Yellowstone - Day Five

    We headed North today towards Mammoth. DeKarl suggested we make a stop at a bluff formation that looked like a pipe organ. We again took his suggestion and made the detour. The bluffs were very interesting, and there were little ground squirrels and marmots running through the rocks. It was fun to try to spot them and to hear them making their little squeaking sounds.

The drive to Mammoth is very beautiful with mountains, ravines, and water features. When you arrive in Mammoth, there are two areas to see the springs from – the top terrace and the bottom terrace. We did a short distance hike on both terraces, but didn’t feel the need to see it all as a it’s a lot of the same. The feature is as white as snow, and you would think it was snow covered if you didn’t know it was hot water running everywhere.

          The town of Mammoth Springs is quaint and old. The original barracks that the army stayed in are still there, along with many smaller, older homes. We picnicked here and bought ice cream for a cool treat.  A lot of elk live right in this town, and just lie around in people’s yards.

          We went on out the north gate where the original entrance to Yellowstone is. The famous arch is there and the town of Gardiner, MT. We did do some souvenir shopping in Gardiner, which is always fun.

          Next, we headed out towards Lamar Valley with the hopes of seeing some animals besides bison. On our way out, we stopped at Linden Falls. It is a huge waterfall that you don’t normally hear about. We also made a side stop at Petrified Tree. It is literally a tree. I’ve been to the Petrified Forest in Arizona before, and there are tons of petrified trees. This is what I was expecting, but there’s just one. What it has on the Petrified Forest is that it is still standing! Turns out it was a redwood, so that was pretty interesting.

          The drive into Lamar Valley was breathtaking!! I couldn’t stop looking everywhere. While we did not see any other animals besides bison, we did see herds and herds and hundreds and hundreds of bison! The peaks on either side of the valley are over 10,000ft and just loom up in jagged points. They are part of the Beartooth Range. I wanted to drive the Beartooth highway, but we ran out of time. It was a long drive back to the campsite.

          We played games with the kids when we got home and I’ve been reading “Benjamin Franklin” to everyone before bed.

Yellowstone- Day Four

    Yellowstone. It is an adventure like no other. I think of what is said of Disney World being the most magical place on earth; I think you could say Yellowstone is the most adventurous place on earth.

          We started our morning by pleasantly waking up in a warm pop up camper. We were worried about it not being warm enough for Yellowstone nights, but turns out the gas heat and warm bodies did the trick. I cooked breakfast on the stove, and we loaded the suburban for the day. The day was supposed to consist of hiking up to the overlook at Grand Prismatic Spring and seeing the Old Faithful area. That changed because of an app I purchased prior to coming. It was highly recommended that we purchase the Gypsy App for this trip, and let me tell you – DO NOT COME ON THIS TRIP WITHOUT IT! It is spectacular! It really is like having your own personal (very knowledgeable) tour guide in your car with you. We learned lots of interesting tidbits about the park and made stops we normally would not have made.

          We started our tour at the Boiling Mud Pots and Dragon’s Mouth. The boiling mud pots are literally what the name implies. They are   pots of mud….boiling. Since you don’t normally see ginormous pots of mud everywhere……boiling, it is quite a sight. Across the street from the mud pots is Dragon’s Mouth. This is honestly one of my favorite stops in Yellowstone. You walk up to a hot spring that is coming out of a cave. The cave has roaring, boiling waves and steam pouring out of it. On top of that it roars like there is a dragon living in there, waiting to come out! The sound is incredible! Of course, there is the stench of sulfur, so it makes it seem more believable that there possibly could be a dragon in there.

There is also a small hike up the mountain alongside this area that we did while we were there. There is a lake at the top that was produced when a hot spring exploded out of the water, shooting pine trees in the air. It was very picturesque, and the walk wasn’t too bad, although we could tell our lungs are not used to hiking 8,000 feet in the air!

          Our next stop was Gibbon Falls. It is a seemingly small creek that pours over a cliff side in ribbons of a huge waterfall. There seems to be no way for that small of a creek to produce such large quantities of water, yet it does. We took a little side hike and followed the creek back into the meadow. The meadows are all golden with the colors of September. It makes the water contrast a beautiful blue as it winds through the meadow. The boys were in need of running off some energy, and this was the perfect opportunity for that. They sped along the trails as we tried to keep up. 

       Our Gypsy guide, who we named DeKarl…... I know…….suggested a short detour through a meadow that bison frequent. It was definitely worth the detour as the bison were play fighting, running, and even coming close to the cars for some great photo ops. In fact, Elijah and I were out taking pictures at one point when Dan had to move the car forward and left us when the bison started running in my direction. I have a super big healthy fear of the wild animals of Yellowstone, and very quickly, and calmly, freaked out running for the car. Apparently, Elijah shares this fear with me, and with sudden eight year old speed and agility, caught up with Dan and dove in the car before I knew what was going on. Fortunately, I also made it in alive.

          Two other detours we took were Cascade Drive and Firehole Drive. Cascade drive is a short detour that not a lot of people take. It’s a very narrow, one way road going down to Cascade Falls. The falls were worth the detour and slower traffic. Firehole Drive goes along Firehole River and Canyon. We stopped at the falls to eat a picnic lunch, and let the boys do some rock climbing. We met a woman who fell down the canyon 20 years ago. She slipped and fell 60ft. and lived to tell about it. If you see the canyon, you would be amazed! The Firehole Falls are gorgeous! It was a perfect picnic spot.

          We finally made it to what was supposed to be the first stop of the day! Three years ago when we were here, I was disappointed when we went to the Grand Prismatic Spring because it looked nothing like the aerial pictures you see everywhere. The reason for this is that the boardwalk to the spring is ground level, and the spring is so large that you can’t see its full beauty from there. It wasn’t until later (and too late) that I found out there is a hike to an overlook. I wasn’t going to miss it today. We walked the boardwalk first, and enjoyed the bright orange ground and the various blue pools that surround the spring. There is a river running below this area where the hot springs pour into it. They are steamy and warm and look like small waterfalls running in everywhere. We got a few pictures here, and then headed for the trailhead to the hike. I would say it is about a mile to get to the top of the overlook. Again, our lungs reminded us that we have less air than normal! Oh, it is worth it though!! The views were just like the pictures! The deep blue middle and orange sides, with white steam rising up are truly a sight you might never see. We took far too many pictures before we headed down.

          Our last stop of the day is the most iconic spot in Yellowstone – Old Faithful. We did not have to wait long for the eruption and enjoyed being sprayed as the geyser shot into the air. Another geyser was going off behind Old Faithful, and made for some great pictures! We met a fun couple on the boardwalk who had met in Yellowstone at 18 years of age. They have now been married for 53 years and are back in the park as employees. They were gracious enough to take our family picture while Old Faithful was putting on his show.

          We finished the day with souvenir shopping and dinner at the camper. We are now enjoying a campfire and will start fresh in the morning.

 

Sarah's Story

There are some stories that need to be told. There are some people who cannot tell their own stories. This is a story I've watched unfold, and somehow my soul knows that it needs to be recorded - written down for others to see, to know, to feel.

The first time I met Sarah, she was eighteen. I knew from the moment I saw her that something was different about her. Her movements, her speech, her interactions; they all pointed to autism. She had come from a state up north to live with her dad, and he brought her to church. I went up and introduced myself and told her a little bit about our church. I told her that the youth had a special Bible study on Wednesday nights, and would she like to attend? She said, "I really like to make my own decisions about my life."

Alrighty then. I let it go. She was very stand offish with people, but pretty faithful to come to church. Every week I talked to her a little more, and every week she opened up a little more. I learned she loves Pokémon. A lot. I know more about Pokémon than I thought I'd ever know.

Sarah has jet black hair that is cut in a little bob, and black bangs that hang down on her forehead. It became apparent that she is concerned about her appearance, but doesn't know what to do about it. Usually she comes to church dressed in normal, everyday clothes, but one week, she came to church dressed in a pretty dress. I commented on how beautiful she looked. By her reaction I know she rarely (maybe never) hears that. She didn't know how to respond, but was so pleased by the complement. (A good reminder to tell everyone how beautiful they are!)

As I got to know Sarah better over the months, she began to open up to me about her life up north, and the struggles she deals with because of her autism. I learned that she has been through more than any child should have to deal with, and my heart grieves.

One day, I went into church to find Sarah sitting on the pew crying. I ask her what is wrong, and she tells me she is frustrated with the things she is working on in her life but cannot seem to change. She is crying so much, I feel like I need to do something. I ask her if she would like to come home with me for the afternoon. She quickly agrees. We spend the afternoon at the park. I encourage my children to talk with her and include her in their games. She is thrilled to be included. A couple weeks later, she asks me if she might go home with me again.

Sarah goes to therapy for her autism and begins to tell me what things the therapist has told her she needs to work on - things that she is supposed to practice during the week. We talk about these things, and come up with ways she can find to work on them. She works very hard.

Sarah starts sitting with me in church, especially when her family can't make it. It's better not to sit alone in church. Because of her autism, she rocks during the service. My kids really like Aaron's Thinking Putty, and always bring some to church with them. I find if I give Sarah putty to play with, she doesn't rock anymore.

Her brother comes to visit for the summer, and while he is here he decides to give his life to Jesus. Sarah wants to know more about this decision, and asks questions. I realize that although Sarah needs to know she is accepted and loved by people, that she doesn't know how much God loves her and wants her.

An older gentleman in our church calls me up one day and says, "While I was praying the other day God laid it on my heart to give some money to Sarah to go clothes shopping. Will you take her?" I say, "Of course!"

God is thinking of Sarah. He is holding her in His thoughts. I know this, and I want her to know this.

 I don't know much about autism, but I am learning. I do know that showing emotions are hard for people with autism. When I tell Sarah that God laid it on someone's heart to buy her some clothes, I am amazed at the excitement that comes out. She can hardly believe it. We quickly plan a day we can go.

This is the first clothes shopping trip Sarah has ever taken. There are four of us girls that go, and we crack jokes, laugh, and pick out things that nobody would ever wear just to laugh about it. Sarah laughs -  maybe the first time I've heard her laugh. We end the day with ice cream and big smiles.

Sarah tells me that she would really like to have a three wheeled bike. She is not able to balance on a regular bike, and she will probably never be able to drive. She wants to get around town, and be more independent.

Unbeknownst to me God is already working on getting her a three wheeled bike. He knows our need before we even ask, right? Within a couple of days, Sarah has her bike. When I hear she got the bike, I text her - "God sure is taking care of you!"

Suddenly Sarah is more interested in the God that's interested in her. He wants her to be His child, and she is starting to know this. She pays more attention in church. She tries to do the things she hears in the sermons.

One day she goes and talks to our pastor before church about what it means to be a Christian. He tells her the next step is to surrender to Jesus, and let Him be control of her life. She tells him she is not ready. She realizes that this is a commitment, a life change, a heart change. She will not make this decision lightly.

She thinks about it through the service. She comes back to the pastor later, and tells him, "When I'm in charge of my life, I make a mess of it. I think Jesus can do a better job, and I want to give my life to Him." Sarah prays to receive Christ.

I am out of town when this happens, but it is the first thing she tells me when I get home. I am thrilled and the tears come. Life is hard for this girl, and there are many things she cannot change. But, now she will know the things that Christ can change.

This beautiful child is now a child of God.


Mommas, notice the kids that don't get noticed. Give them some of the love they're missing. Tell them they're beautiful. Teach your kids to befriend the kids who have no friends - the ones that rock in church, say off the wall things, act awkwardly, look different....  Invite the ones that never get invited. Jesus loves and wants these children so much, but how will they know if we don't show them!

And, if we do show them, maybe... just maybe.....they will choose to follow Jesus because they finally know they.....belong.

Romantic Adventures

When I imagine Dan and I having a date night, I imagine us getting dressed up and walking down to the beach to something like this....

But the truth and reality is the only time we dress up is for church, and we don't consider a date successful unless there is some sort of adventure or risk involved. Consider the time we biked Cade's Cove in Tennessee. We biked thirteen miles and saw about a dozen black bears. The incident that stands out most is when a momma and her three cubs crossed the road in front of us. The momma thought we were a little too close to her babies and started walking towards us encouraging us in bear language to "back off." We obliged. I was trying to video the whole thing while backing away on my bike rather quickly. She kept coming towards us and we, of course, kept backing away. Later when we viewed my proudly taken video, it looked like one of those Big Foot sighting videos where you are not sure if the person holding the video camera is videoing the sky, the ground, or the trees. There's usually not even a Big Foot in sight, or at least not an identifiable one. I guess I lose my cool (and my video skills) when a momma bear is chasing me. 

The next year we biked Dogwood Canyon in Missouri. This is a fabulous place with creeks, waterfalls and beautiful vegetation. But, when we left we felt indifferent about the whole event. Something was missing. I looked at Dan and asked, "What was missing, why didn't it feel like a great date?." "Bears," he said, "Bears chasing us." That was it. There was no adventure. 

So.....this spring when we were in Florida, instead of having a romantic meal on the beach like the beautiful picture above ☝ we opted for kayaking in the ocean. 

Our adventure started when I bought a voucher online from Bob, the kayak guy. He was a little hard to get ahold of, but he assured us our adventure was all set. We were supposed to be at the kayak shop at 9:00 on a Friday morning. Forgetting about Florida traffic, we were running a little late and arrived about 9:15. No one was there. We knocked. Nothing. We rang the bell. Nothing. "You better call," Dan said to me. I dialed up Bob, who surprisingly answered his phone. "Um, we had an appointment for 9:00 to take a kayak out on the bay," I said. "Oh, I had to run some errands so I stuck your kayak out on the beach," Bob replied. "Ok.... " I stammered. "We're just supposed to go for it?" "Yes, it's all sitting on the beach," Bob said with a lot more confidence than I was feeling. We hung up, and I turned to Dan, "Our kayak is on the beach, and we're just supposed to go for it." 

We found said kayak down by an area of oyster beds. I have never seen oyster beds before, so I didn't realize what we were looking at. "Look at all these cool shells!" I squealed. I'm pretty easily entertained. So while Dan was trying to get the kayak in the water  I was walking all over the poor oyster bed looking for shells.

Dan complains often when we kayak together that he does all the work. I don't think that this is a fair assessment though, because I do pack the cooler. I also occasionally yell, "PADDLE FASTER" when there is something I really want to see. 

I climbed in the kayak and we began our adventure. I had read reviews online that people had seen dolphins, manatee, and sting rays in this particular bay - on top of the birds in the mangroves, and we were hoping to see all of it. 

We started our journey off in the mangroves, which are small trees that grow in the water and along the shore. (I've included this short description because I had no idea before we went.) The branches are very unique, and the water where they grow is extremely shallow. It was so  beautiful kayaking along this area. The water was crystal clear, and the shells were abundant. I wanted to bring back some of the bigger shells we were seeing, but we wanted to be careful not to collect ones with living creatures still in them. 

As we, um I mean Dan, was paddling along I saw the most perfectly white spiral shell about two feet down in the water. "Stop!" I yelled. It's actually hard to stop a moving kayak in the water, but Dan's pretty amazing so he started paddling backwards. "What is it?" he said. "That shell. I want to take it home to the kids," I said as I pointed in the water behind us. Dan dutifully paddled back and reached into the water with his long arms and pulled up the most perfect shell. It was beautiful. He handed it up to me in the front of the boat. I started to turn it over as I was admiring how perfectly shaped it was. As I turned it, all of the sudden a "creature" jumped out of the opening in the shell and landed on my leg. I did what any self respecting woman would do and screamed while hurling the shell without it's "creature" back into the water. "What are you doing?" Dan asked me incredulously. "I just got that for you!" "It...it...it jumped out on me!!" I said. "What did?" he asked. "The creature!!!" I exclaimed. "Well, why did you throw the shell back in the water?" He asked. I thought that was a dumb question at the moment, because who knows how many other "creatures" might be living in that shell! I carefully looked down at my leg where the "creature" had landed. "I didn't know those things could fall out of their shells so easily," I commented as Dan leaned up in the boat to have a look. "It's mud, Babe," he retorted. "Mud." "Mud?" I said sheepishly. "I knew that." 

Would you go find my shell again?" I asked as I picked up a paddle and pretended to help. 

After collecting a fair amount of shells, we paddled out into the open waters of the bay. We hadn't seen any creatures besides crabs, conchs, and oysters up this point, and we were ready to see some larger things. As we rounded the corner a dolphin jumped off to the right of our boat. We both grabbed our paddles (I did actually help this time) and began paddling in the direction of the dolphin. Soon we saw another one! The were jumping and playing in the water as we got closer and closer. All of the sudden they turned towards us, and I began to wonder if dolphins would try to sink kayaks! Probably not, but I have some crazy thoughts at times. The dolphins began to swim around us and under our kayak. It was amazing! They are some of the most beautiful, graceful creatures of the ocean.

After following the dolphins for a fair bit, we decided we should probably turn back before getting too far from the beach. As we (Dan) were paddling back, we came across a tour boat. Now, we know when we are out of our element in knowing, or not knowing, the territory, so we pulled up by the boat to see how much of the tour we could catch. Before you judge, we didn't exactly attach ourselves to the side of the boat or anything, but just got close enough that we could hear the guide point out things to the tourists. Sure enough, this plan paid off! We heard one of the guides yell, "There's a momma manatee with a baby!" No one looked, but us. Everyone on the boat had gotten off onto a sandbar to look for sand dollars. We headed in the direction the lady had been pointing, and shortly saw two large creatures shooting through the water. We were able to keep up with them (no thanks to me) and paddled alongside of them for quite awhile. When they would surface for air, you could see how large these sea cows really are! I began to get a little nervous as to how they felt about us kayaking alongside them. I've never heard of anyone being flipped by a manatee, but I certainly didn't want to make the news by being the first.

We paddled back over to the sandbar to see what we could find there. We didn't see any sand dollars, mainly because we didn't know what we were looking for. But, we did find the largest conch shell I had ever seen! This one definitely had a "creature" in it! This creature stayed put though, as Dan picked up the shell for a picture. 

The day pretty much had been perfect., and our time was running short before we needed to get the kayak back to Bob. We stopped at one more oyster bed to look for shells with no creatures in them. We didn't realize how sharp oyster shells are until we looked down and noticed Dan's foot was bleeding. He hadn't even realized he had cut it. The blood was flowing pretty well. "You know," I said sympathetically, "We've seen almost everything we wanted to see today.....except sharks." 

"Maybe I could actually paddle this time," I continued, "and you could hang your bleeding foot in the water." Dan looked at me like I was crazy. "Well, wouldn't it be exciting to see sharks?" I asked rather defensively 

We paddled back to the shore with Dan's bleeding foot safely in the kayak. I'm sure he'll regret that decision someday when he thinks back on the sharks we could have seen. 

We ended our kayaking adventure by purchasing a 6 foot kayak from Bob, (who did finally come home from his errands) and somehow managing to fit it inside our mini van.

 What good is an adventure anyway, if you can't bring home a souvenir! 

A Privilege to Serve

So, I'm sick today. On Easter. I love Easter - celebrating the resurrection of my Savior, Jesus Christ is something I look forward to for months. I love being at church with everyone, worshiping God, and remembering the greatest miracle of all time.

For the first time in my life, I'm missing Easter Sunday. We got a nasty stomach bug this week, and it decided to linger with me. This is a huge disappointment for me.

I play the piano for our church. It's a wonderful way for me to be able to express worship. I've been doing it for years, and I love it. I especially enjoy playing on holidays when we get to sing songs that you don't sing any other time of year.

Last night when I was realizing that it was pretty unlikely for me to make it to church this morning, I began to argue with God. "Lord," I said, "I need to be there to play the piano in the morning. It's a big day for church with lots of visitors, and I need to help make the service run smoothly. I need to be there to do my job...for You!"

God gently reminded me that He doesn't NEED me at all. God has a purpose, and He will accomplish it. It is a privilege that He lets me be a part of His work, but Easter Sunday going well has nothing to do with me and everything to do with God.

God took me in my pride thinking that I am a vital part of what He's doing to humbly on my knees thanking Him that He allows me to be a small part of what He's doing at all.

Serving God is a privilege. A sacred privilege. 

God owns everything and He knows the most talented people in the world. He doesn't need us to get His work done. In fact, He doesn't need us at all - remember that if we don't praise Him, the rocks will. (Luke 19:40) God will accomplish what He has set out to do. But, oh how blessed and privileged we are that He chooses to use us, and allows us to be a part in so many ways to help spread the message of Jesus Christ!

Are you helping widows and orphans? Are you caring for the poor? Are you helping the helpless? Are you serving in your church? (even in a small ways?) Are you sharing the Gospel? Are you feeding the hungry? Do you remember the forgotten? Are you sponsoring missionaries? Are you caring for your family? Are you showing kindness to your neighbors?

If you say, "Yes" to any of these, (and so many more) you are a vital part of God's work. He doesn't need your help, but He wants it!

We are privileged every day to have the opportunity to show our gratefulness to God for the saving grace of Jesus Christ by being a part of the what He is doing here on earth. I am in awe of a God who is willing to use me!

*Turns out we have several talented piano players at our church, and one was more than willing to step in and fill in beautifully for me this Easter Sunday. I even got a text from my sister saying my son leaned over and whispered, "Ms. Carolyn doesn't pound like mom does." 😊😊😊

To the Moms Who are Weary

Lately Ive been a little overwhelmed with my mom job.  I find myself not having time to do the things I really enjoy doing (like writing). In fact, life as a mom is the real deal! You pour so much of yourself into your children that you are not sure there's any of you left at the end of the day.

I remember the days when my kids were babies, and I thought the lack of sleep, the never ending diapers, and the constant care was hard. "When they get a little older, it will be easier" I told myself as I struggled through another sleepless night...

Well, now they're older. And it is still hard. Not only that, it's a different hard. I know I'm in the throws, but I'm pretty sure it is harder. Heavy on the -er.

Yes, I get more sleep and I only change diapers when I'm watching my niece or nephew, but I have kids looking life in the face and I'm feeling the pressure to make sure they're ready. 

I'm realizing they're not mine forever.

And before they leave this house I want them to...

be kind
and wise
and respectful
and thinkers
and loving
and giving
to notice the unnoticed
and know who they are in Jesus.

I want them to be ready to...

lead a family
and hold a job
and manage money
and keep a house 
and serve in a church
and help their neighbors
and be a spreader of the gospel

Folks, it's a tall order. And I don't have that many actual years left with some of my kids.

So, I'm feeling overwhelmed.

Daily I'm trying to help them build good habits, instill a good  work ethic, talking them through crisis, praying for their concerns, teaching them life skills, (on top of school!) and watching as they sometimes fail and sometimes conquer.

And being a mom on top of all of it!

I was almost feeling like I needed a break from mommying. I'm just going to go ahead and admit it out loud. Some days I want to throw in the towel and just turn on the tv.

But the other day the gentle voice of the Lord reminded me, "And let us not grow weary in doing good. And let us not grow weary in doing good." I knew it had to be from the Lord because it is straight out of His Book. 

For several days this played over and over in my head, "Don't grow weary in doing good, don't grow weary in doing good."

As I thought on this Scripture I realized that this is exactly what we as moms are doing. We are doing good. Every day that you are investing time, energy, money, and everything you are into those little (and big) ones that live in your house, you, my friend, are doing good.  And even though it is, oh so wearying we're not to grow weary! 

This was a little bit of fresh air for me, but the sweet winds of relief came several days later when I remembered the last part of the verse -

".....for in due season we will reap if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9b)

Some days I want to give up. Some days it feels like everything I am doing is in vain. Some days when I look at my kids I think, "Do they hear anything I'm saying? Have they learned anything from me??"

BUT, the truth is -  due season is coming. And it's coming faster than we want, or expect.

The principle of sowing and reaping is as true today as it was from the beginning of time. We reap what we sow.

BUT, only if we DO NOT GIVE UP! 

In the middle of this post I had to stop writing to play a game with two kids, instruct a kid in writing a paper on the importance of kindness (and listen to and correct said paper), talk to another kid about the importance of more than once daily brushing your teeth, (He says there's really no need), calm the child who lost the said game, snuggle with the kid who feels like he might puke, kiss everyone good night, and put kids to bed. All this took place in the space of about an hour. Now I'm back here sitting and writing, and thinking it's really nice to sit!

One day, sweet momma, one day we will reap all these countless hours of poured out energy and self  that we are sowing now. One day these kids are going to grow up -  they're going to start adult life, and we're going to see the things that we put into them blossoming into beautiful.

But only if we don't give up. Only if we don't grow weary in doing good.



And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9

The Miracle of a Gift

I saw their little faces on a table for an organization that encourages people to do monthly child sponsorships. So many of them! So young and innocent and beautiful - all without enough food to sustain them. A lot of them from countries where starvation is a very real threat.

And my heart was overwhelmed.

I began researching the subject of orphans and found that there are roughly 153,000,000 orphans in the world. That's more than the population of a lot of countries. In the USA alone there are over 400,000 children in foster care, with over 100,000 of those waiting to be adopted.

And my heart was overwhelmed.

I read about the refugees in Africa and the Middle East and their terrible living conditions. They have seen unspeakable evils and suffered incredible losses. These people often have no home to return to and no country that wants them. They don't have a lot of hope. And there are not just a few of them - over 65,000,000 across the globe!

And my heart is overwhelmed.

I know there are millions of people dying every day without hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many people groups don't even have a Bible in their own language. People who have never heard that there is hope and there is a Savior.

And I am overwhelmed.

The task seems so overwhelming that I began to think there is no hope. I look at the picture of the child that we sponsor through Compassion International, and know that there are millions more needing sponsors. I wonder how sponsoring one child is even a drop in the bucket of need! Is it really doing any good?

Then one night, I read a story. An old story. It was the story of a large hungry crowd that needed supper after a long day. Apparently, no one intended to be out that long because only one person in the group had any food. It was a boy. A boy with ONE lunch. Not thousands of lunches to feed thousands of people, but one lunch. The boy took his one lunch and gave it to Jesus. I'm sure he was hungry too, and maybe thought he would go home hungry, but he gave it anyway. Jesus took the gift, blessed the food, and fed over five thousand people with it!

I felt like I was reading this story for the first time, as I realized this boy gave what he had.....to Jesus. He didn't worry about the fact that he didn't have enough food for everyone, he gave the food he did have. Jesus did the rest. And, boy did he! One meal became thousands because of One. Small. Gift.

The next thought I had was, "Is this Jesus here in the book of John - this miracle working Jesus - the same Jesus that I claim to serve today? Is He really the same? And if so, can He work the same kind of miracles with the gifts that I give Him that He did with a little boy's lunch?"

Friends, my Jesus - this God I serve - claims to be the same yesterday, today and forever. If He is what He claims to be, then He will most assuredly take the gifts we give Him, and multiply them into something phenomenal! Just like He did over two thousand years ago.

We're coming into the Christmas season, which is the season for giving. In fact, sometimes the needs and opportunities that arise can be overwhelming to us at this time of year because there are so many! To name a few -  Operation Christmas Child, The Salvation Army, local food pantries that are feeding hungry families for the holidays, Angel Trees that provide Christmas gifts for needy children, and oh, so many more! All providing us the opportunity to be Jesus on earth and share what God has blessed us with. So many needs!

So, what if you can only afford to make one shoebox for Operation Christmas Child this year? Is it worth it? Can one box really make a difference? If it's a gift given to Jesus, I believe it not only can, but will.

Maybe times are tough and you can only buy food for one meal for a family this year. Will it just be a drop in the ocean?  Is it worth the effort? I don't know, but I remember a true story about one meal becoming over five thousand...

Maybe this is a great year for you and you can fill ten shoeboxes, or twenty, or one hundred. Maybe you can make a large donation to a great need in Jesus' name.

But, maybe you can't. Does the size of our gift matter? Or is what matters the fact that we are so grateful for what Christ has done for us that we can't help but give of what we can to Him?

This is the miracle of a gift - We give to Jesus because He has given so much to us, and Jesus takes our gifts, no matter how big or small, and makes them into something GREATER than we could ever imagine!

Don't believe me?

Just ask a little boy who gave his lunch to Jesus.

This year, give generously to Christ, and together we truly can make a difference in our world.