It's time to say a fond (hopefully) farewell to 2007 and look ahead with a vision for the new year.  it's a good time to think beyond ourselves and look around.  What will 2008 bring for us personally, professionally, and as a local and a global community?  How many homeless will find shelter and how many will die in the streets while their fellow men walk by still pretending not to see?  How many sick will suffer and die and how many will be cured?  How many men, women and children will go to sleep hungry in our own country every night?  How many will die of hunger tonight around the world?  How many animals die in shelters every day because no one comes to claim them? 

It makes you think, doesn't it?  Maybe it makes you feel very small... like, what can I do, I am only ONE person?  Maybe so, but even if you just make a small (TAX-DEDUCTIBLE) donation to ONE charity, to help stop ONE problem... if we ALL did that, we could make such a DIFFERENCE!!  There is an old saying we use a lot at my church:  Many hands make light work.  And it is so true.  Close your eyes - put yourself in a position of need and then just reach out your hand.  Now open them and keep your hand out to help what you envisioned.  And say a prayer of thanks that you are able to do it.

Save, O Lord, and have mercy on the old and the young, the poor and the destitute, the orphans and widows, those suffering from spiritual, mental and physical illnesses, those in misfortune, tribulation and sorrow, those held captive or sent into exile and especially on those of Your servants who are suffering persecution for Your sake and those for whom we have been asked to pray:  Visit, strengthen, comfort and heal them and by Your power quickly grant them relief, freedom and deliverance.

And now a change of subject - since I didn't make a Christmas post, I'm going to make up for it now by showing off a few photos of the kids from their annual church Christmas Pageant.  I was really excited this year because my little girl was an angel for the first time.  Last year they changed the play and the little ones didn't get to be angels.  This year they even got new costumes (for the first time in forever... at least 13 yrs).  So here goes....

My son is the guy all the way on the right.  He played an innkeeper.

My daughter is the littlest angel LOL, third from the left in the front row.

This one was from Christmas morning, thought I'd include it too... hope yours was a Merry one!

God Bless us, Every One!!