Special offer

15 SHOPPING DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS AND I'M NOT BUYING ANYTHING!!!!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Coco Plum Real Estate, Kelly Willey, FLORIDA KEYS BK3084960

 

 

dominican republic missions christian

 

 

This year to celebrate the Christmas holiday I did not buy:

 

A Christmas tree

Stocking stuffers

Video games

Another tie

Candy canes

A wreath

Christmas cards

My son a sweater

Blinking lights

A light up reindeer

Cookies

Garland

Red bows

Gift wrap

Electronic toys

iPods

Gift tags

Gift bags

GIFTS

 

That’s right!!! This year I am not buying anything for myself, my house or my family, no gifts. Instead we are celebrating the holiday by being together as a family, sharing a meal and remembering what we are about to celebrate, the birth of Christ.

 

We used to go all out for Christmas, two decorated trees, wreaths and lights all over the house, stockings, gifts, the whole enchilada. But over the years, as we have been more involved in missions I have been cutting back on the décor and gifts.

 

This year the four kids, ages 23, 20, 18 and 18 will be told that instead of another useless gift I am giving money to Jose and his family…

 

Jose and his four siblings live in squalor in a barrio in the Dominican Republic. His mother is dying of AIDS and Jose is the sole provider for the family. He does not go to school; instead he walks the streets trying to earn money shining the shoes of tourists who often abuse him in heinous ways. Jose is a happy go lucky 13 year old who has seen more than most adults and experienced things no human should endure.

 

His mother needs medical care, the children need food and clothes and they all need to know they are loved.

 

This year we hope to bring some joy, hope and love of Christ into the life of Jose and his family.

 

Whose life will you touch this holiday season?

 

(PS. If my kids disown me and think I am a horrible Mother, I’ll let you know)

 

 

 

Comments (25)

Tami Vroma
West Michigan Real Estate Specialist-Five Star Real Estate - Grand Haven, MI
Realtor, Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

You go girl . . . CHRISTmas has gotten to comercialized anyway!

Dec 08, 2008 12:05 PM
Robert Schwabe
Herron Real Estate - Orange Park, FL
Orange Park Real Estate

Kelly - That is Great. If everybody did something so nice like that for the Holidays the world would a much better place.

Dec 08, 2008 12:19 PM
Kelly Willey
Long and Foster BEL AIR MARYLAND - Bel Air, MD
Short Sale Agent - Harford County Maryland Real Estate

Kris: I have always been a radical...lol

maryland real estate

Dec 08, 2008 12:57 PM
Kelly Willey
Long and Foster BEL AIR MARYLAND - Bel Air, MD
Short Sale Agent - Harford County Maryland Real Estate

Robert: I love that!!! For the last 3 years we have been with the Haitian refugees the week before Christmas so when we come home we have had simple holidays. This year I am purposefully not buying ANYTHING and using all the money for others.

Dec 08, 2008 12:59 PM
Kelly Willey
Long and Foster BEL AIR MARYLAND - Bel Air, MD
Short Sale Agent - Harford County Maryland Real Estate

BILL: Awesome!!! We are giving this money to Jose's family anonymously too. I am having a friend in Hispaniola buy her a small fridge so she can keep some food in her house. I think she will be surprised.

maryland real estate

Dec 08, 2008 01:02 PM
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes

You are doing a terrific thing. All the best to you and your family this season.

Dec 08, 2008 03:30 PM
Rick Huffman
Mortgage Banker - Kent, WA

Kelly, what you are doing is great. How do you find these families? Is it from your travels? How do you communicate with them when you are in the states?

Dec 09, 2008 09:41 AM
Elizabeth Nieves
The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group - Durham, NC
Bilingual Raleigh - Durham North Carolina Real Estate Team

OH my friend, you and I think sooooooooooooooooo much alike. You ARE a gift. Te amo!! I'm featuring this one also. I hope EVERYONE reads it and follows your lead. ~GBU~

Dec 09, 2008 11:29 AM
Kelly Willey
Coco Plum Real Estate, Kelly Willey, FLORIDA KEYS - Marathon, FL
Florida Keys Luxury Sales, Marathon, Key Colony

Elizabeth: I just talked to my son Matt, 23 and he is down with my plan. What a relief!!! I am so blessed and have great kids. And, I am very excited I just got a check for $350 for some BPO's I did and was able to send this to my field person and she is ecstatic to be able to get a little fridge for Josie, thats the Mom with AIDS. Who needs tinsel and bows when they can have eternal joy?

Dec 09, 2008 11:45 AM
Jenny Saarloos
keller Williams Realty - Corvallis, OR

Blessings to you & yours. Thanks for being an inspiration. Jenny

Dec 10, 2008 01:06 PM
Kelly Willey
Long and Foster BEL AIR MARYLAND - Bel Air, MD
Short Sale Agent - Harford County Maryland Real Estate

Jenny: My goal is have people think about something other than themselves ( I include me in there too, its very easy to be self absorbed)

Dec 10, 2008 01:54 PM
Alexander Harb
Knights Investing - Mesquite, TX
Dallas, Texas Real Estate Investing

I don't even celebrate Christmas....or Easter for that matter.....

Besides them being so commercialized...I have come to know the
factual beginnings of both holidays....

Because of those two reasons ~~~ is why I choose to not celebrate either holiday....

And I am happy....

=-)

Dec 11, 2008 10:28 AM
Kelly Willey
Long and Foster BEL AIR MARYLAND - Bel Air, MD
Short Sale Agent - Harford County Maryland Real Estate

Alexander: I think we can "celebrate" the holiday by remembering what we are commemorating, the birth of the savior and what that has meant to the world. I agree the commercialization is appauling

Dec 11, 2008 11:57 AM
Diane & Bob Arenholz
William RAVEIS Realty - Yorktown Heights, NY
Covering all of Westchester County, NY

That is such a wonderful thing to do and to teach your children! If only everyone was so nice...

How did you find Jose and his family in order to help them out?  I would be interested in helping another family

Dec 15, 2008 04:45 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

What a great feeling your family must be experiencing to know you have truely made a difference in a family so in need. You are living the real meaning of Christmas. Merry Christmas!

Dec 15, 2008 09:13 AM
Jenny Saarloos
keller Williams Realty - Corvallis, OR

I'm holding back on the spending too. I'm enjoying the simple things like baking cookies...walking in the snow...watching the lights...

Dec 16, 2008 12:48 PM
Kelly Willey
Long and Foster BEL AIR MARYLAND - Bel Air, MD
Short Sale Agent - Harford County Maryland Real Estate

Jenny: Those are the important things the kids will remember

Dec 18, 2008 07:15 AM
BARBARA RIES
Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Homesale Realty - Lititz, PA
Your Cool Agent in the Coolest Small Town, Lititz!

Kelly: Hats off to you!! I'm giving you the "smartest woman on Active Rain"award for having the godly insight to speak the truth in love about what truly is important during this season; remembering the birth of our Lord and Savior and those who are in need.  You absolutely have the mind of Christ Jesus so, "as for me and my house"... WE SAY YOU ROCK!!  GBU!  Barbara :)

Dec 18, 2008 08:29 AM
Robert L. Brown
www.mrbrownsellsgr.com - Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids Real Estate Bellabay Realty, West Mic

The blessing that you will be for this family will be outstanding.

Oct 24, 2009 05:27 AM
Robert L. Brown
www.mrbrownsellsgr.com - Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids Real Estate Bellabay Realty, West Mic

I think this will the way to go in 2011. It's about what you GIVE not what you receive.

Apr 02, 2011 07:23 AM