Here I Swap 2019

 Lutheran ladies, it's mug swap time! (I was going to post the "Let's get ready to ruuuuuuuumble!" video here but that didn't seem quite appropriate.)

Now read this next part closely.

Closer.

Closer still. 

A little more. 

There you go! 

1. Ready to swap mugs? You sign up here. 
2. I pair you up with another gal and send you both the information you'll need to know about one another (names and adddresses, etc.). You're matched up with one person, and she's matched up with you.
3. You put together a little care package for her. You're free to add as many goodies to the package as you'd like -- as long as it doesn't cost you more than $20.00 -- but you have to include a mug. (I mean, this is why it's called a mug swap.)
4. Stick that package in the mail! (But seriously, for real, because having to track people down who don't hold up their end of the bargain makes me grumpy.)
5. Instagram your pumpkin spice latte while waiting patiently by the mailbox for your buddy's package to arrive for you. Or don't. Whichever. 

Are you game?

 If you're 21 or older, sign up by clicking this link and filling out the form. 

• Sign-ups close September 15, and you'll receive information on your swap friend by October 1. (Yes. It may take that long to send all the emails out. I'm a wife and a mom of three 3 and under. You understand.)

• Again, after reading up on your new friend, head to Walmart or Home Goods or any place in between to put her fall swap package together, which must include at least one mug.

• Send the package -- along with a little note with your name and how she can connect up with you -- by October 15.

• Post a picture of your swap package when it arrives. Use the hashtag #hereiswap2019 on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Wait. Do people still even tweet? 

• Finally, I'm hoping this swap remains a helpful way for Lutheran women to encourage each other, but unfortunately, I can't be held responsible for your partner's actions. If she doesn't send you a package, feel free to follow up with her via email! A healthy dose of the Law never hurts, amiright? 

Are you excited yet? Sweet.

Let's get swapping!

Here I Swap 2018: Registration Open

Guys.

Guess what.

It's mug swapping time!

Year 1: 115 Lutheran mug swappers.
Year 2: 511 . . . in celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. 
Year 3: TBD. (I'm scared. Yipe!)

This year, because some ladies were a little over all things fall -- turns out not every gal loves her some pumpkin spice lattes -- we're swapping Advent and Christmas mugs . . . and maybe even a recipe or two.

Also, not sure why Amy Grant doesn't sing that Advent is the mooooost woNDErful tiiiiiiime of the year but WHATEVER.

Now read this next part closely because things have changed a bit.

Here's how this swap is going down:

1. You sign up here. 
2. I pair you up with another gal and send you both the pertinent information you'll need to know about one another (names and adddresses, etc.). This is different from previous years. You're matched up with one person, and she's matched up with you. The end.
3. You peruse that information, which will give you a glimpse into her style, winter drink preferences and personality. You can friend her on Facebook if you want or shoot her an email introducing yourself. If you'd prefer to stay behind the scenes until she receives your package so that it can be a surprise, that's fine too! Either way.
4. You put together a little care package for her, based on that information. YOU MUST, AT THE VERY LEAST, SEND HER A MUG. Beyond that, you're free to add as many goodies to the package as you'd like -- as long as it doesn't cost you over $25.00. Again, this part is up to you.
5. Stick that package in the mail!
6. Channel some Advent penitence, and wait patiently by the mailbox for your buddy's package to arrive for you. 
7. Eat, drink and be merry . . . but not too merry. It's not Christmas yet!

Are you game?

 If you're 21 or older, sign up by clicking this link and filling out the form. 

• Sign-ups close September 30, and you'll receive information on your swap friend by October 30. (Yes. It may take that long to send all the emails out. I'm a wife and a mom of three under 3, so sometimes things take me a looooong time. Please be patient!)

• Again, after reading up on your new friend, head to Walmart or Home Goods or any place in between to put her fall swap package together, which must include at least one mug.

• Send the package -- along with a little note with your name and how she can connect up with you -- by November 15 so that she receives it in time for Advent and Christmas.

• Post a picture of your swap package when it arrives. Use the hashtag #hereiswap2018 on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat. You can meet even MORE Reformation-lovin' ladies that way!

• Finally, I'm hoping this swap will be a fun way for Lutheran women to encourage each other . . . and enjoy a few Advent- and Christmas-themed goodies along the way, but unfortunately, I can't be held responsible for your partner's actions. If she doesn't send you a package, feel free to follow up with her! A good dose of the Law never hurts. :) 
• Enjoy!

 

Here I Swap: Reformation Mug Swap 2016

I have a small . . . issue . . . with coffee mugs. It's not that I collect them. It's just that I can't part with them. 

But it's not an addiction. No, really. I can stop whenever I want. 

There may be something like 30 vintage Pyrex coffee mugs in a box in the basement. And we may have a small collection of dairy mugs that have udders for feet. And I'm not saying that we each have coffee cups from our grandparents' homes that remind us of them, but ok, we totally do. 

So naturally I think it'd be a great idea to add yet one more mug to the collection . . . by hosting a mug swap for women who love Jesus, the Reformation, its theology and maybe even a good beer and pretzel now and then. 

It works pretty simply. 

• You sign up. I pair you up with another gal and send you info on your partner. 
• You read up on her style and favorite color and what Scripture passages offer her the most comfort and then go find her a mug that will fit her to a T. 
• If you're feeling up to it, make it a little care package. Does she love chocolate? Toss some in the box! Does she have a favorite hymn in the LSB? Get her a little gift card to CPH! Does she thrive on welcoming people into her home? Add a little tablecloth. This part is up to you. You only need to send a mug, but adding a few personal touches won't hurt her feelings any. 
• Send the package by a specific date so that it arrives in time for October and any Reformation celebrations she's planning on doing. 
• Channel your inner Katie Luther and wait by the mailbox for your mug to arrive from the gal who got YOUR name and info. 
• Meet two other women who love Jesus, "A Mighty Fortress" and coffee as much as you! 

How's that for easy? And fun!

We may never stand before princes and councils and utter the words, "Here I stand," (well, actually, we might at the rate things are going), but in the meantime, we can definitely give thanks to God for the people He has placed in our life and say:

"Here I swap!" 

As Christian -- and specifically Lutheran women -- it can be hard to meet other women who make the same confession, and it's my hope this is a way to connect some of us as we look forward to celebrating 500 years of Scripture alone, grace alone, faith alone. 

Details 

1. If you're 21 or older, sign up by clicking on this link and filling out the (short!) form. 
2. Sign-ups close August 25, and you will receive information on your mug swap partner by September 9.
3. Take a few days to check out your new friend's social media pages to get to know her and her style. 
4. Head to Walmart or Crate and Barrel or any place in between to find a coffee mug she can fill with java or tea and sip while reading her Treasury of Daily Prayer each morning. Spend at least $5.00 on a mug but no more than $20.00. This is a new friend, after all. She'll love a nice mug!
6. Send the mug -- and a little note with your name and how she can find you on social media so that you can connect up -- before September 23 so that she receives it in time for October and Reformation celebrations. 
5. Post a picture of your mug when it arrives. Use the hashtag #hereiswap2016 on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Heck, you might even meet a few other Reformation-lovin' ladies that way!

They make take "goods, fame, child and wife" -- pretty sure that goods includes cute coffee mugs -- but in the meantime, we can remind one another of our baptisms, add marshmallows to our cocoa and rejoice in new friendships made over a common faith . . . and maybe even a love of coffee. 

Update: The swap is now closed! Thanks to all who signed up! 

* It's my hope that this swap will be a nifty way for Christian women to encourage one another -- and enjoy a pretty mug during their morning coffee -- but unfortunately, I can't be held responsible for your partner's actions. I'm hopeful people are signing up who actually intend to send mugs, rather than just receive them, but please let me know (adrianeheins@gmail.com) if your partner never sends a mug so that I can reach out to her. 

10 must-haves when it comes to do-it-yourself coffee

My husband has this striking ability, when the phone rings in the middle of the night with someone from the dairy on the other end, to wake up from a deep sleep, assess the situation and answer coherently. 

I possess not one of those traits. 

He's exceptionally good at forcing himself to be alert. 

Those middle-of-the-night calls, however, are also part of the reason that he loves coffee the next morning. 

Me? I'm still trying to be a grown-up by drinking creamer/sugar/everythingever with a just a splash of coffee tossed in for good measure.