The gift of adventure...

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deeds. Proverbs 19:17

That's what giving is all about! And that's why we celebrate Christmas - because of His fantastic gift to us! And that's why reading is so very important...to read about HIS gift and to share that Gift.

Since 1994, the American Legion family has collected new and good used books to be given to area children at Christmas through the Share the Gift of Reading program. All donated books will be sorted and placed with gifts to be distributed through the Fill an Empty Stocking project. (More information on this tomorrow.)

Books are needed for children of all ages from 1 through 18. Please donate books that you know your own children or grandchildren would enjoy. These books should be new or in very good condition.

Drop boxes for books will be located in the Valentine Library lobby, Plains Trading Company Book Sellers, Valentine Elementary School, and on the porch at 427 N. Main Street. For more information call 402-376-2443. Deadline for all book donations is December 20.

We're so blessed to have two fantastic book stores in the Sandhills!

Plains Trading Book Sellers have books on a wide variety of topics: best sellers, kids books, art, cooking and books about the outdoors. There are also books from local authors who share their version of ranching Sandhill style! There are beautiful photo books that showcase the very best the Sandhills has to offer.

 Best sellers!

 Fun for ALL ages!

 Plains Trading Book Sellers even has books with blank or lined pages for people to sketch or write  down their own thoughts for book! What a beautiful fore edge!

The Ark Christian Books and Gift Store has books for all ages including Bibles that tell of Christ's birth.  There are Bibles for teens, cowboys, and military personnel. There are Bibles for brides, dads, moms, and for the busy woman, there is the Bible clutch! How about that?! There is a place for your cards - debit and credit - drivers license and check book with the Bible right inside- held together with a secure zipper.  Pretty clever!

 Share the gift of hope with Todd Burpo's story Heaven is for Real! 

Of course, the Reason for the Season...read His story and find out how it does become your story...

Cherry Blossom Paperie is a place to make your own books by way of memories and photos in scrapbooks. How about putting your Christmas memories together for future generations to enjoy...you can begin over the Christmas break and families could work on it  t-o-g-e-t-h-e-r!

 Cherry Blossom Paperie also has  a little gift for someone special because friends are the best presents!

Radio Shack has a Nook Color and Kindle for people who prefer to download their reading material. Actually these devices can hold more than one book - they can hold a mini-library! Ta-da! They can also download newspapers and magazines by subscription. Notice the sale prices on these up in the corner of the flyer!

The Ad Council says reading is fundamental...but it's also just plain fun...adventurous...educational...informative...enlightening...and in some cases...life changing!

Shiny gifts from the heart....

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” 

Do you have someone on your list that likes things that shine? That are sparkley? All things related to Christmas? 

There is plenty of those wonderful gifts to find here in the Sandhills... in the City with Heart! There are things for men and women on your list as well as the little ones. Let’s see some of the shiny!!!!

The glory of the Lord can be found at The Ark Christian Books and Gifts where they have many different crèche's.  They also have Christian Advent Calendars that sparkle with shiny glitter! 

Ornaments are shiny! Flower Land has ornaments in silver and gold, red and white, and fun shapes and sizes that would make beautiful stocking stuffers for newly wedded couples, or added to Christmas gifts under the tree. 

How about something shiny for the Christmas table? Janine's Emporium has something that will have you thinking all day long about what you're thankful for as well as sparkley serving pitchers and serving trays. Gift them to yourself for a festive Christmas table, or wrap them up and give as a gift. 

There's shiny for the guys as well....but for that we'll have to head to Bomgaars! How about some shiny grilling tools! Or a very, very shiny tool box?!

Alco also has a shiny something that would be good for the entire family...

Hoping this is helpful in finding a great gift from the heart!