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Luke 2:11-14 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
We had a most wonderful Christmas Eve with the family here for dinner, the giving and receiving of gifts, and sweet fellowship with our crew. How interesting to think that we get so many thoughtful and loving gifts today, and that JESUS CHRIST is the best gift of all. His free gift of salvation is truly amazing. We had such a sweet time with Chip and with Amy and her family last night. I made a couple of videos that were kind of cute. I am mostly posting them here for Amy and Brian to see, but perhaps someone else might enjoy them as well. I was just in the bathtub soaking while listening to the wonderful Christmas music on our Christian radio station and praying for our family and friends everywhere~~ that you are having a peaceful, loving, and meaningful Christmas Day.
Merry Christmas with Love,
Susan
(SIDE NOTE: If you happen to notice Jaden's change of clothes, here is the scoop on that. Grandpa and I gave him "cammo" pants, sweatshirt, t-shirt, shorts, hat, socks and shoes. That little kid LOVED the clothes (I thought it would be his "worst" gift) and had to put the two different sets during the evening. That was a pleasant suprise. Ha!)
Luke 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
It was a wonderful time with the family. Chip is here with us from North Alabama, and Amy and her family walked over at 5:00 to begin our annual traditions. Those traditions grow richer and dearer with time. We had a wonderful dinner and had a real sweet time opening gifts one by one and sharing in exclaiming over each gift opened and thanking the giver. Afterwards, we had our desserts and enjoyed watching the GRANDkids enjoy their new things. Brian, Amy, and the kids just left at 10:00 to go home. They have their big Christmas Day doings with their personal Christmas gift openings in the morning and then going to Pappy and Grandma Y's house tomorrow at noon. They plan to come back over here tomorrow night to play games, eat again, etc. We'll keep it going for as long as we can! Grandma is tired and is retiring for the night. Dear Jesus, thank you for a wonderful time with our children and Grandchildren as we celebrated your coming to earth to redeem us.
Psalm 146:2 While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.
What a joy it is to watch our Grandchildren grow in the Lord. Jarrett, Isabella, and Joshua have all made professions of faith, and we pray that Jaden will be saved at an early age. Of course, the kids are all excited that it is almost Christmas. As a recently turned 3-year-old, Jaden is really enjoying this Christmas season. He loves the trees, lights, decorations, manger scenes, presents, and he even loves to shop! I have a huge floor puzzle of the Nativity that he enjoys putting together whenever he comes over. Sometimes he gets mixed up and calls the child in the manger "Baby Moses" instead of "Baby Jesus" but that seems to be mainly a slip of the tongue. One thing Jaden has enjoyed this Christmas is learning to sing Christmas Carols. He loves to sing and has really enjoyed the carols this season. He was in "big church" last Sunday night and again on Wednesday night for special Christmas programs and loved singing with the congregation. This video is of him singing SILENT NIGHT at our house. This video was made two weeks ago so I imagine he probably has "perfected" it by now. I post it as Jaden's "Merry Christmas" to everyone!!! (NOTE: At the end of the song, he is pointing at the Baby Jesus in a Nativity Scene that is a wall hanging and is on the wall in front of him.
Titus 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
Tit 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
That's a tall order for an aged woman to fulfill, BUT the Lord has sent those kind of ladies into my life to mentor me in the faith, in this business of aging, and in those things that might lie ahead of me....
Proverbs 28:20 ¶ A faithful man shall abound with blessings:
There are bosses and there are friends.... and then there are bosses who are friends. And to have a boss that is a faithful man in the Lord, what a blessing! Such is the case of Dan L. I worked for him at TCS for eight years, and it was the best job I ever had. Dan "principaled" our kids in school, coached our son in basketball, was a mentor to our Amy in the education field, and remains faithful in the Lord's work to this day. Richard and I enjoyed our friendship with Dan and Rhonda-- raising our kids together, working in the ministry of the church and school, and living the Christian life. We especially enjoyed our once-in-a-while double-dates to Outback. Those were always good times. I still think of them whenever we go to Outback!
Today I received some Christmas pics from Rhonda. They are so good! With Rhonda's permission, I post one here as a tribute to our dear friends, and to thank God for this good family. (Click on pic to enlarge it for a good view!)
Matthew 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
The tables are set and we await our guests as we come together to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.... (Click on any pic to enlarge for a better view)
Richard and I always enjoy hosting our annual "Couples Christmas Party" which this year included inviting 8 couples to our home. This year we were privileged to have our new pastor and co-pastor and their wives attend as our very special guests. We have grown to love Dr. Neal and Tracy and Dr. Lloyd and Karen. (I don't use last names on my blog.) In addition, the following couples came: John and Jeanette, Jeff and Sandra, Ed and Arda, James and Ann, Jerry and Peggy, and Larry and Margie. With Richard and me, there were 9 couples so we had 3 tables set to accommodate 3 couples at each. The ladies helped with the meal so we had delicious food and precious fellowship. Richard and I can only hope that our friends enjoyed it half as much as we did. Here are some pics from our party which was held on Sunday night, December 9.
Ed and Arda are the first to arrive. Here comes Arda with her tray of veggies and dip.
Jeanette and Karen visiting.
Fellowshipping during dinner...
We played a Christmas Carol game and then shared around the circle...
Our friends graciously posed for pics...
Merry Christmas from Richard and Susan!
Psalm 16:6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
It's such a blessing to be able to stay in touch with dear friends known in previous years, cities, and situations. One such family is that of Ronnie and Rosemarie H. I worked in the church office with Rosemarie and enjoyed a precious friendship with her. When God's call upon Ronnie's ministry moved them away, we lost touch for a long while. I am so thankful that the internet has reconnected us!
I always looked up to Rosemarie (though she is shorter than me!) because of her deep relationship with the Lord, because of her station in life as a pastor's wife, because she has a God-given gift to sing, and because of the wonderful person that she is. She has truly been a mentor in my life.
Ronnie and Rosemarie have three children: Kelley, Scott, and David. Now Kelley is married and has bestowed upon Rosemarie the wonderful privilege of being a grandmother. I believe Rosemarie is "Grammy" to her 2 granddaughters, Rylee (5) and Abbey (2). I think you will agree from the pics that they are beautiful little girls and that Ronnie and Rosemarie are so very blessed!
Philippians 1:3 ¶ I thank my God upon every remembrance
of YOU...
John 17:13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
I love the Christmas season. It is such a blessing to set aside this time to truly reflect on God's precious gift of His Son JESUS CHRIST for this lost and dying world~~~ and more importantly, for sinful me. This season brings about so much joy and a lot of that revolves around our loved ones~~ family and friends. My heart was "full to busting" with the blessings of the season on Saturday.......
We got up very early on Saturday, December 8, to make the trip to T-Town to be with our families for the day. It was a good ride up in Amy's Brian's Suburban with all 8 of us in tow. We enjoyed the 5-hour fellowship going up. (The kids were wonderful!!)
We arrived at Logan's at 11:03 so were just 3 minutes "late" and certainly not the last ones to arrive. Some traditions never change. :) It was a wonderful nearly 3 hours in the restaurant with ALL THIRTY-FOUR of Momma and Daddy D's descendants present. What a joy to get together with Larry's, Richard's, Diane's and Bill's families. If Momma D and Daddy D (I don't use last names on my blog) were able to view the scene from Heaven's portals, they had to be so very pleased that the family remains very close and that it is still growing!! Our newest member this year is 4-month-old Mataea, daughter of Rob and Melinda and GRANDdaughter of Mike and Diane. What a beauty she is!! Here are some special pics of Mataea: (Note: Click any Pic to enlarge it for a better view!)
A special joy this year was that Chip is now pastoring in Huntsville and was able to join us for Dean Christmas for the first time in a very long time, and that Chris and Bonnie and their family were able to attend this year after having to miss last year's get-together. With ALL of us there, we were able to have a picture made of the clan: (Don't forget to enlarge this one!) (ID of folks in the pic is available upon request.)
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