Valentine's Day Gifts (that give back)

Our criteria for this years Valentine's gift giving was the same as at Christmas - no cards, no flowers, no chocolates - only GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK!

Though I don't like to admit it, I have been having so much fun volunteering in Noah's class 3 days a week that I did not get Jacques gift until Valentine's Day morning - woops!!! I had browsed around several times, trying to find him a special gift that would mean something to him.....though I didn't quite find it, I DID get him 2 gifts that are really special!!!

Gift #1:

• 6 pairs of shoes for $15

BUT, these shoes are not for him, it's for those in need.

Click on 'Soles4Souls' below to find out how you can help?




Gift #2:

• 15 raffle tickets to hopefully win a $100 (US) gift card (drawn at the beginning of March)
  

Purchasing these raffle tickets is to help raise funds for shipping costs to send shoes and toys to orphans in Guatemala.

A dear blogger friend of mine, goes to Guatemala every December to deliver Christmas parties, gifts and shoes to those children in need. This year, Vanessa's goal is to deliver 1000 pairs of shoes (with 7 months to go, she is already 1/2 way to her goal). As of Feb 10, she already has 144 toys. Now, shipping a box costs about $400 and she can only afford one box on her own this year. So she needs ALL the help she can get.....won't you please help out!

To read more of her mission, visit "JOURNEY OF THE HEART" or check out her cutie kids (2 biological blessings and one blessed through an adoption from Guatemala) on her family blog "Mommy's Little Blessings"


NOW.....a little explanation of MY gift from Jacques. Okay, so he didn't get me anything - other than one step closer to a dream of mine coming true! He sent me the most heartfelt, vulnerable, loving & honest message in an e-card. I cried the 'ugly' cry when I read it - THIS was all I needed. Then he gave me one more gift. Though this gift cost NO money and one that I would have ever expected or dreamed of....

A short story to explain: I have been wanting to go on a mission trip for almost 2 years now (dreaming about it, praying about it, etc) - but my girlfriend who I was supposed to go with can no longer go. My fear had taken me over and I've realized that this mission trip will probably not happen anytime soon. Though I once said I would do this alone because I was so passionate about this trip, I just don't think I am strong enough to travel this road alone. Secondly, is the issue with the finances. Jacques & I have talked (since the year we got married) that we would take a trip on our 10th wedding anniversary (which is coming in 2010). Considering our adoption is under way, we both have been feeling that maybe we should take our trip this year because if we wait for next year, it may not happen if we welcome a child to our family. We both feel it would not be right to leave a newly adopted child with a sitter while we vacation down south for a week. Assuming that we will not have a new child this year we both agreed that maybe we should travel THIS year.

ALL this said, we know it is NOT possible to fund both this trip and my mission trip. So, my Valentine's gift: Jacques offered to take a mission trip TOGETHER before the adoption goes through (instead of taking our vacation to the south).

I can hardly believe it - what a wonderful present: one from the heart, one that cost no money and one that will give back. I pray now that we find a trip and that our finances permit us to go....

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

1 Corinthians 13:4