Merry Christmas, a little early,

[f6john]

Visiting with my mother this weekend. A little over a month ago it was questionable if she would still be with us this Christmas. While I’m sure our time is getting shorter, she is back home and motivating under her own power and enjoying her life at home. I and my family are blessed beyond measure and I hope everyone else is feeling blessed in your own situations. I know many in our group have had losses that still stings and tug at the heartstrings but memories are sweet and the promise of being able to see them again one day gives a little measure of comfort with each passing day.

I enjoy our group and it provides a little pressure relief valve from time to time, so thanks to everyone who makes it possible and for all who participate, so Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all, even Meathead 

[Jess from VA]

Merry Christmas John.

My 95yo mom up in the MI cold is outdoor walking twice daily (on her upright walker).  Not far and not fast, but it is good for her.  I wish I lived closer, but talk on the phone often.

She's physically compromised, but got all her marbles and great sense of humor (and all her doctors love her).      Me too.   

[f6john]

Merry Christmas John.

My 95yo mom up in the MI cold is outdoor walking twice daily (on her upright walker).  Not far and not fast, but it is good for her.  I wish I lived closer, but talk on the phone often.

She's physically compromised, but got all her marbles and great sense of humor (and all her doctors love her).      Me too.   

I think our moms would have a lot in common and get along well!

[Jess from VA]

Merry Christmas John.

My 95yo mom up in the MI cold is outdoor walking twice daily (on her upright walker).  Not far and not fast, but it is good for her.  I wish I lived closer, but talk on the phone often.

She's physically compromised, but got all her marbles and great sense of humor (and all her doctors love her).      Me too.   

I think our moms would have a lot in common and get along well!

I think so too.

She doesn't do a lot of complaining, but when she says... Jess, everyone I ever knew in my whole lifetime is dead (except 2 sons, but including 1 daughter), it kind of pulls at your heartstrings. 

[Chrisj CMA]

Merry Christmas everyone. Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season. We’re really not celebrating his actual birthday as much as the fact he cared enough about us to come. Have a great week!

[Robert]

Merry Christmas guys and gals, we have so much to be thankful for in this time.

[f6john]

None of us should forget that so many don’t have the resources to do all the things we take for granted, so maybe do something special or a little extra this season. We always participate in the Christmas Box giving through Samaritan’s Purse with our church which goes to children all around the globe. This year I bought a goat! Another program through Samaritans Purse that provides female goats to families in impoverished areas, that can provided them with milk and cheese, then as time goes by breed them to create a herd to provide an income for their family. The going rate for a goat is $70.00, a good investment in my book.

[F6Dave]

I got an early Christmas present and it was what I'd been hoping for. It arrived on the night of November 5th.

[Jess from VA]

This Summer I helped an old (and economically challenged) retired nurse and her disabled daughter (across the street) by repeatedly fixing their old beater (gas and oil leaking) lawn mower.  When I needed to visit my Stihl dealer lawnmower shop this Fall (the owner a longtime friend), I asked if he had any used mowers, and he did.  The $150 price was reduced to $125 when he understood it was to be a gift for poor people.  I gave it to them, saying... look, it's not that I'm tired of fixing your old lawnmower, but that thing is long past repair.  They were overjoyed.

So yesterday I go out my door to find a bag of gifts on my doorstep from them with a nice card with nice words for me.  The gifts were all sweets and teeth rotting things I will never eat (like chocolate covered caramel corn).  (I know sweets are what you get someone at Christmas when you have no idea what they might want or need.)

But I got out a nice Christmas card and thanked them profusely, and told them the gifts were the only Christmas presents I will get this year (which is true).

Pretty funny really.  (If anyone wants a big bag of chocolate covered caramel corn, let me know and I'll send it to you.)    

[F6Dave]

My family had a Christmas tradition I'll never forget. When we went to bed on Christmas eve, there was no tree in the house. When we woke up on Christmas morning, there was a decorated tree in the living room, with gifts underneath, and even a Lionel electric train running around it. It was a magical moment that my parents repeated until my younger siblings stopped believing in Santa.

The tradition was carried on from my grandmother. My dad was a minister and had had an 11 PM candlelight service, so he and Mom were clearly up very late on Christmas eve. I now understand why they always were tired on Christmas morning.

We carried on this tradition for our twins when they were young. It was a lot of work but worthwhile when you saw their faces on Christmas morning.

[HayHauler]

Merry Christmas everyone. Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season. We’re really not celebrating his actual birthday as much as the fact he cared enough about us to come. Have a great week!

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Merry Christmas! ! !

Hay 
Jimmyt

[Jess from VA]

My family had a Christmas tradition I'll never forget.

Dave, we had the same tradition in our family.

Us 3 little kids would get up Christmas morning to discover a fully decorated tree and a boatload of beautifully wrapped presents under it.  Happiness and joy for everyone.

But there came a time when it stopped.

From my 4th grade on, we lived in an old home with a great room fully 2 1/2 stories high to the exposed and trimmed rafters, with a huge stone fireplace on one side that would take a small tree stump.  Wood stairs went up the other side to a balcony overlooking the great room, with three small bedrooms and a half bath up there for us kids.  It was a drafty old place and cold in Winters (waterfront on an island on Lake Erie).  

Dad would buy a giant 25 foot Douglas Fir which had to be brought in the front double doors, mounted in a custom welded heavy tree stand and wired to the wall.  Then the family would work all day decorating it (using a ladder, and from the stairs).  (Santa never brought these giant trees, which had to be checked for wildlife before bringing them in the house.)

Mom and I were talking about it just yesterday.  

These past many years, my Christmas tree is a string of lights in a big silk vine arrangement in a wicker basket.

[Robert]

My family had a Christmas tradition I'll never forget. When we went to bed on Christmas eve, there was no tree in the house. When we woke up on Christmas morning, there was a decorated tree in the living room, with gifts underneath, and even a Lionel electric train running around it. It was a magical moment that my parents repeated until my younger siblings stopped believing in Santa.

The tradition was carried on from my grandmother. My dad was a minister and had had an 11 PM candlelight service, so he and Mom were clearly up very late on Christmas eve. I now understand why they always were tired on Christmas morning.

We carried on this tradition for our twins when they were young. It was a lot of work but worthwhile when you saw their faces on Christmas morning.

Awesome that is A LOT of WORK but that is just a memory that everyone will take with them through life. 

[Robert]

This Summer I helped an old (and economically challenged) retired nurse and her disabled daughter (across the street) by repeatedly fixing their old beater (gas and oil leaking) lawn mower.  When I needed to visit my Stihl dealer lawnmower shop this Fall (the owner a longtime friend), I asked if he had any used mowers, and he did.  The $150 price was reduced to $125 when he understood it was to be a gift for poor people.  I gave it to them, saying... look, it's not that I'm tired of fixing your old lawnmower, but that thing is long past repair.  They were overjoyed.

So yesterday I go out my door to find a bag of gifts on my doorstep from them with a nice card with nice words for me.  The gifts were all sweets and teeth rotting things I will never eat (like chocolate covered caramel corn).  (I know sweets are what you get someone at Christmas when you have no idea what they might want or need.)

But I got out a nice Christmas card and thanked them profusely, and told them the gifts were the only Christmas presents I will get this year (which is true).

Pretty funny really.  (If anyone wants a big bag of chocolate covered caramel corn, let me know and I'll send it to you.)    

Did you tell them you had an ulterior motive and were tired of looking at the uncut grass.  Just kidding of course, also a good story.

[Robert]

None of us should forget that so many don’t have the resources to do all the things we take for granted, so maybe do something special or a little extra this season. We always participate in the Christmas Box giving through Samaritan’s Purse with our church which goes to children all around the globe. This year I bought a goat! Another program through Samaritans Purse that provides female goats to families in impoverished areas, that can provided them with milk and cheese, then as time goes by breed them to create a herd to provide an income for their family. The going rate for a goat is $70.00, a good investment in my book.

We sponsored a child for many years, plus gave to the ministry and even today they have a shoe box gift thing we do.

[LadyDraco]

Our Little Church down the road ,
Had the Kids do a  nice skit on the story of the  Candy Cane..
Yesterday it was absolutely adorable .

[Robert]

So recently  one of the ladies in the church called me and said her car was overheating. So to told her ok lets take a look. We took a look and repaired the car for parts only. So she had a bill that was due, but with no job and problems she did not have the money to repair the car and she did tell me before hand.

 I didn't feel it was right for her to have a debt and don't like to be owed in situations like this. So I told my wife to take the bill and mark it paid in full and give it to her. My wife did it, and when she handed her the bill and explained my wife told her, she broke down in tears.

 I have been blessed in so many ways and forgiven of debts both spiritual and physical, and prospered in many waysvery grateful, because these miracles and mercies came by no other hand, than the hand of Lord. Many never see the work of God in their lives and I am truly blessed to see His hand in so many ways.

 This country is going to be saved by a man God picked for a specific job. We will all be blessed in so many ways, it almost feels like the ending of the movie, "Its a Wonderful life", with Jimmy Stuart.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.   



 

[f6john]

So recently  one of the ladies in the church called me and said her car was overheating. So to told her ok lets take a look. We took a look and repaired the car for parts only. So she had a bill that was due, but with no job and problems she did not have the money to repair the car and she did tell me before hand.

 I didn't feel it was right for her to have a debt and don't like to be owed in situations like this. So I told my wife to take the bill and mark it paid in full and give it to her. My wife did it, and when she handed her the bill and explained my wife told her, she broke down in tears.

 I have been blessed in so many ways and forgiven of debts both spiritual and physical, and prospered in many waysvery grateful, because these miracles and mercies came by no other hand, than the hand of Lord. Many never see the work of God in their lives and I am truly blessed to see His hand in so many ways.

 This country is going to be saved by a man God picked for a specific job. We will all be blessed in so many ways, it almost feels like the ending of the movie, "Its a Wonderful life", with Jimmy Stuart.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.   



 

It a great feeling to help others with no motive other than to lift someone up a little.

[carolinarider09]

So recently  one of the ladies in the church called me and said her car was overheating. So to told her ok lets take a look. We took a look and repaired the car for parts only. So she had a bill that was due, but with no job and problems she did not have the money to repair the car and she did tell me before hand.

 I didn't feel it was right for her to have a debt and don't like to be owed in situations like this. So I told my wife to take the bill and mark it paid in full and give it to her. My wife did it, and when she handed her the bill and explained my wife told her, she broke down in tears.

 I have been blessed in so many ways and forgiven of debts both spiritual and physical, and prospered in many waysvery grateful, because these miracles and mercies came by no other hand, than the hand of Lord. Many never see the work of God in their lives and I am truly blessed to see His hand in so many ways.

 This country is going to be saved by a man God picked for a specific job. We will all be blessed in so many ways, it almost feels like the ending of the movie, "Its a Wonderful life", with Jimmy Stuart.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.   



 

Well stated sir and an excellent example of what we all should be about, helping those in need when we can. 

And yes, I know it cannot t always be done but, when there is an opportunity and and obvious need that we can provide, we should do so. 

As you noted, there is a reward in several ways.  The most obvious is the way the lady responded to your  gesture of faith. 

Thank you sir and Merry Christmas to ALL. 

[LadyDraco]

Merry Christmas  Eve...

[f6john]

Right back at you, any snow on the mountain?

[Rams]

None of us should forget that so many don’t have the resources to do all the things we take for granted, so maybe do something special or a little extra this season. We always participate in the Christmas Box giving through Samaritan’s Purse with our church which goes to children all around the globe. This year I bought a goat! Another program through Samaritans Purse that provides female goats to families in impoverished areas, that can provided them with milk and cheese, then as time goes by breed them to create a herd to provide an income for their family. The going rate for a goat is $70.00, a good investment in my book.

John, that's a wonderful gift.
But, to be honest, I didn't know Patrick Mahomes contract was up for sale.   

Merry Christmas to all.

Rams

[LadyDraco]

Right back at you, any snow on the mountain?

YES ! Still left over from the  otherday..
They were calling for   up to 6"
But we only wound up with 2"
Thank goodness the  ground  was too warm..
She  frozen  hard right now...
Days  of 8* and 12* will do that ..