What a joyful season

It's been a good week for me here. It all started on Monday when we got to be a part of a great outreach here in Detroit. For the past 3 years, the Bible study group of the Detroit Lions have donated in order to provide for families in the city to Christmas shop for their families. For the past 3 years, this has been a highlight for me...

This year, we were able to chose five families to go to Meijer and receive the gift cards. The Lions players were there and it was such an incredible evening. For me, I was blessed by the families who came. They were so grateful to receive this gift, that it made them want to give back. I shopped with one of our grandmas who insisted on buying me a pair of boots (which I actually really needed, and am wearing right now!). Below is a picture of one of our families with Lion's kicker, Jason Hanson (p.s...the only reason I know who he is and what he does is because of this event! I'm not too up on football...) I enjoyed talking with his wife. They are such a sweet couple and God is really using them to bless people.

The next day, I received a phone call from one of the families who went. The dad was so grateful and wanted me to stop by so he could give me something. What he gave me literally left me speechless. Even though they have a house full of kids and could really have used every cent on the gift cards, he wanted to give back the money they didn't use! It was a significant amount. Even though I tried to give them back, he wouldn't take them and said they had received all that they needed. I told him I would use them to bless other families and he said "That's what we want". I walked away amazed. What a beautiful picture of receiving in order to give. I honestly was trying to think of creative ways to give back to them the money!

Sometimes...there can be too much negative news coming out of the city. Experiences like this remind me of what a blessing it is to be here. Our families are incredible. Sometimes I wish people outside the city could experience what I get to by being around the people here. I've felt loved poured out on me so many times...