I figured I’d better get this last Christmas post up fast since Santa’s officially been on vacay for two weeks. Nice.
After we loaded the kids up on sugar, we marched them into the church and had them line up to receive a Christmas shoe box. You could feel the anticipation in the air. This is how the girls lined up so sweetly…
…and this is how the boys lined up. It cracks me up how different boys and girls can be sometimes. Nice gang signs, guys!
This little cutie was so excited.
All the children patiently waited to open their gifts until everyone had a package to open.
And then the countdown began… 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… Open the gifts!
I wish I could post this picture bigger for you to see the detail in their faces. One boy towards the right had a total look of shock on his face, and one girl threw her arms up in the air with excitement. It was so loud and so fun.
They loved showing off all their new stuff. Check out the boys in the middle and their excitement for their friends.
This little guy squeaked with glee every time he pulled out a different gift from his box. It was the funniest thing.
I love the message on Kahuna’s shirt, but I laughed at the irony of his ensemble.
I watched in amazement as older siblings took care of younger siblings all evening long.
We talked about the real meaning of Christmas and that Jesus is our perfect gift. Then we played with the kids for a little while longer and walked them home.
I got the most encouraging comments about our family serving in Mexico. Thank you so much!! I loved them! These comments got me thinking. Mexico isn’t the only place to serve people in need. We all have people in our neighborhood or in our city that need practical help, a visit, or even just a word of encouragement. The important thing isn’t about going to a far away place, but that we have eyes to see the people in need around us… and that we are willing to do something to help. This is one of the main things that I want to model for my kids in 2010.
Encourage one another,
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Big Kahuna and I have known each other since we were kids and have been married for almost 15 years. We are passionate about our family, travel and serving God. We love helping people and bringing them hope. We laugh ourselves to tears watching classic episodes of Saturday Night Live and The Office. Summer is our favorite season, and we live for warm evenings playing with the kids on the beach.
Big Surf is 14 years old. He's a voracious reader, focused, and spends hours building things. He is our resident techie and is also learning to play the violin. He loves to spend his free time playing baseball, flag football, or out on the trails by the house building his clubhouse.
Goofy Foot is ten years old. He devours his free reading books like there is no tomorrow. He is also the family comedian. If you see him, ask him to tell you a joke! He is tender-hearted, social and compliant. When he is not outside riding his bike, you'll find him drawing or writing a funny book.
Beach Bunny is three years old. She is our sunshine! She joined our family through the unbelievable gift of adoption. Beach Bunny loves to snuggle with us and carefully takes care of her baby dolls. She is super silly and must say hi to everyone! One word that describes her is "joy".
18 comments:
Whoa! I thought one of the big "no no" rules in Operation Shoebox was that the box could not contain any toys with weapons or anything related to the military? How did the plastic army guys not get snagged during inspections?
and I absolutely LOVE the joy and excitement on their faces!!!
Awesome. I love those faces...some of them just tear at my heart. I think what you did was amazing and to include your children is such a huge gift to them, they will remember that for years!
Wow, wonderful pictures! Just beautiful!
Those faces make me smile! They are so sweet!! I'm so glad you all were able to make Christmas special for them this year by sharing Jesus with them!!
You are right... There are places to serve everywhere we look! Modeling that for your children will teach them about servanthood!
just awesome. I loved seeing their faces...Oh how happy their were!
Such great pictures! I want to do that this year too...be aware of needs right around me, where I can make a difference.
You and your family are the paragon of speaking louder than words. what a beautiful thing!
Your blog is such an inspiration to me, and because of that I wanted to share a blog award with you. Won't you please come check it out? {grin}
My eyes are full of tears reading this! I would love to experience that too with my family. You are wonderful Pineapple Princess!
Have I told you already how amazing you are? So inspirational, giving, and gorgeous on top of that! What a wonderful thing you are doing.
I love the pictures too! I could see Rudy's eyes in the picture of the little boy with his gift. Brings me to tears! I too have vowed to see the needs of others near and far. We have already started in our home by packing old toys for those who have none. What is amazing about it all is that the kids understand, even at 2years old!
Much love! You are a true inspiration!
Gina
I came to your site from the rec. of another blogger friend~ glad I did!
Your family is just beautiful.. love all the names- "Big Surf, Goofy Foot, Beach Bunny!! :) so great~ and your little girls hair make me smile. What a sweetheart~
Sounds like the Lord is really using you to shed His love to many there in mexico~ and AMEN! to what you shared at the end about God using us wherever we're at. so true.
blessings to you guys~
amber
Love reading about how God is using your family! You are truly and inspiration. Thanks for the encouraging words . . this blog is such a blessing to many!
I bet you & your family feel such an incredible joy and satisfaction! Keep up the great work :)
Your last paragraph says it all. We just need to be willing - opportunities are all around us.
Thank you for that!
Enjoyed reading about your trip and how God used you to help others!
Oh man. What a wonderful gift you gave them and most of all the gift they gave you! I just want to hug and kiss on them all. It breaks my heart they don't have a family to love them and assure them and keep them secure. I see our girls in their faces and just thank God for my amazing blessing!
What a great post and wonderful pictures..Loved reading this..
I have a fun giveaway on my blog...a $100 prize ..comments will be closed on Monday night, but today's entries get extra chances...so stop by and join in the fun.
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