JOY AT CHRISTMAS!

This was my favorite Christmas since the grandbabies were born. Having Adelaide here for her first Christmas was awesome in itself 4 years ago but having her at 4 years old and the two younger ones at 19 months and 18 months old was a true joy! They all have their own very special personalities and they all made me feel very loved even though they don't see me very often ... I felt very close to every one of them ... especially my Adelaide! I never dreamed we would have the joy of having our kids and their families both home for not only Christmas day but also Christmas Eve! I felt so blessed to have them not only attend our Christmas Eve Service but also participate in it. The grandbabies went "wild" ... frustrated that their parents were up on the platform and not sitting with them in the pew! I know it made it very difficult for them (and probably even Grandpa as the pastor ... somewhat) but I thought it was so awesome to have them there and be able to hear them sing (It's been too many years!) and Kelly play the guitar ... They were AWESOME! And my grandbabies were just as awesome in their tears and challenges they gave Aaron and I as we tried to calm them down.(HeeHee) I truly felt like a REAL grandparent!!! I'm sure our kids probably were a bit embarrassed and stressed with all the commotion but they made the service perfect for me. Then Barb volunteered to take a family portrait to "capture the night's events" ... I am so thankful for her thoughtfulness ... She knew what would make me happiest later better than I did!

At home we got a couple pictures of our three grandbabies together - a rare opportunity to be sure! And I started a new family tradition that the grandbabies get to open one gift on Christmas Eve ... possibly it will always be a book as it was this year. I don't know how often I will have the joy of having them at our house on Christmas Eve in the future but I want it to always be a good memory.

My daughter once said that there is one thing company and garbage have in common ... After three days they both stinketh! (smile) I disagree with that when it comes to my children and their families ... It takes at least 4 days! (HaHa!!!) We had a great time together the entire time and I am so thankful for that special blessing this Christmas that brought me more joy than all my gifts put together!

The other thing that has brought be greater joy this Christmas is teaching a Sunday School class on "Rediscovering The True Spirit of Christmas". We have dug into the scriptures and details of that first Christmas to such a depth that even now that my Christmas tree and decorations are put away I still feel the joy of Christmas as I think of my Savior's birth, life, resurrection ... and coming again!!! I hope others in our class have had success in reclaiming that special joy and peace that only Christ can bring to our lives as we seek Him with all of our hearts.

Tomorrow is the end of the year 2006. It has been a good year. Thank you, Lord, for all the good things you have done and all the great things you will yet do in the upcoming year. God is Good!!!!