(no subject)
This Christmas truely surpassed all the others!
I did end up going to 11:00 service on Christmas eve. I needed it. Even though I went to the two previous services, attending that service seemed to complete my Christmas eve. Beckham was there and we sat together, talking about the picture on the front of the bulletin. I saw a visitor I wasn't expecting and didn't give in to rekindle that friendship from high school which was never really there in the first place. However, I did get a chance to see Patrick who I haven't seen in a long time. That was special.
With the great Christmas eve, came the best Christmas. It was amazing to seeing faces light up when they opened my gifts. For example, my cousin's daughter, Carly, is three and obsesses over three things: Disney princesses, stickers & Dora. I got her a book of 700 stickers, a cinderella coloring book with stickers, a Dora calendar, glittery play "princess shoes," sparkly play necklaces, and a couple other coloring books. It's amazing what a dollar store and Walmart can do! I thought I was excited when I bought the gifts, but to see her face when she opened them meant so much more.
Having the whole family together again was something we needed. My uncle's wife (my 'step aunt') was actually smiling and joining in with the family, something she hasn't done in quite a long time. We were missing Jared, but he's getting help. I prayed for him when I didn't see him come in with his family. My cousin Leanna has been divorced for a couple years now and has found a new friend who I think will be sticking around for a while. I'm so happy for her!
My grandma was a little upset when she didn't see Kyle come in with me. She always wants to me to be as happy as possible. I didn't need Kyle to be happy at Christmas though. We would see each other eventually and if he had been there I don't think I would have seen the details in my family that I previously mentioned.
I spent time with Kyle the next day though and that was the best Christmas present I could have recieved. We needed that time to catch up. Plus, that time made me realize some things. It made me realize my feelings for someone else, the fact that he and I will always be friends, and that sometimes just driving around and talking for three hours has more of an effect than actually doing something.
For most of this week, I have been at work. Yes, work, you know, that thing you attend to hopefully fulfill yourself and make money. Even though it is work, I feel blessed to have a job, especially one that I enjoy. I look at some of the people who come in for interviews with us. Many of them have stories. Many work two jobs already. Many probably didn't have much of a Christmas because they were too worried about how they would provide food, muchless gifts.
This is why I go to work.
Experiencing my assistant manager training means I go into the office to help people accomplish things. I make phonecalls and try to be the person giving another hope when I tell them the interview times available. I am the provider of trust and security when people arrive for interviews. Christmas is in those people's eyes and voices.
Christmas isn't only a day that brought Jesus (a sign of hope);it's a feeling.
I'm privileged to be a witness and disciple at the same time. Hope comes from trust in God. I trust God;people trust me. Therefore, I am sharing my faith in that handshake, phonecall or smile. This is me. I am a Christian. Christmas is my real job. It's a job anyone can enjoy.
Look for Christmas. It's always there. I promise!
I did end up going to 11:00 service on Christmas eve. I needed it. Even though I went to the two previous services, attending that service seemed to complete my Christmas eve. Beckham was there and we sat together, talking about the picture on the front of the bulletin. I saw a visitor I wasn't expecting and didn't give in to rekindle that friendship from high school which was never really there in the first place. However, I did get a chance to see Patrick who I haven't seen in a long time. That was special.
With the great Christmas eve, came the best Christmas. It was amazing to seeing faces light up when they opened my gifts. For example, my cousin's daughter, Carly, is three and obsesses over three things: Disney princesses, stickers & Dora. I got her a book of 700 stickers, a cinderella coloring book with stickers, a Dora calendar, glittery play "princess shoes," sparkly play necklaces, and a couple other coloring books. It's amazing what a dollar store and Walmart can do! I thought I was excited when I bought the gifts, but to see her face when she opened them meant so much more.
Having the whole family together again was something we needed. My uncle's wife (my 'step aunt') was actually smiling and joining in with the family, something she hasn't done in quite a long time. We were missing Jared, but he's getting help. I prayed for him when I didn't see him come in with his family. My cousin Leanna has been divorced for a couple years now and has found a new friend who I think will be sticking around for a while. I'm so happy for her!
My grandma was a little upset when she didn't see Kyle come in with me. She always wants to me to be as happy as possible. I didn't need Kyle to be happy at Christmas though. We would see each other eventually and if he had been there I don't think I would have seen the details in my family that I previously mentioned.
I spent time with Kyle the next day though and that was the best Christmas present I could have recieved. We needed that time to catch up. Plus, that time made me realize some things. It made me realize my feelings for someone else, the fact that he and I will always be friends, and that sometimes just driving around and talking for three hours has more of an effect than actually doing something.
For most of this week, I have been at work. Yes, work, you know, that thing you attend to hopefully fulfill yourself and make money. Even though it is work, I feel blessed to have a job, especially one that I enjoy. I look at some of the people who come in for interviews with us. Many of them have stories. Many work two jobs already. Many probably didn't have much of a Christmas because they were too worried about how they would provide food, muchless gifts.
This is why I go to work.
Experiencing my assistant manager training means I go into the office to help people accomplish things. I make phonecalls and try to be the person giving another hope when I tell them the interview times available. I am the provider of trust and security when people arrive for interviews. Christmas is in those people's eyes and voices.
Christmas isn't only a day that brought Jesus (a sign of hope);it's a feeling.
I'm privileged to be a witness and disciple at the same time. Hope comes from trust in God. I trust God;people trust me. Therefore, I am sharing my faith in that handshake, phonecall or smile. This is me. I am a Christian. Christmas is my real job. It's a job anyone can enjoy.
Look for Christmas. It's always there. I promise!