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

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!! =)

McPIFP Goal for Week #15

Goal: Acknowledge Earth Day (April 22nd) and Arbor Day (April 24th)

"Take sides-- neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim"

-Ellie Weisel, Holocaust Survivor

(a quote used by one of my very best friends)

I realize that this quote might be out of context in regards to Earth and Arbor Day, but I want you to open your mind and look at it this way: The definition of "neutrality" is 'the state of being impartial or committed to any party or viewpoint'. It's almost like the quote, "ignorance is bliss". But is it really??

In defense of our beloved Earth (the victim), I feel that too many of us (the "opressors") show neutrality vs. taking its side to make it a better place. I, myself, am guilty of this very thing. I ignore all of the environmental issues, because I can't see it directly applying to my life.... but it's the lives of those coming after me that I should really think about. I look at all of the environmental fact sheets listed on the website for Earth Day (http://www.earthday.net/) and it really makes me re-think my complacency/neutrality.

This week, I encourage you to EDUCATE yourself! Find out what you can do or how you can be aware of the environmental issues going on around you, and TAKE SIDES!

http://www.earthday.net/

http://www.arborday.org/

http://www.arbor-day.net/

http://www.earthday.wilderness.org/