Christmas

As we are surfing all our favorite blogs we notice that most everybody is buried in snow. This is what Christmas is like in California! It was about 70 degrees and clear as a bell. We don't want to cause anyone to struggle with envy but this is the main reason why people like to live in California.

Emily and Lily had fun making and decorating Christmas cookies

This picture says it all about this little ones personality!

She is totally in charge of this project

This was the BIG present for the girls this year. Our daughters were very excited to get to practice their driving. Lily actually did pretty good in the living room because she could only go straight backward and straight forward, no steering required. outside was a different story.

Here they are speeding down our driveway. Emily actually figured out a 3 point turn around on the sidewalk....I was pretty impressed.

The last time we posted we mentioned that our church was trying to provide 500 children in India with a new set of clothes. The plan was to take a special offering in an effort to raise $4000.00 in about two weeks. Now, just to give a little background, our church had already sent an offering of over $20,000.00 in August of this year. You would think with the economy being bad and the fact that we are only about 70 members strong including children, we could not expect the body to be so generous. But God had other plans! We were able to send over $9750.00 to India!

One thing we are learning is, when you touch something that is close to God's heart He will abundantly provide and bless. We read about how He provides for families miraculously in order for them to adopt. Clearly God's heart is for the fatherless and he moves upon hearts in order to meet their needs. He is an Awesome God!

Finally We're Updating our Blog

Our son Aaron works at Nickelodeon in Burbank as an artist. Every year the studio decorates for Halloween and allows their employees to invite family to join in on the fun. Each show decorates their work area in a different theme and it's always a lot of fun for the kids. This year our daughter in-law, Lauren made Toy Story costumes for her family and boy were they cute!

Buzz Micah!

Bo Lizzy!

Don't you just want to squeeze those cheeks?

This year Lily asked...Why we do pumpkins? Well, I don't know...but it's fun!

Our two little Mermaids!

Emily turned 8 November 28th! Wow! She was only 21 months when we got her, now she's all grown up and savin China as she puts it. (a line from Mulan if you don't recognize the line)

Such a happy girl. Emily is such a joy and special person. She really enjoyed her birthday!

Mom spent hours decorating a "Little Mermaid" cake for Emily....can you say tired hands?

Emily had a "sleep over" on her actual birthday...her first one. The girls had a great time making Christmas ornaments, decorating Christmas cookies and of course eating them.

Emily wanted to show off her blue tooth (teeth)!

The Lord continues to grow the passion and desire to help orphans in our hearts. On Orphan Sunday I (Jerry) preached at our church about the 147 million orphans in the world and how it is our call as Christians to meet their needs. Our church supports an orphanage in India which has grown over the years from several hundred children to 3500 children. We have helped them purchase the land and buildings for schools and living. Recently we asked if there is anything we could do for the children for Christmas. The Director, Samuel said he and his wife Mercy had been praying for clothes for Christmas for 500 of the little ones. As it turns out these children only have one set of clothes. They wash their clothes every three days and while their clothes are drying they are naked and cannot go outside until their clothes are dry. Can you imagine that? How many sets of clothes do you have? Anyway, after Orphan Sunday one of the ladies in the church was moved to do something for Little Lights (the name of the orphanage in India). So, she is working with all the children in the church to raise the money ($8/child) to purchase one set of clothes for these 500 children. I am confident that God will meet their needs as He has done time and time again.