"Embracing a Spirit of Giving"

By Kelly Christine

A quiet November night finds a mother of three young children contemplating a troubling situation. As Christmas approaches, her kids are overly absorbed with what they want for presents. The slew of TV commercials and newspaper ads has them diverted from what their mother learned in her childhood about the true meaning of Christmas: the spirit of giving, as exemplified by the birth and life of Jesus Christ.

What could she do, with the odds stacked against her? How could she teach her children about the true spirit of giving? And more importantly, would any such attempt stick?

She recalled learning that behaviors and personal habits are changed after many days of practice.

Then an idea inspired her. She designed a twenty-five-day adventure for her family. They would daily give to others in simple and creative ways as they counted down to Christmas morning. Without her children even being aware of it, she was slowly creating in them a long-lasting giving spirit.

Follow an extraordinary journey of how one mother discovered a way to instill in her children the true spirit of giving. Witness how one family touched many people with overwhelming expressions of love.

Kelly Christine shares how you can make your own memories with her easy-to-follow guidelines and suggestions. She then gives you extra pages to create and record your own story that is sure to be a treasure for years to come.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Oct 21, 2013
• ISBN: 9781490811956

Kelly Christine

As an everyday, young Christian mother, Kelly Christine doesn't consider herself an expert in parenting. However, like many parents, she is passionate about instilling in her children a spirit of giving. Kelly resides in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, with her three children. She enjoys gardening, singing, and is known for her chocolate-chip cookies.

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Copyright © 2013 Kelly Christine.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Cover and author photo courtesy of Angela Halterman of Halterman Photography

Countdown Calendar illustration by Michael E. Hraba

WestBow Press books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4908-1196-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-1195-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013918442

WestBow Press rev. date: 10/30/2013

Contents

Acknowledgements

Our Story…

A Few Things I Learned During the Countdown

It Works

No Strings Attached

I Took it for Granted

It’s the Simple Things

The Receiver Often Became the Giver

Personalize It

The More We Emptied Ourselves, the Fuller We Became

There’s a Difference Between Good Intentions and Being Intentional

It’s Not Just About the Give

I Was Better at Holding On Than Letting Go

Picking Your Twenty-Five

It’s Not Always Easy

The Difference Between Have to and Get to

But, I’m SO Busy…

Your Page in the Story…

A Story Meant for Such a Time as This…

Create Something Lasting…

Helpful Hints…

25-Day Countdown List and Suggestions

Embracing a Spirit of Giving Scrapbook

To my parents, who instill in me a spirit of giving.

Acknowledgements

I truly believe a family is one of life’s greatest blessings.

Thank you to my parents, David and Beverly Klintworth… your support, love and faith in me leaves me humbled and honored. The mother I am today is due to the model and example you set for me. This book would not exist without your belief in its vision. Thank you to my siblings, Kevin Klintworth, Lindsay Kissel and Brandon Klintworth. Many of my sweetest memories and greatest laughs are filled with your presence. I am very grateful for each of you.

In addition to my family, there are a few individuals who were directly involved in bringing this dream to life. Thank you to Crystal Day, Danielle Cruz, Dennis Papp, Tristi Carlson and Kim Terashita. Whether it was brainstorming, editing, providing insight, keeping me balanced, or encouraging me along the way, you were a huge asset to this project. Also, a special thank you goes out to my Circle of Seven for your continued prayers and friendship.

I am thankful for the family and friends who have walked with me in life and those who travel alongside me today. Some of you encouraged me to write and gave me confidence to share my voice this way. Others have celebrated many joyous moments, braved some of my toughest storms and experienced everything in between. Thank you for sharing this life with me.

To my children Ava Grace, Garrett and Grady…

You are the joy of my life and the greatest gift God has given me. As an actress, I have played