Thankful For The Moments

Our budget doesn't allow for much travel.

But thanks to our families and a close friend, we get around.

Their generosity is often centered on our little Catalina.

Our 7-year-old has visited Euro-Disney, the Louvre, the Pyrenees, and Barcelona.

She has seen the U.S. Capitol, New York City, beautiful beaches, and majestic mountains.

Our hosts took her skiing, to ice shows, amusement parks, malls, and parades.

So when Catalina walked into my office to share a memory, I couldn't guess what it was.

"Daddy! Remember when..." she started.

And then she proceeded to strain her smiling muscles in the joy of a moment from long ago.

Which of those special trips and events sparked this happy recollection?

Catalina gleefully spoke about jumping into a swimming pool with some other kids.

A semi-synchronized event noted more for unbridled laughter than for any degree of difficulty.

"And then we did it again!" she squealed.

And again, and again, and again if I remember correctly, at a backyard family barbeque.

This Thanksgiving week, we've had some difficult discussions about our mission.

Our 2023 Christmas Project will be smaller than recent years.

And 2024 is likely to be our most difficult year financially since we started.

But our goal has never been to build mansions, solve world hunger, or to cure all ills.

What we set out to do in 2014, and strive to continue every day, is simpler.

We just want to share God's Love.

And remind even the neediest kids that they are not forgotten or forsaken.

We do that best by creating moments the children can jump into together.

And they don't have to be extravagant events. 

Gathering the children is the most important thing.

As is celebrating them in a way that makes them feel loved.

Simple meals and knock-off toys create as many happy moments as top-line items.

And we hope memories of these moments elicit smiles on difficult days ahead.

That the children remember the Joy those moments brought.

And that they feel the Love that went into creating them again, and again.

We put our trust in Jesus to provide enough.

And He has come through time and time again.

But whether our pantry is full or looking a little sparse, we know His Love.

And if we remember our mission's goal, that will be enough.

And we'll always be thankful for it!

Happy Thanksgiving to our US-America friends!