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Friday, October 17, 2008

Challenge: Be a Good Samaritan

We got our Samaritan's Purse Christmas Gift Catalog in the mail yesterday. It reminded me what we have thought about doing for the past few years....giving a donation to a charity instead of buying a gift for our family members.

We tried to last year, and even started by helping with providing Christmas gifts for a needy family, but at the last minute everyone changed their minds and starting buying gifts. We have decided to absolutely do the charitable giving this year, and not give in, even if others do.

There are so many ways to give to others...people who could REALLY use a Christmas gift...unlike so many of us who are blessed with the things we need: clean water, shelter, food, clothes, medicines, doctors, hospitals, the list could go on and on.

If you are a regular gift receiver from the Thompson family.....be prepared. The children will be making their usual homemade ornaments and I will do my holiday baking for gifts. And above and beyong that, there will be a card with your name on it stating the gift that was given in your name....the gift that would provide a child with some clothing, or a family with clean water, or a nursing mother with nourishment. It is what we feel led to do, and what we will obediently follow through with for Christmas.

We will be still doing gifts with our children, that is a tradition that we enjoy with the three gifts (if you read about our Christmas last year you remember what I am talking about), and who would want to give up the joy of celebrating in their own homes? The big difference here is all those other gifts...we will still be giving with our homemade items, but the "extra" buying can be transferred to those who really are in need. None of us are in need...only in "want."

I know there are a variety of charities, local and abroad, who need help. Pick one. Start a trend. Be different.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have just arrived to your blog through facebook, and this is the only post of yours that I have read and I love you already!
My children and I finished filling two shoeboxes yesterday for Samaritans Purse Operation christmas child. It was so fun! and the children really understood they were helping others who are not as privileged as us.
Last year some good friends of ours gave us charitable cards stating they had given vaccinations to a child, and cultivated land for a poor family in our name. My husband and I burst into tears...it was the best present we received! Go you!

Chrissy said...

Carrie, I think this is an excellent idea. The kids and I had already decided (well the older ones) that we would make shoe boxes this year for Samaritans Purse Operation Christmas Child. Jerry donated, through his company's name, to a local school last year(for a child and the family) and another organization. This year I would like to ramp it up and do what we can for others in need. Way to go! Have a great weekend.

EmileeHope said...

Sounds perfect to me! I think that is more what Christmas is supposed to be about anyhow!!

Andysbethy said...

Hey Carrie... remind me to talk to you about this when I get up there Monday or Tuesday. I have a question, and a suggestion, both.
I am super excited about it, for your whole family. I think your kids are going to have a lot of fun with this Christmas project.
See ya soon!!!