The LOUD Family

Orlando Rescue Mission

By Kati April 2008

This year for Christmas we wanted to do something special for someone else. Now that we are in a trailer we do not have a lot of room for extra things.

We tried to find a shelter or a group that could use our help. Most places said that they had all of their needs met and that they had gifts for all of the children living there. As we talked to the kids about what they would like to do they realized that the best part of Christmas was giving.

We use to do a Christmas class each year for children to make gifts to give to give gifts to their family. So the kids wanted us to call the shelter back and see if we could do this for them. The shelter was so excited to have the kids come. The kids always get gifts, but they rarely are able to make gifts for their family members.

The kids saved up money all December and they purchased the items that they needed for the gifts.

We had such a great time getting to know the kids. They were able to make pillows, roll up checker boards, gift boxes with coupons, bracelets, wooden dolls, chocolate covered pretzels, stained glass art, and mosaic Christmas decorations. Here are a few of the pictures that we have from this day. The kids say this was their favorite part of Christmas. We made a mess at the shelter but we had such a wonderful time.

Our camera battery died while we were there, so these are the only few pictures we have. This was one of the greatest Christmases we have ever had. It was all about giving. We had so few gifts under our lighted palm tree and that did not bother the kids at all because they had the great privilege of playing a part in changing someone else’s Christmas for the better and it will never be forgotten.

Thank you to all those who allowed us to come into your lives and enjoy making Christmas that much more fun. All the best to you and your Families.