HUGE BREAKTHROUGH!!!

Ryan had a huge breakthrough last night and today. He has been thinking about himself for awhile and not helping others who are in need. Last night while we were out shopping he wanted to pick out toys for the poor children who don't have any. Jeff and I had discussed before about donating a toy to Toys for Tots so he picked out a matchbox car set for a boy. The girls picked out a musical instrument set for the girls who don't have any toys.

We also shopped for Operation Christmas Child as well. It was suggested to us by several people as a means for our children to further help others. We are joining a homeschooling group to help pack up the shoeboxes.

This morning, Ryan was upset that we couldn't do more. He told me while he was eating breakfast that he wanted Nana and Papa to not give him a Christmas present but to give it to the "poor children who don't have any toys". I told him that this means he may not get a present to open from them at Christmas this year, he said "that's okay I have alot of toys Mommy". Per his insistence, I called my mom up at work so that he could tell her. Then we made two more phone calls, one to my dad and one to Daddy at work.

After the chiropractic appointment this morning, we went to the local dentist who is collecting Halloween candy and paying $1 a pound for it in our Halloween Candy buy back program. We dropped off our candy and got $3...one dollar for each of them for their piggybanks bringing them a step closer to going to Korea.

After we got home, Ryan had a snack with his sisters and asked to help out those poor people who don't have any food. We filled up two grocery bags with peanut butter, rice, jelly, canned goods, and more. After that was done we bagged up the stuff for Operation Christmas Child and got that ready to bring with us to next week's meeting.

Tonight he asked me if I was proud of him. I couldn't be more proud of him. And now he understands why I help out the local mothers who need clothing and baby supplies for their newborn to 2 year olds. He also understands why this past Saturday his Daddy mailed out 5 packages to a friend of mine from one of the adoption boards. She and her family are helping the less fortunate in Mexico. Children that have next to nothing along with their families.

He might be a 5 year old boy but he is wise beyond his years right now. He can't understand why others don't help the poor and needy. He can't understand why people are hungry, why people live on the streets instead of homes, why their children don't have toys to play with, and more.

Can you answer him? Can you help others less fortunate than you this year? While I realize this comes during a difficult financial time, can you afford to purchase one more can of vegetables this upcoming holiday season? Can you afford to buy one gift for a child who has none to open this Christmas? Can you donate coats, hats, scarves, or mittens for those children who have none this winter? Can you pass on the word to help others?