So very grateful this Christmas

Our family has been going through an extremely difficult time for the last couple of months..My estranged husband got arrested for a DUI in October while driving a company vehicle. In November he was fired after working for them for almost thirty years due to the DUI. He also lost his license. He has not supported our children because he is not working. I do not make enough to support us. I had been feeling so overwhelmed and really sad. I finally had to go to our Human Resource Center to apply for assistance..It was so heart-breaking to see all of the people there who are struggling just to survive another day...My relationship with God has been strained because of this..Me just not understanding...I have been so afraid that we will be evicted from the home I rent...I have tried to trust, to pray, but it has been difficult...

Christmas is my most favorite time of the year...and I love to buy presents for my 5 children..but this year there was no money to shop...and it didn't look like my food stamps were coming anytime soon...they needed more paystubs from my eldest son and they said once they received them, it would take another 2 weeks to process...But suddenly, on Friday I called the welfare office and they said that I was in the system, and I could come in and get my aid...and then in the mail I received 2 $50 gift cards to a local supermarket here from the christian radio station that I listen to...they also sent me $200 in gift certificates to a local thrift shop...I was floored...

But the best happened early this morning...My 12 yr. old and 9 yr. old children awoke to many presents under the tree for them...My older 3 children had taken their last couple of paychecks(they all go to college and work part-time) and bought presents for their sister and brother...It was so amazing for us all watching their joy in opening their gifts..the older kids were so happy and felt so good that they created Christmas for us all...I have never had such a nice Christmas before...my heart is truly happy...

My youngest son had prayed for a game system, which of course we could never afford...and my daughter had written a letter to this Santa web-site about what she wanted for Christmas...they in turn send the wish list back to the parents email, so they will know what their child wants..well she wrote that she wanted a cross necklace that was very sparkly and shiny..when I read it I cried because I knew I could not buy her one...Under the tree this morning were gifts to each of us from my sons' best friends' family...My youngest son opened his and in the big box was an X-box game system with 20 games...my sons' friend had grown tired of it and she gave it to my son...and in my daughters' small velvet box was a beautiful, sparkly and shiny cross necklace! We all cried when we saw this...inside my box was something that to someone else may seem peculiar...there was a Joseph being sold to the Medianittes small playset...I held that in my hand and weeped...since the mess with my husband happened, I have been reading and re-reading the life of Joseph from the bible...about what his brothers did and all of the struggles he went through...things that he did not cause nor was responsible for...I have drawn encouragement and hope from his story...so for me to have received the little playset was so very appropriate...I also was given a small velvet box with a beautiful heart necklace in it..

I am a truly blessed woman...This season I have learn the real meaning of Christmas...It really felt bad and discouraging along the way, but this day, I am very grateful...sorry for rambling on, I tend to do that sometimes...Merry Merry Christmas to everyone...

ahhh THIS is Christmas!

Thank you for taking the time to post all that, it was worth reading!

Please do realize that mental unwellness is what causes that "break" from God...it's chemical, not us.

awwwww another Christmas gift, thank you for sharing
BTW climbingkit check this site out okay?
www.angelfoodministries.com
they are wonderful

What a beautiful Christmas story.. thank you so much for sharing it with us...God is faithful...

i am believing in God for your family to prosper this coming new year... have faith...

wonderful!!!!!! yes, "Virginia", there is a Santa and the giving spirit comes through from churches, friends and SOMETIMES, our very own government!!!!! i am so happy for you and your children and will keep you in my thoughts.

You are all a treasure to me, Kathy