One thing I thank God for, especially at this time of year, is a loving and energy-giving family. We were able to show our love for each other in a practical way on Christmas Eve in the form of a gift exchange. For weeks, we all worked diligently and secretly on preparing special, personalized gifts for the exchange.

As each gift was revealed on Christmas Eve night, it was really neat to see how each gift met a specific need. Here are a few of them: Esther wanted ways to hang pictures in her room in Oklahoma so David artistically decorated some frames and invented a way to hang them on the wall. Jonathan didn’t have a spiffy red tie, so Esther made him one! I needed orderliness, so Daniel gave me a handy, personalized weekly planner and notebook.  Everyone but Robert had a personalized table place-mat, so Michael used his skills to complete the set. Jonathan’s amazing custom-made beehive-tool holder for Michael will be very useful. Robert made David a notebook full of detailed Photoshop Tutorials for a fun way to learn the program. Daniel enjoyed the intense game I invented on the geography of Europe to help build skills in that area.

It was quite the evening! I praise God for a family who loves God, because those who love God, love others: “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments” (I Jn 5:2).