Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Merry Christmas and a Meaningful 2011

Yes, we're counting down the days until the New Year rolls in! And we just celebrated a 6th birthday for a very special girl in our family! Is certainly is the "most wonderful time of the year"! I wanted to share a very special gift my sister Kaye got us for Christmas. It was our request that we (Jason and I) not be given gifts this year but that the money that would normally be spent on us go toward people who actually *need* things. So here is what she came up with:

We received a card telling us that Aunt Kaye Kaye donated $75 to Hopeg*vers International so that an orphaned child in Ind*a could have new pants, a shirt, socks, shoes, sweater, blanket, toiletries, school supplies, a toy, and a brand new Bible, along with a sturdy chest to keep things in! Her contribution will also help provide the children at their Hope Homes with a special Christmas meal and a Christmas Carnival Celebration!


We were so excited to receive this card (even though Kaye Kaye had already told us what she got "us") and to actually see the child's hand print, name, and age that received the Hope Chest!! What a joy it is to know that we are helping orphaned children through my sister's gift. And in case anyone wonders, yes, we'd LOVE to continue this tradition for our birthdays and Christmases to come. Honestly, what do we *need*? Nothing except the love of our Father and we already have that!


I'd also like to share that I personally have been very convinced lately of the need and desire to honor God through our adopting a child in the next few years. And the orphanages that Hopeg*vers directs and oversees in Ind*a is very close to our hearts, so this gift is very special gift! Who knows? Maybe one day we'll be able to bring home one of the orphans directly impacted by gifts like the one Kaye gave in our honor. Blessed be the Name of the Lord!!


We love you! Thanks, Aunt Kaye Kaye!

3 comments:

Emily Fiore said...

That's an excellent idea! Just wondering what you did about getting gifts for others? That's what I struggle with.

Karen said...

Emily,
We passed the idea around for our family before Christmas and all but mom said they thought it was fine, but none really agreed or said they didn't want anything themselves for Christmas (someone actually gave me their wish list), so we gave $25 giftcards to a place they would like or gave them a gift they had mentioned they wanted on FB or talking in person. We just had to pay $7800 for a new heating system, so we don't have ANY money left, truly, so we had to go very small this year. Like I said, who really needs anything? No one in my family or Jason's.

A Quiver Full said...

I love this idea, Karen. What a perfect way to celebrate Christmas! Also please keep us posted on the adoption issue. We would love to hear more and partner with you in bringing a precious child into your home. Much love...