A Christmas Memory
But first a little background.
I am the youngest of 5 children. I was a “surprise” (thankfully not to God) but because I was a “surprise” I am eight years younger than my closest sister Stephanie, my big brother Garry is 10 years older than me, my (younger) older sister Amy is twelve years older than me, and that makes my oldest sister Penny sixteen years older than me….so….
When I was thirteen I lived in Florida with my mom. I was the only kiddo left at home. Each Christmas there was always high hopes that each sibling of mine would be able to come home for Christmas. This Christmas I was especially prayerful because two of my sisters, Penny and Amy, had brand new babies. Both born within hours of each other, on separate days back at the beginning of November. So excited to see tiny sweet babies (along with my other family, of course).
After so much praying and hoping it was the day before Christmas Eve. The Day that Christmas happened at mom’s house. If Any family comes to visit, it is on Christmas Eve.
It was late, after dinner, so it was dark outside. There was a knock on the door. The porch light was not on, so there was no other way to check to se who it was unless you opened the door.
As I opened the door, I saw a baby snuggled in a car seat setting on the landing. I just knew that it was a sisters’ baby!
There only way to know for sure which it was to see close up. It was a baby boy! That meant it was my sister Penny’s son! YAY for New Nephews! The family was there from Georgia!
My mom and I took the baby into the house. It was a few minutes until my sister and the rest of her family pulled into the driveway. They had put the baby on the porch and driven to the corner where we could not see the van. Such a sweet surprise.
After the family had come into the house, there was much laughter and tears.
About 15-20 minutes later there was a man that was walking along the road. He was filthy and looked a little rough. He looked like he really needed a bath and a good meal. He also looked like he needed some Christian charity.
My mom saw him while helping my sister Penny unload her van. So this man walks up our driveway (remember it is dark outside) and asks if they had any money so he could get something to eat. My mom said no, but she could offer him something from the house. As he got closer to the house, it became obvious that this scruffy, dirty man was actually my oldest brother Garry!
Playing one more joke on my mom and me, he had surprised us also. He had made his way to Georgia from Ohio where he was in school, met up with my sister Penny, they planned this huge surprise for us.
After much joyous laughter we welcomed everyone in the house for a wonderful reunion.
The best part?!
The next day, Christmas Eve, my other sister Amy and her family made their way from Southern Florida to spend Christmas with us too! YAY!!
My other sister Stephanie lived in the same town as me and my mom, so it was an incredible Christmas as we all got to spend time with each other.
A Sweet Christmas Blessing for sure!
Now onto this years Christmas Blessing.
I am co-hosting a wonderful giveaway this year with W2W Ministries and I want to offer you a chance to enter to win this AH-mazing prize of $410 of PayPal cash!
This Giveaway is from Right Now (Dec. 1, 2014) -until Dec. 14, 2014.
We are praying that this collection will be a huge blessing to just the right person this Christmas season. There are so many that may need this blessing and you have lots of chances to enter.
Everyone is free to enter. Here is more information:
Giveaway Rules: No purchase necessary. Must be 18 to enter. Void where prohibited by law. Open to US & Canada residents only. This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or associated by Facebook. By entering this giveaway, you agree to release Facebook, Woman to Woman Ministries and all participating bloggers of all liability. Contest ends at 12:01am EST on December 15, 2014. Winner is randomly chosen by Rafflecopter and will be emailed.
Please stop by and visit our participating bloggers!
Jenifer Metzger – Sweet Blessings
Shari A Miller – Living A Legacy
Melissa Baker – Live ~ Laugh ~Love
Becoming A Strong Woman of God
The Pocket Occupational Therapist
I hope you visit all of these woman and show your kindness to them. And a prayerful blessings to you during this beautiful Christmas season!
In His Grace.
Callie
It is a Christmas I will never forget! 🙂
What a sweet surprise and fun way to do it! 🙂