As we approach the holidays, Good News Wants to Know... What is the best Christmas surprise you've ever received? In 2009 I realized we did not have enough toys to give out the needy families that would be coming to the Miami Rescue Mission for toys and dinner. The numbers were getting higher every year. We were two days away, and I knew there was not nearly enough. I raised my hands and said, “Lord I am really scared. What am I to do?” Within 15 minutes of that prayer, a phone call came in from a group I did not know and that had never donated to the Mission. They said the people we were giving our toys to said they have enough and do not want us to bring them. Someone told us about the Mission, and we want to know if you could use them. All was wrapped and had the gender and age marked on over 1,000 new toys. All I could say was YES we will take them and then said, “Jesus… that was a BIG SURPRISE! Thank you for your faithfulness.” Marilyn Brummitt, Vice President, Miami Rescue Mission The best Christmas surprise we ever received actually happened eight days before Christmas when on December 17, 1986, we brought our daughter Jenny home from Shepard Care Adoption Agency. We often say we had a nine week pregnancy having put our application in on October 1, and Jenny was born on November 28th. She had one tuft of red hair, which grew into beautiful red curls on a beautiful young lady who is now a wife, mom and wedding coordinator. William “Bill” C. Davell, Director , Tripp Scott, PA In 1985 the greatest gift known to man (and child) was a Nintendo. We got one. And plenty of games. In the years that followed, my little brother and I wasted two thirds of our childhood battling it out on games like TecmoBowl, Roger Clemens Baseball, Zelda, and, of course, Duck Hunt. The other third of our childhood was spent blowing as hard as we could into the cartridges in a hopeless attempt to rid the games of demons and dust. Bob Denison, President, Denison Yachting My greatest Christmas surprise came when I was in Junior High. My uncle came to our home and gaveme his baby wooly monkey, since he realized he didn't have the time to properly care for it. I didn't want to go to school anymore so I could stay home to care and play with it. It wore diapers, slept with me and sat in a miniature high chair next to our dinner table to eat. Since I love animals, that was the best gift ever. Deborah Cusick, FAU Campus Volunteer, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship The best Christmas was when I asked Sueanne to marry me and she said yes. After 33 years of adventure, much travel, constantly venturing into new territory and putting the Lord first in our lives, that was an awesome Christmas and when our journey together began. Don Campion, President, Banyan Air Service, Inc. Waking up and seeing a Big Wheel under the Christmas Tree. It was 1974. I'll never forget that feeling! Doug Sauder, Pastor, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale My greatest Christmas surprise came on December 10th, 1978. My wife and I both gave our lives to Jesus on that day at a conference. It may not have been Christmas but, to us, it truly was. Fidel Gomez, Pastor, Calvary Chapel Hollywood Deborah and I spent many Christmases in the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica. In the DR we hung ornaments on a tree branch painted white and set firm in a tin can filled with concrete. In Costa Rica Christmas time was when stands filled with red apples, and green grapes for sale appeared on multiple street corners. On Calle Central in San José people sold bags of confetti; at night everyone threw the confetti up in the air under street lights. It looked like a white Christmas – snow at nine degrees north of the Equator! We were surprised by the luscious Christmas tamales neighbors and friends gave us, but they warned us with broad smiles not to eat “la lechuga dura” (the banana leaf wrapping). All these gifts were just the best! Gene L. Green, PhD, Dean, Trinity International University - Florida That’s an easy question for me. I proposed to my wife, Liz, on Christmas Eve, and she surprised me when she accepted knowing the hurdles that lie ahead when blending two families. It was just the beginning of many wonderful Christmas surprises to come! Gregg Wallick, President, Best Roofing, Inc. Christmas is always a very special time for me. I love the Season and the love we feel with family and friends!! My best Christmas was just last year. I was feeling a bit melancholy because we had no plans to see our family in Ohio. But God had other plans !!! My family surprised us and flew down for the holidays!!! #bestchristmasever Helen Wayner P.A., Century 21 Hansen Realty I was nine. I had been admiring a BEAUTIFUL 5-speed bicycle at Sears every time we would visit the store. Butterfly handlebars, dragster style front tire, slick back tire, banana seat in smooth black vinyl, and rudimentary but cool looking suspension. It had a blended paint job of maroon to dark blue. Way more money than I could ever expect my folks to spend. It was next to the tree Christmas Day. I was the coolest kid in our neighborhood. Thanks, Dad! James ‘JT’ Taylor, Managing Director, Head of Automotive Retail, Truist Securities It was the first Christmas that Amy and I were married. We lived in part of the world that provided the occasional snow on Christmas. Late Christmas Eve Amy said she heard something on the patio. When I went to take a look, she had a basket of glass bottle Yoo-Hoo’s strategically placed. They had a light dust of snow and red bow. I love Yoo-Hoo and it was the perfect moment and perfect gift. I was totally surprised and loved that she “knew me.” James Welch, Pastor, First Baptist Fort Lauderdale William “Bill” C. Davell Bob Denison Deborah Cusick Don Campion Doug Sauder Fidel Gomez Wants to Know… Marilyn Brummitt
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