I wish everyone in the family loved Christmas like I do. My mom does (she lives with us) and so does my husband... but my son, well..... he really REALLY struggles with this time of year. Part of it has to do with seasonal depression but also with his autism. He finds so much fault, with himself, that he feels guilty receiving gifts. If he appreciates the gift then he feels guilty because he thinks he must of come off needy to the other person. ACK!! His black and white world drives me crazy at times! This year he also has the stress of college - which has been a major undertaking for him. On top of that, he is frustrated with the ehlers-danlos syndrome and his joints popping out all the time on him. How that boy has managed to not break his neck on the stairs is just by God's hand. So if any of you are praying people... can you keep my son in your prayers. Thanks!
This year I'm going to focus on the art of giving with my Sunday School class. I could not have asked for better planning myself, with a special missionary guest speaker at our church last Sunday. I had the kids join the adult class and we listened to him share about his ministry in Tanzania. His main focus is children's ministry but he also does so much more.
Next week the kids will be putting together bags for the homeless. I found the idea on Pinterest (Oh how I love that site!!!) and we will be putting in a bottle of water, hand warmers, protein bars, peanut butter crackers, toothpaste, toothbrush and a Gospel tract. I know that there are many other wonderful items out there we could put in and I wish that I had the money to add socks, gloves and hats, ect....
The following week the kids are going to decorate cookies for two families I know of that could use the holiday cheer. They will also make a card for them and I will be putting together some baking items for the families to use for their own holiday baking.
Our last week (right before Christmas) We are going to put together small care packages for church members that have lost loved ones this year, people with medical needs, and those that have been home-bound. Again, simple little gifts but it will encourage the children to look beyond their own needs. I'll update this a bit later with some pictures... for now I just wanted to share the ideas.
When it comes down to it, we all have the opportunity to enjoy the greatest gift of all; God's gift of His Son Jesus Christ. He is the best thing we ever unwrapped! So take the time to thank or Lord and Savior - He is always available and loves to hear from us.
My new favorite Christmas song: By Francesca Battistelli
Heaven Everywhere
I hear the bells, they're ringing loud and clear
You can't help but love this time of year
It's Christmastime, there's something in the air
There's a little bit of heaven everywhere
Somehow there's a little more of love
And maybe there's a little less of us
Or maybe we're just slightly more aware
There's a little bit of heaven everywhere
[Chorus:]It's the smile on a man who has finally found hope
It's the tears of a mother whose child has come home
It's the joy that we feel and the love that we share
There's a little bit of heaven everywhere
There's a little bit of heaven everywhere
It's funny how it takes a holiday
To show us how the world could truly change
If we all took the time to really care
There'd be a little more of heaven everywhere [Chorus]
It's the grace that we show to a world that needs hope
It's giving our lives knowing they're not our own
It's the joy that we feel and the love that we share
There's a little bit of heaven everywhere
There's a little bit of heaven everywhere
[Bridge:]Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plain
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
Hallelujah, hallelujah
It's the joy that we feel and the love that we share
There's a little bit of heaven everywhere
There's a little bit of heaven everywhere
There's a little bit of heaven everywhere
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