4 hot chocolates

I am a few days late on updating the Christmas details.  (sorry)  
But.... Happy New Year!!   :)

On Christmas Eve, Jerad and I had a plan that we were going to do something for someone else.  We didn't know what.... but we were bound and determined to do it.  I searched on the Internet and through the yellow pages for various charities/ Salvation Army/ food pantry, etc.  We tossed around a couple ideas but finally came to the conclusion that we were just going to get in the car and drive around.   God would show us who needed help.  So we did!

We drove to downtown Belleville where we have frequently seen homeless/ less fortunate people walking around.  We drove and drove and drove, until finally it dawned on me that it was a rather blustery day, and people outside would LOVE a hot chocolate!  To McDonald's we went......for 4 hot chocolates!

First recipient:
A little lady in probably her late 30's walking, all bundled up.  Jerad and I pulled up and he rolled down the window and said, "Ma'am, Merry Christmas!  Would you like a hot chocolate to keep you warm on your walk?"  This little lady didn't even think twice.  She quickly answered, "Merry Christmas!  Sure I would like that!"   She came over to my side of the car and I got out and handed her the drink....gave her a big hug and wished her a Merry Christmas again.  And just like that, it made her day.  A $1.00 hot chocolate from McDonald's made her day.   As we were driving away from her and the huge smile she had I began to cry.  Thinking about how this little lady didn't care a thing about an ipad or the newest fashion items wanted for Christmas.   She was happy to have that warm hot chocolate in her hand.   Grateful.

Second recipient:
Bus stop.   A place where you have to wait, and wait, and wait.   In the cold.   We decided that was going to be our next strategy- look for the bus stops.
We found a little, old man maybe in his late 70s standing by the little blue sign waiting in the cold.  We pulled up next to him and wished him a Merry Christmas and asked if he would like a hot chocolate to keep him warm.  Again, no hesitation at all.  He was very thankful and wished us both a Merry Christmas.....told us that he had come into town earlier to finish up his shopping and now he was on his way back home.   As we drove away from this little elderly man, I saw him look at the McDonald's cup and smile.  Makes me happy that for those next 15 minutes or so he was warm, not only with that drink....but the spirit of Christmas.

Third and Fourth recipient(s):
Bell Ringers.  The last 2 cups were given to 2 bell ringers in Belleville.... One at Schnucks that was singing jingle bells like it was her career outside the door as people rushed passed her.  The other was given to a man that was also singing/ dancing outside of KMart like it was his job.  They were very thankful for their warm drink and just kept ringing that bell to the tune of Jingle Bells.  :)

Secret Santa.
As Jerad and I were giving the hot chocolate to the man at KMart, we decided we needed to do one last thing.   We walked to the back of the store to the dark/ dingy/ uninviting layaway counter.  (you would think it would be a little more cheery......its not)  Anyway, we explained to the woman that we wanted to remain anonymous and we wanted to bring a family's layaway balance to zero.   She quickly browsed through her LONG list of shoppers, and found us a family that had just a few more Leap Frog toys on their unpaid list.  She said that there were other things that the family had come in, paid, and taken home, but they just couldn't get these yet.  We thought this would be the perfect family for us to help.....mostly because it was learning toys for their kids.  We brought the balance to zero, and the clerk told us that they were going to call the mother and let her know to come in and pick up the toys.   :)

On the drive home,  Jerad and I talked about what a wonderful year we had had.  How fortunate we are to have a warm car to drive in, that we have never had to wait at a bus stop before.  That we were so grateful for not only a warm meal that evening with our family, but also we could now think about that little family that could possibly put a little more on their Christmas table because they didn't have to finish paying their layaway.
This is something we will continue to do every year.  Just to keep us in check.  In check and in reality.  That there is a lot more to Christmas than the commercialized "hub bub" (for lack of a better word) that society has created.
I am very thankful that those hot chocolates meant the world to those 4 people.  Their gratefulness brought joy to my heart and showed Jerad and I the REAL meaning of Christmas.