Almost Christmas but I have already received my gift….

A huge shout out to Meijer and Indianapolis Colts players Jim Sorgi and Dylan Gandy. The players and wives took our high schoolers shopping at Meijer’s this past Tuesday afternoon. Each of the students received $150 from Meijer’s.

So what would a high schooler buy with $150? They could buy whatever they wanted. Every one of them spent much of their money on gifts for their families. That is right…no iPod, no game system…..gifts for their parents, siblings, grandparents. The story was shared to me the next day of their enthusiasm to provide Christmas for others.

I was moved ….I was broken by the genuine hearts of Christmas . As I told a good friend and mentor….we are breaking the cycle of poverty!!! These kids are focused on others. Yet, another gift given to me by those we serve. A gift of true love. Merry Christmas….

If only the rest of us had their hearts….they have very little but they are rich.

Merry Christmas and Feliz Navidad
jay

Yes, that is what it was, just a coat. One of our young elementary age children shared a coat with another who had none. Okay, so I cried at the movie Bridge To Tarabithia. I love the Christmas classics, and am still moved by the true spirit of Christmas.

One young girl, going through her closet to find an extra coat, another smiling because of her “beautiful new coat….and I will not be cold either.” Smiles from ear to ear. Wow, what a day…a day where the worries of paying off bills, finding the right size and high gas cost do not figure into the excitement and joy of a young girl who is providing the love of Christmas and one who is receiving that love with the innocence of Christmas morning.

what about you? will you share that same joy and love? will you be the receipient of another ones love?

Experience the real meaning of Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas,

jay

If you want to help someone, let us know, we could use the help to help others

I received a special gift today for Christmas. A little over two years ago, Shepherd was able to help a family in crisis. We helped them over a few months, especially through the holidays. This family was able to use that to break the cycle and move forward. Fast forward with me to the week before Thanksgiving…..when I received an email from this family.

They had received a frozen turkey for Thanksgiving. “We are blessed this year to have enough…” So they gave that turkey to Shepherd to provide to another family.

Today I received an email that they had taken their little boy shopping to buy toys for our Caring at Christmas program. The very program that provided them gifts two years ago.

No doubt, they are not wealthy by world standards…but they ARE rich. Rich in the attitude that we should all have. Merry Christmas to all and to all, a good…a safe…a happy…a good night.

jay