insert happy dance here

Well our Christmas celebration has ended... though we will celebrate God's great love all year...here are some of my favorite memories of December 2011...

Elijah's Gift for Jesus:

Elijah picked out a couple things in the GPPD Gift Catalog for Jesus since Jesus is happy when we show others His love by taking care of those in desperate need, but he also wanted to make a "big" picture of our family and Jesus together. He wanted me to draw and he said he would do the coloring so he told me exactly what he wanted to draw: "Jesus in the middle, me holding onto Jesus, Jesus holding daddy's hand - because daddy would like that, draw each of us a heart right here mommy....(ect.)" So precious. And such a beautiful picture of how Jesus loves us. (p.s. i think Joanthan's purple face really adds some pizzaz to it... he he)

Christmas Morning Party for Jesus:

Nothing replaces the awe of my four year old and his giddiness over our "celebration" (as Elijah called it). He loved every moment of it. He loved gathering the gifts for Jesus on our scavenger hunt.. he loved playing in the ballons... all of it... and all "for Jesus, mommy! Because He is God."

Advent:

Because of our adamant Elijah.. we didn't miss one day of our Christmas Countdown! It made Christmas all month long for us. They were giddy to get all their goodies out of the calendar and spend time as a family reading the story and praying together.

God providing for the orphans:

A week before Christmas we were $9,000 short in providing a gift (shoes for the year, outfit for the year, basic toiletries, candy, and a simple toy) for 300 orphans in India. due to the great number of unsponsored orphans that we still have. So we decided to ask on facebook and pray and see what would happen. We were overwhelmed each night as we looked at how many people gave to help these precious children. 2 days after Christmas we had all of the money!!!

Thank you to those who joined us and stood up for the unsponsored orphan children. I was in tears when Jonathan shared with me some of those who gave, so many friends - 

some from long ago, and family. Thank you!

God providing for the Community Center in Jordan:

For over 6 years our GPPD Associaties in Jordan (who work to help refugees in desperate situtations) have been raising funds to purchase a facility. A couple months ago the building that they have been renting for more than 10 years became available. At thanksgiving our associates needed $75,000 to complete the purchase of that building. It seemed impossible. But we knew if God willed it... it would come to be. On December 21st we still lacked $50,000, it was then that a church from up north committed to match $25,000 if we could get all of it by the deadline given from the owners of the building (Dec 31st). We rejoiced and then we prayed. That was just 10 days away. Overwhelmed Jonathan and i watched... by December 28th just 7 days later all of the money was provided. Insert HAPPY DANCE here!!! 

I am learning each day more and more that God keeps His promises... that He does care for the poor and those in need, and that if we are willing we can be apart of His marvelous plan to rescue and love the helpless and hopeless around the world and right here.