i love all things christmas.

I love all things Christmas.

I love the month of December. I love decorating the tree. I love the glow of the Christmas lights in my living room. I love buying people gifts. I love the bustle of December...the parties, the get-togethers, the special events. I love the smell of Christmas cookies (the ones others make, not my own). I love Christmas music, I love Christmas movies and I even love the color red.

Last night we attended a special dinner with friends to honor and support Key of Hope. In October, my parents and a group of 20 went to Durban, South Africa, to run a kids' camp (similar to CFL) for the AIDS orphans there. The stories continue to rock my world. Hearing Dan Smithers talk last night about the children he ministers to on a daily basis really tore my heart open.

I always thought I kept Christmas in perspective... but listening to Dan speak last night made me re-evaluate... again. What's important? Where should our money go? Where should we spend our time? Who needs us the most? What are we here for?

I felt last night that the Lord put another one of His mighty fingerprints on my heart and is continuing the life-changing journey He started with me at the beginning of the year. Christmas, and my life for that matter, is just different in 2012... and I pray it never goes back.

{I want to give a special SHOUT OUT to one of my favorite people in the world, Auntie Li-Li, for coming over and spending time with us last week and getting some really cute pics of the kids. We love having you in our lives!}