FELIZ NAVIDAD!  Last Friday, I spent my entire day selling retail clothing at a women's christmas bazaar for english speaking women in the monterrey area in a beautiful mansion that raised about $10,000 (we think) for Casa Hogar Douglas.  They'd like to buy Casa Hogar Douglas a vehicle.  We sold jewelry, artwork, christmas ornaments, food, books, clothes and other fun things and raised a TON of money-  Pretty amazing if you ask me.  The home where this fundraiser was held had the most beautiful views of this city- looking out ANY of this homes many windows took your breath away.  I had a lot of fun meeting women from all over the world who have managed to find themselves living here in Mexico.  Many of these women have more money and wealth than I've been exposed to or could ever imagine.  As thankful as I am for what these women do for our kids, I think it's far too easy to put God in a box when I see wealth like that - I expect God to provide for the kids through them and then I get mad at God if they don't give me as much money as I think they are capable of- but often, support for kids here comes from people who don't really have all that much.  They give out of sacrifice and not out of excess.  I love people like that.  As I drove home with my roomie Becca, we both said that it felt like we went to the states that day or maybe even another country because all these women spoke english and it was such a nice part of town but that it felt good to go back to our humble neighborhood and tiny apartment.  And after spending an entire day with very wealthy women, I realized that I was comparing myself and my life to theirs.  I was questioning what I do for "a living" and the choices that I've made.  I was jealous of their lifestyle.  Frustrated, I spent the first hour after I got home conversing with God about what is important, what I really need as opposed to what I desire or think I want, why I feel like I can't afford to cut and highlight my hair..... this went on and on and then God spoke with extreme clarity and got my attention when I remembered that unlike many of those women- I've encountered the living God, He has interrupted my life and I have JOY in the Lord.  I'm SO thankful for that! No amount of money, nothing in this world can compare to joy that can only be found in knowing him, serving him, loving him.  In HIM, I'm the wealthiest person I know.   And honestly... not to brag or anything... but I love my job.  I'm so thankful that I have the opportunity to fight for these kids everyday.  

Close to 2000 years ago, the apostle Paul had this to say, "nothing compares to the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord." - Phil 3:8   It's true.  I needed that reminder because it is all too easy to believe the lie that he who dies with the most stuff is the greatest.  He who dies with the most stuff needs a really big storage garage and several garage sales.  He who lives pursuing the most stuff can never have enough- it's an endless cycle and it's not a cycle that I enjoy being caught up in.  Unfortunately, this desire for more stuff is ingrained in my mind- maybe I need more afternoons in the squatters villages we serve.  

Greg Huffer who is on staff with Back2Back, gave the sermon at church this past Sunday.  God really spoke through him and he delivered a powerful message.  Greg asked the following question which I think is one that we should all ask ourselves:  If you were doomed to live the same life over and over again for all of eternity, would you choose to live the life you are living now?  If your answer is no, why are you living the life you are living now?  We have got to wake up and live a life we can be proud of- live a life of purpose and passion.  He also said that "The LORD is my shepherd' is written on more tombstones than it is on the story of people's lives."  No wonder so many people in our world, our neighborhoods, where we work, in our Sunday school classes, etc aren't happy.  We just haven't figured it out yet.  

On another note, my heart has broken all over agin for the kids we serve here in Monterrey.  They are defenseless little kids.  and I love them. 

And last but definitely not least:  Go gators!  Florida State this weekend.... Alabama next weekend.  It's always great to be a Florida Gator!