Although it was delayed, the best Christmas surprise that I have received was snow in South Florida. As a youngster, I asked for snow to fall on Christmas morning. To my surprise, it fell January 19, 1977 on my 12th birthday. Surprise! Ken Kerrigan, Pastor, Calvary Cornerstone Church One of the best Christmas surprises I ever received was my offer to join 4KIDS as President & CEO the week before Christmas in December 2016. I remember that year when my pastor, Doug Sauder, of Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale was teaching a series in December 2016 about the “Unexpected Gift” of Jesus. He said that when God gives a gift, it is always perfect, and He exceeds our expectations! I will never forget my Christmas of 2016 when I said YES to join the 4KIDS staff. God’s timing is always perfect, and being at 4KIDS has been a season filled with Ephesians 3:20 moments. Thank you Jesus! Kevin Enders, President, 4KIDS Receiving an engagement ring on a cold Christmas Eve at Edinburgh Castle in Scotland! Laura C. Bishop, Executive Vice President of Advancement, Palm Beach Atlantic University Although I cannot remember the BEST Christmas surprise I have ever received, my wonderful husband ALWAYS manages to surprise me at Christmas, and his surprises are always what I need. Dr. Mary Drabik, President, South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary The best Christmas surprise we ever received was when we had ChristMax! Let me explain. My wife and I were living in Santa Fe, New Mexico. On Christmas Eve we went walking down Canyon Road, drinking hot chocolate and singing Christmas carols. The snow, the fires burning, it was beautiful! The moment we got home and climbed into bed, her water broke and we were off to the hospital. That Christmas morning was majestic and oh so white, but what made it really special was the birth of our first baby boy! Dr. Mike Rozenblum, Genesis Physical Medicine and Chiropractic Many years ago we moved from South Florida to Northern Virginia. Originally from the north, we were both excited to come back and experience a colder Christmas after several warm ones in Florida. We went out and bought a tree as soon as the lots opened. We enjoyed that tree for a couple of weeks but, by Christmas Eve, it was completely dried out and shedding needles everywhere. We took it down and ended up taping lights to the sliding door of our apartment in the shape of a tree, and were still able to have a nice Christmas. It might not be the best memory, but it was a Christmas surprise! Mike McDermott, PA, Seniors Real Estate Specialist, The Keyes Company My best Christmas surprise gift was when I was a child. My parents purchased my first ten speed Schwinn bicycle. Back then your bike was everything and took you everywhere, so we thought. However, growing up in Chicago, I had to wait a few months before I could really ride. In the meantime, it was being test driven in our basement. Good memories. Milan Stefanovic, Chief Operations & Personal Lines Officer, Bass Underwriters - Plantation FL It was during the VietnamWar when my oldest brother, stationed at Fort Bragg, showed up at our door just as we sat down for Christmas Eve lunch. My Mom, Dad, younger brother and I just stood there for a moment, staring at this handsome soldier standing in the door in his military best. We all started hugging him, crying, laughing – all at the same time. He then had us pile into the car and took us all to the mall where he bought everyone Christmas presents. Truly, the best Christmas surprise I’ve ever received. Oksana Horton, Artistic Director, Torch and Trumpet Theatre Co. The best Christmas surprise that I ever received was when my parents bought me a beautiful blue car when I was five years old. I loved my little blue toy car, which I pedaled all around the farmwhen my parents were sharecroppers in South Carolina. This was one of the best Christmas of my life. O’Neal Dozier, Pastor, The Worldwide Christian Center My first grandchild, who I always talked to before he was born, was born on Christmas Eve. When I called his name about 30 minutes after he was born and was shown to us, he turned his head toward me and opened his eyes. What a blessing to get a grandchild for Christmas! He is still, at 10, bringing joy to my heart! God has truly blessed me with three grandchildren now! Patricia Colangelo, EdS, Lecturer, Professor, Trinity International University - Florida Christmas 1959: My Grandfather joined us on Christmas Eve and was totally lucid. He had been suffering with what later became known as Alzheimer’s, and he passed away on January 9, 1960. That Christmas Eve he was the man I knew from my birth who always lifted my spirits and he lifted them higher than ever that night. I was twelve years old when I received this special gift of love at Christmas. Ray Monteleone, President and CEO, Paladin Global Partners Wants to Know… Gene L. Green Gregg Wallick Helen Wayner James ‘JT’ Taylor James Welch Ken Kerrigan Kevin Enders Laura C. Bishop Dr. Mary Drabik Dr. Mike Rozenblum Mike McDermott Milan Stefanovic
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