LIGHT

I have used colored lights on my main tree this year.   

The colored lights are cheerful and fit my elf theme for the year,

 but I really miss the calm, peaceful, loving, 

even Christ-like feeling I get from all clear lights.

I love light!  

I love The Light!

I #GiveThanks for LIGHT that bring cheer to my heart and soul,  

and

I #GiveThanks for MUSIC that lights my heart and soul.

This year I have added a tree with sheet music ornaments that I have made.  

It's a work in progress and the grandchildren have rearranged it, so it needs "restored" but I love it.

It does have clear lights and this tree is a reminder of 

the angels singing of Christ's birth.

We too, should sing praises to our Savior.  

It's not very hard to do at this time of year because of all the 

wonderful Christmas music.  

You won't even have to leave your home today to sing along with this

 Social Sing and Serve 

I love Christmas music all year long ... 

because I love Christ all year long.

May the Light of Christ fill our heart and soul - always and forever!

A REMEMBERING Christmas

This Christmas holiday was another one of those joyful occasions when family gathers together.  It is always fun to see children and grandchildren enjoy being together.

We opened gifts as usual but there was something added to our gift opening that was unique and special for us this year.  

I wanted our children and grandchildren to remember special moments with their loved ones so I asked each to text, email, or write a memory of a certain person or people before they opened each gift.  It's important to share these memories and hold them close to our hearts. It helps build a connection that can last forever.  

I knew it would be fun to read, but it was even more special than I had hoped it would be.  What a wonderful Christmas gift it was reading these memories.  I asked for memories of Terry, his parents, and my parents.

Among the gifts were some "homemade" gifts made by my mother and father.  This is a train he made for us years ago (when Gregory was born).  The kids played with it for years until I put it up on the library shelves for safe keeping, coming down only a few times for a grandchild's request.

Dad and mom made more this year after asking each of their children how many they would like.  I ordered one for each of our children and gave it to them for Christmas.  

I also received a homemade Christmas gift from my parents - a shuffle board.  There will, of course, be much more fun in the future.  

In this picture one of the grandchildren spilled their mini m&ms onto the board.  This brought a cheerful noise and created another fun activity.

There were many fun activities during the holiday - like playing in the snow.   

We also enjoyed going to the theater to watch a movie.  Something we have done a few times in the past.  

This year we saw FERDINAND at the Lee Theater in Ephrata ..., with pizza.  :)   

This story is about Ferdinand - a bull in Spain who would rather sit under the cork tree and smell flowers than fight in the bullfights. 

I bought this book for Terry many years ago.  It was a fun story for Terry and I because of Terry's service to the Spain, Barcelona mission (1976-78). Unfortunately I'm not sure if our children really remember us reading it to them much.  I did pull it out and read it to those here at the house the day before we went to the movie.

It was a cute movie, though a bit different than the book.  Because of the connection with the book I felt like Terry was a part of this fun family adventure.  I am sure he would have enjoyed it too.  I am anxious for the video to come out so I can own it.


This Christmas we remembered fun moments from our past and it will be a fun Christmas to remember.  I have invited all to continue to send me memories for the next few months, if not forever.  When I asked for these memories I knew it would be great to receive them, but it feels more like I gave myself a special Christmas gift. I enjoyed reading every word and recalling the special moments each talked about.

There is joy in remembering.

I Believe in Christ

President Thomas S. Monson said;

"To catch the real meaning of the spirit of Christmas, 

we need only drop the last syllable and it becomes 

the Spirit of Christ."

I started putting up Christmas decorations this past weekend because I needed do do something exciting and fun.   I needed to feel the Spirit of Christ.

I got the trees all up and the lights on them all and started to decorate them.  Usually my large real tree is the one that holds all the random ornaments from years and years of collecting, but this year I just wanted to make it my nativity or Christ tree.  So I left the majority of my ornaments in the box and began to decorate it with things like angels, nativities, stars, words, etc that remind me of Christ.

It was perfect!  Exactly what I needed to do, the way I needed to do it.   I needed to remind myself of the important things about life - about The Plan of Happiness.                         I need to feel closer to my husband so putting up Christ decorations made me feel closer to him and to Christ.  Both were much needed!

I decorated my "Terry Tree" and then, feeling more nostalgic I created a hanky tree to remind me of Christmas Eve in Seattle, and Christmas Day in Seattle.   I also put up the wreath with hankies (also from Seattle days).

I spent Friday and Saturday close to Christ and to memories of Terry and the miracle that makes eternity possible.    

(FYI - I love Elder Donald L. Hailstorm's message about miracles, HERE)   

"We are living a miracle, and further miracles lie ahead."

When I got done and things cleaned up, I sat down with my scriptures to read thru the block of scriptures for the seminary lessons this week.  I left Christmas music playing and was enjoying the candle light and tree lights all around me.   The lights are one of my favorite things about Christmas.

I don't mind if my house lights are not turned on in the evening because I always have a candle light going and night lights around the house.  It's a beautiful glow and I do enjoy it.   There is another Light I enjoy - the Light of Christ in my life - I could not live without it.

Today is the third anniversary of Terry's passing so my mind has certainly been preoccupied with that thought for the last few weeks.  As I sat there in the quiet solitude of the evening a thought came to me:


I do fine for a while then I hit a low.  Seems I should not do that so often since I am reading scriptures and studying daily...,  and I know the gospel is true and I believe in Christ.  When I recognize I am at a low point again I just need to continue to pray and fast and study and endure, because there will be a moment when something clicks, something helps.  Little moments adding up to lift me out of my low point.


Having this thought reminded me of a story I told in a sacrament meeting talk for Easter this year, about the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  I love this story and it was very personal to me.  I tell the story here and continue with the thoughts I shared after it.



"A woman walking along a road fell into a pit so deep she could not climb out. No matter what she did, she could not get out by herself. The woman called for help and rejoiced when a kind passerby heard her and lowered a ladder down into the pit. This allowed her to climb out of the pit and regain her freedom.

"We are like the woman in the pit. Sinning is like falling into the pit, and we can't get out by ourselves. Just as the kind passerby heard the woman's cry for help, Heavenly Father sent His Only Begotten Son to provide the means of escape.

Jesus Christ's atonement could be compared to lowering a ladder into the pit; it gives us the means to climb out." But the Savior does more than lower the ladder, He "comes down into the pit and makes it possible for us to use the ladder to escape."

"Just as the woman in the pit had to climb up the ladder, we must repent of our sins and obey the gospel principles and ordinances to climb out of our pit and make the Atonement of Jesus Christ work in our lives. Thus, after all we can do, the Atonement makes it possible for us to become worthy to return to Heavenly Father's presence."


Using this same analogy - too, at times, have felt like I was in a pit, unable to climb out on my own. This most recent time, I did not fall in because of devastating sin, but because of debilitating loneliness, sorrow, and despair. I even somehow felt betrayed because I didn't get what I was praying for.

Then in my darkest moment, Jesus Christ lowered a ladder and climbed in beside me and helped me find my way out. (In reality, He had probably lowered the ladder much earlier than I had seen.)

He did it in a way that gave me opportunity to accept or reject His help. He was there to help me, but I had to take that step upward and out. He was holding His hand out to rescue me, but I had to take hold and not let go.

There have been countless times that Christ has climbed in beside me and helped me escape whatever was holding me back. Each time I felt the peace He offers us. Sometimes the answer is simply PEACE.

We should never let our sin or sorrow or frustration and disappointments block the way and keep us from reaching out to Christ in faith and taking our Savior's hand, accepting the Atonement of Jesus Christ so that we may enjoy our lifetime of moments leading to eternity.

Well, my day has come to an end, and its been a great day.  I love my family.  I love the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I love the Savior and our Heavenly Father.
I do miss my husband, and I do feel a bit homesick..., but I'm Fine!  :)

Peace is Possible: The Christmas Truce of 1914

The most commonly used resource for the Christmas Story is found in Luke 2.  I remember reading it as a young girl in primary.  We were given a paper visual of the nativity scene to display as we read the verses to tell the story.  The stable is the first part of the story and three more pieces are added to it as the story is read.

You can see that I still own one (shown above) and each time I see it it brings great memories to mind.  It's a wonderful story.  No story can top it.

There are, however, some other great stories that inspire and uplift.  One such story is told (in short version) in this music video.  It is indeed a beautiful message.

The Christmas Truce  December 1914





There is another video that shares the story -

This truce must have been such a welcome peace in the midst of such terrible war.  How awful it must have felt to then turn around after such a wonderful moment and attack the friends one had just made.  Those who lived to tell this story regard it as a most precious experience. I can only imagine.

If everyone could feel the love of God and BELIEVE and live those teachings what a wonderful world this could be.  The Christmas Truce would be the normal instead of the abnormal.


Christ is the true source of Peace.  Faith in Him will lead us to peace.


OK, I was going to leave this post at this point, but I found a cute story about the first Christmas.  I know this is supposed to be about music, but it seems that I've changed this post up a bit to tell about stories of Christmas.  So, I'm going to share one more story of Christmas - it is the story of the first Christmas - as told by children.

FYI - This isn't a reverent story - oh wow! - that doesn't sound good does it?!?!?!?!

It is a cute story.  It should bring a smile, maybe even a few chuckles.  I think it will be worth it.  ;)   It's good to laugh!

Christmas according to kids

Maybe I should get my grandchildren together and create a Christmas story.  I really like that idea!

I just figured out what I want for Christmas!  Happy Day!

Christ Centered Christmas Quest

I have always loved Christmas Music, and I continue to be drawn to it this year.  The inspiring feeling of love and hope and peace and ...
well, it just keeps feeling good.

This overwhelming feeling of peace and gratitude has left me with a desire to share, so I've decided to post a song a day for this month - all about Christmas - The Sound of Christmas.

I am truly grateful for the talented artists who wrote and performed these inspiring messages that touch my heart.

A beautiful sound ... beautiful message ... a beautiful feeling ... 

My chosen piece for today, What Shall We Give?, seems to fit perfectly with the Light the World initiative to lift others burdens.

Light The World Christmas Initiative 


What Did We Give Today?

Christmas Holiday Happenings

Here is an update, as has been requested by several of my faithful followers.  Sorry I've been slacking with the posting - so much of my time is spent on studying for seminary.  I do love it though.

However, the holiday break was definitely not filled with seminary study.  It was filled with family and Christmas and a wedding, a new year and a few other things keeping my heart, mind, and soul a bit preoccupied, and now I need a week to catch up from all of that ..., that's just not gonna happen.


The beginning of our holiday vacation was Friday, 18 December 2015 - no school or seminary because of the winter weather conditions.  I missed seminary, but luckily we already had our Christmas lesson so I had given the students their Christmas gifts - Temple Socks.

These socks are to help remind them to walk in the ways of the Lord, which will lead them to the temple and to all of the eternal blessings awaiting those who do follow Him.

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With no seminary and no school I thought that Friday would be a good day to catch up on my cleaning and decorating and laundry and organizing and preparing for company and Christmas and wedding, but instead it became a very emotional and nonproductive day.  However, looking back now it was a beautiful day that holds a memory that we treasure.  It was the day we received what we call our CHRISTMAS MIRACLE.

The short story is that on the way home from BYU-I (18 Dec. 2015) BJo was in an accident.
She slid off the road at the exact place that another car had previously slid off.  That car was still there and the three passengers (students from BYU-I) were out at the tire trying to put chains on.  
BJo found her truck heading straight for them and began to honk the horn to warn them of the danger.  One gal saw the truck and was able to move out of the way, avoiding any injury.  The other two were not so lucky and ended up tangled in their tire chain, drug with the truck, and eventually pinned under the back tire of the truck (one in front of the tire, the other behind the same tire).  The gal that was uninjured saw her two friends under the back left tire and thinking they were dead, went to check on the driver (BJo). 

Connor was traveling in his vehicle a couple minutes behind BJo and stopped to help.  A local fireman also stopped to help.  BJo called 911 and soon other emergency responders came, but they seemed to be more interested in the story than in actually helping.  Thanks mostly to Connor and the first fireman, the two students (a young man and a young woman) were eventually freed from the truck and taken to a nearby hospital.  After a few hours they were released, and walking out on their own, one with a cracked rib and one with a cracked vertebrae (I think) and both with many bruises and aches and pains. They were definitely hurt but alive, and not paralyzed or disabled for life.  

BJo, Connor, and the group they were with (a 3 car caravan with a total of 7 young adults) went to the hospital to check on the injured young adults and were met with a type of friendship that touched their hearts.   

At first sight, this accident seemed to be one of death and destruction, but after prayer and long hours of emotional and physical torture, the outcome was much different.  There have been several things brought to our attention that help us know that the Lord had a hand in all of this, from the beginning (even before they left for college that fall) to now. We have seen the Lord's hand in our lives and we are grateful for the divine help given during this tragic experience. 
BrittanyJo was blessed to be able to feel her father's presence during this ordeal too, and we know that it was her dad's truck (instead of the small Ford Focus she used to take to school), and divine intervention that saved these four young adults from death and/or major physical problems.  Walking out of that hospital on their own never seemed to be an option, but we are grateful that the Lord was watching over our loved ones and all others involved, and we know that the Lord has a plan for each of these young people - their lives are in His hand.  My prayer is that they will each continue to follow Him so that He may continue to guide them.  

FYI - The young man that was pinned under the tire has his mission call and will leave for that mission sometime in February.  Our thoughts and prayers will go with him.

More FYI - the truck is totaled, 

but we are grateful that it was a part of this day, and it is a reminder that Terry is present and still looking after his family in ways that we are not even aware of.  Our love for him continues to grow, as does our love for our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ.  They are aware of each of us, and that includes each of you, and will be there for us in our time of need.

No one would have chosen to be involved with this accident, but we are grateful to have felt the love from above and to have another witness that we are loved and cared for and watched over. This time it definitely did turn out better than we thought.


Here is a photo BJo took last semester that speaks even more to our hearts than it previously did.

The view is in the mirror.  This view fits well with the temple socks mentioned at the beginning of this post, and it fits well with our Christmas Miracle.  The writing on the mirror speaks volumes as does the picture itself - OBJECTS IN THE MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR!

It's beautiful!  It originally spoke to our hearts because of our first trip to Rexburg, with Terry.  He gave BJo a blessing in the parking lot of that temple.  He talked of a North star guiding us where we need to go, and though the temple is south of campus, it would be her guide while she was there.  Precious memories.

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Next up - Christmas!  We had a great Christmas and enjoyed having family with us.  Gifts were exchange, puzzles were completed, games were enjoyed, and all other excitement of being together.  

Did you notice the half lit tree?  That's the way it rolled this year - I ran out of lights and by the time I got them the tree was dead and I didn't want to put them on.  It didn't bother me at all, until I had guests that were new to my home, that may never see another tree at my house again, and it made me wonder what they might think.  Oh Bother!  Maybe I should have come up with a new tradition and special meaning for that half lit tree, but then I'd have to think too hard.  :)

Snow was a bonus and added some great fun for the kids.

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We welcomed in the new year playing Nerts. I don't usually play card games, but gave in to this one.  I was BJo's partner and though the first few attempts were slow, we actually won a couple rounds (not my doing, BJo could have played as the team ... wait, maybe she did and I was just there for moral support - they were giving to me, not from me.  Oh Bother!  Well, at any rate, we had fun!) 

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We spent a couple days making cookies and chicken puffs for the next celebration and after the New Year we had a wedding - Connor married Rebekah Richins (from Warden) in the Columbia River Temple - 2 January 2016.  It was awesome and beautiful, but snowy and cold.  That evening we had a wonderful reception in Warden to celebrate this union. Next day they came to open gifts and headed out again.  We enjoyed this occasion and wish them love and success.

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School was next on the calendar, so Anthony went back to school on the 4th and I drove BJo and a friend from Yakima to Rexburg to begin their next semester.  The roads were most bad as we traveled down Adams, but once on I90 we were pleased to find them pretty good the rest of the way.  We got them settled and unloaded gifts at Connor and Bekah's apartment.  (Thanks to all of our wonderful family and friends who gave such awesome gifts to this newly created eternal family!) 
Next day I traveled home alone, but not really alone.  I felt a peace and comfort, and a help that was not my own.  I am so grateful for the constant help from above.  


At one part of my drive home I couldn't get radio reception so I played the CD already in the player.  The first song was Glorious and I flipped to the last song, a song about 1 Nephi 3:7

7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

I played it once and then again, the second time singing along with it, when a powerful feeling came over me.  I know that the Lord has prepared a way for me to accomplish the thing which He commandeth me. He is aware of us and our every need.  He doesn't always give us what we want, but he does always help us through what comes our way. He has given me seminary to help me accomplish this most difficult task of living righteously without my husband and I am grateful for it.  He has protected my family, given us peace and comfort, and direction.  He is helping us learn how to smile and be happy in these tough times through life.  I hope and pray that we will always be worthy of His divine guidance and comfort.  There is no good without it.

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I stopped at Missoula on my way home, to check on the truck and after seeing it and visiting with both the body shop owner (where the truck is presently resting) and the tow truck driver that hauled it there, I saw and learned things that made me even more grateful for the Lord's hand in that terrible accident.  We will miss that special truck.  We tell ourselves that it is "just a truck", but we know it was more special than "just a truck" and it will remain more special than "just a truck".  It became a protector and we love it even more.  It will now rest from it's protective roll, but we know that it's owner will not, and we love him.  We are at peace because we know that Terry is still a part of our lives..., forever.

That reminds me -
In the wedding ceremony the sealer told Connor that Bekah will be his only love forever and he told Bekah that Connor should be her only love forever.  I loved that, because that is how I feel -  Terry is my only love, forever!  There is great peace and comfort in knowing that our love is forever.  At times I feel like my life is going to be too long without Terry and I hope to not live to be very old because I wish to see him again soon, but I know that I still have a work to perform and personal progress to make, so I will do my best to make the best of what I now have to work with.

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I almost forgot - we had a Christmas concert too

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Wow, this took me way to long - I've really got to run now.

Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Christmas - Embrace and Follow Him!

The Blessings

The first song I played this morning was timely as I turned around and saw all the signs of cold outside and felt the warmth from inside this wonderful home, and a blanket of gratitude enveloped me.  This song began and the words fit so perfectly with all I beheld - our home and homestead.   It matched my feeling of gratitude for the moment, and even made it more than what it was.  I am grateful for The Blessings - all that's been given me.  All that Terry provided for us and for the Lords hand it it all.





I hope Terry can see and/or know of the love and desire in my eyes - my love for him and for the Savior and our Heavenly Father, and my desire to be with him and Them.   I think my eyes have a hard time showing anything but pain lately.   I hope and pray that I will make the necessary changes in my life and endure well (better than I have) as I continue on this path back to them.

I have been trying to focus more on my blessings instead of my loss.  It is tremendously difficult but I keep repenting and trying again.  It will probably take me years of trying, but with Christ on my side I know I can eventually succeed - and, I'm succeeding as long as I do keep trying.

I am so grateful for the Savior who atoned for me - a blessing beyond measure!

I am grateful that He made it possible for families to be together forever.

What a marvelous blessing that is.

I am so grateful for The Blessings!  Each and every one of them!

Welcoming the Christmas Season

Hello Family and Friends,

I added a post on December first that was a "GIF" to welcome the season.  I didn't spend much time with it and it was simple but sent greetings out to those who read this blog.

The next day I was having technical difficulties and decided to remove it since it was the only change I had made.  After removing it I thought all was well again, but these words kept jumping around as I wrote this. (So between my difficulties with the computer and my schedule I'm not doing very well at getting this post done - it's taken me parts of three days now!)

Anyway -  I'm adding this apology for the error of my ways.  :)   It has confused and saddened a few of my loyal readers to know that there was once a post but it no longer exists.  I'm sorry!

I've stolen this image from google, and hope it brightens your day!  It is certainly meant to share love in this moment in time.

With the weather as it has been in our area (snowy, icy, cold and dangerous to drive in, especially in the early mornings) our school district had a two hour late start on Wednesday and Thursday, which means there was no seminary those two days.

This is not necessarily a good thing, in fact, I missed it, but it has allowed me more time at home, so I'm trying to decorate for Christmas.

I didn't decorate for many of the holidays this year.  This is especially strange for me, but some of this stuff just doesn't matter to me anymore.  What I used to want or do was done for a reason that doesn't seem to matter to me anymore at the moment.

 Maybe it will another year???  I'm happy that I don't have to think about it or decide that right now.

(Now you see how I am?)  

image from here

(And I'm ok with that!)

However, with this holiday I decided to decorate - not for me, but for everyone else.

In our most recent General Conference, I heard a phrase that interested me because I've been working on it for several years now -

“When you cannot do what you have always done, then you only do what matters most.”  Elder Hales quote from here


(And that keeps changing for me, making things really tricky.)


Anyway, I'm decorating for Christmas because what matters most is ... others!  Yip!  I don't need it, but others do.  Some even expect it from me and would be very disappointed in me if I did not decorate.  And, then it would discourage me ...,

So I did begin to decorate for Christmas on Wednesday.  Trees are out, but not decorated - just placed in their spot.  I've got to purchase some lights because after years of use, they are all burning out.

While I was decorating I even played Christmas music. That was fun.  I did enjoy it and it might help get me in the mood to finish decorating for Christmas.  The combination of Christmas music and Christmas decor, along with the memories of the past, have created a new feel - a personal and tender expression of love, unspoken.  

One of my all time favorite Christmas CDs is A Christmas to Remember, by Amy Grant. I'm currently on my third CD because it gets used and abused.

This time listening to it, I heard something and felt something I had not before heard and felt.  (Yes, that is still quite common in my life.)   As I was singing along to 'Til The Season Comes 'Round Again the words caught me of guard.  It applied to me in a completely different way than before.


Come and gather around at the table
In the spirit of family and friends
And we'll all join hands and remember this moment
'Til the season comes 'round again

Let's all try to smile for the picture
And we'll hold it as long as we can
May it carry us through
Should we ever get lonely
'Til the season comes 'round again

[Chorus:]
One night holy and bright
Shining with love from our hearts
By a warm fire,
Let's lift our heads high
And be thankful we're here
'Til this time next year

May the new year be blessed
With good tidings
'Til the next time I see you again
If we must say goodbye
Let the spirit go with you
'Til the season comes 'round again

[Chorus]
May the new year be blessed with good tidings
'Til the next time I see you again
If we must say goodbye
Let the spirit go with you
And we'll love and we'll laugh
In the time that we had
'Til the season comes 'round again


I thought of Terry, of course.
I thought of gathering for Christmas last year without him..., and that season is upon us again.
I thought of us all trying to smile for the family picture before the funeral - trying to smile and "hold it as long as [I could]".
I thought of carrying through when I do get lonely 'til the season comes 'round again - and that season is not only a Christmas season, but also the season that I will again be with Terry.   I can hardly wait!

My thoughts continued as the song continued, each phrase touching my heart in a new way.  My heart is grateful for the time that we shared and for the spirit that calms a troubled and saddened heart because we did have to say goodbye for a time.


This song came on at a time when I was working with "my family" that Terry gave me for a birthday gift many years ago.

I didn't want to put it away to bring out Christmas decor, so I moved it with a few other things to this area.  While decorating for Christmas last year, I had moved it from it's original spot on the fireplace to the hutch on the other side of the room.  When Terry looked over to the fireplace to see it one day (not realizing I had moved it) he was surprised to not find it there and asked; "where is my family?" I could sense a hurtful, disappointed tone in his voice when he realized that his family was not there. It was a painful moment for me and the feeling lingers, so I cannot move it out of sight ..., ever.


At this moment, the only decor that is complete is this one small shelf.  
I have since began decorating a little pencil tree right below the shelf, and adding items that represent or remind me of Terry.  I'm not calling it a Terry Tree, but instead it's HisTree!  Just a bit more of His Story in visual form.

Part of a floral arrangement from his funeral.

One of his handkerchiefs

A scrabble ornament I purchased for him many years ago.  We never did put it on the tree, but he kept it hung in the office on the bulletin board.  

Someone gave us a scrabble game for a wedding gift and we played that often (it was the only game we owned for years).  It helped us create many great memories.

The tree isn't complete, but it's a start ... and it feels good.   As I look at it I can also see Terry's shelf in the library and a wreath (with vintage handkerchiefs and elves) we purchased for our Seattle apartment during our last stay there.

I guess this post is proof that things do still matter to me, but one thing I have really thought about is that I didn't realize then that I had everything I wanted!    Not that Terry was the only thing I ever wanted, but he is the one thing I did not want to let go of and now that he is not here I am lost.  I'm different!   Day to day life has become something I am not familiar with.   It's a strange feeling - one I don't completely understand and cannot completely explain.      However, I am grateful for it.  And, I am grateful for this holiday season, and the reason for this season.  I am thankful for Christ!


Well, my post is finally at an end ..., complete with my wish for you -