The Polar Express

Good morning my friends~  I've got a couple of cards here and a bit of a story to share with you if you have a moment to spare.

Here in Maine we have the wonderful opportunity to share in the Polar Express experience by visiting the Maine Narrow Guage Railroad.  Each year they put on the Polar Express for young and old to come and enjoy a magical train ride.

You can find an intro video that you really must watch HERE

My dad has been a volunteer at the railroad for the past 13 years and each year takes on different roles with the Polar Express.  This year, my daughter, her husband and I went on the Polar Express when my dad was Mr. Conductor.

My son-in-law, my dad and my daughter

Me, my dad and my daughter.

Sorry for the poor quality photo's.  It was dark and rainy that night and these were taken with my cell phone so not great quality but great memories.

As we were riding to the North Pole, I wan enchanted by all the happy children, dressed in their pajama's, just waiting for Santa Claus to arrive.  When we weren't being entertained by the chef's serving hot chocolate and cookies or by Hobo Joe, we enjoyed Christmas music being played over the speakers in each car.  All the people in the car would break out in song, singing Christmas Carols.  What joy!  What fun!

It made me realize that despite the struggles we all face each day in our lives, we awake every day with a choice to make.  We can choose each day to let this day be our best day ever.  We can overlook our circumstances and like a child, find joy, laughter and a reason to smile and in return bring a smile to someone else's day.  

My niece and her sweet little family were on the train that night too, although they were in a different car.

I went to sleep that night with such warmth in my heart for the magic and hope that Christmas brings.

A time for giving because of the greatest gift that was ever given, the gift of Jesus, a babe, God's own son, God in the flesh sent to bring the hope of eternity with Him in heaven someday.  

I made these two Christmas cards, one for my dad and one for my niece and her family as a reminder of the wonderful gift of hope given to all humanity.

This one goes to my dad, in hopes that we always hear the bell and believe in the Hope of Christmas.

And this one goes to my niece and her family.  I thought the North Pole would be a fun touch to their card.

I made gold tickets by heat embossing the sentiment in gold on shiny gold card stock.  The train is from Frantic Stamper.

I'll be adding one of these cards to the following challenges:

Merry Monday Christmas Challege ~ Masculine

Simon Says Stamp Work It Wednesday ~ using die cuts

Word Art Wednesday ~ Anything Goes

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge ~ Anything Goes

Dies R Us Challenge ~ Christmas

Thanks so much for joining me today and sticking with me through this thought filled post.
Blessings ~ Birgit