JOY

To my girls,

Merry Christmas sweet girls! I want to sit down and write out how proud I am of you two. Last night you helped me make tons of sweets for our community helpers. We talked about how much they do for us and how it is important to remember them during the year.

Daddy and I always want you to practice having a giving heart. It is so important to remember to give back to others. We really want for you girls to see others in this world-not by color or by size, social status, or religion but as people.God loves us all. And as followers of Christ, we are suppose to do the same. This is not always an easy thing, but girls-it will be the greatest blessing you will receive.

We talk a lot about JOY in our house. It is a word that is found on our dish towels, in our tree, on ornaments. It is our "motto". Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last. That is our Joy. Each year we make our treats, we honor our Lord by serving the ones that serve us. We do this because of the Joy that it brings to see these men and women smile.

Madyson-I don't know if in a few years you will remember today-but you were so excited to stand on our driveway and wait for our sanitation workers. When the driver jumped out of the truck-you, my shy one, walked right up to him! You gave him your treats, told him Merry Christmas...Even smiled for a photo for me!  As we were walking back, you said, "wow mommy, I am so glad I got to give him a Christmas Love." Yes baby, me too! I am so glad you got to give him  Christmas Love! I was so proud of you walking into the police station to deliver your treats, and when we got to the fire station, you told Mr. Barry how you worked hard on his treats. He even gave you a treat....a tour of the fire truck!

It is my desire for you girls, that if you only learn one thing from me, you will learn that we love everyone. I always want your hearts to be open to loving and helping others and you to do whatever it takes to make sure you practice JOY.

Merry Christmas my babies! You both, make my heart swell.

Love,
Mommy