Hands of Grace

Last Advent season we started a new family tradition, our Hands of Grace day. It is a day during the Christmas season where as a family we do an act of service in memory and in honor of sweet Grace. It turned out to be a wonderful way to remember that beautiful baby girl and to do something to make her part of this season of celebration and family.

A month or so back, we did a clean water experiment with a science kit Ben had gotten for his birthday. You concoct dirty water then build a filter system to make the water clean. We jumped on this teaching moment to talk to the kids about how there are so many children that don’t have clean water and because of that, they can get sick, and many die. We talked about how such a simple, everyday thing we take for granted is a life-changing gift for so many people. To us, it seemed like the kids were tuning out our teaching lesson as they watched the muddy water go through the filter system.

But then a week later as Leah was in the car with Ben she mentioned this year’s Hands of Grace project and asked what he thought we should do…go sing for the folks at the nursing home? Deliver groceries to a family in need? Ben said, “What if we raise money for clean water? What if we could help so babies wouldn’t die?” Clara was excited too and started talking about how lucky she is to have clean water, “so I can stay hydrated.” Ben was so excited and started brainstorming all the ways we can raise money, from a lemonade stand to a garage sale— but here’s the glitch— we live on the Riviera, a part of Santa Barbara that sits on a hill, with crazy curvy roads, no sidewalks and little foot traffic.

We decided to reach out across cyberspace and ask for help. In doing our research we discovered that it takes $1 to give clean water for a year to one person. We would love if you would consider sending $1 for every person in your family. Ben and Clara are committed to sending personal thank you’s to everyone who helps. If you wish to make a donation online please go to http://www.water.cc/give (let us know so we can get you a thank you) and if you are in the Santa Barbara area and would welcome two cuties with their metal buckets knocking on your door, give us the word and we are there. They would love to talk to you about why this project is so important (Clara is a very persuasive asker/demander).

Ben and Clara are each giving 10% of what they have in their personal savings accounts. Ben said, “Is it okay if I don’t give all the money in my savings account?” We explained that is what is so amazing about people working together, if everyone just gives a little, together it adds up to a lot.  With our Hands of Grace project this Advent season we are doing our best to give something of meaning and life in honor of Grace Guiry Watson. She was with us for such a little time, but it'll always add up to a lot in our hearts.