If you were to write your story this Christmas and holiday season what would we read about?
I am hoping to write a story of Christmas LOVE and HOPE by making a difference in a child's life...not my own child but with those I know who are looking for Santa to come this year. I am looking for a little help and am hoping that "our village" of friends and family will step up and help.
I had a surprising encounter with a family I know this past Tuesday at a "Christmas Party" at my daughter's school for those who are considered homeless and needy, living below the poverty level (which mounts up to more than 70% in our local community) to come and receive a christmas present from a wonderful and local non profit, 6 Stones. When I walked in I was surprised to see so many families I have known for 5 plus years here in the same situation I am in but with more children. (Last year if not for some secret santa's Demi and I would have had a bleak christmas but thanks to some of our friends and family, Demi was able to enjoy Christmas which I was grateful for and even though I didn't need anything I was blessed with a few things too!)
It is in times like this that you realize that you really don't know what is going on in someone's life until you take the time to sit and actually have a conversation with someone. One of my daughter's friends parents are strugglling to feed their 5 children after loosing everything. And you wouldn't know it if you passed them along the street. Our lives have been entangled and yet we come from very different backgrounds and environments our lives are not much different and as a parent I heard and saw the love they have for their children and the desire to want to bring them some JOY on one day as any loving parent wants to do.)
Their story: 4 of their 5 children are school aged children and received a present but their 4 yr old daughter did not since she does not go to school and then there are the parents who I know will not have anything and wouldn't think of spending money on themselves. I mean at the end of the day, don't we all want to know that someone cares and that we are all loved by somebody?
Now this is where I begin writing my story.....I could have just empathized with them since I have undergone the very same thing but I am choosing to do something...wish I could do more but before the night was over I was able to donate food that Demi and I collected in our neighborhoood over the last 5 weeks. We were not sure where the canned goods would go but I prayed about it and knew that this was the family we would help. We also donated our turkey and other food items we received so that they could feed all their children and themselves and not have any worries about whether they would have enough. (We did share the love of Jesus and I was thrilled to find out they are Christians and that they remain faithful that God has a plan....I truly feel the best gift you can ever give someone is the opportunity to have them receive Jesus as their Savior and what better time then now?)
But I want to do MORE. Why, because I can and I am not afraid of asking for help. My hope is to inspire you and your families to be the ANGELS some family needs. I don't tell you this to pat myself on the back either but to encourage you that you can do something today.....and that it doesnt have to be much. You can get a group to adopt a child and family. Invite someone over to enjoy and spend family time that may not otherwise be able to do that....or go visit someone who needs some love and attention.
So what will your story read this Christmas? One of joy from giving by being the hands and feet of Jesus? I will say that you will be the one feeling so blessed by GIVING this year and what an amazing LIFe LESSOn you get to share with your children!!
Happiest of holidays to my family and friends this Christmas Season,
Diana aka BIT
xoxoxo
I am hoping to write a story of Christmas LOVE and HOPE by making a difference in a child's life...not my own child but with those I know who are looking for Santa to come this year. I am looking for a little help and am hoping that "our village" of friends and family will step up and help.
I had a surprising encounter with a family I know this past Tuesday at a "Christmas Party" at my daughter's school for those who are considered homeless and needy, living below the poverty level (which mounts up to more than 70% in our local community) to come and receive a christmas present from a wonderful and local non profit, 6 Stones. When I walked in I was surprised to see so many families I have known for 5 plus years here in the same situation I am in but with more children. (Last year if not for some secret santa's Demi and I would have had a bleak christmas but thanks to some of our friends and family, Demi was able to enjoy Christmas which I was grateful for and even though I didn't need anything I was blessed with a few things too!)
It is in times like this that you realize that you really don't know what is going on in someone's life until you take the time to sit and actually have a conversation with someone. One of my daughter's friends parents are strugglling to feed their 5 children after loosing everything. And you wouldn't know it if you passed them along the street. Our lives have been entangled and yet we come from very different backgrounds and environments our lives are not much different and as a parent I heard and saw the love they have for their children and the desire to want to bring them some JOY on one day as any loving parent wants to do.)
Their story: 4 of their 5 children are school aged children and received a present but their 4 yr old daughter did not since she does not go to school and then there are the parents who I know will not have anything and wouldn't think of spending money on themselves. I mean at the end of the day, don't we all want to know that someone cares and that we are all loved by somebody?
Now this is where I begin writing my story.....I could have just empathized with them since I have undergone the very same thing but I am choosing to do something...wish I could do more but before the night was over I was able to donate food that Demi and I collected in our neighborhoood over the last 5 weeks. We were not sure where the canned goods would go but I prayed about it and knew that this was the family we would help. We also donated our turkey and other food items we received so that they could feed all their children and themselves and not have any worries about whether they would have enough. (We did share the love of Jesus and I was thrilled to find out they are Christians and that they remain faithful that God has a plan....I truly feel the best gift you can ever give someone is the opportunity to have them receive Jesus as their Savior and what better time then now?)
But I want to do MORE. Why, because I can and I am not afraid of asking for help. My hope is to inspire you and your families to be the ANGELS some family needs. I don't tell you this to pat myself on the back either but to encourage you that you can do something today.....and that it doesnt have to be much. You can get a group to adopt a child and family. Invite someone over to enjoy and spend family time that may not otherwise be able to do that....or go visit someone who needs some love and attention.
So what will your story read this Christmas? One of joy from giving by being the hands and feet of Jesus? I will say that you will be the one feeling so blessed by GIVING this year and what an amazing LIFe LESSOn you get to share with your children!!
Happiest of holidays to my family and friends this Christmas Season,
Diana aka BIT
xoxoxo
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