Our new Compassion child!

Looks like we will be visiting a child on our Compassion trip to Mexico after all!!

Our new Compassion child, Felix!

Our new Compassion child, Felix!

Felix attends one of the Child Development Centers that we will be visiting! He is 6 years old, lives with his parents and 2 siblings. He has been waiting 9 months for a sponsor and I am really looking forward to learning more about this little guy and spending time with him on our trip!

These children need a sponsor!

These children need a sponsor!

As much as I would like to sponsor many more children, we just can't do it. So I am asking you. Have you thought about sponsoring a Compassion child? Your $38 a month will be a blessing to one of these children. And, because we will be traveling to Mexico in less than a month, if you sponsor one of these children soon, we can bring a small gift from you to Mexico with us for the child you choose to sponsor! (Kelsey is really hoping that someone we know will sponsor the little guy with the blue shirt and shorts on...) Just let me know in the comments if you have any questions or would like to start your sponsorship today!

Collect, Freeze, and Prepare

So, I kind of feel like I have fallen off the wagon on my Capture Your 365 photos. It has been a few weeks since my last post. Rather than try to do catch up, I am starting fresh with the prompts for December. Want to join in? You can find it here.

ISO 1600, 50mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec

Day 335 - Collect: For many years, the day after Christmas, I would be out finding great bargains on Christmas books. I am sure many of you have seen the Christmas tradition of wrapping up your Christmas books and using them like an advent countdown during the month of December. Since this is going to be a busy month for us, we didn't wrap near as many as we usually do. But I have to admit, I really love this tradition!

ISO 1600, 50mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec

Day 336 - Freezing: The temperatures in our Central California valley are usually pretty mild, until we hit December. Then we sometimes see some freezing temperatures overnight, but no snow. However, I really like to decorate with snowflakes and our stocking holders are all snowflakes! 

ISO 400, 50mm, f/1.8, 1/30 sec

Day 337 - Prepare: Most of you know that I am preparing for a big trip next month! I have to admit, now that we are just 5 weeks from our departure date, I have been feeling a little anxious (okay, a lot anxious, but how do you really measure this!) But I have been blessed with the opportunity to be on the launch team for Crystal Paine's new book, "Say Goodbye to Survival Mode". While I really can't share a lot from the book yet (but you really should pre-order it!), I have to tell you that just reading about her trip to the Dominican Republic has helped me to turn my anxious thoughts into thankful thoughts. I realize this trip is all in God's hands. He gave me the desire to go. He has made what I thought would be impossible, possible! So as I enter into these last few weeks before our trip, I will be clinging to 1 Thessalonians 5:18 - "In everything give thanks." 

My November Compassion Joys

I am linking up with my friend Jill today for her Compassion Joy Dare link up!

Did you have some Compassion Joy last month? Be sure to link up with Jill and visit the other participants in her Compassion Joy Dare link up!

It all started with a cow

Two years ago, our family decided to try to earn enough money during Advent to purchase a cow through the Compassion Gift Catalog. I found a great Advent calendar that was a little different than most. Instead of the kids receiving something each day, they were putting aside money each day based on things we are blessed with in our home. And yes, we did end up with enough money to purchase the cow! To help us remember our gift, I found a cow ornament, wrapped it, and put it under our tree for Christmas morning. 

Kelsey with our special Christmas Compassion cow ornament

Kelsey with our special Christmas Compassion cow ornament

Then, two months later, we learned about a video contest Compassion was hosting for families that had donated toward the Compassion Gift Catalog! This was pretty exciting because we ended up being in the top three vote getters for the contest. There was a chance for two of us to win a trip to Nicaragua with Compassion! We didn't end up winning the contest, but this was the start of my heart's desire to go on a Compassion trip

I know not everyone can and/or will go on a trip with Compassion. But there is a way that each family can make a difference. Even if you do not sponsor a Compassion child, you can give a gift this Christmas that will have a lasting effect for a family living in extreme poverty.

Compassion has a wonderful gift catalog so that you and your family can give a gift in Jesus' name this Christmas. You can even set up a wish list and share it with family and friends. Won't you consider spending less on your own family this Christmas, so that you can share the hope of Jesus with another family?