Merry Christmas

nice things

seem to happen to me.

i was not able to find the junior brannock device any other way, and slim pickings on ebay. so i asked one of the merchants to give me a "buy it now" price. i normally don't do that, but i needed it to take with me to the orphanage.

here's his reply:

hello and thanks for your fast payment on the shoe sizer.

I sent it today, saturday so for sure it will arrive by the 26-27th december.

I also included some unused gift paper and an unused, still in package paper table cloth for you to take to the orphanage if you have room and think the children will like it.

Thanks very much for doing what you do!

Sincere regards,

this guy doesn't know me and doesn't know the children i'm working with.

so here's a bit of information for you that i didn't know before starting this quest. those foot measure things (brannock devices) which i always thought were just one thing, are actually 3 different ones. one for men, one for women and one for children. figures! i had to buy all 3 as our orphans range in age from 5 to 18.

but what a blessing it will be to be able to measure their feet correctly. there is a MUCH bigger selection of shoes here in the states than down in their country. we will be able to buy with confidence now.

working

i have been working the entire day on laundry, mostly for the orphans.

i like to wash, dry and iron the donations before i take them down. most come out looking brand new and smell so fresh. the kids will like that.

i only had to replace one button so far and an extra happened to be sewn to the inside of the shirt, so that worked well. there is still much to organize and arrange before i can start loading the van for the trip.

we are renewing our wedding vows on 12/29. i'm a bit nervous about that as it is turning in to a much bigger deal than i wanted it to be. we were married with a j.p. the first time, very low key. that was fine but since we've grown so much spiritually, we thought we'd like something with a little religious tone to it. only thing is, i don't really want too much attention. . .we're keeping it very small, family and a few friends. tiny reception following with just cake, punch and finger foods.

too many things going on. i've talked w into taking me to the grocery store for some sherbert. i'm sure after i have some all will be right with the world again.

heh, wish that's all it took. . .

best christmas present ever!!

my mom is making a donation to the orphanage in my name.

HOW AWESOME IS THAT!?!?!

i'm looking for. . .

brannock devices...

yep, i can hear you all now, WHAT THE HECK IS A BRANNOCK DEVICE!!!

It's this:










and who knew that you have to have one each for men, women and children. i've been searching ebay, but figured i'd list it here too, just in case someone has one lying around.

i won a women's on ebay, so i just need the children's and men's. on the brannock website new ones are close to $100!! this is for the orphans, so we can buy shoes that fit them without having to guess on the sizes.

many thanks for your help!!

UPDATE: just won the men's device on ebay, yay!!! just need to find one for children and i'll be set for my trip!!!

please keep me in your prayers.

work

the willingness of people to help continues to amaze me.

a local dry cleaner in casa grande, (Elite Cleaners on Florence Blvd), donated 100 hangers and 50 dry cleaning bags. why? because i explained what i was doing and asked for them. the owner didn't ask a bunch of questions, her response was, "of course"

i purchased several articles of clothing from the local savers store. another friend of mine told me that monday is $1 day. i was able to buy sport jackets and 2 entire suits for $1 a piece; for a total of $57 i purchased enough sweaters for all the boys, dress shirts, and dresses for the girls. it was amazing.

and then i prayed to God for shoes. the boys didn't have dress shoes for church and finding good used ones was proving to be next to impossible. w and i have always said that if something seems to be too difficult, it's probably not meant to be. and this was no exception. i ended up going to kohl's and searching the clearance racks. in 2 days at 2 different kohl's stores i was able to purchase 9 brand new pair of black leather dress shoes (men's sizes) for a total of $86. the shoe manager went back in to his store room and looked for any shoes that would fill my need. how awesome and kind is that?!? then he gave me an additional 10% off my entire order.

to top it off, when i related the story to my best friend, he stepped forward and covered the cost of not only the shoes, but the clothes as well.

amazing things keep happening to me, blessings so many that it's hard to keep track of them all.

i would strongly encourage each of you to get involved in some way. sometimes it can't be with my ministry and that's okay. another dear friend of mine told me that he had given money to a mother that needed to bury her 10 year old son, but didn't have the funds. does that make your heart sing?

"evil thrives when good people do nothing"

we are all good people and there are needs that are closer to you than you know right now. it doesn't only take money, it doesn't necessarily even take a lot of time. help comes in many, many, different forms. it can be a kind word, a word of encouragement or compassion. it can be a much needed smile, it can mean looking someone in the eye and giving them a cheery hello. it can mean giving someone a few moments to just listen to their problems. none of that costs a thing.

many hands make light work. please be one of those hands.