Christmas Miracles

My friends have been on a long journey.

I first met Sara while employed at Moody Bible Institute while her husband was in school here in Chicago. She worked for Guest Services, and her bright smiling face greeted me every morning as I came into work. She's the real deal. Her joy for the Lord permeates her life. She also taught me to make a mean chicken tortilla soup, and some really easy marinated salmon. We enjoy those two recipes several times a month and I always think of her. Too bad this isn't a food blog!

Please join with me in prayer as they have a court date in Africa this Wednesday the 14th. Pray with me that they can bring their little girl home for Christmas.

I have a BIG heart for adoption. I hope to add to our family through adoption one day, and pray often that God will move in my husbands heart to feel the same. It is certainly a decision I believe our whole family would have to be on board with (immediate family that is.) Until that door opens, I enjoy adoption blogs, (living my passion out vicariously through these other great moms) especially the Ribbens, the Whipples, and Ashley at Under the Sycamore.

Next year, when the littlest are a little more aware of what's going on, I hope to sponsor a child through Compassion International.

This year we picked out a gift for the Angel Tree project at our church. Angel Tree gives gifts to children who are without a parent during the holidays, not orphans necessarily, but children who's parents are imprisoned. I must admit that before I found out about this organization, I gave little thought to these children of criminals, also victims of crime. I was able to choose the recipient of our gift, and zeroed in on a little girl close to Abby's age that was requesting something my daughter also loves (a Disney Princess Barbie.) She and I had a good talk about giving with an open heart. I was proud of Abby handing over the gift to the lady collecting them at church without a moment of hesitation.

I love all the opportunities we have to encourage those around us during the Christmas season!