Christmas Season in Aberdeen

My family has experienced a lot of magical Christmases, from ones close to family in Utah, to Christmases in Georgia where friends have opened their homes to us and shared their friendship. But I have to say that Christmases here in Aberdeen are the most magical.

God promises blessings that are much bigger than those things we give to others in service. I have seen his tender mercies this season and have cried with tears of joy on many occasions.

This Christmas season it all started with an anonymous package at the door after a ring and run. The package was for the first day of Christmas, but what the giver didn't know was how badly we needed the tupperware set they left. I had been bringing my lunch to work in a sleeping beauty container. Yes, we can certainly afford tupperware (and were planning on getting around to buying some), but this gift came at the perfect time.

The next night we received another gift, New towels and a gingerbread house. Again, we really needed new towels so when we received this it was with glad hearts. The gingerbread house was fun for our family to assemble and decorate. And so each night continued each with a gift that made us feel loved and appreciated here in Aberdeen.

On the fifth night we received two gifts, one was a puzzle (Misty and I love to do puzzles around the holidays), and another one was from, we think, another person - also anonymous - with some religious books for the kids, which we cherish.

As if that wasn't enough, on this same night I received a phone call from a local music store in town: "Hello is this Greg?" "Yes." "We have your item ready for you to pick up." "What item? I didn't order anything there." "I'm not at liberty to tell you. Just come and get it before we close, you'll be pleased." So I went down to the store. They asked me for my full name and then pointed out a very nice guitar amp and cord and told me to take it all home. Now I have played guitar for years and I even have an electric/acoustic guitar but I have never gathered enough money for an amp. Needless to say I was dumbfounded. I asked who paid for it or made arrangements to leave it there and the man said he didn't know and was just following orders.

I took it home and found out it is a very high quality amp designed specifically for acoustic/electric guitars like mine. The kids love listening and being blasted out by it :). Tonight we also received another gift from our 12 days of Christmas people and it was mugs with hot chocolate mix. Well, you may be surprised to learn that we are constantly running out of mugs for hot drinks during the winter and again this was a perfect gift for our family.

Through our time here in Aberdeen, we have talked to many people who, for whatever reason, don't like it here. Reasons include that it is too isolated, its just not like Utah (or where ever someone came from) or too cold, or the people aren't friendly. But from the beginning Misty and I have decided that we would like it here and we have really grown to enjoy living in Aberdeen.

We'll see what tomorrow brings, but even if nothing were to come, words can't express how thankful we are for the many friends we have made here (anonymous and known).

Greg