Today I did some fun Christmas shopping with our daughters. Also some serious browsing and “hmmmmm I like that” shopping too (which is always free! 🙂 ) We ended up at 10,000 Villages, which is a company that specializes in fair-trade gifts and crafts.

I was taken by one of displays which had small hand-carved, hand-polished stones. There were different words: peace, strength, love, joy, and hope. They were words I could wish for anyone, for any neighbor (even that grouchy one on the back edge of our property…)

The artisan that carved this stone is as much my neighbor has the guy down the street with the seven blown-up santas, multi-color icicle lights and tacky dancing snowman. For all of these neighbors, as well as for my family, and myself, I chose this one:

It fits nicely with what a wise friend reminded me of today…

Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,”
declares the LORD,
“plans for welfare and not for evil,
to give you a future and a hope.”