Christmas 2015 at East Florence Mission

It's only the 21st, and already traffic is crazy, the mall is packed, the grocery store lines are impossible, and I find myself getting annoyed with the business of the season.

And just when I'm at my wits end, I remember my kids. 

And the absolute joy they were last week (and almost always). 

Maybe you're about at your breaking point with the stress of the season. If so, I hope this helps.

First of all, this would not have happened without the people who read my blog, shared the need, and donated money. 

And those who prayed, they deserve a lot of thanks especially.

We really were at a loss of what to do. There wasn't money, and there was a chance that these kids wouldn't get "Christmas" this year.

And then you all stepped in, and went above and beyond. Over $1700.

THAT'S OVER A THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS. I am still in complete shock over it. God provided. He used each of you as a part of the plan to bring Christmas to my kids. 

So this blog post, it's dedicated first and foremost to my kids, but next to those who allowed them to just be kids and receive a Christmas present.

Now some logistical things that also need to be mentioned.

If you remember reading when I first presented the idea on here, there was a need for money to support both the older and younger children. However, during the time between that post, and now (about two months) the directors of EFM decided to temporarily suspend the program for the older children, ages 12-18. This was done after a lot of prayer, and consideration. It was necessary for right now, and if God provides the volunteers needed to run it in the New Year, it will begin again.

So, this changed a few things.

ALL of the money still went to the kids, every nickel, dime, and penny.

It just went to the younger kids. 

And even though I hate that the older kids weren't able to be involved..

A big part of me was very excited.

For the first time ever, the younger kids got presents that were valued above $7. Normally, they each get a present worth about $7.

This year, each child received presents with a value of about $45.

Talk about a huge increase.

And before I go on, we didn't end up using all of the money donated. We saved around $200 that will go to taking the kids skating in January. We did this last year with money donated and it was so much fun.

The other $1500 went to presents and their Christmas party.

So let me show you what they each received. All 19 of them.

This was the big present. Probably the most expensive present most of them have received.

A tablet.

The directors of EFM, the Keys, were able to get this wonderful deal for 19 of these tablets from Walmart, and after talking with the manager, who gave them another deal, they were able to purchase them. 

Most of them have access to wifi, and this will by far be the best present they receive this Christmas. 

There was much debate over this tablet. But in the end, we decided to get it. Technology is such a big thing now, and we want them to have something nice.

They also all got a hat/glove set. The pink for the girls, and then black skeleton for the boys. This was a practical gift in comparison to the other stuff, but important to keep heads and hands warm during January/February.

The boys got a football, an actual Wilson brand, NCAA football. 

This will be highly treasured.

And the girls got an art set. Again, I know this will be a huge hit.

They also all got candy, warheads which they love for some reason, skittles, and candy canes too.

And then they all received a storybook Bible. 

Which, when it comes down to it, is probably the best present they could receive.

You'll notice in the rest of my pictures that there are no pictures of them opening their presents.

This is for a very good reason. 

While they get their big bag, stapled shut to keep them from peeking, about a week and a half before Christmas, most of them don't get to open it then.

They save it for Christmas Day.

That way, no matter what, they have something to open. They have presents to be excited about.

So, there are pictures of them doing crafts, playing games, and getting their presents. 

But they'll be opening their presents at the same time you are, Christmas morning.

And that, to me, is something very special.

Moving on, we celebrated Christmas last Tuesday the 15th. 

I was able to plan two games, a craft, some cookie decorating, and with a little flexibility on my part, it actually worked.

This was the calm before the storm.

It looked so nice, I had to take a picture to commemorate the moment.

The first thing we did was decorate sugar cookies. We did this last year too, and they requested that we do it again. If you can't tell by the smiles, it was a huge hit.

And thus began the sugar buzz.

We went straight into playing games. While this picture is silly, the game was actually pretty good.

I put them into two teams, had a line of tape down the middle, and gave them around 200 bows.

The object of the game was to have the least amount of bows on your teams side at the end of three minutes.

They LOVED it and it was really funny to watch.

We also did a relay of having to use a wrapped box to move an ornament to a line and back.

While this game was not as successful, they were still very good sports about it. (:

And then we also did a Candy Cane Relay.

I was surprised at how well they did with it, very strategic. 

The next part of our party was spent doing a craft, a nativity ornament. 

This is about as close up as I got with it, but it was super cute when they finished.

And worth the really bad burn from the hot glue that I got on my finger while putting the ornaments together.

Then they ate dinner, pizza and sprite. Sprite is a HUGE deal, we don't normally have soft drinks at EFM. So they were thrilled. Even if they didn't smile when I asked nicely.

I didn't get any pictures of my favorite part of the evening, because I was participating in it and it was dark.

But, we did a little skit of Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus. I narrated from the Children's storybook Bible, and had two VERY SWEET souls dress up as Mary and Joseph. 

It made my heart SO happy to watch my kids taking it in.

I asked some questions after the skit was over, about things I talked about that night, and about what they had been studying the past few weeks.

They absolutely floored me with their answers. 

They knew every single question, with detail. And while I knew some of them were just memorized, I could also see that for a few of them, they knew these answers and they knew them well. 

As their past teacher, I couldn't help but be thrilled.

And that concluded our evening. Minus the giving out of presents. 

Which of course I asked Taylor, my sweet friend who came and helped me out, to take pics of.

I love these kids. The ones pictured, and the ones not pictured. 

So. It's almost Christmas. Just a few days away. For most of us, we'll spend the day with our family. We'll open plenty of presents we don't need, eat way too much food, and relish the sweet moments.

But this year let me encourage you to do something more.

Remember these smiles.

The smiles of these kids, who didn't choose to live the life they live.

Who are told by the world that they don't matter. That they will never get out of the situations they are in. That they can't change their lifestyles.

And remember that this Christmas, the Christmas season of 2015..

YOU made a difference in their lives. 

Whether by prayer, by donation, by calling me and asking how to help..

You made an impact in nineteen children's lives. 

This Christmas, you brought joy into the lives of nineteen children.

You showed them the reason that we celebrate. 

Because Jesus was born for us. Because HE LOVES US. 

And through that love that He has for us, we are to love others.

And this Christmas, you loved them. 

I told the ones who asked where these presents came from.

Not from me, not from East Florence Mission, these presents are from people who love Jesus and want each and every child there to love Jesus.

That's why I do it. That's why I prayed and prayed and asked and worked and worked to put this together. 

Not for me or my glory, but to the Glory of God. That these kids might be shown His love. 

So while you gather with your loved ones, remember these sweet smiles. These funny faces. And know that you made a difference this Christmas. You brought joy and laughter into these lives. 

And I cannot say thank you enough for that.

Thank you all for showing the love of Christ this Christmas.

Giving all the glory to God, as the angels said. 

"Glory to God in the highest! And on earth, peace among those whom His favor rests." Luke 2:14

Merry Christmas y'all. Merry Christmas.