joy

These past few weeks have been a whirlwind of welcoming the christmas season, christmas parties, shopping and saying goodbyes. There has been so much going on, as there always is during this season. Today was a little different though. As exhausted and drained as many of us are at my school and as much as we have to give on a daily basis all I could do was smile today. I was helping our social worker with getting christmas presents together for some of our families today and just looked around the room at all the gifts. All of the teachers and staff that could have left this building and closed the doors ready to get the heck out of here for break took the time and money to make a difference. Sure it's material things, sure it might be from "santa" but to know some of our most deserving families will be able to provide a little something for their kids was heartwarming. These weren't provided by lots of organizations or anything, nope but by our own staff. I love that about the population I serve and the staff I serve with. It's not about what you know parents could have done with their money or should have done with their money but about the smile on that child's face. To know they are cared about and recognized is what matters. I hope they see the joy of the Lord through me each and everyday that I enter my building.


We had to say goodbye this past weekend to a very dear couple to K and I as they were moving to Alabama. They have been such a blessing and encouragement throughout the past year and half of K and I's life. We have definitely been changed as a result of their friendship and accountability and hope that we have done the same for them. I'm definitely thankful for the time they were here and know the Lord is going to do big things with them in AL. Instead of focusing on the goodbye I am focusing on all the joy they brought to our lives and all the joy there is to come!

I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas season and don't forget about the joy and hope we have in Him :)


"And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." luke 2:10