It is 5 am and I am finally done with Christmas preparations. I have been going to sleep snuggling with the boys and waking up between midnight and 1 am then being awake for several hours. Tonight I told the boys that if they want Christmas to be ready then they'd have to go to bed themselves. They really wanted to do that, but I realized that I was too tired to do anything anyway so I went ahead and snuggled with them. It was a little after midnight when I got up. I gathered everything and just felt overwhelmed.
I thought of all the little things that Matthew does for Christmas for the boys and it just made me miss him. We've been so blessed by the generosity of others that I felt like we have too much so I sat there wondering what to do about giving it all to the boys. I finally decided I needed to pray and get some focus. I felt better and was able to go back to work.
This week felt like it was so long and then all of a sudden it was over. I've been trying to get everything done. Today we made the candy airplane ornaments and were able to deliver them this evening. It was wonderful to see the joy in their faces - especially the lonely ones. We were invited in, but declined every time. The boys called me selfish because they wanted to go in (especially to the first one even though they had no idea who he was. I should have accepted his offer because I am sure he could have used the company). We were going to do gingerbread (graham cracker) houses tonight but it just got to be too late. So hopefully we can do it tomorrow at Mom's and invite Mike and Tran (Drun) to make some too.
I talked to Julie yesterday about the 12 days of Christmas. She told me that it was not who I thought it was who organized it. She said that the most she can say is that I am very loved. I feel that way and am humbled by the generosity of each of these families who gave so much to us. So many times I thought how nice something would be and then it would appear as a gift. How can that be unless there are those who are in tune with the Spirit because He knows the desires of my heart. Today with the gift I got a typed letter regarding this 'project'. Here are the words:
We hope you have enjoyed your Twelve Days of Christmas.
The Lord testified in many hearts independently this Christmas season, that Sister Valerie Baugh was deserving of blessings because of her faithfulness.
'Yeah, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.' (D&C 8:2)
Many returns for your faithful service to your sisters and unyielding prayers for the children of the ward.
'And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.' (Moses 7:18)
And let that which belongs to this people be appointed unto this people. And the money which is left unto this people - let there be an agent appointed unto this people, to take the money to provide food and raiment, according to the wants of this people. And let every man deal honestly, and be alike among this people, and receive alike, that ye may be one, even as I have commanded you. (D&C 51:7-9)
This is not the result of our observations about your financial needs. It is a gift to you from the Lord.
And I said unto them, that it should be granted unto them according to their faith in their prayers. (D&C 10:47)
Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me so it shall be done unto you; and, if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation.
'Therefore this is thy gift; apply it unto it, and blessed art thou, for it shall deliver you...' (D&C 8:4)
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