Each year the staff at Lake Williamson joins together to help others during the Christmas season. This year we were able to provide gifts of toys and clothing for over 20 children who had been placed outside their homes during the holidays.

As we struggled to fulfill the wishes of these children we longed to help, while still keeping our budget and the needs of our own families in mind, we reached out to our community asking for anyone selling used electronics that had been specifically requested by our "Christmas Kids." You know how expensive some of the game systems can be and when you add a few games, the budget is busted!

The response was fantastic! Offers of toys and gifts, stocking stuffers, games and clothing. My heart was full of joy from the kindness and caring shown in this small town. And then I received another message; this one from a single mother with two young boys. She wanted to help, worried that she couldn't do enough she apologized almost before she began, she could only do a little, but wanted to provide a few things for our Christmas Kids. So off I went to the tidy little home, bright with Christmas lights, a tree in the front window. She answered the door and offered a small bag of gifts, again wanting to do more and offering all she had. Her boys peeked around the corner watching their mother give me her treasures. She made me promise that next year I would call her and she would start to save early so she could help more. How kind! All I could think of as I stood there was the Widow's Offering.

Mark 12:41-44

41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."

I am blessed to live in this small town, with people with kind and giving hearts! Giving is an important part of the season, do all you can for others and you will be blessed in return.