MERRY CHRISTMAS

David just got back from his visiting his family in Texas. Yay!! He had a blast meeting and playing with our new niece. She is a doll. We'll post the pics ASAP. He also got some good quality one-on-one time with both of his parents. We have presents that were sent back with him.....so, that will be nice to have some gifts to open Christmas morn'!!
We're looking forward to hanging out with friends a lot this weekend. We have them systematically scheduled throughout the weekend. We also plan on visiting Karen's grandparents at some point and just doing a bonfire: complete with hot dogs and smores(I know not very Christmasy..but very fun!!)......then Karen's mom is driving over from New Mexico next week. She'll spend the next weekend with us!!

To all our friends and family...... Merry Christmas!! We love you!!!

Excerpt on a Family Christmas

So, I left off the funniest moment of the weekend. We got everyone little "happies" to open. We don't really exchange big gifts anymore.
Here goes: We got my older brother & his wife an aerolatte, two mugs, and some cocoa.....Well, you have to know my brother.... He opened the gifts....and said thanks, etc. Then, we were moving on to my cousin's presents.....and we heard a loud shout of pain. Chris (my brother) had taken the aerolatte out of the box and not considering the speed at which it turns......put it up to his face!!! Yep, he has a nice rotary burn on his cheek..... he won't need to shave that area for quite some time!!!

Chris, here's your sign!!! I love you bro!!!

Family Christmas

This weekend, we had my family Christmas. Technically, it was my dad's side of the family, but.......my parents and my little brother & his wife were absent. It wasn't quite the same with so many missing....but I wouldn't have traded it for any other Christmas. It remains the only constant in family get-togethers. We go to my grandmother's church for dinner & a Christmas service. Then, we go back to my grandmother's for snacking & presents. Her church, is the proverbial "church in the wildwood", with only two rooms: a dining room & santuary that holds about 25-30. My mother always leads the music. However, in her absence...my brother, Chris, handled her position with little effort. Music is his element. He even handled being asked to sing her traditional classic solo, O Holy Night. My aunt read a story, I think anyone with young children should get. It was called, "I Believe in Santa." It compared the attributes of Santa to the attributes of Christ.....showing that you don't have to nix Santa to have a Christ-centered Christmas. At my grandmother's, we don't do big gifts anymore. It's more of "happies" for everyone. Our primary gifts are reserved for our grandmother, and the youngest of the cousins. We eat too much, play too hard, and leave full of laughter. It finally feels like Christmas.
David left this morning headed to Texas. He'll spend the week with his family...and get to play with our new niece, Emily. I ask for prayers on his traveling....and blessings on the time he spends with family.

Office Party

My office party is tonight....... It will be the first time David has been able to attend (in 3 years). I wonder if my co-workers think I've made him up.

Reason for the Season

Last night, I was drawn to a passage in Phillipians 3, where Paul is encouraging the believers to press on toward the goal… One passage spoke to me about what “our world” has become around this time of year.

(Starting at the end of verse 18-the first part of 20.)

“..Many live as a enemies of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven...”

What has Christmas become to us? Is it focused on our heavenly citizenship, or are we becoming citizens of this world? This time of year, it’s pretty hard not to feast, stuff, and snack…….and let our stomachs be our god. Are we looking forward to just Christmas shopping, gift exchanging/receiving/Santa stops……. ? Where is our focus? Is it on the miracle of our Lord’s birth? Are we sharing with others what this celebration is really about? Our prayer is that all believers remember, reflect, and press on towards the goal. What better time to share our Lord? The conversation starters will never be easier…..for almost everyone will speak of Christmas festivities……. God will bring it up. Will you speak up?

Merry Christmas to the other aliens of this world……. Merry Christmas to all.

Finals

David is in the middle of finals this week. Prayer is always welcome. Next Tuesday will mark the end of his first semester in grad. school. He'll be heading to Dallas to spend some time with his family at that point. Unfortunately, I used all my vacation time for surgery re-coup. The saddest part is not being able to meet my new niece, Emily. I had a good check-up this morning. I'm still pretty uncomfortable. A little more healing time & hopefully I'll be up to full speed by Christmas or New Years.