"Life is just like an old time rail journey ... delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride." Gordon B. Hinckley

Dec 21, 2008

Giving to a family in need

We had this great opportunity this year to do Christmas for a family in need. What a wonderful thing to be able to do. I find so much joy in doing things like this for others who need it so badly. Josh's side of the family decided instead of drawing names this year for each other they would put all the money together and give it to some one who needed it more. Thank you thank you for this wonderful idea, it was great. Josh and I knew this family who needed help with Christmas so it worked out so well. Josh dressed up all snow camouflaged and his sister Jaimee and her husband Travis and his brother Jon helped him deliver the gifts. It was so exciting for all of us. We had been explaining to the girls who the gifts were for and why, so it was fun for them to come with us to see the excitement it brought this family. We stayed back and watched from the car with the lights off while Josh and his siblings ran the huge boxes up to the door and rang the doorbell and ran. Josh stayed behind the car and waited and listened to them and the Mom could not believe it she was so filled with joy and the little boy read the name tags and said "Mom they are from Santa" I had wrapped all the gifts and put each child's name on them and from Santa, I am so glad I did that is so fun for those children. Oh how I would have loved to be in their home last night to feel the love that I am so sure filled there home. There was a lot of love sent in those packages and a lot of love given to those who participated in giving the packages. So much fun, something that I hope we can do every year and I hope you all can start doing something as a family like this as well. It was worth it!!



















10 comments:

Rachel said...

That is so awesome! I want to do something like that as a family. There is where the true spirit of Christmas comes in! Good job teaching your children.

Sue Ann said...

What a wonderful idea! What a great tradition! We may have to adopt that one. Love your blog!

Head Over Hills said...

That is what Christmas is all about. I got choked up reading about all the effort you put into the gifts for this family and how grateful they were for it. We also have the opportunity to help a family this year. I really want my girls to have the opportunity to feel the true spirit of Christmas.

ChArL3s said...

Thats so cool!We did that too but my dad did it and he put a white envolope on our tree.Then on christmas day we can open it up and see who we helped.Well Merry Christmas!

Unknown said...

I loved the idea too! Such a great way to bond, helping other families in need! Thanks for all your work this year to get it done.

Becky said...

Thanks for all you hard work and effort you guys put into that this year! This is going to be such a great tradtion!

Robyn said...

Nat what a great family gift to give to others. You guys are great. Merry Christmas , Robyn

Pitcherfam4 said...

That is a lot of fun to give like that. It's been a couple years for me but when I lived in Idaho, I always did the Secret Santa for a handful of behavioral health adolescents. It was a lot of fun especially with them not knowing who they really were from. And I am so glad that your girls learned that giving is soooo much better than receiving. Merry Christmas.

Lynn said...

YOu are SO right! THere is NOTHING like that feeling!! I am so glad your girls got to witness the excitement and thrill of it all! That family will certainly NEVER forget this Christmas! You are the best!
P.S. What a GREAT snow camo outfit! I think I need to get my boys one. LOL! So fun!

SueAnn said...

We have had a tradition of doing this every each and I LOVE to be able to serve someone else, it is a wonderful feeling.