Semper Vita

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

May this Christmas be filled with hope and love.
May 2009 bring you true joy and opportunities to experience life to the full.

Love much, live well, give back and find joy this coming year.

Here's to a new year filled with promise and hope!
Let's together commit to making a difference by serving in community.

46 Ways To Live Christmas Daily

Happy Christmas Eve...in the hustle and bustle lets remember the reason we celebrate: Jesus!

Making a difference everyday

You are reading the final post about 46 ways to make it Christmas everyday. This journey to Christmas started on November 10, 2008, as a result of Bart Shatto's inspiring song at the TSO concert. His challenge to make it Christmas everyday inspired me two years in a row. This year I chose to come up with ways to continue spreading the Christmas cheer.

To date, we've looked at 41 ways to make a difference. We started 46 days before Christmas and today I'm finishing up with 5 final suggestions to make it Christmas everyday.

Suggestions 42 through 46

42. Give free food to help alleviate hunger. It's easy to join the approximately 220,000 daily visitors from around the world. According to the site, to date "more than 300 million visitors have given more than 500 million cups of staple food." Just one click on the yellow "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button and you make a practical difference to someone. 

43. Support a child by giving free healthcare. Be one of the about 70,000 people who visit the site daily. Choose the "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button and you'll be part of the over 100 million visitors who've helped more than 2,161,000 children. Here's what your visit will help fund:

"the administration of Vitamin A to prevent life-threatening childhood illness and disease as well as one preventable cause of childhood blindness; the manufacture and fitting of children's prostheses so that a child injured by a landmine or other accident can still walk, run and play and still has a fighting chance to be a productive contributor in his or her society as an adult; eye surgeries that can reverse one kind of childhood blindness; and HIV testing that will alert medical personnel that a mother may pass the infection onto her child at birth so that she can be treated and the newborn spared of this terrible disease. When you click, once per day, every day, you are helping to get these types of treatments and services to the children who need them most." 

44. Adopt a sister in Burundi. Just $30 a month will feed, clothe and shelter a widow and her children. In Burundi, a little country of about 8 million people, 1 million people were killed in a genocide. Thousands of war widows struggle to survive, feed their children and find shelter. For just $1 a day you can help these widows recover and become self-sufficient again.

45. Help people in Rwanda achieve reconciliation. Rwanda Partners works for Rwanda's healing and reconciliation. You can donate toward various programs: healing and reconciliation workshops ($50 each), income generating projects ($75 each), farm animals to help poor families ($35 each), or classrooms and dorms at the New Hope Center ($100 each).

46. Give to yourself...and invest in others. When you discover your unique wiring, you can unleash your potential to make the world a better place. Use the Semper Vita training to learn about your strengths and personality. There's no one like you anywhere. Find out how to maximize who you are and make a difference everyday! Please feel free to "Contact Us" to get started.

May these suggestions help us to continue the love and giving of Christmas throughout the year!

Make It Christmas For Kids In Need

The right treatment can change the day.

Unequal treatment

My front wheels were damaged last week during the snow storm in the Greater Seattle area. One was clipped by a snowplow the other just dinged on a curb. An expense I didn’t need three days before Christmas.

So to make sure I have a car during this season (given that the replacement wheels would take a week), I decided to get all new wheels at a national tire chain. (You know the one that invites you to return your tires if ever you’re not satisfied.) At their nearest location, they didn’t have the wheels and they offered no solutions. I asked for other locations. Grudgingly, they provided me with phone numbers for two nearby locations. (I had to call them myself.)

Before I called I prayed (I tend to pray about most everything) and asked God to lead me to the right place and provide the wheels at a good price. The first number was busy. I tried the second. A courteous manager listened to my situation and offered a solution. He could get the wheels from another location in about an hour. The four wheels were about the same price as the two replacement wheels I had already ordered. So I canceled the first order and purchased the four new wheels. They had an employee drive (about 30 minutes each way) to get the wheels.

The manager told me what time to be at the store - they were staying open till all their customers were helped. Once I arrived, I learned that they had put me in the system at the time of my call – reducing my wait from four hours to two hours. What amazing service. They apologized on behalf of the other location. I thanked them for the excellent service – and told them they were an answer to prayer.

Preferential treatment: You can help kids and teens

So why write about wheels on the Semper Vita blog? Not just because it's a great story about a person who went out of his way to help someone in need but also because it's a great analogy about the plight of struggling kids and teens. Some people see them as necessary inconveniences while other people go out of their way to help them - making a difference in their lives.

I'm including three Seattle-area organizations that are serving homeless or at risk kids. (Not in Seattle, check out your local organizations. Want help? Contact us and we'll help you find the organizations in your area).

Here's three ways we can help kids in need:

• Vision House

Since 1990 Vision House has provided transitional housing with integrated support services to homeless single mothers and their children. Their premise:

1. Kids shouldn't be homeless.
2. Every child deserves a home free from anxiety and fear.
3. Only $26 dollars per night provides housing and services to a homeless child.

There are several ways to help. You can donate to help house a homeless child, help them raise $500 by January 10, donate furniture for new apartments or help out in one of the many volunteer opportunities.

HT: Colleen Nordlund via Facebook Causes.

• Friends of Youth

Friends of Youth delivers a broad range of services to youth and their families to improve their emotional stability and self-sufficiency. "Friends of Youth envisions all youth having every opportunity to succeed."

You can help by donating your time, providing needed items or giving to the great work.

1. Volunteer opportunities include:

• being a parent mentor
• providing childcare at one of the homes
• making dinners
• offering administrative support
• working as a special event or seasonal volunteer
• serving in development positions

2. Want to provide needed items? Here are some things on their wish list:

• personal care items
• bedding
• teen clothing

3. Of course you can always give toward their work through cash donations.

• New Horizons Ministries

"New Horizons Ministries has been serving Seattle's street youth population since 1978. The faces have changed over the years but the nature, heart and extraordinary resilience of these kids remains. That's how we see these youth – as people who are quite extraordinary."

As a multi-cultural organization, they see their mission as follows: "to be in relationship with homeless and street involved young people, serving and loving in the way of Jesus, equipping them to leave street life."

You can help financially, by volunteering or both. To give to the work visit their Ways to Give page on the website. Looking for volunteer opportunities at New Horizons? They range from putting together a building work group, to serving in a food group, providing office help, or working directly with the youth.

Just three more ways to make Christmas special and continue the spirit well into the new year.

As for my car? It was ready after about two hours. Guess what? The wheels look great. Thanks to some great customer service and a caring manager.

Give My Christmas Gift To Semper Vita

During this season of giving, please indulge my shameless request to invest in our mission.

What will I be getting this year?

There was a time when the content of the gifts with my name on it mattered a great deal. One year I just couldn't wait. When my parents were out of the house I went on a search for the Christmas gifts.

Unfortunately I found them. Sure it was exciting to discover their secret location. It also was fun to find out what they had bought. The truth is that my parents had good things in store for my sister and I. They usually did.

The gifts were great, if only I had waited. Finding the gifts ruined the experience. It took away both the joy of the anticipation and the fun of getting the gifts. Rest assured, on Christmas day I did an awesome job of acting surprised. Of course my mom will know now; she reads this blog. (Sorry mom!)

I learned a huge lesson that day. Not waiting until the right moment is a bad idea. Figuring out what you're going to get before you get it ruins the joy of getting the gift. I never look for gifts anymore (you'd hope not at my age, right?) and I don't try to figure out what the gift(s) might be. The end result? Getting gifts is fun again.

Surprise me for Christmas!

So, have you been thinking about what to get me for Christmas? If I'm anywhere on your list, please consider giving my gift to Semper Vita. It would give me great joy. Your tax-deductible gift will help make our vision a reality. Just think of how many people we can help once we build the software. So, if you were looking for what to give me, look no further. In just a few clicks you can make my Christmas wish come true. And, it truly is another way to extend Christmas all year.

Oh, and I promise not to peek!

Spread Christmas Cheer

It's the season to spread cheer...

It's cold outside. The new snow on my deck measures 10 inches tall. I'm glad I have a home with insulated walls, a heater, warm clothes, electricity and food. I can't imagine being cold, hungry and homeless. This time of cheer is so much harder for our friends and neighbors in need. Everyone of us can make a difference. That's what I believe - it's the Semper Vita premise. Check out these suggestions for making Christmas better for people in need.

Ideas 33 through 37 (out of 46) to make it Christmas every day

        Donate the following to a local food bank, charity or church:

• gift cards to a supermarket for food and/or toiletries
  
• donate clothing with the gift receipt for easy size exchanges

        Call a charity or church (or maybe you know someone personally):

• make a week’s worth of meals for a family in need
• adopt a family for the season and make their Christmas bright
• invite people to your home for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day meals

HT: K. Jason and Kelli Krafsky

Spend Less, Give More, Invest Yourself

Less stuff, more love, good deeds for a better Christmas.

As I'm pondering Christmas gifts and searching online for some last minute gifts, I saw this video from Advent Conspiracy. (Check out my recent post about their work and partnership with Living Water International.)

Imagine that in the US we spend $450 billion - with a "b" - each Christmas. That's a lot of money! Guess how much it would take to solve all the clean water problems in the world. Ready? According to the video $10 billion. Um, yeah. What are we doing? If we all spent 2.5 cents less on Christmas and gave it to purchase clean water we'd have it covered.

Semper Vita exists to help people find ways to show more love, do good deeds and partner with others to make a difference locally, regionally, nationally and globally. Join us as we encourage each other to give less stuff and more love this Christmas.

Give The 12 Days

Show someone you care, lift their spirits, make their day. Start 12 days before Christmas.

What and how much to give?

It's the season of giving and Christmas is only 13 days away. Most of us would agree that giving gifts to people in our life is important. Who doesn't love getting gifts - especially those that you know were especially selected for you? It doesn't have to be expensive but it should be a gift that fits the person.

I value both the giving and receiving. Yet selecting the right gift is stressful. I want it to be just right and I want it to be different. A friend sent me these gift-giving suggestions, which fit both categories - it's different and just right for some on your list.

Two ways to give the 12 days of Christmas

1. A group of friends collaborated one year to bring Christmas cheer to a single parent, a neighbor struggling with the loss of a job and another dealing with mental illness. They provided 12 days of hope through simple acts of kindness.

Here's how it worked. They put together 12 days of bought or created small wrapped gifts - things like:

• a spiced cider package or bottle of cider
• a poem
• a bubble bath packet
• some Christmas cookies
• an ornament
• a bookmark
• a cup with special teas or hot cocoa
• a small candle
• a starbucks card
• some candy canes
• special soaps
• hand cream

They wrapped each gift and numbered them, then put all the gifts in a larger gift bag and delivered them with instructions to open one each day. One each on the 12 days before Christmas. Each gift had a note of encouragement.
 
 2. Pick a deserving or struggling neighbor and give them 12 days of encouragement.

One year my friend was the neighbor who received this special treatment. Here's her account of what a neighbor did anonymously:

The door bell would ring sometime after dinner on the 12 days before Christmas.
We would check and and there would be a package by the door. It was such a treat and something we looked forward to. Each package had a note which read like the Twelve Days of Christmas. (On the Twelfth day of Christmas, your neighbor gave to you 12 bags of caramel corn). Each day something new and a new line was added to the list. On the twelfth day it ended with "and one jar of candy. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!"

Needless to say, this family felt loved and cared for by their neighbor.

What great ways to say you care. It's inexpensive and relatively easy. It's a great way to show you care and spread the love of Jesus as we approach his birthday.

HT: Meta L.

Give Water, Give Life

We can't live without water yet some people don't have any.

Well, what about water?

My water comes from a well. It's my family's own well that provides wonderful, great-tasting water. There's plenty of water and plenty of pressure. I love the well...except when the power goes out.

If there's a power outage then our water runs out too. Power outages typically aren't planned so we can't prepare. When the power goes out our available water is reduced to amount that's left in the storage tank. Sometimes it's plenty, other times it's hardly any. When there's a storm approaching, we fill up gallon jugs. You never know when it might run out.

I consider our situation an adventure, and...I love adventures. It's easy though. My water shortages are always temporary.

No potable water

Imagine that about one sixth of the world's population does not have access to potable (that's drinkable) water. In fact:

• 1.1 billion people lack access to a clean water supply
• Every 15 seconds, a child dies from a water-related disease.
• The average American uses 100 to 176 gallons of water at home each day.
• Consumer expenditures for bottled water are approximately $100 billion per year
• Bottle water can cost as much as $10 per gallon.

       (source: www.dollarforadrink.org)

Solve it with one dollar

One person, Joshua Guthrie, a 16-year-old Sophomore, started Dollar for a Drink. What is it?  A non-profit organization that raises money for fresh water wells in Sudan, Africa. He's raised $5300 out of $8000 needed.

His project encourages us to:

1. Give up one drink
2. Give one dollar
3. Give the gift of a well in Sudan

$1 provides one year of clean water for a person in Sudan. You can make a difference with ONE dollar!

HT: Jesus Creed

Give Wells, Provide Living Water

Lack of clean water is the leading cause of death in some of the poorer nations.  In fact,

• 1.8 million people die every year from water born illnesses.
• That includes 3,900 children a day.
• Solving this water problem once and for all will cost about $10 billion. 

What can one person do this Advent season?

There's an Advent Conspiracy taking place

Advent Conspiracy has partnered with Living Water International to help solve this problem. Learn more about Living Water International (LWI). Will you help build a well?

HT: Tamara Dull

Today's suggestion to make it Christmas everyday for someone is all about water. Semper Vita is all about experiencing life through service in community.  I've included two great choices to give water, give life.

Gifts And Changed Lives

Last week I wrote about birthdays. Gifts are part of birthdays. The most celebrated birthday of all, you know Jesus' birthday a.k.a. Christmas, is just around the corner. For most of us, gifts are part of Christmas too. Unfortunately, for some Christmas is only about gifts. This consumer focus had some tragic results recently as a WalMart worker lost his life on Black Friday.How can we celebrate the season and not lose the meaning?

I’m planning to do much less for Christmas. (Sorry to those friends who are reading this blog post. Christmas will be sparse.) I’d feel much better if Christmas giving could benefit people in need. Wouldn't you? I know that one of my friends tried this a while back. One year she gave her friends a card saying that instead of a gift she’d donated to a good cause in their name: such as a goat for people in Africa, blankets for the homeless, etc. She’d donated the amount she would have given in a gift. Her friends were less than appreciative. That’s one of the challenges, isn’t it? Many people want to do good but they want gifts too. What if we could give gifts to our friends and make a difference in the world at the same time?

Create Epic Change

You can purchase unique holiday cards and gifts while benefiting people in Tanzania through an organization called Epic Change. Their mission is to "help hopeful people in need share their stories to acquire resources that will improve lives." Epic Change seeks to raise funds for a locally-run primary school that serves hundreds of children in Tanzania. The gifts they sell are beautifully designed and feature artwork of the children. Their current project is the expansion of a primary school. Gifts include such things as candles, greeting cards, Holiday cards and stationary. Each gift sold allows the purchase of a brick for a new classroom. 1000 bricks are needed.

In their own words:

• "Each gift we sell incorporates the personal story of someone whose life will be directly impacted by your purchase. In addition, by sharing their stories, artwork and photos, our local partners directly inspire and collaborate in the design of each product."
• "Every purchase you make at Epic Change represents an investment in the eduction and future of children who have the potential to change the world."

HT: Guy Kawasaki

Ten Thousand Villages - stores that make a difference

Another fabulous organization has various stores around the country and an online store. The Ten Thousand Villages stores sell unique items made by craftspeople around the world. You can find jewelry, home decor and gifts at these stores. Much of the merchandise will remind you of nationally known import stores but sold at a fraction of the price. How can they do it? Ten Thousand Villages is mostly staffed by volunteers. They pay for shipping and warehousing but labor is donated so that more of the proceeds goes to the artisans. Ten Thousand Villages pay artisans living wages.

They work with over 130 artisan groups in more than 38 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Ten Thousand Villages is one of the world's oldest and largest fair trade organizations. They build long-term relationships with the artisans that are based on mutual understanding and respect. Trade enables artisans to earn fair wages resulting in the opportunity for a better quality of life.

HT: Janet Kroeker

As we continue getting ready for Christmas, let's buy gifts that make a difference to more than just the recipient.

Kids Deserve Clothes, Protection and Birthday Parties

With a little time, attention and effort we can change a child's life and future.

Birthdays matter to me

My mother gladly takes the blame for my view on birthdays. She created the situation. Birthdays mattered to her. My sister and I never spent a birthday just getting cake and ice cream with some presents at the end of the day. No way. Birthdays were an event - always. I remember the birthday when the Sound of Music first came out  in the Netherlands (I know this dates me.) My parents allowed me to bring 7 friends to the theater which was a big deal then. We went in our Volkswagen bus and had dinner and a special birthday cake afterward. Another birthday we piled about 20 kids in the bus and other vehicles and went to the dunes in Holland to play the equivalent of "Cowboys and Indians." Afterward we went to a Dutch Pancake house to eat dinner plate-sized pancakes. Yum. Of course before those there were the birthdays at home with games, magic (my dad would do magic tricks), a puppet show (the same dad would put on the performance) and more. After the fun we had dinner and cake. And, we always were allowed to select our favorite dinner. Mine: cooked spinach, mashed potatoes and meatballs. It still is my birthday dinner. (Weird, I know.)

Of course, birthdays are just the icing on the cake. The basics include food, clothes, school supplies, books, and toys. My parents provided those too of course.

Today, I'm writing about three ways to help children and extend Christmas to everyday.

1. All children need clothes, books and toys

Imagine that there are many kids that don't even have the basics. Many foster kids don't have enough for clothes, books and toys. In Washington State, my state, the government pays a maximum of $300 per year for a foster child's clothes. It costs about twice that to clothe them.

If you live in the greater Seattle area you can join Icon Church to help foster kids. On Saturday, December 6, they're going to Seattle to volunteer in the Tree House Wearhouse.  Be part of a team that organizes and distributes books, clothes, and toys to needy foster kids.

They're meeting in Issaquah at 9:00 am and carpooling to Seattle.  RSVP to info@iconchurch.com.

2. Receive Amber Alert texts

Sadly, many children still get abducted each year. The Amber Alert system, named after an abducted child Amber whose parents fought to improve the search process, has helped to locate at least 250 children. The notifications have gone out through radio and television alerts as well as on freeway signs.

Now you can help more quickly and easily. The Amber Alert now uses texts to alert people wirelessly.

"This program is put into place to send text messages to people who sign up in their specific geographic areas when an amber alert is made."

It's easy. Sign up for Wireless Amber Alerts and participate when an alert goes up in your area. Help save more children's lives through receiving a free text message with info of the local Amber Alert.

3. Make birthday gift bags to give a child a birthday

Everyone can do this one. It's a great event for a family, group, church, neighborhood, birthday party or company. I've mentioned Cheerful Givers on this blog before. They provide toy-filled birthday gift bags to food pantries and shelters "so that parents living in poverty can give their child a birthday gift." What a great idea.

Here's how you can help:

• Hold a Birthday Bag Blitz - It's an intense (and fun) campaign. You and your group of volunteers get together to create birthday gift bags, filling each bag with an assortment of ten new toys which include items like books, plush toys, balls, puzzles, stickers, crayons, etc.
  
  If you're in the Minnesota area, Cheerful Givers has a list of local food shelves or shelters. Outside of the Twin Cities it will take one extra step. Find your local food bank and drop off the bags.
  
  Want to plan a Blitz or need more information? Contact Karen@cheerfulgivers.org.
• No time for your personal Blitz? Donate online.
• Let them know what you did. Send photos or a your story to Karen.

Thanks for spreading the cheer. Want to give to Semper Vita? We would love your help. We're working to connect people and organizations to do more good together.

Participate For Good: Blog Comment Day

Use your voice to do life together, share community and make a difference.

Can you hear me now?

When I hear those words I picture a guy in with black-rimmed glasses in gray overalls walking around with a cell phone to his head. You too? It's a great commercial. Isn't "can you hear me now?" what we all say when we're on the phone - especially in those poor coverage areas. It seems like there's more to it. Isn't it also how we really feel as we barrel through life? When we're not feeling connected, when people aren't paying attention, when we seem to be speaking to the wall - don't we all want to do something to get someone's attention and then say, "Can you hear me now?"

A few words can make a difference

People are wired to connect and do life together. That's why at Semper Vita connecting is a core value. We all look for ways to be in relationship, communicate meaningfully and make a difference. The recent 1000-person pillow fight that happened through online contact illustrates that people want to have contact. Blogging is another way people are using to communicate, have their voice heard and make a difference.

John Smulo, a friend and fellow blogger, writes:

"People blog for all kinds of different reasons. Some blog to get their thoughts out in a public diary; others blog to share their expertise with others; many more blog for a dozen other reasons."

John's reason for blogging is "the interaction, learning, and friendship that comes from putting my heart and mind out in public and the privilege of people responding through comments."

Blog Comment Day on December 3, 2008

He likes it when people comment on his blog. I like it too. It creates conversation. It's a way to share thoughts, leave a challenge, share an idea or make a difference. 

Here's how Blog Comment Day works:

• On December 3, 2008 leave one comment on at least 5 different blogs.
• Out of the 5 blogs make at least 2 of them blogs you haven't commented on previously.

As part of spreading Christmas to everyday, why not visit some worthwhile blogs and find out about other great causes. Let the person leading the effort know that you appreciate them. It will make their day - trust me!

Some suggestions (Besides John's Blog):
Cheerful Givers
Billy Calderwood
Epic Change
Jesus Creed
Conversant Life

Gratitude and Generosity on World Aids Day

Learning to be generous as part of gratitude.

This past week and weekend was all about Thanksgiving and contemplating the meaning of gratitude. A friend recently connected the concepts of generosity and gratitude. It's amazing how some of the most generous people are also the least well off. I'm finding that as finances get tighter, it's a bigger choice to give and be generous. However, generosity and gratitude are healthy for the heart, soul and pocket book, right? After all, God loves a cheerful giver.

What is generosity?

It's not all about money. For many of us the easiest thing to give is money. The hardest thing to give is time or genuine attention. Sometimes just caring is tough. So, how do we prepare for Christmas by making extending it to a daily lifestyle? Here are some more ideas:

1. Today is World's Aids Day.

"The 1st of December, World AIDS Day, is the day when individuals and organisations from around the world come together to bring attention to the global AIDS epidemic. 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day. Whilst we have come a long ways since 1988, there is still much more to be done."

I am going to do my part by visiting a Starbucks today - in honor of World's Aids Day. The event this season is - "Buy (RED)™. Help save lives." They're giving 5 cents to the Global Fund for every "hand-crafted Starbucks beverage" sold on December 1, 2008 from 7 am to 7 pm at participating US and Canada locations. (Every time you purchase a Red Exclusive beverage between Nov. 27 and Jan. 2, they will give 5 cents to the Global Fund so you can keep visiting them, enjoy your coffee and do good all at the same time.)

2. Make a coffee or lunch date with someone you know who might feel isolated. You can combine buying Red to give to the Global Fund and being kind to someone you know.

3. Let someone go in front of you - in line at the grocery store, in traffic or any where. If you're a praying person, pray for them as you let them go ahead. You may be the only one praying for them that day.

That's three more ways to extend Christmas - globally and locally, low cost and no cost (financially). Keep spreading the cheer!