Two Stories of Giving Hearts...

aka Proud Mama Bragging...

HIS STORY

This week at VBS the kids are bringing money to help children in Haiti. To make it more exciting and inviting the leaders make it a competition between the boys and the girls. The girls won Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday.

Yesterday morning as Emma came into the bathroom she told me Jay was going to bring $28 (all the money he has) to VBS. He had said this the day before but didn't mention it again.

So I went into the office to make sure that he was giving the money for the right reasons. I said, "Jay, are you giving your money today so the boys will win?"

Without a second thought he sincerely said, "No, it's for the kids in Haiti."

So off he went with a pocketful of birthday and allowance money. I told him how special it was that he would give so much and how proud I was of him for helping other kids.

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HER STORY

For 13 or 14 weeks the children's ministry put an emphasis on the kids having personal devotions every day. Each week they gave a tri-fold devotion guide called Treasure Quest, made up by one of the children's leaders, for the kids to follow each day of the week. It was so great for the kids to have this simple guide that they could follow themselves.

Of course, as an incentive there would be prizes at the end of the 13-14 weeks depending on the points earned for devotions completed, verses memorized, bonus questions answered, etc.

Emma had a goal! The highest level of points won a brand new Bible. She has had her Bible for almost 4 years and it is falling apart.

When the awards Sunday finally came (May 24) Emma was one of only a few (out of a couple hundred or more kids) that made it to the top level. She was so excited. She received a t-shirt, pencil, private party at Monkey Joe's with other level winners, and of course her new Bible!

Fast forward to last Saturday. Tina (who lives a couple houses over behind us) was babysitting another friend's daughter, Dominique, for a few days. Her kids and Dominique had come over to play. Emma had never met her before but at some point during their time together she goes upstairs, brings down her NEW Bible and gives it to this girl!! She said she didn't think the girl had a Bible so she gave her hers!

When she told me later that night I hugged her so tight and kissed and kissed her sweet little head!

I told both she and Jackson that they had special rewards in heaven for their sacrificial giving!