Christmas Miracles

So yes, this is pretty late, but it COULD be later! :) We had such an amazing Christmas season that I have been desiring to share it just to boast in the Lord and how amazing His children can be and are when touched by the spirit of Christmas. What a wonderful time of year!

Imagine all of these tremendous, totally unexpected blessings happening to you all in one month. (Also imagine you have no money to provide any sort of Christmas for your family outside of stocking stuffers with food stamps.)

• "Thank Christmas" (Thanksgiving) -our family was showered with so many wonderful gifts that I felt like we didn't even need to do any sort of Christmas for our kids (AND Justin's mother bought the gifts from us to the people we drew so we could still participate and feel like we got to give a little too)

• going into Christmas--we knew April (Justin's mother) had a couple gifts for each of children and that my mom was shopping for them also and that just through them, they would be well provided for--knowing this, we turned down the offer from the ward to do sub-for-santa for our family

• our home teacher gives us a $50 gift card to Walmart! shockingly unexpected as their family was also struggling not that long ago

• An uncle of Justin's--a very cool airplane Christmas ornament and $500 toward his flight account! Both of us in TOTAL shock! Holy crap! Really!?

• a random, non-religious type stranger, behind us in line at the store gave us a $30 gift card as we exited the line

• many, many gifts of yummy treats from friends that made us feel very loved (and helped us put on a few pounds)

• get this--One night, I come down the stairs after tucking in the little ones and Justin shows me what he just found outside the front door...a giant beautifully put together basket of Christmas goodies, and 2 giant bags of gifts for our family. I immediately broke down, prayed, and cried--shocked and grateful. Completely shocked and humbled--COULD NOT believe it. AND as going through the gifts (multiple for each child) find something that says "open now"---$100 gift card to Walmart--MORE TEARS. COULD NOT BELIEVE IT! Could NOT imagine who would do this for our family

• Christmas Eve--a knock at the door--anonymous gift on the porch--crackers, sausage, cute, perfect Alphabet video for the children. What! And while Justin and I were flabbergasted all month long--this was the one that put Justin over the edge and brought him to tears. He expected it was all over and Christmas was here--nope, the Lord still showered more love on us.

• After Christmas (postal issues)...an Aunt and Uncle--a show of support and faith--$100! So needed and so appreciated.

Can you BELIEVE all of this!!??? I was so overcome all Christmas season with how wonderful the season is and how amazing it is to see this side of SO many people come out. Can't we just always celebrate the birth of Christ, take on His spirit, and sing Christmas songs!?

P.S. If I forgot anything please forgive me--it was all a little overwhelming.

Addition!! A big one--I remembered, Justin's Grandpa also gives all his family Christmas money every year for themselves, their spouses and each of their children...that helped us make it through our bills in December. Thank you Grandpa!