This was given to me in Relief Society many years ago. I think it's sweet (a little long... ok so very long... just read it!)
In 1994, two Americans answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach morals & ethics (based on biblical principles) in public schools. They were invited to teach at prisons, businesses, the fire & police departments & a large orphanage. About 100 boys & girls who had been abandoned, abused, & left in the care of a government-run program were in the orphanage. They relate the following story in their own words:
It was nearing the holiday season, 1994, time for our orphans to hear, for the first time, the traditional story of Christmas. We told them about Mary & Joseph arriving in Bethlehem. Finding no room in the inn, the couple went to the stable, where the baby Jesus was born & placed in a manger.
Throughout the story, the children & orphanage staff sat in amazement as they listened. Some sat on the edges of their stools, trying to grasp every word. Completing the story, we gave the children three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger. Each child was given a small paper square, cut from yellow napkins I had brought with me. No colored paper was available in the city.
Following instructions, the children tore the paper & carefully laid strips in the manger for straw. Small squares of flannel, cut from a worn-out nightgown an American lady was throwing away as she left Russia, were used for the baby's blanket. A doll-like baby was cut from tan felt we had brought from the United States.
The orphans were busy assembling their manger as I walked among them to see if they needed any help. All went well until I got to the table where little Misha sat. He looked to be 6 years old & had finished his project. As I looked at the little boy's manger, was startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger.
Quickly, I called for the translator to ask the lad why there were two babies in the manger. Crossing his arms in front of him & looking at his completed manger scene, the child began to repeat the story very seriously. For a young boy, who had only heard the Christmas story once, he related the happenings accurately-until he came to the part where Mary put the baby Jesus in the manger. Then Misha started to ad-lib. He made up his own ending to the story as he said, "And when Maria laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me & asked if I had a place to stay."
"I told him I have no mamma & I have no papa, so I don't have any place tp stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with him. But I told him I couldn't, because I didn't have a gift to give him like everybody else did. But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I had that maybe I could use for a gift. I thought maybe if I kept him warm, that would be a good gift.
"So I asked Jesus, "If I keep you warm, will that be a good enough gift?" And Jesus told me, "If you keep me warm, that will be the best gift anybody ever gave me." "So I got in the manger, & Jesus looked at me & told me I could stay with him---- for always." As Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of tears that splashed down his little cheeks. Putting his hand over his face, his head dropped to the table & his shoulders shook as he sobbed & sobbed.
The little orphan had found someone who would never abandon nor abuse him, someone who would stay with him-FOR ALWAYS. I've learned that it's not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life that counts.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5: 16-18
I can't keep it a secret any longer! Yes, I am pregnant with #3. I am currently 10 weeks & 2 days. Feels like forever since I found out & been dying to post it! I told a few friends at church today & figured I better post it before anyone hears it other than from me. We are excited & I am somewhat shocked. June 26th is the due date so we all have to wait till then to meet the new little G. I am doing well as for now (knock on wood) no serious morning sickness but I never really did with my other pregnancies so hopefully this will be the same (I just cursed myself) Gavin & Emma are way excited but they are having a hard time with what gender they want it to be cause neither of them want to share their rooms. I'm just hoping it's healthy & small :) 
OK, So the family tradition every year is to cram into the van the morning after Thanksgiving Day and head over to Bonsall. The event is actually really fun, we drive to a Christmas tree farm and hunt for the tree for the season. Parking can be a challenge but we make it work. The weather was wonderful at a cool 68 degrees and of course the chillens were really bouncing around the farm looking for that perfect Holiday symbol. We go home wash the tree down and today we set it up to the tunes of Ricky Tanner. Thats Right! Ricky Tanner. So The house is all set up, lights and all and Emma keeps asking us when Santa is coming and driving us up the chimney. (author Andy)
