In the afternoon on Christmas day, I went to the local mission as I normally do on Sundays. It made so much sense to celebrate Christ's coming among the physically poor and those who are outcasts in my neighborhood. My friends.

Larry gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek and a Christmas card. He scratched out the printed words inside the card and wrote his own beautiful message. I think I'll keep it for a long time. I occasionally bump into Larry unexpectedly when I'm walking around downtown, but last week, I asked my first graders to pray specifically that I would find him. I wanted to give him a small gift that I made for him. Later that evening, I found Larry praying in the Catholic church across the street from the mill. I shared the good news with my students the next day, and one of the little girls told me that she had prayed six times that I would find him! Larry is one of the kindest, most humble people I know. He reminds me of St. Francis.

For weeks, Dawn has been saying things like, if you "need someone to hang out with on Christmas, let me know..." She lives in her car. One of my friends bought her a new pair of boots since hers had a big hole in the bottom. She received the beautifully wrapped box a couple of weeks ago and was so excited. But she wouldn't open it until Christmas day. She said it had been many years since she received a Christmas gift, so she wanted to save it. In the meantime, I guess she walked around with cold, wet feet. I was happy to see her wearing the new boots today. Dawn came home with me after the gathering at the mission, and my mom prepared a beautiful meal for the three of us to share. My mother is so gracious and kind.

God has much to teach me about love. I slowly learn and relearn. Please pray for me... that my heart will grow deeper in the real love that Jesus gives us.