What I Simply Want For Christmas

Godliness with contentment is great gain.  

For we brought nothing into the world, 

and we can take nothing out of it.  

But if we have food and clothing we will 

be content with that.

1 Timothy 6:6-9

I won't presume to speak for all Boomers on this, but there does seem to be a dominating question for folks of my generation.

"How did we get so much stuff?"

It's in the closets and in the attics and in the basement.  Some of us even have storage units to put the stuff that won't fit in our houses.  Most of us have stuff left over from emptying our parents' houses which, come to think of it, were full of stuff.

This past year, Ken and I were tasked with emptying out the apartment of a family member who had passed away.  And in the midst of our grief and reminiscing as we packed it all up, we were also overwhelmed with the sheer bulk of it.   So! Much! Stuff!  Also, we are in process of reclaiming some family property with older buildings that are, yes. Full. Of. Stuff!

Where did it all come from?

My frequent and now longer times in Thailand only emphasize this for me. 

Here, so much stuff. 
There, not so much.

Our kids at Hot Springs are abundantly cared for, without question.  But it has very little to do with stuff.  Each child has one half of a small wardrobe to claim.  And that's all the room they need because, really, that's all the stuff they have.

And while I doubt I'll ever get my stuff down to half a wardrobe's worth, I am taking some specific steps to clear away my stuff. 

[Not books.  Books are another matter altogether, but we won't talk about that here.]

For one, especially around this time of year, I'm trying to think differently about gifting.  Particularly in how I respond when I'm asked for Christmas gift ideas for myself.

Because right now, all I want for Christmas is to send some students to university.

I'd love to see Intorn finish his degree in geological engineering (mining).  I'd love to see Miki graduate as one of only seven women in her demanding engineering program.  I'd love to help Nuch finish her degree in teaching and for Fruk to continue in his music program.  And to send Wara to Bible school next year when she finishes high school, because she wants to be a pastor.  And I want to make sure every child at Hot Springs who wants to purse education past high school has that opportunity.

This breaks the cycle of poverty.
This makes all the difference in the world.

These faces inspire me to simplify; to live into the truth of it.

Nuch

Miki

Wara

Intorn

Fruk

Aren't they amazing?  Every one of them has a story that has taken them from desperate situations into the hope of a future that is strong and brave.  Every one of them has gifts to offer to the world, and hearts full of anticipation for what they can accomplish for Jesus and for their country. 

So, all I want for Christmas is to see all of it happen for them.

And I welcome fellow simplifiers along on this journey.

Little ways - I have calendars and pashminas and other sundry items from Thailand to sell for the Hot Springs Students' Fund. 

Big ways - The total amount we need each year to pay for tuition and housing and food for all our students is $10,000.00.  That's not each, but all of them together.   A sizeable enough number, but pittance compared to what it costs to put our own university students through school.

It's not too late to simplify your Christmas with me.  Inquiries for donations to count toward 2018 income tax receipts can go to rabreithaupt@hcckw.ca.

I guess what I'm trying to do right now is invest in things my children won't have to clear out of my house one day.  Instead there will be other children, born not of my own body but from my heart, who are going to work and raising families in simpler, contentment-filled houses of shalom.