Christmas

Ok, this post is not in any way shape or form to have you feel sorry for me and our family but to show you the power of prayer and putting things into God's hands.

Back in September, due to circumstances and situations, we realized that Christmas was not going to happen for our family. Although it hurt and made us feel badly for our kids' we understood that we had to put this in God's hands and if it was meant for us to have a Christmas it would happen.

We sat the kids down and told them that there was just no way that we could do it. The oldest three were disappointed but took it very well with only a few questions. The youngest two didn't grasp it but I figured we didn't need to upset them so we left it alone.

Thanksgiving came and both of us were starting to get discouraged over disappointing our kids but yet still knowing that God has never disappointed us nor let us down. I must be honest in that I wasn't even praying for there to be a way to buy presents but praying that God would just do His will and if it was meant to be it would happen.

A little over a week ago we got a call from someone that said they'd found out about our situation and had taken up a little collection and were sending it to us. A few days later we got $400 in the mail. Christmas cards started coming in and we were amazed over and over with the amounts of money that we were getting. Late last night someone showed up at our door from a distance away with $700 in an envelope from different ppl. This morning we woke up to an email from a congregation that felt we were a family they needed to help this year and they are sending us a gift.

My heart is bursting with thanks to a loving God and gracious God for taking this little issue in our lives and turning it into such a testimony for the kids to see how HE takes care of His children if we just trust in Him. Our kids are yet to know that we are shopping for them. I was able to go out Sat and get numerous things for them that was needed and a few "un-needed" items :) Tomorrow my mom is keeping them so that Troll and I can go out and finish up. We hope to wrap things up and have stuff under the tree the morning they wake up thinking that we are still not having a Christmas. :) I'm looking forward to seeing their faces.

Again, this post was not for you to feel sorry....we don't want that. There are so many ppl out there that are struggling. But I wanted to give you a bit of hope and strengthening of faith in reminding you that God provides. To date...we have received close to $1,500 to buy the kids gifts and take care of some bills. Only by God's providence and love for us was this even possible. We decided it would not be a known fact but we would just place it on the alter of our hearts and watch to see what God had in this for us. My faith has been strengthened. Did we need to buy presents for our kids? Not necessarily. We woulda been fine had it not happened. Its not about presents...our kids know that. But you as parents know how you want to do things for your kids. And God gave us a way to be able to do that.

So from the bottom of Troll and I's hearts (and the kids' when they find out) we greatly appreciate this and trust that each of you that were involved in giving money or presents to the kids are blessed richly and more than you could ever imagine for blessing our lives. God used you to allow us the opportunity once again to prove to our kids that He is in control and will take care of us.

Merry Christmas from our home to yours. May your new year be blessed with His love and care. We love you.