My Christmas present...

Well, my Christmas present came a little early this year...No, Matt didn't miraculously show up at my door, unfortunately :( But, besides that, I couldn't have asked for a better gift. I spent Christmas eve traveling from Virginia and Atlanta to see my family, and the people I encountered along the way truly touched my heart!

My first flight from Virginia to Charlotte flew by, since I fell asleep right when we took off and woke up just as we were landing. In Charlotte I had an hour lay over, so I headed to my gate and sat down. I made a stop at the bathroom and a girl started talking to me about how she had just helped a young girl who was diabetic and had low blood sugar. She said that she was nervous about approaching the girl, but that the girl and her boyfriend looked scared and didn't seem to know what to do. She said that she had put a granola bar in her bag earlier that morning, and then had been able to give it to the girl to help her to get her blood sugar up. She was a really nice girl, and I was truly touched by her story! I felt lucky to have been able to talk with her, and was very glad that she approached me.

I headed back to the gate and heard that they were taking volunteers to take a later flight so that the people who had been overbooked could have a seat on the flight. I called my mom to see where they were since her and my step-dad were driving down to Atlanta from Michigan. When my mom told me they were still a ways away, I went up to the counter, but all the spots had already been given up. So, I boarded the plane and found my seat. At the last minute, they called for one more volunteer, and I immediately raised my hand. As I was walking off the plane, there was a Marine standing there, waiting to take my seat. I looked at him and wanted to say Semper Fi!!! But instead, my eyes filled up with tears as I thought about him being able to make it home for Christmas. I smiled through the tears and watched him walk onto the plane. I felt so honored to be able to help another Marine this Christmas...and was truly touched that God gave me the opportunity to give up my seat for someone who really needed it!!! Outside at the desk one of the guys working for the airline thanked me for giving up my seat, and I told him it was a blessing for me to give what I could to help another Marine!

While I was waiting for my next plane, a man was sitting beside me started telling me how the two young boys on the other side of him were his kids and that they lived with their mother in Atlanta. He talked about how he didn't know if he was the best father, but he did know that he was teaching them to love God, and other people. His kind words warmed my heart once again, and I was blessed to be able to hear his story. It's wonderful to know that some dad's are really doing the best they can to raise their children and teach them the important things in life!

Of course when I sat down in my seat on the plane, I sat next to a girl marine!!! She was on her way to see her fiance who was in the Army, and hadn't seen him in over a year. She was so excited, and her and I talked about being away from the person that you love, and then being able to see them again. We talked about how other people really don't understand deployments, and how it's nice to talk with the few people who do. It was great to hear her story, and to talk with her about her concerns and excitement about her upcoming reunion with the love of her life. When I walked off the plane her fiance was there waiting for her, and the tears came again when they hugged and smiled and walked away hand in hand.

Between all the people I met during my trip, and being able to spend a week with my family, this Christmas was one of the best I have ever had! I felt so blessed to have the opportunity to meet so many people, and hear their story. I also felt lucky to have the chance to spend a whole week with my family...especially my mom since this is the last time I will spend with her before I get married. I felt more loved this Christmas than I ever have...and I am so thankful to have Matt, my family, his family, and all of my friends!!!

My New Years this year was great too! I actually got sick on the plane ride back to Virginia on New Years Eve...but I was able to be online with Matt when New Years came in Iraq, and spend him lots of skype kisses!!! Cara and I just stayed in and watched the ball drop in NY on tv...and I was thankful to have her here with me...even though I felt like I ruined her New Years since I couldn't go out...she insisted that she would rather just stay in. I am so blessed with such wonderful friends!!!

This is going to be an amazing year...filled with hope, love, friendship, marriage, celebration, and a million amazing memories!!! I Just want to thank God for loving me enough to bless me this much...His love is more than enough for me!