Goodwill to All

Christmas season is a heartfelt time of the year. One thing Dave and I are trying to instill in our children is that it is much better to give than to receive. After all, this is the season of celebrating the birth of Jesus who gave his life for all of us and loves us unconditionally. Whatever we can do for our fellow brothers and sisters, we need to do our best to reach out and help, especially those that are less fortunate or invisible at times although they give so much of themselves: military, police officers, firemen, pastors, teachers, volunteer workers, charitable organizations, homeless people, less fortunate families and children, just to name a select few.

The last two days have been filled with lots of "giving". Yesterday, we participated in a packing party at our church for "Operation Christmas Child". We had such a great time with other families packing up shoeboxes loaded with donated goodies/toys for hurting children across the world. It was amazingly rewarding witnessing over 60 children (and their parents) delight in packing the boxes and tucking personalized notes inside about themselves to be shared with children who may have not yet heard the Good News of Jesus. The best part was watching all the children load a trailer FULL with 397 BOXES!!! Again, only 60 children did all this to help children they don't even know with hopes of brightening their world in some small way.

Today, LTD insisted we drop off some homemade chocolate chip cookies for the firemen because "they keep us safe". This was their idea and I was one proud mom! So, they created some thank-you cards and off we went to the local fire station. We got to meet the Fire Chief and he was so grateful and touched by their goodwill. He even gave us a quick tour of the station. Dylan asked if he could drive the fire truck with a BIG smile on his face and they laughed BUT they did give them firemen hats and coloring books instead. Next time perhaps?

Now tomorrow, they want to bake more cookies for the policemen so they can deliver them to the local police station. So I guess we will be baking again in the morning. I wonder if Dylan is going to ask if he can drive the police car or if the girls are going to ask to pet the canine unit (they have a heart for animals)? Looks like we may be doing ALOT of baking this season - such little people, such big hearts!