This Christmas season has been busy with some new activity. It's the first year we've experienced City Impact's Gifts of Love, doing foster care, and having a foreign exchange student.
Watching and hearing the community experience Christmas with dignity at Gifts of Love was really awesome. Last night the kids who participate in the ILA program had the chance to shop for their families, they were all very excited and it was cool to hear their stories and see their excitement!
Foster care has given me another view into what really matters. How often I stress out about trivial things and when you open your eyes and heart to the hurt all around you, I am struck by how selfish I can be. Our family has processed some tough things these past few days and we are praying and hoping that God will have his way in our lives... He's stretching us for sure. So, as Michael and I Christmas shop and look around us at the immense blessing of our family and children, we are even more aware of God's grace. I feel more aware of how it's not about what's under the tree, but it's about those who gather around it. I am so thankful for the safety of our home, for the love, laughter and peace that we enjoy. Praying for the children who don't have that, who are being abused, neglected, and forgotten this Christmas, may our eyes not be closed to the reality that surrounds us... praying that our house will soon be a place of healing for those in need!
Our foreign exchange student is experiencing Christmas American style for the first time... he's enjoying the food! He did some shopping last night and was able to buy some stocking stuffers. He is still struggling with language and also just engaging in life here in the States. I think he is really missing China and we are hoping that he soon embraces his new life here... because it's been a rough transition and he doesn't seem to want to be an American student. So your prayers are appreciated!
In this season of giving.. my heart is being transformed and I am thankful for the new perspective on life.. for the moments where I stop and appreciate God's love and peace in the midst of chaos.
Merry Christmas!!
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