CHRISTMAS: GIFTS OF LOVE
With the consumption of brisket eaten, “special Christmas” drinks and finishing with the scrumptious apple cake, we went to the most exciting part of our Friendsgiving dinner….PRESENTS!!! But these were not just any Christmas presents. These were gifts of love to be donated to the homeless and their pets at the Andre House in Phoenix, Az. With almost FIFTY bags donated from our CCV ( Christs Church of the Valley) small group, we were on our way to collecting what we hope will be a 1,000 bags. Each of the bags were specially put together with JOY and love. Some had their own recycle bags, some had every kind of goody for a dog, and others had warm and cozy items that will let the one who receives it know they matter and have value… that Jesus loves them. I could barely fit all of them in my car’s trunk! But, to tell you the truth, this isn’t unusual for these group of amazing friends that we have done life with since we moved here over five years ago. We have gone through some difficult times, joyous times, and have served together in our community making a difference to those who have received our gifts and/or services. When we first moved to AZ. Kev and I were so broken. We couldn’t give to others because we were struggling to just survive ourselves. With these friends who came along side of us we slowly began to heal and find hope. Because of the trust we have with each other I can ask for help and they have ALWAYS been there to make the impossible happen. Now Kev and I have our own new home group that we love and are so grateful for. But, the clock is ticking with many more bags to go! Our neighbors have now donated bags with more to come. Our community Women’s Bible study, led by Lisa Laizure, have given weekly to this goal. And now the Sun City clubs are also getting ready to donate!! Why? When you are serving those men and women who are homeless, who struggle to find their way, who couldn’t afford the outrageous rent and now find themselves trying to survive, who just want someone to acknowledge they matter and are valued, then giving these love bags bring JOY. As some of you know, our family was close to being homeless until we came to AZ. We KNOW that only God brought our time of hopelessness to purpose through impossible circumstances. If you are going through a difficult season right now know that Jesus is right there, who cares, who can bring you to a place of JOY and purpose. Don’t let another Christmas go by where He’s still the present you haven’t opened.