Ho! Ho! Ho! The 7th Annual Holiday Contest is HERE! |
This children’s story (250 words) is written for Susanna Leonard Hill’s holiday contest. Word count – 250 words or less. Theme – a holiday surprise (Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever you celebrate).
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Lost and Found
Rexina English was a Christmas baby.
I’m just like Jesus, she’d sing,
born in Bethlehem
on the same day
no place of my own
for my
head to lay.
One Christmas she sent a letter:
Dear Santa,
I’m turning eight today. I would like a family of my own, a place to call my home, and a bed to lay my head on, please.
Love,
Rexina English
Angel of Mercy Children’s Home
On her way to school, Rexina stopped by the Post Office.
“Excuse me,” she said to the clerk, “Did you ask for a little girl for Christmas?”
“Oh, no. I have two already.”
Next, she stopped by the candy shop to look at the candies.
“Excuse me,” she said to the cashier, “Did you ask for a little girl for Christmas?”
“Oh, no. I’m too old for children.”
At school, she stopped at her teacher’s desk.
“Excuse me,” she said to her teacher, “Did you ask for a little girl for Christmas?”
“Oh, no. I have 23 children every day.”
“I’m just like Jesus,”
Rexina began that Christmas morning
when suddenly,
“Special delivery for Rexina English.”
“That’s me!” she squealed.
Inside the package was a letter:
Dear Rexina,
My name is Debbie English. I am your Aunt. I’ve been searching for you. I’m so glad your letter found its way here. Please come live with us in Bethlehem, Georgia.
Love,
Aunt Debbie
Then Rexina sang
I’m just like Jesus said
I am
once lost, now found
in Bethlehem!
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All 250 of these words are dedicated to foster kids everywhere but most especially
to the ones I once worked with. I pray their Christmas dreams came true.
Wow! So sweet. I love your heart for kids in foster care. May they all find loving homes!!!
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Yes, that would be a Christmas miracle 🙂 Thank you for reading.
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Lovely!
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Thank you Donna 🙂
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Oh, Almighty! You are an amazing storyteller. I was barely breathing as I read that. It warmed the most frozen cockles of my heart.
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Thank you, Uma. You made me giggle with your word choices. 🙂
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My eyes got misty reading it. I could imagine seeing a little orphan walking around searching for a home. Very touching.
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Hearing the kids say they wanted someone to love them or a family of their own for Christmas was heartbreaking. That’s why Regina English simply had to find a home of her own and a family that loved her. There is hope for all and especially at Christmas time 🙂
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Such a beautiful story! I hope you win!!! Have you read Rumer Godden’s Holly and Ivy? You will love it. It’s more along the lines of the old-fashioned picture story books with gorgeous illustrations.
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Thank you Vijaya for your support. It means the world to me.
No, I don’t think I’ve read Holly and Ivy. I asked, while at the school library yesterday, if I could simply come in and read the books. The librarian told me sure thing 🙂 They have SO many books! Bigger selection of new and old children’s books than the local library has. I will see if I can find this one along with the other titles you have mentioned. I have books-to-read lists all over the place on the back of receipts, envelopes, and even on the front of bills to pay – oops! I must get them together and compile into a big list.
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Such a special story. Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone found a home! Good luck!
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That would be so nice! Thanks reading 🙂
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Really lovely! I pray that all the foster children’s stories have happy endings. 🙂
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Thank you Jill for reading. Yes, to happy endings!
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Tugs at the heart. A true surprise an da true holiday story. Loved it.
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So glad you enjoyed it, Kat Halsey? Guessing on your name…
Thanks for reading 🙂
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Beautiful wishes in a beautiful story. Good luck!
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Thank you much, Jilanne!
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Hi – I nominated you for an award (this time an official award nomination). Go check it out:
https://stresslesswithjesus.wordpress.com/2017/12/08/2017-awards-blogs/
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That’s so sweet! Thank you. I’ll have to look tomorrow when I’m on my PC. My phone is limited as to what I can do online…it’s an old phone but I love it 🙂
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I know the feeling… I lost my phone on holiday this year – and only then could I be persuaded to get the newest model!?!
Take your time and you are under no obligation! Blessings.
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Precious story. You should develop it a little more and submit it to Highlights or Clubhouse Jr. Really.
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That’s an interesting suggestion Jean! I’m not familiar with Clubhouse Jr. but I do know of Highlight 🙂
Also thank you for reading and the kind comments.
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You never know until you try.
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This is such a great story. I absolutely love the message. Good luck!
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Thank you, Chelle. I appreciate your support.
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A beautiful story, obviously straight from your huge heart. I wish you good luchk and every blessing.
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Thank you Ann! Merry Christmas
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What a beautiful story. I can definitely see this developed into a longer, publishable book! Good luck in the contest.
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Thank you Colleen for the kind words and support. Merry Christmas!
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Merry Christmas to you too!!
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Love your story, the wonderful emotion, and satisfying ending. Merry Christmas.
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Thank you Janie! I appreciate your reading and your comments. Merry Christmas 🙂
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What a touching story. Love the hope and joyous surprise. Well done!
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Thank you Delfina! Merry Christmas 🙂
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What a lovely story! Best of luck in the contest!
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thank you Carolyn! Merry Christmas
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This is such a heartwarming story. Best of luck in the contest!
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Thank you Cynthia!
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Merry Christmas to you and yours.
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Lovely story! Best of luck and have a wonderful Christmas!
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Thank you Mishka! Merry Christmas to you too.
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What a cute, sweet story.
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Thanks for reading, Chelsea 🙂
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A unique story with a special message. I like your use of threes as she tries to solve her problem. I like the reference to Bethlehem, GA, and the spiritual undertones.
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Thank you Sherri.
Hope your Christmas is merry 🙂
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Beautiful story … can’t believe you put so much into 250 words. Well done!
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Thanks Jen for reading. So glad you enjoyed it. Merry Christmas 🙂
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What a lovely Christmas entry. I need to grab my tissues. Best of luck in the contest!
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Thanks Chatty tcp! Love your name 🙂 It’s fun to say.
I was trying to write a happy and bright Christmas story, filled with candy canes and hot cocoa…
Rexina insisted I tell her tale instead. Ah, these characters, they just push you around.
Merry Christmas
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Beautiful! Filled with heart and the spirit of blessed family ❤
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Thank you for the kind words, Char. Merry Christmas 🙂
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Touching story and beautiful ending!
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Thanks Gabi!
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Such a beautiful, heartwarming story! Like one of my favorites, The Little Matchgirl, but MUCH happier!
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Thank you Candice!
The Little Matchgirl was sad indeed…but what a message it had.
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Such a heartwarming story! It was so sweet when she asked people if they had asked for a little girl for Christmas. That tugged at my heart strings! And I loved that you dedicated it to foster children everywhere. 🙂
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Thank you bl(sorry not sure of your name). I appreciate the read and the kind comments.
Have a Merry Christmas 🙂
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What a lovely sweet story, Willow, with a happy Christmas ending! Loved Regina’s wistfully hopeful questions to the postmistress, the candy store cashier and the teacher (nice use of threes!) and the way she ended up in Bethlehem! Also found myself wondering if perhaps she was more than an actual girl…maybe a little angel 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in the contest with this sweet entry!
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Thanks Susanna for the supportive comments; and also for providing the contest. I’ve enjoyed participating and reading all the entries. You are one busy lady, for sure!
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
btw: Willow is my pen name….Vicki is my pencil name 🙂
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Such a heart warming story for this season
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Thanks Candy! Merry Christmas 🙂
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Loved it! So well written, and made me smile. 🙂
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So glad you enjoyed it, Tina. Thanks and Merry Christmas to you 🙂
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Merry Christmas back at ya! 🙂
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