Christmas baby

On Tuesday morning we welcomed our newest resident to Hope Alive. This was not a new family moving in, but the birth of a newborn baby welcomed by her mother and big sister. Each resident mother and staff member was thrilled that our baby had finally arrived. Jody - our Family Ministry Specialist - couldn't wait to get to the hospital to meet our youngest resident and brought back photos on the digital camera to share. It's not only a new addition to this one family, but to the entire Hope Alive family. This new mother received several visits from other resident moms and staff making her feel especially loved. She'll have many hands to help when they return to Hope Alive.

I hope you are still looking for holy moments as we approach Christmas. Here's another one that I experienced right after my blog posting last week. Last Thursday's Gazette featured an article about Deer Crossing Elementary's "Kids Care Club members help the homeless". Here's an excerpt from the article.

"The club currently has about 120 children signed up, spanning kindergarten through fifth grade. The club meets monthly and regularly works on projects to help others. As part of this month's project, students decorated boxes to collect personal care items to help support Hope Alive, Inc., a nonprofit organization that helps homeless women and children. Students are collecting toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, shampoo and conditioner to donate to the shelter. They are also accepting baby care products such as shampoo, lotion, diaper cream, and children's socks, gloves, hats and other similar items. To drive the lesson home on Friday, the students learned about homelessness and the difference between a want and a need." One young student said, "I want a ferret, so I'll need ferret food. I'm also lucky to have my bed."

No one at Hope Alive even knew this was happening. For me, reading the article was a holy moment realizing there were 120 elementary school children in Frederick County who had spent their after school hours with one mission in mind - to help others.

What an inspiring testimony of the power of God's love working through young and tender hearts to make a difference in the lives of struggling families right here in our own backyard. Click here to read the entire article http://www.gazette.net/stories/12092010/urbanew172158_32537.php

In our last week before Christmas, stay focused on the real reason for the season - Jesus! May you and your family know God's love through the indescribable gift of His Son who came to give us life and hope! Until next week ...

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director