Catching up

It's hard to believe that Christmas has already come and gone...but I hear that there's 12 days of Christmas so I shouldn't consider it over yet! Sounds good to me...I'll take this season for as long as I can get it :)

A lot has happened since I last posted, sorry for doing such a terrible job at keeping you all updated. It's rather overwhelming to consider the task of catching you up on everything that's been going on, but I will chose a few events and expound on those.

Event #1 - A Bridal Shower
Cody Carnett and Lucy Welch are friends of ours who are to be joined in marriage this coming January! We are thrilled to witness the amazing work of the Lord in their lives. They are the kind of couple that just radiate with the love of Christ and touch every life they come in contact with. OK, enough bragging on them...about the shower now...We were privileged to be a part of a lovely bridal shower for Lucy at the end of November. It was a marvelous experience that will not soon be forgotten! The shower was for mothers and daughters but some of our gentlemen came along to valet park and sing. Countless hours were spent to create the most beautiful decorations that transformed a room into a white winter wonderland! The ladies who hosted the event put so much tender loving care into each detail to insure that Lucy was blessed in a special way. As I beheld the labor of love that went into every moment of preparation and saw how many hands participated, I was struck with the realization that this new couple is truly loved! They are honored at this time for giving their lives unselfishly to God and others. This shower was one of many showers to rally behind a glorious marriage that reflects the love that Christ has for His church. Cody and Lucy model this as they lay down themselves for the cause of Christ...we are privileged to take part in the happiest time of their lives, for they deserve the glorious felicity they now enjoy!






Event #2 - Thanksgiving Pictures
I have already posted about our Thanksgiving this year... but I didn't give you any visual aids. Here are some pictures of our dinner at the Howells.








Event #3 - Anthony's 16th Birthday!
Here's how the day went:
We were going about our usual Monday routine...catch up on work, cleaning, school, etc...when the thought hit a couple of us that we NEVER have a party for Anthony since his birthday is in December and everyone knows that life is really crazy that month with concerts, caroling, parties, baking and so on. What a shame to go yet another year without throwing a birthday party for him! By this time it was around 1:00 p.m. and the grand idea presented itself, why not have a bunch of Anthony's friends come down for dinner, games, & even spend the night. Sure! Grand idea...let's do it! So, I spent the next hour or so on the phone trying to convince some guys that they could handle a last minute plan of fun! Actually it didn't take much convincing :) We had a great time with those who could make it. Anthony got wind of some strange goings on but it was almost a surprise for him. We threw together a mix of different dishes since there wasn't much of one particular thing in the house. Running pictionary was one of the events of the evening which proved to be quite dangerous! (I think that on several occasions the running up and down the stairs could have added a "leg cast buddy" to Anthony's mundane sitting around!) The night was full of memories and laughter that's for sure!








Event #4 - Adam & Amy McManus...the Loss of a Precious Baby
Unfortunately I now turn to a subject that is not as joyful, but memorable none the less. Our friends Adam and Amy McManus experienced some of the bitterest pangs of loss as they laid their little baby in the cold earth on Sunday, December 16th. After being overjoyed to hear of the conception of a prayed for little one, Adam and Amy had to release their child into the arms of Jesus after only 3 months of pregnancy. We praise the Lord that in the midst of the horrors of a tubal pregnancy, Amy's life was spared and she is on the road to full and complete recovery. We experienced the honor and privilege of having a precious burial service here at our place, as many friends gathered to commemorate the short life of little baby McManus and thank the Lord for the time given. Amy had the joy of carrying her child for only a short time but in that season, she experienced the delight only a mother can have...for that she will be eternally grateful. The service was lovely, filled with Scripture readings, singing, poems and prayers.

"May the Lord fill your aching hearts as you let go to of the tiny one you dreamed would be yours...we love you Adam and Amy!"







Event #5 - Concerts...the Start of the Christmas Season!
This semester our family has taken part in a music organization called, Jubilate Deo! Youth Orchestras and Chorale. This experience has kept Christmas music flowing through our house for several months as we prepared to perform many times in December. God opened neat opportunities to minister and I think we were all blessed to take part in them. One of our most touching performance venues was singing at the Brookes Army Medical Center in San Antonio. There we met some victims who's lives will forever be changed due to the the destruction that war brings. These young men suffer from wounds that brought tears to my eyes. Let us not forget the suffering of our troops who daily lay down their lives that we might live in freedom!




Event #6 - Christmas Caroling
This year we had two opportunities to go caroling! The Spradling family hosted a lovely party, and our church went out in the Floresville area last Sunday evening after church. Dad and I went out the day before to scout out some needy areas around us and we found the perfect place. We went out after dark with candles, Christmas goodies and tracts to hand out at each home. Almost every single house was kind and receptive. It seemed as though they had never had carolers stop by like that before. Our prayer is that a seed was planted. That our church would have more opportunities to reach out to our community...that the precious good news of our Savior's love for us would reach their hearts! Please pray along with us. What are we here for if not to reach others for Christ?! May our lives be a living testament of the gospel!



Event #7 - Political Opportunity
I was so excited! I love political involvement...at least where worthy candidates are concerned! We had the chance to go and meet Governor Mike Huckabee, one of the Presidential candidates for the next election! He is a compelling speaker and talks much of our Lord. We enjoyed an afternoon of hearing him, fellowshipping with friends, and Dad and I even got to meet him briefly. It was a delightful experience and I am amazed that the Lord opened the door for us. We are grateful to Dr. & Mrs. Leininger for hosting the event.






Event #8 - "I'm dreaming of a White Christmas!"
Well, dreaming isn't reality and the white never came this Christmas :) We had an wonderful holiday in spite of that minor disappointment. Christmas Eve we enjoyed a delicious spread of hors d'oeuvres and as has been our tradition, watched "It's a Wonderful Life". At around 10:10 P.M. it was decided that some of us would head out for the late night Christmas Eve candle lighting service at a local Lutheran Church. None of us had ever gone before but it was such an incredible experience. The lovely little church was filled with people singing carols, reading the Scriptures, & partaking in holy communion. Right before midnight, the lights were dimmed and each person held a lit candles as we concluded with "Silent Night". It was a solemn and beautiful reminder of the real meaning of Christmas and why we take this time of year to celebrate the miraculous birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I hope this too becomes a tradition in our home...I know this year it was memorable!

Christmas Day brought more delights. Drawing names a few weeks ago, we have all been busy trying to figure out how to bless the person who's name we had drawn. Each gift was chosen with great care and we woke up Tuesday morning with anticipation to see the joyful illumination on each face as gifts were opened. Nathan and Rebecca came out for the entire day and even spent the night! God has truly blessed our family with them as a couple! Adding Rebecca to the mix has given a vibrancy and life that is such a blessing. May the Lord direct their steps this coming year as they seek Him in the many decisions and changes that will take place!











I hope I haven't lost any of you yet! Talk about a L-O-N-G post :) Now you're caught up a little on our happenings of late. Please enjoy the pictures and share them with family and friends...our computer is extremely slow these days and it took multiple hours upon hours to download all of them on the blog!
I'm thinking about finally putting up some wedding pictures from Nathan and Rebecca's big day back in May...our Christmas present from them this year was an entire album of wedding photos! Now that we have some prints, we can share them with you all :)

God bless each and every one of you as you strive to serve Him with your lives! Merry be-lated Christmas...don't forget to enjoy all 12 days of it!!!