12 Days...

We had a wonderful 2 days with family to celebrate the birth of our King. After getting back from my in-laws today, we arrived home to find a gift bag on our front stoop. (This always makes me amazed at the Lord for keeping things safe. We've had stuff stolen from our step before, but amazingly it was returned to us in a bag about a month later!) We had a lot to unload from our truck (including people), but I felt like I should rescue whatever was waiting for us, so I left the rest and charged into the house to set the package safely on the table. I knew that I needed to help unload our truck, so I glimpsed inside and saw my name written and some gifts wrapped up inside. I flew fast to throw kids and gifts in the house so I could see what little treasures awaited me! :)

Inside again, I sat down to look at the gift that some unknown friend blessed me with. On the paper with my name was a history of the carol, The 12 Days of Christmas. For some reason I always thought that the 12 days of Christmas were leading up to Christmas Day. I never knew that it actually starts on Christmas (or the day after) continuing to the day before Epiphany. I actually thought that once Christmas was over, so were any festivities. I'm excited to look more into this little history lesson! :)

What was in the 5 packages? Well...

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree (some really yummy Anjou Pear moisturizing soap).

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, two turtle doves (Dove raspberry and dark chocolate bars)

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 3 french hens (Dunkin Donuts French Vanilla Coffee)

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 4 calling birds (a daily devotional called, Jesus calling)

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 5 golden rings! (gold fingernail polish--which was really cool b/c I've been wanting to paint my nails for the past 4 days)

I only thought (after the fact) that maybe I should have opened them up each day instead of tearing them open like some 5 year old kiddo on Christmas morning...hmm....well, I'm only 33 and it is the day after Christmas. Jesus, please give me more self control. :)

Dear friend, if you are reading this, please know that you have indeed blessed me. It was an already great day, but this definitely pushed it to the next level (to wonderful) just to know that someone was thinking about me and loving on me.

I am so grateful to serve Jesus, who knows what I need before I even think of it. That He has placed the most amazing friends in my life. That His love for me is evident and everlasting. Thank you Jesus. Thank you dear sweet anonymous friend. You have touched my heart. May Jesus bless you and keep you.

Praying for whoever is reading this to be blessed! His extravagant love is amazing...and He wants to love on you too. :)

(I'll try to remember how to post pictures tomorrow--then get them up on here. :)