It used to be that the art of picture taking was something only hobbyists and professionals worried about, but today most cell phones and smartphones have built-in cameras that border on the quality of the top cameras of only a few years ago.

So, basically, everyone has gotten into the act. Judy Holmes and Greg Baer think most people could use a little help. Okay, in some cases, a lot of help.

“Taking good pictures is about so much more than pointing and shooting,” said Holmes, a 20-year veteran professional photographer. She and co-author Greg Baer have just written the friendly, no-nonsense, how-to book That Picture Stinks! (www.thatpicturestinks.com).

“While there are many things that make a bad picture, there are three things that jump to mind: they’re too light or dark, the composition is poor or people don’t use the flash enough,” added co-author Baer. “The results can range from lousy to boring to, well, embarrassing. With just a few basics, people can dramatically improve the quality of their pictures and ensure that they capture memories worth preserving in a manner that’s worth showing.”

Holmes’s and Baer’s tips include:

• Too light or too dark – Too many people see the program mode or auto mode on the camera and think, “That’s for me!”  It isn’t.  The auto mode should be the last mode anyone thinks of using.  If you want that beautiful sunrise or sunset to be all it shouldn’t be, or that winter wonderland to look more like nuclear fallout, by all means use the auto function!  Otherwise, learn where to point the camera to “fool” it and give you the perfect exposure. Hint: Want the sunset deep and dark? Baer says point at the lightest area. Want the snow nice and bright? Point at the darkest area.

• Photo by Godzilla – Sometimes people take bad pictures of their kids, and they know the shots are bad, but they can’t put their finger on why they’re bad. The primary reason kids’ photos turn out bad is that, as grown-ups, we usually take pictures of our kids from the angle of looking down on them. After all, they’re small and we’re tall. As a result, we create all kinds of shadows, awkward poses and perspective issues that make it look like Godzilla is towering over them, grabbing a shot of them with our iPhone for a Facebook page.  If you want to take consistently better pictures of your kids, get down. Really, get down on the floor and take pictures head-on from their level. You’ll get more of them in the shot, their eyes won’t be squinting from looking up at you into the sun, and the perspective will show a normally proportioned child (instead of this tiny creature with a huge head, skinny arms and feet that poke out from under their pants). Do the same with your pet pictures for an “Ahh” reaction instead of the normal “Ugh” one.

• A little more light please – Adding a flash to outdoor photographs, especially with people in them, is one of the quickest ways to look like a genius.  Taking pictures in the bright sun can cause horrible dark shadows on your subject or worse, make them squint so they go blind.  Turning the flash on instead of “auto flash” will help in these situations.  It can help to lighten the shadows and balance the picture and if you move your subjects into a more shady area, using the flash will light up their faces.  If you think that’s cool, just wait until you show off that picture.  Then you’ll really see their faces light up!

“There are a lot more ways people can improve the quality of their photography, just by tapping on a few icons on their point and shoot,” Holmes added. “However, if they can follow these three basic rules, they’ll produce a lot fewer stinky pictures!”

More Information:
If you don’t want to take a bad picture again, consider photography classes.

About Judy Holmes & Greg Baer

Judy Holmes has been a professional outdoor photographer for 20 years, specializing in capturing nature’s motion and magic, often in extreme weather. Her particular emphasis is on simplicity of style and equipment. That Picture Stinks! is her fourth photography book.

Greg Baer has been a professional photographer for over 15 years. He has been published in magazines, calendars and cards. For the last 10 years, he has been running Corporate Cards using his photography to provide a novel way for businesses to communicate.

by Bethany Smith

Have you failed in your resolutions already? Nearly every one makes them, and nearly every one fails or forgets them. Resolution-ists fill up gyms, book clubs, and writer’s groups each January, but they (we?) never seem to make any real changes. I have given up on resolutions all together, and over the last few years I have found some great (life changing!) things that actually work.

1. Quit One Thing
Nobody likes a quitter. Sometimes, however, our lives get insane, and we have too much activity to live authentically or spend time with the people who are important (read: anyone). Pick one activity to drop from your schedule. Even quitting something GOOD can make way for time to read, pray, think, or just be. Time to read/pray/think/be sounds pretty nice, huh?

2. Finish One Thing
On the other hand, it might be time to get something done. I had a half-finished novel in a drawer for, well, ever. Finally, I decided just to finish it. After it was done, I realized I may have accidentally rewritten Mean Girls, but I will never again wonder what it takes to write a novel. It may not be great, but getting the bad novel out of the way makes room to start the next one.

3. One Word
Pick one theme for the year and keep it on your mind throughout the year. I did it last year, and really liked having a daily goal as I went about my life. Live by the ideas found here.
4. Read the Bible in a Year
It’s an interesting way to get a big-picture-view of Christianity. One of the pitfalls, I’ve found, is that after reading such a huge portion, studying something smaller (word, word origin, theme), often feels overwhelming at the end of the day. Still, I love reading the whole thing, and do it every other year or so.

5. Encourage Someone Everyday
This makes encouragement practical and real. Encouragement is near and dear to my heart, and I’ve found that five minutes for one person every day can make a huge difference in a stranger’s/friend’s heart/mind/day/week/life.

6. Plan a Trip
Rather than working on yourself or aiming for personal improvement (snoozefest, amirite?), plan something fun! Spend your free time looking up fares, looking up cool hotels, working extra to save a little, and JUST. GO.

7. Write a goal and break down the steps to get there
This changes the pie-in-the-sky to something real and doable. I am a firm believer in putting goals down on paper. The act of writing them, even if you never look at that piece of paper again, truly changes the way your mind works.

After you have figured out the most important goals in your world, start backwards and break down the steps needed to get there. There are no excuses when all you have to do is “the next thing.”

8. Find and live a good story
Donald Miller has a great way to look at the new year. He wrote this a year ago, but I still have not forgotten it.

9. Live well
Do everything for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Whether that means workouts or work days, deciding to rest well, exercise well, work well, and play well pretty much tops every resolution ever.

by Joanna Paula L. Cailas

There I was fervently babbling about Holy Will and divine intervention and mercy and grace, praying for my crush. Only when I’m back home do I whack my forehead and think O Godric, I didn’t even pray for my asthmatic brother! That’s how forgetful emotion can make you. And if you’re not convinced, just check any statistic record of how many people kill because of rage and how many people both make love and kill because of, well, love.
We’re surrounded by media that more or less suggests that sex is part of life’s fun, and fun is never prohibited, right?

We are advised to say no, but while there are steps for saying no to drugs, cigarettes and booze, what about saying no to premarital sex?
We’re not little animals here, so I won’t talk about hormones as if we’re little mousies responding to our genetic make-up. When you think about it, or when you are asked, you definitely wouldn’t say it was hormones that made you kiss your first boy/girlfriend. How totally unromantic. No, you laid your lips on his/hers because s/he was making your heart pound so much at that moment you just had to make him/her know you were lovestruck and actions always yell better than words.
It’s not hormones. It’s our emotions. ‘Your love’, to speak romantically. Understanding this makes it easier to take action, and makes us responsible because we can always do something about what we feel. Like when I feel I’m about to punch my brother. I take a deep breath and count to three. No, ten. No, twenty.
Dieting—no sweet shop. Dating—no closeted space where emotions can cage us. We go to malls. Or resorts, or restaurants. Not to cabins in the woods unless it’s a camping party. No at-homes when it’s home-alone.
Another tip. When cuddling too closely and kissing too deeply and fondling too intimately, put a name to the deed. This alleviates the mood somewhat and toggles the switch from heart to mind mode. In those low books that would make Vatsayana blush, it’s never, ‘They sat down on the couch and began necking.’ Instead, it’s a detailed account of sensations and feelings. So stop feeling and start thinking and voice the thought. “Isn’t this necking? Shouldn’t we stop?” That’s like saying, ‘Isn’t this a match? Are we allowed to play with it?’ There will be laughter (Thanks, Captain Obvious!), maybe a scowl (Spoilsport!), but no fire.
Next time, I’ll think I’m mooning over my crush instead of thinking the universe was conspiring to get us together. Then maybe I’ll remember to pray for my more urgent petitions.

God Knows What He Is Doing

“Honor your father and mother”-which is the first commandment with a promise-“that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” (NIV Ephesians 6:2-3)

This is a profound statement and a promise from God. God is truth, so whatever he requires with a promise is sure to come to pass. In life sometimes the boundaries your parents set will seem hard, unfair and just not cool. There is something that you need to know and that is God already knew in advance what you would need to become the successful soldiers and warriors in Him. God has worked out everything to ensure your success and not your failure. God has placed you in the exact right place at the exact right time. God does not make mistakes and He is definitely not unfair.

Your parents are part of God’s plan for your life. Your parents are just another shield of God’s safety net that is meant to cover you and keep you from harm. Your parents are the first voices of wisdom you will encounter. Be sure to listen and honor God by honoring your parents. God has shined so much light on the important role parents play in your life that it was the very first commandment He gave with a promise. If God has placed such a high value on your parents should not you as well. You cannot live to please God and yet ignore the very tools He has placed in your life to help you along the way.

Take time out to receive the promise God has set into motion for your obedience. Practice following this commandment and see the promise come alive in your life. There are many people who live long life on the earth but in the promise God has set forth it records “that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” It is not just enough to live but God has promised that you would enjoy the life you live. Honor your parents.

written by: Crystal Kelly

Hard Talk With Yourself

What does it mean to live a life submitted to Christ? What is that really about? I mean you try to do the right thing and God knows of course you are not perfect, right. You say your prayers everyday and you read your Bible. You are kind and respectful to your parents and your elders. All this sounds pretty good so why do you sometimes feel like there is more you should be doing. The answer is because there is more. God does not just simply want our time. He requires our lives. God’s desire is that our heart’s passion is for Him and Him alone. You are young and you want to live life and have fun so you give God some time and the rest of your time is spent with your friends or family. Is it wrong to spend time with friends and family? Of course not but the error in thinking is that God’s time can be split with the time you have with your friends and your family. The very thing that God requires will open the door in your life for quality time with your friends and family. God is not a taskmaster that requires you to give Him all of your time. He requires you to love Him and submit your will and life to Him in obedience.

Submitting your life to God may be something hard to grasp. Submitting your life to God may sound as though you are losing your identity or who you are to a God who has so many rules you may feel as though you are walking a tightrope. The only tightrope is in your thinking. God is the creator of everything including your mind. God has given you the free gift of free will and choice. God foresees your future. He sees the roads which will lead to destruction in your life and the roads which will lead to peace, joy and hope in Him in your life. God’s choice to create you and give you breath is one which He put considerable thought and love into. You are God’s own design. You are God’s wonderful, beautiful creation and His requirements for your life are for nothing but your good.

Everything in life has requirements. There are curfews that must be followed, governed laws that must be followed, work etiquette, social etiquette rules that must be followed. There is nowhere in life that you will be able to escape the golden rules of following laws or requirements in which to live. So why not follow the one who created you out of love. Why not follow the requirements of the one who designed you to absolute perfection, the one who understands you when no one else does, the one who sends the answer in the quiet or the storm, the one who surrounds you family and friends, the one who is your friend, God. Look upon Him as He looks upon you with unimaginable love.

God’s plans for you are better than you could ever imagine. God’s love for you if you can grasp it is so overwhelming that you would run into the plan that He has for your life. God’s eyes of love are forever on you even when you feel as though He requires too much. God’s arms are ever open waiting for you to welcome His amazing embrace. God is yours and you are His and full submission to any other being but God is living your life in settlement of less than the best. Every question you will ever have will be answered through God’s perfect will for your life. Give God everything so that He can give you everything. Do not be deceived into believing submitting to God is too hard. No, the hardest thing is not living in submission to God.

So I suppose you are wondering how on earth can I start to live this life of submission to a God I cannot see but sometimes feel that He is near or maybe you have never felt Him near. The answer is to STUDY the New Testament Gospels. Every time you read about Jesus you are spending time with Him learning from Him and growing in the knowledge of who He is and the plans that He has for your life. A great gospel to start with is John and from there read and STUDY all of the gospels. Allow God to lead you through a journey of His word as the Spirit prompts you to. So go now find your quiet place and run into the loving arms of Christ. He is waiting just to spend time with you.

written by: Crystal Kelly

Guy Checklist

Safeguard your standards before they are tested. Determine right now what you want in the guy you choose to date. Do not make the mistake of dating first and trying to figure if this is what you want or do not want in a guy. When you go to the mall you have a budget and you know what you are looking for, so why not do the same with the guy you are considering in your life? In order to do this here is a safety checkoff list that will help you to determine if “that” guy is the right guy for you.

1) Does he believe in God? If so does he follow God or just claim to?

2) Where are his eyes when he is talking with me or other girls?

3) What kind of people does he hang with? Are they Christians? What kind of morals do they possess?

4) What kind of language comes out of his mouth?

5) Is he eager to meet my family and friends or only wants to spend time with me? (this type of thing may be flattering but in all actuality it can be a sign of control, a guy should want to meet your family to see how you were raised and who was responsible. He should also want to meet your friends because he should also have a moral checklist)

6) Is he insistent on you meeting with his family and friends?

7) Does he encourage your dreams or is he critical of you all the time (claiming he only wants the best for you)?

8) Has he clearly defined his goals in life and is he making the steps which leads to reaching those goals?

9) Do you have the same interests really or are you just attracted to how he looks or who he is?

10) What kind of places does he suggests for dates do they make you feel comfortable or uncomfortable?

11) If you ask him a direct question does he dance around the answer or look you straight in the eyes and answer the question? (if asked a question and someone dances around it they are hiding something yet at the same time wanting to seem as though they have answered your question. Beware of this behavior these are warning signs of secrecy that will ultimately lead to straight out lies and distrust.)

12) Does he talk about living together rather than getting married (suggesting the common line of “we should see how well we mesh together before making such a serious commitment” this is definitely out of God’s will)?

13) Does he want to touch more than talk?

14) Can you share openly and honestly with your mother about what the two of you did on a date?

15) Do you feel like you can be yourself around him or do you feel as though you have to change to make him happy? (the person you are should be appreciated and respected not trampled on and made to feel inadequate)

16)Is he respectful of your times away from each other or is he is jealous?

17)Does he respect your levels of comfort or is he critical or judgmental towards it?

These are just a few things you may want to be aware of when evaluating whether or not to allow a guy into your precious environment. Sometimes it may seem as though you are the only one without someone because you have set standards so high that no one could fill. Do not believe that, God has set high standards for you because you are a child of the king. Do not live in a world of dreams in which reality turns around and bites you. Wake up and deal with the hard issues that will guide you down a path of non-regret. A princess is not allowed to marry just anyone but she must marry “the one” usually chosen by her father the king. Work through the moral standards God has chosen for you and you will have a true happy beginning with the guy God has chosen.

Often the seeds of self-doubt take root and grow first in family relationships. The verbal and non-verbal messages we get from our family shape and impact our self-view. At home we can be ourselves, taking off our armor for the day, and family members see us for who we are. Our parents and siblings know how to push our buttons, making us vulnerable to self-doubt. Knowing your Achilles’ heel can help you stay clear of those feelings. Learn to pay attention to all the positive verbal and nonverbal messages your family uses to boost your self-confidence: they might be your greatest allies. Authors of Think Confident, Be Confident for Teens Drs. Leslie Sokol and Marci Fox offer common parent problems and savvy solutions to turn from self-doubt to confidence.

Problem #1: My parents are demanding too much.

Scenario: My parents push me into academically rigorous schedules and extracurricular interests to boost my resume. My older brother sets a high bar. I feel the pressure to excel. My parents are setting me up for failure by encouraging me to do things beyond my ability. I feel like I’ll always fall short of their too-high expectations. Why do they want me to take on work they know I can’t handle?

Advice: When doubt discourages you, pressure to perform can be intimidating. But regardless of pressure from parents, the greatest stress often comes from internal uncertainties. Doubt convinces you that you will fall short. Calling yourself names and forecasting a negative future makes you see failure ahead and can encourage you to quit without trying. Be very careful not to jump to conclusions. Ask yourself if your parents are demanding or simply encouraging you to perform. They probably have more confidence in your abilities than you do because they see what you can do. Collect the facts and consider the data that show you can and do handle difficult work. Instead of depending on your emotions as a guide for your actions, let the facts guide you. Feeling like you can’t tackle your schoolwork doesn’t mean you can’t. Instead of concerning yourself with your parents’ expectations, ask yourself what you want for yourself. Make sure doubt doesn’t interfere with reaching for what you want. Look at your parents’ expectations as encouragement instead of demands. When they push, consider them your personal cheerleaders. Success is in the doing, not the outcome.

Problem #2: My parents don’t like my friends.

Scenario: My parents don’t like the crowd I hang out with. Recently some of these kids have been getting into trouble at school and with the law. My so-called friends have started to leave me hanging out to dry while I have their backs. Now I’m starting to question my own judgment and doubt my friendships. I feel like I must have been brainless to think these were my friends. I won’t fit in with any crowd. If I accept that my parents are right it means I can’t make good decisions.

Advice: Be aware when you’re using extreme thinking and thinking the worst: that you’ll never fit in. Instead of looking at it from different angles and seeing the truth in your parents’ view, you may be tempted to dig in your heels, defending your position and your friends when collecting the facts would make it clear that you need a new plan to expand your friendships. Listening to your parents doesn’t mean you’re not in control. Instead of ignoring this information from another source (your parents), use it as one piece of data to help you formulate a broader perspective. Your parents have objective data: they notice which friends show up on time, keep a commitment, make eye contact with others, and are polite and pleasant to be around. They’re also aware when your friends antagonize others, destroy property even if only in fun, disregard house rules, are sloppy and inconsiderate of you and your things, or show up at inappropriate times. Listening to your parents’ feedback is a sign of a confident outlook. It means you accept you’re still the one in control but that you’re making your choices wisely, basing them on facts not on insecurity. Instead of using the ineffective behavior of defending your friends at all costs, put energy into healthy and reciprocal friendships.

Problem #3: It’s not fair.

Scenario: My older sister is a talented artist and my twin brother is always on the soccer field and has a car at his disposal. Just because I’m not a creative genius or an athlete and lied about hanging out at the mall, my mom has me babysitting my younger brother 24/7. I feel like I’m always yelled at and blamed for everything. I feel like my parents think I’m no good and have nothing going for me. I feel like they hate me and have no respect for me.

Advice: Insecurity may tell you that your parents think you’re no good. You might jump to the conclusion that your parents won’t give you the freedom to do what you want. Choosing to manipulate the situation by lying and sneaking around to gain freedom rather than asserting yourself and asking for privileges is not an effective way to get what you want. Instead of trying to manipulate the situation by unassertively stomping off to your room, slamming doors or sneaking around, try this: Collect the facts and consider all the possibilities. Your parents tell you they love you. It’s possible that all of their restrictions are coming from their own anxiety that you’ll put yourself in harm’s way. You know you’re a good kid and have enough self-respect not to make bad decisions, but you haven’t communicated this to them. Stop being unassertive. Getting more freedom won’t happen if you continue to sneak around and lie. Freedom comes from being direct and using effective, assertive communication with your parents to negotiate a plan that works for them as well as you. Have the confidence that you can talk to them and make a compelling case instead of assuming your situation is hopeless.

Problem #4: My Sister is the favorite.

Scenario: My older sister is the favorite. She is better than me at everything—she has better grades and she’s a star in the pool. My parents always put her in charge and give her more freedom. I’m always in her shadow and never feel good enough. I feel like my parents favor her over me. I can’t compete, so why try?

Advice: Walking in the shadow of a successful sibling is tough. Your doubt distortions cause you to make comparisons and question your abilities to measure up. You may ignore the facts and depend only on your emotions, convincing yourself that your parents favor your sister. Consider all the possibilities and you’ll see that your parents treat each of you differently because you are different people, not because one is better. Their praise for your sister is not an insult to you. Collect the facts and remind yourself of all the praise and recognition you’ve gotten too. Stop making comparisons and focus on your own strengths. Instead of jumping to the conclusion that you will never be able to compete with your sister, recognize that it’s not a competition. Consider another possibility; That your sister and parents are rooting for you. See them as allies rather than adversaries. Think of how much better you’ll feel when you stop comparing and start navigating your own path in life. Similarities and differences make each of us unique and special. Self-confidence comes from seeing your family as a cheering section rather than your opponent.

Problem #5: I don’t want to mess up my relationship like my parents did.

Scenario: I thought my parents would be together forever. I knew they didn’t always get along and there was tension between them, but I never thought they would split up. Now they’re getting divorced and it’s turned my life upside down. I feel like this will mess me up for future relationships. I might do something wrong and end up like them. Maybe it’s not possible for two people to make it forever. Maybe it’s my fault they’re getting divorced.

Advice: Worrying is ineffective action that allows your fear to nag you. Your parents breakup is one unique situation, not a verdict on marriage. Just because your parents weren’t able to make their marriage work doesn’t mean you’ve inherited some sort of divorce gene. You may be able to learn what undermines a relationship by objectively reviewing your parents’ situation. Note the problems, then use the information to guide you in your own relationships. Have confidence that you’ll make better decisions with this insight. Look at it from different angles, and remember they had lots of problems unrelated to you. Collect the facts and consider the more realistic view that you were not to blame. Appreciate the wisdom you’ve gained from your parents’ mistakes. Use it to bring confidence to your future relationships.

Problem #6: Will I end up as crazy as my mom?

Scenario: For as long as I can remember, my mom has been unable to participate in ordinary life. She often spends days on end in bed leaving household chores undone. She leaves me on my own to fend for myself. I’d like to invite friends over or encourage my parents to attend things like school functions, but instead I go out of my way to keep my home life a secret. I carry my mom’s illness inside me as a dark secret and fear people will find out. I feel like I can’t let anyone know how bizarre my mom is because people will think less of me if they see. I’m afraid I’m going to be just like her one day.

Advice: You may feel convinced that others will judge you negatively based on your mom’s illness, and that you may end up like your mom. Collect the facts and think about what draws you to other people. Typically, your attraction to someone else is not based on what the rest of their family is like. If you were to critically examine any of your friends’ parents, you might find plenty of unlikable, impaired or odd people. Would that keep you from liking your friends? Your friends like you for who you are, not who your mom is or isn’t. Your friends base their opinions of you on all the assets you bring to the friendship. Qualities like intelligence, humor, personality, friendliness, kindness, compassion, and listening skills attract people to you. Have the self confidence to show that regardless of who your mom is, your friends will like you. Recognize that you are not your mom. Consider past experiences and think of all the ways you’re different. Know that just because she’s unable to handle life doesn’t mean you’re destined to walk the same path. Stop the ineffective actions of avoiding and worrying and take a different course of action. Stop hiding and be open about her, and you’ll likely be rewarded with support from your friends and increased self-confidence. Don’t forecast the future. Accept that your mom’s disabled, but don’t believe it suggests something about you or your future, because it doesn’t.

More about the Authors of Think Confident, Be Confident for Teens

Leslie Sokol, PhD, is director of education at the Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy and Research. A highly acclaimed lecturer, Sokol is a licensed psychologist and cognitive therapy expert who maintains a private practice in the Philadelphia suburbs. Sokol has appeared in Redbook, Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health, Shape, The New York Times, and The Boston Globe, and has appeared on The Montel Williams Show.

Marci G. Fox, PhD, is a senior faculty member for the Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy and Research’s training program. She is a licensed psychologist and expert in cognitive therapy.

Saving Babies and Mothers in Ghana

This holiday season we can spread joy while bringing hope to poor communities around the world by purchasing Fair Trade items from across the globe.

Many of you may be wondering first and foremost, “What the heck is fair trade?!”

Wikipedia defines it as an organized social movement and market-based approach that aims to help producers in developing countries to make better trading conditions and promote sustainability. The movement advocates the payment of a higher price to producers as well as higher social and environmental standards. It focuses in particular on exports from developing countries to developed countries, most notably handicrafts, coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, bananas, honey, cotton, wine, fresh fruit, chocolate, flowers and gold.

So in a nutshell….it is purchasing goods from people in developing countries at fair prices and standards so that they have a chance to take care of themselves and prosper. This is necessary because many of these developing countries have to provide their goods at ridiculously low prices and standards to attract business because of international trade policies. Fair Trade helps these producers provide themselves and their families with basic living necessities like food and clean drinking water.

If you are looking for a last minute gift and you want it to truly be special, check out Fair Trade jewelry and art work or select a share in a Catholic Relief Services project to bring gifts to those you love AND a better life for others. Here are a few things we have found from Catholic Relief Services, but you can find Fair Trade items all over the internet…just put it in your search!

Peaceful Promise Gift Set

From the Holy Land:

Peaceful Promise Gift Basket

Basket contains couscous, dates, and almonds from Palestinian farmers, and organic olive oil and za’atar spice mix produced by Arab farmers in Galilee. ($36.00)

Olive Branch Pendant

A symbol of peace from the Holy Land is laser cut and strung on a 25 in. black cotton cord. ($15.00)

From Africa:

Elephant Ring Holder

This smooth soapstone elephant stands with trunk raised and ready to hold your favorite rings.  Nyabigena Soapstone Carvers, Kenya.  ($15.00)

African Breadbasket and Jam Gift Set

Bake or buy your favorite bread to serve in this beautifully crafted papyrus and banana leaf basket from Rwanda, then top with any of three all-natural jams from Swaziland–Peach ‘n Ginger, Mango Pineapple, and Mango–each 12 oz. A truly pan-African creation made by women. ($42.00)

Island Kings Wall Art

From Haiti

Tree of Life Sculpture

Cut, shaped, pierced and stippled in magnificent detail to create a multidimensional wall hanging, each piece is signed by the artisan who made it.  Bend tree of life birds forward for a three-dimensional affect.  ($46.00)

Island Kings

Haitian interpretation of the three kings. Recycled oil drums are cut, shaped, pierced, and stippled in magnificent detail to create this wall hanging from Haiti. Each piece is signed by the artisan who made it.  ($50.00)

CRS Gift of Hope Project Shares

Water Supply in Ethiopia

Fill your basket with a gift of a lifetime through a project share in one of Catholic Relief Services’ programs around the world. Shares are now available online in the 2011 Gift Catalog. Help improve the lives of our brothers and sisters in need through education, agriculture, clean water and health care.   All project shares are available in whole, half and quarter amounts.

Saving Babies and Mothers in Ghana

The Community Initiative for Maternal, Child and Newborn Survival in Ghana ensures that more women and babies survive childbirth. Project share $160.

Helping Young People Work for Peace in the Holy Land

Through CRS’ Youth Voices for Community Action project, young people ages 18 to 25 meet regularly in this mixed Christian and Muslim community to break down tense religious barriers. Project share $120.

Helping Refugees Get an Education in Egypt

A new chapter in Egypt’s extraordinary history is being written, and CRS is committed to playing a significant role in supporting Egypt’s transition and the democratic aspirations of the Egyptian people. Project share $20.

Improving the Water Supply in Ethiopia

Help the people of Ethiopia by drilling deep wells, building irrigation systems and teaching farmers what, when and how to plant so they have food even in the harshest conditions. Project share $156.

Morphology

I admit it. I am one of those people that loves to play games with family and friends. It makes a get-together fun, keeps the pressure off constant conversation and is so much more interactive than watching T.V. Christmas seem to be the most frequent game-playing time for me, since my entire family gets together from all across the country and we hang out and enjoy each other for as long as possible–late into the night. I learned about Morphology in October, tested it with some family and friends on Thanksgiving and it certainly passed the test! This might be one of my new favorite games and I highly recommend anyone get it for any sized get-together with players of any age.

Interested in how it works? I thought you would be…

Morphology is a fun new party board game requiring players to dip into a goody bag full of string, wooden sticks, glass beads and colored cubes to create a designated object chosen from a deck of cards. Correctly guess the words your teammates build to be the first team to reach the Final Lily Pad. For more of a challenge, you may be asked to flex your creative muscles by closing your eyes, using your weaker hand, or only pick 5 objects to use while conjuring your given word.  Each game includes 600 cards, 65 pieces of material, a timer, a die and team pieces.

Your welcome. I just gave you the perfect solution for entertaining your family and friend get-togethers or of course a great last-minute gift idea for a game-lover you know. Now, buy it
($29.99) and enjoy!

by Lisa Sellman

Tips for Successful Volunteering

“If you want to feel good, volunteer. There are few ways to feel as good about yourself as volunteering. The idea of volunteering can seem like it’s just another ‘have-to’ to write into the already crowded calendar. However, I know for a fact that if you do it right, it can be a great stress reliever and a source of true joy in your life.”

The key to discovering that feeling is to let your passion guide you when you decide to volunteer. Her tips for beginning volunteers include:

• Choose Wisely – Many people get “roped into” volunteering for an organization because their boss is involved with a charity or a family member is working on a community project. Those can be rewarding ways to enter volunteerism, but only if the project is a match for your personal interests. The most important aspect to volunteerism is to find what you love, and direct your energies into a charity or community organization that matches those passions. If you’re an animal lover, work with a wildlife rescue mission or animal shelter. If you are a nature buff, there are plenty of environmental foundations that can use an extra set of hands. If sports is your thing, there are plenty of community recreation centers that need coaches for needy kids enrolled in their programs. No matter your interest, you can match it to a cause that needs help. Just pick the right one, and your volunteer time won’t be a chore – it will be a joy.

• Watch Your Schedule – As much as you want your passion to direct your choice of project, you don’t want those volunteer projects to rule your schedule. Make sure you balance your volunteer time carefully so that your professional life and your family time doesn’t take a critical hit. Most organizations will take as much time as you offer them, but if you only have an hour or two each week, they’ll take that time, too. Your volunteer life should not consume your work or home life.

• Have Fun – Helping others is its own reward, but it shouldn’t feel like a chore. Even the most mundane task can be fun if you manage it with a sense of humor and passion for helping others.

“You don’t have to spend a lot of time as a volunteer,” Sellman said. “If everyone gave even just an hour a week, every community organization in the country would be turning volunteers away, because they’d have more than enough. The key is to understand that volunteerism doesn’t have to take over your life, and that if you do it right, it will add far more to your spirit than it takes away from your calendar.”

About Lisa Sellman

Lisa Sellman is a professional dog trainer and owner of a pet care business who volunteers for half a dozen charitable organizations. She believes that community service is its own reward, a message that resonates throughout her children’s book The Legend of the Wolves of Gunflint Lake. (www.lisasellman.com)