"Only 2 more sleeps..."

Christmas Day is almost here. It is so hard to believe - time flies by so much faster as we get older. Dale and I were privileged to go to two school Christmas concerts on the 18th that featured Christ in the center of it. Yes, that is right. They were in a school. The first one on Thursday afternoon, was Bethany's preschool class. They had a star "mask" on their faces and sang a song about the Christmas star (for the life of me, I cannot remember which song it was), then they sang "Away in a Manger" with actions, "Little Drummer Boy" with upended ice cream pails for drums and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" in different voices. It didn't last long, but it was so cute and the kids - even Bethany - did a super job!! We thought Bethie wouldn't sing, but she did! That evening we went back to the school for Lucas' program. The school put on a play called "It Happened in the Country" and the K-12 kids did a super job. Which school is this, you ask? Regina Christian School. I know some people think sending your kids to a Christian school is silly when they can go to a public school for free. Our kids went to a public school and they turned out all right (by the grace of God) and back then, every other year, the Christmas program was about Jesus' birth (the alternate year about Santa Claus). That was when people wished you a Merry Christmas and no one was "politically correct" - but don't get me started. Back to the programs. The kindergarten and Grade 1's (Lucas' class) came out and stood on risers in front of the stage with "halos" around their heads like angels. They sang with the rest of the school and also by themselves. I got chills listening to these precious kids singing some standard Christmas songs about the nativity and some from the play. I don't know how many kids are in this school and I don't know how many go because they are forced to by their parents, but I do know that they KNOW the true meaning of Christmas. And because of that knowledge and with parental and church guidance, some ask Jesus into their hearts as their saviour. Bethany called me Friday, the 19th and said, "I asked Jesus into my heart". I was so thrilled and teary of course. Jodi had been talking to the kids and saying that Grandpa (Dale's dad) would get to celebrate Jesus' birthday with Him this year in Heaven. And Bethie said, I want to go to heaven. So, Jodi talked with her, prayed with her and she accepted His love and forgiveness. This is my greatest Christmas present - even over my Cuttlebug! I'm not saying kids that don't go to Christian school have less of a chance to accept Christ as their saviour, I'm just saying it doesn't hurt to have the added benefit of putting Christ first in everything in their lives. Today it is 21 years since my dad went home to be with the Lord. Every Christmas I think of it, and although I miss him, I know he is so happy and healthy and I will see him again one day and Lord willing, I can introduce him to the great-grandchildren he never got to see. I am getting more and more out of my funk (those concerts were a huge help) and after easily wrapping the presents (it usually isn't, as we have no table) and getting the name tags made, I am about ready for the family gathering. I was asked to sing with the church staff at our Christmas Eve service and am honored to do it. We had a choir on Sunday that did a wonderful job of the "Hallelujah Chorus". So, I'm looking forward to the Christmas Eve service. I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! May God bless you and your families as you celebrate the season and the reason we have this season. Give God the glory!! "And she brought forth her first born Son; wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:7 "...He was named Jesus, the name the angel had given Him before He was conceived". Luke 2:21b.

Christmas?

Oh no, I think Dale is starting to rub off on me. I'm not grinch-like yet, but just can't get into the spirit of the season. I've almost finished the shopping, but since I opted to not put my tree and decorations up, I'm not SEEING Christmas really anywhere here. I did get out my card holder, as we are getting cards, but it's not the same. I did my cards and letter and mailed them out, but it just doesn't feel like Christmas. I just read Jen's blog and she's feeling the mood as well and says Jodi is, too. Hmm wonder what it is? We've had it pretty stressful with Dale's dad passing away and two of my friends have had rough times with their spouses, but that was never something I couldn't overcome. One of my friends, Susan, has the most beautiful Christmas tree I've ever seen and I want so badly to find one like it, only a little bit smaller. It is a pre-lit and has multi-colored lights and is nice and full. She said it looks like someone threw up lights on it, but that's how I like my trees - nice and sparkly. I don't think I'll do this again - not decorate, I mean. It sure makes a difference. Dale is home this week as well, which I am thankful for. Today, Sat., the temperature barely got up to -24C with a windchill (-35 brrrr), so we stayed in and Dale cleaned house and I did the laundry. He cleans the way he likes - down on his hands and knees. I can't do that, so generally give it a "lick and a promise". It's so nice when he does this for me. I know it is mostly because he can't stand it anymore, but I appreciate it so much. And when he is home like this, he can drive if we have to go out and I don't have to freeze to death in my car. It just doesn't want to warm up enough for me. I have a dentist appointement Tuesday morning, so he can drive me there and we can get the last couple of things we need to get for Christmas while we are out. I don't have to drive Bethie to school that day, as Steve is the helper, so that helps a lot. Her program is on Thursday afternoon and Lucas' is in the evening, so we'll be able to take both in. I hope this bitterly cold stuff goes away soon. It is supposed to get closer to 0C as the week goes by. The Christmas movies are starting to be shown on TV and I'm a real sucker for most of them. I have "It's a Wonderful Life", "White Christmas", "Holiday Inn", "A Christmas Carol" and all three "Santa Clause" movies, so I'm set if nothing else is on. That helps a lot to put me in more of a mood for Christmas. Last year I got a DVD of a crackling fireplace with Christmas carols, so it is in my DVD player as well. I got my Focus on the Family magazine today and all the articles were very good and made me think a lot. One told about someone feeling down at Christmas and feeling everything was going wrong. She said she realized that God had a hard time that first Christmas, too, as He watched His only Son leave heaven and go to earth to start His earthly ministry. So, no matter how we feel, our Father has felt it, too and can be a great comfort and strength to us. All we have to do is ask for it. Jen said she had gotten her first "gift" - a traffic ticket. I'm sorry for her, but I got my first gift as well. Actually, I got two. The first was from Susan - a gorgeous ornament (that I hung on the door of my china cabinet) hand-blown glass, hand-painted! The second was from Dale. Well, I ordered it and paid for it, but it's from him. It's a cuttlebug and I love it! It is a little machine that embosses paper for making cards or for scrapbooking. I love playing with it. It's such a neat thing. (Should I start making next year's Christmas cards??) Oh well, I guess I'll wash my hair and get ready to watch another Christmas movie.

I Love My Care Group

Today was another sad day. Our Care Group went to the memorial service for the husband of one of our ladies. He passed away about 3 days after Dad. He was only 54. Both services were celebratory, but it was so hard today, because he was so young and still has young children at home. We really don't know when it will be our time and we so need to be ready. Not only spiritually, but in our relationships as well. I am glad our family says "I love you" readily and I hope we all let our friends know as well how special they are to us. Our Care Group is a great group of women. There are 7 of us and we are within 15 years of each other in age, so we seem to "meld" really well. Pastor Bill was at the service and told us we were such a great group to be there for our sister and friend. Well, isn't that what Care Groups are for? We learn together, pray together, laugh together and cry together. I love these ladies and praise God for their friendship and love. Some were able to come to Dad's funeral and that really blessed me as well. If you don't have a small group of friends who are your spiritual sisters and good friends, I urge you to find such a group. If your church doesn't have them, start one up yourself. It is so important to have peers who you can be real with. God bless you ladies - Priscilla, Susan, Charlene, Nancy, Marlene and Jeannie.