MO

The ornaments

A few posts back, I mentioned that I was making Christmas ornaments for some special people. Now that I sent them, I can talk about them!

Since March, I have been working with Shiloh Christian Children’s Ranch. Shiloh is a ranch in Kahoka, MO that takes in children ages 0-15 that have been abused, neglected, or are at risk. The ranch has six homes and six sets of “home parents” that take care of the kids.

ShilohI got involved with Shiloh through my church. One of the founders of the organization came to my church and made a presentation about what Shiloh was all about. For weeks, I couldn’t get it off of my mind. I knew God was calling me to do something to help out, I just wasn’t sure how.

I talked to the elders at my church and we made an arrangement; I am provided with money each month from my church’s missions fund and I have a family that I “take care of.” We send letters back and forth, and the home parents tell me what their needs/wants are and then I buy whatever it is and ship it to them.

A recent box, all ready to ship!

A recent box, all ready to ship!

For the month of December, the home parents told me that they have a nice Christmas dinner. They asked for a few things to make it special. I sent them a Christmas DVD, CD, a gift card to purchase food for the dinner, and I made them each ornaments!

I bought wooden ornaments, paint brushes, pom poms, and glue. Then I set to work (with the help of Jimmy and his brother)!

I bought wooden ornaments, paint brushes, pom poms, and glue. Then I set to work (with the help of Jimmy and his brother)!

Ornaments2

Each family member was shipped an ornament with their name on it and a special scripture. Everyone got different scriptures, too!

Each family member was shipped an ornament with their name on it and a special scripture. Everyone got different scriptures, too!

All wrapped up!

All wrapped up!

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I absolutely adore being involved with Shiloh and that family that I have grown to know and love since March. They truly are special people!

So blessed

This morning I woke up in my cozy bed, checked my Blackberry cell phone, drank a glass of clean water, had some cereal, and an apple. I turned on my parent’s flat screen television and felt sick.

What the heck is my problem?

I am so richly blessed everyday and I hardly think about it. I was watching coverage from Joplin, MO and my heart hurt. I couldn’t believe how devastated the city was and I couldn’t stop thinking about the many people who are suffering as I just go about my day like nothing has happened.

I read Lindsay’s post on blessings yesterday and it kind of inspired me this morning.

I was going to do a post on something that now seems vain in spite of the disaster in MO. I want to count my blessings now!

5 RANDOM BLESSINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR:

1. Clean and running water in my home!

2. Having a job and being able to make money to support myself and give to my Church.

3. My eyesight! I can look for seashells, read blogs, see the ocean, and look at my family and friends beautiful faces.4. My truck. I can drive to work, school, etc.

5. Blogging friends. I have talked to such wonderful people through blogging and I love everyone 🙂

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And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

What are you thankful for?