#LIGHTtheWORLD In 25 Ways Over 25 Days Advent Calendar

“During Christmas, we are reminded that Jesus Christ is the light of the world. This year, we have an amazing opportunity to share that light by resolving to do the things Jesus Christ did. Every day leading up to Christmas, we will focus on a different Christ-like behavior and provide suggestions for ways we can emulate His example....” mormon.org

The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints has provided each of us a way to #LIGHTtheWORLD from December 1st through Christmas Day. The Worldwide Day of Service is on December 1st and kicks off this Advent Calendar. For the Worldwide Day of Service people were given the opportunity to "serve anyone you want, any way you want" and "find a way to serve others as Jesus did". Just like this Christ-like day, each day following in the advent calendar has a theme and follows with suggestions of different ways you can get involved with small, but meaningful acts of service.

“When people think of Christmas, they often think of lights,” said Bruce Muir, director of emergency response for the Church. “Christmas lights, lighted store windows, tree lights. Christ taught ‘Ye are the light of the world,” and we hope that through small and simple acts of service, we can spread the light of Christ—helping others to feel the love of the Savior through genuine kindness.”

This Advent Calendar helps us get into the Christmas spirit and follow Christ's example this holiday season as we go about our busy daily lives. Just one act of kindness each day can make someones day or brighten their future. You can also see each video that goes with the theme as it posts each day. Videos and printables, including the advent calendar, are available in multiple languages so people from all over the globe can participate. Go download the advent calendar today!

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Please visit mormon.org for more information.
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Also, here are some fabulous FREE printable kits to help you too.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I wrote this post to let my readers know about this opportunity of service. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else.

World Vision Gift Catalog and Royal Silk Scarf Review and Giveaway

The Royal Silk Scarf and the World Vision Gift Catalog.

This review and giveaway is sponsored by World Vision.

The true meaning of this and every holiday season should be giving and what better way to do that than to create a Christmas list through World Vision and their Gift Catalog. World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

In their catalog you can choose from more than 250 meaningful, life-changing gifts to meet the essential, immediate needs of children and their families around the world. These alternative gift ideas such as: animals (goats, sheep, cows, chickens, pigs, oxen, ducks, donkeys, rabbits, alpacas), sewing machines, bicycles, education and training, homes, clothes and shoes, clean water, fruit trees, honey bees, supplies and tools, medicine, etc. - honor the recipient and make a lasting impact for people in need. The catalog also offers a wide variety of 30+ gifts to match the interests and hobbies of the gift recipient to make the gift giving more meaningful. The recipient of the gift you give, whether a friend or family member, will get a special card describing the gift and its impact. Also with a contribution to the Maximum Impact Fund donors can also receive free handmade items from around the world: such as ornaments, jewelry, scarves, totes, etc. These donations help the areas of greatest need.



From the Handcrafted Gifts category I received the Royal Silk Scarf. This gorgeous vibrantly colored silk scarf is woven by Vietnam's Ma Chau villagers, helping to provide them with a sustainable income. This luxurious scarf has a beautiful sheen and is smooth to the touch. I love how it feels and looks on me. Its colors look tie dyed and each scarf is unique, so size and color may vary slightly. Approximate size: 68". Free with a donation of $95 or more.

Be Social:

You can follow World Vision on Facebook/Twitter/YouTube

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Prize: Royal Silk Scarf (US Only!)

I run giveaways with Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

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To order from the World Vision Gift Catalog, visit www.worldvisiongifts.org. To order by phone or to request a print catalog, call toll-free at (888) 511-6511.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received product for free to review and an opportunity to giveaway one as well. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

World Vision Gift Catalog and Prosperity Cinnamon Review and Giveaway

This review and giveaway is sponsored by World Vision.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

Online and in their print catalog you can choose from more than 250 meaningful, life-changing gifts, ranging in price from $10 to $39,000, to meet the essential immediate needs of women, children and their families around the world. These alternative gift ideas such as: animals (goats, sheep, cows, chickens, pigs, oxen, ducks, donkeys, rabbits, alpacas), sewing machines, bicycles, education and training, homes, clothes and shoes, clean water, fruit trees, honey bees, supplies and tools, medicine, etc. - honor the recipient and make a lasting impact for people in need. The catalog also offers a wide variety of 30+ gifts to match the interests and hobbies of the gift recipient to make the gift giving more meaningful. The recipient of the gift you give, whether a friend or family member, will get a special card describing the gift and its impact. Also with a contribution to the Maximum Impact Fund donors can also receive free handmade items from around the world: such as ornaments, jewelry, scarves, totes, etc. These donations help the areas of greatest need.



The World Vision website has a online tool allowing individuals the option to make a personal My Gift Catalog page at www.mygiftcatalog.org for personalized fundraising. The individual can then encourage family and friends to visit their page and purchase a gift from the catalog instead of or in addition to traditional holiday presents. You can use this during all year round too, such as: the holiday season, birthdays, weddings, graduations or other celebrations.

From the Handcrafted Gifts category I received the Prosperity Cinnamon for free to facilitate this review. This is perfect for baking and cooking with. I love cinnamon! It is one of my favorite smells and spices. This cinnamon comes in a gorgeous hand carved cinnamon bark box that smells just as good as its contents. The box and lid has the common Asian character for prosperity carved onto it. There is 3oz. of cinnamon inside the box. It also has a cinnamon stick tied around it with a natural raffia ribbon. Vietnam's renowned sweet cinnamon is a renewable resource collected from the Cassia tree, sold to benefit generations of hard-working families. It is a sweet smelling box with a nice sentiment for anyone who loves cinnamon.

$85

Approximate size: 3" x 3"

BUY IT
To order from the World Vision Gift Catalog, visit www.worldvisiongifts.org. To order by phone or to request a print catalog, call toll-free at (888) 511-6511.

WIN IT
Prize:  Prosperity Cinnamon (US Only!)

I am trying out Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received this product for free to facilitate this review and the opportunity to give away one for free. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

World Vision Silver Vines Cuff Review and Giveaway

This review and giveaway is sponsored by World Vision.

I have posted before about the power of giving and the awesome humanitarian organization, World Vision. This holiday season gives the chance to give back a little. World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

You can read these posts from this year on my blog and enter to win another prize, a gorgeous 100% silk scarf from them too:

• World Vision Philippines Disaster Response Fund #GivingTuesday
• World Vision Gift Catalog and Thai 100% Silk Scarf Review and Giveaway

From the Handcrafted Gifts category I received the Silver Vines Cuff for free to facilitate this review because of my post on the Philippines Disaster Response Fund. This bracelet is designed by artisans in Old Delhi, India and made of silver. It has pretty scrolling lacey engravings of flowers and vines on it. It is adjustable by bending the metal, although I wouldn't recommend doing this often as the metal might get brittle in spots. The underside of this cuff is shiny and smooth. This gorgeous piece is the result of once mistreated jewelry makers banding together to support their families through Fair Trade practices. I love the beautiful design and pattern it has. It also comes with a pretty organza gift bag.

Approximate size: 2 1/2" x 2 1/4" (adjustable x 1 1/2"W)

BUY IT
To order from the World Vision Gift Catalog, visit www.worldvisiongifts.org. To order by phone or to request a print catalog, call toll-free at (888) 511-6511.

WIN IT
Prize: Win a Silver Vines Cuff (US Only!)

I am trying out Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received product for free to to facilitate this review and the opportunity to give away one for free. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

World Vision Gift Catalog and Thai 100% Silk Scarf Review and Giveaway

This review and giveaway is sponsored by World Vision.

The true meaning of this and every holiday season should be giving and what better way to do that than to create a Christmas list through World Vision and their Gift Catalog. World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

In their catalog you can choose from more than 250 meaningful, life-changing gifts to meet the essential, immediate needs of children and their families around the world. These alternative gift ideas such as: animals (goats, sheep, cows, chickens, pigs, oxen, ducks, donkeys, rabbits, alpacas), sewing machines, bicycles, education and training, homes, clothes and shoes, clean water, fruit trees, honey bees, supplies and tools, medicine, etc. - honor the recipient and make a lasting impact for people in need. The catalog also offers a wide variety of 30+ gifts to match the interests and hobbies of the gift recipient to make the gift giving more meaningful. The recipient of the gift you give, whether a friend or family member, will get a special card describing the gift and its impact. Also with a contribution to the Maximum Impact Fund donors can also receive free handmade items from around the world: such as ornaments, jewelry, scarves, totes, etc. These donations help the areas of greatest need.



The World Vision website has a online tool allowing individuals the option to make a personal My Gift Catalog page at www.mygiftcatalog.org for personalized fundraising. The individual can then encourage family and friends to visit their page and purchase a gift from the catalog instead of or in addition to traditional holiday presents. You can use this during all year round too, such as: the holiday season, birthdays, weddings, graduations or other celebrations.

You can also join the "Share Joy With the World" Advent Challenge on their blog where World Vision would love for you to participate in a suggested activity each day to share joy and share your experience with friends, family, etc.

You can also learn more about some of the recipients of the items purchased from the gift catalog through their Facebook page.

World Vision Thai 100% Silk Scarf

From the Handcrafted Gifts category I received the Thai 100% Silk Scarf for free to facilitate this review. This gorgeous purple Sabai scarf is hand-woven by the hard-working women of Thailand’s Surin Province on a loom into distinctive striped patterns. I absolutely love the colors and it is made of a lovely material. I love to wear this in so many different ways. It is so versatile.

Approximate size of scarf is 66" long by 16" wide. Each is unique - size and color may vary slightly.

BUY IT
To order from the World Vision Gift Catalog, visit www.worldvisiongifts.org. To order by phone or to request a print catalog, call toll-free at (888) 511-6511.

WIN IT
Prize: Win a Thai 100% Silk Scarf (US Only!)

I am trying out Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received product for free to to facilitate this review and the opportunity to give away one for free. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

World Vision Gift Catalog and Hand Carved Serving Spoons Review and Giveaway

The true meaning of this and every holiday season should be giving and what better way to do that than to create a Christmas list through World Vision and their Gift Catalog. World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

In their catalog you can choose a meaningful, life-changing gift to meet the essential, immediate needs of children and their families around the world. These alternative gift ideas such as: animals (goats, sheep, cows, chickens, pigs, oxen, ducks, donkeys, rabbits, alpacas), sewing machines, bicycles, education and training, homes, clothes and shoes, clean water, fruit trees, honey bees, supplies and tools, medicine, etc. - honor the recipient and make a lasting impact for people in need. The catalog also offers a wide variety of gifts to match the interests and hobbies of the gift recipient to make the gift giving more meaningful. The recipient of the gift you give, whether a friend or family member, will get a special card describing the gift and its impact. Also with a contribution to the Maximum Impact Fund donors can also receive free handmade items from around the world: such as ornaments, jewelry, scarves, totes, etc. These donations help the areas of greatest need.


New to 2012 is a online tool allowing individuals the option to make a personal My Gift Catalog page at www.mygiftcatalog.org for personalized fundraising. The individual can then encourage family and friends to visit their page and purchase a gift from the catalog instead of or in addition to traditional holiday presents. You can use this during all year round too, such as: the holiday season, birthdays, weddings, graduations or other celebrations.

Donors can also follow "The True Spirit of Christmas" tour on Facebook where World Vision staff travels around the world to get a look inside the lives of families impacted by the Gift Catalog. You can also learn more about some of the recipients of the items purchased from the gift catalog through their catalog Facebook page.

From the Maximum Impact Fund selection of gifts I received the Hand-Carved Serving Spoons to see for myself. This is a gorgeous set of two hand-carved serving spoons delivered in a gift bag of African fabric hand-sewn by local women. The serving spoons are made to benefit orphans of the Kamba tribe in Kenya. Each one is unique—just like the children they help. These are made of olivewood and have such fantastic figure in them. They have exquisite spiral handles that loop around and are nice to hold. These would be wonderful in tossing a salad or serving a pasta or other dish. The bag has a floral design of earthy tones and has a drawstring that closes it. It is a very nice set and will "serve" many less-fortunate souls.

BUY IT
To order from the World Vision Gift Catalog, visit www.worldvisiongifts.org. To order by phone or to request a print catalog, call toll-free at (888) 511-6511.

WIN IT
Prize: Win the Hand Carved Serving Spoons and Bag.

I am trying out Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received product for free to review and one to giveaway. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

My Sister Jennifer and her LDS Mission Call

I am so very proud of my younger sister, Jennifer! She chose to go on a LDS mission and guess where she got her call? She is serving in the Honolulu, Hawaii mission and will serve at the Laie Hawaii Temple in the visitor's center. She went into the MTC (Missionary Training Center) on October 21st, just got to Hawaii last Tuesday and is already leading people to Christ and baptism. It sounds like she loves it there by the sound of her letters to me...but who wouldn't! She also gets to wear a muumuu :) Take a look at the picture below. It is of her and her LDS missionary companion.

She is going to be gone until April 21, 2011 and probably be in Hawaii for the re-dedication of the Laie Hawaii Temple that is now being renovated. The Temple is beautiful there... just look at the picture. I would love to go to Hawaii to visit her. I have never been and my husband has and says he would love to see it all again.