12/27/08
What a great Christmas!
All season long I saw it.
The spirit of kindness, the spirit of goodness, the spirit of giving.
One after the other, I heard of stories of people in our fellowship reaching out, helping out, and making dreams come true.
People fed, children clothed, automobiles purchased and fixed, toys provided and cash given away.
We wrote letters assuring people of God’s love for them and our gifts as an extension of his heart to theirs.
Thank you’s were precious, hugs were a plenty, tears flowed freely, and God’s pleasure was evident.
Thank you so much for all that you did this year to spread God’s love outside the walls of this great church……. In many ways, you made the difference in the lives of others this year.
As for me, this Christmas was really special.
I got up Christmas morning and Jimi and I had breakfast together (very rare) and then opened our presents. I don’t know how I could love him any more than I do.
He has made me proud in so many ways; from his gentle nature, to his love for his students, and his strong faith in Jesus.
From there I went to my brother Jims house. Had lunch with him and watched my nieces & nephews open their presents. Gena is always a great host and during Thanksgiving & Christmas their house is usually filled with family, friends, much laughter and even more food. I am so glad that God has brought them to our Church; Jim is such an encourager to me. For those of you who don’t know him; Jim is my older brother by one year and 19 days / Jim got the money, I got the looks.
Then around 5 p.m. myself and a group of others met at Dianne Mcquarrie’s for Christmas dinner. She is an incredible cook and an even better host.
She and her two girls (Kelly & Bekah) have included me & Sheila Hayslip now the last two years as an extended part of their family….. and they have a fun family!
We ate, opened presents and had a wonderful evening.
Then…… (drumroll please)
I went home around 7:30 p.m. to meet my son & his longtime girlfriend Shelly to open presents at our house.
And she showed me….. SHE SHOWED ME THE RING!!!
They are officially engaged.
We screamed, laughed, danced and celebrated.
Jimi proposed in the most romantic of ways (you will have to get him to tell you the story) and the ring is absolutely beautiful.
You could not find a better girl or a more perfect fit for Jimi than Shelly….
And I can’t wait until she is officially my daughter.
Let the planning begin!!!!
It is my prayer that your holidays were good as well, and that you are looking forward with Great Expectancy to all that God has planned for you & us in the coming year.
For those of you who also experienced pain in this season…. Please remember,
God has not lost or forgotten you,
He will not fail or leave you,
This season will pass.
The plans He has for you, are to bless and prosper you, to give you hope and bring you to an expected end….. weeping does endure the night season; but God’s joy is still coming to you and it will come with the warm rays of a brand new morning.
In Him,
john