Co-Founders with Santa 2015
I think I have mostly recovered from Thursday. If you told me a few years back that I would be trying to figure out how to best celebrate under a bridge in Tulsa, I would have called you nuts! However, that was then and my life has changed drastically since then- and I like that part a lot! Thursday ended up being quite an undertaking between our Christmas Night Light and putting on the party of Isaacs class. I am his homeroom mom and the party got moved to up a day. Just last week my dear friends Anisa, Kristen, and I were laughing about Jen Hatmakers "off the beam"/ "on the beam" life theory (which I love). I can tell you that even though my beam has been really full the last two weeks, and especially Thursday, there is not a thing that I would push off of it.
For the last several days, I have been in a fog trying to figure out exactly what I would want to share about this years Christmas under the bridge. First of all, I have to say that sometimes... ok, probably more than sometimes, my amazing friend and co-founder Anisa and I, get BIG ideas.
The ideas are always with the fore-thought of how we can make others feel loved and covered in dignity and how we can mobilize others to be part of this process. I pray that one day others will know me as someone genuine who took extra steps in loving people radically, mobilizing kindness, and doing it because that is the example that was set for me and given to me. In thinking and preparing for Christmas under the bridge, we recognized that many of those we spend our Thursdays with do not have relationships that allow them to go home. Some do not have a family and others do not have the means to provide a Christmas for the family they do have. The holidays can bring a lot of saddness and loss to anyone... especially to those who have suffered relationship loss due to addiction and mental illness. Many of our other friends feel an overwhelming grief that they can't provide gifts for their kids, grandkids, and loved ones. So, this is where we began...
The entire event felt wrapped in love. We seemed to always have moments during the last week of preparation. Half of the time it comes across as laughter and comments of "what have we done" and the other half is pure joy because we get the privilege of a front row seat watching people extend themselves on behalf of someone else. This time was no different. I am a planner (big shocker, I know) and sometimes when something doesn't come off like it is suppose to it is easy for me to panic. I hate it in the moment; and I am getting better, but afterwards, oh afterwards... that is the beauty. I love being able to look back and see His plan and how it was better than ours. The company that has provided kids gifts for the past two years had a change in staff. Two weeks ago we were notified that they would not be able to provide the gifts for us. TWO WEEKS! We needed 100 gifts for toddler through teenager. Considering our best most organizable options (because I only enjoy organized chaos) we decided to ask our supporters for groups to handle this task. What could've been a nightmare - believe me, I thought of all the possibilities - turned out to be an amazing blessing. We ended up with 6 individuals/groups that took this on full of love, compassion, and desire to provide the best! At every angle, things began being taken care of. On Thursday morning, our amazing friends, Kim, Erin, and Kelly took off work and showed up to help organize and load an INSANE amount of items. Our sweet Summer intern who was home for her Christmas break also showed up to help with this process. When I talk about sorting and loading, it is hard to paint a picture. This doesn't happen in some warm office space. We aren't in a neatly organized warehouse (yet). This is a process of pulling everything out of a two car garage (that we are thankful for) and working in 30 something degree weather. This is digging to find that one item that is perfect for this week, but of course, it is stored in the bottom tub of four. This is your hands and toes being so cold and warm up would mean sitting in the car. This is you needing to go to the bathroom but that involves driving to one. It is not a process for the undevoted! These ladies are truly the reason everything was organized and made it to the bridge last week. There was no way that Anisa and I could've completed all of that. Later in the day, these wonderful women, along with a handful of amazing Cook Team members, showed up at the kitchen and prepared 400 turkey legs! People who do so much behind the scenes and never ask for recognition or thanks - these people bless me over and over. There will never be a way to repay them. They leave as quietly as they come in, but nothing is ever the same once they have covered it with their love.
Sorting for Christmas Night Light
As we got to the bridge, the light snow was letting up and guest were beginning to form lines. Volunteers poured in - and then more volunteers. We had way more then we expected - always a welcomed sight - especially when it is cold. We did our basic set up, orientation, and began serving. I love watching the excitement and cohesiveness as serving begins. There are all of these people- each one of them completely different. The majority not knowing many other people under the bridge. Each with their own issues, stories, and lives. So many of them a million times different than our friends under the bridge. Everyone comes together, volunteer and guest, and somehow this magical thing happens under the bridge.
A beautiful choir was singing carols as our guest waited in line for their turkey legs. Many in line were singing along with them. A violinist lightly played on the other side of the bridge near a station where guest could make stockings. Volunteers with beautiful Christmas baskets full of candy canes were walking around handing them out. All of the stations were busy providing relief. But more importantly, stepping out of their comfort zone and providing a smile, an encouragement, and building a relationship.
Christ the King Choir
My favorite place under the bridge at Christmastime is Santa's area. Kids were lined up and excited. They anxiously awaited time with Santa and what gift they would receive. From shocked boys who got a skateboard, to Nerf guns, balls, games, and Frozen dolls... the overwhelmed joy was the same. I think my most favorite this year was watching the older teen girls. One of our donors went to Sephora and Victoria's Secret and had them put nice packages together with body spray, makeup, and fingernail polishes. These young women would never have the opportunity to get gifts like these. They were so excited. I kept hearing them discussing it with each other all throughout the bridge. Santa did an amazing job as well. He told me that he said to one kid "you've sure grown" and the kid responded, "you remember me?" He said, "of course, you came and saw me last year. It was very cold". I love that he has spent the last 3 years covering those kids in love. It isn't ever just a "here's your gift". He takes time with them. I love that one of our adult guests now spends his Thursdays as a volunteer. On this special Thursday, he spent his time helping hand out gifts and ended the night with a special picture of Santa sitting on his lap. I seriously love Dave so much! He is a mess and I am thankful he is in our lives. I love that the donors really thought about what they were getting and WHO would be receiving it. I know several of the donors stretched themselves financially and it just overwhelms my heart that there are truly good people out there that still place others ahead of themselves. I couldn't stay at this area for too long for fear of a flood of tears. I did see the same sweet girl as in years past holding her present back... not opening it so she would have one to open on Christmas. Oh, these sweet children. They are my whole heart under that bridge.
Kids visiting with Santa
Santa sitting on Dave's lap
On top of all of that beautiful love we were able to provide more than enough food for everyone to be full. Some families were able to take leftovers back to their homes. We were able to hand out around 75 gifts, a few went to grandmas and grandpas that couldn't afford anything for their grandchildren (this brought them such joy). The rest of the extra gifts were donated to a great organization, James Mission, that works with foster kids and families. We gave out 90 blanket, 58 of those were warm sleeping bags. This was a much appreciated gift with the low that nigh in the 20's. We provided hats, gloves, coats, and warm clothes, socks and shoes, books, essential items, warming kits, and prayer. Most importantly relationships were made and both guest and volunteers left the bridge knowing that they matter, they are important, and they are cared about. All of this got pulled off because there are some really amazing people out there! It is easy to get dragged down into the bad of the world but guys, there is still so much good.
58 Sleeping bags donated!
I am not sure when Gods words to "love one another", "give yourself on behalf of the hungry", "bear each others burdens", "be generous"... and the like struck me to my core and changed me but I am thankful they did. And I am thankful that He placed people along this path with me that makes it easier more days than not.
...and I am thankful one of these people is my amazing son. He is amazing to watch each week.
Merry Christmas.
