Christmas in September: Compassion International Christmas card writing party

As a mom, I’m always on the hunt for fun and interesting ways to help my children understand that not everyone in the world has access to McNuggets, Toys R Us or Awana. At the moment, my involvement with Compassion International is very much a MommyThing. I talk to my children about the organization and our sponsored child in Indonesia, but I know there is a lot they don’t understand.

Today we had a great chance to let our kids feel part of the process of child sponsorship and have fun at the same time.

Along with other Compassion International sponsors and volunteers, we attended a Christmas card making party at The Presbyterian Church in New Providence. (By the way, the church was packed. They are adding a second contemporary worship service next month, to run concurrent with the traditional one. Whoa. Way to go, Presbyterians).

So why did we make Christmas cards in September? Because it takes weeks, often months, for a letter to reach its final destination. Especially if the child lives in a remote area, like our girl does.

Here are our Christmas cards going into the mail this week:

Finally, a picture of Compassion International volunteer Nancy Vandermeer, who lead the card making event. Nancy has sponsored children with Compassion International for 50 years, since she was 10 years old.

Friends, that is inspiring.

And you know she didn’t start helping a child through Compassion alone, she had to have some help.

I pray my children have a lifetime of Christmas card making ahead of them too.

To learn more about how you can help a child overcome a lifecycle of poverty, learn about the transforming power of Jesus Christ, and get real neat Christmas cards, click over to the Compassion International website or blog.

House fire destoyed couple’s home, not their hearts

The wife sings on the worship team at church. I’ve been watching her particularly these past two Sundays, to see if there’s any difference. You know, pre-house fire vs. no fire.

Nope, can’t tell anything’s wrong.

She’s up there singin’ her heart out, a hand or two lifted toward God. She does this little back-and-forth shuffle. It’s almost dancing. The best thing of all: the smile on her face. You can fake a shuffle and a hand. Can’t fake joy, Internets.

And you can’t fool the Lord either.

This gal, she blesses me. She has nothing but a coming insurance check. Her lovely log cabin style home is gone. I can’t imagine the pain of losing all the photos, scrapbooks, tangible memories.

That’s the kind joy I want in my life. Complete trust and faith. On fire, Holy Spirit joy.