Tag Archives: Christmas

Random Act of Christmas Kindness – Kick Off Event

Posted on by
Reply

light%20em%20up_logo_fin_url

This year our family is going to Light ‘Em Up all around White Bear Lake!   We have been busy preparing and planning.  We could hardly wait to let our light shine!

Tommy held a supply drive at his school to benefit the homeless at Union Gospel Mission.  Our kickoff event was to deliver all the items to the Mission to benefit the homeless this Christmas.

001

We counted and sorted all the donations with the help of some friends!

007

Here is the tally of what was collected – We are so grateful for the generousity of Magnuson Christian School, Member of First Lutheran Church and employees of Dakota County!

Thank you for your help!

Razors – 82

Toothbrush – 67

Toothpaste – 32

Bar soap – 138 bars

Dental floss – 15

Winter hat – 33

Clothes – 2 boxes

Winter socks – 49 pairs

Comb – 76

Chap stick – 40

Nail clipper – 11

Winter gloves – 12  pairs

Travel Body Lotion – 23

Shaving cream – 22

Deodorant – 29

Candies – Individually Wrapped – 11.5 pounds

Body Powder – 1

Travel Shampoo – 17

Travel Conditioner – 27

Blankets – 6

001

We loaded up the van and were on our way!!

 

IMG_0537 

IMG_0545 

 

Unloading at Union Gospel Mission in St Paul, MN .

IMG_0547 

Staff at Union Gospel Mission received Tommy and his donations with a TON of enthusiam and gratitude!

They had asked if they could have a photographer there when Tommy came to drop off his donations.  At first I was upset that they were making such a big deal of it, until they explained. They were taking Tommy’s picture to put in the mission newsletter to remind the guys that they are not forgotten, invisible or unloved this holiday season. This little boy wanted to help them becuase he cares about them. 

As a person who prefers to keep my giving more quiet, I learned something from the men at Union Gospel Mission.  Some times it is actually the act of giving itself that is the true gift.  To a population of men who feel so forgotten and invisible it means a great deal to them to see that someone went to the trouble to help them.

It was a great experience and as we drove away, Tommy said, “Can we do that again next year?!?!”  Yes, son, we can…..we are not about to forget those who feel invisible and unloved.

What a great way to kick off  Light ‘Em Up 2012 with our family!

Blessings!

Coyan Family – Lighting Up WBL with Kindness

 

Check back as we continue to light up our community with Random Act of Christmas Kindess (RACK)!!

 

1 Thessalonians 5:12-15   12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

Light ’em Up – White Bear Lake

Posted on by
Reply

light%20em%20up_logo_fin_url

We are getting excited for the Holiday Season in our household. Last year was a very difficult holiday season for our family.  I am excited for the season this year.  I am spinning my wheels trying to figure out how to shift the focus of our Christmas celebration from getting to giving! I have been surfing the net and looking for meaningful Christmas ideas for our family.  We need a new tradition for Advent that will include our adult children as well. 

When Tommy was little we wrapped Christmas books up as gifts and unwrapped and read one each night until Christmas.    I came across a post by Courtney over at Lil Light O’ Mine and another post by Tracie at TSJ Photography about performing Random Acts of Christmas Kindness (RACK) for Advent which I really found inspiring.  I read the posts and I was so excited, this is a tradition that really spoke to my heart and what I wanted to share with my family.   I talked to my family and everyone was excited to participate.   What a wonderful way to teach compassion and generosity to our children.   What better way to teach our children than to live our faith everyday!!  

DO.  SERVE.  LOVE.

 

We decided to join in Lighting Up our community this Christmas with kindness! We will be spending November in preparation, buying our gifts, mailing out Christmas Cards and baking so we can focus on Lighting Up White Bear Lake in December.

My youngest son wanted to help the homeless and the mission we are working with needed the donated items by December 1st so we have already started Lighting up White Bear Lake!!  He is doing a supply drive for Union Gospel Mission in St Paul.   

I hope by posting about our experiences throughout December we will inspire other families to Light Up Their Communities!!   Thank you to Courtney at Lil Light O’ Mine for providing the list of Light ‘Em Up ideas and printables! 

Check back in December to watch our progress as we light up White Bear Lake with Christmas Kindness.

Blessings,

 

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” ~Matthew 5:16

Tommy Helps The Homeless

Posted on by
Reply

ugmnewtag-300x224 

How did this all start??  Each member of our family came up with 5 Acts of Kindness to bless our community. We are participating in Light ‘Em Up 2012 – Families Lighting Up The Community with Kindness this holiday season. While we were driving by the Maplewood Mall, Tommy said, “I want to buy clothes for the homeless.” My initial reaction was to tell him no and have him come up with an easier idea. This isn’t about easy, it is about kindness and helping the homeless was on our son’s heart. 

So we called Union Gospel Mission in St Paul and they said he could help with the holiday kits for the men at the mission. 

1.  Tommy wrote a letter to his school mates. (See Below) 

************************************************************

Hi,

My name is Tommy Coyan.  I am in the 5th grade at Magnuson Christian School.

Our family is trying to do Random Acts of Christmas Kindness to count down to Christmas Day.

The Random Act of Christmas Kindness I chose is helping the homeless.  I wanted to do this because it seems like the right thing to do.

I want to collect items for the homeless at Union Gospel Mission.The homeless then will get a kit with all the stuff they need.

In the month of November I will be collecting donations.  I have a box in the hallway for donations for Union Gospel Mission.

 

What to Donate?

Razors

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Bar soap

Dental floss

Winter hat

Winter socks

Comb

T-shirt

Chap stick

Nail clipper

Winter gloves

 

Shaving cream

Deodorant

White socks

Candies – Individually Wrapped

Thank You for your Help!

Tommy Coyan

 

Note from Tommy’s Parents:

When our son said he wanted to help the homeless, my first thought was this is too big!  But after talking to the wonderful folks atUnion Gospel Mission, we realized our son could help and make a difference to the individuals he wanted to help.

Union Gospel Mission is a Christian ministry dedicated to serving the homeless, poor, and addicted in our community. By meeting physical, spiritual, emotional, and educational needs, their Mission is changing lives!

Thank you for helping our son to learn that even a young boy can make a difference in the world.

************************************************************

 

2.  Tommy makes the donation box for school.

016

 

3.  Tommy works on his poster!

 014

 

4.  Tommy sets up his donation drop box at school for Union Gospel Mission.

WP_000715 

This has been a wonderful project for me to witness. Tommy has the kindest heart, which is evident through this project.  That little guy sure blesses my heart in so many way!

 

Would you like to help, Tommy???

Family and Friends have asked us how can they help Tommy.    If you are family or friends from out of town you can mail him a monetary donation and he will shop for items for Union Gospel Mission!!

If you are local friends and family, you can drop something off at our house!!   He will be taking donations until after Thanksgiving.   We need to take the collected items to Union Gospel Mission by December 1st. 

 

Blessings,

Must Return to Blogging….A Christmas Blog???

Posted on by
Reply

  This evening I was remembering why I started blogging so many years ago. I seem to have lost sight of that.  I started this blog when I became pregnant with Tommy after years of infertility.  I wanted to record the milestones of my children and family.  (sometimes to my children’s horror)  I have gotten away from blogging as it is easier to just put a status on facebook.  By doing that I am losing what was so important to me about blogging.   I can’t seem to keep a diary or scrapbook, so this blog has always been my virtual scrapbook of sorts.  

The last time I blogged with a real update instead of a menu plan was way back in November.   Alot has happened since them!  I hope to at least have a monthly blog at the very least.  I don’t want to forget any of the wonderful moments with my children/family. 

November – for the first time in years we went home to South Dakota to spend Thanksgiving with my parents.  It was a very enjoyable visit.  I was also able to see one of my brothers (Dan) and his wife (Becky) as well as my niece and her family.  I love seeing my great nephews and am sad I am only see them about once a year.

IMG_0082
Tommy with my great nephews (Samuel and Gracen). 

 The little boys are at such a fun age!   Tommy and I hope to return to SD this summer to spend more time with my family.  My brother and I took everyone bowling and if I remember correctly I believe little Gracen won!!!

DECEMBER – Christmas……………………..

IMG_0090
Brothers watching a movie together.

We have continued to keep up our tradition of Family Movie night each Friday.  We are all looking forward when it is summer and we can begin movie night outside again!   But I am glad my boys will have these memories of watching movies together.  

Family Christmas with Paul’s family was at our house as it is each year.  Everyone what here to celebrate with us, including one new addition to the celebration, Liz, Joe’s girlfriend. 

IMG_0099
Joe and Liz

IMG_0091
Erik – age 18

Erik came over to join us in the the family Christmas celebration.  It was good to see him as he does not visit very often since moving to his mom’s house.  .

IMG_0096
            Hubby and his Mom

Grandma (Paul’s Mom) was able to leave the nursing home to celebrate the holidays with her family.  It was such a blessing to have her and my Father in Law together to celebrate the holidays with their family.

IMG_0098
My Father in Law and BIL, Dan. 

Christmas Program – Tommy was a King in the School Christmas Program with a small speaking role.  Tommy is in red.

 

More videos coming…………………………………………..

Our Christmas………..

IMG_0113

(the boys before heading to Christmas Eve service)

IMG_0117

The usual spread of appetizers on Christmas Eve!  YUMMY!!!

 IMG_0125

I made Tommy a fleece blanket for Christmas which had the Vikings on one side and on the other, MN Twins.  His two favorite sports teams.  I was down to making this gift hours before Christmas break began for him.  I took time off over Christmas and enjoyed my time with Tommy.   It was a much needed break for me.

The holidays always remind me that the love of a family is life’s greatest blessing.   I do feel very blessed all year round.

Well that updates my faithful readers to January, 2011.  I hope to get caught up very soon!!  I have some exciting news to share in future updates.  How is that for a cliff hanger????

 Love,