Christmas Eve Plans

Christmas Eve is upon us again and we have some fun things planned this year. We will be having a Who-Bilation from 6-8 on Christmas Eve at the church. Anyone who wants to is encouraged to dress up like a WHO from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and we will crown the Holiday Cheermeister during the festivities. We also have a yummy menu planned and several other things to do after dinner and we will conclude with the nativity. Stay tuned for more details along with meal and nativity assignments!

December Give Update

I have the most amazing update today! Thanks to everyone's generosity and compassion for others, we have clothing, toys, and food for everyone taken care of! The only thing that is left are the 4 coats for family #2. If anyone hasn't donated or would like to do a little extra, we are taking donations for the coats. We need 2 XL coats (1 man and 1 woman) and 2 coats size 16-18 for the kids. Sally and I will be sorting and wrapping on Thursday, so please have your gifts to Lois' house by Thursday morning. We will be delivering on Friday. Thanks again for all you have done!

Tree Delivered

I just wanted to let everyone know that the Christmas tree was delivered tonight. The family was really excited about getting it. When he knocked on the door he heard the people say "Its the guy." Before leaving the tree was set up and the tree skirt was placed and they were quickly deciding which box of lights to put on.

This family has never had a real tree and were really excited. The mother kept saying thanking over and over again. This family is really grateful for everything that we are doing for them.

Secret Santa Give

We have three families that we would like to help provide Christmas for this year. I know it seems like a lot, but I know that our family will come through. These families have not gone out and asked for help, but they are very thankful for it. Some of the families are in greater need than others, so there are more things on their lists. Also some of the families are only requesting things for the children. Please pray about it and sign up for whatever you can do.

Family #1

7 year old boy- size 8 pants, size 8 shirt -Jason & Sally
toy- Jason & Sally

5 year old boy- size 6 pants Travis and Jessica
size 6 shirt-Danelle
toy-Danelle



Family#2

dad- pants 34x30, XL shirt, socks size 9-10 -Johnsons
power tool of any kind-Margene

mom- pants size 18, LG shirt,--Johnsons
socks size 6-9 -Danelle
bath things or toe socks -Danelle

boy (15) pants 16-18 (from the boy section), LG shirt (from the boy section-Jason & Sally socks size 9-10- Marty & Tonya
favorite color is yellow
would like a fire truck- Jason & Sally

boy (13) pants size 14-16 (boy section), medium shirt- Johnsons socks size 9-10- Marty & Tonya
favorite color is blue
would like paper guitar (Guitar Jams) or anything Harry Potter -Johnsons

boy (10) pants size 8-10 (please buy pants with adjustable waist), shirt children's small-Johnsons
socks size 6-8 -Marty & Tonya
favorite color is red
would like a t-rex/transformers Johnsons

this family has also requested a tree. If anyone has an extra fake tree or would be willing to cut a tree, please let me know. Also, if you have extra lights or decorations that you would part with, please let me know. - Steve (delivering Tuesday, December 7th)

We would also like to do a food basket for this family with Christmas dinner fixings. A ham or turkey, a bag of potatoes, etc. Let me know if you would be willing to help with that, too.

There was also a request for coats. The parents both need XL and the two older boys need size 16-18 (kids) a small or medium in adults would probably be ok, too as the sizes aren't too much different. The youngest boy already has a coat.

Family #3

girl (7) needs shoes and/or snow boots badly size 3 --Margene
pants size 7 regular --Ashley
shirt size 7 --Ashley
toy --Megan

girl (5) needs shoes and/or snow boots badly size 12 --Merlynn
pants 6 slim --Merlynn
shirt 6 --Merlynn
toy -- Merlynn

boy (3) shoes size 10 -Johnsons
pants/shirt 3t/4t-Travis and Jessica
toy -Johnsons

baby boy (3 weeks) newborn clothing (0-3 months or 3-6 months) Braquel & Travis and Jessica
diapers/wipes Cinda

We would also like to do a Christmas dinner basket for this family.
Margene will help with the food

Family #1 basket:

Jeff & Burket: turkey and potatoes

Danelle & Gary: stuffing

Jason & Sally: jello fixings

Margene- rolls

Lois & Larry- vegetables

Lois- pie fixings & gravy mixes

Family #2 basket:

John & Tosha Rea: sending gift card for turkey

Tyler & Telynn- potatoes

Danelle& Gary: stuffing

Jason & Sally: jello fixings

Margene- rolls

Larry & Lois- vegetables

Lois- pie fixings & gravy mixes

*where it just says toy by the kids wishes, none was specified. I feel that each child should get some sort of toy as well as the things that are specifically needed.

* if you live far away and can't get specific things to us, but you want to help, we will gladly take money and put it toward the food baskets or fill in any gaps.

Thanks so much in advance for all of your help. I would like to get everything brought to Lois' house by the 15th so we can get it to the families by the 17th or so. We are working through the school districts and they all get out on the 17th. God bless you!

Turkey Trot Pictures

Brad, Mikayla, Brooke, and Linsday all walking the Trot! These four stuck together the whole way!

Start time. I was amazed at how many people braved the FREEZING temperatures to come walk/run and support a good cause. Some were far more serious about it than others, but everyone had a good time!

Travis got all dressed up in his long johns. He was only one of the few that had a costume on so I think he got a prize. Not really sure, but I do know he deserved one!

Notice the non-pink faces in this photo? It was pre-race when we were all nice and warm. By the time we got back, there were lots of red faces and some of us even had icicles in our hair! A huge thank you to the Stapelmans for all of their hard work. It was my first year there, but I will definitely go back next year!

Update for November Give

Hey, everyone! Tarra an Tosha have sent me some more information regarding the Turkey Trot! I thought the registration was $15, but they have corrected me with the following prices:

If you register by Friday, November 5th the fee is $11.00
If you register between November 6th and the 23rd the fee is $16.00
If you register on race day, November 25th, the fee is $21.00
If you have a child that is 6 or under, the fee is $7.00

*You may print/send in a registration form (must be postmarked by the 5th) from the website below OR

*You may walk into Hurst Chiropractic Clinic to register OR

*You may register online at the following website:

www.minicassiaturkeytrot.com

Thanks!

November Give

This is one of the best times of year for me! The cooler days, the beautiful fall leaves, it all reminds me of how much I am thankful for. I hope everyone is doing well and making a list of all of their blessings! Our give this month will be supporting the annual Turkey Trot. I think most of us know the details about the trot, but for those that don't:

This is the 5th year that the Turkey Trot has been going on. It is a 5K run/walk that costs $15.00 ( I think!) and you receive a free tee-shirt. All of the proceeds from this event go to help the West End Fire Department and other local charitable donations. It starts at West Minico Junior High and everyone that I know that has attended has loved it! I am strongly encouraging everyone to go support this fun and healthy event. Don't feel pressured to run all of the way (I probably won't even run part of the way!), you may go at your own pace. I believe there are prizes for the top three winners in men, women, and children categories. There are also prizes for silly costumes and other categories, too. Hope everyone shows up and has a good time!

I am also getting together a couple of families for our December give. I have one already picked out and will hopefully have another soon so I will get the ages and sizes of the children out soon. I would not only like to give the children a few toys or clothes, but even a tree and the fixings for Christmas dinner. Once I get everything organized, I would like people to sign up for certain things so that we are not overlapping and getting too many toys and no food or something like that. If you have an extra tree or decorations sitting around and would like to donate them, would you please drop me an email or comment on the blog? I would like to get as much done for this give as we can by the 10th of December or so. Thanks so much for all of your help!