Gifts from the Heart

I love gifts! I love to give gifts, I love to get gifts, everyone already knows how much I love to wrap gifts. I hope this doesn't make me sound like a shallow person. I just know that a well planned gift, one that speaks to someones heart can really make an impact on a life. The key to giving a good gift is listening. It didn't take long for us to figure out what my love language was. You guessed it, "gift giving". Some of my favorite Bible verses talk all about gifts. "Every good GIFT and every perfect GIFT comes from above", "Thanks be to God for His indescribable GIFTS!" "..it is the GIFT of God, not of works lest any man should boast." I really believe there is nothing wrong with giving and receiving gifts. The Father Himself is a giver of gifts to those He loves.

Today as I went over to check the mail I received a package that was sent from J.A.C. What does that stand for you may be asking yourself? Trust me when I tell you I knew exactly who it was from. James Avery Craftsmen. My favorite jeweler! When I opened the little box found inside of the envelope my heart began to smile. He listened! (Trust me when I tell you that he hasn't always heard me when I tell him what I would like to have. One year for my birthday I received a pair of wind shield wipers from him. Can you believe that?) Dave did it! Inside of the box was the most beautiful silver bracelet I have ever seen. Attached to the bracelet were two charms. The first charm was a cross, and the second charm was a baby angel. On the back of the angel charm was engraved 9-26-06. Each charm represents a gift that has been given to my family. The first charm represents the most important gift in our lives. The gift of Jesus. His sacrifice on the cross gave us the gift of eternal life and a relationship with the Father for all eternity. The second charm represents the gift of life that was given to our Ashley. Both gifts give life. Both gifts came from the Father. Both gifts were undeserved, but given from a heart filled with love and mercy. Both gifts gave a us a second chance. If I never receive another gift in my life I would not complain. God has given to me more than I could have ever hoped for.

The gifts that I cherish the most are the ones that come from the heart. The ones who make it into my heart. Jesus. Salvation. Forgiveness. My husband. My son. My daughter Allison. My daughter Ashley. My family. My friends. Our donor family. My sisters. My church. My list could go on and on. This journal has become a gift I would have never expected. The outpouring of love and concern from all over the world has touched me and made it into my heart. Each one of you who come to Ashley's story has made it into my heart. The prayers and encouragement from each of you has become a treasured gift. I know this gift comes from your heart. Thank you for giving to me and to my family. Your "gifts" mean so very much to us.