Bring On Christmas

If you know me, you know that Christmas is a very special time of year for me.  It's consistent meaning throughout my life has been the birth of Christ. Christ has made the single most significant impact on me. 

However, as wonderful as that sounds don't let me fool you.  When I was young all I cared about once the advent season came to a close was how many presents would be under our tree... FOR ME!  When we visited family and friends my expectation was a gift.  In school, when we were old enough to buy a little somethin for our friends, I wondered how many trinkets I would get.  If you are reading this and gave me a gift in highschool...oddly enough, I probably still have it...ie. the reindeer ornament from Kimberley Craig that still hangs on my tree or the partridge in a pear tree tin from Jamie Kay that still sits on a table in my living room. 

But as I got older the joy came in the giving.  It was the joy on someone's face when they opened something thoughtful that let them know I really cared.  The hug I got, or the tears of gratitude.  As I matured I learned that even this was selfish.  I loved that people were thrilled with the gifts I got them, and if I was in earshot of a compliment, it was a rush to hear them say, "Oh, thanks, Bean got that for me!"  Now, the thrill comes in being anonymous, or at the very most reciprocal.  Operation Christmas Child is one example.  You are blessing a child, who knows where in the world, who will never know you.  Giving to a family in need anonymously at this time of year can impact them in ways you may never know.  All of this helps God to continue His gift.  By showing God's love you are perpetuating Christmas. 

The parties have begun, and believe it or not I already have two Christmas get togethers under my belt.  Last night, I was invited to a gathering of church ladies.  I know how that sounds...church ladies...even though I am not an SNL watcher I know you are thinking..."well isn't that special..."  But believe me, these are some of the funnest, most loving ladies I have ever encountered, and I was so blessed to be with them.  We had finger foods and an ornament exchange.  Again, get the "nice" pre-conception out of your heads!  The exchange was white elephant style, and if they liked your ornament...they would SURELY take it!  When I left a fight was breaking loose and ladies were crying!  Okay, not true, but I think you get the picture that they are a fun loving bunch. 

This morning I had my fifth annual girlfriends tea.  This tradition started five years ago as a way for me to express to my closest girlfriends how much I loved and appreciated them.  Last year the group grew by three and I am blessed each year to have a least one girl show up!  Oddly, whether it's one or more I ALWAYS have a really blessed, really special time and today was no exception.  We had brunch and as in the years past I gave each girl the same gift.  This year was a silver star ornament with the word "joy" engraved on it.  It was a reminder to them of the joy that they bring into my life.  And when they put it on their tree next year they can smile at the knowlege that the others are adorning their trees with the same ornament and thinking of them.  This is not a selfish announcement of what I got for my friends...it's me bragging about how much God loves me and how He shows me through the wonderful friends He places in my life!

We have many more Christmas events planned...Christmas Camp with the kids, a couples party, the annual family party etc... and with each one I will be reminded of that first gift on that first Christmas, and the abundance of gifts God gives me daily, in the form of family, friends and a plethora of other blessings.

Thank you for being one of those amazing blessings.  Christmas, as well as YOU are beautiful squares on the ever growing quilt of my life.

Challenge:  What can you do anonymously that will impact someone this Christmas?  How can you spread God's love perpetually? 

Thanksgiving and Cristan!

This year Thanksgiving happened to fall on our little sister, Cristan's birthday.  This is so very appropriate since we are very thankful for her.

Cristan Ann Eisenstein stepped into my life in late 1993.  ( She later married and is now Cristan Ann Reigelsperger.)  She didn't enter on her own, but by default since I was dating her older brother Chip.  As we got to know each other we, as all siblings, found things we liked and disliked about each other.  As the years rolled on and our relationship matured we shared some of lifes most amazing as well as some of lifes most devastating moments together.

Through all of this she has become one of the greatest friendships of my life!  Do we always agree with each other?  Of course not!  Who does?  But we do have faith that the other will always be there for us.  Absolutely, no questions asked.  In the recent past Cristan has been through some of the toughest years of her life.  She is one of the most resilient women I know and I admire her for that.  I am proud to have her as my sister and friend.

My prayer for Cristan is that she would find her strength in God in the coming year and find that He is faithful.  I am grateful to Him for crossing our paths and giving me a little sister.  Something I never had.

Our Thanksgiving was spent with my side of the family as Cristan and her family are in North Carolina, and Chips father and his wife live in California.  It's unfortunate that the distance causes us to be apart on the holidays.  However, we are always close at heart.

We went to Samina's and had the traditional meal with everyone's favorites...turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, noodles and pie!  I'm sure there was more, but being the picky eater that I am the contents I mentioned were what was decorating MY plate!  My parents were there as well as Samina's family, our family and Brad's parents.  It was wonderful to just "be".  No expectations of gifts, just a great meal and the company of loved ones.  That is the beauty of Thanksgiving and something that I am TRULY thankful for.

Cristan is a beautiful square on the quilt of my life. 
Thanksgiving is the thread that holds the quilt squares together.