The Gift

My extended family has been doing a Christmas Service activity for 16 years.  Last year, we decided that this service activity would be the gift that we will give to my parents every year.  They have wanted it this way for awhile.  We rotate who is responsible for deciding what we will do.  As part of this, the person in charge gets an ornament for the "service tree" that represents what we have done for that year and we give that to my parents on Christmas.  It is fun to look at the tree and reminsce about the different things we have done together.

Christmas 2013 was the McMurtrey's turn.  We were able to find out about a family through a school teacher that lives in our neighborhood.  This family has 4 children from 3 years to 9 years.  I talked to the mother and got the interests and needs of their children. My extended family had such a wonderful time buying gifts and talking to our kids about the real meaning of Christmas.  We were able to include all of my siblings...even the ones who live out of state.

Each family could decide what and how they wanted to participate. One of the great things about having a large family is that when we each do a little bit, great things come to pass.

Those of us who were able, delivered all of the gifts.  It was the highlight of our Christmas season.  The children that we were able to serve had made Thank You cards for me and my family.  They were so cute! We also had enough cash donations to help out the LDS missionary program as well!!