Thank you and Merry Christmas

I told someone earlier today, this has been the best Christmas ever. And it wasn't all the presents - I hope you all know that. It was the Spirit. The Spirit living in me and around me this Christmas was so amazing and lovely and such a blessing and I had no idea life could be this good, especially in the midst of all my circumstances.

But it is. It is good. And I love our motto: "We exist to reach people with the reality of God's love and to live the adventure of following Jesus Christ."

You reached me. HE reached me. And this is no longer scary - it's an adventure.

Thank you for loving me. God bless you all.

The Eleventh and Twelfth Days of Christmas

And again, I couldn't get to the office, so I'll do my best to remember all I received, because I have to tell you, the day I walked into my house and saw all of THIS, well, I was just shocked. I thought there had to be more than just the two days of gifts. Like someone else must have dropped stuff off at the office for me and I just didn't know about it.

I had a huge box full of food, toiletries, some toys, and gifts. And then there was a really nice basket full of more food and candy. And I had some presents for the kids and a bag of art supplies for me (thanks for calling JoEllen to see what I'd want - that's the only person on the planet who knows of my secret passion to paint.) I'm not sure if I'm missing some stuff - it was really overwhelming, all the stuff that was taking over my dining room table.

And also very appreciated.

Thank you, Angels 11 & 12!

The Ninth and Tenth Days of Christmas

I was working last week, praise God! It was temporary work, just for last week and this Wednesday, but I really enjoyed it and the money was - of course - an answer to prayer. (I wasn't sure how I was going to pay my car payment, and the amount I made just so happens to cover my car payment and leave me a few dollars extra for some household items. God's so awesome!)

Anyway, because I was working, and because the office at the apartment complex closed early at 5:00 every day, I wasn't able to get there to collect my gifts. So the girls in the office graciously carried days nine and ten down and left them inside my apartment.

I'm explaining all of this because I don't know in which order I received the following two gifts, but I want to thank you just the same.

I received a (much needed) gas card. My car thanks you very much! You know, it's these little things - like gas and toothpaste - that get lost in the scheme of things when you're broke. (Don't worry, I have toothpaste.)

And I received a beautiful basket (which now holds our shoes) with a wrapped present for each of the children and one for me. Also, some Bear Creek soup, a ladle, (oh, I just got the reason for the bowls!) a kitchen towel, and I think that was it. Forgive me if I've forgotten something. Sidebar: I don't know if you've had Bear Creek soup, but the Creamy Potato is to die for! I added some leftover ham from Christmas dinner and it's been our comfort food for a few days now.

Thank you, Angels 9 & 10!

The Eighth Day of Christmas

You all are SOOOO creative! (I'm definitely using this one next year.) So today I received a basket with ALL the ingredients necessary to make sugar cookies. I even got the holiday cookie cutters and the sprinkles! Oh, and directions, of course. Isn't that the cutest idea?

Thank you, Angel #8!

The Seventh Day of Christmas

Today I came home to two boxes. One, again, was a beautiful Christmas box with the first verse of "Twas the Night Before Christmas". (Which reminds me, I need to go buy that book and make it a tradition.) The other box was filled with wonderful meat. I have enough meat to feed friends and family for a month! And some new Christmas mugs, and a chocolate santa, some hot cocoa, and, oh yes, let me not forget the "Christmas Tackle Box" full of chocolates and gummy worms! So cute!

Thank you, Angel #7!

The Sixth Day of Christmas

Oregon's bounty. Today I received homemade jam and a fresh, still-warm berry pie with the most wonderfully flaky crust! Mmmmmmm!

Thank you, Angel #6!

The Fifth Day of Christmas

I don't have a way to update over the weekend - sorry!

I think one of my favorite things about these gifts is the neat packaging. I have all these new beautiful Christmas boxes and little cloth or knit Christmas bags. I wish I knew where you all find these things!

Today I received a gorgeous silver cross necklace with little diamonds in it. I'm sure you'll see it at church - I'm wearing almost every day! And a Christmas picture frame with holly berries and leaves. And Darien and Chynna each got a wrapped present that's waiting for them under the tree. (I won't let them open their present until Christmas!)

Thank you, Angel #5!

The Fourth Day of Christmas

Isn't this fun? I'm enjoying this SOOOOO much! Thank you, all.

So today I was reminded of the simple joys of Christmas we so often take for granted. I can't remember ever buying a Poinsettia. I see them every year about this time, I always tell myself I'm gonna get one, but there are inevitably a million other things on which I spend my money.

And I never bring that simple pleasure home for the holidays.

But that all changed today, thanks to my little angels! Today I have a poinsettia. A beautiful red poinsettia. (Sidebar: I mention that it's red because this morning, on "The Fish" radio station, they mentioned you can now get them in purple and even tie-dye.)

Thank you, Angel #4!

The Third Day of Christmas

It's so exciting to know you're getting a present every day. As you get older, Christmas is no longer about presents. The presents are for the children. So to receive presents as an adult, this is something so incredibly special!

Tonight's present was a movie night. We got two Christmas movies, a few boxes of the kind of candy you can only find at a theater, a few bags of popcorn, and a Hollywood Video gift card. It was "Movie Theater In A Bag". What a clever idea!

Thank you, Angel #3!

The Second Day of Christmas

I just got up off my knees.

I had to spend a moment with my Savior, Jesus Christ.

Today I received a gift card. The amount doesn't matter. The fact is, it's enough for me to buy Chynna and Darien's "santa" gift. I didn't want to complain to anyone about my finances and the fact that I couldn't afford the one gift that would come from santa. I knew the kids would receive plenty of gifts and I couldn't imagine sharing a PARTICULAR request with anyone and telling them that I needed help purchasing that particular item.

So I prayed. I prayed and told God my concern, and then I trusted Him with the solution. I REALLY DID. I mean, there weren't any other options. I either trusted Him, or...well...or nothing. There was nothing else I could do.

And someone out there was faithful and listened and that faithfulness is impacting me and my family this Christmas.

Thank you, Angel #2!

The First Day of Christmas

Today was the first gift. It was a basket full of fruit and candies and white chocolate with peppermint pieces and dry salami and sparkling cider and crackers and brie!

Darien was so excited he tried to rip into the basket, but I made him go put on some comfy sweats and sit on the couch while I prepared a couple of plates full of the food. I sliced an apple and pear, laid out some grapes and a few tangerine slices. I baked a slice of the brie and added the salami and crackers and chocolate to that plate. Then I poured sparkling cider into two wine glasses and asked Darien to find a movie for us to watch. We turned on our Christmas tree and all our indoor lights, snuggled under blankets, and watched our movie while snacking and sipping on cider! Darien felt so special - he really enjoyed that night. And so did I!

Thank you, Angel #1!

A Surprise!

Today I received a phone call from my Bible Study leader, Lynn Hansen. We had just seen each other at church, so I couldn't imagine what she had to say that hadn't been said just a few hours earlier.

"Some ladies at church, who wish to remain anonymous, would like to spend 12 days giving gifts to you and your family," she said.

Me? How incredibly special! I'm so excited. Tomorrow is going to be the first day, and they are delivering the gifts to the apartment complex office. Maybe there will be a way to invite one of the girl's from the office to church that way - what a great ice-breaker!