Gifts for Jesus

We had the honor and privilege of attending a Birthday Party for Jesus at Daystar Christian Fellowship this past weekend.  The families came out to celebrate Jesus' birthday.  They each brought Him gifts to benefit the Brenner's Oncology clinic playroom and Arts for Life.

The children made fun crafts, played games, enjoyed cupcakes, listened to stories,

and we opened the gifts.  I always get emotional when I share our experience.  Each time I say it I think it becomes even more real in our hearts.  It seems strange to say, but at times it feel like this all just happened and I have trouble believing we are a part of the pediatric cancer family.  As I'm sharing about the clinic and what goes on, it's like hearing it for the first time.  It takes a lot of prayer to even be able to do it.

We were so overwhelmed by the generosity of these families.  Julia and Carter opened the gifts on behalf of Brenners and showed them off to the crowd.  It is so touching to see how excited all the kids get about every item, even though none of it was for them.  And we had the privilege of sharing exactly how all of these things would be used.  In the end there were three baskets overflowing with gifts!  

Monday morning we got to be the happy elves and deliver the gifts.  The kids were so excited.  Julia told us she would show Ms. Kathy who the kids were with cancer because they were all her friends.  The staff was thrilled when they saw everything.  (Julia loved her extra hugs from Nurse Karen!)  These gifts will be used by so many deserving kids.  It is so humbling to see the ways God is working through our experiences and we are so touched to be able to witness some of that first hand. 

While we were there we ran into Mason and his mom Jessica.  She came running down the hall to give me a hug.  We went through so much when our kids were in radiation together.  Mason is doing great and has 7 more treatments left for his rhabdomyosarcoma.  Please pray his treatment is effective and he is NED for life.  We also saw Lily and her mom Ashton. 

We pray everyone has a healthy and joyful Christmas (out of the hospital)!