How Facebook Inspired my Christmas!

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Christmas!

This year I tried to expand the way I celebrate Christmas. But I had no idea how! Until...

As I was scrolling through my Facebook page back in October I saw a post about "Project secret Santa". It was a group that people on Facebook that needed help for Christmas, were able sign their children up. Only first names where given with a picture and age of the child. If the parent was uncomfortable with their child's picture being shown then the administrator would make the cutest little cartoon like picture in place of their actual picture. This was a closed group and the privacy they provided for the families was great. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/secretsantaeriepa/

I prayed as I scrolled through all the beautiful faces but I stopped when I got to a cute little guy in a red coat and had bright blue boots on. Somehow I knew he was the one that I would sponsor and have the privilege to be his secret Santa. Through Facebook we were able to message the parent and get information about what the child would like and sizes for clothes etc.

I had a lot of fun shopping for him, and was able to get him everything on his list. I was even able to find a Christmas ornament with his name on it, which wasn't an easy task; at one store I was going through all the names and there was about four other women also looking for the names they needed. We ending up helping each other out and we able to go through the [many] ornaments and find the names needed. The Spirit of Christmas was was in full swing! 

My next inspiration also came from Facebook. I lovely young lady that I knew from church but had moved to another city posted that she was now selling "Trades Of Hope".
She stated her goal as a Trades Of Hope Compassion Entrepreneur is to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a real way by giving women an opportunity to provide for their families. The mission was Empowering Women out of Poverty! And her hope was to help other people through buying gifts that would support and help to provide them with a better life. These women make scarves, jewelry, home decor, handbags, stationery and more. TOH help women around the world start new businesses to break the cycle of poverty for their families.
TRADES OF HOPE
 http://www.mytradesofhope.com/home.aspx


And here are some pictures of my family celebrating Christmas!

                                                                                           

And it's my prayer that next Christmas the Lord will show me even more ways to be able help others and keep with the Spirit of Christmas. Because Christmas is so much more then going to church or buying gifts... but we are to show the love of Christ and to spread His love through us to others.