Christmas blessings

Well, since I last wrote, that saturday morning a friend of ours from church called and asked if we would be there a little while. We said yes, and she came by with a food/supply donation that the school had taken. Over 10 boxes of groceries, shampoo, toilet paper, and other basic supplies. We were overwhelmed. We headed up to the reunion a little late, but realing in the generosity of others. When arriving, we had a surprize. Noel had driven up just because and so we got to spend the afternoon visiting with relatives we had never met. We went to Grandma and Grandpa's after that so Noel, Clyde and Chris could replace the brakes on the car that were going out. And just in time, the weather turned ugly Monday. Temps were -4 when i headed to work so Chris kept them out of it. Forgotten to me, Chris' truck has no heat in it, so he didnt want to risk Nathaniel's asthma.(which Chris recieved money from my Grandma to help fix that asap!! Blessings!) then, tuesday, the ice came in and so everyone but me was home. by wednesday, nathaniel was throwing up and everyone was getting really tired of being stuck together, minus me, of course. All this time, I was working like a mad person at mazzios. Most of the people have either quit, or just didn't show up. A usual day this week was me, shirley, a manager, and a cut person. Maybe a cashier once in a while. it was crazy.
Anyways, nathaniel was feeling better thursday morning, which was good considering he was in a christmas play that morning, which I missed. Chris said he did well. since thursday was Chris birthday, he went to a friends house to play computer games while the kids were in school and i was at work. we hurried home to bake a cake and decorate. we then splurged and took him out to eat something other than ramen or rice and came home and passed out. Friday i was actually off, so I let Chris sleep in and took the kids to school. I did some cleaning around the house and enjoyed being here doing things. i got a call from the kids principal around noon asking if I could come into her office before heading to the kids party.
A little worried, i agreed. Chris went to blanchard to use some anonoymous donated money to take care of our car tags, which was another wonderful blessing. I headed to the school, Chris planning on meeting me there. I went into the office and the principal took me into her office and closed the door. she sat me down and said, "you know anyone here is family and your family is our family. We take care of family. And we know how hard it has been for you guys and we really wanted to help." She pulled out a card that basically was a reminder that Christmas is about Gods love and showing it to others. Inside were 3 gift cards. 2 to walmart and 1 to Target. She then said, "we heard you don't have health insurance and the kids weren't going to get gifts this year. there is over $500 in there. we hope it helps. We know you and we know that when God brings you back to your feet, you will pay it forward." I began to sob. A $20 gift card would have been more than enough, but 500 was overwhelming. Then she pulled out a bag and said that the kids teachers had instigated the whole donation and had gotten the kids gifts. Inside was a huge plush horse for Hannah and a container full of dinosaurs with play mat and nountains. I gave her a huge hug and cried somemore. After leaving the office, i ran into chris who was just arriving. He went into the office and gave her a hug and then when we went to the parties, we thanked the teachers.
Also this week, I recieved a card in the mail Wednesday from my sisters. they knew we were hard off and that i wouldn't be able to afford to even get Chris a birthday gift. The purchased tickets to Brian Reagan, Chris' favorite comedian, who is coming to OKC in february. they sent the tickets and said to give them to Chris on behalf of us. I was overwhelmed.
Overwhelmed is the only word for all of this. I am really having a hard time processing all that God is doing. There is no answer to why, but I am trusting in that he is working. I don't know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future. I appreciate the generosity of others and am looking forward to when we can reciprocate the favor. it is just so humbling to have everyone helping provide for our needs and even some of our wants. My parents and their help with the utility bills and the generosity of everyone will allow my measly paycheck to pay the mortgage and everything else is taken care of. I am just hoping that the love shown to us will carry us all through this season!! All our love to all of you who check this!! merry christmas!