Family Awards Night

Tonight we had our 1st Annual Family Awards Night. (I don't know if it will be an annual thing, I just think it sounds good. :)) I had thought since there has been some dissension in our midst, it would be good to discuss what we love about each other in an "awards" way. For example, "You win the Best Smile Award." I gave the family two weeks to prepare, and it was so much fun!

First, I cooked a large dinner with a lot of our "favorite" foods. We then all got dressed up, set the table with my china and feasted. I had baked individual cakes last night for the occasion.

After our cakes, we cleaned up the dining room and traveled to the living room for the "awards ceremony." Hosted by Daddy Jamison, we presented from oldest to youngest. Dennis and I both ended up giving the kids certificates that looked very much alike. (How funny!) However, he went one better by writing each of the kids a letter that was very heartfelt. We teared up reading Shelden's, and when Molly read hers, she stopped at one point and cried openly. She couldn't finish reading it out loud, so her sister helped finish reading it. There was not a dry eye in the house!

Shelden presented each of us a handmade trophy out of construction paper that stated what our award was for. (It very much DID look like a trophy--she's so creative!) She then read to us what she had thought long and hard about and put to writing. Very nice.

Sammy had written us each a card and told us what our "award" is. Very cute.

And finally, Molly had written us each a note telling what she loves about us and had created interesting ways to wrap them in construction paper. Very heartfelt.

We then played Uno Attack and Swap! card games. A great time was had by all. I will always cherish moments like this.

Some of the awards presented:
Daddy: Best Provider Award, Best Personality Award, Most Hardworking Award, Big Brain Award
Mommy: Most Responsible (I got that one twice! I must be very responsible, eh?), Best Mom Award (for feeding and taking care of them)
Shelden: Most Driven Award, Best Basest Award, Biggest Heart Award, Best Artist Award
Sammy: Most Tender Heart Award, Best Eater Award, Best Imagination Award, Best at Loving Legos Award
Molly: Best Worship/Singer Award, Best Giver Award, Most Dramatic Award, Most Generous Award

Encouragement

I asked God one time, "What can I possibly do to walk in my 'calling'? I don't know how I can make a difference in people's lives." God, speaking through a minister, told me that one thing I can do is write encouraging notes to people. I began doing that every once in a while, and it seemed to really mean a lot to people. I didn't do it very frequently, however, and once more I asked God what I could do. He reminded me about writing encouraging notes, and I decided to try to write at least one per week to someone that He would give me words for. It was a great year when I did that. I usually had more than one per week, and although not everyone came back and thanked me, it was just good knowing I was obeying God. I stopped doing it for awhile, but I am ready to get back to it. You know, when you know that you can help in ANY way for the kingdom of God to expand, whether it's cleaning the church, mowing the lawn for someone, working in the nursery, etc. it is good to just go ahead and walk in those ways. He blesses you in the process especially when you do it with joy. I love to be an encourager. I hope more people become aware of ways that they can encourage others. For me, it's not about that person thanking me, it's about knowing that God gave me those words to say to them, and it must be His timing for them to hear them. Also, when you have something encouraging written down for you, it's nice to go back to it in the hard times.