gifts

last week, I got the two best gifts possible.

a job. and a friend.

personally, I think I'm more excited about the second one. I had kind of expected it to be a while before I found a kindred spirit/soul mate kind of friend. but I think I may have found one . . .
(Rebecca and I chatting at 1 am)

honestly, I've received a third gift too, now that I think about it. my family has been helping this other family out. they have five kids with another on the way (due in a couple weeks), live in section 8 housing and are on food stamps. the dad has a job at 7-11. they were homeless for a long time, this is their first house. they just found out their oldest child is diabetic. they didn't have a great diet to start with, so this is really difficult for them. the kids are 11, 10, 8, 5, and 3 years old.

we took them thanksgiving dinner and a christmas tree. but even with as much as we are able to do, we can't help them with everything. so my mom told her sunday school class about this family, and also told our little handbell choir (10 people in that).

that very week, she received over $200 to buy fresh fruits and vegetables with, about another $200 worth of food, new baby clothes, and about 50 wrapped christmas presents for the kids. and she's still getting donations of things like furniture for them.
(all the presents to the left are waiting for us to deliver on Christmas Eve!)

the absolute best gift I've received this year is the amazing and humbling church body I now serve with.