SERVING OTHERS WHILE GLORIFYING GOD...

     David and I have always tried to be service minded.  Whether it was sending boxes via his dad to the Africans in Kenya to jogging pants, hoodies and jackets to the children in Bogota, to simply giving of our means to those in need... we know we have been blest and we try to be mindful of those blessings. 

     Our children are now old enough to start understanding that (contrary to what their peers may think and what society may be teaching them) they are NOT entitled to 'STUFF'!!!  You can not simply stick your hand out and expect that someone will give you something for nothing.  We want to raise children that are honest, hardworking and have a heart for serving others. 
     Over Thanksgiving break I took Luke and Jude to an orphanage in Culman, AL named Childhaven.  We have been learning about 'true' orphanages through our studies this past year and thought it would mean more if they were able to connect to what an orphanage is.  It wasn't a true orphanage by definition, but it certainly wasn't their reality either.  And conversing with them and having them witness what others endure was an opportunity to plant seeds of service.
     So this Christmas was a perfect time to look to others to serve instead of being served.  We were able to identify a single parent, recently relocated to North Carolina, with two boys (aged 13 and 10).  The mom had fallen on hard times, money was tight and we wanted to help.  We got their wishes, along with their sizes, and went to work.  Both Luke and Jude were instrumental in selecting clothes and gifts. 
     Arrangements were made to meet the mom and pass along the items of need... and we did.  Luke was excited to meet her and chat with her.  Jude not so much.  But meet we did and she appeared very grateful.  Luke hugged her and gifted her and hugged her again.  We exchanged a few words of 'thankfulness' and 'doing what we can' and Luke hugged her again. 
     I am not sure what each boy took away from this lesson on serving others.  However, I do know that Luke mentioned the orphans world-wide in his prayer that night and that Jude wanted to give his extra scooter (he received two for Christmas) to an orphan instead of returning it for another item.

Lessons learned... 

Boys passed...

Now, keep it up!!!