4th Day of Christmas Giveaway with Ali Smith
Published December 4, 2010Special Sale: If you’d like info on a tax-free & free-shipping Christmas special on my books, click here.
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Welcome to the 4th Day of Christmas Giveaway!!
Each day, December 1-12th, I am featuring a fellow Proverbs 31 sister and an aspect of Christmas. You’ll get to know her and she, in turn, will offer a fabulous giveaway! Simply leave a comment on her post to be entered in the drawing.
And, one soon-to-be-very-giddy gal who comments on all 12 posts will win the GRAND PRIZE! You may comment on all posts until Monday, December 13th when the winners will be announced. (to see the grand prize and get caught up on the posts click here)
Now, here’s our fourth P31 gal……Ali Smith!!
Ali spent the last four years living and working as a broadcast journalist in Asia. She worked for ABS-CBN in the Philippines and for Channel NewsAsia in Singapore, reaching millions of viewers around the globe through news and current affairs programs each day.
Ali has now taken her TV presence and her communication skills to live audiences, stepping into the calling God has over her life: to communicate God’s Words in fresh and relevant ways, igniting souls to live lives worthy of their calling in Christ. She will spend the next several months traveling around Asia and the U.S. speaking on topics related to her new book called “Entrusting the Key: From Serial Dating to Joyful Waiting.”
Ali also contributes to Proverbs 31’s “twenty-somethings” ministry called She Seeks (http://sheseeks.org/home/). As part of the six-member team, she writes devotional articles and records video blogs on topics relevant to her age group to encourage other young women in their faith.
Ali grew up in Bozeman, Montana with three sisters -one of them her twin- and her parents. A fitness buff, Ali loves anything to do with sports and the outdoors – especially hitting the ski slopes in the Rocky Mountains. She is also an avid runner and has completed two marathons so far.
For regular updates on Ali’s whereabouts and latest products out, check out her blog: http://alinsmith.wordpress.com/ or visit her Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Entrusting-the-Key.
Some ways Ali has included the less fortunate, hurting or lonely at the holidays:
When I was living in Manila, Philippines from 2006-08, I got involved with a street children’s feeding program in one of the poorest slum areas of the city. Each week, nearly 100 street children and their families would come on Saturday mornings for a hot meal and a time of singing and fellowship. I taught the children Bible lessons through games, arts and crafts.
For Christmas, these families had no money for gifts, or even a nice meal. Most of them were barely scraping by to get food on the table each day. The thought of seeing these children with nothing special for Christmas made my heart ache. So I decided to gather donations from friends and family to buy gifts and food to bless each family. Here is a picture with some of the children that first Christmas…
I am no longer living in the Philippines, but have continued the tradition of blessing this same slum community each year in Manila. After 5 years, I must say, it has become the highlight of my Christmas each year! No material thing compares to the joy and smiles that come from these precious children and their families, as they experience the light and love of Christ through this blessing each year.
This holiday season, may we all take Proverbs 3:27 to heart, “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.” Someone around you might be hurting or in need of something. Jesus has given you the love, power and grace to act. Will you?
Now for the giveaway!!! Ali is giving one of you who leaves a comment:
A copy of her book, “Entrusting the Key: From Serial Dating to Joyful Waiting:”
And she is also including:
- A 2010-11 calendar about the Philippines Education Fund that gives college scholarships to the street children Ali knows in Manila (http://ningningpef.wordpress.com/).
Okay gals, leave us a comment on how YOU reach out to and include others at Christmas. Or, as always, simply say “I’m in!”
Have a blessed Saturday and we’ll see you tomorrow for our 5th day giveaway!
Blessings,
182 Responses to 4th Day of Christmas Giveaway with Ali Smith
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My Family
Instead of getting gifts for part of our family, we give to various missionaries or charities in their honor. Through our church home and at the church where I work, we give to those in need in our community by providing food and “sunshine basket” items. And one year, my family and I gave a mini-Christmas concert to a woman I had been ministering to in a local nursing home. We love the holidays!
I’m in! In my family, we usually have a “special guest” each year for our meal. Sometimes it’s a new boyfriend or girlfriend. Sometimes it’s a friend who has no place to go and cannot travel home to family who live far away. Last year, it was a foreign exchange student from Denmark. We enjoy sharing our laughter and joy with them. I also share a special gift with my little “daughter,” Karen, who lives in Guatamala, whom I sponsor through Compassion International.
We feel blessed to be able to help others. We choose a child off our Christmas tree at church, we donate to our kids schools to help families in our community. We sponsor a Compassion International child. Each year I say that I want to lighten up on the gifts and such for our own family but I struggle. I struggle with the pull between all the gift giving to our immediate family and making things simple. We have a Christmas budget and I stick to it, but I seem to get stressed out looking for that “special gift” for everyone. I just want to slow down, enjoy the season and rest. Yep, that’s what I want.
We do the Operation Christmas Child shoe box and choose a child off our church Christmas tree. The adults in my husband’s family are not exchanging any gifts this year and I am working on revamping our budget so we are able to sponsor a new child through Compassion International.
Our family will invite someone to Christmas or Thanksgiving who has no one or has just lost someone or who is having their first holiday season alone.
I’m In
I’m in.
We definitely want to focus on the aspect giving, and are doing many of the things mentioned already, shoeboxes, donations to organizations instead gifts to the adults in the family, serving someone who has nowhere to go. One fun thing we do as a family is participate in a birthday party for Jesus that our church does. It is an outreach to our community and children are invited for a time of celebration, crafts, hearing.the gospel through the Christmas story, served a meal and their parents are given a few hours to shop. We reach a lot of international families and our family loves serving them and loving them in Jesus name. We are all so blessed and I love watching my children continue growing as they serve.
I don’t know if you have watched the movie Christmas Card. It has become a family favorite. For the last few years my Sunday School class has helped me with a Christmas project. Each child writes a note to a member of our military in a Christmas Card. This year we will mail the cards to this address: A Recovering American Soldier, c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20307-5001. One card can lift the spirit of a wounded soldier. God bless them.
i am in
I would love to win Ali’s book for my 20 year old daughter! For the past three years, I’ve been in charge of the Alternative Giving program at my church. Setting up tables for the four Sundays of Advent with items/opportunities that benefit others (fair trade coffee, Heifer Int’l, Habitat for Humanity, etc.). The kind of gifts given from those of us who have so much, to those who are in such need.
We always invite friends who have no where to go for the the
Holidays, and sponsor operations Christmas child! We look forward to both every year!
I’ve been making it a point to let my kids choose food from the store to take to the food bank. God has blessed us with abundance and I want them to know to bless others ….
@Monica – that is a great idea and we’re going to send some cards next week … thanks
I’m in!
I’m In!
I’m in!
I’m in!
We did Operation Christmas Child for one boy and one girl. We also brought a meal to a family in need at Thanksgiving time. Both of those really helped put me in the Christmas spirit. Giving is so much fun!
I am very interested in your new book. My sister hasn’t married yet and is patiently waiting for the man God has told her will be part of her life.
Yay, Valerie. I thought this idea might catch on here. You are a blessing?
Blessing!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, I am really touched by Ali’s comment “No material thing compares to the joy and smiles that come from these precious children and their families, as they experience the light and love of Christ through this blessing each year.”
i’m in!
We have watched God provide toys for our kids each Christmas since we are not able to financially….
We are hoping as time goes by to be able to give back…..
Every year it is in different way that we reach out depending on our own financial situation: Operation Christmas child, Christmas offering for our church missionaries, food baskets/ gifts for others who do not have jobs,inviting people over during the holiday who do not have family in town, etc. Thanks for introducing Ali and She Seeks – I have a daughter who is 19 and would love to follow that ministry.
What a beautiful person Ali is. Her mission is inspiring!
I’d love to share her book with my college/high school kids.
Christmas time is a perfect time to reach out and love other’s!
I’m In
Thanks for the reminder from Proverbs 3:27, I love that verse and need to put it up somewhere in my house as a daily reminder. Thank you God for your Word and the constant reminder to bring your light and your love to all those we are able to. In giving we really do receive!
We pick two children from the angel tree at our church and buy gifts for them. We try to choose two children who are close in age to my two children and I let them help choose what we will buy. This year for the first time we packed two Operation Christmas Child boxes. My kids are very excited about sending Christmas to someone who otherwise might not have one.
I too am planning to sponsor a child next year through Compassion or World Vision – both great ministries! At my job this year we chose not to exchange gifts amongst ourselves and instead adopted 4 children off the local “angel tree” to provide Christmas to some children in our town who would do without if someone didn’t give to them. What a blessing!
I’m in!
We try to help people all year round and not just isolate it to the holiday season. Being the sort of person who holidays are not easy for, I’m pretty sensitive to loneliness and heartache at the holidays. I invite people to have dinner with us, we volunteer at homeless shelters, and occasionally we have bought angel tree toys.
And, I’m in.
I’m in.
What a great book to give to a friend whose 19 year old daughter is moving into serious dating temptations with a young man she doesn’t even care for. We are praying for protection over her and that she will draw closer to God and gain her identity and inner worth from His God-confidence, God-esteem, and God-worth.
Our family finds an area of need in our church community, and we are the ones that are always blessed. We challenged our 20 year old son this year that whatever he decides to give from his resources (not ours): clothes, food, money, we will match. In watching him seek his independence (He is in his last semester of local college at home), we still have time to mold that giving spirit to others and show Christ and not be all about self.
I’m in. I like to try to talk to those people in my life who may not believe in Christ prior to Christmas and see what Christmas means to them, and explain what it means to me.
I’m in.
I’ve always wanted to be a blessing to children but I haven’t figured out how. My church does have outreach ministries but not for children. I’ve thought about giving to Toys for Tots and this year I’m going to have to do this.
We also did the Angel Tree and each of my sons picked a boy of the same age. Then, we bought clothes and a special toy. I also purchased the same toy for my sons and put them under the tree. Then, on Christmas morning, we opened those gifts and said a prayer for the health and safety of those Angel Tree children.
Edie
I’m in.
We participate yearly in Project Angel Tree. It is a program that provides gifts for children whose parents are in prison.
Thanks for the encouragement to keep our focus on giving past our immediate families! Like many have said, we also participate in Samaritans Purse Operation Christmas Child. Our kids have liked it so much that they think it would be cool to get one themselves…even if it is their only gift.
I’m in. This year I am reaching out to children in Slovakia. My son decided to be a missionary there for a year. So I am sending some special treats to the kids he works with.
We love shopping for our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes and praying for those who receive them as well as other opportunities our church presents each year.
I’m in.
At this time of year we try as a family to reach out to those in the area, our school and church who are less fortunate and struggling. We are donating and purchasing new toys and gifts for different shelters and providing meals. The pastor of our church is passionate about eliminating the homeless crisis in our area and we are in, we are trying to brainstorm and think of ways to attack this problem head on!
Blessings to all!
kareng
We’ve participated in Operation Christmas Child for many years. We try to keep our eyes open for people who need help that we can provide.
We do Operation Christmas Child as a family, and we also try to do something for our neighbors, who we don’t know well. A few years ago my young girls and I made Christmas ornaments and delivered them to our neighbor’s mailboxes Christmas Eve morning…Dad pulled the girls down the street in a sled and they had a blast!
We donate to the giving trees at our church as well as to the Baby Pantry. Feels good to help others.
I’m in!! We find a needy family/person in our church and try to bless them. Just a side note, I have a niece named Ali Smith! I looked twice when I saw this post!
We always choose tags off our church giving tree. We try to find children and adults who match our own family. My children enjoy choosing gifts for a child their own age. We have also given books to children through our library.
I’m in
I’m in!
Our local elementary school where I work already collected for shoeboxes, holds pajama days (you send a dollar in for a different local charity each month for the privilege to wear your jammies for a day), has open donation box for toys, food drives, cards and care packages for troops…I am so blessed to be there!
Today the teen girls and adult women gathered for a Christmas make and bake. The goodies will be shared at various Season of Service projects though our community.
I’m in!
“I’m in!”
I would love to win this book for my daughter!!! God bless your ministry!!
As a former teacher (and my husband currently still a teacher), we love to support the hat & coat giving trees that local schools run during this holiday season. We also have enjoyed participating in charity running events – a great way to get exercise, spend time together, and support good causes!
Thanks again for this opportunity!
Our family fills shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. We have also provided gifts for two little girls who live in a single parent home. The mom works, but makes very little money. So by the time she pays rent and puts food on the table their is nothing left for gifts.
Our family always puts together boxes for Operation Christmas Child, we support a child through World Vision and send his family gifts, and participate in a local outreach each year…Love, love, love giving!!!
We have taken tags from the Christmas tree at church when we are sponsoring a family who needs support at Christmas. We give to all the Salvation Army bell ringers. I have been looking for a Samaratins Purse box filling in our area….I hope I haven’t missed them all. This year we are giving our grown children money so they can provide Christmas for their kids. My son-in-law has been off work for 3 months after having back surgery and it’s been tough for them. Thanks for the chance to win.
Brenda S
I’m in!
We volunteer at a low income apartment complex every week. At Christmas, the children are all adopted out to families in our church and we hold a huge Christmas party for them. For some, this is the only Christmas they will have so it is a real blessing to them.
I’m in
This year God has placed opportunities before us…the mom’s in our community collected presents for several families with children our kids go to school with who have been deeply impacted by the economy. And my young daughter and I had the privilege of sharing with a ‘real’ homeless man. We were at the dollar store and he was behind us in line buying a package of hot dogs and soup. On the way out he asked me for change. Normally I struggle with this but I knew in my heart he was homeless and my daughter was watching. I gave him some money and we left. He promptly sat down on the sidewalk and ate his meal – all of it – cold soup and hot dogs. My daughter sobbed having been touched by reality, and I prayed through tears for all of us.
My daughter and I have adopted a nursing home resident for Christmas. Am considering keeping her 2011 to give her special things throughout the year.
I’d give the book to my daughter.
Some years we adopt a child from a local organization, sometimes we go through Operation Christmas Child. One year my husband and I both donated blood at Christmas time together in honor of a relative. We donate to our local hospital and the Humane Society. This year, my fourth grader wants to buy a Bible for a little girl on her bus. She has been talking to her about Jesus, and the little girl has never heard of Him.
Our family fills shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child and adopts a child or family through our church.
I’m in!
I’m in!
Not quite as hands on but I try and not pass a ‘red kettle’ without contributing.
I’m in!
I’m in!
Each of our children pick a Christmas angel from our church’s Christmas Tree and enjoy selecting the gift we will purchase and wrap for them. In addition, we sponsor a child from World Vision and this year we will be sending her cards and presents from our family.
I’m in!
i’m in
We always have a party after church on Christmas eve and look for people to invite who may not have family or anybody else to celebrate with, but last year we started doing something a bit different. We painted a giant paper tree and put on a door in our kitchen, then we all cut out paper ornaments. Then, each night during Advent, we brainstormed ways to be Jesus to those around us, and we wrote each idea on an ornament and taped it to the tree. We tried to do as many of our ideas as we could. By Christmas, we had made cards, visited at a local nursing home, returned shopping carts for elderly shoppers, delivered cookies to neighbors, etc. Our kids are young, only preschoolers, but they had fun helping others, and it helped us all remember the real reason for the season!
I’m in!1 Love the love that is flowing through Ali and her ministry!!
I reach out through my Compassion International sponsorship. I’ve been sponsoring a child since I was 13 with my babysitting money! It is the most rewarding thing knowing I am making a difference in someones life. I have been blessed SOO much through my sponsorship with Compassion. It is such a blessing!
I’m in!
I usually pack a box or two for Operation Christmas Child (which has a special place in my heart since I had the opportunity to meet some of the recipient children on a missions trip to Ukraine a couple of years ago!) But one special year that stands out was when a group of us decided to sponsor a family for Christmas. We had a wish list and were able to purchase some things and take them to the family that Christmas. It was a wonderful opportunity to minister to those in need and it was extra special because we got to see the joy on their faces when they received the gifts!
i’m in…
I’m in!!
Our church has a ‘Share Your Joy’ opportunity each Christmas for families in our church that are struggling. We can bring an unwrapped toy, Bible, craft, etc. for a girl or boy (ages 4-8 or 9-13), or grocery store gift cards. We also participate in Operation Christmas Child through Sammaritan’s Purse and love packing up those shoe boxes and wondering at how God will use them to bring joy and blessing to children across the world.
We always fill a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child. The boys love picking out things to put in it. In the past we have also picked an angel from the “Angel Tree” at the church we used to attend. The church would hold a special party to pass out these gifts to children whose parents are in prison.
For years we sent gifts to the prison ministry of Chuck Colson. I would let each of the kids buy the gifts and wrap them. Now we fill the shoe boxes. It is a habit , expecting to give each year to someone in need at Christmas.
We are meeting Enrique tomorrow. He will be our “little” for the Amachi program of big brothers/big sisters in our town. There are several Amachi programs, which includes faith-based activities, too. We’re hopeful for AWANA with our children & introducing him to friends at church.
this year we will share in giving gifts to the children who attend a deaf school in Mexico called Rancho Sordo Mudo.
another inspirational post. thanks for introducing Ali to us. what a blessing.
im in
We always fill the Operation Christmas child boxes. Someday we’d like to be able to go with some of the boxes to help deliver them. I would love to see some of the children whose lives are touched:)
This year will be the 3rd of the last 4 that our family is participating in a family mission trip to Dulac, Louisiana. We have been absolutely blessed by our experiences of reaching out to families in this community. We have developed genuine friendships and have learned that “we are blessed to be a blessing.” We didn’t make the trip last year, thinking that the time needed to be spent with our extended family, and we walked away from the holiday season feeling empty … because we now feel the need to serve during this “vacation” time. Praise and glory be to God for calling us to serve Him in our world!!
I’m in..
My family tries to stay aware and reach out throughout the year. We do this by sponsoring children through Compassion and World Vision as well as sponsoring a missionary through Gospel for Asia and helping in our local community. During the holidays, I like to get others on board through my Christmas list. When family and friends ask what I’d like for Christmas, I send them to a number of charities they can donate to, and pray that they may take an interest in one of these charities to start supporting in the new year.
I’m in!
I’m in!
What a blessing Ali and all those that have posted have been. Love to see God’s hands and feet at work in our everyday lives!
Our church always puts on a big Christmas party for the local domestic violence shelter Moms and Kids. We have our kids pick two kids similar in age to them and we buy gifts for the party. This year I am hoping to help out with the actual party – a beautiful dinner served in a magically decorated hall at our church. Both of my kids public school classrooms are also adopting needy families for the holidays – how cool is that!
I’m in.
What an awesome life to lead!
We fill a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child.
I’m in
What a blessing you are to the world, Ali. May God continue to use you in His work. Thanks for the inspiration!