The Eve of Saint Nicolaus

On December 5th -- the Eve of the day that the Church celebrates Saint Nicolaus -- has always been the beginning of Christmas for our family.  Every year, on December 5th (or 6th!) we pull out all the Christmas "stuff" and the celebration of Christ coming to Earth... BEGINS!  This year, we were so grateful to be in the same place as most of our kids -- minus Hannah Liz :-(    -- But we talked with her on the phone, and the celebration began!  -- Each year, Everyone gets ONE present on this day, to remember the Catholic Bishop who cared for the poor, giving of himself to help them live.  He is such an inspiration to us!

Clara Cecelia giving Grandpa his present..

Doing a dance in her new pj's (like Clara in the nutcracker?)

Reading and watching "Diego" with my FAVORITE little people! 

Uncle Michael and Clara making "silly faces"..

I love them...

And my favorite 5 year old, with his Aunt Bekah Boo..

There are many people in Nepal who don't celebrate Christmas -- or even KNOW that Christmas happened in the first place! -- the birth of someone so good, that we all HOPE is really there, watching and listening to us, and moving on the Earth to forgive us and make things better.  Jesus is real.   And He influences some of us to make a difference in the world...

Today, our DTS team left for Nepal; 13 young people leaving home at Christmas time to bring blankets to the Kamaiya people who have been slaves for more than a century, and are living in the open jungle.  The DTS team  are also doing a project in our target village area where 80% of the women and children are trafficked FROM Nepal.  Would you pray with us for them?  Mary had the awesome privilege to teach them this week.  During the teaching, they each prayed and laid down their rights to serve others.  It was an amazing week.

As we celebrate a true saint in history, we are praying for everyday saints who are bringing the love of God in word and action in Nepal... Happy St Nicolaus Day!

We are so Grateful for the One who "came down" and changed everything...