A chicken and a tomato...

This morning at my office, I was helping to distribute toys to a local non-profit preschool, when the preschool director told me a story:

Every year the children in the preschool write letters to Santa. This year the staff were confused about the request from a 4 year old boy - He asked Santa for a chicken and a tomato...

When his teacher asked him why he was asking for a chicken and a tomato instead of a toy, he told her -

It's because he was hungry.

I cried a little this morning when I heard this. This is a little boy right here in Denton, Texas - where many of us are worrying about how busy we are this week, and how to juggle traveling, and in-laws, and presents.

A 4 year old boy in Denton Texas wants a chicken and a tomato for Christmas so he won't be hungry...

I am thankful for this reminder of what I SHOULD be worrying about - being Jesus to those around me. Are we paying attention to our neighbors and coworkers who might be worried about just keeping the heat on, or the rent paid, or gas in the car so they can go to work?

Kenny and I don't have a lot of money. In fact, this past year we have had to rely on family members to make ends meet due to unpaid maternity leave and job loss - but we are STILL SO LUCKY. We have not had 1 day when we went hungry, or wondered if we were going to be out "on the street" because we couldn't pay our bills.

Isaiah 58:7 - I want you to share your food with the hungry and to provide shelter for homeless, oppressed people. When you see someone naked, clothe him! Don’t turn your back on your own flesh and blood!

We are so thankful for our wonderful friends and family in Denton and around the state of Texas. We will be challenging ourselves this week to focus on those around us - and hope you think about doing the same.

By the way - the 4 year old boy did receive a winter coat and shoes, and his family was given the opportunity to buy $250 in groceries and household items (provided by this local prescool).

We love you all. Merry Christmas.

i carry your heart

i carry your heart, by ee cummings

i carry your heart with me
(i carry it in my heart)
i am never without it
(anywhere i go you go,my dear;
and whatever is done by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear no fate
(for you are my fate,my sweet)
i want no world
(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;
which grows higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

2009 Christmas Portraits!

Our sweet, fun boy!

Liam's 3 Month Portraits