You see a birthday card ... I see ...

1. I see a loving son who cares so much for his wife that he sent me a text message to remind me that Nov. 30 was his wife's birthday.

2. I see a reminder that I left my cell phone at home and couldn't call Sam on her birthday. Well that and I was fairly sure that by the time I got home, she was sufficiently entertained by her husband.

3. I see a new addiction. This is my first experience creating cards using stamps and art papers.

4. I see a lady who has a heart for the women in our church and went to the trouble of creating an opportunity for a new ministry for fellowship and outreach.

5. I see more ladies from our church who added adorning suggestions to her idea. We are now looking forward to a full year of stamping and scrapbooking.

6. I see my disappointment that the catalog that went around at our get-together didn't have stamps in it that would create a Christmas card with a strong Christian message.

7. I see my disappointment driving me to search the web for Christmas stamps that landed me here: The Stampn'Place. They have numerous Christmas stamps that are not bashful about saying "Jesus is the reason for the season."

8. I see how the search reminded me of Dr. Dobson's recent interview with Ashley Tarter in which she explains the beginning of her campaign "It's Ok Wish me Merry Christmas." She was experiencing an overwhelming sadness that her son might grow up to live in a day when the country no longer knows of the Christmas season -- that it would be completely wiped from our culture. So she, just one person, has started something that is growing more and more.

9. I see how the search reminded me of this guy that my husband loves to follow. I encourage you to join my hubby and myself in expressing Stuart Shepard's sentiments: "Merry Tossmas!" Ya'll!

10. I see how the search led me to discover "Jews Against Anti-Christian Defamation." And I wonder -- How is it that the most persecuted religion in the world understands what we Christians want to deny, passively allow, and even blithely encourage in some ways: Christians are being persecuted more and more with every passing day RIGHT here IN the USA.

11. I see a reminder that my son has married a lady who will take great joy in knowing that there's all of this behind her birthday card. I know she believes, like Ashley Tarter, one person can make a difference and she doesn't mind stepping forward and she encourages others to do so also.

12. I see a challenge ... I don't have an envelope for the card. Hmmmm ... Wait ... I might !! I have these Christmas cards that I bought last year for this year ... I think this would be the season for pulling them out of storage!

Okay, I'll see ya'll later! I'm going to grab the cards and walk down to the cafe next to the post office .... etc ... Ya'll go explore the links I left you. You will be encouraged, stunned, and amazed.

Oh wait! Also! I see a black wool coat that a friend of mine really encouraged me to pick up at a thrift store for the mere cost of $6! And then she and I were out a few weeks later and we walked right into a hot pink cap that matches the color on this coat ... it cost ... are you ready? ONE Dollar!

My daughter-in-law will be so proud. She loves thrift stores and great deals.

Have fun,
Enjoy,
Pam

Pam is a Texan living on the Southern fringe of Upstate New York. She experienced something new yesterday. The ground was kissed with a dusting of snow and she just smiled and went on with business as usual. She did not frantically break to take photos. It was just a teaser of things yet to come. It was not her one and only chance for the entire winter season. Besides ... she was already running late to church.