Learning to Give

Our church takes the children that have been placed in foster homes or group homes in the Austin area and adopts them for Christmas.  There are about 4000 children that our church provides gifts for each Christmas.  For the past 11 years we have taken two of these children and purchased items on their wish lists. 
This year we really wanted David to try and understand that there are children that have no homes, no family, and no toys.  He had lots of questions.  So, Angie took him with her to do the shopping.  With many warnings of "David we are not buying anything for you.  We are buying toys for these two children", which we would name for David.  The church does provide us first names of all of the children because the first thing we are asked to do before purchasing anything is to pray for these children.
David knew in his mind that he was not getting anything, but the reality meant a few hard moments in the toy isles at Target.  However, by last night as we were wrapping the gifts David was interested in telling Daddy that these things were for the little boy and little girl that need toys.  And this morning he insisted on helping to carry the gifts into church. 
We are trying to teach our little one that when we are blessed as our family has been the best thing we can do is give some of those blessings to others.  This is the best way to say Thank You for all that we have.