Nativity

I have been wanting to post this for a few days, but haven't had the time. Last Sunday, Easter Sunday, I went to a family dinner with some of my extended family (by extended I mean great-aunts and uncles, second cousins, etc. ..my first cousins are more like immediate family). They got Trent and I a graduation gift. I have always loved the Willow Tree figurines, as well as nativities b/c my mom has several of them. So they got us a Willow Tree nativity! I love it! I had to pull it out to see it before we put it away until Christmas and ended up keeping it out for a few days :) There are more pieces that we can add to it each year if we choose to.

Trent thought it was kind of neat that we got this on Easter b/c Christ's birth is actually right around Easter (April 6). Just thought I'd let you all see :)

P.S. If you haven't read my last post, please take a minute to do so!

Small Acts of Service

Trent consistently demonstrates small acts of service. Quick note: I bought plain cheerios for the crust of a coconut cream pie that I made and had leftovers. I don't like how plain they are so I avoid eating them unless I have some fruit to put in them. And then I usually don't have enough time to cut up some fruit or I'm just too lazy. Back to the story. Yesterday morning I came downstairs for breakfast and found a note on the cupboard to the cereal that said, "Look in the fridge honey." I proceeded to look in the fridge and found a baggie of sliced up strawberries with a note that said, "These are especially for you honey. Thanks for all you do. I love you! :)" Just a simple act of service that put a smile on my face! Thanks love for all you do!

Speaking of service, I have a cute friend named Amy who went to South Africa this last summer for her public health internship (we are both public health majors).

Here is Amy with two of the darling kids she got to know while she was there :)

Amy truly grew to love the country and the wonderful people of South Africa. She stays in close contact with a lady she called Mama Yoyo (who was kind of her mentor while she was there) and would love to go back someday and maybe even live there for a time. She is such an example to me!

Anyway, a few weeks ago Amy got word that the home of one the families she got to know burned to the ground. Amy says, "The cause of the fire is unknown. No fire trucks came, no Red Cross, no notes about donations in the local paper." So Amy decided to take action and started a Facebook page called "Donate to help the Ndwenwe family!" Take a minute to check the page out and become a fan.

Here is a picture of the Ndwenwe family

This is only part of the family. There are 9 of them in all (2 parents and 7 kids). Amy says, "The family cannot afford the materials it would take to rebuild their shack and buy other necessary items. A first priority is to get this family a place to sleep out of the weather--currently they are living outdoors. Any amount of donation you can give will be a blessing. The money will be sent in care of the owner of the school where the children attend. Though they may never know your name, they will be forever grateful. Thank you."

As I mentioned earlier, take some time to look at the Facebook page for more information. Of course, anything we can send will help. Use a little bit of your tax return! Donations in cash or check form can be sent to Amy and her address can be found under the info tab on the Facebook page. If you don't have access to Facebook leave me a comment and I'll get you the information.

Thanks guys!!