and the winner is...

All the enteries were GREAT, and I enjoyed reading every single one of them. But since I had to choose, RACHEL T. is our winner! Her story really touched me, and even though Christmas has already passed, I hope it will you, too. So here it is :D



I could tell that Christmas spirit was all the buzz at my apartment; the Christmas tree covered with golden, hanging lights, the red and silver tinsel gleaming behind the lights, the ginger bread nativity scene that my little sister made this week at church, my dad roasting chestnuts and hot cocoa over the warm, cozy fire for my little brothers and sister, after a long day in snow-forts and throwing snowballs, the woman living in the apartment next to my family, Mrs. Lawry, blaring her Christmas music all the way up, and the my Maltese, Snowy, chasing around my little siblings as they danced to the music in Mrs. Lawry's apartment...and let's not forget the endless Christmas shopping that many people occupy their time with. Usually, I'd enjoy the holiday cheer and spirit; as a tradition, my grandparents would visit on Christmas day, and I especially loved their unique but enthusiastic gifts. But that was sadly delayed by my grandfather's passing two months ago because of Lung Cancer, and since then, that tragedy has left me in the dumps; I didn't find the fun in all of this Christmas spirit without my grandpa around.
"Madison, dear!" My mom shouted from the living room.
"Yes mother?" I asked."Would you do me a huge favor, and..." she started to whisper. "There's a plush monkey that your little sister wanted for Christmas. Would you mind buying it for me?"
I sighed and replied, "Sure. Whatever you'd like."
She handed me about thirteen dollars, and I took it out of her hands, threw my Ugg boots on, buttoned up my red peacoat and stepped out my apartment door, into the elevator, and out onto the streets. I noticed the shimmer in the Christmas lights hung on the no-leaf trees and in the pure-as-white Christmas snow; I watched my step, as my Ugg boots are made for style, not safety, making sure I wouldn't slip on the black ice. I walked into the store and immediately spotted the stuffed monkey; I grabbed it of the shelf, rushed to the counter, and paid the cashier about twelve dollars and sixty-four cents, leaving me with thirty-six cents in change. As I walked out of the store, from the corner of my eye, I spotted a woman, in her forties, huddled up on a sidewalk vent, feeding some bread crumbs to some pigeons. I stared at the thirty-six cents in my hand, and turned my head toward the woman. My grandfather always told me to give to those who have less than what you have; so as the pigeons flew away, I shouted, "Hello! Ma'am?!" I ran to her and handed her my thirty-six cents. "I'm so sorry for breaking in that quickly," I implied.
"That's alright, dear." She said.
"I just couldn't help but notice you here. Not to be rude, but how did you...become like this?"
"Well," she started. "I wasn't always here, trying to keep warm. I used to have a husband, a home...a very beautiful home, in fact, and I never had to worry about life."
"What happened?"
"Well, my husband passed away because of a Construction accident, and since then, I couldn't pay my bills. So, the Government foreclosed my house and I couldn't afford another one. So now, I'm here."
"Oh..." I didn't know what to say at the moment.
"But that's alright," she implied. "whatever money I usually receive I either save, or buy some toys to donate to the children at the hospital.
A confused look flashed over my face; I don't understand how a woman, especially a homeless one, could still be eligible to give what she has to some kids when it's HER that needs to get things.
"Why do you give when you're here and need things for yourself."
"Oh, child," she laughed, putting her arm over my shoulder. "I remember as a child that God gave us Jesus Christ to save us from our sins. God gives us many things, even when we forget to give something to him. So if God gave to us, we should give to others. Am I correct?"
"I...guess so."
"Well, I better let you go now. Thank you and merry Christmas!"
As I walked away, my lips formed into a smile; I knew that grandpa would be proud of me after what I did. I gripped the stuffed monkey and ran home to my warm, cozy house.


God gives us many things--more like everything. He even gave us His only Son--born in a manger lowly manger, then died on cross and rose from the dead. He gave us SALVATION.



Jesus is the reason for EVERY season,
anna :)

the Christmas contest :)

This is the first official contest at Sisters in the Savior, so I'm prreettyy pumped! And it's all about Christmas--my FAVORITE time of year! So I want you to show/tell me why Christmas is
special to you. 


Here are the ways you can enter:

Photography
Anything Art (Paintings, Drawings, Sketches, Scrapbook pages, etc.)
Writing (Poems, Stories, Songs, etc.)



Awesome, right? And there are so many creative bloggers out there, so who knows what you'll come up with?! All entries need to be submitted to by December 31st, and winners will be announced on New Year's Eve! Did I forget anything? Yup...I always forget something. Anyway, email me your pics, poems, or paintings (haha, I love alliteration) at castingcrownsgirl33@hotmail.com! Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with! :):) And don't forget the REAL reason for the season.

Keep CHRIST in CHRISTmas,
anna :)

thanks, emii! :D

Thanks so much to Emii, at Girlz 4 God. She named me winner of her "Creativity in Creation Contest"! I didn't think I'd actually win--but I did, so...here's my entry:

He may not be Picasso

Van Gough, Monet, or Warhol
But He is more artistic

Than the greatest of them all

He began by splattering sunlight
Across the canvas of the earth
Then added a touch of darkness
But that was just the first

He divided rushing waters
And that left some empty space
Between the heavens and the earth
Then He put the sky in place

He pushed the waters back
And called the dry ground “land”
The waters He labeled “seas”
Both were very grand

He decided to add some color
Lots of plants and trees
That produced fruit of every kind
He took a look and He was pleased

After that He made the sun
And the moon for two main reasons
For one, to make night and day
For two, to mark the seasons

Next He sprinkled starry glitter
All across the skies
He knows each star by name
Sheesh, no one’s that wise

“Let the waters swarm with fish”
He said, and they appeared
“Let the skies be filled with birds”
And bam, they were here

He had already planned ahead
The animals came now
Lions, tigers, bears
Dogs, cats, and cows

But there was something still missing
In His amazing masterpiece
“Ah,” He said to himself.
“People are what it needs.”

In His very own image
He created a man from dust
But he needed a companion,
Someone he could trust

So when Adam was asleep
He took a rib from him
And out of that single rib
He formed Eve, his wife and friend

So who is this Creator
Of the universe and sun?
Look it up in Genesis.
He’s in verse number one.

But He didn’t stop creating
How do I know that’s true?
The answer is so simple
Because God created YOU.

Thanks again, Emii and all who congratulated me! I'm glad everyone enjoyed it! :D