An Update . . .

I just wanted to do a quick post to let all my readers in on an update about Dream's leg. Sorry I didn't earlier. It is healing up well and she is at the point where we could start to ride again. (Yeah!!!) She is really feeling her oats. We have been working her more to get her ready for us to ride again. We took her for a walk (I know that sounds crazy but. . . ) on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and that was great except that it was a windy day and she spooked a bit. So I hope that fills you all in!!! By the way, if you are a horse owner, could you let me know in a comment so I know who to ask for tips? I hope to post new pictures soon! God bless you all! Thanks for all you prayers and concern!

It Is More Blessed to Give than Receive

On a Sunday in mid November and the following Monday my family and I were so blessed to participate in packing shoe boxes. This may sound a little strange to some of you but there is a program through Samaritan's Purse called “Operation Christmas Child” that takes shoe boxes packed with some items like candy, toothbrushes, washcloths, school supplies, toys, etc., and sends them across seas to children who don't even know what Christmas is!

My family and I drove an hour to participate in a church potluck (the church was called Brush Fire Ministries) where they were packing shoe boxes. This church was located in Bitterwater near King City. We, with a few other families in our fellowship, caravanned to this church for a “party packing” day. Their goal was 1000 shoe boxes (last year they did 800) and they did approximately 1200 shoe boxes this year! It was truly amazing to participate in this way of blessing others.

On Monday our family packed our own boxes too. As a family we did 6 boxes, 3 for boys, 3 for girls. I felt so wonderful knowing that I had helped bless children in other countries who, some of them didn't even know what love felt like. Some of these kids live in war-torn countries where their parents have possibly been killed in front of these children. The stories of what these kids face or faced is so amazing and touching. As a family we donated online and printed out labels for our boxes that enable us to get an email saying which country our boxes went to. This Christmas season “Christmas” has truly come alive for me. I've realized what Christmas is all about, giving and not receiving.