Paul Gives the Ultimate Gift

It has been an interesting few weeks with Paul. We have a neighbor, Tee, who Paul has wanted to tell about Jesus. Paul brought this up about a month ago after he was baptized and HAS NOT LET IT GO! If you know Paul...when I say, HAS NOT LET IT GO...that means he has talked about it the first moment he wakes up and continues to talk about it during each day.

It's terrible to say, but our first reaction was to just ignore him and hoped he forgot about it. That didn't work, so we went to plan B. We told him that would be great and we'd get around to it one day. That didn't work, so we went to plan C. We decided Glenn would go with him one day when Tee was getting home from work.

Paul wanted to buy him a Bible and take him a candy cane. He wanted to use the candy cane to tell Tee about Jesus' blood forgiving us, the white on the candy cane for our clean heart after salvation, the J for Jesus being the only way, and the Shepherd's hook since Jesus is our shepherd. I suggested that we just write all that out and leave it on Tee's doorstep! That was NOT the way Paul wanted it to happen. He said, "But Mom, I want to be able to see Tee's face when I tell him about Jesus." What can you say to your 8-year-old saying that??? Of course, it was going to work out Paul's way.

Paul woke up this morning and said TODAY WAS THE DAY! When we went to church, Paul talked to our friend, Bryan Scott, about witnessing. Bryan gave Paul some great advice on witnessing. Paul bought a Bible for Tee with his money, wrapped it for him, gathered a few candy canes to give Tee, said a prayer and was ready to go! Glenn and I were way more nervous than Paul...he was ready and nothing was stopping him. Glenn and Paul walked over to Tee's house about 1:30. I could see them through the kitchen window talking to Tee in his garage. Of course I thought...I've to blog this...so I have to have a picture! I felt like the paparazzi and I really hope Tee didn't see the flash! 8-) Unfortunately, due to the angle of my kitchen window from Tee's garage, you can't really see Paul but he is next to Glenn but the truck is hiding him. Oh well, I'm just an amateur paparazzi!

Paul came back so excited. When Tee first came outside, Paul told Tee that he had brought him a Christmas gift and wanted to tell him about the candy cane and about Jesus. Paul said that Tee told the story along with him because he already knew Jesus. But Tee was so thankful that Paul had brought him a Bible and was really appreciative of Paul wanting to share with him. Tee gave Paul an armful of oranges!

We don't know Tee's story or how much of it is true. But we hope Tee knows that Paul loves him and God loves him. Paul knows that he did what God laid on his heart to do and the rest is up to God. I'm so proud of Paul for not giving up on his parents and for continuing to be determined to do what he knew he was supposed to do. He is definitely an example to us! Thanks Paul...we love you! MOM & DAD