Weekend Happenings

Good Friday morning!

I won't keep you wondering any longer. On this rainy, cold December morn, I know six of you need cheering up a bit!

AND THE WINNERS OF THE 300TH POST CONTEST OF A SIMPLE LIFE ARE...

PATTI FLIPPO
LEANNA BROWN
JONELLA WOODS
EVELYN CRENSHAW
ANGIE COLBURN
ANN GRABER

Congratulations! Our Mystery Bag Party is scheduled for Saturday, January 30 and will begin at 11:30 a.m. It will end by 2:30 p.m. that same afternoon. Do NOT worry if you do not know everyone in your party. If that is the case, by the end of the afternoon, you will have several new friends.

I will be mailing the invitation to each of you Monday with instructions (where to meet, etc.).

If for any reason, you are unable to attend the party, let me know as soon as possible. You will not go away empty-handed (you'll still receive a small gift), but I will need to make sure there are six in attendance for the party to "work."

For those of you who were not picked today, if anyone is unable to go, I will continue drawing names out of the bowl until I have six confirmed attendees.

We're going to have the best time! (I promise.) I may have some of the girls from the first party give "testimonials" next week to help you "get excited."

28 REAL WAYS TO SHARE YOUR FAITH ON CAMPUS - I'm going to list the ways they suggest to share your faith IN CLASS today...

8. Seek ways to bring Jesus into the conversations and discussions in class. If you are free to write a paper on any topic, choose your faith.

9. Be a good student. Remember, professors need Christ, too. Never burn a bridge to Jesus because you are being lazy or disrespectful.

10. For group projects, choose groups with few or no Christians. You'll have hours to build relationships and share about Jesus.

11. Pray before each test, but study too.

12. Try to engage people in spiritual discussions. Many class topics can be turned to point people toward God and questions that will lead them to Him. (Do not be confrontational or argumentative.)

As always, as you are spending more and more time with non-Christians, do not forget to be faithful to church and Bible study. You will need fellowship time with your Christian friends, as well.

If you are interested in getting this small booklet for your child, call 1-800-264-1225, extension 276. It's a great little book.

CHRISTMAS EVERY DAY IN DECEMBER

DAY 14

19. Being a life-long Alabamian, a white Christmas has always been a dream... a dream not yet obtained (even after 48 years), but still a dream! One of the little things you could do to get that winter buzz going is take the family ice skating. In our little area of the world, we're fortunate to have a wonderful ice skating rink about 35 or 40 minutes away.

Call Pelham Civic Complex (620-6448) and ask for their public skating times, bundle up and enjoy an hour or two of skating. End the outing with pink cheeks and hot chocolate and a Christmas sing-along on the drive home. Have fun!

Weekend Happenings

Friday will find the Faulkner Five attending Roxie's basketball tournament. Not very "Christmasy," but we're all going to take turns wearing the big red hat Mikie won playing Dirty Santa Tuesday night to give the evening a festive feel... or not.

Saturday will truly be a busy, fun day. Roxie will be playing one more game in the tournament. I will be hosting my annual 12 Teas of Christmas (big number 11), and Saturday night will be spent with my side of the family in Oneonta for our annual Christmas get-together. (Lots of pictures next week, folks!)

Sunday we will go to church, and... and... That's it! No school projects! No studying for finals! No running hither and yon! I think a celebratory candlelight dinner will be in order. I think a Christmas movie or game will be next! I may even begin reading The Best Christmas Pageant Ever aloud. (I hope someone else will be in the room.) Oh, the possibilities!

Have a GREAT weekend. Reach out to someone who may be hurting this holiday season. Spend time with your loved ones. Make a million memories! Come back next week for so much good stuff I can't even begin to describe it all!

Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda