"Ho, ho, ho, and all that jazz," as Lucy says.

Another delightful week of simple service and preparation for upcoming service.

Preparation -

- Wrapping

Yep, I'm one of those people this year. Don't ask me how. It's unheard of for me, but it happened. I had almost all my gifts purchased before I even flipped the December page of the calendar. This means I actually got enjoy the wrapping process, taking the time to think of each gift recipient as I folded and taped the paper and filled out the tags.

- Planning and shopping for an upcoming Secret Santa 12 Days of Christmas activity

The very impressive group of young women I work with have chosen to share light and joy by secretly delivering gifts to two families daily for the 12 days leading up to Christmas. I got to do the shopping. So. Fun!

Other holly jollity -

- Delivered gifts to my sons' in-laws

I have three married sons. I'm grateful every day for the phenomenal wives they have. Every year, I love giving a small gift of thanks to the parents who raised these remarkable women who bless our family beyond measure.

- Last-minute babysitting

Sometimes service opportunities fall into your lap...and are as fun for you as they are for the person your helping. Watching your grandkids in order to make the life of their wonderful mother a little easier definitely falls into this category.

- Taking a friend to lunch

I told you most of the ways I serve are very simple. While taking someone out to lunch for their birthday may not seem like much, it lets them know they're noticed and loved. And that's huge. Imagine what the world would look like if every one of us knew we were seen and cared about.

- Church opportunities

Religious organizations offer an abundance of chances for service. This week alone some of the ways I was able to serve were by helping a friend by filling in for her in her church responsibility, by making sure a new member of our church had a friend to sit with at large, special church service, and by donating to the church's program to care for our local poor and needy.

#LightTheWorld #Holidays #Service