"For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

I have been blessed to be a part of a ministry called Royal Family Kids Camp and this scripture was our foundation verse for our week with abused, neglected children in the foster care system.  One of the goals for our 34 kids was that they memorize & recite this scripture to our staff.  It was our job to encourage them to learn it & God used this time to remind us about His sovereignty in our own lives.  See, I already knew about this scripture, but through a song not reading, meditation & memorization.  The song went like this:  For I know, the plans I have for you, and I know, just what you're going through, so when you can't see what tomorrow holds and yesterday is through, remember I know the plans I have for you!  It was at camp that I finally "heard" God speak to me in Word more than song.  I realized that if we were going to ask these children to believe this scripture, we had to believe it first.  I spent a great week with two really great little girls and because God spoke, I knew that the girls would be in His care after that week.  That camp really was for the kids, and I am thankful that my Heavenly Father saw fit to take care of me too!!!

I can't believe that it is already Christmas time!!  This time of year is usually very hard for me because it marks the anniversary of my father's passing.  I feel so blessed to be a part of a homeschool group that is filling this year with fun & happy memories. 

I wanted to take the time to share about my secret santa.  Whichever lady she is in our group, I want her to know that she has already blessed me.  She sent me an email on a day when I was feeling pretty lousy and needed a friendly note.  In the midst of a day of crying, I smiled and laughed at the note & tauntingly fun spirited message.  You must know that I'm way to "inquisitive" to not figure out who you are before we reveal it later this month!!!  Then yesterday, I came home to find I had another gift, pajamas, a candle & hot chocolate!!!  If I didn't have a dinner to attend, I would have been in my pj's & drinking my hot chocolate.  But what you didn't know, secret santa, is that you are bringing me comfort while my husband is away on a business trip.  I didn't really know how much I was going to miss him, but I had already planned special nights with my kids & the pajamas are a perfect fit for this time.  I'm sure you were just enjoying the spirit of secret santa, but you have truly been used of God to bring joy to a sad heart this week.  Thank you for what you have already done & I send you many, many hugs!!!!!!