Winter has touched us lightly this year... I need to write about our Christmas before it melts in the rain.
It started on December 6th with the Arli-Dazzle parade. It was a beautiful day outside, sun shining. Ann, Lila and I went on a horse ride that started on Main Street by the bakery. We arrived at our horse via horse back and got off the wagon! It started to snow these big beautiful flakes that fell onto our winter clothes making the warmth of the day seem as though it were encapsulated in each flake. Everyone was here to meet us. Carol, Duane, Robin, Al, Curt and mom. We had supper together at our house. After supper Robin, Carol, Lila and I walked up to Main in between the Arlington Haus and Morriems to watch the parade. Ann sat with her family on Main. Duane and Curt watched from our garage, mom watched from the comfort of home looking out the East windows. We were all very impressed with the parade and decided that next year we would try to have our SHAG reunion on the same day as the Arli-Dazzle. I am still not positive why everything was so perfect - I think it had a lot to do with the encapsulated snow flakes, the lights and the love of a small town, and being with friends and family. The floats were beautiful and there was a lot of them. After the parade we headed up to the community hall for a Johnny Cash review! Ann bought us our tickets for our Christmas present. It was a whole lot of Johnny going on up in the "Box Office" - everyone enjoyed the night.
The second Sunday in December Jaci Anna and Conner had their Christmas program in Foley. Curt Gramma and I drove to church that morning. The weather was again beautiful. We met them all at church and watched a beautiful little Christmas program. Conner was a Donkey, Jaci Anna an angel. They did a great job and after church we stayed for the "manna meal" and ate with family and friends. Grams and I had to be back in Arlington by 4:00 as we were going to the play "Forever Plain" with a bus tour. We had a great time at this also. It seems like yesterday I was planning out what the kids would wear to their Sunday school program and now here it is, turn around, and they have babes of their own! I so love this time together!
As December progressed there was a lot of different gatherings of friends and family. We had our bell choir concert at work on Thursday the 11th. It was a great concert. I never realized how beautiful it would be to have Mary and Joseph played by a couple in their 90's... the image will be with me along time, maybe until I am 90 myself. Another man in his late 80's (in whom I have forged a great friendship) sang the first verse of Silent Night - his beautiful voice making way for the next verse. Lindsey came to my work also and sang "Breath of Heaven". When I think back at this I realize just how Blessed I am with my family. For her to be willing to drive all that way just to be a part of my work Christmas Concert was very special to me.
On Friday the 23rd we all started gathering at our house. We spent the day getting things ready and enjoying each others company. Josh and Lindsey came on Saturday and Chris came after he got off work on Saturday. We all went to church together which started at 5:30 on Saturday December 24th. It was nice to have church at this time of the day. Lindsey and I sang in the choir and I sang two songs with the Praise Team. The weather was again absolutely beautiful. We all came back to our house and had lots of food. After digesting some good food we went into the family room and divided up the presents - It seems that has been Lindsey and JaciAnna's job these past few years. Chris came in with more presents! It warmed my heart - as although we had plenty of presents, this daddy wanted to buy some things for his family to show his Christmas love. Tim Berger joined us also and everyone opened gifts as we all talked and laughed and enjoyed our time together. When Tim got home that night he called us and wanted us to know it was his best Christmas ever...
I do believe we all felt that way -
Everyone together
Sharing Gods Love
Celebrating His birth
With family and friends
....IT WAS THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER.
