Your Hometown Magazine
SearcyLiving.com
Your Hometown Magazine
Publisher’s Note
On the Cover: Avery Tranum Kristen Tranum Cover Photo by: George Dillin
268-9304 Publisher Christine Walker Art Director & Webmaster Garrett Johnson Customer Service Stephanie McInturff Graphic Assistant Ikey Ray Editorial Assistant Cherie Sewell Makeover Coordinator Christine Locke
Welcome to this year’s edition of the Searcy Living Christmas Catalog. Thank you for spending 2010 with Searcy Living. I hope that we have impacted your life once again this year in an inspirational way. I hope that we have brought you stories that have warmed your heart, made you smile a little more, given you awareness to the needs of this community, and made your life better in some small way. You are not just readers, you are a part of our family. Merry CHRISTmas and may your holiday season be filled with charity, giving, hope and love. And as always, thank you for reading Searcy Living Magazine.
Locally Owned and Operated
812 South Main Street Searcy, AR 72143 searcyliving@yahoo.com (501) 368-0095
For subscription information go to SearcyLiving.com
Copyright 2010 Shark Promotions LLC. Searcy Living, Cabot Living, and Your Hometown Magazine are trademarks of Shark Promotions. All rights reserved. Ownership, rights, and logos are property of their respected businesses. No part may be reproduced without written permission. Shark Promotions LLC is not responsible for claims, misprints, discrepancies, advice of any kind, or content in advertisements or editorials, but will rectify errors in forthcoming issues.
Copyright© 2010 Shark Promotions LLC Searcy Living Magazine is a subsidiary of Shark Promotions LLC.
S U P P O R T
Y O U R
L O C A L
B U S I N E S S E S
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Support local businesses. They support this community!
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OUT & ABOUT
Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. — Calvin Coolidge
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Your Hometown Magazine
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2 ot ghave! The Baldknob Flower Shop has custom and cash and carry arrangements and a large selection of gifts and home decor. Many items under $10.00! Baldknob Flower Shop • 2604 Hwy 367 S. • Baldknob • 501-742-3452
Purchase your favorite ornament at Everett and have it personalized with initials, the year, or whatever else you may want to say.
Everett 103 W. Market (Downtown Searcy) 501-278-4646
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Keurig K-Cup Carousel Showcase your favorite coffees, teas, hot cocoas and iced beverages. The K-Cup Carousel rotates.
Homer’s Ace Hardware 2128 W. Beebe-Capps • Searcy 501-268-3515
You can rent “Bob the Builder” jumphouse for an affordable rate which is sure to bring lots of smiles to your next party or event! A portion of all proceed goes to Jacob’s House and orphanages in Africa and India.
Jelly Belly’s Catering & Jump House Rental 501-827-9131
Fiber optic tapestries available at Traditions. Choose from several Thomas Kinkade designs. These beautiful tapestries retail for only $68.00. Large selection of unique gifts throughout our store for this Christmas season. Traditions 1709 W. DeWitt Henry • Beebe 501-882-3501
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Starting at $24.99 & up
Your spy training continues with Jakks Pacific’s infrared NightVision surveillance Goggles. See up to 50 feet in total darkness with real night-vision technology. Voice changer: Disguise your voice with one of six different vocal effects. Invisible-Ink Pen: Read and write secret messages, even in the dark. Motion Alarm: Protect your secrets with this motion sensing alarm. Radio Shack • 1553 E. Race • Searcy • 501-268-1591
Interior Creations has designer scarfs, jewelry, and Christmas accessories under $20.00!
Interior Creations 1612 W. BeebeCapps Searcy 501-268-2311
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A potpourri of gift ideas! Artistic Florist has it all with charming gifts and decor for the entire season. Artistic Florist 1012 S. Main • Searcy 501-268-4333
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More Christmas Gift Ideas on SearcyLiving.com
Kit $29.99 Individual Hex Bug Nano $7.99 Mother Nature meets micro-robotics with Hexbug Nano. Designed to look and behave like a real bug, Nano is actually a very cool little robot that uses the physics of vibration to propel itself along and explore its environment. It runs, it skitters in all directions, it flips over and then pops back on its feet. There’s no telling what Nano will do next!
Radio Shack 1553 E. Race • Searcy 501-268-1591
In Any Event (rental/planning) We make memories affordable with chair rentals starting at $1.00 per day, tables at 5.00 per day, and linens as affordable as $6.00 per day. Bounce houses as low as 65.00 per day (plus set up). Ask about garage bouncers for winter parties.
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In Any Event 603 Marion (PepperTree Plaza) Searcy 501-268-7368
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Light up Your Home Looking for an inexpensive way to shed new light on your home decor? Try new light fixtures. Price ranges for all pocketbooks available.
Searcy Winelectric Co. 1114 Benton St. • Searcy 501-268-4238
You Finish or We Finish At Unpainted Furniture we have real wood furniture at VERY AFFORDABLE prices. You can finish it yourself or we can custom paint or stain for you. We are located across from Searcy Medical Center.
Calvin Mitchell has leather gifts you can buy for everyone on your list! Travel accessories, wallets, purses, shaving kits, and money folds are just a few of the items on our endless list of products available. We do custom personalization also: initials, names and logos. www.calvinmitchell.com Calvin Mitchell Leather Company 814 S. Remington • Searcy 501-268-6854 16
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Unpainted Furniture 607 Marion • Searcy 501-279-1303
Murad
Fights acne and prevents future breakouts Smooths fine lines and restores suppleness. Available at Salon Bliss. Salon Bliss 2303 W. Beebe-Capps • Searcy 501-279-2544
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A Great Gift for All Generations! Many styles and price ranges to choose from. Skateboards and Disc Golf available also.
Bike City 1506 W. Beebe-Capps 501-278-5515 www.BikeCityAr.com
Everyone loves the Bulldog! Give a gift certificate to your friends and family this holiday season. Bulldog Restaurant 3614 Hwy 367 N. • Baldknob 501-724-5195
ROCKSTAR DUALLY Pro-Tire is your home for chrome. Large variety to choose from and names brands on custom rims like Pacer • KMC • XD • MotoMetal • Helo • Crager • Gear Alloy • ICW Racing • Enkei • American Racing • and much more!
Pro-Tire 309 Wisconsin St. Searcy • AR • 72143 501-368-TIRE (8473) 18
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A Welcome Addition to any wardrobe. These hand bags clothed in rich warm colors are sure to compliment a variety of outfits.
Caldwell Country Store 507 E. Booth • Searcy 501-268-6673
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Find your ultimate eye makeup collection! Palettes that will delight with the perfect mix of complimentary shadow shades and best sellers. We have a variety of the prettiest gift palettes this year!
The Cosmetic Studio (in the Heart & Soul Plaza)
1623 E. Beebe-Capps, Searcy 501-279-2526
Bring in your Christmas list to The Sassy Stitch and we will help you pick out the perfect gift - then Waxing Poetic Charms & Pendants at Everett. monogram it to make it “extra” Tiny details to celebrate the huge. A letter, special. a word, a symbol for a name, a place, a life. These charms and pendants are lovely and The Sassy Stitch brave and lasting. 306 S. Sawmill • Searcy 501-279-6476 Everett 103 W. Market (downtown Searcy) 501-278-4646 Available at Salon Bliss Lip colors that won’t stain or smudge, and eye shadows that will accent and highlight the natural contours of the eyes. That’s Pure Impact. Only by Jane Iredale.
Salon Bliss 2303 W. Beebe-Capps Searcy 501-268=2311 20 Your Hometown Magazine
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Recipes by Tanya Leckie
& A Magazine
Holiday Edition
BLACK OLIVE CHEESE BALL My sister, Tracy, can’t stand black olives. She and I ate the entire cheese ball when my Ma fixed one of these during Christmas. We were like a couple of hillbillies who’d never seen a cheese ball. Ate the WHOLE THING! Enough said.
INGREDIENTS: • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened • 1 small can chopped black olives, drained well • ½ jar dried beef, finely chopped • 2 Tbsp minced onions (dried) • ½ tsp garlic powder • 2 Tbsp dried parsley flakes • ½ c. chopped pecans
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Combine the cream cheese, olives, beef, onions, garlic powder, and parsley flakes and mix well. Pour chopped pecans out on a piece of wax paper about the size of a dinner plate. Roll the cream cheese mixture into a ball and pour out onto the pecans. Roll it around, shaping it into a ball as you go. Place on a pretty plate and chill for several hours before serving. Serve with fancy crackers. (Or just drag out the generic crackers if the “Turner girls” are comin’!)
Tanya Turner Leckie’s cookbook, Cartwheels in the Kitchen, is available at Midnight Oil Coffee House, Harding University Bookstore, online at www.heylookicancook.com, and by contacting her at lazydaygourmet@sbcglobal.net.
Cheesecake Truffles These silly things only have three ingredients and one of those is salt …. but they’re still the most delectable little treats EVER! They’re fine at room temp when serving, but if they’re really cold and kept cold while serving, there’s that little crunch of the chocolate coating when you bite into them. Pure heaven. Feel free to add espresso powder to the cream cheese center or chopped pecans on the outside. Peanut butter in the cream cheese wouldn’t be a half bad idea for those who like it, either.
INGREDIENTS:
Melt 8 ounces of the chocolate. Cream the cream cheese and add • 16 ounces of your favorite chocolate (chips, bar, candy squares, whatever!), divided salt to it. Add melted chocolate • 8 ounces cream cheese or Neufchatel to the mixture and refrigerate • 1/8 tsp (or less) sea salt until firm. Shape into 1” balls (scooping it with a small cookie dough scoop makes it easier, although it’s a bit sticky). Melt remaining chocolate and dip each ball into the melted chocolate, using a couple of toothpicks. Place on a parchment covered baking sheet and chill until ready to serve.
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Holiday Cooking with the
Williams Family Ingredients:
• 2 cups sugar • 4 very ripe, mashed bananas • 2 cups flour • 2 sticks melted butter
• 1 teaspoon soda • 1 cup chopped pecans (optional) • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 4 eggs
•1/2 cup butter • 1/3 cup water • 1 -16 oz. pkg powdered sugar • 1/2 cup nonfat dry mild powder • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder • 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
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Directions:
Mix dry ingredients together first. Add remaining ingredients, stir. Pour into 2 buttered and powdered sugar loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.
In a saucepan heat together butter and water to just boiling. Mix in powdered sugar, powdered milk and cocoa into butter and water. Mix well. Blend in nuts if desired. Turn into a buttered 8x8x2 pan. Chill several hours and cut into squares. Servings: 36
The Williams family wishes you a Merry CHRISTmas!
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Ingredients:
Directions: Holiday Biscuits
• 2 cups all-purpose flour • 4 tsp. baking powder • 7 tsp. sugar • 1/2 tsp. salt • 1/4 tsp. baking soda • 5 tbs. shortening • 1 cup buttermilk or milk
Stir together in mixing bowl flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and baking soda. Blend well; cut shortening until sizes of pans. Make a well in center add milk all at once. Stir-only till mixed. Put out on flour counter top. Knead into biscuit, cut and place on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 425F for 10-15 minutes. Put Christmas sprinkles on top for a festive look. Serving: 1 dozen
Chocolate Covered Strawberries • 2 lb Fresh strawberries • 1 lb chocolate almond bark • 2 squares white chocolate almond bark (optional)
Clean and dry strawberries keeping green stems attached. Chill in refrigerator. In a microwave bowl melt chocolate almond bark for 1 minutes. Stir and repeat one more minute to thoroughly melt but not over heat. Mix chocolate well to evenly distribute the heat. Dip chilled strawberries into chocolate covering all sides. Carefully place on wax paper. If desired, after chocolate is set, you can melt white chocolate almond bark and drizzle over strawberries. It adds an extra holiday touch.
Chocolate Christmas Tree Cut Outs • 1 lb chocolate almond bark • 1 bottle Christmas sprinkles (optional) • Christmas cookie cutters
Melt almond bark in microwave. (Do not over heat) Pour melted almond bark onto wax paper. Spread out thinly and add sprinkles when dry. Cut into Christmas shapes (if desired) with cookie cutters. Make a kid friendly holiday treat.
Thank you for cooking with the Williams family!
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Baby Food Jars Christmas Tree Made by Beth Sharpe When I worked at the doctor’s office we had a patient that always made handmade gifts for us all. This one stands out in my mind as my very favorite. To Ms. Monteen, I thank you for the idea!
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1. Wash 21 baby food jars and take the labels off.
2. Using a heat resistant glue, laying jars on their side, glue 6 side by side as shown in the picture. That will be the base for your tree.
4. Now you have the tree! Get a strand of Christmas lights, colored lights or clear - whichever you prefer.
3. Glue 5 onto the top of the 6. Then 4, then 3, then 2, then 1. Jar openings to the back!
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5. Insert the lights into the back of the tree. Hot glue light cord to the jars every so often to keep them from falling out. Plug in and you have a very decorative tree.
6. If preferred, add your own touches to the front of the baby food jars as decorations such as painting on them, stenciling snowflakes or gluing glittery sequins.
It is just perfect to sit in windows or even on your mantel!
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Last Call Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house not a creature was praying not one in the house
And though I possess worldly wisdom and wealth, I cried when I saw Him, in spite of myself
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care In hopes that Jesus Christ would not come there
In the Book of Life which was held in His hand, Was written the name of every saved man
The children were dressing to crawl into bed, Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head
He spoke not a word as he searched for my name; When He said "it's not there" my head hung down in shame
And mom in her rocker with baby on her lap, Was watching the late show while I took a nap
The people whose names had been written with love, He gathered to take, to His Father above
When out of the East there arose such a clatter I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter
With those who were ready He rose without a sound, While all the rest of us were left standing around
Away to the window I flew like a flash Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!
I fell to my knees but it was too late I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate
When what to my wondering eyes should appear But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here!
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight Oh, if only I had been ready tonight
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray, I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear The coming of Jesus is now drawing near
The light of His face made me cover my head, It was Jesus returning just like He had said
Theres only one life and when comes the last call We'll find that the Bible was true after all.
reprinted with permission from www.jjjasper.com • Twas the Night Before Jesus Came 44
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"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you about these things for the churches, I am the the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star." -Revelation 22:16 (ESV)
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Over
Hometown
$1,000 in Prizes!
• Win one of three prize packages • Each package has a value of $400.00 or more! sunday
MOnday
TUESday
December
WEDNESday
THURSday
FRIday
SATURDAY
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Merry CHRISTmas!
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2 Ways to Enter: • Bring entry form to one of our participating sponsors • Or mail to Searcy Living address on entry form
Sponsors: Cosmetic Studio • 1st Southern Bank • Fuji Steak House Searcy Athletic Club • Heart & Soul • Symmetrix Salon • Hall’s Simmons Bank • Greg ORR Auto Collection • Liberty Bank • Artistic Florist 32
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Shopping Giveaway! Drawing held on December 22nd
will be posted on SearcyLiving.com & Searcy Living FaceBook
Winners will be notified and
Name _________________________________________________________ Address _________________________________ City ___________________ Phone_________________ E-Mail ___________________________________ ONE ENTRY PER PERSON. Photo copies of entry forms are PERMITTED. No purchase necessary. Entries must be postmarked by December 17, 2010. For complete list of rules go to SearcyLiving.com
Bring entry form to one of our participating sponsors or mail to Searcy Living address below:
Mail to: Searcy Living Christmas P.O. Box 1922 Searcy, AR 72145
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Hometown Shopping Giveaway package #1
Searcy Athletic Club 6 Month Membership ($267.00 value)
$100.00 Cashiers Check
Japanese Steak House, Seafood & Sushi Bar
$100.00 Gift Certificate
Manicure, Pedicure, & 1 Hour Massage
Hometown Shopping Giveaway package #2
HALL’S
Dry Cleaners & Laundry $100.00 Dry Cleaning Gift Certificate
Total of $100.00 Worth of Chili’s, JCPenney, Subway & GameStop Gift Certificates
$120.00 Gift Certificate $100.00 Gift Certificate
Hometown Shopping Giveaway package #3
AUTO COLLECTION Service Dept. Certificate $100.00
$100.00 Gift Certificate to Local Merchant
artistic florist & gifts
$100.00 gift certificate 34
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$100.00 Gift Card
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Local
Christmas Homes
online at
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Associated Women for Harding’s 28th Annual Tour of Homes will be Sunday, December 5, 1 – 4 p.m. awh
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Tickets are $20. Purchase your tickets at: Beth Davis Interiors,The Boutique, Carren’s, Heart and Soul, RadioShack, Alumni Relations at Harding or at the door of each home on the day of the event. All proceeds benefit need-based scholarships at Harding University.
Donald and Stephanie Shull 121 Emerald Lake Dr. (Club West) Searcy
Johnnie and Janet Thibodeaux 1021 Bent Tree Lane (Saddlebrook Estates) (Off Honey Hill Rd.) Searcy
Scott and Laura Roussel 180 Phillip Miles Road (Off W. Beebe-Capps) Searcy
Jimmy and Almeda Vandiver 1700 N. Maple (Hwy. 16 N.) Searcy
Dennis and Cheri Yecke 139 Belle Meade Dr. (Off Cecil Tedder Dr.) Searcy
David S Philpott Builders 8 Southwind Blvd. (Off Hwy. 267 S.) Searcy
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2010 Pictured on Cover: Kristen Tranum Avery Tranum Parents: Lynn and Carrie Tranum
Find more Christmas on SearcyLiving.com 2009 Pictured on Cover: Jordan Feltrop Reagan Feltrop Morgan Feltrop Parents: Frank & Cassandra Feltrop
Cover Photographer: Kimberly Brackins 501-279-1515
2008 Pictured on Cover: Whitney Hays Parents: Monte & Tammy Hays Cooper McLeod • Lindey McLeod Parents: Todd and Casey McLeod Avery Lutrell Parents: David Lutrell Casey McLeod
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Cover Photographer Maggie Hendrix 501-388-3256
2007 Pictured on Cover: Christian Cox Parents: Jared and Casey Cox
Cover Photographer George Dillin 501-268-9304
2006 Pictured On Cover: Jadyn Ramsey Parents: Johnny & Betina Ramsey Landon & Keaton Hambrick Parents: John & Vicki Bates
Photographer Kevin Taylor
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OUT & ABOUT
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by Daniel Torres
Christmas is the most incredible time of the year. It can also be a very difficult time. The Pendulum of Emotions runs the gamut. For a time of the year when joy, brotherhood, love, family, peace, and contentment should be the norm, there are always those who are experiencing grief, loneliness, pain, brokenness, despair, destruction, and separation. Many times the emotions are mixed. A family may be celebrating the recent birth of a child, yet at the same time the casket of a hero is delivered to them draped with an American flag. Many are facing difficult financial times, divorce, terminal illnesses, trouble with their children, tough decisions to be made, and more. To all this someone may say, “Welcome to LIFE”. We live in the most prosperous and the richest nation in the world. Without a doubt, there are millions who do not have it as well as we do. One of the secrets of dealing with the horrors of LIFE is to learn to take our eyes off the circumstances. We must give our minds, hearts, and souls a rest. And one of the ways to do this is to consider, and possibly lend a helping hand to others in need. We must learn to lift up our faces away from ourselves and focus our eyes on someone else. Believe me, when we think that we have it so “bad”, there are always those who 56
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have it worse. And...at the same time they may be handling LIFE better than us because they get very little “good” in LIFE. They have more experience at LIFE than we do. Let me share a few stories with you. Sit back. Relax. Forget LIFE for a few minutes. It will wait on you. Focus your eyes on these whom I have had the pleasure of meeting. Hopefully when you are done, and you get back to LIFE, you may SEE that things LOOK a little different. And, if you have little ones, read to them these stories. I have traveled to Juarez, Mexico 21 times. The City has been called the Most Dangerous City in the Western Hemisphere. It is in the news almost every day. The only thing that separates it from the prosperous City of El Paso, Texas is only a fence. Juarez has practically been taken hostage by the drug cartels. People have been murdered by the thousands in the past few years. There are about 2 1/2 million people in Juarez living in fear. Unemployment is very high. About 6,000 businesses have left the city in recent years. The people are trying to do the best that they can to raise a family under these harsh conditions. When I was there about a year ago I walked the dusty roads of a neighborhood going from door to
door visiting families. Most of these “houses” would not be considered houses in our country. Some were just cardboard houses. Because of the elevation of Juarez, it gets as cold there as it does in our own Searcy, AR. They have no heat, and no wood to burn. Juarez is in the desert. I was trying to speak hope and encouragement into their lives. It was very cold that day, the wind was howling, and the dust was getting in my face. I stood by a simple fence and called out to the people in the house, my small team of 5 with me. I was the translator. A lady walked out to greet me. As she approached me I wondered if the house could withstand the force of the wind. Her face radiated and immediately I knew that she was a Christian woman. I simply asked if we could pray for her and her needs. She almost leaped back when I asked her this. She responded with a gracious smile, “Me?,...I have need of nothing... I got to feed my kids today...we are healthy...really, I don’t need anything”. I froze!!! Did she actually say that ? The team saw my face and wanted to know what she said. I couldn’t speak. I knew that we had fed her family earlier, along with the rest of the community. I wanted to ask her what she would do about feeding her family tomorrow, but the Holy Spirit stopped me in my tracks. “Take no thought for tomorrow”, He reminded me, as the scriptures say. This woman HAD to live by this scripture. I was amazed at her faith. Then she stunned me once again by saying, “Oh, yes, please pray that God will give me my parents faith”. I had to translate all that as the tears ran down my face. I want you to put your eyes upon that woman. Look deeply into her heart. Pray for her. Pray for her family and her community. Almost three months ago, in a similar neighborhood in Juarez, I visited with a couple of little girls. We had, again, fed the community earlier that day. I
asked these little, precious ones, about 5 and 6 years old, about their parents. Little Perla, a beautiful child, said that her mom was at home with 2 other kids who had a fever. That day the temperature was about 105 degrees. As soon as Perla spoke those words I knew from previous experience what the problem was. These communities, called Colonias, do not have running water. They buy water from a truck that comes around every day or every 2 days. And there is no money to buy water. I knew the kids were most likely dehydrated. Later that day I got to meet the mother. She had 6 kids, a husband, and her mom who lived with them. These houses are 1 room houses with no floors. I was able to give her some money for water and we left a few groceries with her. I still wonder what has happened to this family since we left. Next time I go I’ll look for Little Perla. She stole my heart. Take a moment now to consider this family. Stop now and whisper a prayer for them. Pray for the Colonia. Give God thanks for the things that you have. A few years back we went to an orphanage to distribute shoe boxes filled with presents sent by our church. Orphanages are everywhere in Juarez. The name of the lady who runs this orphanage is Josefina. Again, it was very cold. The children were wearing caps, gloves, and coats indoors. There was no money for heat. We could see the vapor from their mouths and ours. We started to hand out presents and it turned to total chaos. A real joy. The little ones went first. Some began to eat the Silly String that they found in their boxes thinking that it was some kind of cheese. We put a stop to that. I noticed an older child way in the back of the room sitting on an old beat-up couch. She was very quiet. She walked with crutches dragging one leg behind her. Some of these kids need simple medical SearcyLiving.com
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procedures, but, if there is no money for water or heat... Just before we started handing out gifts to the older kids she got up and started to leave. I quickly went over and stopped her. I asked her to wait for her present. She looked at me puzzled. She tried to tell me that there was no gift for her. I reassured her that we had a present for her. It was not easy to have her return to the couch. She said that no one had ever given her anything, why would we? I had to physically help her back to the old couch and I personally brought her a box from her age group. She stared at it. For a long time. Wouldn’t take her eyes off of it. I thought maybe that she was afraid to open it. I offered to help. Got refused. Said she would open it later. The floor of the orphanage was littered with wrapping paper, and kids all over were trying out their new treasures. Only one box remained unopened. She held it as if it were a baby. I was not about to move. Finally, one fingernail reached out and began to pull back some tape. If the Guinness Book of World Records people had been there, her name would be in the book for the slowest opening of a present. Each piece of tape that she pulled off could have been reused. The paper was neatly folded and saved. The box was opened as if it had a bomb inside. Each article was taken out in slow motion, examined, set beside her, and patted. Then she would cup her eyes with her hands so I would not see the tears. Socks, jewelry, lotion, blouse, candy, and other neat things had never had such a warm reception. The slow way that she put them back in the box would earn her another world record. She got up, tucked the box under her arm, and drug her leg around the corner to her room, stopping every now and then to wipe off more tears. She never said thank you. Sometimes...you just can’t. But I knew that she was grateful. From that orphanage we went to the same Colonia where I met Little Perla 58
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this summer. We pulled up to the local church with a van full of Christmas shoe boxes. After a short greeting with the Pastor and some others we proceeded to hand out boxes right there in the middle of the dirt road. It only takes a few minutes for a crowd to form when we show up. Again, boxes were arranged according to gender and age. We always pray that we have just the right amount of boxes for the children that come. The faces lit up as we handed each child a box and a handful of bubble gum. Lo and behold, every child had a box. Thank you, Lord!! But inside the van, way under one of the seats there was one remaining box. This one was not a shoe box, it was more like a boot box. It was for a girl. The age written on the box was for a 6 to 8 year old. Marilyn Smith had been handing out boxes with me. I was standing there with this extra box in my hand. I suggested to her that we open the box and divide it amongst all the little girls who were still there. I was quickly voted down. She said that the box was intended for a little girl and that we just had to find her. We both knew that we had brought the only Christmas presents that these kids would get. As we were about to set out looking for a little girl, we looked up and to my amazement there was a woman walking very quickly towards us. Just a few steps ahead of her, keeping pace, was a little girl. The woman asked, “I’m sorry that I’m late. Would you have a present for my daughter?’’ These are the unforgettable moments that God brings our way to show us His presence. I choked up and swallowed hard. Marilyn bowed down and faced the shy little one. She asked her for her age. Six tiny fingers went up!! These stories may be multiplied millions of times in this suffering world. At the very least, these simple stories should open up our eyes and make us grateful for the things that we do have. We have water, food, heat, we are not
living in fear wondering where the next stray bullet will hit, and we have conveniences that most of the world does not even know exist. Make this a season to refocus. When we refocus we go from sorrow to thanksgiving, from pain to joy, from defeat to victory. From the valley to the mountain top. We need to learn to move our eyes away from ourselves. And now that your eyes have been elsewhere for a while, may I suggest that you raise them just a little bit higher. I want to show you another picture. Ironically, you can see this better if you just close your eyes as you finish reading this. Way off in the distance there is a hill. Silhouetted on the horizon is a cross. Nailed to that
cross is a Man. That Man is the One whose birth we celebrate on Christmas. His body has been emptied of its blood, dignity, and Life. He is dead. He has been beaten until He no longer has the appearance of a man. He gave His life so that we may have life, abundant LIFE. If you don’t know this Man, find out Who He is. The Bible says to fix your eyes on Him who is the Author and Finisher of your faith. Meaning, that you lock our eyes on Him and never take them off again. He is the real secret of LIFE on this earth. Go, find out who this Jesus is. And get on with the business of real LIFE!!!
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