The Buente Family: Santa, Blessing Bags and Breakfast in Bethlehem

Trying to get the blog up to date with some recent Christmas activities. We took Chase to our local library for a Christmas party last week:

Crafting with Daddy

Santa stopped by for a visit

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Something a lot of us think about during the holidays is giving back. As I look through the Toys-R-Us catalog and gather presents for my family I am always aware that I, along with everyone I know, has so much to be thankful for. I have been thinking and praying about something that I could DO. Before Thanksgiving I was reading Joy's Hope, a blog that I love - and she was talking about how she put together blessing bags for the homeless to keep in your car. I felt like God was trying to tell me that this was something small that I could do to help in some small way. I'm not afraid to admit that I lock my car doors when I see a homeess person and think if I give someone money they will spend it on something besides food or water! But especially during the holidays my heart is still heavy for them. So I decided to put some together at Thanksgiving for family members and recently my friends and I put some together at a playdate at our friend Melissa's. When everyone pitches in, it doesn't take much, and it's a great thing to do around the holidays to share with your kiddos that when we give to others we are a reflection of God's love.

Things we included were socks, hand warmers, hand sanitizer, a small bottle of water, crackers, soap, granola bar, chapstick, tylenol, lotion, wipes,etc.

Here are some pics of our happy helpers!