Hi, Everyone! Thanksgiving is just around the corner. It is that time of year when we "officially" say thank you and usually eat way too much food. For most of us, Thanksgiving is the holiday that ushers in the Christmas Season, although the department stores started that a month ago.

I've just spent the past two evenings working with Bethany House, a home and program for single expectant women. I have served as their Outreach Coordinator and Spokesperson for over two years now. This amazing ministry has helped over 400 women and their children in the past seventeen-plus years. Help has come in the following ways: safe and stable shelter, food, clothing, and medical care, life skills training, educational opportunities, career development, indepth counseling, parenting classes, drug and alcohol recovery resources, and so much more.

If you value life, I'd like to encourage you to consider this life saving/life changing program as your choice for year-end giving.

We all get bombarded this time of year with requests from numerous agencies seeking funding. There are so many good causes and program out there. I trust that God has more than enough resources to go around. However, it is up to us, as individuals, to heed His call. When we feel that little "nudge" to give, we'd best be giving, if you know what I mean.

I'm embarrssed to share that there's been more than a few times in my own life when I ignored that still small voice and turned the other way, knowing that I was suppossed to give my time, talents, or treasure to a specific person or cause. I can't tell you how awful it feels to miss a divine appointment. I don't want you to miss yours.

Maybe you, too, value life and are deeply saddened by the number of abortions that take place in our country everyday. In fact, check out some of these statistics:

http://erlc.com/article/abortion-statistics

I am often frustrated by Christians who claim to be pro-life, yet all they do is yell and scream at the women who are choosing abortion. This method just doesn't work. We need to put our money where are mouths are and support the organizations that are out there helping these young women that have chosen life.

A pregnant girl feels alone, frightened, and deeply worried about her future. Yes, she has made a mistake, but how can I possibly throw the first stone? Can you? Instead, we must be God's hands extended and provide the love, resources, and accountability that will help her become the mother and woman that God intends for her to become. Simply believing abortion is wrong isn't enough, we must act with maturity and love, providing for these girls and their infants. Less judging and more loving is a good thing. Amen?

Bethany House is a "front line" program. When a girl chooses to keep or adopt her baby, and needs a safe program and home to go to, Bethany House is a viable option. But it can't continue its services without support from others who share the same values. Please, consider giving the greatest gift of all this Christmas: The Gift of Life. When you give to Bethany House you touch two lives at a time and generations beyond. The trickle down effect is absolutely amazing. Watching these girls grow into women, mothers, and often times, future wives, is an amazing thing. Seeing a high school dropout go back to school and graduate is a blessing. Knowing that a woman has finally reunited with her family, a family that disowned her because they just didn't understand what she was going through, is incredible. These are just a few of the miracles that I see everyday. What about women who are now free from drugs and abusive relationships? Babies who are loved and well-cared for? If these things warm your heart, too, please, consider giving to Bethany House.

Visit www.bethanyhousenet.org to learn more. They should have a new online giving feature up and running ASAP. You can call 503.667.8409 to learn more about the program and how you can help or send donations to: Bethany House, PO Box 3278 Gresham, OR 97032.

After all, tis the season to give, and it is so much more fullfilling to give than it is to receive. I'm sure you'll agree! God bless you.

PS. Anyone else get strange comments on your blog entries that have nothing to do with your entry? They appear to be some type of advertisment. They were entered on my pages all the way back to when I first started this journal -- a year ago. Very odd and VERY annoying.