Christmas Eve Tradition

One of Ben and I's Christmas traditions is every Christmas Eve we would go to a sit down restaurant (yes with all the kids). One goal during the meal is to really engage in conversation with our waiter/waitress and get as much of their "story" as we could. Then after we pay for the meal we hand them a really nice tip, our Christmas gift to them. Over the years we have met several people and have heard many stories.
This year we decided to do something a little different. Since we seem to be surrounded by people in financial poverty we wanted to give, but not just give them stuff. If that makes any since at all. There is a man that Ben has come in contact with and met with a couple of times. He is in the process of looking for a job. His wife does have a job, but doesn't make enough to support all of their needs. Big thing to notice here is they are MARRIED. The first and only married couple we have met in East Lake so far. She has two children that she brought into the marriage and they are now expecting their first together. They are also a couple that haven't asked for anything. We wanted to help this family out for Christmas, but didn't want to just buy them things and drop it off at their door. I am also always looking for ways to involve the kids in our ministry. So here is what we did.....

Zoo Light Safari
Something they had never done before and couldn't afford to do. Plus it was a wonderful way for our two families to spend time together.

The train ride, even though cold & windy, was a favorite of everyone.













































I took lots and lots of pictures - something they said they don't have a lot of. So my plan is now to print the ones I took of their family - a much better gift than I could buy at any store. Here is one of my favorites of all the kids together.















I think this years tradition may have started the beginning of a wonderful friendship :)