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A HAPPY LAW ENFORCEMENT HOLIDAY SEASON!... Part 2

"This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad
in it!" Psalm 118:24 (NAS)

Today we will be discussing how to get through the holidays without
CHAOS, even if your husband's work schedule requires YOU to do most of the
planning. First order of business... go get your calendar and some notebook
paper! Yes, that's an order!

Two rules before you start writing on your calendar:
1. DO NOT overextend your family with activities! Have the family pick
a few events that they will really enjoy and leave it at that! Leave
room for family time!
2. DO NOT overspend! Decide on a budget that you can AFFORD and stick
to it! Do you really want to be paying off Christmas in April??

The key to minimizing chaos over the holidays is to make good use of
your calendar and lists, and to do the work a little at a time
instead of all at once. We can ENJOY THE JOURNEY instead of running
around like chickens with our heads cut off trying to get to the
destination!

First, make a list of the holiday activities that your family has decided upon.
Write each one on your calendar. Include church events,
community events, parties, any hosting you would like to do at your
home, celebrations with relatives, school performances, tree decorating, outdoor
light hanging, and time reserved JUST FOR YOUR OWN FAMILY. Look it over
again... do you feel stressed at the schedule? Then scale back a bit. There will
be some events you and the kids may have to attend without your husband because
of his work schedule, but that is OK. You can enjoy them anyway!

Now think about the Christmas baking you want to do. Pick a couple of days and
schedule them on your calendar as "Christmas baking
days". You don't have to marathon bake nor do you have to bake 20
different varieties! Start now, a little here and a little there! And
let the kids help... the cookies don't have to be perfect! Be sure to
include one batch of each person's favorite!

Next, write down a day on your calendar to take out all of your gift
supplies and put them in ONE place. Include wrapping paper, ribbons,
boxes, tape, mailers, stamps, fancy pens, etc. You do not have to
schedule a wrapping day for yourself because you are going to wrap
each present when you bring it home from the store, and you'll know
right where all your supplies are! You may need to schedule a special
day for the kids to wrap gifts that they are giving. Put it on the
calendar!!

Now on to lists. Make a list of the supplies you will need for baking
holiday goodies, and for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years meals.
Keep that list on the refrigerator and cross each item off as you get
them. Spread the expense out over a few weeks.

Now make a list of people you want to send Christmas cards to.
Purchase your cards and stamps the next time you go to the store.
Start writing out just a few cards a day and see how fast they get
done!! They'll be out before the first week in December is over!

Last list... gifts!! Remember, stay within your budget! If you have
mail order gifts, make sure they will arrive on time. Put a date on
the calendar to order these. If you have to mail packages, check with
the post office now to determine the last date you can mail and still
be on time for Christmas. Write a day on your calendar on which you
will take all packages to the post office!

Last but not least, I want you to think about what food items you can
prepare in advance for your holiday meals. Write them in on the
calendar on the days that you can prepare them. If you do a little
here and there over several days, you won't feel so pressured. And
don't be afraid to ask guests to bring a dish to share!

Once your lists are made and your calendar is filled out, you have a
PLAN! Now just carry out that plan! Remember...the reason for all of
our celebrating is because of our thankfulness for Jesus and all that
He has given us, and to show His love to others... I don't think He
would want us to be all stressed out in the celebrations! Enjoy the
journey and let your family see just how special this time of year
can be!

I'm off... to get MY calendar and notebook paper and to do exactly what I told
you to do!

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PRAYER: Father, this is a special time of year. Help these ladies to
organize their lists and their calendars so that all they have to do
is follow through on their plans! Let this be their best holiday
season ever and help them to draw close to their loved ones and to
you! In Jesus' name, amen.
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