keeping it simple

This Christmas we are keeping it simple in the Pete house.

  A simple table top tree celebrating the birth of our Savior.

It's easy to let the busyness of the holidays distract, this year I'm extremely thankful for the simplicity of our season.

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There are a number of causes on my heart this Christmas. We have been so blessed my desire this Christmas is to bless others.

On October 25th, our very favorite spot in Italy was ravaged by floods and mud slides. There has been very little coverage of the tragedy in the US but the villagers of Vernazza are in need of some serious help. Their tiny town is still under feet of mud and debris almost two months later. Residents are still evacuated. Infrastructure is having to be completely rebuilt, family businesses are completely demolished. When we traveled through Italy we had many adventures but Cinque Terre, specifically Vernazza provided a uniquely special experience. It was here that we felt the most "Italian", we felt part of something that had a great history of family, dedication and hard work. The quiet town woke early to tend to their family business.  Mostly cut off from the rest of the world, this town provides an escape from the stresses of the world we now live in. It saddens me deeply to think there's a chance it won't be able to be restored. That the homes and businesses that have been in families for generations will be vacant. That others won't be able to find the peace and solitude Mike and I experienced in Vernazza two years ago.

Reading stories of the account like this break my heart. We purchased gelato from Pino everyday we were there, he made my very favorite kiwi gelato:
An Incredible Story of Courage in the Face Of Death

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One of my best friends introduced me to Sak Saum this year.

Started in 2007, Sak Saum is a ministry that offers rescue, rehabilitation and restoration to vulnerable and exploited women who have experienced firsthand the devastation of trafficking.
 

Their desire is to help the abused, the underprivileged, the desperate - those unseen by the majority of humanity but worthy of being deeply loved. Sak Saum addresses the issues of human trafficking and exploitation in holistic, practical and compassionate ways.

Their goal is to create a ministry that is sustained solely through the sale of their products. The "business" provides an occupation for these women and a opportunity for them to help other women facing their former plight. 

Their products are gorgeously unique. I am proud to carry a Sak Saum bag and share the impact this ministry is having.