This is what inspired us

The following is what inspired our family to sponsor children through Compassion International.

Gifts of Compassion

Several years ago I started becoming overwhelmed with the knowledge of having more than I need and not needing things that I wanted.

And at Christmas time I still get overwhelmed with people running around like chickens with their heads cut off as they look for the perfect things to give, give, give. I want to give, give, give, but do my loved ones really need, need, need? The thought of giving a gift just to be giving a gift leaves me cold. So, at this time of year I struggle. A lot.

Thinking about money being spent for White Elephant Exchanges or just because we're suppose to spend $20 gift exchanges gives me a twitch. I know it all sounds so "humbuggy" but at this stage in my life, that's were I am.

So, I get a little giddy about stuff like this:


I've gotten these types of gifts over the years and I LOVE them! I've suggested these types of gifts to some of my family members when they ask for my Christmas list (I don't like Christmas lists - too gimme gimme gimme) and they stare at me like I have two heads. Even in my crazy family I'm known as one of the crazier ones.

I realize we are not commanded to celebrate Christmas. It's another holiday that we humans developed into the craziness we have today. But, I do know that God's gift of Jesus changed the world. And, with Gifts of Compassion we can change the life of a child.

If you're like me and get overwhelmed with having too much, research and find these types of gift ideas and put them on your Christmas list to handout to your relatives so they can stare at you like you have two heads. It's really not that bad.

40 Day Fast - TOMS and Child Slavery

Last night my oldest daughter was searching TOMS website trying to decide what pair she wanted. Today I pulled up Team One's post and found it is about TOMS. Pretty cool. If you don't know about this phenomenal company, read Brad's post. And if you do know about TOMS, read it anyway. You may learn something new and that is always good.

Child Slavery - two words that should never be used together. And yet, they are. Because child slavery is a beyond huge widespread evil. I've witnessed it with my own eyes. It rocked me to my core. Shawn has written a heart wrenching blog of how he has been rocked and what he has chosen to do to reach out to "the least of these."

Discombobulated

Have you ever felt discombobulated and not really been able to put your finger on why? That was me yesterday. I got work done. I was introduced to nice people. I saw new things. I went to new places. But, I just felt very out of sorts.

I had an overwhelming urge to know that there were still people in the world that cared for "the least of these". That cared for the hurting. That knew they existed and wanted to do something about it.

It was weird. Ever felt like this?