Friday, the day before Christmas Eve, Matt called me and informed me that he had found his truck. His dream truck. Not only his dream truck, but his dream truck at a ridiculously low price...and that it was in Indianapolis.
I could tell he was excited, when he sent me a text when I missed his call with about a hundred of these "!!!"
I quickly figured out, that we were buying a new truck. ;)
He worked out all of the details, and drove up VERY early Christmas Eve morning to pick up his new baby.
We had our Christmas Eve Service at church at 5, and since it takes about 3 hours to drive up there, he was hoping he could get back in time to program the lights for the service. I have to say I was a little nervous he wasn't going to make it, but he did! Just in time!
I always look forward to Christmas Eve Service.
It always gets to me, and always fills me up with so much joy.
Matt was already there, the boys and I had been hanging out with JJ all day, and by the time it was time to get ready for church, Rhett was rubbing his eyes and pulling his hair. Signs that he was ready for bed, stat.
Our neighbor Joe (Joe and JJ have been going to church with us for months now, yay!) had already opted out of the Christmas Eve Service since his Chargers were playing (Oh, Joe.) so I asked if he could watch Rhetter so he could go on to bed, instead of going to church with us this time. He was up for it, so Case, JJ, and I headed out to church. I had already decided to keep Case with me for the service, and when we got there we found out that they were going to read a story to all the little ones during the church service.
How sweet??
They asked all the kids to come up on stage, and the Children's Ministry Director read them the sweetest story.
She asked a few questions during the story, and afterward Case kept his hand raised high, long after every one else put their hands down. We were cracking up at him!
After the story, he and Avery came back and sat by me in the pew. Our pastor, Cameron gave a wonderful sermon. They ended the service with acoustic, beautiful, classic Christmas songs that brought me to tears. My heart was so full, I just closed my eyes and tried to soak up every moment. To top it off, my friend Kelli's husband Anthony decided to be baptized. He had been away for basic training for two months before Christmas. One night I went over and spent the night with her and their girls and helped her clean the house, and we had an old fashioned slumber party - so much fun! Anyway, during that we talked again about how she had been praying for him to make the decision to be baptized - she has been praying for seven years. Knowing that, and having had prayed the same prayers with her - seeing him walk up on stage to be baptized and knowing how much it meant to one of my best friends, was the perfect ending to a wonderful evening. I went over to her family with tears and my eyes, and we all joked how I am always the one that starts everyone's tears flowing!
It was such an emotional, beautiful evening. I really do look forward to Christmas Eve Service every single year, it's magical.
