Christmas was another beautiful time for our family. I believe in the Spirit of Christmas. When God sees His people gathering together in His name to celebrate the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ...
He smiles...
He pours His Spirit over those who can receive it.
The celebration of Christmas and the gift giving, the tree, the baking, food, candy...
it has all been made up by people through the years...
but, the fact still remains as written in John 2: 8-14...The angel said that Christmas would bring "great joy... for all the people."
No matter what our background, religion, problems, or circumstances, the best news that we have ever gotten - or will ever get for that matter is Christmas.
I want to just slow myself down here a few minuets and write out some of the memories of our time together as family and friends...
celebrating Christmas
celebrating our salvation
celebrating our reconciliation!
We started out with Carol and I taking our annual 50th birthday week-end. (another blog, "shuffle off to Buffalo".)
We came back from Buffalo on a Saturday (November 2nd).
Mom and I went to a play in Chanhassen with KNUJ travels on Sunday. We had dinner together and saw a wonderful play, "Bye bye Birdie". Mom and I decided this would be our Christmas present to each other. It was a wonderful time together and a great way to kick off the season.
We celebrated Thanksgiving in Foley. (another blog, "The gathering")
The next time we celebrated together was at Carol and Duane's. Carol had the house decorated beautiful and we sat down to a beautiful supper made by Carol and Du. ( another blog, "such a time as this"). This truly seemed to kick off Christmas with all the beautiful decorations, and a relaxing time with friends.
On December 1st we had a gathering at our house for who ever could come to the Arli-Dazzle parade! ( another blog, "Arli-Dazzle). It was the warmest day on record I believe and we so enjoyed our family and friends!
The month was filled with different things, kids Christmas programs, driving around to see the lights, advent at church, phone calls and love.
On Monday December 24th I worked until 2:30. Mom and I got supper ready and we along with Curt, Jeff and Tim Berger sat down to a wonderful lasagna supper together. After the meal we went to church at 7:00 and worshiped with all of our church family and their extended family. We had calls from the kids. Emily, Chris, JaciAnna, Conner D., and Jordyn Noel celebrated in Roseau, Minnesota. They left on Sunday after Chris got off work. Jaci Anna sang "Silent Night" with Paige for their church service. It had been a few years sense they had Christmas together and they all enjoyed each others company very much. All the kids were healthy, Emi made meatballs and peeled potatoes! I will be sure to get pictures on here of all these splendid events!.
Lindsey, Josh, and baby (due January 23rd) celebrated in Blaine with Josh's family. They had a great time together with lots of food and all went to "Celebration Church" service together. All of Josh's family was home and they were able to enjoy one another.
Lacey, K, and Nola Jean left for Chicago on Saturday to be with K's family. They had a wonderful time together celebrating the birth of Jesus. The weather was good for traveling, they came home the 26th of December to unpack and then pack up for Arlington.
On Friday December 28th I worked until 4:30. On my way home I got a call from Emily that her and her family would be coming to Arlington tonight... they were leaving at 5:30. They arrived at our house around 8:30 and we got to spend some time together. It seemed it had been so long sense we had seen anyone... which isn't true, but, it was sure nice to hold and love on each one of them.
On Saturday December 29th Lindsey, Josh, baby, Lacey, K, and Nola J. came with everyone arriving about 12:00. Dinner was ready to go by 1:00. We really had quite a menu, mom did a lot of the cooking.
Swiss steak in tomatoes
Dilled chicken over noodles
Green bean casserole
Scalloped corn
Lettuce salad
Calico beans
...and of course a red tray full of goodies from Missy and family.
After eating we went immediately into the family room for the kids to open their gifts. JaciAnna handed out all the gifts...
and they opened.
It was very exciting and so fun to be a part of seeing their faces and the joy in the opening!
Now it was time for playing and naps and then I set out some more food for supper.
After supper Allysa went to Gramma Doris's apartment with Jordyn so she could go to bed. It was about 8:00. Nola Jean went to bed here. We had thought that Jaci would stay with Jordyn also but it turned out she was a great help in the adult gathering. Her and Conner Dallas were perfectly behaved while the adults opened gifts and then shared a "golden nugget". Golden Nugget will be a separate blog.
It was a night to be remembered, as we gathered up our gifts and the paper and headed to bed with visions of Christmas dancing in our heads!
Thank-you Lord Jesus for this opportunity to celebrate Your birth here on earth with my family and friends. Life is full of Joy if we look...
Here in this time of crumbling economics, the fretfulness of parenting, the dizziness of the twenty-first-century spin...
we learn to trust in You...
trusting in the good news of Jesus, the saving work of our God.
