Christmas Greetings from the Grubbs Family and LifeChanging Seminars!  Below you will find ideas on "Redeeming the Time" for this holiday season, an update on our ministry, and some humor to make you smile this Christmas!

THREE TIPS FOR HOLIDAY TIME MANAGEMENT

Learn to SIBKIS. That's a term created by motivational speaker Charlie "Tremendous" Jones. It stands for "See It Big. Keep It Simple." That is just the opposite of what we normally do. We settle for a small vision and then make it complicated. God's way is to get a big vision, but keep the program simple.

I knew a lady who, every year, without exception, about this time would say, "We're not doing much this year for Christmas." She then plunged into hours of over-decorating, over-cooking, and enough shopping to make the Mastercard hall of fame. It left me wondering what it would look like if she ever decided to "do much" for Christmas.

Remember Mary and Martha? Jesus was a guest in their home. Both ladies were excited about the Lord's coming, but each celebrated the Lord's arrival differently. Martha was focused on a picture-perfect ceremony. Everything had to be just right. Mary, on the other hand, focused on relationships, especially with the Lord. When Martha complained to the Lord that Mary wasn't doing enough, look at Jesus' response.

"But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Luke 10:42

Here are some ideas for keeping it simple:

1. Try using paper plates and plastic forks for the big family get together. We buy paper plates for less than two cents each. They let us spend more time in the family room instead of the kitchen.

2. Set spending limits, especially for children's presents. One possible guideline might be $2 per child per year of age. For example, your 7 year old, will get about $14 in gifts. Take the children to the "Everything's a dollar" store to pick out gifts for each other or for friends.

3. Remember you don't have to "do it all". Church, work, and social calendars are full. Decide which ones to attend on the basis of your potential to minister or be ministered to there.  Ask, "What will it matter in five years if I don't make it?"

Yes, make Christmas a BIG event at your house. It is the birthday of the King of Kings! But keep Jesus' advice to Martha in mind on how He wants his arrival celebrated. See it big. Keep it simple. SIBKIS.

MINISTRY UPDATE

We thank God for His help in 2009!  By His grace we shared the seminars in 22 countries on 3 continents this year, but we are already looking forward to traveling for the Lord in 2010.  You may want to look at a fun review of the languages the seminars were translated into in this past year!

We are planning a cross-country trip all the way to California with the whole family next summer or fall.  If you would be interested in hosting a meeting, or helping with lodging along the way, let us know.  We'd love to see you again!  We are also planning meetings in Ohio in February and Arizona in March.  We've got open dates to fill on both of those trips!

Special thanks to everyone who has supported our ministry this past year through praying, giving once, and especially our small but faithful band of monthly supporters!  Because of you, people all over the world have been challenged this year to "Redeem the Time"!  Great is your reward in Heaven!

FAMILY NEWS

2009 was a special year in our home school as we produced our first graduate!  Sunshine, now 17, plans to go to Bible College next year.  We are looking forward to a special Christmas with Lau, our guide during our month of ministry in Romania, visiting us this year.

12 DAYS

A restaurant owner noticed a group of people greeting one another with high fives and back slaps as they chanted,  "12 days, 12 days"! As each new member joined they again chanted, "12 days 12 days". The curious owner noticed a puzzle of the cookie monster on the table and asked what the celebration was about. They replied,"The box says 2-4 years but we did it in 12 days!"

Merry Christmas!

Rick Grubbs