I’ve been SO excited for this post ever since the launch of the new direction Jesus has given me for Full or Joy! Jesus is a giver. He loves to give, and give abundantly. If you’ve ever heard of “The Five Love Languages”, Gifts, hands down, mean the absolute most to me.

For example, right before I moved away from MN about eight years ago, a friend gave me a soft, fitted T-shirt. It was such a sweet gift from someone I had just started to get to know. I still wear that T-shirt to this day.

At this moment I am drinking out of a coffee mug with a cool silicone lid that a teen gave me when I was her small group leader well over five years ago. The hot coffee doesn’t just warm my hands, the mug warms my heart far greater.

Recently, a baby-sitter of Jase’s watched him for a whole morning. They baked cookies, made crafts, and played together. For Christmas, she gave Chuck and I the best gift in the world. A hand-print of Jase’s made into an ornament of baby Jesus’ manger! He also colored us a Christmas tree, and his sitter wrote, “Love, Jase”. I cried when I opened it.

I have a vivid memory of my older brother’s friend giving me a New Kids On The Block coloring book when I was about ten. For some reason my parents didn’t want me to have it, and I was crushed. I don’t think I even knew who NKOTB were, and I certainly didn’t care about coloring, it had just meant a whole lot to me that Josh had given me a gift!

Gifts have always spoken love to me! All growing up, there were many occasions I’d get home from school to find a bag of fun stuff on my bed from my Mom. Often she’d get me tops, pants, jewelry, socks, or anything she knew I would like. I LOVED that so much because I felt incredibly loved by my Mom. I know I will do the same thing for Basye someday, and I can’t wait!

Jesus made me this way, and I actually see every gift received as a gift from Him. Every unexpected gorgeous sunset, every bouquet of flowers, every treat at Starbucks, every pair of earrings, every sweater, every candle, every book…it’s all from Jesus. He created my heart so He knows.

Since my 34th birthday is coming up on Saturday, today it is my complete JOY to give a gift in Jesus’ Name. Whoever receives the package, I hope you feel loved by Jesus and feel His presence in a fresh way. And I hope you feel loved by me, as well! I am so thankful for you readers!

The gift will include, but not be limited to (surprise, surprise!), my favorite book of 2015, and maybe of all time, AUDACIOUS by Beth Moore. (If you did not read my review of Audacious yet, check it out here.) I have also really been into these darling pencil cases lately, so couldn’t resist adding this to the package.

***To enter to win, please share the love of this post on Facebook or Twitter, then comment right here on the blog: How do YOU feel loved by Jesus and those close to you the most?

I can not wait to share who the receiver is right here on the blog next Monday, January 11! Jesus and I love you all so much!