As I look around at all the shining Christmas decorations and the colorful wrapped presents sitting under the tree I smile with anticipation of spending time with family.
It is very difficult during this time to be frugal. I see all the wonderful gifts available and all the great prices and want to buy everything and give everyone I know a present so they will feel special and loved.
I made it a rule a long time ago to only buy one present for each of my kids from me and from their dad. That was the most difficult decision because I wanted to fill their room with new things to show them how much I loved them. I had to control myself because I wanted them to remember whose birthday it really was and why we celebrate.
It was during this season I would try and teach them to think of others and give to those who have nothing. We use to pick a charity or a family we knew that needed help and would go shopping to buy them Christmas presents. I would even make my girls use some of their own money. One time we took the presents and left them at family’s home, rang the door bell, and drove away before they came out. My kids felt like they had participated in a secret Santa spy ring.
Yet through all this fun holiday time, my mind also thinks about the children in Uganda I love so much. I can think of each of their precious smiling faces and pray for them but I want to do more. Giving a donation to Friends of TOUCH is the most beneficial way I can help them. These funds provide food, clothing, and the most valuable gift of all, education. This is a true birthday gift for Christ.
I can see in my mind the future as these children, now grown, and celebrating their own Christmas with their family, can look back and say it was all possible because someone in America took the time to give of themselves during Christ’s birthday and all year round. From all of these children and from all of us, the staff and Board of FOT, thank you and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
- D
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