tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974164808743497962.post4073705427275189817..comments2013-08-08T01:07:40.007-07:00Comments on Olive Tree: Growing Green in God's House: Easier to Give or to Receive?Betsy de Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07081162585307212930noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974164808743497962.post-64078958293628339202012-01-03T06:25:10.773-08:002012-01-03T06:25:10.773-08:00I know just what you mean, Kris, about the plate o...I know just what you mean, Kris, about the plate of cookies not adding up. Have felt that way so often myself.Betsy de Cruzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07081162585307212930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974164808743497962.post-79315309087400898042012-01-03T04:32:54.636-08:002012-01-03T04:32:54.636-08:00Yes it can be hard..Dec. 31 we received 2 gifts of...Yes it can be hard..Dec. 31 we received 2 gifts of fresh beef from neighbors and Jan. 1st two bowls of traditional pumpkin soup from neighbors. Somehow the plate of cookies and treats we gave don't seem to add up. But when far from family and friends and celebrations like we were raised it is nice to feel part of the community and be encouraged. Happy New Year 2012!Kris Thedehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11950931357872702691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974164808743497962.post-86596936774630462572012-01-02T04:29:52.283-08:002012-01-02T04:29:52.283-08:00"...i accept their gifts as special graces......"...i accept their gifts as special graces..." what a lovely phrase! a friend at church gave me a Christmas card last week, painstakingly written in English, and full of sweet encouragement. i was so blessed...and humbled by this 'special grace.'us5https://www.blogger.com/profile/14737175282110050879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974164808743497962.post-19866444856639461122011-12-30T06:48:00.566-08:002011-12-30T06:48:00.566-08:00Linda, your link was a great story of receiving. ...Linda, your link was a great story of receiving. Wow, I've never been in a situation quite like that. Your story reminds me of a time in El Salvador, at a small town church when a woman pressed a crumpled dollar bill into my hand. It was so hard to take from her, but I did it.Betsy de Cruzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07081162585307212930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974164808743497962.post-81120121044190562822011-12-29T19:30:27.857-08:002011-12-29T19:30:27.857-08:00I think I have kept almost every gift. I have thi...I think I have kept almost every gift. I have things hanging on walls and sitting around that my husband doesn't like and some he even dislikes. But they are all memories of someone who cared!Shandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14337476167174497223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974164808743497962.post-27400697527673157522011-12-29T11:50:20.484-08:002011-12-29T11:50:20.484-08:00God was so COOL to prompt the brothers to bring yo...God was so COOL to prompt the brothers to bring you a gift you could show to others--and so they could read Psalm 23 for the first time ever! He's so good at arranging such things.<br /><br />It's definitely harder for me to receive than to give. Here's a link to one of my blog posts about that:<br /><br />http://grandmaslettersfromafrica.blogspot.com/2010/10/it-seemed-so-wrong-so-unnecessary.html<br /><br />I've been praying for you throughout this very busy season. Thanks for letting us know how God has been answering those prayers.<br /><br />Be of good cheer,<br />LindaLindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06961495299893766830noreply@blogger.com