Pregnancy: 32 Weeks 12-28-2015

The pictures of this sweet baby aren't very good this time.  It was moving a lot.  This lil cutie sure likes to put it's hands very close to it's face.  It also has the trade mark McGurk chubbo cheeks and long fingers.

We Wish You A Merry Christmas!

Reece's Rainbow Angel Tree Ornaments

Melanie and I picked out 3 lil orphans with Down Syndrome from Reece's Rainbow Angel Tree to help support their adoptions. As far as I know, these children haven't been chosen for adoption yet, but you can still help support or start their adoption fund. Which in turn eases the financial cost for potential adoptive families. Reece's Rainbow Angel Tree starts November 1 and run's through December 31. It's not too late to donate to the Angel Tree, and it's always an option to just make a general donation. Here's the link...
http://reecesrainbow.org/angeltreeinfo
We are all called to support orphans, the least of these.  Some are called to adopt.  Some are called to support  potential adoptive families emotionally and/or help them financially.  Some are called to spread the word about adoption.  There are so many different ways to help.
James 1:27 says...Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Matthew 25:40 says... Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Have you thought about what your role is?

Christmas Giving Pictures

It was a little tough giving and taking pictures at the same time. But, where we were able to photograph I did. We sure had an amazing time preparing, shopping and fulfilling our gift giving. What an amazing blessing to teach our children.

Filling our Christmas Shoe Boxes

Even sweet Lil Sean helped fill the boxes

Melanie drawing pictures for the RACK'ed packs.

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Our RACK'ed Cards

Bible Versus

Melanie's Drawings

Filling the RACK'ed bag with candy.

The RACK'ed Baggies

Toys For Tots and Canned Food Drive Items

Giving of the Toys for Tots and Canned Food Drive

25 Days of Christmas Giving

I love Christmas. I loved it as a child, of course. I was greedy though, and sometimes very unthankful. I didn't quite understand the TRUE meaning of Christmas. Over the last couple of years I've started to learn and believe in what it means to be Christmas time and spread good cheer. It's been a slow, but productive process that we have started to make a family tradition out of. In a way we're taking advantge of the Christmas season. But, I think when you are trying to give to people and show them the love God has for them, it's OK. This was a big test year. Let me tell ya, it was a little difficult. There was a lot going on around us with school, homeschooling, pregnancy, Sean, church, friends and family, and well Christmas. But, they say nothing worth doing is easy. I think planning for, preparing for, and implementing were totally worth doing 25 Days of Christmas Giving. Some were Random Acts of Christmas Kindness, some were intentional, some were spur of the moment, some were just bcause it seemed right. All acts were made with the intent to tell pople about Jesus and how he just LOVES you so very much, put a smile on someone's face and make their day a little better than it would have been. This world could use a lot more Jesus and a lot less me, me, me, (which I still struggle with, by the way!). These are the 25 Days of Christmas Giving that we palnned to do, have done are are coming up. This is by no means a way to boast.

Ephesians 2: 8-10
For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.

I'm telling you what we're doing as a family so that you may be encouraged, learn and have faith.

25 Days of Christmas Giving

Fruit Basket, cookies and give a Thank You Card to Fire/Police Station

(the above is a challenging one.  They're hardly there and when they are we're not prepared)

Fruit Basket, cookies and Thank You Card to the Library

(we love our local library!)

Donate to Salvation Army

(Melanie loves to put money in the red kettle)

Pass Out 10 RACK'ed cards with Christmas tracts, candy canes and $5 gift cards to Subway

Donate to Toys For Tots

(I have 3 children, so 3 toys were given)

101 Bible Stories with a Christmas Tract to a special family.

Canned Food Drive

(Aubrey)

Food Drive through our Church

(McKinney)

Operation Christmas Shoe Box

I have 3 children, 3 boxes were made)

Donations to Reece's Rainbow (3 ornaments bought)

(Non-Profit Info/adoption organization benefiting Children with Down Syndrome)

http://reecesrainbow.org/angeltreeinfo

It was at times very stressful and intimidating to accomplish some of these, but so well worth it.  Melanie, Sean and I hade a lot of fun and felt very excited to do this.    With God's guidance and grace we will continue to do this, and not just at Christmas time.  We have never gone without, God has always provided for us.  We can help others. 

The True Meaning of Christmas

Bet you're wondering why I posted the previous video titled Feed the World and We are the World. Although these videos are primarily for giving a helping hand to Africa, they both have spoken to me each time I've heard them, and this Christmas especially. There is just so much going on in the world right now; so many changes, so much hate, murder, blame, so much "look the other way". I just felt really compelled to try to spread the Good News of how much Jesus really LOVES each and everyone of us. We ALL matter. THIS WORLD NEEDS JESUS.  From the person in Africa, to the people in Syria, to the people in Paris, those in Ireland, our people here in America, every other country around the world, the cashier lady at Wal-Mart, the convenience store clerk, the firemen/policeman, the homeless, orphans here, and orphans elsewhere, convicts, your neighbors, my neighbors, children, teenagers, adults and the elderly, your family  members, mine. God wants us to TRY to reach each and everyone of them.  God wants us to love on them all.  1Corintians verse 13 says; And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity (LOVE).  I know it's difficult sometimes.  Believe you me...HA!  I can get irritated and frustrated like no other and quickly sometimes too.  But, I always strive to do better each time I mess up.  I ask forgiveness and hope for grace and mercy.  This Christmas you can too.  Below is the TRUE meaning of Christmas.

Luke 2:10-11 
Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Philippians 2:5-8
5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
John 3:16-18
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 
Romans 6:23
23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
John 1:12
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 
Won't you take a minute to reflect on where you'd like to spend eternity and how you'd like to live your life?  You'd never have known how fulfilling your life can be and how free you'll feel.
If you'd like to ask Jesus to come into your heart, you can say a simple little prayer like this one...
Father, I know I'm a sinner deserving of the lake of fire, but as best as I know how, I am trusting you as my only hope for heaven.  Save me, I pray. 
Amen.

THIS video below IS TOTALLY ME...

We Are The World

It's Christmas Time (Great Video)

Merry Christmas!

Roasting Marshmallos on an Open Fire

We bought a fire pit! We are super excited. We've wanted one for a while because we enjoyed our Cherry Valley one immensely. We've been going back and forth on whether we should put in a more permanent structure like in Cherry Valley or use a portable one. We decided on the portable. Melanie's friend Catherine came over to help get the marshmallow party started. We had a good time! We're looking forward to getting neighbors so that we can mingle and have fellowship with them. YAY!

If You're Happy and You Know It...

Baby McGurk 28 Weeks, 4 Daysish.

In most pictures this baby seems to have it's hands close to it's mouth. I think it likes it's little hands.