I know it's more blessed to give than to receive.....but......

Acts 20:35 (NLT)
And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus:
‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

I realize that according to scripture, it is more blessed to give than to receive....but.....I have been on the receiving end of so many blessings this Christmas. I hate to admit this....especially because I'm a Christian....but, I've been depressed lately. Please don't fault me, or think less of me....but...it's true. I knew I just wasn't myself...or maybe this is "me"....but it dawned on me coming home from church yesterday morning that I have the blues!!!
Now...you might ask why???
I'm not really sure...but one reason is the death of Ms. Ruby. She was the heart of our Christmases. She loved buying for each of us....and she loved Christmas. She cooked and cooked and then cooked some more....she wrapped every single gift...she made sure that she spent the same on each of us....down to within cents of one another.

Plus....because of the economy....and the fact that Pap is the only one working....we just haven't been able to spend this Christmas like we have in the past. We've tried to buy meaningful gifts....things that we know are needful, or a little surprise for a family member, but we've had to be very frugal this year....which brings me to the little blessings I've received.

Last week, after I spent 2 days cooped up in the house with some kind of crud....I couldn't stand not seeing Jess and the boys any longer, so I went to see them....this is the little happy that she surprised me with. Isn't he gorgeous???? You can remove the little wreath from his neck after Christmas to use him year round!!!

Yesterday at church.....when I got back to my seat, Pap told me that my friend Ms. Janis had given me a gift. I told her I was going to save it and open it at Christmas, but the kid in me just wouldn't let me wait....this is what she got me.....when I opened the box, I cried. Isn't it absolutely beautiful???? I am just in awe of God's goodness.
The sad part is....all Ms. Janis got from me was a candle that I bought from a youth group to help with their missionary trip....I'm sorry, Ms. Janis.... :(

This is a spoon rest that sits on my stove.....a present from my friend, Ms. Tonya. It was a very unexpected gift....which is how our precious Lord works....He sends us little happies just when He knows we need them most!!!

Last, but not least....this absolutely beautiful tea pot is from my friend, Ms. Mis. She knows the story of why I love cardinals so much....and she was another recipient of the "missionary candle".... :(
So that the rest of you will understand the meaning of a cardinal to me.....here goes:
I read a book once where the author was having a difficult time....she asked the Lord to somehow show her how much He loved her. She was driving in her car and when she rounded a curve near her home, there were cardinals....lots of them.....in her yard. Well, I "borrowed" the idea from her....and I see them at very unexpected times, and seems just when I need to be reminded most of God's love for me. I am a very visual person. I need a picture, or a visual, for something to stick in my mind (what's left of it!!!). Every time I see a cardinal, I say....out loud most of the time...."I love you, too, Lord!!"


So....there you have it....as we approach Christmas Day....realize that sometimes when you receive a gift....it's not just from the person giving the gift....it's also a gift from God.
I used to think that when somebody did something like these gifts above for me, that I had to rush out and do something for them in return. I don't think like that any more. These dear ladies know me....they know my heart.....and they each know they mean more to me than words could ever express. Oh, what a blessing their friendship is to me!!!

So....thank you, thank you, thank you. I love each of you dearly....and I appreciate the blessings you've given me....from God, thru you....to me!!!

In His Love...and with mine!!!