This is the day tha tthe Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it.

Salmon Falls Prims

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Give and it will be given unto you~ Winners

 

First ~ You are all winners! For it is better to give then to receive!

I have enjoyed hearing all of the ways that everyone has chosen  to give. What a wonderful bunch of  friends I have here in blogging land.

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Through the years our family has had several opportunities to show love through giving. What better time of year to give back what you have been blessed with all year?! I will share a few with you, not to let the left hand know what the right has done, just to show some ways that  you can share love.

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For so many years there was and elderly single women in the church we were attending. She was in her early 90’s and had no family. The church had mentioned that they had given her a basket of food at the holidays. Well, we asked her to share Christmas dinner with us. She looked at us and said “really?”. We said, we would like you to share dinner with us, although it will be a little hectic. You see there will be all of our 4 children, my dad, my sister and her 3 children. So that became the tradition of each holiday. After opening gifts and getting things in order, my husband and my brother in law would go pick her up. She was 90 years old a tiny little fragile thing(prob about 80 pounds), and two big men would go pick her up with her walker on the ice and help her get to our home. We would always have a few little gifts for her, some gloves, a calendar, things like that. She would always say ”You people are too much!!” After that first Christmas together, Marsha shared all holidays with us, Christmas, Thanksgiving,Easter, etc.    So our children grew up learning to give of themselves for others. They didn’t go without, in fact they were blessed because of it.

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A while ago I was asking my children, tell me a memory of Christmas that you liked when you were young and growing up. Here is the response. Christmas to me is giving, like the time we got those gifts for Darrell. Darrell was a young guy that worked with my husband. He had a child with a girl but they weren't together and he wouldn’t be able to see his child on Christmas Eve. Darrell didn't have a very good home life growing up. He was tossed around foster homes and ended up going to a Christian school for a while, after being kicked out of public school. Well our daughter had remembered him from school, he was a year older than her in that Christian school. Well Christmas was getting close and so hubby invited him to our home for Christmas Eve Dinner. He said, but you have to go to church with us first. So we mentioned this to the kids, all teens or early twenties by then, working and going to school, and asked them if they would give up one of  their gifts so we could buy Darrell a few gifts for Christmas Eve. He had mentioned he bought his child some things, but he didn’t have anyone to get him anything. Well our children jumped up and said we want to go buy him something. So they all took their own money and went out an bought him gifts. Christmas Eve came and we weren’t sure he would even show up. We were busy getting dressed in our Sunday best for  Christmas Eve service and Darrell came to the door. My daughter opened the door and there was Darrell all dressed up ready for church. When we returned home, we had dinner and proceeded to the family room to open a gift. The room was filled with a beautifully decorated 12 foot tree, fire going in the large woodstove, all festively decorated to celebrate Christmas. The children all got their gifts for Darrell and piled them in front of him. He was so overwhelmed, and just couldn’t believe it. Why would you do this for me, I am just a trouble maker, he asked. The kids told him that we give gifts, because God gave the ultimate gift for us. The best gift that my children received that year was the joy of giving to others.

 

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There are so many simple things you can do to show love. You can buy a bag of gifts and leave them by the door secretly for someone that has children  and needs help, or leave a Christmas tree by their door. Send an anonymous Christmas card with money in it. If there is someone in your church that is in need, you can drop money secretly  in their car, in the church parking lot.  All things we have done through the years.

 

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Our Children have learned and picked up on the giving spirit. Our daughters are involved with MOPS(mother’s of preschoolers~ would recommend highly for all young mothers), and are involved in providing meals for each other, Samaritans Purse, Angel Tree(providing Christmas gifts for incarcerated men’s  children). When our daughter was making a wedding guest list, she was adding family, friends, the boss, the shop owner, etc . Well there were elderly people in our church and she asked ~did she need to invite them all. I gently quoted her a verse  ~But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 13:13-14

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This year we don’t have much financially to give, but we are truly blessed! Hubby is feeling better, he is unemployed but we have been busy with the business and have not missed a meal. A big Thank you to everyone this past year for you care, concern, prayers and support!

 

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And now what you have all been waiting for~ The winners!!

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All of the numbers were put in a nice Santa mug~ how simple!

there will be 3 gifts…..

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Not telling what you will be sent~ it’s a surprise

And the winners…..

in no particular order~

Lucy- The Farmer's Attic

Deanna~Laurel Leaf Cottage

Amy~BumbleBeeLane

Please send me your addresses and I will get these right out to you!

Thank you to all who entered, I wish I could send you all something. Blessings~Sara

16 comments:

  1. Sara,
    Such an inspirational post! What a blessing you were to those families. My family did things like that growing up. I treasure those memories. I like your idea of dropping gifts on door steps... I am going to try that!

    Thank you for being so giving to all of us and encouraging us in thinking of others!

    Blessings and hugs!
    Heather

    P.S. I have the Santa Mug too! Mine is just tall and straight. Got it at Kohls. Sounds like a commercial... ;)

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  2. Sara,
    I loved reading your story about the older lady at church and you and your family made it a tradition to have her for Christmas. I bet she didn't mind the hetic around her, I bet she was thrilled seeing everyone laughing, kids smiling and running around in excitment.You made someone so happy and couldn't wait till Christmas to go to your home.I f we all did that and brought someone home dinner a holiday dinner it would be a better world!

    You are a beautiful soul Sara!
    I am praying still that Hubby can find work,when God cloese a door he opens a window.

    Merry Christams to everyone and Congrats to the 3 GREAT gals that won!
    Christmas Blessings and Hugs,
    Tricia XO

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  3. Sara, Congratulations to all of the winners and thank you for such a lovely giveaway! Your stories were all so wonderful and heartwarming.
    What a beautiful family that you have.
    I know several Christmas my kids have brought home extra people for Christmas, we were always able to find them a few gifts and make them feel so welcome. That just melts my heart, and is the true meaning of Christmas. There used to be an elderly lady that lived near us, I would notice that their was never any cars at her house and knew she was alone for Christmas. I couldn't get her to come to our house, but took her a plate of food, she was so appreciative. And those are the memories that we find we cherish the most at Christmas, not how many gifts we receive, Merry Christmas my prim friend. hugs, Lecia

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  4. what a wonderful tradition. congrats ladies!! merry christmas! denise

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  5. Sara~ I've been having a rough few days and gotta say your post today really touched me.You've captured the true meaning of the holiday spirit.Thanks so much for sharing,such a blessing.Well of to email you.Warm Blessings!~Amy

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  6. Morning Sara, love the story, that is the true meaning of Christmas,happy Hubby is doing well......we are blessed........Congrats to the lucky winners, Hugs Francine.

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  7. Such a lovely post Sara - It truly is the best to give, because we are always blessed ten-fold when we do so..and that warm fuzzy feeling you get knowing you have made someone happy.
    What wonderful memories your kids have from sharing the true spirit of Christmas.
    Sending Christmas blessings

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  8. Hello Sara-
    What a wonderful and touching Post!
    Thank You for the wonderful Giveaway! Congratulations to the winners!
    Merry Christmas to You and your Family!

    sandraallen260@centurytel.net

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  9. What a lovely post, Sara.....and what a blessing you and your family are to others. Every day is a new opportunity to give of ourselves... Congratulations to Lucy, Deanna and Amy! And thank you, for another wonderful giveaway opportunity!! Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas! Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

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  10. Congrats to the three blessed ladies!Thanks so much Sara for sharing this inspiring post.It was so touching to read of your family's generosity.This is the true meaning of the season.May the coming year be filled with wonderful things and your Christmas merry!Hugs,Jen

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  11. Beautiful stories. You are good people, sounds like you have raised some wonderful children. Congrats to the winners & God bless ~ Lori

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  12. Lovely post Sara!
    Congrats to all the lucky winners!
    Prim Blessings
    Robin

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  13. Sara,

    I LOVED your stories of how you gave! I know you were blessed for it! What a wonderful thing to teach your children! It brought tears to my eyes! That's what it's all about!

    God bless you all and Merry Christmas!

    Tammy

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  14. congrats to all three winners. You are a special person Sara and I am so thankful our paths have crossed in the cyber world. I am also happy hubby is better. Employment will come, you know God has a plan.

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  15. Oh Sara, you and your family truly celebrate Christmas the right way! Thank you for sharing!
    Be blessed,
    Cindi

    Congrats to the winners!

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  16. Sara, your post brought tears to my eyes. You have such a beautiful soul and have taught your children well. I know I am blessed to have gotten to know you this passed year and wish for you and your family a Blessed Christmas and A New Year full of Joy. May the Love you show others always come back to you.
    Thank you for sharing your memories and for the inspiring stories with us.
    Prim Blessings,
    Jean

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