Merry Christmas

We have had such a great day and pray that you have too! Have I mentioned yet how much I love this time of year? We started our Christmas celebrations a bit over a week ago when we celebrated with the Stark side of my family on Saturday night then the Nettles side on Sunday afternoon. We exchanged gifts, played Christmas Bingo, ate a lot and got lots of fun pictures. The kids love spending time with their cousins and grandparents. It was a weekend full of laughter and smiles for them.

Last night we went to the Brook Hills Christmas Eve Communion Service with Jere's parents. It was a special time for us to spend together and really focus on what we are celebrating. I loved the message that the pastor shared. This is a great time to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus and to reflect on what He has done for us, yet we need to also look forward to His return and what He has planned for our future. Our walk with Him is not only about what has already been done but what is yet to come. We sang the song "In Christ Alone". Not one that I think of normally at a Christmas service but can I just say.. I was again moved to tears in singing that song loudly and clearly and meaning every word of it! The sound of that full sanctuary (people standing because the seats were full) and the voices of praise and worship being lifted up was one to behold. Joy to the World the LORD is come!!!

After the Communion Service we went back to Jere's parents and opened gifts with them. It was a fun night for all of us. Then we headed home to get ready for Santa to visit. The kids went to bed amazingly well, although Alyson was pretty worried that Sophi would bark and growl at Santa and scare him away. Thankfully, all went well!

This morning, Aly was up at 6:45 ready to head downstairs. She woke everyone up in her excitement and we headed down to a morning full of squeals and "open this please". Jere's parents came to have breakfast with us then Maga and PaPop stopped by for lunch. After hours of playtime, things have settled down. One of our neighbors made us a lasagna for dinner tonight and we are sharing it with some of our other neighbors this evening. Jere and Alyson have gone to share Jesus at the Firehouse Shelter as they cook and serve the men in the homeless shelter. What a blessing it is to be able to do this. It has been a blessed Christmas Season for us and we hope that you have all been able to enjoy family, friends and our Savior as we have. Hugs!!!

Hope you enjoy some of the pictures we took! Sorry - I know there are a bunch!