Wishing Everyone a Blessed Christmas

It is that time of year when the stockings are hung, presents are filled-up under the tree and goodies are laid on every table near.

We can get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle and forget about the true meaning of Christmas – The Christmas Spirit.  The spirit of Christmas isn't’ in the expensive items and toys you asked for from Santa, or all the stress in traveling from one place to another.  It’s about BELIEVING… The Christmas spirit is in the moments spending time with family and friends or giving a helping hand to those less fortunate.  Take some time this Christmas and think about the memories of Christmas you remember most.  I bet it’s not about the IPad you received 3 years ago - It’s probably memories about special family traditions or the smile on a strangers face when you were able to be a helping hand. Don’t lose the Christmas spirit by getting wrapped up in the hustle and bustle. May we see the gifts of God all around us - JOY, HOPE and LOVE.. 

Light Up a Child's Life - Jolly Holiday Lights

Light up a Child's Life at Jolly Holiday Lights in Des Moines! Going on now till January 1, 2014 at Water Works Park. I highly recommend taking the drive to see it - plus all proceeds goes towards Make-A-Wish Foundation.

It is the LARGEST light display in Iowa!! 

Yesterday, Anthony and I drove through all the twinkling, jolly-holly lights!  It was a great way to get into the Christmas spirit.  It was a 3.5 mile long journey through magical light displays.

'No Room at the Inn' Event

I started working at Catholic Charities about a month ago and was able to jump right in by helping coordinate their 9^th Annual No Room at the Inn event which was this past weekend. It was a weekend full of festivities centered on poverty awareness. There is often ‘no room at the inn’ like our family shelter, St. Josephs’, for families living in poverty.  This past year, St. Joseph family Shelter had to turn away 1,089 families or 2596 people because their shelter was full. The weekend of No Room at the Inn consists of three events: Fundraising Reception - Friday night, Poverty Stimulation - Saturday and our Open House - Sunday.

Fundraising Reception

Friday night was a great turn out - around 300+ people attended! This was our first year of the lighting of the ‘Giving Tree’.  It was a night filled with hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and socializing.  The Catholic Pastoral Center looked amazing! It was decorated beautifully and looked very elegant.  Check out the YouTube video of the Lighting of the ‘Giving Tree’! http://youtu.be/-PZjJavyOq4

Poverty Stimulation

This was my first time participating in a poverty stimulation. It was set up to be a real-life experience to show what it might be like to live in a typical low-income family – not a game. Right when you walk in you receive a new identity and family. I was a 17 year old boy who dropped out of school and had to help my family survive. I had a 34 year old mother and a 14 year old sister, and we had no income starting out the stimulation.  We had four weeks to learn and experience the realities faced by the poor. 

The Stimulation taught me the difficulties and frustrations that people living in poverty have to face - government agencies, transportation, importance of budgeting money towards your most needed needs and much more.  I highly recommend anyone and everyone to participate in a poverty stimulation to get this hands-on experience – it is truly an eye-opener.

Open House

The open house on Sunday consisted of an afternoon full of choirs, 100+ nativity displays, a live nativity, Christmas treats, the Christmas Story read by Bishop Pates & Bishop Charron and  a ‘window of opportunities’ display for visitors to learn about volunteer and service opportunities through Catholic Charities.  Despite the snowy weather, which made it hard for some to travel, we had a good collection of personal care items that were donated!

Thanks to everyone who participated in this event! Without you we couldn’t make this great event happen! 

Adventures to the Land of 10,000 Lakes

The last three weekends Anthony and I have had to journey up north to Minnesota.  We've been to a Minnesota Vikings game, rode along a Pedal Pub, and joined family & friends bar hopping on a short bus.  We had such a great time riding the Pedal Pub on the Longfellow route in Minnesota, but I've heard there is a "Big Yellow Bike" in Des Moines that has the same concept. --We will need to check that out! These adventures have been a lovely time, but the best was the drive along I-35.  The scenic view of the leaves changing and blue skies made it a perfect drive every weekend.  It's crazy how much more the trees have changed already in Minnesota compared to Des Moines.  That just means that the changing color of leaves has yet to come to Iowa!

We had a grand 'ol time in Minnesota with family & friends, but I can't wait to spend some time in Iowa .

World Food & Music Festival 2013

Food, music and local shopping... what can get much better? This weekend the Historic East Village held the 2nd Annual World and Music Festival.  This was my first time ever hearing about this event.  It was an all weekend festivity, and the weekend was perfect.  The live music was outstanding, and the food was just as good! They had the option for $1 samples from al booths, or $5 entree plates.  The food was from all different countries.  I tried a rice crispy chocolate bacon ball and roasted flavored marshmallows.  The chocolate and bacon combination wasn't up my alley, but the flavored marshmallows were delicious!! 

This was my first time going downtown to the East Village, so I enjoyed walking around all the unique shops.  Kaylee and I had a blast in the Raygun shop reading Iowa themed t-shirts.  I didn’t realize all these awesome shops that were downtown.  I will definitely be back for more fun, local shopping.

Rise and Shine for Summerset Winery

 It's Fall season and that means one thing... FALL FESTIVITIES! I dragged Anthony to a wine festival early Saturday morning.  The event consisted of picking grapes off the vines and stomping on them afterwards, BUT the best part...ALL THE WINE YOU CAN DRINK! We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into for this event, but it ended up having a blast!

Before getting in the tub of grapes, we got our feet painted with purple paint.  This way we got to 'stomp' on our t-shirts to make footprints.  I tried being creative and making a heart shape footprint, but it didn't turn out as I hoped.  

Stomping around in the grapes was such a fun experience!  Both of us decided that we want to make this an annual event every Fall.  We met lots of great people and found our new favorite wine, De Chaunac. Delicious!