Treats of Christmas

 Oh, to be a child again and to experience Christmas--and all the things that go along with the season-- as a child.

What a sweet time and what sweet memories! From church and school programs, to doing advent every night with my family (and the one night I got to blow out all the candles on a night super close to Christmas, which meant lots of candles were lit, and hot wax went alllll over my face, ouch!!! also the one night mom had bunco/keeno so dad was in charge and didn't have an "activity/craft" for us to do, as we did every night of advent, so we glued smarties, the candy, on tennis balls, that I'm sure he found in the garage. true story. crack me up. Dad's try… they really do!), to having our annual "Happy Birthday Jesus" party at our house with friends, to going to the Hendersonville parade, to putting on our pj's loading up in the van or suburban--whatever we had at the time, and driving around neighborhoods looking at Christmas lights while listening to Christmas CD's. I loved Christmas time as a child (and still do as an adult!)

And today I got to "re-live" Christmas time as a child.

I went to Elisabeth's school Christmas program. Put a group of preschoolers in front of a gym full of their family and friends and have them sing and its promised to be a good time.

And I went to her classroom party for a little bit afterwards.

And then later in the afternoon, Janie and I went to Elisabeth's house to make and decorate Christmas cookies!

All the little girls wore these cute little aprons as they rolled out their dough and used the cookie cutters. I wish I got a picture of them all!

Then it was time to decorate...

Here are a few candids I got… 

Elisabeth was in charge of redistributing the sprinkles… and I think Kim will be finding them on the floor for weeks to come ;-)

And the photo shoot of everyone all together. Janie wouldn't sit up there by herself so I sat with her. You'd think out of 10 pictures, there'd be one with all the girls smiling and looking at the camera… haha, nope. They're still all so cute though!

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What a treat today was!

And this evening we delivered the gifts to the family we adopted. The mother was super appreciative and thankful for the gifts! She told us a little bit of her story and how she's had a tough tough year--she literally lost everything she owned as consequences of her own choices--but how God still blessed her! And how at her lowest point-- He was still able to use her--especially as a testimony for others who struggle in the same way as she did. She was thankful for her toughest time because it saved her from living the lifestyle that she was. And how High Point has been a huge blessing to her-- their single mothers ministry and CR ministry have been such an encouragement! I love seeing the church reach out--unconditionally--to people--saved, lost, hurt, whole… and especially to see life change--a total "kingdom-minded" outlook of ministry. 

She now gets to spend Christmas with all 3 of her children this year and she is so thankful!

May we all be kingdom-minded this Christmas season!