Sheila and Sarah Day 12

I am 1,000,000% sure that YOU did not see what I saw today.  This week is finals week; however, even amidst the chaos and stress that surrounds this week, students at WETCC found a little time to reach out to about 100 little kiddos and give them a little dose of Christmas.

They came by the bus loads.  Drones of little munchkins made their way in anticipating having a few moments of Santa's time before he heads off to the North Pole to make their treasured gifts.  The look on their little faces was priceless as they impatiently awaited his arrival onto the scene.  With giggles and laughs they pointed, nudged one another, and watched bright eyed as the man in the red suit made his way to his chair.  They crowded around him like he was a total rock star!!!!!

Talking about the North Pole

The conversations were totally, and utterly ADORABLE!  I listened to the list of requests from Santa which included everything from a Dora the Explorer Doll to a "machine gun to shoot the snow with!"  With a hearty HO, HO, HO Santa listened to each of the little ones, and they believed that there really was magic in the air where their toy dreams really could truly reality . . . even the ones that were somewhat odd!

My phone was snapping pictures endlessly as each little smiling face drew me into their little worlds.  They were so happy as they decorated Christmas cookies, drank some hot cocoa, spilled a lot of things, colored some pictures, and got their faces painted.  There were giggles and a total sense of JOY that filled the air . . . It was a HAPPY scene!

They were so CUTE and the Christmas spirit filled the entire place as their energy was contagious!! Even some of the older kiddos had an opportunity to ask Santa for a couple special gifts.

Believe with a child-like faith

And then I found myself thinking about my own childhood and the believing in something with the blind faith of a child.  Kiddos never question that Jesus loves them . . . they just know that HE does.  They sing the songs believing that Jesus was born in a manger, that he loves the little children, and they never for a single moment doubt that.  They believe in Santa Clause.  They believe he lives in the North Pole and that little elves really do make the toys that they anticipate finding under the tree.  They believe a giant bunny delivers treats at Easter and that the tooth fairy drops money under their pillows when they lose their teeth . . . they believe and they never question the magic.

You see, all of those things that kiddos believe in give UNCONDITIONALLY.  Jesus loves them unconditionally.  Santa brings them toys and they have done nothing to deserve them.  The Easter bunny gives them candy because he can.  And they lose a tooth they would have lost anyway and gain a little change for a treat! And I found myself wondering . . . isn't this what grace is?  We have done nothing to deserve it.  We cannot earn it on our own.  However, it is a gift that is freely given, and if believe, we receive it!  I believe that there IS a reason for the Christmas season, and if you doubt that for a single moment, look into the eyes of a child, because it is in their blind faith that we find the answers we seemingly search so hard for.

Hugs goodbye for Santa

Sarah Day 12

"Only great passion can elevate the soul to do great things."

I like to think that I'm a pretty hard worker. I'm currently working my full time position on the campaign, plus I work Friday-Sunday at Longhorn. My parents have always taught my brother and I that if we want something, we have to work for it. So that's what we're doing . . . we're working for what we want.

Today I had the privilege to attend a work meeting with a very smart and talented group people. I found myself keeping very quiet while the rest of them talked back and fourth discussing strategy and ideas. I've noticed that when I go to these work meetings, I like to just sit back and listen and really take in all of the information that's being tossed around.

When I left the meeting and I was driving home, I started wondering what on earth I was going to write about tonight. I worked in the office all day, followed by a 2 1/2 hour meeting, and that was that. I didn't see anything that sparked my interest. But then I got home, and I started to think about my meeting a little more. I thought that it was amazing to see all of my superiors so passionate about what they do, and what we're doing. They are driven to make North Dakota a better state to live in.

Then I started to think about all of the other people in my life who are passionate about something. Mom is passionate about what she does at the tribal college. She loves her students and what she's teaching. She has passion for education. Mom jokes that she would LOVE to be a full-time student, only it's not a joke . . . she really would be a student forever, especially if she could get paid for it. Mom is also passionate about preaching. Although she isn't working in the church full-time anymore, she writes the best wedding sermons and she says a mean prayer! Mean in a good way. A great way, actually.

Dad is passionate about . . . well . . . retirement probably. Ha. He used to show a lot of enthusiasm towards his job, but after all these years, I think it's started to wear him down. He's definitely passionate about Jordan and I. Dad has always loved to take us outside and throw a football around or hit some baseballs. He's passionate about recreation and the outdoors. Dad really loves his trails and his four-wheeler. He likes to spend his "quiet time" in the middle of the woods. Retirement will treat dad well!

My sister-in-law, Sam and my cousin, Mariah both have a passion for nursing. They know that they want to help make sick people better. They want to devote the rest of their lives to taking care of others while they recover, and often, while they wait for their time to say goodbye. I believe that it takes a very strong person to be a nurse. I feel that nurses are usually over worked and under paid . . . but if one thing is true, it's that nurses absolutely love what they do. Sam and Mariah are both in nursing school right now and they are going to be the best nurses ever. They're compassionate and caring, and dedicated to their patients. They do have what it takes.

My brother Jordan has a lot of passion for a lot of different things. He's that person who wants to do everything. First, he wanted to major in English, then he started going to school for nursing . . . he was going to be a paramedic, and now he's going through the law enforcement program. I'm not really sure what he'll do next. Sometimes, I wish I had all of the passion that he has for so many differnt things. Jordan has always had a knack for helping others. He has been an EMT for a few years now, and he's great at that. Jordan adjusts to change really well. He's not afraid of hard work and taking his time to get where he needs to be. He has big dreams. He'll continue to develop new passion every year . . . I have no doubt that he'll end up loving what he's doing.

I have so many friends who are passionate about such different things. Everything from health and wellness to kids and teaching. From art to dental hygiene. From music to animals. From sports to photography. I think it's a beautiful thing to see all of the people in my life, doing what they are passionate about, or working towards that special something that puts a sparkle in their eye. I believe that passion towards something, is what gets us out of bed every morning . . . without it, we would just feel empty.