Story Time: Double Blessing

Remember the Ice Cream Social Night from five weeks ago (Friday the 13^th)?  Tonight Doc and I met with the family again.  This time to deliver their “double blessings”  (See Pocket Cash Story posted on Dec 5th).  We told the kids we were coming over to share a Christmas Story with them. 

What an incredible 30 minutes of Pure JOY!!!!   When Doc and I rang the doorbell at the Hohl house, we could hear the four youngest children (the Littlies) jumping up and down in anticipation.

 

I started by asking what the kids remembered about our previous night together.  They remembered making the Thankfulness Cards, the little Thankfulness tree which the Elves picked out for them, eating ice cream and the Giving Game.

 

That was the perfect lead-in for the Pocket Cash Story.  Instead of just telling the kids about what happened, Doc and I acted out the story.  Doc was the voice of God.  I played the roles of Tina (Penny Finders shirt on) and Mary (when wearing black apron with pockets).  All ten of us were laughing ourselves silly as I tried to switch back and forth to pay both roles.   The kids liked when I “sassed back” to God or got “inspiration” while talking to God in the shower.

 

The skit concluded with the Lesson “The More You Give, the More You are Blessed”.

 

The concept became more real as I counted out the money to each child.  The child who donated $5 to sponsor a rabbit received her $5 back PLUS another $5.  The children who donated $20  (40% of their $50 allotment), received their $20 back PLUS $20 more!  WOW.  That left an impression.

 

The Hohl Family

Additional JOY:  This afternoon the oldest boy, Ty, submitted an on-line application for Azusa Pacific University (APU).  Within an hour, a counselor had called to say Ty had been accepted!  So tonight also became a Celebration of that Good News!

 

Playing a Beat for Us

As Doc and I were packing up to leave, the two youngest boys hopped up saying “You gave us a Gift, so we want to Gift You back!  We want to Play a Beat for You!”  They proceeded to create an original piece of music for us while one of the little girls danced across the room.

 

 

Talk about JOY Being Contagious!  WOW!!!!

 

 

 

P.S.  If any of you like Cinnamon Rolls …. Louis and Lakiesha own Sweet Dough Café.  They offer over 100 flavors of gourmet Cinnamon Roles.         https://www.facebook.com/sweetdoughcafe/

 

Pocket Cash

Recently my friend M.V. was at our house.  She asked what had been happening since I last saw her. 

I was running late and did not have time to chat.   The ‘Nudging’ said to tell M.V. about the Ice Cream Social.  (See story from Friday, November 13th).   I argued back, “I am in a hurry”.  It didn’t matter to The Nudging.  “Take Time and share the story”.  So I told M.V. about the activities at the Ice Cream Social.  She seemed very interested in the Giving Game.

Summary:  A family with six children came over for ice cream and an evening of Thankfulness.  Each child was given $50 to play the Giving Game.  First step: at least $5 (10%) of their “earnings” had to be given to help others.   (Charity/Tithing)  They were able to choose from photos off a Poster Board ($25 for chickens, $16 for soccer balls $21 for a bed bug net, etc.)  They each chose gifts for international children.

 

I walked away to take a quick shower.  By now I was running REALLY late.  Before I could leave the room, M.V. insisted I come back and talk to her.  Uhhh, “No. I am already late!”  She insisted again.  She did not request that I talk to her, she demanded it!

 

M.V. explained to me…  I found some dollars in my apron pocket and have been asking God what I am supposed to do with it.  I have been instructed to give it to those children you just told me about.  Also, please take my wages from today and give that to them as well.

 

Keep in mind that M.V. is NOT well-to-do.  She cleans houses.  She has lost many of her clients this year due to COVID restrictions and does not have “excess”.  I told her SHE needed those dollars to pay her bills.  She argued that she was “instructed” to give these dollars as a gift to some children.

I went off and took my shower.  While the water was running, I was asking for guidance as to HOW best to forward her gift.  Should I mail a check to the family or what?  The answer was to “take it to the kids – and DOUBLE what they lovingly gave in the Giving Game.  Show them how when they are generous, it will come back to them.”

 

I got out of the shower excited to ask M.V. what she thought about the “Double Back” idea.  She said while I was in the shower, she heard the word “DOUBLE” in her mind.  COINcidence?? 

 

M.V. asked how many kids were in the family.  I told her 4 boys and 2 girls.  Her eyes widened as she said, “THAT is how many kids were in my family!  We did not have much at Christmas time when we came to the U.S.  How great that I can give these kids something for THEIR Christmas.”     COINcidence or what?

 

What a Great Lesson for the kids (and for the rest of us as well).  Give and Ye Shall Receive.

 

Right now the whole family is in a 14 day COVID quarantine.  (A co-worker of the mom tested positive, so they are being cautious).  I can’t wait to see them all again, share this story, and give them their “Return on Investment”.