This year unfortunately we have had some major financial struggles. We were able to get one gift for Freddy and that's it (I'm so grateful we were able to do that much!). We had to ask to be taken off the annual family Christmas gift name exchange list. Even worse than that we haven't had any money even for food (luckily we were accepted onto the WIC program and have a food storage built up).
We have cut corners in every possible place and the math still isn't adding up. It's a little bit unsettling considering we are due to have a baby any day now. We have been a little stressed out around here, but we have been trying to keep positive and keep the faith.
Even though I have felt like we haven't been able to do much giving this season I have been blessed with a few opportunities to give and I am so grateful for that. One of those times came when a new friend of ours texted me one day and asked if I could bring her family dinner that night. I knew that I couldn't afford to go to the store and buy anything and I also knew that I was using the only food I had to feed my own family from but I was so happy to have had enough food in the pantry to share with a family that needed help. I always try to remember what my grandmother used to say, "You can't give yourself poor." I totally and completely believe this to be true and pray for more opportunities like this every day.
We have also been on the receiving end a lot this season and we have been very humbled by the love that has been expressed to us. We have received a lot of help from both of our parents. We have had some car troubles they have helped with and they have been very generous to share with us when we have run out of certain basics - even filling up our car with gas.
Burgess came home from work today and brought in a package of butter. No note was left. Just the butter. I am almost out and have been worried because a lot of the meals I had planned called for butter and I knew what I had wasn't going to last.
Some "Secret Santa" has chosen our family for a "12 Days of Christmas" gifting. Guess what they chose to give our family? A little nativity scene. Not just any little nativity but a little wooden set similar to the one that I grew up loving as a kid. I know this idea is not new to many people. I have heard of this idea before and always thought it would be a fun thing to do. The thing is, I collect nativity sets. Burgess gets one for me every year...except this year he couldn't. I have been wanting a little wooden set for a very long time now, one that I could share and enjoy with my little kids as they grow and learn the story of Christ's birth. I am so humbled by this gift especially because we are new here. We don't know very many people in our neighborhood or even our ward yet. No one could know of my love of nativities (I keep them up year round). I haven't even told anyone that I'd been wanting a little wooden set. Whoever has chosen to give us this gift must have been completely inspired of the Lord. They will never know the gift of faith and love that they have given to me and my family by giving us this little Nativity set, one piece at a time.
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