Advent Conspiracy

The Movement: Advent Conspiracy

The Goal: to feed 1500 orphans in a Malawi village for one year

The Purpose: To honor Jesus this Christmas season

This was the goal given to our church at the beginning of the Christmas season. As a family we made a goal and established a plan. We would give up any and all fast food for the month of December. Whenever it would be easier to order a pizza or we were craving an ice cream, we would instead think of the children that had no food, the children that were praying for God to send someone to nourish and love them. We set out with very good intentions.

But, as the month wore on, those Chick-fil-a nuggets pulled us in and the busyness of the season caused us to stop and grab something on the way home from this practice or that lesson. Still, we didn't lose sight of the fact that God was calling us to something more important and it was our responsibility to take care of those in need.

AC doing some extra dusting

So, we came up with a new plan. The callouses on my feet are just going to wait, as are the gray hairs on my head that desperately need coloring and Christmas cards will just not be mailed this year.  Anna Cate has taken on more chores at home to make up for the deficit in her little Advent Conspiracy box, including "poopy duty" that makes her gag. As a result, Matthew and I will be feeding 10 orphans this year and AC will be feeding one (entirely by her own efforts).

I'm not proud that we did this. I am filled rather with a feeling that we grew a little this year; That we took a moment to look outside our little worlds and see the bigger picture.  My hope is that we also experienced a more sincere gratitude for all that we have. In a society that constantly encourages us to buy more and consume more than we could possibly need, concentrating on the things that are really important can be really difficult. Maybe, for just a moment, we were able to do that.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!