Tag Along

So I am a proud tag along! What is a tag along? It is someone who tagged along to church with a friend, relative or caring neighbor. Gowing up, my parents didn't attend church regularly. We went off and on when I was small but never on a regular basis. My parents didn't grow up going to church so they were trying their best to instill some sort of religion and the importance of church to my sister and me.

When I was about 9 years old my best friend Daina and her mother invited me to go to church. They were trying to find one they liked and looking back her mother probably thought bringing me along would make it easier for her daughter. It's always easier when you a have a friend! Well, they liked the church and kept going and kept inviting me along. I eventually became involved in Sunday School, and Sunday and Wednesday night activities. I often came with Daina but my parents also dropped me off and picked me up whenever I wanted to go.

I found a second family at this church (some actually turned out to be distant aunts and uncles) they took me in and showed interest in my life outside of church. I enjoyed being in plays, attending camp and hanging out with the great friends I made there.

I became a Christian at 12 and continued on the path of trying to live my life the way God wanted me to. I faced the same issues as everyone through high school but church, my family and my friends helped keep me on the right path.  When my Dad died suddenly when I was 19 it was my pastor, his wife and the members there that helped organize and conduct the service. They visited and called to make sure my family was okay.

Once in college I stopped attending church regularly. I was away from home and wanted to have fun.

I found my way back shortly after college. Married a man who was a former cop turned minister and now help raise our family while we serve our church.

Some people think it's too much trouble to ask the little girl next door or a child's friend if she wants to go to Vacation Bible School, a church social gathering or just to Sunday School. I am an example of what that simple act can do. I serve my church with my husband and am raising two children to know God's love so they will not need to be a tag along. I don't think Daina or her mom realize the impact of their act. We lost contact years ago. Maybe one day I can pass it forward.

At our son's dedication

300 Boxes

This morning my husband, the preacher (literally), will head out to our church to help host a Community Christmas Party for our area. Sounds like fun, and it is fun, but the reason for the party is to host less fortunate families and pass out boxes of food and small gifts for their children.  Last year they passed out 200 boxes. This year it will be 300 with over 500 people attending the breakfast and children's service. I am glad we are able to help, sad that we need to and the need is growing.

I don't get to help out during the actual event since I have two small ones of my own that I would spend my time chasing anyway. I did help out with set up and publicizing the event. While helping him out he said that last year the toys they passed out in the boxes were the only presents the children received. Sad, he said, because they weren't much. Now, we don't go crazy and I know Christmas is definitely more than gifts but just imagine the look on a child's face if Santa doesn't visit their house.

Our church runs a food pantry twice a week and the Community Christmas Party is an extension of this ministry. The food pantry is no small undertaking with a room full of food, paperwork to be filled out and the involvement of the USDA and local food banks. Many days their are people waiting for it to open to get the one bag of food per month they are allowed.

All of us usually feel a need to help some population, children, animals, the hungry and/or homeless. Get your kids involved! Help them pick out toys for needy children or food to drop off at the food bank. There are lots of ways you can help while teaching your children valuable lessons.

Some of the boxes: