Love One Another

Santa's bags are full!

Hello friends and fellow elves!

We have collected many, many items for this extended family!!! We got the luggage (thanks, Sendera Ranch Elementary!!!) and lots of toys for the kids; baby clothes, women's watches, books, new pillows (thanks, Principal McNeese!!) for all, bedding, new towels, toys & more (from a Grand family!) and toys and clothing from the Christie ladies! and lots of other donations for house and family.

We are so excited!

Ted and I went to an estate sale today and bought 9 Christmas stockings and some wrapping paper--so if you want to help next week in filling stockings with fruit, candy, little things, gum, etc. give me a call!!

We can still use some more gift wrap and perhaps some tissue paper. I'll stock up on tape!

We are delivering to mom (KA) and daughter (LE) on Friday night (17th) as they are leaving town for holidays on bus (thanks to luggage, they can pack their gifts!)

The rest of the house will receive all your generous gifts on Christmas Eve, along with the rest of the world :)

Contact me for any questions. Someone asked me about getting them gift cards, "yes!" and any other things you think of are welcome. If we realize something is the wrong size, we have 3-4 other families with some needs and we will get our elves organizing things for them.

thank you thank you thank you TO

many friends and neighbors,

the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the 'Mormons') who gave me my first taste of the real spirit of Christmas in Salt Lake City when I was 14 year old with "Sheckels for Santa" (I never dreamed I'd live in Jerusalem only five years later and have "sheckels" in my wallet for months), and, as a church has given me chances to serve my Heavenly Father and others all over the world ever since,

Heritage's Church of Christ (we appreciate you!),

AND administrators and teachers and staff

at our beloved Sendera Ranch Elementary!!!

(we love you T H I S much!!)

"Behold, unto you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord"

book of Luke 2

favorite New Testament Christmas chapter

and a few favorites from a volume of ancient scripture written by prophets in the Americas two thousand years ago, who knew of Christ and saw Him when He came, who are referred to by Jesus when talking to his disciples in Jerusalem in John 10:16: "other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring and they shall hear my voice..."

Those in Ancient America witnessed the star

heard prophecies of Christ's birth to be in Jerusalem

and were visited by him after his death and resurrection.

Before He came, they were taught by righteous kings and prophets:

"ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of succor;

ye will administer of your substance to those who stand in need..."

Mosiah 4:16

Book of Mormon

"Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable,

always abounding in good works,

that Christ the Lord God Omnipotent may seal you his,

that ye may be brought to heaven,

that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life,

through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy,

of him who created all things,

in heaven and in earth

who is God above all.

Amen."

Mosiah 5:15

Book of Mormon

GOD BLESS Y'ALL THIS COMING SEASON AND YEAR

WITH FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE

HEALTH, ABUNDANCE, STRENGTH AND PEACE.

We know our Savior lives; we recognize His hand and blessings in our lives; and that following in His footsteps daily makes us deeply happy; we can hear His voice better as we follow His example. We love sharing and serving others with all of you. We are His sheep and hope to bring more to His flock and to love as He has taught us.

May we be as the wise men and do anything to find and worship Him.

May we be as the shepherds and run to follow Him.

May we be as the choirs of angels who proclaim His divinity.

May we be quiet and ponder about His life as did Mary.

May we be unafraid to follow God's voice as did Joseph.

and may we look diligently and hopefully for Him in our temples, churches, and homes as did Simeon and Anna...

Elves busy at work!

Update from our many secret shopper elves!

We have:
new pillows
some *gently used* bedding
towels
a few blankets, 1 comforter
2 mens' jackets
books
fuzzy socks for ladies
new outfit for KA
a few donations of *gently used* kitchen cookware


Still looking for:
A TWIN BED & cute girls' bedding :) very girly girl
luggage (used is fine)
dolls for 7 yr old (african american dolls if possible!)
board games (kids ages 7 and 9)
bath & body sets for men/women
a few toys :)
new robes (plush robes under $20 at Costco/Sams' Club)
sweaters for all
winter wear for all adults
coat for 9 year old boy (large youth size)

We ARE SO THRILLED about the elf calls and work behind the scenes taking place for this family! We thank you!! God is working His miracles with y'all and that is the Reason for the Season! "For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten son..."

Thank you!!!!

We have begun the 12 Days of Christmas for this family. If anyone would like to participate, pls contact me asap :) Our kids and their friends, our cohorts in door-bell-ditching, are enjoying the deliveries big time!

And update,

the 7 year old girl has recently received a new coat, hat & gloves.

yea!

caLLiNg aLL eLvEs!

Hello neighbors & friends!

We have a tradition every Christmas and we need some help.

We'll call it: OPERATION ELF

We find a family (or two or three)

who are in need...

We spread the word--

to help recruit "elves" to help us,

2 or 3 or 16 families to help:

buy

create

make

bake

wrap

deliver

stockings, gifts, goodies, canned good, fruit baskets,

home goods, cleaning supplies, etc to the family in need.

We have a wonderful family in mind

here in Sendera Ranch.

There are several families living together...

They have two students at SRE,

one newborn (girl),

aunts, uncles, moms and dads.

They are all from far away, on the other side of the globe...

Would your family like to help us?

In order to keep them from being known

(especially since they live and go to school with many of us),

I'll use initials for each one and give you the details for each one.

.............................................................

Mom KD

Size 16, 5 feet tall

Shoe size 8

Loves jewelry, needs warm things! including coat/hat/gloves

A robe, bath supplies, slippers, warm socks...

Dad: AL

He is size 34 waist. Mens' large

Shoe size 8.5

Needs warm things also. Loves basketball and soccer.

Girl, LE

age 7, large, short little lady :)

Size 12, shoe size 2

Loves girly-girl things; toys, dressy clothes, fancy stuff :)

Needs coat and warm things: gloves, hats, socks, fuzzy boots

(would love stuff from Justice)

games

.......................................................................

Mom: PA

Size: approx 12-14...

5'4" tall

Shoes size: 10

Needs warm things also!

Might love some books, new towels, robe, socks, perfume, etc.

Son: AX

4th grade, large boy, 5'1"

Shoes: 10?

Size: TBD, probably Youth Lrg shirt, pants 14?

Loves sports, games, and needs warm things

........................................................................

Mom: AB

Age: 37, about 5'3"

Approx pant size 2-4, Shoes 7, Shirts SM

New mom. Robe, socks, scarf,

Needs warm things, stuff for baby

Dad: MM

Very tall, sizes TBD

Don't know needs here, will try to find out

Baby:

1 month old (as of Dec 7)

Needs wipes, warm things :)

She is in size 3-6 mos now, and needs larger clothes for Spring/Summer.

For the rest of winter, size 6-9 mos is excellent

...............................................................

Sister & Aunt: SH

Approx. 5;3" Age, 24?

Size 1 pants, Shirts, XS (very thin), Shoes 6

Needs, like the rest: warm things. Toiletries, socks, lotions, etc.

.......................................................................

Whole house can use:

new towels, washclothes

cleaning supplies/laundry basket

canned food

fresh food

blankets and quilts

sheets for Queen size beds (possibly doubles & kings)

&

Kitchen towels, washclothes, soap, etc.

Can probably use more glasses, dishes, utinsels, etc.

Paper towels, TP, ziplocs, etc.

PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE WORD

AND PASS ON THIS BLOG'S ADDRESS

QUESTIONS, Contact Robyn by commenting on this blog post or

via email: robynb68@gmail.com

You may drop gifts, gift cards, anything by our home.

Please label who items are for with initials and we'll put a gift tag with the full name on your gifts! If you want to come help wrap gifts in coming weeks, or deliver on Christmas Eve, or be part of the 12 Days of Christmas for this family, contact Robyn!

With warm holiday wishes for a joyful and joy-filled season of Christ's love,

Robyn and Ted (and Maddie & Nick)