Best of Friends, Best of Gifts

This blog should be about how friends are the best of all gifts. And that is so very true! Friends do double your joys and divide your sorrows!

However, this blog is actually about Christmas gifts. My friends gave the best gifts. Let me share with you because you still have Monday to run out for one last gift.

From Greg and Connie, Bob and I received a beautiful handcrafted decoration for our hallway. I love how it enhanses our entryway.

From Timothy and Nancy Botts, also in our small group, we received Tim’s wonderful new Daily Portraits of the Word calendar of verses. (Not yet listed on his website but you can contact him about purchasing a copy.) It is such a thoughtful gift to direct our thoughts to the scripture each day. Our appreciation and understanding of the verses are sharpened by Tim’s artistic calligraphic interpretation.

Three of us in the neighborhood always get together—even if just for a short visit at Christmastime. We are so thankful for our friendship and exchange a small gift. From Cindy we received a sweet ornament that says “Hope”—because we bring each other hope and a purse with stationary. Both Mary and Cindy brainstormed and loaned me items and shared ideas when I planned a shopping bridal shower. From Mary I received the cutest coffee cup and candles that smell like coffee—a reminder of our heartwarming coffee chats.

From my dear friend Ellie I received a wonderful Yankee candle that smells like balsam and cedar—I am reminded of her generosity and goodness each day. Recently while preparing for our small group Bible study, I read Hosea 14: 5 & 6. The study was regarding a clear conscience. The chapter title is “Repentance Brings Blessings” and is regarding Israel turning back to the Lord. We can apply these verses to ourselves as well when we repent and make things right with God. I love the freshness, joy, and fragrance of Ellie’s candle and friendship and the freshness, joy, and fragrance of a clean conscience.

I will be like the dew to Israel;
he will blossom like a lily.
Like a cedar of Lebanon
he will send down his roots;
his young shoots will grow.
His splendor will be like an olive tree,
his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.

I must also tell of Kathy’s gift from Port Townsend, WA. She gave me some gifts typical of her locale—Goddess Chi Wild Sage Tea and tea wrappers. (I cannot read anything on the package except Made in Japan.) This next gift is one of my favorites. Only your good friends get you what you need but don’t even know to write on a list. She got me an Elixir tonic called Mind Over Muddle. She says it really works and I am definitely a good test case. To my surprise, it tastes good—but I don’t think that is the point of it.