We had an amazing group gathered this morning to kick off the "YUMC Family Challenge!"
Our First Beatitude we discussed was "Blessed are the Poor in Spirit"
Abby talked about the fact both Matthew & Luke talk about the Beatitudes. Luke talks about the Poor in Spirit as someone in need of spiritual strength. Matthew talks about Poor in Spirit as someone physically poor.
We discussed a time we went through something difficult and how it directed (or didn't) our relationship with God.
At the end of the time, each family unit had to choose 1 challenge they were going to take on for the week.
And it was an amazingly brave first week!
Below is the list of options.
If you are participating in this Challenge, please check in at least twice this week to let us know how it's going and to support the rest of the group! Add Pictures when possible!
Questions? Email Denise@yardleychurch.org
Have a blessed week, all!
1. Don't even give me the Evil Eye Try being generous this week. Instead of spending your extra cash on new clothes or music, spend it on a friend who doesn't have as much as you. Even better, don't let them find out it was you!
2. Let it Go Take a look at your prize posessions. Find something you can't live without. Practice what it means to depend on God by giving it away and not replacing it.
3. Thanks Mr Edison, but no Minumize your use of electricity. Donate the difference in your electricity bill to your electric company's account or about making this a way of life.
4. Ten items or more Skip a meal or use some allowance to go grocery shopping then donate everything to the local food pantry.
5. Roughing it Sleep on the floor for a week. Think about how life might be different if you didn't have a comfy home. Remember, with less of you, there is more room for God.
6. Shut Your pie hole Fast from food for a peroid of time. Reflect on Christ's suggestion that life is more than food.
I decided to skip lunch each day this week and donate my money to the food bank at Morrisville Pres. I am finding it more difficult than I thought to give up lunch. But, I am using that time to pray and read.
ReplyDeleteMom Rymer checking in...we decided to say 'no thanks, Mr. Edison' and I felt like a huge failure when I opened my fridge Monday morning and the little light came on! I never felt so guilty to see that light. Or to have a fridge full of chilled food. We have had to amend our challenge to more of a 'rolling blackout' than a true rejection of electricity. We still use heat and appliances and the computer - but no tv or video games, and candle light whenever possible. Some observations so far:
ReplyDelete*The house smells good - it's a mixture of 'apple spice-beachwalk-Christmas wreath-wild berry' with all the scented candles.
*After a few hours, scented candles can give you a headache
*dinner by candle light is nice
*dishes by candle light is less appealing
*the dog is confused by the dark but happy that we gather together each evening to make the most of our candles
While we haven't been able to completely fulfill this challenge, we truly appreciate our electricity more than ever, and we plan to make a donation to our electric company to help those who struggle to have this everyday.
The Belezos gang is holding up well with the "Let It Go" challenge. Nick and Lydia handed in their "prized" IPods Monday morning, Will has given up his "prized" TV time and I have given up my "prized" tea drinking ritual. Nick and Lydia have found you can get your homework done a lot faster when you're not distracted by your IPod (though you do have to now stand in line for the family computer), Will is getting lots of reading done and I discovered a caffeine addiction I didn't know I had. There is a big difference between what we need and what we want. Being challenged to give up some of our prized wants helps us realize how lucky we are to have them or, in some cases, are better off without them!
ReplyDeleteThe Lipton family, along with our adopted son Richard Habgood, gave up Tuesday's lunch. Actually Richard forgot to eat breakfast so he fasted for the whole day (I am so proud of my number 2 son). At 5pm we went grocery shopping and bought several grocery bags full of lunch foods for the food pantry. It felt good to give up a meal and then buy lots of meals for others! After shopping we broke bread together as a family. It was an excellent time to just be together.
ReplyDeleteErica and Richard still want to sleep on the floor, but I'm not sure those of us over 16 could handle the getting up off the floor! Ah well, there is always next week's challenge
Day 4 of no power... I am starting to lose it. Whenever the lights come on, I get a headache. Whenever I enter a dark room, I get a headache. Lack of xbox is giving me a headache. Spending quality time with my family continiously gives me headaches. Actually, none of that is true, but I have had a change in perspective. I am now aware of the people who don't have access to all of the fine things that Mr. Edison inspired. The light room/dark room will always give me headaches, but at least it means something important.
ReplyDelete-John Rymer
Hey Catie Rymer here. I was sick on Monday, so I stayed home:
ReplyDeleteNormal sick day: curl up on couch and watch TV for hours
My sick day: curl up on the couch and read multiple books by candle light for 8 STRAIGHT HOURS!!!
I feel like I'm going somewhat insane, but at least it's for a good cause. Only a couple more days! Hang in there! :)
haha! John & Catie... you're so funny! =)
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you are keeping your sense of humor! =)
Awesome stories, everyone!! Can't wait for Sunday morning!!