Giving...

Today was a special day. The gift of giving. It is cold and rainy and I have a TON of work to get done but instead I decided to go pick up toys in Long Beach from our dear and wonderful friends Pam & Chris. They get free toys every year and what a blessing they have been to our family.

Last year we did not have much to buy gifts for Christmas. I got a call from Pam, " meet me at the Starbucks by your house." So I did and she filled my trunk full of toys which we gave to the kids at Christmas and throughout the year. John Mark and I where over whelmed.

This year, although we have not been to bad off we decided to give and give instead of buy and buy. Pam and Chris yet again filled our little jacked up Jetta twice with toys, we had so many toys in teh Jetty I could see them out of the review mirror. We took them all to John Mark's office and sorted through them. So far, to date, we have been able to bless 7 families with toys for their kids. Some of them friends we know from church, some co-workers of JM and others just starngers that where happy to get toys for the holidays for their kids.

There where two ladies that work at VU that JM talked to. They work in the janitorial services of VU and are from El Salvador (of course I was so happy to hear they where from our beloved El Salvador) we gave them arms full of toys and they (in spanish) told me how much their kids would love the toys and how thankful they where that we where able to give it to them. Well they where given to us to give to others. So when I tell people the story of Pam and Chris they are so amazed that they are people willing to give so much away for the pure joy of seeing people full of joy.

I am blessed this Christmas to have been able to bless families and it brings me great joy that my kids know the true meaning of Christmas. To God be the glory.

Peace be with you!