Jesus at Christmas

This Christmas season has been full of running to events and parties, making cookies and gifts, and watching the excitement as the girls experience all the firsts; decorating the tree, Christmas lights, Nativity play, etc. 

Rachel performed beautifully at her piano recital

And we finally got our Christmas cards out - without the pretty matching tops I hoped to use

But in the midst of the fun, we've managed to keep focused on the true meaning of Christmas - God with us - walking among us - 2,000 years ago.  During her Bible study this morning, Katie asked if she could pray to accept Jesus into her heart.  While Rachel early knew the love of God, Jenny was attracted to the justice and protection of God, and Sarah was BORN with the joy of the Lord,  Katie has never felt His call till now.  My most pragmatic and sensible child, she lives in the here and now, always serving and not easily moved.  I was overjoyed to pray with her and can't think of a better Christmas gift.

So after the excitement, the girls are now insisting that we set up a Bible Club for children in our house - Jenny says we "need" to do this - and they're all very excited about it.  Not sure what they have in mind, but they want to teach other children the wonderful things they've learned about God in the nearly nine months they've been home.  I'm sure they'll be able to accomplish anything they set out to do - so I'm looking forward to what the New Year will bring.  Praising God for His mercy and every day thanking Him for the blessings of these beautiful children.

Please remember to pray for "Chad" - he has only days to find a committed family.

Blessings, Kim

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.  Isaiah 9:2

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

Discouraged

I have been praying and advocating for this boy since March - and not one person has asked about him.     He has been waiting - first with a foster family - and now in the orphanage for more than 10 years.  He and his best friend "Chad" have been waiting together, and now a family has come forward for his best buddy - but Chaz (pictured above) has only two and a half months for his family to find him before he ages out.  He is now almost 14 years old, and reportedly "nice, funny, generous" and wants nothing more than to "become a useful person."  His special need is simply that at a young age his hair fell out. It has grown back in.  He now looks like this:

Can you see his terrific personality shining through?  Humor gets you far in life, and helps you deal with the worst of circumstances.  He has the look of optimism in his eyes, and I hope and pray that someone "sees their son" in this picture.  He can take a toy car apart and put it back together.  He has spent nearly 14 years on this earth never having a dad to teach him sports or a mom to cheer him on.  My heart is breaking because the outlook is grim - he needs a miracle family - someone with incredible energy, resources, and most of all faith - to make this happen.  He needs all of US to intercede for him with the father.

Mother Teresa once said, and I agree:

Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.  

Please remember Chaz in your prayers.