January Letter Topics

I have some friends that sponsor children through various organizations. These friends never write to their kids. I don't get that. I really try not to be judgmental, so I ask why they never write. Usually they say they don't know what to write about. So this year, I'd like to make an effort to write some posts about letter-writing topics. Here are some ideas for this month.

1. New Year's. There are so many options with this topic. You can share your prayers and wishes for your sponsor child in the new year. Try explaining the concept of new year's resolutions to older kids. Are you making any resolutions? Ask your child to pray for you as you work to accomplish these goals. In 2011, I asked Tasya to please pray for me as I made it a goal to read through the Bible chronogically. Ask your child how the new year is celebrated in her country. Do some research into your child's country to find out if there are any new year's traditions in that country. Our kids love it when we surprise them with knowledge about their country! They feel honored that we took the time to learn about their culture. 
2. Weather. January is a good time to write about winter weather. If you live in a climate that experiences all four seasons, write to your child about snow and ice. Even if you haven't had any snow yet this year, tell your child about some memories of snowstorms in the past. I found a picture of myself as a little kid hunched over in a snow fort and sent it to Tasya. She loved it! Most Compassion kids live in climates that do not experience cold weather as some of us in the United States know it. If you live in an area that doesn't get snow and ice, tell your child about that, too. Tell her that in some areas of your country, people this year have received two feet of snow, while your own climate more closely resembles the climate in your sponsor child's country. Our kids also like learning that they have things in common with us!
3. Holidays. Do some research into the country where your child lives. Check out a Wikipedia article on the country, or visit your local library. My library system has a truly wonderful online resource called Culturegrams available to patrons. It can be accessed from home. A simple search may reveal there is an important holiday in January in your child's country. For example, Haiti's independence day is celebrated on January 1. Republic Day in India is celebrated on January 26, and there are other national holidays in India in this month, as well. 
4. Sports. I am not a big sports fan, and I still don't understand the purpose of American football, but January is jam-packed with American sports games. Basketball season and football season are occurring simultaneously. You could tell your child about any local sports teams in your area, explain the upcoming Super Bowl, or even just tell your child that January is a busy time for sports fans in America, and ask him what kind of sports he likes. Ask if they play any sports at the Compassion project. Tasya likes swimming with her friends, Said writes to me about soccer tournaments, and Tae wrote about a truly fascinating Thai sport called sepak takraw, which is like volleyball (there's a net), soccer (you can't use your hands), and a trampoline all rolled into one. 
5. Inauguration Day. In the United States, Inauguration Day will be soon. Take a moment to tell your sponsor child about the festivities and ask her to pray for the leaders of your country. Look up the name of the president or leader of your child's country and tell her you are praying for them. Explain to your child the importance of praying for our leaders. Share a relevant Bible verse with your child, like Romans 13:1, or 1 Timothy 2: 1-2. 

I hope that if you have been stuck in a letter-writing rut, you will find these ideas helpful. Even writing to your child once a month is better than nothing! Can you think of any other good January-related letter topics?