TREES OF GLORY UPDATE

$1310

That's how much has been donated to the Trees of Glory Livestock fund so far! That puts us at about 23% of our goal. Thursday night, my mom and aunt and I (we all have sponsor kids at TOG) got together to make some of the cards. I really like the way they came out. Each card will be sent with an envelope stamped with a cow that the donor can address as they wish. Background information about Children's Hopechest and TOG are printed on the back of each card along with an explanation of the livestock project and the impact it will have for the kids at this care-point. I'm excited by the thought of how many people will be receiving Christmas gifts this year that are helping to change the lives of these kids.

While Karen and her team were in Ethiopia last month, she said that the land officials were actually at the care-point discussing the land with the in-country staff. The staff reiterated the importance of utilizing the land and the urgency of this need for livestock to graze the field.

If you are a Trees of Glory sponsor or just want to help, please consider posting this link to my original post that details how to make a donation to your blog or facebook or even via email. The more people that are aware of this need, the faster Children's Hopechest will be able to provide the resources necessary to secure the land at TOG.

Remember, $900 buys a cow and the barn can be completed for just $1100

$4290 to go !!!!

AMAZING AND INSPIRING MESSAGE

Couldn't get through this one without tears. This so clearly explains how easy it is fall in love with a child through pictures and how a heart can ache for a child that has yet to be seen in person.

It is an eye opening call to our responsibility as Christians. How can we continue to hear statistics about orphans and hungry children and sleep peacefully at night? Listen carefully to the definition of "depraved indifference"- a condition that is naturally born in all of us.

I pray that this message will move all of us at the heart level and that it will inspire action for the cause of the fatherless.





Defending the Fatherless,

Jessica

Giving Thanks and Advent

Thanksgiving Day 2010

My girls!



The feast-Hermela especially LOVED the ham and turkey (such a carnivore).

We have much to be thankful for this year and every year. In the course of eight months, God has blessed us with 2 new daughters and one on the way. Not often you get to add three kids to your family within a year!

During the school week leading up to Thanksgiving, we had the kids list the things they were thankful for. Hermela said "food" and Meron said "a family." Pretty telling what's important in life for them and for all kids. They just want a family to care for them and love them. We are so thankful for all 6 of our children and for God's many blessings to our family.

The kids are so, so excited for Christmas. We've added a few new traditions this year. We gave them all their Christmas pajamas this morning on December 1st. I'm going to try to continue giving them their pjs on the 1st each year. We've also started to celebrate advent with nightly bible readings, and an advent calendar and wreath. Each morning, the kids ask me how many more days until Christmas. They've all loved decorating the house, picking out a tree, seeing all the ornaments and lights and learning about the Christmas story. It's so fun to see their excitement.

Sweet Colton picking out a tree just his size. Camo Caleb on the hunt for the perfect tree.

We have a winner

Seeing the ornaments-Hermela was so excited!

Decorating for the first time.

This poor branch was close to the ground and right in the front, so it took the brunt of the decorations (I did have to do a little rearranging).

Angel goes up (note the brace-Meron broke her same collar bone-again:)

All my cuties in their Christmas pjs (only Hermela and Meron's fit-Caleb, Caroline and Colton's are from last year-all of their new ones were too big)

It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!