#LightTheWorld.... in 25 ways. In 25 days.

I'm trying to figure out when Advent calendars and activities became such a big deal.  As a kid, I can remember tearing off links of a paper chain, or opening a little numbered door.... but with Pinterest and Interweb, there are so many ideas floating around for making December "fun" that I could easily end up in the looney bin.  Truthfully, I spend most of my time there anyway.... but I have learned that trying to tie myself (or my family) down to a programs where I have to do something consistently for any length of time is usually very self-defeating.  I, like so many others, have great intentions.... life just gets in the way.  The last time I tired to schedule "holiday family fun" our kitchen flooded, I had mold growing, we refinished the cabinets and wood floors and my brother ended up in the hospital.  Truthfully, I was done after we discovered the dishwasher leaking.... but hope springs eternal and my kids reminded me every day of December that I wasn't following the plans I'd laid out right after Thanksgiving.

But..... this year, I am going to try again.  Not because I necessarily know I'm disciplined enough to finish, but because I have spent a lot of time in 2016 writing and reflecting on life.  Something like four journals.  Anyway, this year, the LDS Church has started a new PR campaign that encourages us all to #lighttheworld.  Every day in December leading up to Christmas, there is an attribute of Jesus Christ that we are encouraged to follow and serve others.  Two days in and my Facebook feed is clogged (joyfully, but still clogged) with posts about service.  This is a fantastic thing to look at, although if I'm honest and I were having a bad day, I might feel like a loser because my children aren't gathering around the table nightly to discuss the service they've done during the day.  Don't get me wrong, I do have intentions of working with my kids on some of these things, but when I obsess about "getting stuff done" it becomes less fun and more forced.  And nobody wants to be forced right now; most of all, me.

So, in an attempt to participate in this opportunity and to record my thoughts and feelings (if only for myself) I have decided to do a daily blog post.  That's kind of a big commitment... but the Christmas season is hopeful.  And, for those of you who read my blog who are not of my faith (I think there may be a few of you) I want you to know what I believe... but don't want to come across as preachy.  I'm not perfect, but after 41 years on this planet, I'm still trying..... that's worth something, right?

Here is the video to kick off the campaign.  We are truly the Savior's hands on earth.