Thursday, December 17, 2009

CHRISTMAS IS FOR GIVING

Look at all the bicycles....this picture shows only a section of our church gym. A few hours before this picture was taken a HUGE truck pulled up to the door and over 400 boxes were unloaded. (All the bicycles had to be put together) Tables were set up to use as each bicycle was assembled. Crews were ready to work through the night and next day in order to get these bicycles to foster children in our area. I could not believe that 5 hours later all bikes were together and the men were on their way home. The story behind this endeavor really hits home to me. My two oldest grandsons were foster children of a couple who once attended our church. God placed them there so my daughter and her husband would meet the children and know these boys were to be their children. Several years later (after the boys became our grandsons) the man who had been Keith & Zack's PaPa (foster dad) passed away. It was his wish that instead of flowers at his funeral, bicycles would be bought for foster children. His family has kept his wish going for several years at Christmas. Bicycles are bought and delivered throughout the area for foster children.

In case I haven't told you before.....I LOVE my church family. This project was one example of men working together (with some help from others) to get a project done for others. Acts 20:35 reads "It is more blessed to give than to receive." It is through giving that we receive the most rewards.

12 comments:

julie & joe said...

I didn't know your oldest grandsons were adopted through foster care. My son was adopted through foster care as well and came to us as an adoptive placement. His foster dad before us was an antique dealer that my dad did business with regularly and my dad had forms quite an attachment to him before he came to be his grandson. Isn't it amazing how God makes things happen?!

Sharon said...

Wow!!! That is impressive and just the type thing churches should be doing. Over the years I've known Jane I have heard many wonderful things about your church and your church family. The chruch is blessed to have members with hearts to love Jesus and that's why it is such a special church. Thanks for sharing this inspiring story.

Ann's Page said...

WOW~! What a Church family..I got my Blessing today just by seeing this..God is good~!

StitchinByTheLake said...

How absolutely wonderful this gift is for so many children. Thank you for sharing it with us. blessings, marlene

April said...

That is amazing, Sue! Lot of little faces are going to be smiling BIG on Christmas morning! THAT'S what it's all about!

DaNella Auten said...

wow Sue, that is totally awesome!

Ann's Page said...

Hi Sue, Thanks for stopping by my blog~! Your blog was one of the first I started reading~! I love your personality and I love the way you love your family..and another thing your from Alabama..cant go wrong there :)

Blessing's
Ann

Lorrie said...

This post made me so happy Sue--I knew your grandsons were adopted throught foster care, but not the part of the story you told today. What a wonderful idea to donate bicyles to foster children in memory of PaPa. I know just what you mean about loving your church family--mine is wonderful too.

Vickie said...

What a nice thing to do! Lots of children will be blessed through the generous and thoughtful gift of this man. Looks like you've got a wonderful church family! Merry Christmas Sue!

Angie said...

Oh, such a wonderful story! What a lesson on how to give!

Ann's Page said...

Hi Sue..I wanted to come by and wish you and your wonderful family a very Merry CHRISTmas...I dont know how often I will be on here this week.
Blessing's
Ann

Connie said...

Hi Sue...Just wanted to come by and say Merry Christmas and was overwhelmed by what your church men did. God Bless them and the little ones who will receive those bikes! God is good!

Thanks for sharing...Connie