So this happened yesterday…and I’ve looked at her, I think, at least one hundred times already. 🙂

Santa brought me a donkey! Her name is Elli. Just two days before I’d watched a video from Velvet and Linen. They have four donkeys and one of them is spotted. I didn’t recall having seen a spotted donkey before and found this so interesting.

Yesterday I celebrated Christmas with my mom and under her tree was a very special envelope that contained the gift that brought tears to my eyes and a big rush of love to my heart.

My very own donkey and a spotted one at that! Well, okay, I have to share her with others as she lives at Cristo Rey Ranch, so all the more people get to love her, too.

But I received from my mom a sole sponsorship of Elli. This means I will get updates about her, along with two very special thirty-minute one-on-one visits with her. I can hardly wait to meet her!! Though I do plan on waiting until we have some warmer weather. I think Elli will understand.

Many charities have been hit hard this year.

Cristo Rey Ranch which is part of, and on the same property as a nursing home in a town nearby, run by nuns, has always had a yearly fundraiser. This helps with food and medical bills for the animals. They weren’t sure what to do, but then came up with this idea of sponsorship. They have been overwhelmed with gratitude for the support they’ve received.

Such a grand idea that is a win-win for all involved!

Tucked in with the photo of Elli and my sole sponsorship tickets was this note from Elli:

Hi,

My name is Elli and I am a donkey. I am white with spots. I have lived on the ranch forever. A funny fact about me is that one ear is shorter than the other. Even though I am a small donkey I am in charge of the pen of animals that I live with. Even the big horse Duke! If you come into the pen, I will be the first to come up to greet you. I love people but I don’t like goats. Unfortunately, the goats live right next to me. Actually, it seems like goats are all over the place on the ranch!

It just cracked me up what Elli has to say about the goats! Though I’ll have to have a little talk with her and let her know how great goats are, as I really enjoy them. But I love that she has quite a sense of humor while so very loving and even though small, takes charge of her life. Already she has reflected a beautiful lesson to keep living my life in this way, too.

So yup, I got a donkey for Christmas and just when I thought my heart couldn’t expand anymore – well, it has – and it feels SO good!

If you are interested in sponsoring a donkey or any other animal at Cristo Rey Ranch, please do check out their website here. It sure does make for a heartwarming gift for someone or for yourself.

Hee Haw!

xo,

Barbara

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