blessed to bless

we are slowly climbing out of a long year of waiting on the Lord.

though words truly cannot express the gratitude that i feel for this season we've been in, i'm not gonna lie, it's been a bit rough.

and though waiting on God to provide all you need is a glorious and miraculous experience, it still puts you in a position where you need stuff and you are unable to control the way those needs are met.

out of the ashes of this past season is rising a theme on which we want to build the rest of our lives.

it's pretty simple in thought, but dramatically profound in action.

the idea is this:

we are gifted so that we can give, we are blessed so that we can bless, we are comforted so that we can comfort.

dave's been keeping a list this year. it's a list that includes several times the Lord has come through for us over the past 12 months. it's a list of gifts, of blessings, of ways that we've been comforted.

it's a list of miracles.

what a gift to be able to have a list like that. we should probably frame that sucker. it's ironic because, there is no way we would have had that list had this year been an "easy" and "successful" year.

christmas, as usual, makes me all contemplative and emotional as i dwell on that distinct moment that Christ came.

to make us new!
to give us joy!
to give us hope!

and more than ever this year, i am struck to my knees when i think about the countless times He's whispered to me "I am faithful". "I have plans." "Do not fear."

He has gifted.
He has blessed.
He has comforted.

and really, it would be ridiculous for us not to turn around and give and bless and comfort.

it's what we were made for.

and do you know how good it feels to actually be doing what you were created to do?  unspeakable joy.


and so, for christmas this year, we will be giving 2 things.  first up, a picture of us.



when i look at this picture, (thank you laura) the hard, yucky parts of this past year grow pale and fade.  i mean, geez, look at this picture.  i see a God who comes through.  i see a God who has given much.  i see a God who has called us to and given us a deeper joy.  this picture shouts "God has been faithful to the Houles!"  and if you get this picture, i pray that you'll stick it on your fridge and every time you look at it, you'll know in your heart that, yes, it's true...God is faithful.

the second thing we are giving is stoves. 

i went here and purchased my 20 dollar stoves that will be given to families in haiti that are still living in the tent camps.  i love being able to give a gift to someone and say "hey, instead of giving you a starbucks cards, i decided to save a life.  merry christmas!"

and because some people in our life will be getting a stove and a picture of us, i went ahead and made some cards on shutterfly informing them of their awesome, life-giving christmas present and i'll be able to tuck our family picture in the envelope as well. 

here's the front.

Rainbow Greetings Christmas Card

Visit Shutterfly.com for Christmas cards this holiday.

View the entire collection of cards.

and here's what's on the back.



i'm not sure which part is my favorite. the whole saving a life part by providing a way to safely cook meals, or the whole giving hope and dignity part by providing jobs.

it's extraordinary is what it is.

i love joining the adventure project in their world changing, poverty squashing efforts and then giving it as a present.  powerful.

i need a handful of these cards to give to my friends and family informing them of their life-changing christmas present, but i also ordered a few more, so if you buy a stove and want to give a card too, let me know, i'd be happy to pass a few along... (i can mail them or drop them off if you're in the springs)

we are blessed so that we can bless.