So how did you spend your Christmas Day?

Even if you’re the No. 1 softball player in your class, like Amanda Lorenz is for the 2015 class, you probably put softball to the side for one day—yesterday—and enjoyed the holiday with family and friends.

In today’s blog, Amanda talks about how her family got together and also reflects on community and school activities she was part of that makes this time of year extra-special.

“As I’ve gotten older,” she says, “I have started to realize that Christmas isn’t just about the gifts. I am so unbelievably thankful to have spent my Christmas with my healthy family.”

Amanda is a senior from Moorpark (Calif.) and was a 2014 1^st Team Full Count Softball All-American in high school last spring when she hit .642 with eight home runs and 22 doubles.

She also added “National Champion” to her resume as she hit lead-off for the OC Batbusters-Haning/Stith team that won the PGF 18U Premier Nationals in August, hitting .478 for the week in bracket play and had at least one hit in all seven games (with two hits in four of the seven). In the championship game, a 3-0 win over the Corona Angels, Amanda went 2-for-3 with a key RBI double.

As a sophomore, the Florida commit won several national, state and local honors at the high school level in 2013 including MaxPreps Underclass All-American, CalHiSports.com All-State and Ventura County Star Player of the Year after batting .626 with 17 home runs and compiling a spectacular 1.377 slugging percentage.

In 2013, Amanda also helped lead Team Mizuno-Stith to the PGF 18U National Championship game and in 2012 she was part of the 16U team that won the PGF national title.

Finally, her prolific hitting stroke has some coaches and scouts saying she’s one of the best hitters to ever come out of Southern California.

Click here to read Amanda’s earlier blogs and those from our other outstanding bloggers!

Also, check out the video of Amanda after she learns of being named No. 1 in the 2015 class

***

For Christmas my sister and I wake up really early to open presents. Soon after, my Grandpa comes over to make Christmas breakfast.

My mom also makes a homemade chocolate chip coffee cake every Christmas and it is my favorite!

My family always does a Christmas breakfast and we always go to my Uncle’s house for Christmas dinner then head to my Aunt’s house for games and movies.

Every year since I can remember, my street has gone all out with Christmas lights. Our street is known as the “Candy Cane Lane” of our town. There is so much traffic during December on our street and everyone just loves it!

This year, I have participated in the “Helping Hands” class at my school so each day I have a class in the special needs class where I help the teachers with the students.

This class has opened up my eyes to how truly beautiful they are. The kids bring the biggest smile to my face each day!

We recently went on a field trip to Big Lots to buy Christmas presents for their parents and siblings. It was the cutest thing to watch their faces light up with joy when we helped them find the perfect gift for their mom or dad. I will never forget it!

As I’ve gotten older, I have started to realize that Christmas isn’t just about the gifts. I am so unbelievably thankful to have spent my Christmas with my healthy family.

But most importantly, I’m thankful for Jesus Christ’s unconditional love for all of us.

Christmas will always hold a special place in my heart; it’s the most magical day of the year!

Merry Christmas everyone! And a Happy New Year!

Amanda