. I now know I'm at the place in my life right where God wants me! No matter how stupid the decisions were; and no matter that I'm starting back over in so many ways.... He loves me for who I am and I never would've experienced freedom and love like this any other way.

For this week's goal, I encourage you to let go and start the process of forgiving yourself, or someone who has hurt you in the past (or maybe even recently). Speaking from my own experience.... holding on to bitterness and past hurts require soooo much maintenance. Instead, let yourself be free by living a life of LOVE! Allow yourself to move forward, onward, and upward!!

Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must

clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility,

gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for

each other's faults and forgive the person who offends

you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must

forgive others. And the most important piece of

clothing you must wear is love. Love is what

binds us all together in perfect harmony.

Colossians 12-14

McPIFP Goal for Week #16

Goodness! I must apologize because I have really been slacking and not getting a blog in every week. I guess I am human, afterall! =) Everything is going wonderful in my life, but I've just been so busy this term with my classes and honestly, it has pretty much stressed me out.
And speaking of stress...... tis' the season! Tis' the season for graduations, weddings, the end of school, crazy drivers on the road, etc. The more people I speak with, the more I hear about everybody being STRESSED OUT! According to Websters, stress is "an impelling force, a driving force; a strain". I'm not sure about you, but that definition of stress, which is an everyday word in my vocabulary, has an awfully strong meaning and I'm not sure how I feel about letting that word somewhat "control" my life. For this week's goal, I just want to encourage you. I, myself, have needed encouragement and I found it in God's word so I wish to encourage you guys as well. =)

Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything.

Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done. If you do

this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful

than the human mind can understand.

Philippians 4:6-7

Instead of worry, I choose prayer.

Instead of stress, I choose peace.

Instead of frustration, I choose release.

Instead of frowns, I choose smiles.

Instead of sadness, I choose happiness!

I encourage you to speak these words this week (or what's left of it!). CHOOSE your disposition and don't let stress impel you. Accept God's peace! Have a great rest of the week!! =)