CHRISTMAS is------------

Well, I can tell ya one thing CHRISTMAS is NOT. CHRISTMAS IS NOT BORING!
The past couple of weeks it seems like there has hardly been a day we didn't have most of it FULL TO THE MAX of CHRISTMAS!
It started on the 2nd with a CHRISTMAS Party for the 50+ friends from church. It was held at a cool resturant called "The Barn" here in rural Ohio that has about the best Broasted Chicken you can find not to mention homemade hot rolls. You can't hardly beat that.
On the 4th we had a CHRISTMAS concert that was a lot of fun and great music! A local group called the Tacketts and another group called the
"Ball Brothers".
The 6th was wonderful (catered) meal and party with all of the people that work with our local "Crisis Pregnancy Center" (We do Christian counseling and education, moms in need can earn cribs, and car seats and also get clothing, food, and diapers.) It was held at a little church about 20 miles away and everything was decorated so beautifully with many candles and floral centerpices. More CHRISTMAS music and CHRISTMAS entertainment. Everyone even got a beautifully wrapped gift!
That was Monday evening, on Tuesday we go out to eat with friends each week, on Wednesday our girlfriend group went to a fancy little tearoom called "Touches" for lunch to celebrate, yes (of course) CHRISTMAS.
Wednesday Thursday and Friday we helped each day with our local Toy Drive,(we sorted and bagged toys for over 800 CHILDREN this year!!!) Wayne also helped on Saturday when the toys weer picked up by the families, while I went out to Brunch with friends (this time to celebrate December BIRTHDAYS!
On Saterday (the 12th if you havn't kept up) our 16 year old grandaughter had her first piano recital. (She played "Joy to the World". It sounded wonderful, of course!) The next evening we had a house full of company with a CHRISTMAS party here at our house for our Sunday evening Bible group. Thursday (the 16th) I worked at the Pregnancy Center then we had to go to the high school band and chior concert (once again for the 16 year old who is in the band and once again more CHRISTMAS music!) Saturday afternoon (the 18th) we helped out with an auction at the mall for a group called the Ravens that help people with vouchers for rent, utilities, groceries and whatever other needs there may be. This is a really AWSOME group. I think they made close to $2000 to be used by the needy locally!
Today was Sunday and I taught the preschool class at church (we had a Birthday Party for, (bet you can't guess) JESUS!!! Hats, treats, songs, a baby doll wrapped in swaddling cloths as a standin for our "GUEST OF HONOR." It was lots of fun, they really got into making "birthday cards".
Somewhere (in between all of this) I have decorated and cleaned the house (somewhat less than in years past) made several homemade gifts, baked about 6 dozen cookies,and wrapped, packaged and mailed packages to our kids that are in Germany.
Also, sadly, (in the middle of all this silliness), we lost a very special foster daughter. She passed away suddenly at only 31 years of age. "May God hold your soul in his loving hands Stacy!"
WAIT! I'm not done, this is only the 19th!
The 21st I am going to lunch with friends from our foster parenting days. One of them adopted 3 of our little foster children (who are now all grown up) and then became foster parents themselves and the others were foster parents for many years. Out of the four of us my husband and I were the only ones never to adopt.
On Wednesday I am doing a program at one of our Nursing Homes, Thursday, I work, Friday is CHRISTMAS EVE and we have church and Saturday (the 25th) is CHRISTMAS DAY and we will be going to see our Son and Daughter-in-laws to celebrate with them and the two Grandchildren that are still here in the USA!
Not quite done yet, we are planning a get to-gether (hopefully on the 27th) but not definite as yet with the family of one of our special foster Daughters and hopefully (at least some) of our extended family and friends.
So my friends to you I say, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!!!!