Creepiest Piggy Bank Ever

I really have a lot to be happy about this Christmas. I've got so many blessings, not least of which has been the wonderful opportunity to give money away and to buy a cow to give away! Because of your generosity (and your love for Janie, I know), I've been able to help three needy families in the Rutland area. And that's over and above the money that will soon be sent to Food For The Hungry for the cow!

I must say that sitting with these people and hearing their stories, and being able to help them has made this Christmas exciting and happy for me rather than depressing.

Another highlight along the way was when some friends delivered
their frightening looking piggy bank loaded with coins....mostly quarters, it seemed....which of course added up quickly! However, I'm sure I'm going to jolt awake in a cold sweat out of a dream about being chased down a narrow alley by that thing. Man! Just look at it...those shark-eyes staring in two directions at once (to make sure no one is looking when it pounces, presumably) and don't let the pretty flowers fool you....that grin is not a friendly grin, regardless of how many quarters it carried in its bowels. *Shiver*

Seriously, though, thank you all so much for your contributions! I'll give a final tally at the end...but let me just say for now that you/we have exceeded my hopes for this special project!! Christmas is better for someone else because of you.

By the way, did you know that there is another telling of the Christmas story outside of the gospels? Yep, it's in the book of Galatians:

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons." Gal. 4:4-5

Merry Christmas!