Expect the unexpected!

God is teaching me to give thanks in everything and to ASK for what I need in prayer. He provides everything I need, always! Slowly through the help of my mom and dad I am digging my way out of debt. God is using them to help me to spend less, save more, and pay my bills without wondering the money is coming from to pay them. God has provided me with a wonderful boyfriend one that I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with. I love Gene with a love I thought I would never feel again after my husband died. He also loves me with the kind of love I thought I would never find again. Just one more way God reminds us that all things will be made perfect in His time, not ours. I am so thankful and so humble!

and now for a little something that I just got in my inbox that I think you will enjoy. It touched my heart and I hope it will touch yours as well!


The "W" in Christmas

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience.
I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing,
endless decorating, and even overspending.

Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious
family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.
Our daughter, Holly, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting
season for a six year old.

For weeks, she'd been memorizing songs for her school's "Winter Pageant."
I didn't have the heart to tell her I'd be working the night of the
production. Unwilling to miss her shining moment, I spoke with her
teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the
presentation.

All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then.

Fortunately, Holly seemed happy with the compromise.

So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early,
found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw
several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the
students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher,
sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to
perform their song.

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday
as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial
entertainment songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer.
So, when my girl's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly
taken aback by its bold title.

Holly was aglow, as were all of her classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens,
red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads.

Those in the front row- center stage - held up large letters, one by one,
to spell out the title of the song.

As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the
letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding
up his or her portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas
Love."

The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a
small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down -
totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W".

The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's
mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall,
proudly holding her "W".

Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it
together.

A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.

In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos,
there was a purpose for our festivities.

For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:

"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"

And, I believe, He still is. Amazed in His presence... humbled by His
love.

Again, HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS SEASON!