Giving Back

The Joy of Christmas

     As some of you may know, Kayla and I are hosting an auction to raise money for the less fortunate children this Christmas. We will be using the proceeds to personally shop for children and be able to give as many children a gift as we can this year. We asked you all to share a personal experience with us that you may have, so I am going to share my own with you.
     Growing up, my dad's family has always struggled. It was never anything that we weren't used to, but it was never something that we enjoyed. Christmases were always tight, money was always low. Every year we do "Secret Santa" so everyone only has one person to buy a gift for, but that way everyone receives a gift. Im the middle child, so three of us are older and don't expect much, and two are younger. The two that are younger still live with my step mom and dad, so they of course always looked forward to presents from Santa and my parents as well.
     My family didn't grow up going to church or following God. But during hard times when it was a struggle for my father to see me and the question of child support being in the picture, my mother simply requested that if he went to church, she did not want any of his money and he could have me on the weekends. It was a blessing in more ways than one that my family attended church. It got the family together, the kids in activities and my step mom and dad off drugs. My step mom became a bible study teacher and friends with the right women to be around. Not only had church completely changed my step mom and dad's life around, it also help aide my parents during the struggle of holidays. Every year my family was able to receive gifts for my younger siblings from the church. They were able to open the gifts they wanted, they were able to jump for joy and they were able to understand those gifts came from another loving heart.
     It's not only the homeless or the third world countries that are suffering. There are so many families, you would look at and have no idea how hard they struggle. And I am forever thankful for the resources that are out there and the kind souls that help put it together. So this year, I may not personally have the money to afford all the gifts, but I do have the resources. And I can not wait to give back, not only to the community that has given to my family, but to kids all around the world that deserve a Merry Christmas as well. Christmas is not about receiving, it is the gift of giving, and bringing joy to the beautiful children.