McPIFP Goal for Week #23

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

As you are all probably well aware of (the big fireworks tents are probably a good clue!), this next weekend we celebrate the 4th of July. To other countries, it's just a date, but to our country... the United States of America... the 4th of July is a day to CELEBRATE!! Independence Day is a holiday commemorating the formal adoption by the Continental Congress of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Although the signing of the Declaration wasn't completed until August, the 4th has been accepted as the official anniversary/birthday. It was first observed in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776, at which time the Declaration of Independence was read aloud, city bells rang, and bands played.

This document was the crucial beginning to our amazing country's path to freedom. My favorite line (one of the only ones I know!) is "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness". I especially loved this line when Martin Luther King Jr. quoted it for his ever popular 'I Have A Dream' Speech..... "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.'

We've come a long way since both this document and MLK's speech, but have we really united as a free country and accepted each other as equals?? Yes, we've come a long way... but we can ALWAYS go further! Because of all the recent major morality issues that our country is debating over, I feel that we are a very divided nation. Let us take time this week to come together as ONE nation... difference of opinions aside.... to celebrate our freedoms. Our Pledge of Allegiance simply states, that "we are one nation, under God, indivisible....". Let us be indivisible this week--not divided--and instead of focusing on each of our own opinions, let us focus on each other; let us focus on LOVING each other; and accepting each other; and let us focus on celebrating our freedom with friends and family; let us set our attentions on real and meaningful things... not whether something is right or wrong, or if somebody offends you. Let us simply celebrate LIFE, LIBERTY, and the PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS! =)

I've included a link to Martina McBride's version of the National Anthem at this year's 2009 Super Bowl. This is probaby one of my most favorite songs ever! It always reminds me of how blessed I am to live here in the United States and no matter where I'm at, it always brings tears to my eyes and warms my heart. Let it do the same for you (if the link doesn't work-- copy and paste it into your browser).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RrJMDsToB0

McPIFP Goal for Week #22

Goal: Celebrate Men (Ha! ha!)

Here's a cute little poem that I wanted to share:

DAD

God took the strength of a mountain

The majesty of a tree

The warmth of a summer sun

The calm of a quiet sea

The generous soul of nature

The comforting arm of night

The wisdom of the ages

The power of the eagle's flight

The joy of a morning in spring

The faith of a mustard seed

The patience of eternity

The depth of a family need

Then God combined these qualities

When there was nothing more to add

He knew His masterpiece was complete

And so, He called it ... Dad

Fathers are truly a remarkable influence on a child (young and old!). They play such a role in creating, supporting, and encouraging a child's sense of self. I, myself, am sooo blessed to have an incredible Daddy who loves me unconditionally and lets me know he's my #1 fan in everything I do! I am also proud to say that there are other males and "father figures" in my life that I'm truly grateful for as well. It's because of these positive influences and relationships.... that I just LOVE, respect, and adore men! Alphas, Betas, manly-men, girly-men.... all shapes and sizes and personalities... men were created by God to hold a unique position in our lives... not only Dads, but men in general. Simply stated: I.Love.Men. =)

For this week's goal, I would like for us to acknowledge and say "thank you" to a positive male role model or influence that you might have in your life. I realize that most of us have already acknowledged our Dads and Grandpas on Father's Day (or at least I hope so!); so outside of your Fathers, think about a male who has really made a postive impact. This might be a good thing to do... especially if you don't have a Daddy to celebrate this year, or if you just want to let somebody else know they've really made a difference; he can also be young or old--maybe your brother or a buddy that you admire.

SOOO.... this is why I call this week a "Celebration of Men"!!! Ha ha.... I immediately think of Tim Taylor (played by Tim Allen) from the sitcom Home Improvement! I can just see him now.... puffing up his chest and doing his macho 'He-man grunt'...... "hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo!" But even Tim Taylor needed to be told that he was appreciated and loved. Even he wasn't made of steel. =)

Thank you to all the strong, wise, and loving men in my life. I'm truly grateful for you. I would'nt be who I am today without your love, support..... and big, strong shoulders to lean on. Thank you. =)

McPIFP Goal for Week #21

Goal: Be True To Yourself

6 months ago, back when my family and I first thought of the McPIFP, we came up with a list of goals for each week throughout the year. I like structure and organization, so I was determined to go off of that list; However, that wasn't God's plan for this project. =) As I've grown in Him these past 6 months, I have tried to seek His will every week in picking out a goal that He wants me to use. The ultimate goal of the McPIFP has become more than just about making a change for the week.... it has become a goal for a lifestyle change as well. This week's came from an email that my mom received from Nightingdale.com's "quote of the day".

"Discover that the most powerful way to help those you love is to lead by example--- and realize you're leading by example all the time.

Your children, your spouse, your extended family; your colleagues and friends; your acquaintances at church; the server who refills your drink at lunch. These are your circles of influence in your life. These are the minds you help shape. And every action you take can influence their lives — which influences their own circle... and it grows exponentially from there. So the answer to the age-old question "What can I do to change the world?" is remarkably simple: Be true to yourself.

-Joe Caruso

From his book, "The Principles of Authentic Power"

In Genesis 1:27, its says, "So God created people in His own image. God patterned them after himself; male and female He created them." We were created in the image.... the semblance, the type, the counterpart... of the God of the Universe!! How cool is that??!! When I hear the words, "be true to yourself", I think of remaining steadfast and strong in who I am, which includes my morals, values, personality, etc. But I believe that the REAL meaning of being true to myself is by ACCEPTING that I am God's creation. He created me.... little ol' me... in His beautiful and powerful image!

So I encourage you this week to honestly be true to yourself. Think about what that means and how you can truly make a difference by embracing who you are.... not only as an individual, but especially by accepting that you were made in the image of our faithful and loving God. =)

I love you all!

Have a fabulous week! =)

McPIFP Goal for Week #20

Goal: Volunteer!

This week's goal is to find some time to volunteer anywhere and with anyone! This doesn't neccessarily have to be at a charitable organization... this can also be volunteering your time to a friend in need.

Here are some more examples: volunteer at your church's Vacation Bible School (this is the one I'm doing!) to help set up and work with the kiddos; help a friend/family move; visit a nursing home to chat with some of the residents; free babysitting for friends/family; help out at your local homeless shelter in serving them food; and/or volunteer your time at local animal shelters (if you can manage this one, then God bless you! Some of us have panic attacks simply being near an animal shelter.... ... Me!), etc, etc.

I'm sure most of you already know a way to volunteer your time.... it can be anything, afterall.... volunteering just simply means, "offering one's service". How can you offer your service this week? How can you make a small, but meaningful difference in someone's life?

Love & Blessings to you all! =)

McPIFP Goal for Week #19

Goal: Give a monetary blessing to either a local organization you want to support or a person/family in need.

Once upon a time..... There was a time in my life where I received an outrageous monetary blessing from a dear family friend. He knew I was in dire need at the moment and he kindly handed over the money that him and his family put back every month, specifically for this type of occasion. Every month, they would give that money to a friend/family member who needed it. I believe they would also give it to their local church designated towards a specific area of ministry when they felt led in that direction. SO... how could I forget something like that?? I wasn't able to pay it forward to another in need around that time, because I was so financially strapped, but I continued to pay it forward in other areas... many that I have used on this blog. His monetary blessing touched my life (and is probably what self-consciously led me to start this project!) and I never forgot how it made me feel. I decided then and there, that when my financial burden wasn't so heavy that I would do the same for another and another and another, etc. =)

I know that most of us can think of at least one person who could use a monetary gift... usually, it's the first person that comes to your mind. So this week, impact someone's life for the moment by taking off some of the financial pressure they might be going through. This can be as big as giving them hundreds of dollars for groceries or summer clothes for their children; or it can be as small as giving them $5.00 to buy their favorite drink at Quik Trip they've had to stop getting to cut costs. Whatever you feel led to give, then give it. Make a difference in someone's life and show them what it looks/feels like to pay it forward. Let's change this world one small McPIFP at a time! =)

Have a great week and I would LOVE to hear about your experiences with this project!

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