We have finished our fourth and final week of our 25 Days of Christmas B.L.E.S.S. (Blessing Lives Everyday with Special Surprises).  It has been a real joy doing these fun events everyday.  In some cases we get to see who receives our B.L.E.S.S. gift and in other cases we will never know who is on the receiving end.  We pray that whoever receives or finds these gifts will experience joy during this Holiday Season.  Each night we take down the B.L.E.S.S. activity for the next day and read the verse and the activity then pray for those who have and will receive our little BLESS’ings.

Here is what we did this week with a couple pictures to share of our adventures:

Candy Cane left for the next person to enjoy at the gas pump.

• Day 19 – Bought and donated canned goods for the Harvest Hope food drive that helps feed families in our local community.  The girls were so excited about helping fill up the barrel of food.  It reminded me of times that were tight in our lives and the many blessings we have including food to eat.
• Day 20 – Left quarters taped to a local vending machine for the next person to enjoy a snack.  The girls had fun “guessing” what they thought the next person might get for their snack.
• Day 21 – Taped a Candy Cane to the gas pump for the next person who fills up with fuel to enjoy.  The girls giggle at the thought of the next person pulling up and getting the special treat.  As we were pulling out of the gas station they started clapping and cheering as someone drove up to our pump! 🙂
• Day 22 – Wrote a “Thank You” note and left goodies for the Hotel Maids who cleaned our room.  The neat part is one of the maids recognized us from an earlier trip this year and was excited to see the girls again.  It reminded me of the importance of leaving a positive impact on the lives of others no matter where you go, even when you are on vacation or a work trip (you never know who you may run into or see again).  We prayed for each person that was cleaning our hall at the hotel that day. 
  
• Day 23 – Sharing special Christmas treats with a friend.  The girls were eating a snack while we were running errands when we ran into a friend and without hesitation they gave away the remaining goodies in their bag to their friend so that she could enjoy them.
  
• Day 24 – Gave the extra cash we had leftover after paying for our purchase back to the cashier so she could apply it to the person’s purchase behind us in line at the store. 
  
• Day 25 – Spread Christmas cheer to Family and Friends.  We did not go out on Christmas Day because we felt that it was important to spend time with our family that day so we decided to take the time to call, text, and talk to family and friends to wish them Merry Christmas and let them know that we love them.

One of our favorite verses this week went along with our Day 21  activity. 

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. – Hebrews 13:16

Thank you note written from the girls to the hotel staff.  “Thank you for cleaning our room!” (with lots of hearts)

I was not able to snap as many pictures as we were doing the activities this week with the traveling and I felt like it was more important to participate in the activities then to get the “perfect” picture.  The main purpose of this activity is to teach our family the joy of giving and sharing to those around us.

My favorite day was Day 22 because the girls really did do most of it on their own.  I asked if they would like to leave a special treat for the hotel staff and they went to work writing notes and coming up with ways to spread Christmas cheer.  It was so amazing to see not only their excitement to do the activity but to hear them praying for the staff that would find the little treats and notes that they had left out for them.  Since the items were left on the table as we left the hotel it was the easiest one to capture pictures of as well.  I am thankful for the opportunity to do these wonderful activities with the family.

This activity has taught our family a lot this year about the joy of giving to others.  It has been fun taking time every day to spread Christmas cheer and to pray for those who have received our goodies.  Sometimes it’s the little stuff that can make the most positive impact.  This may become a tradition in our family for future years as well because it was such a great way to make ourselves specifically think about, pray for, and do something for others each day during a busy time of year.  I would love to hear the ways you spread Christmas cheer this Holiday Season.

Karlie’s “1st Poem” written specifically for the hotel staff (the girls gave them a fish sticker).  The note said – “A fun fish for you for fun.  I love people.”

To learn more about our 25 Days of Christmas B.L.E.S.S. activity and what we have done far check out the links below:

• 25 Days of Christmas B.L.E.S.S.
• Blessing Lives Everyday with Special Surprises (B.L.E.S.S.): 25 Days of Christmas Blessings (Update)
• Blessing Lives Everyday with Special Surprises (B.L.E.S.S.): 25 Days of Christmas Blessings (Week 2)
• Blessing Lives Everyday with Special Surprises (B.L.E.S.S.): 25 Days of Christmas Blessings (Week 3)

The girls came up with most of this idea, love that they are putting together B.L.E.S.S. activities pretty much on their own.

I have been asked by a number of people for a printable version of the 25 Days of Christmas B.L.E.S.S. activities, verses, and sheets to handout so here they are for your family to enjoy as well:

• 25 Days of Christmas Blessings B.L.E.S.S. – Acts of Service (we came up with more than 25 activities, around 40, then narrowed them down and decided as a family which ones to do together.  I decided to give you all the activities we had listed so you can choose which ones work well for your family from the list.  Just print these out on colorful paper, cut out, and place into your B.L.E.S.S. activity bags!)
  
• 25 Days of Christmas B.L.E.S.S handout sheets to leave on an item or to give to the person you are blessing.