AND ANOTHER HOLIDAY IS OVER!

So - here it is Jesus's birthday, right? Aren't we supposed to be saying "I hate to see this holiday over, I love celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."

All I can think of, is if i see another piece of candy, cookie, or meal of any kind, I may commit harry-carry! Too many events, too much food, too tired to climb on the scale, but it has got to be bad. Why am I even focusing on that? I sat up straight in the bed last night as I thought about 9 more events and get togethers. We won't be done or I won't be done until January 9th. Oh, that's right, I have choices don't I?" Dang, I could have been making better choices. How are you at choices? I failed.

Well, anyway, it was a nice holiday all in all. But, I am committing to celebrating Jesus every day, changing my self control issues January 2nd, and turning over many new leaves that same day. January 3rd, you will find me in my office and I will be seeking God for some real direction. How about you? Are you asking yourself questions about 2010 and how 2011 should be better on so many levels.

Pray you enjoyed your family, and are in good emotional and physical health.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!

As you can see above, we have had our family Christmas. Family has shrunk a little in size, but my goodness Jordan and Em have grown so much taller. We won't talk about which direction I went.

Merry Christmas means - have a wonderful time celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He didn't even flinch at such a sacrifice that certainly would be on the journey ahead. He is our real hope for each and every day. Have a great holiday.

CHRISTMAS MEANS WHAT?

Two weeks from today - we will all be celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus in some one way or another. Some of us have already celebrated with family due to schedules and the complexities of family expansion these days.

My grandchildren have at some point over the next two weeks seven places to be for the Holidays. Can you grasp that? We read the story of Christ's birth and I love the solitary - quiet - musical - almost magical, if you will, beauty of the worship. The Three Kings, Shepherds, Joseph and Mary themselves. Wouldn't you love to reenact that. To think about going seven places so deludes what this season is about. How much would I love to take them and go to that quiet still midnight hour with only a candle in my hand. We approach the barn and you would believe no one was there. As we get closer, we see that there are other candles, and the reflection from a bright star in the east shining through the doorway. There are animals, but they make no noise. There are the Three Kings on their knees, but they make no noise. And, there nestled in blankets and hay, is the most awesome King ever to grace our presence. . .Little Baby Jesus! And, Joesph and Mary gazing at his GLOW! Not a pin do we hear drop as we come closer and closer. One is rendered speechless as we look upon what Christmas really means!

There are no gifts to open, no buffet, no cookies, pie, or candy. No one fighting over toys, or wondering - is this all you got me?

We JUST know that we have the greatest gift of all times. A baby came in the flesh from our God, His Son. His Son became Uncompromisingly Righteous for our freedom from sin. He died on a terrible cross so we could reach eternity.

So what does Christmas mean to you? What to take a magic carpet ride back in time?

I sure would.

My commitment this Holiday - to study the Uncompromisingly Righteous way we should always have for the Baby - the King Jesus - who chose each one of us as a gift to Himself.

PERFECT DAY FOR A CHRISTMAS CONCERT!

It is snowing and a lazy Sunday. Perfect to kick-off Christmas season with a Choir Concert at County Line church - this evening at 6:30 p.m. I like this year, for some reason. There is less shopping and more celebrations of the reason for our season. When I look back at all the company Christmas parties that were held at Orchard Ridge, Summitt Club and even the Coliseum, I am amazed I survived. I remember those times as too much shopping, lunches every week, at least 6 Christmas parties, and that didn't even count the family Christmas get together's, which numbered four. It was maddening, and I usually came down with a sinus infection, cold, or the flu. I always wondered what it would be like to focus and think about the sacrifice our God made when He sent His only Son to gift us with freedom from sin. We had no idea. We still don't get it, do you think?

Thirty-Seven Years ago Christmas Eve, I came face to face with that Jesus Christ. It was a series of events too long to go in right now, but I finally decided I needed Him in my life. And, between the Holidays and March, I gave Him my entire being. Yet, each Christmas I still got so caught up in all that "stuff". I love that the stuff is NOT so much right now, and I look forward to this evening by closing my eyes and taking in the music of Christmas worship. Absorbing it into my entire being and praising God for the greatest gift ever documented in time.

My prayer for you, is that you will take a moment and absorb the reality of this Gift!

PREPARING FOR HOLIDAY SPIRIT!

Preparation has always been something I was wired for. My mother did it, and she either did a great job of teaching or it is THOROUGHLY in my genes. Now, I don't want to say that I can tend to go over the top, but when I look around I see - "Shirley, you not only go over the top, you have become your mother." Ix Nay on the other-may. Okay, so I always put too many spring and summer flowers out. I could save work and money. The same for Thanksgiving (fall) and Christmas. I don't know how to NOT do it. To lay back. A friend of ours, put up and tree and a wreath on the front and back door. That is it. I nearly fell into the huge box of lights I was untangling. No! No! No! Three things.

Well, you have to just let people be who they are, I guess. I so enjoy thinking up new places to put a silly festive scarf that is different from last year. Or I compete with myself to see how many different ways I can decorate the front stoop. What I am trying to get at here is, each to our own. The real spirit, is the feeling you have about this time of year. Whether there are family dynamics, tragedy, financial issues, or anything; we need to have the spirit of Jesus in our hearts. To give and know why we give. Pastor Dane talked about that today. Why do you give? Give as on to eternity. That it is from your heart. Decorate with heart, give help to others, donate gifts, give special surprises. Tell people about the real gift from God. Jesus gave of himself to come here. There is no other thing that can motivate us more. If there is pain in this season, then go to God to give you strength. If there is a new baby (or babies - we have two sets of twins in our life)then celebrate new life. If there are people in need - give. Even if it is just your time to go run errands for them. Just GIVE! As Jesus gives to us. Prepared or not, organized or not, decorated or not! GIVE as He gave!

BIRTHDAY WEEKEND - SURPRISE PARTY!

At this age, your parents are most likely gone. And, I don't have brothers or sisters.
All my related family lives out west, so you go into 2010 thinking, oh well, I will just have a nice little dinner for John Saturday night and we will go to the movie on Sunday.
John's birthday is November 20th and mine November 21st. For 40 years we have shared this celebration with all kinds of get together's. Our parents always took us out, our friends always took us out and by Thanksgiving we were full and miserable. But happy.

Another tradition is that my friend Anna takes me out for lunch and open presents. I do the same for her in March. And, so it was set up that for my 70th she would take me to Bridgewater Restaurant. Usually very observant, I certainly didn't see all kinds of cars in the parking lot that I should recognize. I was blabbing about the weather and suddenly inside the dining room door came " S U R P R I S E "!!!!!!!!!!!

YOU SHOULD NEVER DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO SOMEONE MY AGE. Ha. Anyway, it was FABULOUS!
Most of my friends there around a huge table. Balloon, Cake, presents, lots of cards. I felt 7. Yep! I had at that time never had a surprise Birthday Party. I did remember that early this summer Anna had asked if I had ever had birthday party growing up. Nope!

Those who could not get off work sent cards. It was surreal. I thank you Anna, and also Delice who made the birthday cake for making my year. I thank all of you who were there and sent cards. You have no idea what that meant to me, what it means to me. I thank you for all your special comments and tributes. It was embarrassing, but it made my year.

Friendship is important. At Thanksgiving this year I will be thinking of you and how blessed I am. God talks a lot about friendship in His Word. As I told the gals Friday, I grew up without family and all my friends have been from coming to Auburn 40 years ago. I couldn't do it without you. You are my sisters. This is what sisters do.

Love
Shirley Faith 11-21-10

MEET DAVE!

Couldn't resist sharing this picture with you. Can you believe this animal is 80 lbs, and just barely a year old. Darrell and Kathy Douglas, lost their beloved Murphy a year ago. He wasn't just another Golden and their certified nursing home King!. He was just one special animal that always brought so much character to any site. It was like he was this old, wise, calm and assertive gentleman. He was not only their best friend, he was everyone's best friend. I could stay gone for two months or more, and I always got this special greeting at the door. He would actually get so excited he would sing. I loved it. I loved Murphy. The nursing home residents loved Murphy. Kathy's elementary school class at Hamilton loved him. She would have him come to story time.

You can't imagine what it was like to go through October and part of November last year watching Murphy leave us. I got some really neat pictures just before he passed from our vision. But he stays in our hearts forever.

So, now Dave! You always say, well, no other dog could be better then this one. And, isn't it just like God, to make each animal different. They bring new color and drama to the new life and relationship. Dave is completely different. Even his coloring. They will love him and experience him completely different. Some would say, I just won't do this again. I can't take it. Well, we take it, because without those differences, color and change, we would be dull and listless. Once you meet Dave, you know why he is here, and at their house, and for all of us to enjoy. He brings great high energy, love, sensitivity and character. Welcome Dave to the rest of your life.

Aunt Shirley