Great Give-Away #2

My BCMers decided that we would adopt one the the families from Broad Street Ministries for Christmas.  We talked about it last month when we were focusing on practicing thankfulness and then last night was the night when we met to shop.  We had a family of 4 ... a 27 year-old single mom and her three young kids.  My "kids" were excited ... although I was a bit nervous that their excitement was much greater than their funds.

We met for dinner (our normal Thursday night thing) and then headed to Target with our lists.  Thanks to Laura's suggestions, I was armed with coupons and instructions to check the clearance racks first.  We were supposed to buy 3 gifts for each family member (no single gift to exceed $50 ... no problem there!!).  We divided up a bit (the guys were not interested in shopping for dolls) and got to the lists.  It was so much fun to see them budget and bargain and get excited.  I was really surprised at the end of the evening that it was the GUYS who were most excited about their gifts!!  They were expecially proud of the spider man t-shirt that changed colors in the sun!

I might have had to supply a good amount of seed money ... and I would never might not have chosen the clothes they picked out, but I was proud of them, of their desire to give something to someone and loved being a part of the Target Takeover with them last night.  They amaze me!  They don't always give $$ ... but I have seen them give much more ... grace and friendship ... acceptance and joy.  Love these guys!

While last night was tons of fun and I am excited about being able to bless a family this Christmas with gifts, the best part was this email I got  this morning from one of those students ... a freshman from a military family who has moved quite a bit in his life and who I just randomly met the first day of class and who has blown me away with his love for people from all sorts of places in life ...

... let me share a miracle real quick. I've been struggling with how I was going to pay for school next semester. I have very little money to move around but when i got home tonight I checked my email and received a refund of over 3000 on my account! I'm praising God for all He's done for me. And I'm probably babbling, but honestly I had very little friends before BCM and you guys have really become some of the best friends I have! In short, I LOVE BCM and am THANKFUL YOU GUYS ARE IN MY LIFE!