The Parable of the Cheeseball
I wasn’t planning on sharing another post before the holidays, but last night I felt like I wanted to share this story that happened last year. And so, here I am. I’m calling it The Parable of the Cheeseball. {I’m sharing the following story with my friend, Fern’s, permission.}
As many of you know, for many years, my family has made and delivered cheeseballs as gifts to neighbors/friends, etc, for the holidays. It’s become a tradition that I think will last forever. And it’s hilarious to see how excited some of the “regulars” on our list get as the holiday season approaches. Starting early December, I have to carefully and somewhat warily walk down some hallways at church afraid I might be accosted by the energetic souls wondering eagerly when the cheeseballs will be delivered this year. Haha.
We make between 50-85 cheeseballs every year. It’s fun. It’s messy. It’s tradition.
Last year, however, something unintentional happened with this cheeseball tradition.
There was a family at our church going through some tough things. We knew this family a little bit – our kids are in some of the same grades, and we interacted with them here and there at church and school events. Their mom, Fern, had just undergone a major and very invasive brain surgery and was at home beginning a very, very long recovery. She was in severe pain. She could barely get up and move out of bed due to lethargy and pain and risk of falling. Not only that, she could hardly eat because part of her jaw had been cut during the brain surgery and was healing, but she couldn’t open her mouth very far at all and could only eat really soft foods.
This sweet family had been in our prayers for weeks. One night close to Christmas, it was fairly late in the evening. Maybe 9-ish. Too late, really, to be considered appropriately polite to drop something off at anyone’s house. But we were in major cheeseball mode and all social norms had flown out the window in the face of cheeseball delivering.
Brian and the kids had one last cheeseball on their tray for delivery, and Brian called me and said “I think I’m going to take this up to Fern and her family.” We had never delivered a cheeseball to Fern and her family in years prior because we hadn’t known them previously. They didn’t even know we did this sort of thing. I suggested that it might be too late, but Brian insisted that he wanted to deliver this one last cheeseball.
So he and the boys drove up to Fern’s house and dropped off the cheeseball. And that was that. We didn’t think much more of it (other than me delivering a mildly grumpy look at Brian when he got home because I still felt like I was in the right and he was in the wrong, and sometimes just shooting someone a dirty look makes me feel better – amiright?? – even though I know that is the opposite of how one should behave during the holiday season).
The next day, a text message popped up on my phone. It was from Fern. And this is what it said:
“Good morning, Melanie this is Fern. I just texted your husband and got your number and told him to thank you for the cheese ball and said there is a story behind it. A couple days before you guys brought it over I asked [my husband] to make me one and he told me that he was way too busy to make me one and that he didn’t have the time to go to the store to buy the stuff to make one, he wasn’t ignoring me he was just buy with having to go into work and taking care of the stuff that needed to be taken care of around the house and taking care of me. He didn’t want me falling cuz I was and falling and hitting things. I could barely open my mouth so I was soo craving a cheese ball.”
“His sister came over to help me while he was at work again I asked her if she could make me a cheeseball she told me she didn’t know how to make one. So I let it go. But it was still in the back of my mind. I knew I could eat one cuz I could microwave it to where I could eat it. Anyway I was in soo much pain last night and someone knocked on the door and it was your sons.”
“Who had exactly what I was wanting. They said Merry Christmas and [my son] said Merry Christmas back. He brought me the Christmas ball and I just cried. I saw who it was from and I quietly thanked Heavenly Father for the angel who probably listened to a prompting and brought what I was truly wanting. It’s the best gift. Your family are true angels!”
And you guys, in that instant, I was humbled beyond words and brought to some serious tears. Humbled because I had been mildly irritated and a little too free with the dirty looks the night before when Brian and the boys wanted to deliver this “one last cheeseball” too late in the evening and humbled because it seemed that a tremendously loving God above was working through my little family to help someone in need even though we had no idea.
We didn’t know that Fern had been praying for a cheeseball, of all things. It certainly wasn’t hard for us to drop off the cheeseball that night. In fact, we didn’t think much of it. But that simple holiday tradition that led to the prompting Brian had to take that “one last cheeseball” meant something to Fern. In that instant, it was so, so much more than just a delivered cheeseball.
I guess I felt like I wanted to share that simple story to say that sometimes the things we do may not have an impact on us in the moment of doing/giving them, but we never know, we never, ever know, what impact those small and seemingly simple things may have on others.
A delivered cheeseball. A text to randomly check in on someone. A side hug in the hallway at church or the grocery store. A loaf of bread dropped off on a doorstep. Just simply noticing someone that you don’t normally interact with and starting up a conversation.
Never ignore a prompting to reach out to someone. Even if it’s late at night and you might get a dirty look from your mom. 🙂 Even if it comes in the middle of a crazy, chaotic holiday season. And even if it takes you a bit out of your comfort zone.
I’ve been on the receiving end of small acts of service more times than I can count, and I remember them all; each one has burned a lasting warmth into my heart that blossoms every time I think of the person or event. Because others have quite literally changed my life through service, it makes me want to be a better human, a more giving person who allows myself to be open to direction that I may not even be intentionally seeking at the time. And it makes me so very grateful for the tender mercies of a loving Heavenly Father who sees all even when we are limited in what we see and understand.
That’s what this holiday season is all about, really. Giving in the truest way we can from the very depths of our heart, even if that giving comes in the rather rustic form of a cheeseball wrapped in a cellophane bag delivered by a couple young kids who have no idea what that cheeseball really means (and incidentally, neither do their parents).
Come to find out, Fern also looooooooves no-bake cheesecake (clearly she’s good people, haha!). This is very valuable information for someone like me who wants nothing more than to show my love for people through food. Especially when there’s some trading involved! (Fern made this adorable tiara and wand for Cam’s birthday last year, and I paid in cheesecake…now thats my kind of a deal.)
And I suppose that’s about all I have to say about that. What I know is that the making and giving of cheeseballs has taken on a symbolism and meaning that will stay with me forever.
Merry Christmas, friends.
I know we don’t all celebrate and believe the same things. But with all the tender feelings that fill my heart this time of year, I just want to say that I very sincerely wish you the love, happiness, and peace that you may desire and need this time of year and always. Nothing I do, not one single thing, would have any lasting value if it weren’t for my belief and unending reliance on my Savior, Jesus Christ. His birth, His life, His constant, unconditional love is truly the reason…and the path forward…for ALL the seasons I will ever pass through in this life.
Thank you for allowing me a rather sentimental post today. I’m so grateful for you, my very favorite virtual friends near and far. I wish you the very happiest of holidays.
133 Comments on “The Parable of the Cheeseball”
What a beautiful story, definitely a parable. Quite honestly, it had me weeping by the second paragraph. My wife of 30 years died this August, of a brain tumor. It was an awful, awful thing, but towards the end, while she could still communicate, the smallest things and kindnesses meant a lot to her. A text, a garden-fresh tomato, the neighbour’s cat looking in our window. Thank you for reminding us all how enormous small things can be.
Have a wonderful Christmas. God bless.
Thank you. You made my day. When we go “about doing good” (Acts 10:38) like Jesus, we are following in His footsteps. You and your family are a light by which others can be guided to Him who lighteth the whole world.
I so love your recipes and sweet words of encouragement. You are spot on!! Let’s all give and love and serve each other in any way we can’n
I’ve made these cheese balls a handful of times but have never read this post about them until tonight, and I’m so glad I finally did. What a tender experience ❤️ thanks for sharing! I love your testimony and example of service and love. Merry Christmas!!
I made the cranberry Brie pastries. Delicious! Also, fun to make.
And the cheese ball story made my heart smile. I hadn’t seen it. Thank you for all you do to light the world.
Mel, this is so sweet. I’m so glad I decided to scroll through your blog tonight. I sure needed this. Love you.
I’ve shared this cheeseball at a few parties, and it is always a hit! So yummy and easy to throw together.
This is wonderful. So touching. My eyes leaked too. Isn’t it so true?? The times we second guess a prompting is usually when we find out it was an answer to prayer. It’s so humbling. I’m glad you took the time to write it down. Not just for us, but for you and your family to remember always. I hope you had a lovely Christmas Mel. Happy New Year!
OK, so now I’m crying… Thanks for sharing. We never know what a small tradition/act of service can mean to someone else.
Thank you for sharing this. I love this, so touching ❤️
What a great way to share your Light. Merry Christmas
I read this post last year and wanted to reread it to refresh and re- inspire. Thank you for sharing such a touching story and just for who you are. The world is a far better place for all the faith, light and service. Thanks for your positive influence you’ve had or me via all your amazing recipes, posts, positive attitude, and zeal for life! Thank you, and hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
You are the sweetest, Rachel – thank you so much! Merry Christmas!
Actually, I have a few questions. How big Do you make the cheese ball that you deliver for Christmas goodies? About 8 oz/1 cup size? Do you you give crackers as well? Do you toast the pecans or just chop and use them raw? For delivering 80 + Cheese balls, do you gift wrap the ball on a plate, put it in a plastic bag or a box?
Thank you for all your fabulous recipes!!
Hi Julianne – I make them about 8 ounces, more or less. I give each one with a sleeve of ritz crackers (my in-laws just gift the cheeseball to rave reviews, too). I don’t toast the pecans, I chop them finely in my food processor. I wrap each finished cheeseball in a square of plastic wrap (tucking it in on the bottom) and I put the cheeseball and sleeve of crackers with a christmas card in a small gift bag. Hope that helps!
Oh Mel I can barely see to type as the tears are running down my face. Loved the parable of the cheese ball. Yes people are so kind, my husband had a heart attack and he already had dementia but it is 10 times worse, so tomorrow he is headed to the Veterans home in Payson, UT and hopefully they can help him build his strength and his mind as well. People all around us have been so wonderful checking in and offering meals and fruit and another neighbor made me a lovely homemade pumpkin made from a T-paper roll and a tea towel with a stick in the middle. That really cheered me up as I have been too busy with him to even go downstairs and get out the Halloween decorations.
I wrote to you once before because we have had nearly the same nose surgeries, I have had mine three times, there again people ministered to my and made me feel the love of Christ. Also I want to say I use so many of your recipes.
Gloria – you are amazing. You really are. I admire you for your strength to get through these difficult times – I’m so grateful you have angels around you. Much love to you and your husband!
Loved this post! It made my eyes leak. And thank you for sharing your excellent yummy recipes. I love that the font is always big enough to read and that the font is black making it even easier to read. You are a darling girl, spiritual, funny, beautiful and a really good person, inside and out. We grandmas can tell these things.
Love from me to you
Mel, thank you so much for posting this cheeseball recipe when you did!! Usually, I make homemade cinnamon rolls for friends and neighbors but just ran out of time this year. It was Christmas Eve and I was starting to panic, so I decided to check your site for any options. There was your wonderful story about the cheeseball! Thank you for saving my sanity! By the way, they are delish ~ my family (4 of us) ate 3 cheeseballs ourselves 🙂
So sweet , now where’s the cheese ball recipe?!
I just got around to reading this post and I love it. As someone who loves to share food with others, I can really appreciate this. Love your heart.
From my pagan family to your Christian one, I hope you’ve had a wonderful Christmas. I have been loving your recipes for many years! Looking forward to more deliciousness in 2019!
I love you even more than I already did (and I don’t even know you). Thank you so much for sharing and for the great reminder. Merry Christmas.
This is beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing. I just love you!
Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas!!
I have definitely been on the receiving end of service around the holidays – sometimes the little things mean so so much. A few years ago my mom mailed my son a few gel clings to decorate our front window for Halloween and it made me cry. It was the only Halloween decoration we had and I was worried about my son not experiencing the fun memories associated with holidays as we cared for my baby girl who had a lot of medical things going on.
Anyway, yay for following promptings. You were a part of that sweet story too – you guys wouldn’t have cheese balls to deliver without you working to create wonderful service-oriented traditions with your kids. And you supported your husband and son – even if you felt a bit irritated at the moment. That’s ok! You’re amazing!!!
Absolutely perfect. Thank you.
Mel, wishing you and your family a wonderful, joyous holiday season and new year. I loved this post!!!
Thank you Mel! Once again you encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone.
This story hit a spot in my heart. My daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor 2 years ago. She had a partial resection and spent a year in radiation and chemo. This last year has been spent recovering, praying, and just loving on the new her. I now first hand how when your hurting and recovering you just need what you need. You were placed in sweet Ferns life for 1 of the very best reasons. Comfort!
I made 8 of your cheese balls today and delivered them to my neighbors. They loved them! And I loved thinking of you, Fern, and my sweet Ellie.
Thank you for your thoughts Mel! Merry Christmas! I’m off to go make Gloria’s perfect cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning breakfast! Thanks for your delicious recipes!
Merry Christmas, Mel. Love you, love you!!!
such a great story! So glad you shared it. Merry Christmas!
I love this post! Thank you for sharing and making this my favorite food blog. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Mel! Thank you for sharing so much goodness with the world! This is so beautiful!
This is so sweet and touching. Thank you for sharing and for another little reminder of what is most important. I’m so grateful for your site and the delicious recipes and heartfelt commentary you add to them. You add such a beautiful bright spot to the world and the internet! Merry Christmas to you and your family, Mel!
Oh Mel it’s so wonderful, thank you! It’s so amazing how truly the Lord works through “small and simple things.” Thanks for sharing and reminding us of the Savior this beautiful season. I especially loved reading these comments from others- the world is full of so many good people. My only regret is I’m not your neighbor…;)
I’m Beth Wadsworth’s Mom. She speaks of your recipes often. This post truly touched my heart today. I really needed this story today. Our pastor asked me Wednesday night about someone I needed to call and have put it off too long. You were my angel today to give me another nudge. Thank you for your kind words.
What a great story, made me cry! Thank you for sharing! What a great reminder to listen when we feel like we should do something. Thank you for sharing all your recipes and life stories with us.
Gosh, I had to stop reading that. It was making me cry. I love your heart. Our sermon last week was called Notice the Nudge. It was allllll about what you just talked about. If you are traveling and want to hear one if the best sermons. I think you would enjoy more in this topic. https://subspla.sh/cbdzvnx (I don’t know if that will work, http://www.tpcc.org. Sermon series is called Evergreen and name of sermon is Withered. Dec 16, 2018. ) The series before that is about Stress, Depression and Anxiety and I wish everyone could hear it too. Merry Christmas, my dear friend.
Tears!! That was such a tender and sweet story!! What a wonderful reminder that God knows each of His children and loves them just like we love our own! Thank you for feeding our families and our hearts!! Thank you for using your corner of the internet for amazing and uplifting things!!
Merry Christmas to your family!!
Tanya M
Your story made me feel a bit teary eyed. I have been thinking this week about how a passing act of kindness on my part might just mean the world to someone. Never resist an impulse of kindness!!! I love this reminder.
Merry Christmas, my friend. Beautiful post from a beautiful person. Thanks for sharing your heart and the reminder to serve even when it isn’t convenient.
What a beautiful, beautiful post. This is one of the most meaningful things I’ve read in a long time… It was just the nudge I need to let go of the “fluff” of Christmas and focus on the love of Christ! Thank you, and God bless you!
Mel,
I swallowed hard reading this. Thank you for sharing this story and the encouragement to listen to the promptings, no matter how silly they seem! Just a few days ago I listened to a prompt to go speak a few words to someone, out of the blue. I felt awkward and it felt like it came out in a jumble, but the result was a hug and a big thank you. It was such a God-thing! Thank you for being willing to talk about Jesus and His love, that is a huge encouragement to those of us who love Him and try to make this Christmas season about Him, first and foremost! And I think cheeseballs are an amazing tradition, one we might have to adopt for ourselves! Merry, merry Christmas!
Wow! What a touching story. This is why I read this blog ( ok the incredible food might be a reason too), for the humor, warmth, and true feeling of humanity that this world is sorely short on right now. Thank you and your dear friend for reminding us what the holiday is about.
Beautiful, touching story, Mel. I teared up! Thank you so much for sharing and for the reminder. Sometimes it’s all about the little things, which really aren’t that little. Merry Christmas to you and your family! God bless you!
You really need to share the recipe you use and how you make that many cheeseballs. How long does it take you? How much cream cheese do you buy??? You should do a post of that and share. Love this story! Open the promptings you receive! God does hear and answer prayers, but he usually answers them through someone else, so we all need to listen and obey those thoughts. Merry Christmas!!!
All the tears. It truly is a testimony builder that Heavenly Father KNOWS us and helps us, even if all we want is a cheeseball. I’m glad your husband was willing to take a few dirty looks to make Fern’s night brighter. Merry Christmas, Mel. Thanks for all your help in my kitchen. We love you over here.
Mel, Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful and personal story with us, your internet friends. You have created such a positive space in your little corner of the internet and you bless so many people with your food, your sweet and funny stories, and by being just a good human being. Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful family!
So beautiful! I can’t believe I’m crying over a story about cheeseball. Have you ever thought about how many people your life has touched? How many people who make your recipes have shared your delicious food with others? I’m sure it’s a lot! Thank you for sharing your yummy recipes and your goodness with the world. You are an inspiration!
I love this! Thank you for sharing. It’s amazing how Heavenly Father can use us to love and care for each other in such small but important ways. Hope you and your family have an amazing Christmas!
Thank you so much for sharing this story to everyone, It’s one of my very favorite Christmas stories of all time. It’s sums up the true meaning of Christmas in the form of a cheeseball and we all need Christmas to be summed up in a language we can understand (ahem food). No really aside from all joking, this is such a tender story I’ll never forget and has imprinted my heart forever. What a sweet thing to share to all your dear readers before you sign off for Christmas. You never cease to amaze me and you are a wonderful example in this little virtual space of what is really good in this life. Thanks for sharing all your talents with all of us and making all of our homes a little brighter through out the year. I am lucky or really I should say so blessed to know you beyond this little (actually big) blog space and knowing you in person has only expanded all the reasons a million times over why I loved melskitchencafe for so many years before I knew the “real” you. The virtual you is amazing and I would have been a loyal follower/reader forever but the real you is so much bigger than this amazing blog. I wish everyone had the chance to know you like I do. Merry Christmas to one of my favorites!!
This post is the perfect post for Christmas! Thank you for sharing ! What an amazing memory for your children and what a sweet tradition.
Mel,
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful and inspiring story,! We always try to share a special Christmas message on Christmas Eve to remember that we are celebrating His birth and His life. I think we will be sharing this story as a reminder that He uses us to bless others. I’m so glad Brien followed the prompting he had on that night .
I often feel that the scripture “feed my sheep” has. a literal meaning in my life. I’m sure it also has a literal meaning in your life as you “feed His sheep” too.
Merry Christmas and thanks for all your great recipes!
Wow… The power of a cheesecake. I have no words but thank you for a very touching story. After a long day at work, kids not touching their dinner and refusing to sleep…. This story hit the right spot. I’m in tears and humbling. Thank you Mel. It made my day. Merry Christmas.
One summer working EFY, a friend and I decided to shorten “tender mercies of the Lord” to TMOL. So, anytime something awesome happened to us, big or small, we’d smile at each other and say TMOL.
Cheeseballs can be a total TMOL.
That’s a beautiful story. For many years I’ve told my kids that sometimes a simple thing can mean a lot to someone else. And it’s usually something that doesn’t take a lot of effort like a kind word or a small deed. Your recipes have made my life much easier and I thank you! Merry Christmas!
This is why I love you. This and your phenomenal recipes. Thank you for being a sane part of the internet.
A beautiful story, not at all cheesy!
Merry Christmas, Mel! Thank you for sharing that wonderful story and the terrific reminder that the small things matter…and cheese 🙂 all the best to you and your family!
What a beautiful reminder that the simplest gesture, kind word, a meal or a cheeseball can truly make a difference for someone else. Praying that God richly blesses you and your family this Advent season.
I love this story, thank you for sharing! I really like the verse in 2 Corinthians 8:14 “that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality.” Sometimes the abundance you have is a cheese ball and it can supply someone’s want. Hope you have the best Christmas! Thank you for all the goodness you share with the world.
Merry Christmas Mel! I told my husband that I needed to send you a Christmas present because you are really are that much of a friend and blessing in our little corner of the world. Thank you for all you do!
Apparently your cheese ball has some chopped onion in it, because my eyes are tearing up for some reason this was hands-down one of the most amazing stories I have ever read, I wish and hope nothing but the best for you and your friend Fern!! Merry Christmas!
Well, you made me cry! I rarely comment but felt the need to now. I am always moved when these kind of incidents happen. God whispers and it is amazing when we hear it. I hope you have a wonderful holiday. Thank you for this wonderful blog. If ever I need a go-to recipe, without fail I find it on your site. I have yet to find a “flop!” 🙂 Please enjoy your holidays and know that you are appreciated!!
This made me cry. We just never know who we can make a difference for. Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas!!!
I loved every bit of this. Thanks so much for sharing.
Such a lovely reminder that simple gestures have powerful and long lasting impacts.
I’m going to deliver some cookies today, thank you for this sweet “nudge.” Blessings to you
I read this to my family as part of our scripture study this morning…love! Love! Love! Thanks For sharing, have the Merriest Christmas!!
Thanks for sharing your Cheeseball Parable! It reminded me how blessed we are to have a God in Heaven; who know us & loves us! Who answers our prayers even when we just are hungry for a cheese ball! I’m so grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord! Bless you for sharing your love through food!
And recipes! I love your Instagram account
❤️ this!!Merry Christmas to you and your family! Your testimony shines through this message and I appreciate all your goodness (both food and encouraging words). Thank you for being you.
I’m not crying, you’re crying!!! What a beautiful story that perfectly depicts the reason for the season. I just said a prayer for Fern and her family.
Question… do you make the cheese balls in your Bosch mixer? And if so, how many can you make in that bad boy at a time?
Thank you for sharing your wonderful story Mel!! It is heartwarming and your message is so important for people to hear. It’s just more proof that I do enjoy your postings not just for the food but because of the kind of person you are. Have a Merry Christmas!!
This is so touching …. I just want to sob…. the simple things in life that heal. Usually involved kindness and love and this certainly does. Thanks for sharing 🙂
What a sweet story! It made me cry while I was reading it in the library during story time. It was tricky trying to hide the tears around all the moms and kids. Something like that happened to me too. I had made way too many cinnamon rolls one day and needed to give some away. I had the thought to take one to my neighbor across the street. I wasn’t particularly close to that neighbor and didn’t usually do things like that for her but I couldn’t shake the feeling. When I delivered it, I found out that she was recovering from a sickness and was craving a cinnamon roll! Coincidence? I don’t think so.
I’m not crying; You’re crying! Okay yes I’m crying. This is so perfect, thank you for sharing!
what a beautiful story, thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Thank you for sharing your story and beautiful soul with us. It moved me to tears. Thank you for all the work you do to help my family enjoy good food from your great recipes. Merry Christmas!
I’m sitting here with tears flowing down my checks! Thanks for sharing this beautiful story and for all the wonderful recipes that you post. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Thank you for sharing this story. I love how God is always working in ways we could never know. It brought tears to my eyes. Merry Christmas!
Love, love , LOVE every part of this!! Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story ❤️
Thank you, Mel! Just what I needed today to get me in the spirit of the season. You and I share the same beliefs, and this post is a great reminder to always follow our promptings. Beautiful! Thank you for your wonderful blog, and Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Were there onions in this cheese ball, because MY EYES are leaking.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
My heart is so full and my mascara is so ruined 😉 . What a wonderful story. I had a similar experience this past week and one simple act has made such a huge difference in my “Christmas spirit” this year. That’s a mountain moving testimony for sure. Thanks Mel!
This warms my heart. God bless you and your family during this special season and all throughout the year!
Thank you for sharing that story, Mel! So beautiful! Thank you for all the work you do on our behalf! We love your recipes, and you! Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!
This is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing. I have been one of your followers for years, since the beginning, and can I say… I just love you!! I hope you have the merriest Christmas with your beautiful family!
Love!!!
Dear Mel, you are a treasure! I’m beyond grateful to you for sharing your talents with us and for blessing our families. I LOVE this post; I’m moved to tears. Thank you for your testimony – I know what you have shared is true! Heavenly Father is aware of His children! And nothing brings me more joy than to be an instrument in His hands! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Thank you for sharing this story! It is so true that service comes in all forms, and we just never know when we might be an answer to someone’s prayers. This story sounded very similar to something that happened to me a few years ago – we couldn’t afford a poinsettia for our daughter’s grave because we were swamped in hospital bills, and it was bothering me more than it should have for her grave to sit empty that year. I did not tell anyone except God about how I was feeling, but then my neighbor’s son showed up at the doorstep with a large, beautiful poinsettia. Small and simple things! Merry Christmas to your cute family.
Beautiful story, Mel! Thank you for sharing and for the reminder to always look for ways, both big and small, to help those we encounter. I’m wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas! I am so grateful for you and the recipes and tips you share.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story!
I love this so much, thank you for sharing!
Thank you for sharing this.
Mel! This is my favorite kind of post that you share. Thank you for being you and continually inspiring us all to be better. I love coming here and reading your posts. You are making a huge difference in the world. Thank you for sharing your light. I hope Cam is still enjoying her dresses and got to wear the turkey one on Thanksgiving! 🙂 Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful family.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story! It brought tears to my eyes as well. May each and every one of you be blessed beyond comprehension for following His love in your hearts. May God bless Fern and her family as they love and care for her. And you, Mel, for doing what you love, each and every day.
Beautiful story! Thanks for sharing and for all the work you do for your blog and community. Also, this cheeseball is fantastic. My mom always made them with the soup packets, and I like these WAY better (good thing she isn’t on the blog!). We made several and gave them to neighbors along with jars of your creamy hot chocolate and some homemade marshmallows. Everyone loved getting the savory cheeseball this time of year!
Thanks for sharing. Makes us remember the real reason of the season. BTW, your friend Fern sounds like an amazing person.
Merry Christmas Mel !! Every single thing we have eaten (no word of a lie) for every single meal, snack and holiday has been from you these past 10? 11? years. We have now happily tossed all recipes that are not yours so we are now scarily 100 percent dependent on you and your recipes!. Without you – my family would starve to death. No pressure. Happy holidays to you and your gorgeous family
Love this. Thank you for sharing! Thank you for sharing all your amazing recipes! Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year! I too am so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ. He is the reason for the season! I love celebrating Him, singing songs about Him and serving others in His name. Light the world! Love ya!
What a sweet story! I especially appreciate that it’s so relatable and something we can all do! It’s not hard to show a little extra kindness to those around us. And that is how we can make this world a better place. Serving others is how we can become more Christlike. Merry Christmas!
Beautiful story and about a cheese ball of all things! Thanks for sharing and being a good example.
Typing through tears. Thank you for sharing this deeply touching story. Truly what this season is about, our Savior, and following His example. Merry Christmas Mel!❤️ P.S. I’m heading to the store to buy ingredients for cheese balls.
This the most touching Christmas story I have read this season! Thank you for sharing and reminding me what the season is truly all about. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing. We are on the receiving end of some kindness this year, so this is tender. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Thank you for sharing, Mel. For sharing that story and for sharing your amazing recipes. Every time I read one of your posts/recipes, I feel the sense of love and service you decscribed above.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Much love,
Tami
Such a warm feeling inside my heart as I read your story. It’s wonderful to be the answer to someone else’s pleadings. Now I want to make your cheese ball.
Thank you so much for this post & all of your posts & work. Wow! 85. I thought I made & gave a lot at 68 – 73. I vary what I make each year. Merry Christmas to you & your loved ones. May you continue to have the energy to keep up with all you do.
That is a beautiful story, thank you for sharing it. I love stories that show how Heavenly Father uses us to bless the lives of others. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Love this.
What a great story, Mel. Thank you for sharing. How awesome this gal got some comfort in her painful day with something she was craving. It’s inspired me to go get the ingredients and get making this for those in my neighborhood who just might need a little something special in their day.
Thank you for sharing this story and making me cry. I’m one who hesitates when I have a thought to reach out to someone. I’m always afraid I’ll be imposing–that it will be too late or too presumptuous or too personal. But I’m working on it. I love this quote from Sister Michelle D. Craig: “Whether they are direct promptings or just impulses to help, a good deed is never wasted for ‘charity never faileth’–and is never the wrong response.”
Simply beautiful❣️
I’ve never commented before but this might be my favorite post I’ve read on your blog. I cried through the whole thing. It is amazing how the little things can make such a big difference to people, especially at this time of year. Thank you for all you do. I can’t tell you how much your blog has blessed my life and my family. I almost exclusively make meals from your recipes and not once have they ever failed me. I’ve used your back to school menus, your family reunion menus and your chocolate chip cookie recipes.
Thank you for sharing. Always a good reminder to follow through on those promptings. We can usually bless someone and be blessed too. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Such a beautiful story, and I’m so happy Fern is recovered and doing well. Thanks for the reminder of what this season is about, in the midst of the crazy chaos that sometimes has us (me) grumpily checking things off my to-do lists. Merry Christmas to you and your family Mel (and Fern and your family!), and many blessings in the new year.
What a beautiful, heartfelt post.
Thanks for sharing this Mel! I needed it. I make bread for friends and neighbors for Christmas and this year it seems like every time we go out and try to deliver my husband drives past a house and says, “oh is this person on your list?” If I say no he tells me he thinks they need one and stops anyway. Then I have to go home and make more bread and I have been grumbling a little too because my list isn’t getting shorter (43 done, 37 to go… so far). I will quit grumbling though and just be grateful that I can make someone happy. Merry Christmas Mel! I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday!
Wow beautiful story and yes, sometimes the small actions mean so much. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. Merry Christmas to you and your family and thank you for sharing your wonderful recipes. I will be making you artichoke dip for my work potluck :).
Beautiful. Thank you for feeding my spirit today!
Sheesh! You made me cry at work!
It’s okay, though. What a sweet reminder that Heavenly Father loves and is mindful of each of us individually. Thank you for sharing! Merry Christmas!
Thank you for these reminders about life and how God works! Thank you for your recipes, too! Merry Christmas!
This is a wonderful, lovely story that almost brought a tear to my eyes. Thank you for sharing and Merry Christmas to you and yours!
This is such a touching story. It truly pulls at the heartstrings….in a good way. Thank you for reminding us that little acts of kindness on our part can go a long way in making others feel loved, cared for and worthy.
BTW, Cam is such a beauty. She is definitely her “mother’s daughter”.
Merry Christmas Mel. I wish you and yours the very best!
A beautiful reminder in this season when life seems to get especially crazy busy. Merry Christmas to you, Mel! You are your words this morning are a blessing. I hope you know how much you are appreciated in homes around the world! (Especially mine.)
It is all about the small things, the things unnoticed that we hold dear to our hearts. Life is about the tender moments, and in following that still small voice. One never knows at the time the whys of the situation. Thank you for all that you do Mel! Merry Christmas!
I never comment on your posts but I make a TON of your recipes and my family loves them! I always say I got the recipe from “my friend Mel”, and they know exactly who I am talking about 🙂 I love this post and that you shared it, what a sweet reminder of the meaning of Christmas and giving. Merry Christmas to you and your sweet family!! Now I need to go make some cheeseballs to share, these are on my “to make” list as I have never made them and am really looking forward to it now.
A perfect way to start my day – thank you (and Fern) for sharing this!
I just love this story, thank you for sharing it! I also love your cheeseball and made half a batch (two) last week for my work and they were a huge hit! Thank you for giving us the best recipes on the internet…Merry Christmas!
And now I am crying. You are so right about small things helping (or hurting) others. This post is a great reminder to be kind and thoughtful. You touch our lives every day. Thank you, Mel and Merry Christmas.
Had a feeling that this post was going to pull at my heart strings as soon as I read the title this morning. (You can do that to me from time to time.) Thanks for sharing such a lovely and touching story and for your precious time, amusing whit, clever writing and amazing food! You reaffirmed the importance of showing my littles to take the time during this hectic season to cuddle up close to those we cherish and extend kindness to those whom we may not know so well. Merriest Christmas cheer to you and yours sweet Mel!
This made me cry (in a good way!). Thank you for sharing your heart and your recipes. Merry Christmas!
What a beautiful and timely post! I’m so glad I clicked on this when scanning my blog reader this morning! Thank you so much for the reminder of the real meaning of Christmas and for sharing your testimony.
Thank you! What a great read to start my day! Merry Christmas Mel!
Thank you for this story Mel. A lovely reminder for us to not ignore “the little voice in our head” ~ it’s there for a reason. Merry Christmas.