We're leaving for Christmas in 16 days?!

Where did this year go? I feel like it's flying past me and I'm missing it.

I love Christmas. I love the decorations. I love giving gifts. I love the music, the sights, sounds and smells. I love the reason that we have to celebrate. This year, our church's sermon series for the month of December is "Advent Conspiracy." We're talking about the commercialism of Christmas, the wasted money, and the great need there is in the world. And, of course, we're talking about putting the focus back on Jesus. The next two sermons are "Spend Less" and "Give More." I love it!! I'll admit, it's easy to get caught up in the hype and spend more money than you have to buy gifts, especially if you have kids. But I love the challenge of this sermon series. We're not cutting back nearly as much as I would like to. I'd like to completely skip the presents all together, but no one agrees with me on that. We have done some super sale shopping and are making a few homemade gifts, but that's pretty much the extent of it.

We'll be giving to the church's project this month (and every month), which is to raise money to build wells in Africa. Last year they built four wells, this year we're hoping for more. November's project was collecting food to stock a local food bank. We were the ONLY church contributing to the food bank this year. All three ministers spend an afternoon a week helping out at the Boys & Girls Club. Kraig always comes home with a story about an awesome kid he's working with that is in need. Last week, the kid he worked with has several siblings that are all living with their grandparents because their mother abandoned them. They need winter coats. The grandma actually said, "I hope they don't get name brand coats and think that they'll always have name brand stuff." It's heartbreaking. I'd much rather give up my Christmas presents to help these people. I feel very blessed that we have everything that we need to provide for our family. God always provides!

In the meantime, I wish Kate would take a nap!