Christmas Surprise

The fun of hosting a surprise evening for the Young Life girls in downtown Portland.  What a surprise it was to pull up to a hotel and say, "here we are!"

The stockings were hung on the pillows with care, waiting for girls to each choose a pair.

Santa hats, candy and Christmas surprise wishes, tonight this mama will not be doing dishes.

Christmas Elves dance and sing in Pioneer Square.

Santa showed up and coffees we shared.

So happy to get a chance to hug Santa.

 I am so blessed to have a wonderful evening in Portland with the girls from Young Life.  My heart just swells.  I told them that it would be a surprise. Their parents each called to make sure of "the plan".  I picked them all up with the help of another Young Life leader to transport to downtown and a surprise hotel stay in the city.  The fun started the minute the girls had on their hats and stockings, out the front door of the hotel, and the girls singing carols from one block to the next.  We ate out, played freeze tag in pioneer square, sang carols with many onlookers, filmed by the news and ended up on TV, late night coffees, Santa delivering stockings, and late night chats in our cozy jammies and bed.  Thanks Lord Jesus that you  created and made these girls, you love them and give me a heart to love them too.  Merry Christmas.