Yes, Virginia...

There is a Santa Claus. His Holiday Spirit is very real and we are so grateful for it. We don't know who our Secret Santa(s) is/are and if you even read our blog, but we feel an overwhelming need to thank you and this is the very best way we can think of.

Just the other day I was listening to a concert from a local musician on the radio. He spoke about how he had been hospitalized last winter due to a serious medical condition. He explained how difficult it had been for his pride to know that friends and family were shoveling his sidewalk and taking care of his home and family while he was confined to the hospital. One day he was thinking about the lyrics to one of his favorite Christmas songs and the words, "Let Earth Receive Her King," really struck him. He realized that part of "receiving His King" was being humble enough to receive those who wanted to serve their King by serving him.

It's no secret this past year has been a difficult one for our little family. We are doing fine--we really are--and are probably doing better than most people in our situation would be. Our cupboards are far from bare and Santa Claus certainly wouldn't have forgotten Garrett and Abby, but the kindness and generosity of our Secret Santa has brought a feeling of magic and joy to our house we really needed this Christmas season. Just knowing that somebody took the time to remember us, in spite of their own holiday hustle and bustle, means more than we could ever express.

The prideful part of us wants to track you down and pay you back (or at least properly thank you), but we are trying to be humble and just remember that when we gratefully receive you, we are also receiving our King. I can't help but think of the lowly circumstances in which our Savior--the Greatest of all-- was born. Perhaps of everything we could learn from Him this holiday season, humility is the lesson we need most of all.

So to whoever you are, where ever you are, we thank you from the very bottom of our humble hearts. This Christmas is going to be our best one yet and we will remember it for the rest of our lives. Thank you for your goodness. God loves you, and so do we.