Coal For Christmas....

Merry Christmas

I'm going to try to recreate this post that I had spent the better part of a night getting just perfect and then BAM, it was deleted somehow.  So now I don't even know where to start.  I guess I can start with saying that this will be a Christmas we won't soon forget.  The memories we created this year started as a small thought back in the Fall.  We gathered the children and told them they could really make a difference in the lives of the children in China, more specifically Meili's little friends, whom we have grown to love more and more.  We let them decide if they thought it would be a good experience if they were to give up their Christmas in order to help these sweet children in China.   Without hesitation they each agreed.  We decided that we would still do the traditional PJs and books on Christmas Eve and also stockings and allow them to ask for a gift that was around $60.  As we got closer to Christmas, I worried that the excitement would wear off and they would start feeling less than enthused.  But many times, usually while traveling in the car, my heart would melt as I would hear one of them share with their friends what they had decided to do for Christmas.

Around Thanksgiving time, we learned of the needs of Meili's orphanage.  Beautiful Harbor had been given a wonderful opportunity to move to a new home.  A home that was bigger and more accommodating for the children as well as the caretakers.  The only problem was that they didn't know how they would pay for the coal to heat the home this winter.  We liked the irony taking place.  Our kids could literally say they got coal for Christmas.....or rather gave it.  I think it put into perspective for them just how blessed we are.  It's a real wake up call to realize that while we are worrying about what gifts we are getting, there are children that are worrying about just staying warm.  It completely changed their focus.

We also learned about a sweet little boy, Mingze, that we had the opportunity of meeting while in China.  This little boy is full of love and light.  We immediately fell in love with him but worried that he may never be adopted.  He has cerebral palsy and while he can walk with braces on his legs, his disability is considered severe and he is already 6, which means his chances of being adopted are diminishing every year.  We were thrilled to learn one of the volunteers at BH, after returning to the states, realized Mingze was meant to be in their family.  We couldn't be happier for him or his new family.  He is an amazingly determined little guy.  He hasn't been able to attend school as he has no control of bowel or bladder.  But nothing could stop him.  Mingze, determined to be in school, learned how to change his own diapers.  The only problem? School tuition is very expensive and they didn't have enough to cover his tuition for the months he would remain at BH until his forever family could come for him.  Here is this little angel.

Learning of the needs of these sweet children, is it any wonder our children were so willing to give?  You realize quickly how big problems can become very small when you learn about others and their needs.  Their hearts are so deeply connected to Meili and what she has been through, I think it was an easy decision for them.

A few days before Christmas I ended up sharing with a neighbor what we were doing for Christmas.  She said she could never do that for fear there would be tears on Christmas.  I started wondering if the kids would end up being disappointed when it came right down it, but I kept my resolve.  In the past, we have helped many families at Christmastime and have told the kids we would need to cut back in order to do so but in all reality, we never did cut back.  This year we felt it was important that the kids really felt the sacrifice of what they were doing.  Something amazing happened.  The excitement was still there, the magic was still there, the wonderful traditions and love of family were all still there.   They didn't miss a thing.....if anything, this Christmas meant much more to them than ever before.  They knew they had found the true meaning of Christmas.  With Christ, it was possible to help those that truly needed their help.  And that feeling shone in their eyes and you could feel it in their hearts.  I'm not sure I've ever been more proud of these 5 children that never once asked or wanted for more and knew that what they were doing was much more important than thinking of themselves.  Their focus had changed for the better.  Abi said it perfectly as she watched some of her friends get on facebook Christmas morning and make lists of all the amazing things they received that year.  She simply looked at me, with the love of Christ shining in her eyes, and said "mom, I never want to be like that."   It's that love and that feeling that I wanted my kids to experience and never want to lose.


Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa's is a longtime tradition which always includes a new rendition of the nativity every year, wonderful food, humanitarian service, and lots of love.  This year we made blankets for the babies in Kenya,  Gina was able to have her friend come and share a video with the kids and talk about the kids in Kenya and some of the things they can do to help them.  Another reminder of how blessed we really are.

 

The nativity was another success.....even though it's always chaotic and quite comical at times, Christmas Eve just wouldn't be the same without it.  We forgot to have all the children gather for one big group picture.....probably because we were feeling quite accomplished just to have finished it.  So here are a few candid shots we managed to get.

Wondering where the other boys are?  Fighting over who got to be the donkey..... right now, I'm going to force myself to refrain from making any comments about that one.

And here is one of the kids' favorite parts of the night.....PJs, books, and cousin gift exchanging.  It was a wonderful day with lots of wonderful new memories made.

Here's J.D., the only boy we managed to get a pic of in PJs.....as you can tell, he was acting crazy enough that we almost didn't get his picture either.

We knew we had to hurry home when we saw that Santa was already in Boston.  So off we flew for Logan.

Christmas morning was full of lots of excitement.  We couldn't put the children off any longer so at 7:00 we decided to get up and see if Santa had found us.  From the looks of the goodie plate, we knew He had.....

In fact, there was a very special delivery in a beautiful red box for 5 of the sweetest children I know.  Inside the box were 5 beautiful globe ornaments representing the children around the world that they had helped and also a personal letter from Santa himself.  Have a look.  It was a gift that will be treasured for years to come.

Abi made me extremely proud this year.  She has been in sewing lessons since last summer and she decided to make Meili a minky blanket for Christmas.  As you can tell, it was a huge hit!  What I didn't know was that she was secretly making me something.  I was totally surprised as I opened up a beautiful apron which she had made for me.  I couldn't have picked the fabric or design better myself.  What a wonderful gift that I'll always have to remind me of my sweet Abi. 

The kids loved the other gifts they received and had a good time playing together and eating a yummy breakfast until it was time to get ready for church.  Our sacrament meeting was amazing, the words and music were a perfect addition to our day.  

 

  

  

The rest of the day was spent eating yummy treats and enjoying cousins and loved ones that stopped by.  What a truly wonderful Christmas it was.  We feel so blessed and are so grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ, and his atoning sacrifice for each and every one of us.  May we all continue to feel his love and serve those around us all year long.