Merry Christmas!

So a few years ago I came to a conclusion: Christmas is just more fun when there’s kids around. I remember when my niece, Carsyn, was about 2 years old. We woke her up on Christmas morning (this kid will sleep til noon if you let her!) She came down the hall half asleep, curly hair going C.R.A.Z.Y, and very disoriented. BUT as soon as she saw her presents, adrenaline kicked in and she was a “ripping” machine. She was so excited, and it was so much fun to watch her not only open her own presents, but want to see what everyone else was opening too. Since then Christmas has always been fun. Last year we had TWO crazy kids tearing through presents. It was a blast!

See, before Carsyn, Christmas was boring (apologies to my family, but you know it’s true). My brother was in his later years of high school, me in college, and my sister was a “newlywed”. We slept late, got up, opened presents, and ate breakfast. Pretty low-key and chill. I mean don’t get me wrong, those were some great relaxing years, but the truth is I prefer the kids! They just make it more fun!

This Christmas proved that theory TEN fold!!!

I spent Christmas Eve morning with 12 kids ages 7 months to 15 years. And it was a BLAST!!!

We started off the morning with breakfast. They ate quicker than I’ve ever seen them eat before. Then we did clean-up. Again, they were quick. These kids meant business… they were ready for some presents!

They all sat while the presents were handed out. They were so good, no one trying to open a gift (they even let us get a picture). Then…game on! They got to tearing, ripping, paper everywhere! It was AWESOME!!! They were looking through their treasures, yelling across the room for so-and-so to look at what they got, grinning from ear to ear. What a blessing it was!

After all the gifts were open the kids just played. They were all over the place, chasing bouncy balls, zooming toy cars, putting together legos, drawing pictures… The fun just didn’t end. I was sitting there just smiling watching all of them when the Lord once again humbled me.
See, the majority of these kids were from the same family. A “Roma” family. I put that in quotes because that is their heritage, but I hate using that term to define them. They are each so precious, and so much more than what society sees them as. These kids don’t ever have what we think of as a “typical” Christmas. Their mother passed away several years ago, and they live
a life most in the U.S could never imagine. It often breaks my heart and brings me to tears to think of how they live.

So as I was sitting there, beaming to get to experience Christmas with them, and one of the boys (who is about 9 or 10 and so sweet and mild mannered) walked up to me and held out some candy. I thought he wanted me to open it for him, but he told me “no, it’s for you.” It was candy he had gotten from his Samaritan Purse Christmas Shoebox. I told him that it was sent for him and so thanks, but it was for him. He insisted I take it, and pointing to my “empty pile” on the table said something to the extent of (I’m still learning language) he wanted me to have it because I didn’t have any presents to open.

I almost lost it. I started rapidly sipping my coffee so I wouldn’t cry. These precious kids! How I praise the Lord for them.
This Christmas above all the blessings…the fun, the craziness, and the smiles…the beautiful smiles…God sweetly showed me such grace through a young boy who has so little, but saw someone without “presents to open” and didn’t want them to be left out…and I am left once again humbled by His grace.

Merry Christmas!

On This "Side" Of The Shoeboxes

"Paketić! Paketić!" They screamed as they came running from their house. They knew why we were there. They knew we had brought the Christmas packets...

Today started off raining, cold, and gloomy. I met my teammate Adam, and two local guys at the office. They loaded up the van and we were off to deliver Christmas shoeboxes. I've been excited all week about getting to go. I have wanted to go out with Adam into the Roma communities for some time now, but haven't had the opportunity. On top of that for years now I have participated in making Christmas shoeboxes to send to other countries. I was looking forward to being on this "side" of the process. So, I made sure I had nothing going on in order to go today.

The first house we went to was very welcoming; the kids were very excited about getting packets. We were able to share about why we were giving these packets, why people in other countries sent these packets for them; because God has given the greatest gift He could ever give to us.

Upon arriving at the next house we were met with children excited because they knew why we had come. We went into a room where three families live together. They were so welcoming. We talked for a little, they served us “kafu and sok” (coffee and juice-which consists of anything from actual juice to coke), and treated us like honored guest.

I know it’s customary, and they were being good “host”, but do you know how humbling it is to sit in a home with no running water, very little heat, that houses three families (at least 5 people in each) and be served like that?

The thought crossed my mind, “Hold on, we are here to serve you, to be a blessing to your family…we aren’t the ones who are suppose to be served.” But I have found over my years that it’s usually when you are serving those who have little that YOU receive the most (and are humbled the most). What pride to think I could come and serve them? I mean I know the Lord’s brought me here to serve…Him, others, and to learn to die to myself more and more. But the way He continues to go about doing that is always in a way I cannot deny HIS hand…ever.

It’s always Him who is serving people, not me. I’m merely a “means” by which He uses. If I were serving them than I would have walked away so “proud” of all WE had done, all WE had given, and all the blessings WE had brought.

But on this rainy, cold, gloomy day, I walked away humbled…with the warmth of my Savior who for some reason has chosen to use me to bring HIS Good News to these people (people He uses to humble me!)

"But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, 'Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.'" 1 Corinthians 1:27-31

That's What Christmas Is All About, Charlie Brown

Charlie Brown: Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

Linus: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.

Linus: Lights, please.

Linus: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"

Linus: That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

This is one of my favorite Christmas "traditions"... watching Charlie Brown Christmas! I think one of the things I love about it is that Linus makes it so simple. And it is...it's so simple...and being overseas has made that even more clear.

For the past several years...probably since I was in high school Christmas has been more about Christ, family, traditions, etc. I mean I like presents...but really I like giving them more than getting them. I haven't been caught up in the whole commercialism stuff for awhile. But being here has made me focus even more on what Christmas means.

Christmas isn't as big a deal here as in the States. There's not the atmosphere of everyone getting ready for family to come, buying gifts, celebrations, parties, etc. It's just kind normal...and cold outside :) as winter approaches. So already, it doesn't "feel" like Christmas.

But I was thinking about that today... what is Christmas suppose to "feel" like. There's nothing wrong with being around family, giving, enjoying friends, etc. at Christmas time, and honestly since Christ is apart of my life daily, that's more of what Christmas has been about.

However, this will be my frist Christmas that I won't spend with my family. (Go ahead...cry a little for me!) Just kidding!

It is a sad thought, but it's made me ask this question, "So if Christmas has been more about celebrating with my family and friends, and even enjoying them, what does this year look like?"

I have my friends here, and I'll spend Christmas with them, and I'll still get to skype with my family, but I guess as Christmas approaches it's a reminder that the things I've been "use" to have been stripped away (and that's not meant to sound cruel...because I'm here by choice and don't regret being away from family), but it's caused me to ask myself, "what's left?"

And the answer is simple...like Linus says..."Christ"...He's what's left...

I don't mean that to sound like I've put Him on the back burner or that when it comes to it I'll take Christ since I can't have the other stuff. What I mean is that at some point the epiphany occurred to me that Christmas isn't all about toys and getting stuff....it's about celebrating Christ. Once again I'm reminded that it's as simple as that....it's about celebrating that Christ was born to live and then die on behalf of sinful man.

Family, friends, traditions....none of that is bad! I honestly am and do miss it tremendously, but when it's all said and done, the reality is those things can change...those things do change....

What does NOT ever change is that centuries ago... "there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"

So my prayer in writing this is that you would enjoy family, friends, traditions...Christmas, but most of all...make it as simple as possible and enjoy Jesus!

My "Charlie Brown" Christmas Tree!!!

(My mom sent me this in a package! She's so awesome!)