Reminiscing

Just taking it easy, watching a football game. Going to go in the kitchen and load the dishwasher and maybe see about cooking the turkey. Both kids are at work. Rearranged the living room, slightly. Our kitty cat is sleeping in the sun, recovering from a cold or bad allergies. He doesn't like taking his antibiotic twice a day, but then what cat does?

Twenty-eight years ago today, we were at the hospital. Our firstborn had come into this world just a few hours before by C-section. Now look at him, he is tall and thin, after being born at 7 lbs., 14 oz. He was only a week late.

We had been to the doctor and I was scheduled for a C-section on the 31st. We went to a laundromat and did all our laundry the night before. I woke up about 4:30 a.m. on the 30th, my water had broke. Went to the hospital after talking to the doctor on call. (My doctor didn't deliver either one of my kids, it was one of the other doctors that was on call.) I had just started feeling a few twinges of labor by the time they got me ready for surgery. Got to spend New Year's in the hospital. I spent five days in the hospital. They shove them out at soon as possible now.

And, of course, life has never been the same since.

Now he has a son of his own who will be 5 years old in February. My, how things have changed over the years. It's not until you start looking back sometimes, that you realize just how much things have changed. I've included a picture of hubby's side of the family at Thanksgiving.

New Year

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Long Time Away!

It was a long and hard summer, but it's finally over. Now fall, actually winter, is here. A lot has happened in the interim. It doesn't seem to stop, there's always something!

Right now, both hubby's sister and mother are in the hospital, so we're trying to stay in touch and up-to-date with what's going on with them. We were just there for a visit at Thanksgiving.

Planning on staying home for Christmas. Got the following in an e-mail and thought I would share. It just serves as a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas, despite all the hype and commercialization. Enjoy!

Letter from Jesus about Christmas --

Dear Children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival, although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa's and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that once while teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1-8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
4 . Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary--especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
Don't forget; I am Jesus and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember:
I LOVE YOU.

JESUS