A Goat for you

This year we have donated a goat to the Heifer Foundation in appreciation of your friendship and prayers. 

We are so very blessed. Certainly there was little hope that I would be alive much less be so lively this Christmas. Last year all I could do was to join the family to say the blessing at the Christmas dinner table; this year I’ll be cooking and eating (and eating). 

The time is saddened only with the news that our friend Don Charnley from Interval days is now off life support for his advanced emphysema. Don also has MDS (my original blood disease); we have been in frequent communication with his wife Rose Ann as he went through the blood transfusions and treatments for that illness. We will miss him greatly but know that he is off to (as he puts it) his next great adventure. Please pray for Don and his family.

Here is what the Heifer Foundation has to say about the gift of a goat, the most giving animal:

The gift of a dairy goat represents a lasting, meaningful way for you to help a little boy or girl on the other side of the world.

Goats can thrive in extreme climates and on poor, dry land by eating grass and leaves. The gift of a dairy goat can supply a family with up to several quarts of nutritious milk a day - a ton of milk a year. Extra milk can be sold or used to make cheese, butter or yogurt. Families learn to use goat manure to fertilize gardens.

And because goats often have two or three kids a year, Heifer partners can lift themselves out of poverty by starting small dairies that earn money for food, health care and education.

"With all the money donated to help fight famine around the world, with all the grandiose plans conceived to conquer poverty, sometimes all it takes to save a child is a goat."— 60 Minutes, CBS News Magazine Program

Daniel and I are enjoying life at the beach. I spent the weekend with Jennifer and her family, starting with watching Zac’s basketball practice on Friday night. He has been shooting at hoops since he was 2, both at our house and his. He is a good shooter and loves moving on the court. Saturday Jen and I left the boys and took Ms Abi shopping with us. I was able to walk around Target and the Mall and only resorted to riding in a cart at the grocery store after almost three hours of walking. Jen and Scott asked me to spend Saturday night so that they could go hear some live music with friends. On Sunday I walked onto the ferry for a beautiful ride across the Cape Fear River. Daniel picked me up just in time to go to the 11am church service at St. Philips. I went to sleep almost immediately upon arriving home. A three hour nap didn’t seem to keep me from getting eight hours of sleep last night (I haven’t done that in months). Daniel says nothing wears me out quite as much as being with the grandchildren. They are a three ring circus (managed well by their mom). They were very much themselves when I was with them. Zac was doing his puzzles and occasionally teasing his brother. Luc wanted to sit in my lap and read when he wasn’t wandering around doing his Luc things. Abi was smiling and jumping in her saucer; she did take a nap in my lap after her day of shopping. And GrandBe had the best time of all, of course. We are off to Jen’s house at noon tomorrow. We’ll serve Christmas dinner to 14 people, including Abi (who’ll get baby sweet potatoes). 

Daniel and I wish you all the Merriest of Holidays and a bright and wonderful New Year. Your friendship and love brightens our days.

Bonnie for BanD

note new snail mail address

Comments

[Betsy Hall]

What a miracle your words hold Bonnie! It is almost Christmas, we are back from church and your words...well, it's a most joyful Christmas indeed. Thank you for the goat! I will buy a goat too and our goats can work miracles on the other side of the world! A goat for the miracle of healing in all the forms it takes in living and dying. I'll be thinking of you on Christmas.

And too all the rest of "Bonnie's team..." I'm glad you are all out there! love, betsy