A note from my daughter…

Today after our Jesse Tree devotional, my oldest daughter asked me if I still had my blog.  When I said yes, she quickly asked if she could post something today.  I have to admit that I am cautious in how I respond to some questions (especially with my children), not wanting to get stuck in some agreement that I can’t back out of.  I told her she could write something and then I would see about posting it.  She quickly started working.  I have to admit I am a humbled.  I am proudly posting it today, just as she wrote it…

December 19 2012 

I am Anastasia and I am 11 years old.  Last year for Christmas we each got one present.  But this year my mom came to me and asked “Anastasia this year for Christmas, as a family, I think we will do something different. What if we gave instead of receive?  To show others Gods love.”  I was so excited.  Because to see someone smile because I made a difference means more to me than getting a toy that I will soon forget about.  A toy can not change my life but someone else can.  Small things leave big impressions.  I can do something as small as giving a hug and the smile I will remember.  Sometimes I think we get too carried away in buying Christmas presents and seeing Santa that we forget the real meaning of Christmas.  God has given us the best present ever, eternal life. This gift will last forever.  When I am struggling and having a bad day I can call on Him.  If you don’t know Jesus and you want to know him just say this prayer with meaning lets pray    “Dear Jesus thank you for your gift.  Thank you for dying for me.  Forgive me of my sins.  Make me who you want me to be.  I believe in you. Please change my life and thank you for making me a new person, amen.” God loves you and I pray He will bless you.  Merry Christmas!

 

She has pretty big plans for changing the world.  I think she might just do it!

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A Transformed Christmas

When I think about the name God gave me for my company over 10 years ago, I marvel at how appropriate it is even today.  It seems He continually “Amazingly Transforms” so many areas of my life and home.  The latest transformation is in how we are celebrating Christmas this year.  I am so excited about it and already feel the relief of peace that it is bringing.  This year there won’t be any pressures in the area of gift giving because we are choosing to only give gifts to Him this Christmas.  I know it sounds like a radical approach and yet it is already becoming the best Christmas we have ever experienced.  “How do we give gifts to Christ?” you might ask.  It is simple really.  According to Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus says…

³⁵ For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. ³⁶ I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

³⁷ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? ³⁹ When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

⁴⁰ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

We have already begun this journey and it has been so special.  Just tonight, one simple act brought joy to others as well as to us.  I loaded up the car with the five kids and our family friend from Kenya and we went to the neighborhood nursing home.  My older daughters invited to sing with the children’s choir from church and I decided it would be fun to bring the little ones along for the ride.  After the kids finished singing and headed to eat pizza with their friends, the three little ones and I stayed behind to visit a few residents.

I simply pulled them in their wagon up and down the halls and stopped to greet anyone who might be in their room.  The little ones had so much fun looking to see if someone was there and then would wave and smile.  This simple gesture brought the most beautiful smiles to their faces and ours alike.  I left thinking to myself, “Why have I waited so long to bring my children?”   This gift was only a small sacrifice of time but the value was priceless!

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