I'm going to let you in on a secret...

But first raise your right hand and promise that you won't tell my husband...

because I'm going to tell you what I'm giving him for Christmas!

My new brother in law is drawing a portrait of each of our boys that i'll frame and surprise Geoff with!

Want a sneak peek? Check this out...

Isn't it amazing? I love it and I know Geoff will to. It's unique and something we will treasure forever. I can't wait to see Ethan's portrait!

Do you have someone who you have a hard time finding the perfect Christmas or Birthday gift for? How about ordering one of these portraits (with your own photo, of course) from Andrew?

He can do portraits of both people and or pets. If anyone would like one they would need to send Andrew a jpeg of the picture they'd like to have drawn through email. Portraits will be 9'' x 12'' & the price is $40. That's a great price. I've seen them online prices for a lot more!

This is the photo i sent Andrew:


The cool thing is, besides getting a beautiful portrait, all the money is going towards Andrew and Crystal's Mission to Africa.

My sister and brother in law have applied for Far Reaching Ministries Extreme Missions Program.

Here's what FRM's website says about the program:

"FRM is opening an intensive 12 month course for missionaries. If you have a passion for the remote, dangerous, and difficult areas of the world this program is for you. Candidates will go through training in the USA, Kenya, Sudan, and other rural areas. You will learn how to minister to the persecuted church and how to advocate on their behalf. This program will ruin you for the things of this world and mold you into a warrior for Jesus Christ."

Sounds intense, huh? It's a new course and they will be some of the very first people to go through it. But they need to raise some support before they go in January. So Andrew is offering to do these portraits to raise the funds.

Here's his email: andrewtopel@hotmail.com

You can see Andrew's blog here
and Crystal's blog here.