Holidays...I love Christmas, the idea of Christmas, the music, the smells, the baking, the activities, not so much the shopping and I really do despise the wrapping. With 8 children, son-in-law, 2 grandbabies, husband, extended families, spending gets out of control. But I do look forward to the anticipation of Christmas. I am a giver, I like to give to those I love, but it gets expensive. I spend most of the time thinking I haven't gotten enough and then after all is said and done, realize I once again over did it. Gifts go un-played with, or not worn. Things get returned, exchanged and all the decorations go back into the basement. I usually keep the lights and garland up for a few months after Christmas, just because its a pain to take down. One thing I realize is as I get older and my family gets older, is its not about the giving of gifts but the receiving of the ultimate gift of Christmas... Christ himself. Christ birth is the reason Christmas exists and as the country and world grow farther and farther from that truth... I realize that I need to grower closer to the reason for the season and not worry about if I have gotten enough gifts, or the right gifts, but that I embrace the real gift, the Birth of a Savior.
Wow, life really gets away from you doesn't it? Or I should say it got away from me. Time flies. Africa was life changing. I spent 2 weeks working with an organization called ZOE, distributing goats to children who have been orphaned by AIDS. I conducted several trainings on goat care and health issues. Since my return I have had several updates that the goats are doing great, reproducing and providing invaluable nutrition to children who have very little. Everyone should travel to a 3rd world country once in their life. I think the world would be a changed place if that were the case. Once you see how truly blessed we are to live in the wealthiest country in the world, you soon realize how unimportant our "stuff" really is. The people of Zimbabwe are a spiritual people who trust God for EVERY THING. Not just in crisis, not when life gets hard..life is always hard but they love their families and they do what they can. This is their life and they know no other way to live. I hope to go back in the near future. We all can make a difference if we give just a little of ourselves. .Visit www.AFCAids.org to see how you can help.
