Today in church, our elders put together a little something to honor all of the moms in the church. Part of their "celebrations" involved handing out Gift Cards to some moms. The first Gift Card was to be handed out to the mom who has gone the longest since seeing a "mommy" movie in the theatre. A cute little mom with 6 boys won. My kiddos kept trying to get me to raise my hand on that one, because they knew it had been a while since I had been to a theatre to watch something that didn't involve animation or puppets dancing about. But those who know me, know I would have never raised my hand even if I qualified. I really and honestly do not like to take things away from other people. I get Joy out of good things happening to friends. I don't say this to toot my own horn, but rather to give you some context for what I am about to tell you. So that you can appreciate how quickly I abandoned that principle, and left my Friends hanging. nice. :)

So the next gift card went to the mom who had fed the most mouths this past thanksgiving. I was safe on that one, because I never have to cook on Thanksgiving. Thankfully, my MIL does it every year, so I have been spoiled. I am already looking forward to her stuffing and mashed potatoes. Tangent, sorry.

So he pulls out the next gift card and he says "This one goes to the mom whose child lives the furthest away." So I am smiling and turning around searching the church, looking for the next mom to "whoop it up" for, when from the back I hear my dear SIL yell out,


.......... "Amie. " "Amie's the one with the child who is living the furthest away."


Then it clicked. And I started to bawl. The big ugly cry. With.everyone.watching. I couldn't even say anything. Through my tears and my sniffles and my gasps for air, I just gave the thumbs up.

Yup. You heard me right. The thumbs up.

So as I am bawling and trying to keep too much snot from dripping from my nose, he brings me over the gift card. And do I graciously decline, so that someone else can win it and do something nice for themselves? Nope! You better believe I grabbed that bad boy, pocketed it, and through the sniffs and tears gave the biggest,boldest and most grateful thumbs up ever. I am a sentimental sucker and that apparently took over my desire for good to happen to others. :) I will be praying on that one later.


Thank you God for that moment. For allowing our little man to be a part of it in a special way. For the 6 little smiles beaming up at me when I grabbed that gift card and for the little hugs and the "it's all right mama's" and the "it's her happy cry." that came along with it. Thank you for my life. I am so AMAZINGLY blessed.

As for what I will be doing with that gift card, you ask? (I heard you , you did ask.) . It will be going towards the fund for bringing our little man home...

Happy Day to all you Beautiful Mommies! I pray your day is full of Heart Smiles!


Much Love~
Amie
(Mommy to 6 Beautiful kiddos at home... and to 1 adorable little man, waiting for us in China.)