tradition! tradition!

my first paid acting gig was in a production of fiddler on the roof.

i've been known to sing anatevka in my sleep.

throw brooms in the air as i belt out matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match.  find me a find.  catch me a catch.

and yes, i can dance with a bottle on my head.  {as long as it's velcroed to my hat}

i even throw my arms up and shout l'chaim! when i hear the word tradition.

so now you know what i was doing when i wrote the title of this post.

does your family have any special christmas traditions?  {l'chaim! sorry. last one, i promise.}

i make sugared pecans,

sugar cookies in all shapes and sizes (last year that included the easter bunny),

and a wassail that leaves my fingers bleeding from poking cloves into oranges but upon first sip makes me forget all about my 14 Toy Story band-aids.

my favorite tradition is giving.  not to family, not to my kids.  to those who wouldn't have a christmas without help. 

each year our tradition {i promised no l'chaim!, right?} comes in different forms.  we've sponsored families, we've sponsored angels from the Savlation Army angel tree, we've helped people we know..... but every year we still proclaim that it's much more fun to give than to receive.

this is kabre.  our compassion international sponsor child.

she's holding last year's christmas gift.  $20 bought her clothing, that huge sack of rice for her family, and a few other items.  $20.  less than it costs to feed my family of 5 one meal at a restaurant she fed her family of 4 for a month. 

* did you know you can give $20 to compassion for a christmas gift for an unsponsored child? or sponsor a child for only $38 a month?

* did you know thru Samaritan's Purse you can feed a hungry baby for a week for only $8?  or teach a child to read and write for $15? help rescue a child from exploitation for $75?

in all honesty, it's a shame what we spend our money on.  the rest of the world lives on so very little.

you don't have to travel far to see needs.  our country is in the midst of economic trials.  your neighbor needs help.  food is needed.  clothing is needed.  funds are needed.

my hope in typing this post is that you find a way to give this Christmas.  share the gospel.  share your home.  share your resources.  just share.

you'll see....that christmas smile will be even bigger and brighter.

who knows?  you might even throw up your arms and shout l'chaim! at the new tradition your family just started.

you're welcome.