Our Friend Burnell

Last September, we as parents tried to encourage Reece's compassionate heart for others by helping him send a small care package of things to a young child displaced by Hurricane Katrina. We had some friends in Lubbock, TX volunteering with families from New Orleans and they helped us match our package of young boy things to an appropriate family. Reece taught us lessons that day - choosing some of his newest toys to share. We sent McDonald's gift certificates, markers, crayons, coloring books, etc.. etc.. We also included a letter from Reece and a picture of him and Chase. We included our return address in hopes for an opportunity of correspondence between these kids. We sent the package, heard it had been delivered, and then....time marched on.

Last weekend Reece and Chase suprisingly received a letter from Lubbock, TX. It was from Burnell - including a picture of himself and words of thanks for our prayers and the things we sent them. It made me cry. A whole year later! We have occasionally prayed for that "little boy" who is playing with Reece's firetruck, but now we have a face and a name,Burnell, to place with it. His family is moving to Houston after all this time.

Praise God for little gifts like this and the opportunities they provide to teach our kids - and ourselves! - about generosity, prayer, and thinking of others needs. We are incredibly blessed and with the holidays approcahing, we have been talking about remembering the importance of being a family that lives the true spirit of Christmas - and not just "stocking up" with more material things.