It's Beginning to Look alot like Christmas!!

Indeed, it SNOWED in Minnesota today! Okay, so you may be thinking, "...it's the Tundra, don't you ALWAYS have snow up there?!" No, not typically YET anyway! At least in these parts of our state, we usually make it until at least November, and often times we don't get any good ground cover until December. I don't expect it will last beyond a day or two, but it was quite the surprise to wake up to all of this white fluff!! Most of the trees still have green leaves on them, and we haven't even finished winterizing yet. Martin managed to get our sprinkler lines blown out yesterday, and he drained the water out of our fountain (after breaking through a thin layer of ice on top!) but we still have all of our patio furniture out by the pool and our potted plants. Pretty sure they're frozen now ...as are my moss roses hanging from our mail box! Dawson contemplated getting out his snowboard and sleds, though I don't think there's quite enough for that yet! LOL! But our little Rascal enjoyed sniffing around in it! Check out the snow on his nose, so cute!

Anyhow, the first snowfall usually gets me to thinking about Christmas. And even though it's only October, this was no exception. Only this year, my heart is pulled in a different direction. As our daughter waits for us in Ch*na, my thoughts are turned to her and the other children who wait for their forever families. So I'd like to ask all of you a favor. I know, when people hear the word "favor" they often want to turn and run, but please don't stop reading here.

Most of you know that our daughter resides at a wonderful foster home where she is cared for by an amazing staff of nannies and caregivers. I continue to hear great things about this place from those who have traveled before me, and we know how blessed we are that our daughter is there until we can bring her home. All of the children in this foster care facility have a special need. Many of the needs are correctable and some of the children have already had their surgeries, while others still wait for theirs. Daily I visit the website and learn about any new children who are arriving, about their special needs and anything I might be able to pray for. So it probably comes as no surprise that they all hold a special place in my heart. Well, this year a wonderful lady named Sherri has stepped forward to organize a special project called Operation Giggle. I am asking each of you to take some time to look at the website and learn more about this project and how you can help. It doesn't take much and it is CERTAIN to have such a big impact on the lives of these deserving children. The goal of this project is for all of the children at NewDay to have a gift that was hand-selected just for them, to open on Christmas Day.

This is what Carrie at NewDay had to say about it: " We can just see it now... Christmas morning and our playroom will be brimming with children, nannies, staff, and foster parents. After we've had a chance to share the Christmas story, Santa will come in -- dressed up, of course -- and pass out a present to each child, sent with love by people like you from all over the world!So if you want to get involved, contact Sherri. She needs people who are willing to help sponsor shipping costs and people who want to buy presents for the kids. We're so thankful that Sherri is coordinating this for our children, and we think it is a great way to get our blogging community involved in giving our kids a very Merry Christmas! "

Even if you don't have the time to shop, you can STILL HELP! One of the greatest expenses involved with this project plan are the packaging and shipping costs. EVERY single bit counts. If you can give a little or a lot, it WILL make a difference in the lives of these kiddos. So please consider giving towards this project. I encourage you to take your own children out to shop with you, it will mean SO much to them when they get to see photos of the kids opening up the gifts they helped choose on Christmas day. Every year I have taken each of my kids out to purchase a gift for someone else in need. It teaches them so much about what the spirit of giving is really about, and puts a different thought in their mind other than just "get, get, get!" It's not often that I reach out and ask a favor, but this one means so much to me. Afterall, my daughter will be the recipient of one of these gifts and there's nothing more priceless (to me) than seeing her sweet smile!!

So one last time, PLEASE visit Operation Giggle and consider posting about this on your own blog or feel free to link back to mine. And while you are there, you can grab their sparkling button to fancy up your own blog, all while making a difference!! You can also click their button on my side bar to pay them a visit! Thank you all for your consideration and God bless!! <><

"Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, crushed down, full and running over, they will give to you. For in the same measure as you give, it will be given back to you."

~ Luke 6:8