Yesterday I went with our youth to the Nursing Home here in my town. Each year we do a project with our youth and make handmade gifts for the men and women who live there. We've made an assortment of wall decorations over the years. Crosses, Angels Plaques with Bible verses. The youth really get into decorating these gifts. We just load a table down with beads, cloth, rocks, flowers, wire nails and all kinds of stuff and sit back and watch in amazement at what the kids come up with. This year Chuck made picture frames for the kids to decorate with this verse: Jesus said, "I leave you peace; my peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world does. So don't let your hearts be troubled or afraid." John 14: 27
We did not know what was to come when God laid this verse on Chuck's heart to put into the frames last week. For me it is hard to not be troubled. But I know that God has his loving arms wrapped around each and every child who was lost last week and the brave teachers who tried to protect them. I'm praying for the families today and praying God will give them peace through this.
May you all tell your loved ones you love them, give them a hug if you're close enough and count your blessings. I know I am. Hugs to each of you.
Debra
Posts
You are looking good Debra among all those pretty red blooms...
ReplyDeleteChristmas is so special on many levels and I have many blessings to count myself.
Wishing there was more Love in the world so things like this school shooting would never take place again, kids should not have to go through this trauma, Jesus loves the little ones - we will never know why something so bad could happen to the little ones but he does.
thanks for sharing today with us
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
Hope you had a great birthday recently, Debra! Like you, my thoughts are in Connecticut this holiday season and how so many families will have a sad Christmas season. I know many of us will have our thoughts on what is really important this time of year, as it should be! Only one of my children gets to spend the holidays with us but it's better than none! Even thought she's a junior in college, when she gets off that plane, I'm going to hug her a little tighter than normal! Merry Christmas to you!
ReplyDeleteDebra as someone who had a mum in a nursing home These visits brighten alot of the residents days. Mum couldn't get out of the bed and the first year they had someone come round with a gift and it was wonderful. It did drop of after the second year (she had 4 there) but I know when someone came with a card or something it brightens many of there days.
ReplyDeleteAt our local carols after singing Away in a Manger the MC said that the last verse
Be Near me Lord Jesus I ask thee to stay,
Close by me forever and love me I pray
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
and fit us for heaven to be with thee there.
Was very poignant after what had happend and rereading the words it is and I can see Jesus caring for them all.
This is a real tragedy but it also serves to remind us there will be many people this year (as there are in other years) who will struggle in the Christmas season and to be mindful of them. People who are alone, have lost a loved one, or who are struggling. If nothing else I hope the will make people spare a thought for all these people this Christmas
Hi Debra,
ReplyDeleteYes it is always good to hug and kiss our kids and grandchildren.
You look beautiful in and so does the mums. God bless you.
Norma Stanforth
Thank you Paula. And you are so right about love and the little ones. Thanks for stopping in. I'm sorry Im just now commenting. I had a lot of running around to tend to today! Family is coming in and I can't wait--but had to get ready for them :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Valri I had a great day on my birthday. You are so right, our kids never out grow us wanting to hug them tight~! I'm getting ready to do that on Monday and can't wait. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping in!
Jenny, your post is so touching on all levels. We love taking the handmade gifts to the nursing home and it is a Christmas tradition. It is really a neat feeling to walk in and see our gifts there in some of the rooms from year to year. We sing and have a devotional and then talk to those who can talk with us. And we go from room to room to make sure everyone has a gift.
ReplyDeleteThe verse to Away In a Manger brought tears to my eyes.
I hope you have a good Christmas. This will be your first without your mom I think...my thoughts are with you. I know for me after losing my first husband Christmas was hard but it got easer. We think of Wayne and both my grandparents and my mother in law--they are in our hearts. As I know your mother is in yours.
Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you Norma! I was on a trip with my husband in Pella Iowa. We went into a nursery looking for tulip bulbs because Pella is known for their tulip festival. But we found this huge nursery full of these gorgeous Christmas flowers. It was breathtaking :)so I tried to share it with everyone in this picture.
ReplyDeleteMy heart is with the families of these children.
Thank you so much for stopping in.
Debbie, I agree. I'm trying to work through the grief and pain I feel for the families and community. Trying to think of God's peace as we celebrate the birth of Christ.
ReplyDelete