more 12 days of Christmas.

When I was 11 our Merrie Miss teacher assigned each girl a widow in the ward to be a Secret Santa to. I had this sweet little lady who lived a block away around the corner. Mom bought me a package of 12 wooden apple ornaments and a nice framed picture of Christ to give to her. I would take an ornament and a note professing to be her Secret Friend- and running after ringing the bell.
On Christmas Eve- I arrived at her door with the wrapped picture ready to drop it and run- but felt an urge to stay. When she opened the door and saw me standing there her face lit up! She invited me into her little old lady living room to an astonishing sight. She placed the gift under her tree and sat on her couch while I took in the room.
On her mantel she had every apple lined up, with each "Secret Friend" note and a time of delivery. She had the ward list on her end table with lines through many many names as she was trying to decipher who was her secret friend was. She smiled and told me that she had prayed all morning that whomever was leaving her gifts would not doorbell ditch this day and stay to help her decorate the tree with those apples. She beamed as she chattered and I decorated the tree- then we sat to cookies she had made just for me!
As I bid her farewell I promised that I would be her UNsecret friend and visit once a week. (Which I did until my family moved to Logan the next year.)

I brought this up to mention two very important points. First- this is the first time in my recollection that I was able to recognize the promptings of the Spirit directing me. This sweet woman would have been so disappointed if I was to honor the agreement I had made to be SECRET with the other Merrie Miss girls in my class. This woman needed me, needed to know me, needed the friend. I am so grateful for His hand in my life- and will never forget that first lesson of His direction.

Second- We have our very own secret Dear Friend this year. We are being left sweet little trinkets each night. I am not praying to meet this person or anthing like that- but the feeling of love and friendship is touching my heart, and stirring excitement each day as we anticipate the doorbell ditch. Thank you Dear Friend.