All they want for Christmas is...a pig!

My friend Megan and her daughter Rylee had their acting debut recently in this video from Gospel for Asia, the Christian missions organization Megan and her husband Joel work for. This video shows a great way to give to the most needy at Christmas time!



I love the Gospel for Asia Christmas gift catalog (which you can browse by clicking here). It gives ways for people to share Christ's love in a practical manner, and the gifts you can buy truly fit all budgets, starting at just $1. From Bibles, to goats, to camels, to goats, to chickens, to church buildings, each gift has the potential of truly changing lives!

Gospel for Asia is a great organization. Every penny you give to the mission field (including what you give through the Christmas gift catalog) goes to help people living in Asia. None of it is used for administrative expenses here in the U.S.; those expenses are paid by other donors.

Last Christmas we gave money for a rickshaw. I love knowing that a man in Asia now owns a rickshaw, instead of having to rent one every day. Renting a rickshaw for a day can take as much as half of the driver's daily income!

This is one of my favorite organizations, and if you feel moved by what they do, I'd love for you to check out their Christmas gift catalog, and see what your family might want to give. If you have kids, they can help you choose!

Thanksgiving, in pictures

Our Thanksgiving was wonderful! I went on a longish run in the morning, ending at Starbucks for a Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino. Yum!

At about 4, we all loaded up in the car. Even the cold weather and overcast skies...


...couldn't ruin our good moods as we headed to Maggiano's for a special dinner!



As we waited for our food...


...Daddy played Tic-Tac-Toe with Zoodle, and I got a little cuddle from Chickie.

The family-style Thanksgiving menu was amazing...bruschetta and salads to start, and then the main courses and side dishes...


...followed by dessert, including their delicious tiramisu.

Best of all, we came home with LOTS of leftovers!


Wes spent some time at a friend's house, and after putting the kids to bed back at home, The Engineer and I browsed Black Friday ads.

We didn't get up for any of the 4 a.m. store openings, but we did all head out at about 8:30 a.m. to shop...and of course we found plenty of bargains.


More time with friends on Friday night rounded out the Thanksgiving holiday nicely. I hope your Thanksgiving was full of gratitude and joy!

Giving thanks...

Life is so good, and I'm thankful YOU are a part of it!