Dec 15, 2009

A Wonderful Gift to Each Other...

Last year we were waiting on our first adoption to Ethiopia. Money was tight. I prayed and ask God how we could make this Christmas special. We didn't have a lot of money to spend and explained that beside a stocking for each, that there would be only one other gift. Everyone agreed that this would be fine.
Enter Holy Spirit. Enter a vision given to the Mama. Enter words spoken from heaven...
"Save toilet paper tubes."
This was right before Thanksgiving. I asked my closest friends to save toilet paper tubes for me...in anticipation of the vision for Christmas. By the week before Christmas we were up to our eyeballs in toilet paper tubes that needed to be stuffed with our letters and adorned in paper and ribbon.
Each tube would be filled with a hand written love letter to each person in the family. A letter of love, of encouragement, of hope and of edification.
We worked hard through the month in our homeschool, writing, drawing and later wrapping each of the 8 letters each had created.
There was 8; as we were expecting another to be joining us shortly. Everyone had words to speak to our sweet coming babe...this year we will be reading those to her...along with her new ones.
Each person gets a pile of tubes from each of us. Wrapped in a beautiful paper, that is just for them. This year there will be 9 ...unless in the next few days, God makes it clear that 2 will be coming home from Ethiopia!
We are enjoying our love letters and words of prophecy given to each other.
Maybe you'd like to do this too...




































We sat in the quiet of Christmas evening,
reading, laughing, crying and thanking God
for sharing with us from heaven this special blessing.
We are so thankful!

16 comments:

SF said...

Kimmie, I LOVE this idea! Can I come live in your family? ;) So beautiful.

Hey, I blogged about you tonight. :) xo

Amy said...

Kimmie, this is such a BEAUTIFUL idea!

My 9 year old daughter did something similar this year as a surprise on my birthday. She had each of her brothers and her Daddy write what they most loved about "Mommy," and then each read their thoughts out loud. Bar none, it was the most special and meaningful birthday gift I ever received.

I love your heart and I love this tradition you have started...

Sophie said...

Kimmie, you are so amazing!Can I be your adopted sister? What a great idea.
Blessings

Tammy said...

This is such a sweet idea, Kimmie, and so much more meaningful, too. Your tree is beautiful with all of them waiting to be opened!

Blessings,
Tammy ~@~

SF said...

I just commented on your comment, on my blog. :) Pop on over! xo

Kathy Cassel said...

We are praying for you on our prayer chain today. Other blog and facebook fans are also.

Jana said...

Love it!! What a great idea!

Ron & Maria said...

huh? 2 coming home from Ethiopia? 2 more? Not just 1 more?

tell me more, or clear my confusion friend!

I love the idea, I think that I'll have the kids do that for their sibs!
Thanks for sharing!
Maria

Renata said...

What a lovely idea!
I would love to do this with my children....hmmm may have to be in envelopes this year.
Enjoy your beautiful family!
Renata :)

Renee said...

Such a BEAUTIFUL idea!!!

Praying for your sweet family. God has an awesome plan!!!

Linda said...

That is a beautiful story. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. May God bless you and all of your family this Christmas and keep you throughout the year.

jazzy cat said...

Hi,

I have begun reading your journey thanks to Saminda's blog link. I wish you all the best for whatever lies ahead, and think your love and dedication to your family is inspiring! We may soon be contemplating the adoption route to begin our family and I have to admit my heart is just not quite there yet - but it is so good to get strength from your posts. Wonderful personalised christmas idea btw!

Christin said...

Love that idea!!! We've done letters before, but never like that. Too cute. xo

Kristine Mullen said...

Kimmie, What an awesome idea! Definately a tradition I'd like to adopt in our family. Thanks for the inspiration.
~Kristine

Duckygirl said...

You have an amazing heart. It shows.

:o)

-Laura

Leigh said...

The decorated tubes look so pretty on your tree! I wish I had had a family that expressed their love for one another with words.

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