It is written that the British, Queen Victoria no less, elevated the humble evergreen to a holiday tradition. With the evergreen trees growing in all parts of world, selection of one of your favorites should not pose a problem. Fraser Fir, Scotch Pine, Colorado Blue Sprice, Douglas Fir, just to name a few, are available for our use.

We all have our 'good old days' tucked away inside ourselves and we return to them occasionally, and Christmas time more so then ever, I would say. So, I need to share these memories of my Christmases past!

Liviing on the Plains of Kansas, where trees are not very plentiful, in fact lacking so in quantity that the original settlers resorted to literally digging into the earth, until they reached a layer of rock (in our area called Post Rock) and there they would quarry the tock from the ground, chipped into the sizes of large posts, and use them to hang the wire from, for fencing in their cattle and keeping them from roaming the prairies. So, to us, trees are a scarce commoditity, much appreciated. Serious thought is always given before removal of a tree, any tree, is made.

I recall....here I go, 'good old days', in my growing up years, that the local grocery store would have a truck come to the store about the second week of December, and trees would be unloaded and believe you me when the word hit our small town that the trees were in, the woman of the house scurried to the store to make the nicest selection she could find. Often times, I think they were merely branches of larger trees, from their appearances, but whatever the case....they became our Christmas tree. Usually about five feet tall, maybe a little taller. Up until the 1950's, the tallest Christmas tree I ever saw was in our church sanctuary. They always got the biggest tree that the grocer received. Oh it was huge. The Council Members of the church decorated it with the long strands of silver material, made to resemble the ice sickles that formed on the top of the roofs after a snow or ice storm, along with a silver garland, big red and green bulbs and huge lights. Not the little delicate lights of today, these were big. Quite similiar to the lights used now strictly for outdoor lighting. But we always had an evergreen tree at home, and in church, for Christmas.

Then along came a deviation from the evergreen, that awful Aluminum Christmas tree! Remember those things? About as fake as fake can get. I believe the only thing you could hang on them were artifical Christmas balls, and at the bottom of a tree, was a light bulk in a container, with a colored apartatus in front of it, that turned, and the tree would change to colors of red, green, blue and maybe yellow. Am not remembering that too well. As you have guessed, it was not my favorite. Then, came the artificial green trees to replace the live trees, something to do with ecology!

Was surprised, recently to learn that those artificial green trees are PVC (polyvinyl chloride) in yet another guise. Even worse, lead is apparently used to stabilize certain PVC products, which is why you'll see a label on faux Christmas trees cautioning you to avoid inhaling or eating any bits of lead dust that may fall from the 'branches' of the family heirloom that has been tucked away, year after year, for safe keeping until the next Christmas. OOPS!

Agree that there have been white trees, pre-frosted trees and my sis and her family even had a tree that 'snowed' all the while the lights were on. Antique lovers will pay mega bucks for the very, very old feather trees of years past. So, admittedly, we have seen changes.

HOWEVER, and I mean, however, something new is on the horizon! Ready for it? Well, it is stated as this........BLACK IS THE NEW GREEN FOR CHRISTMAS TREES!

Last Saturday, as joined my daughters family in putting up their tree, I made this statement...............'Boys, guess what my Challenge of the Week for next week is going to be about....Black Christmas trees!". Now, the DVD player was entertaining us with beautiful Christmas carols so we would sure to be in the mood for the occasion, the tree ornaments were all strewn across the living room floor, being removed from their boxes by one grandson, and Granny had the tedius job of trying to untangle all the Christmas hooks from a plastic bag to put on each ornament, one grandson was on the floor trying to figure out which socket plugged into which socket so A would connect to B and then C would light without a problem, but when those words came from my mouth, everything changed! I appreciated the remark that came quite readily from the eldest grandson which were, "But Granny, black means death!" A very interesting discussion followed!

Ah, the joy of knowing that we are in the Advent season and making preparations for the celebration of Christ's birth! This is a time of expectation and excitement! As we wait for Christ's return, we feed on the Word asking the Holy spirit to reveal the living and life-giving presence of Christ to us. The green of the evergreen tree gives us hope! To me, that will always be!

I pray these words will ring true in our lives forever.............The flocked trees, the red trees, the black trees,....they come and go, but the traditional never goes away.

The symmetrical dark green tree, with lights..........those will be around forever! Amen and Amen!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

"SHARE YOUR FAITH STORIES WITH OTHERS SO THAT BOTH THEIR FAITH AND OURS WILL CONTINE TO BE STRENGTHENED."

Some months ago, I received a survey, and with some hesitation, I completed it and sent it on. The end results were pleasing, to say the least. For, among the questions was: Place of Birth. Total surprise overwhelmed me when I learned that one of my favorite neighbors, along with her brother, listed their place of birth as Germany. But, you know, I should not really have been that surprised because I knew full well that her mother was a German war bride (and she is my neighbor also), but we just do not stop and think about those things now, do we? With that little introduction, I hope you will appease me this week, and complete the following survey. No, you need not necessarily respond in writing, but in your hearts. Hopefully, it will open the door to a whole new beginning to you.

Question #1.... Do you like eggnog or chocolate?
My answer: Well, on occasion, and especially during the holidays, I like eggnog. As a matter of fact, when the boys and I went to the Steak and Soda place on Wednesday, following a dental appointment (by all means), they ate chocolate, granny ordered eggnog. Rest of the time, I join the throng of you, I like chocolate!

Question #2....Do you hang up mistletoe?
Answer: Miss out on such an opportunity such as that? You bet!.

Question #3....Can you ice skate?
Answer: No, but I used to roller skate in my day. Still have the skates that hubby used when a kid, tho imagine they are so stiff that they unusable, but the fact remains, we have them. I love to watch ice skating. As a matter of fact, the neighbor lady and I are always calling one another with times to watch it on TV, and the Olympics find me literally glued to the tube watching that sport! Why, I can glide over that ice with the greatest of ease while watching their performances, can't you?

Question #4....When do you put up your Christmas decorations?
Answer: Certainly not before Thanksgiving!!! I do not know what your personal opinion is about the stores and displays out that early, but that is certainly not my cup of tea. Now, the day after Thanksgiving, I start. But Thanksgiving is Thanksgiving and I want to celebrate that holiday all to itself. Also, in my part of the country, it usually is just a trifle warmer yet and waiting any longer to put up outdoor displays is like inviting disaster to knock on your door! BRRR!

Question #5....How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
Answer: Lights, garland, tinsel sometimes, but the best part of decorating the tree is the hanging of the ornaments. Probably the reason for this is, most of the ones I have bear special meanings. The neighbor, Suzy, used to always make the children an ornament each year, and so when they married and started their own homes, the ornaments were given to them. Also, I often give ornaments each year as gifts (this year, no,) with the hopes that memories will be carried down with one and all as their lives are opened. And then, the friends, some have passed on, and each ornament that is opened brings back a flood of fond memories with each of them. Found also among my treasures is a little white plastic snowman, from the 1940's, from my parents. Getting a little tattered, but it is there. And, last but not least, is the bird all nestled snug and comfy in his nest for Mother said that every Christmas tree must have a bird in a nest to bring good luck in the new year ahead.

Question #6....Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?
Answer: With all of Santa's magic powers, of course he wraps them.

Question #7....What color are the lights on your tree?
Answer: Well, folks, when it comes to lights, the Bubble Lights take priority in my house. I love them. To me, there is absolutely nothing more relaxing then to have the room totally dark, sit in the flow of the lighted tree and watch those bubbles. Oh, other colored lights, or maybe all white, depends on my whim that year, but gotta have some Bubble Lights! What does that tell you?

Question #8....When do you open your Christmas gifts?
Answer: For the family, always, and I mean, always, on Christmas eve. BUT, BUT, only after we have been to the beautful Christmas Eve services at church.

Question #9....Do you remember your favorite Christmas gift?
Answer: I cannot ever remember getting a gift that I did not like or appreciate, however, I remember one that came from a Great Aunt of my fathers at the time. It was a doll, with the head, legs and arms of a very breakable material, probably ceramic or something, wrapped in a beautiful blue and white, hand quilted baby quilt. Why do I remember this? Well, the morning after Christmas, I was rushing down the stairs because the house was so cold, I stumbled and fell. You guess it! All I have left is the blue and white blanket, yes, I still have it. But, a memorable gift I remember that our family always got on Christmas was a large piece of fruit. Fruit was expensive in the winter months, but at the end of the distribution of the gifts, Mother would bring out a big sack and each one of us would be presented with either an apple or an orange. That was a treat that often times surpassed the sack of candy that we had gotten at the church services on Christmas eve.

Question #10....What is the most important thing about Christmas for you?
Answer: Family! Family! Family! Combined, of course, with the celebration of our faith!
With an expanding family, traditions have changed to alternate Christmas with the in-laws. When that happens, we spend Thanksgiving together, then we are together in Spirit.

Question #11....Is it more blessed to give than to receive?
Answer: When the face of a child outshines the blinking lights of the tree, need we answer that question?

Question #12....What are your favorite holiday foods?
Answer: My father used to like roast duck, but I prefer turkey with stuffing and roast potatoes and carrots! Moms fruit salad (but please don't buy the kind of grapes that I have to slice in two and remove the seeds) made with sweet cream, and a good Christmas pie!

Question #13....What is your favorite Christmas song"
Answer: 'SILENT NIGHT'. Etched in my memories are the Christmas Eves that we left the church services with either snow on the ground or beautiful snow flurries drifting down from the sky with the echoes of that beautiful carol following us as we left the sanctuary! "Silent Night, Holy Night, All is calm, All is bright"..............................

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

"Try singing some Christmas carols/songs each day this week. "Silent Night", "Jingle Bells", "O Holy Night", "White Christmas", "the First Noel", "I''ll Be Home for Christmas", "Hark, The Herald Angels Sing"................let the 'child' in you be awakened!

I can recall, our family, my mother, father, older brother, nearing draft age, and my little sister sitting on my mothers lap, a mere babe, as we huddled around the old fashioned upright radio, next to the dining room table, the next evening, listening to President Roosevelt as he delivered his address to the nation. His long, drawn out words, heavy with emotion, the New York accent quite heavy and the one thing I remember was his saying these words.........."this day shall go down in history". He was correct. It did go down in history. It was scary. I was not that old either, and the tension that could be felt in the presence of those around me told me a lot, in some ways, and in others, told me nothing. Fear prevailed. I could see the grave concern on the faces of my parents. My brother looked apprehensive, and he had every right to look that way for within months he would be reporting to Selective Service, classified I-A, which meant, call up anytime..Within months of graduation from high school, he reported to active duty at Fort Ord, California, came home for a short furlough, then shipped out to the Phillipine Islands.Prayerfully, he was returned to us several years later. A much changed young man. But he was back home, safe and sound!

For the younger generation, September ll, was similiar in many ways. The uncertainty. The fear of the unknown. What lies ahead? Where is our nation and what stand is it taking? And, as I write these words, I cannot help but think of the words of comfort that came to mind then, and even now,....."Oh ye of little faith". How thankful I was then, as I am now, that my parents gave me that direction. It is so hard to understand how people, without faith in their lives, must feel when confronted with problems such as these, or, for any problems, as the case may be.

The United States was taken by surprise that December 7. That stands without any further statement. But look what happened. Look at how the people rallied. They came together. They stood firm. They were proud. They worked together. They prayed together. They fought. Oh, how they did fight. Sorrow was prevalant. Sacrifices were made.

We, on the homefront, made minor sacrifices, but nothing compared to what the young men and women of that day, did. We bought war bonds. We bought saving stamps. We had food ration books. We were rationed for clothing, food, fuel, tires and many things. But, we became stronger. Very few families were untouched in some way in this global event.

Many years later, I was sitting on a beach of that island where the bombings occured, waiting for a ferry to take our tour group to the USS Arizona laying on the ocean floor, out in the bay. Sitting with us, on the same bench, was a young Japanese man. We struck up a conversation with him, and he informed us that he lived in Tokoyo and was headed to Florida for a conference for his company and he wanted to come to this spot because he lost relatives in the invasion. It was awkward, to say the least. I felt many emotions as I listened to him talk. He did not boast. He was not regretful, he was just matter-of-fact. But, later, standing on the deck of the ship, looking down into the ocean, he remained as silent as all the others and the look on his face said more then any words we had earlier. He grieved also. I shall never forget that moment!

Reaching down into our inner most feelings, we have to realize that life is always full of obstackles, but again ATTITUDE, comes into being. Why? Because attitude determines our state of well being. We have to remember that losing does not make us a loser unless we let it infect our soul!

So, a simple challenge for this week should give us some direction.....enjoy it!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

"Dare to make life the best that it can be, at all times!"

Anyway, soon as I was able, I opened the garage door (had to have electricity to do that)............started to back my car out and I felt it sliding, and that I did, to the opposite side of the drive. Thank goodness I missed the basketball goal pole! From there on, it was slip and slide most of the several hours that followed as I sojourned among the town, completing necessary errands and astonished at the damage the ice had caused. Downed branches everywhere. Driveways blocked, city crews out with trucks trying to get them carted off and with the temperatures rising to above freezing, the ice was melting and as a result it was falling from the trees, poles, and many times, taking with it even more branches!
The stores were jammed. Grocery store was packed, shelves were beginning to look a little bare in various areas, people were hustling and bustling, and for the most part, in a very congenial mood!

After all, it is Christmas! Just within a matter of days, people will be boarding air planes, hitting the highways...........and bless our souls, we are predicted to have between 5 and 7 inches of snow, starting tonight!

So, I finished my shopping, came home totally exhausted, and sitting down to the computer to check for new mails, what I am sending came through from a dear, dear friend! Isn't that what friends are all about? Able to read your thoughts. Interject and give way to helping you be a better person.

So, please, please enjoy these words as they express my sentiments about Christmas more then I am capable of saying....enjoy and God Bless!

A Christmas Version of I Corinthians 13

As you prepare your heart and home for Christmas this year, consider the following words of wisdom and have Christ be the center and essence of your celebration.

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not share the true meaning of Christmas, I'm just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not demonstrate kindness to strangers, it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens. Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails.
Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure. --Author Unknown

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.”
I Corinthians 13

“It’s never too late to be who you might have been.” - George Eliot

And, so need to ask YOU? Has Christmas started yet? Does it start when we decorate our trees? When we wrap Christmas gifts? When we start planning what kind of Christmas goodies we want to start making or baking? When we have our first snow of the season giving us that 'all-a-glow' feeling that is all so important to really get us into a Christmas mood? Well, the way I see it, Christmas begins deep within our hearts. Sure, all of the above play an important part of the season and festivities, but it is US, we ourselves, who really make it happen!

No other holiday is so closely tied to family, traditions and children as Christmas! Christmas always comes with memories and isn't it amazing how our views of Christmas change once we become parents. The hopes and dreams for the new and upcoming generation seem to be all wrapped up in Christmas, there is just no way around that!

Christmas opens the door to sharing your personal history with your child or grandchildren in such a way that they will always retain that memory. Any other time, that child might be tempted to automatically tune you out with 'that's old junk', but if approached correctly, maybe Christmas can join the term of 'the good old days' instead. I plan to do that this year. I have made special tree ornaments for each of my family members and I am looking forward to sharing a special moment with each and every one of them this Christmas eve. You can do that also. Share a history of a favorite or special tree ornament, a recipe that your family had used for special Christmas dinners down through the years, or why you have the type of Christmas tree that seems so very familiar year after year.

An important part of my personal life has been focused around my church, and again, we are looking forward to attending services on Christmas eve and sharing in the services which will include familiar carols, ringing of bells, candlelight, poinsettas, and the celebration of the feast of Holy Communion together as a family! Some of my fondest memories of Christmas can be traced back to the actual Christmas eve services at church. When we used to recite poems or verses. Each student giving a seperate performance (we were a small congregation), seeing family and friends in the church pews that meant so much to have them there. And, I remember one Christmas eve, just as we were leaving the service, it started to snow great big snowflakes, and we walked in nearly total silence to the several blocks to our home. This was during WWII, my brother was overseas at the time, and I remember how I felt about him not being able to be there with us and wondered what thoughts my parents were having at the time as well. I would venture to say that my tears were not the only ones that mingled with the snow flakes that cold, crisp December evening as we walked, hand in hand, as a family knowing that one of our members was absent, off in a totally foreign land, we knew not where!

I am blessed to have many memories of this special holiday! My parents placed great emphasis on the importance of our knowing that Christ was the one who made Christmas! Without Christ there would be no Christmas! They made many special memories for us to carry on to our generation and I firmly believe, that now, I too, have an important duty to perform in seeing that it is carried on down to my children and grandchildren as well!

In all my preparations these past few days, I find myself resorting to want to carry on traditions that my parents deemed vital to our remembering that this was a special season to celebrate! Like special recipes. Mom would make a fruit salad that required grapes as an ingredient and in those days of my childhood, there was no such thing as a seedless grape and low and behold, the job always fell to me to take the seeds out of the grapes. OH, how I dreaded that job! Then there was the caramel roll that mom made, cooking the brown sugar, butter and cream mixture to just the right consistency, then we would have to knead the candy, using powdered sugar on the cupboard top, until it was ready to roll in crushed pecans, placed on a plate, and hid away in the unused cold living room until Christmas eve when it would be brought out, with each person given a slice to enjoy! BUT, several other sweet concocktions stand out more in my mind as well, as, normally, candy was not a daily consumption in our household, so candy at Christmas was special! The first of these were the popcorn cakes which mom made. You heard me correctly. Not popcorn balls, but popcorn cakes. We would pop the corn in a special pop corn popper, then mom would caramalize sugar, add cream and butter, and other minor additions, this would be poured over the popped corn to which chocolate M and M's and peanuts were added, and then we mixed this all together. After it was all basically 'stuck' together, we would then put it into angel food cake pans or bundt cake pans until ready to use. Mom always said it was easier to eat. Popcorn balls were usually rather large, but in this way, she could slice the pieces to any thickness we wanted. Still my favorite.

I love a candy cane! Found usually only in stores during this season, if you really studied the story of the origin of this candy treat, you will love it also! One of the stories about the cane is that a choirmaster made the candy to give as a treat to children who misbehaved during a service in order to help settle them down and behave. And, during the process used it, through color and shape to tell the story of Jesus from Christmas to Easter. The white stripes on the candy cane stand for the fact that Jesus was sinless and pure. The small red strips stand for the scourging that Jesus endured before he died, with the large red stripe standing for Jesus' blood, shed on the cross. It is shaped like a shepherd's staff, reminding us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and if you turn it upside down, it is the letter "J", the first letter of Jesus name. What a wonderful way to share the story of Jesus!

Sometimes this time of the year, people are stressed. They say things they do not mean or they write things that maybe are not meant to hurt the recipient, but it is not received in that manner. Possibly that person, with the best of intentions, meant no harm in what they had written or spoken, but when they are confronted, it hurts their feelings and then they too, lash out in return. That is when we have to remember WHO made Christmas! Forgiveness must be top and foremost in each of our lives and actions! Think first...............and long, then decide whether you want to act, react, or just let it pass by!

Life is not always tied with a bow, but it is still a gift. A gift which we can live to its fullest. It is up to us. We make the choice as to how we live each day! We need to believe in miracles! The sun is always shining somewhere!

My challenge is thus:

'Burn those candles........put those fancy dishes on the supper table...use those nice sheets....wear that new sweater...flash those Christmas earrings...give that favorite Christmas ornament to another member of your family, or a friend and share the reason for this being so memorable to you.........Don't save them for special occasions.......................this is a special occasion. TODAY IS SPECIAL.

Getting back to the subject of December.........a month of festivities is probably the best descriptive title I could give to the month of December......from day one of December, through, yes through to the new year following............it is one busy month, for the most part, for most people!

December begins (astrologically) in the sign of the Sagittarius, which is my birth sign. Sort of fun and interesting to read the descriptive notes that come with the signs and see if you fit into the general realm of the factor. On the other hand, what do other people see as your part in the sign, which is probably more interesting then an individual evaluation.

One of the fun times I was able to enjoy with my family during the holidays was a luncheon at which my family members (with the exception of one who had to work) were all gathered around the table at a Chinese restaurant, and of course the subject is approached once the food selection is made. What is your sign? What year were you born? And here goes, you know, what with Grannys age, she was one of those who needed a little adding and subtraction to get to her sign because, well, have to face reality, she was just not on the place mat without a little mathmatical manipulation! LOL Why not! Isn't that what makes conversation more interesting anyway?? But, as each found their signs, others made comments and we entertained ourselves until the plates of food begin to arrive!

It goes without saying that December entertains us further with the shortest daylight hours, at least in our hemisphere. Gets dark pretty early these days. By 5:30, we know that the sun has set, and with all the snow we have been having, probably a good idea to be indoors, with all activities for the day ended, because it is turning cold, streets and sidewalks which have melted during the warm hours of daylight are beginning to freeze once again and anything involved with walking and driving on roads and highways is basically discouraged! So, snug and warm, we resort to a hot cup of tea, a good book or a favorite TV program, time on the computer, writing some long overdue notes or letters occupy the evening hours.

Do I wish every month were December?

Do YOU wish every month were December?

When answering these questions, we need to note that, unless we are are quite careful just HOW the response is made, we could be called Scrooge. Oh, I like December and I think if I were approached with this question with the fact that I could respond in only one sentence as an answer, it would be this............The reason I like December is because it is often the only time that I am able to see so many family and friends gathered together, ......at church on Christmas eve, ....social events, dinners and parties...... and I love to see family and friends......it makes my heart glad! !

The opportunity here presents the fact that I could interject all sorts of sayings, for example....."Your children get only one childhood, make it memorable"............OR "If we threw all our problems in a pile and then saw everyone elses problems, we would probably grab ours back"....OR "Don't audit life, just show up and make the most of it".... OR, and this my children would say applies to granny....."Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful".........and hey that covers a lot!!! True, all of these little quips bear a truth for each and everyone of us,.....each in our own, very special way..... but I firmly believe that I want to close the month of December, the year 2007, with this challenge and while doing so, thank you all for being so patient with me these past twelve months, listening to my crazy quirps and wondering perhaps, at times, where I was coming from......please, do not give up on me, but, instead, join me...

CHALLENGE.....

" ALL THAT TRULY MATTERS IN THE END.....is that YOU LOVED!"

The knarled remains of what had once been a beautiful green tree, laden with bushels of plums, just waiting to be plucked, to be eaten, to be made into scrumptious jelly, was down! All twisted, forlorn! How sad, just like life becomes at a stage in all of our lives! One we know is inevitable, but one we keep thinking......will never happen! But, sad to say, like the downed plum tree it will happen to us all!

Come Spring, she would be in a 'give away' mode, for by then the seedlings would be ready to be planted in a special place of their own, to become a peach tree, or an apricot tree for someone special, another family. That was the time when friends, neighbors, acquaintenances came into play for their yards became havens for her new seedlings. For years we enjoyed peaches and apricots and other flowers and seedlings as well, as a result of her efforts, her 'green thumb'. It is just now, following thirteen years after her demise that we are seeing the end of her era of seedlings.

The reason why I decided to get a plum variety of tree, rather than just a plain shade tree, was due to Mothers fettish for plum jelly. That type of jelly was her favorite. Memories serve me in the area of going to a cousins farm each year and picking sand plums for jelly. For those of you familiar with sand plums, you know how sour those babes can be. UMMM....even now, thinking of them, my cheeks begin to pucker. But not for mom, for all the while we would be picking those plums, she would be eating them!!! Than, she spent many an hour preparing the sand plums, making them into jars of beautiful red, clear jelly that accompanied our pancakes, toast, waffles, biscuits for the rest of the year!

And, when I told her what I decided to do with the money she gave me, she was delighted. Than, the lessons began, because, of course, she knew I did not have a 'green thumb'....... Dig a hole at least a foot and a half deep, about a foot across, depending on how tall the tree would be when I purchased it. Than, for at least two days, keep the hole filled with water so it would soak the ground good, so the roots would have a chance to get a good start. And, oh yes, I had to go to a farm, to the little place behind a barn where the cattle had been corraled or to a nearby pasture .......get some cow manure.....not fresh, must be dry, and sprinkle it in the bottom of the hole, and then, a fish, had to be placed on top of the manure. Than, and only than, was the tree added. Loose dirt at the bottom for several inches, than pack the soil and alternate this action until the tree was firmly in place. ........Brother....., but I did it. Just to please mom. And, you know something, maybe that is the reason that tree survived when all the other didn't. Will I ever know?? Guess only if I have an opportunity to plant another tree, at another time.

The plum tree proved to be a wise choice, for many years I was able to pick plums from its branches. I too, then, was given an opportunity to share its fruits with friends and neighbors, always having enough to fix for my family as well, for it flourished in spite of all the adverseries we had had while trying to grow other trees in the soil in our front yard! It seemed bound and determined to keep producing and this last year, there were 4 tiny plums, hardly bigger than a small grape, but it kept on trying!!! Did not want to give up.

We tend to take so many things for granted in life, like the lights will turn on when you hit that light switch, the food will be cold when you open the refrigerator door, the ice will be solid in the freezing compartment, but like all good things, there comes an end to the era, and the end has come for this plum tree. ....... No longer will I be able to open my front door and look out to see how much ice has accumulated on it during an ice storm to see whether or not I should venture beyond my front steps, heeding my doctors orders not to go out on the ice. ..... No longer will I be able to take the suet from my Christmas or Thanksgiving turkey and put it into a net and hang it on the tree for the birds to enjoy as part of their holiday feast....... No longer will I be able to have the neighborhood children in for the annual Easter Egg hunt and use its branches and the base of the tree as a hiding place for the brightly colored Easter eggs which they delight in finding....... No longer will I be able to see the beautiful blue jays or red cardinals light on its branches as they wait, and look, and scan the area for their usual bounty of bird seed, suet, or dry bread crusts or pieces of left over uneaten cake!

Yes, it is true, life is full of little trival niceties that so often go unnoticed until we lose them. We think they will always be there, but than something like this happens, and you realize that it is life. Things do not always remain the same. Things change. Some for good, some not so good. Not always easy. Sometimes difficult to understand, to believe.......

So, I no longer have THAT plum tree, it is gone. BUT, I live in the hope of a promise that in the Spring, when the weather warms up, that I will be given another plum tree for a replacement of this loss....... It won't be the one that Mom gave me,..... for that one is, and was, unreplacable......But, hope shows us that we need to move on............... A time for another era to begin......

So, with a sad, but.... yet hopeful heart, I offer up this challenge of the week:

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

'4 Things You Can't Recover'
l. The stone................after the throw.
2. The word.................after it's said.
3. The occasion........after its loss.
4. The time...............after it's gone.

Looking forward to a happier tomorrow, I close with the usual.....have a good 'un. Nadene

But what is it that all this activity, this preparation is trying to tell the world? Are people listening? Are they grasping the message?

Nostalgia creeps into everyones life this time of the year. The lonely become more lonely, the people who have suffered losses during the year begin to reflect even more on their loss as this more happy time of the year approaches. And, as you all know, we have all been there! We have done that! We all know that we need to renew the spirit of peace and goodwill as we approach the manger of the Christ child. So, how do we do it?

With those words said, my attention is going to be directed immediately to something that happened to me, not all that many years ago. But a blessed time. A time that I shared in the spirit of peace and goodwill, the mystery of the CHRISTmas season.

Now, the congregation to which I belong in our small little, Midwest city, is the largest of its denomination and we are ever so fortunate to have a very active membership who care deeply about its members, their needs and wants. So, the various committees begin to report to the council the number of families who were inactive, and a study completed after several years of intense research with the result being that those not attending regularly were, when contacted, reporting that their work kept them from attending the regular Sunday morning services, of which we have two. So, four members of those committees put their heads together to come up with a solution to the problem. It really wasn't that hard. We just had to find another time, another day, when they were not working, when it was a time that they could attend a service.

After several years........bear in mind this is an old staunch German community........but then again I have been told the Italians, the Swedes, and many others are not always readily acceptable to change either.................taking into consideration some opposition, we decided to start up with a Saturday evening service.

Scheduled for 6:00, giving everyone a chance to get off work. Come as they were. Not necessary to change from their work attire. Meet in an informal setting in the Chapel rather than the larger sanctuary. Service, too, to be informal. Communion every other week thus making communion available at every weeks services in place of just once or twice a month. It would work. We knew it would! In fact, we were so positive that it would be acceptable to the congregation, that we even planned for the Christmas service, and here one of the members suggested having our very first Christmas Saturday evening service in a barn, after all, wouldn't that be most appropriate? Knowing full well that we had plenty of farmers in the midst of our members, surely, surely, we would find one kind, caring member who would be willing to share their facility for this very special, our very first Saturday night Christmas!

Find a barn we did! A kind cousin offered her barn. Now, it was a typical barn. Had a stable, a manger, hay loft, corral behind the barn. Excellant access for she lived near Highway 40, and a nice big yard, ideal for parking space! Perfect setting for a 'First Christmas Service'! Plans progressed beautifully!

Shopping several weeks prior to that first service, I was fortunate to find a large lighted Eastern Star type of fixture and this her son hung on the barn, could be seen for several miles around. I remember the feeling I felt as I accompanied our family to the services that evening, seeing the blazing star standing out in the dark stillness of the night! One felt like we were being directed by the Star of Bethlehem, drawn to the manger scene. It was awesome!

It was breathtaking that Saturday evening, as members, guests, families arriving early for the Christmas holiday began to gather! It was cold, typical of Kansas for that time of the year so bundled in heavy coats, boots, gloves, some with hoods, when service time approached, they began to congregate, finding a place to sit, on the bales of straw, ... children gathering in the manger, others brought heavy quilts and blankets, not only to sit on, but to use for a covering, for the weather was truly nippy.

Beautiful service followed. Our congregation is blessed with an abundance of talented musicians and soon, echoing the sounds of Christmas from the past as well as present, voices were lifted in praise and thanksgiving!

But, there were angel voices! We heard them.

For those of you who are not familiar with a manger, a manger is a trough, made of wood, up off the ground several feet, that is filled with hay or other food placed for cattle and horses to feed upon. On this particular night, hay filled the manger. It was from that setting that we heard 'Angel Voices' for the children delighted in find the trough cozy, warm, away from the strains and confines of the adults, yet able to be a part of everything that was happening! They appeared to be almost entranced by the whole service.

About midway through the service, with all Christmas carols being sung for the hymns of the service, the selected hymn from Luther's Cradle Hymn, 'Away in a Manger' provided the open door to all those 'little angels' who had found their select seat in the mystery of the manger to be heard.

Their bright, fresh, rosy faces, glowing in the light of the lanterns, reflecting their angelic faces, singing their little hearts out. All bundled together, we heard their cherub voices telling us.........'Away in a manger...'no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head, The stars in the sky looked down where He lay, The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay'.

There was no doubt in the mind of anyone in that barn, that night, it truly was the voices of angels singing! Some with tears of joy streaming down their cheeks they sang in hushed tones so as to hear the memorable voices of their tiny loved ones so enthralled with the setting of which they were a part! What a joy! A true delight! I was a part of that crowd. My grandchildren and children were a part of it!

The service ended with the familiar hymn, "Silent Night, Holy Night" by Josef Mohr of 1818. As was, and is, customary with our congregation, the first stanza is sung in the German language. Harmony was heard as 'Stille Nacht! heilige Nacht!' vibrated from the barn rafters. "Silent Night, Holy Night! All is calm, All is bright.............", ending with many sharing in the blessings of the season, reveling in the beauty of the surrounds of this barn, portraying the very first Christmas celebration.

That service, that evening, brought to true life, for everyone there, the birth of our Savior for when the time came for Mary to bear her child, there was no room in the inn. Instead of the best home in Bethlehem that night, the King of kings was laid in a manger. Jesus IS the reason for the holiday season. He set aside His heavenly home to come for us!...... We received the message as we listened to the angel voices from the manger that Saturday night, in that barn, not so long ago.

Well, as happens with some customs, the barn services were held for several years but have since ended but the memory of that first Saturday evening service, when we had originally planned for about an attendance of twenty-five and were pleased to have over seventy attend that first night of October, and which still continues to this very day.....that, along with that very first Saturday Christmas service in a barn, with a manger, with our own little angels.

The old saying is that the only thing better than FEELING a holiday spirit is to SHARE it, and share it, I have with you.

Hope you enjoyed my special memory of a Christmas shared with my family, my friends, my congregation!

CHALLENGE THIS WEEK:

"Adding up your BLESSINGS will multiply your JOY!"

Say it is Spring or Summer, nice evening to be out and about. You are about eight or nine years old. You are in the company of a couple of your friends, and you decide to play a game. Remember that game? Someone would be IT. That person would usually find a tree, or a building, something to lean against, close their eyes, count to ten, as slow as they could, giving everyone else the opportunity to find a safe hiding place, than you heard those words...."Ready or Not, here I come!" You had better be hidden in a safe place or else if you were discovered, than you would be IT. I think we used to play that the second time you were found.........you were out of the game. That was the Spring or Summer scenerio.

Well, now it is winter..............and just barely a week away from Christmas. 'Ready or Not'........it will be here. Are YOU ready?

This season, to me, is one which I wish could be carried throughtout the entire year, for many, many reasons. People are more kind. People are more forgiving. People are more thoughtful. People are busy. People are happy.

The pastor of our congregation seems to have focused on one central theme this year and, personally, I have to agree, it is one of the best.

..........JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON..........

The absolute best preparation for tomorrow is the proper use of today, but why is it that we wait until the absolute last minute to do things? Why do we put things off until we are forced to do it in order to meet a deadline? For some, if it weren't for the last minute, a lot of things just wouldn't get done..

Cooking, baking, buying presents, wrapping presents, putting up the Christmas tree, decorating the outside of your home, addressing Christmas cards. The list is endless. But, is that all that this time of the year represents to you and your family?

Don't misunderstand me, not at all. I love all of the above. A very dear friend and I made sugar cookies on Tuesday, using my daughter-in-laws recipe that supercedes any sugar cookie recipe I have ever found. One of the ingredients is boiled egg yolks, mashed and added to the powdered sugar contents. The results are fantastic. A grandson made them for the first time this year, and he found that he could have a little 'cooks touch' also to that recipe.

But it wasn't the final results of our little endeavor that made it a special day, no, it was learning how to properly roll the dough to an even thickness so the cookies would bake evenly....together. It was the sharing of a good hot cup of coffee while we were mixing the ingredients.......together. It was being in one anothers company...... We both have lost our mothers, but we shared in the things that we learned from them as we were 'growing up'. That's what made it special. We were together. We shared. Also, we vowed that next year we would be more prepared. Food coloring, sprinkles and other little confectionaries to decorate the end results. All in all, it was the sharing that made those cookies extra special this year! After all, we are more efficient when we deliberately forget what is important. So, what is more important?

Every action brings a consequence and at this time of the year, especially, we see, all around us, the families, the neighbors, the friends, who are unable to be together on this very special holiday. Some for reasons such as tight budgets, work schedules, or a minor issue in the fact that this year is time for Christmas with the 'in-laws', and that is very acceptable, because after all, you had Christmas together last year, AND you have next year to look forward to.

This is all well and good, but the sad part is that those friends, neighbors and yes, even some families, who for one reason or another, find it impossible to be able to SHARE at any time . How my heart aches for those situations! Maybe remembering that the best preparation for tomorrow is the proper use of today and admitting that you are wrong has to enter into the picture. Once admitting that you are wrong, would be like saying you're wiser today than you were yesterday. If we think we have no faults, that makes ONE more fault. Maybe it is time to bury the hatchet, remembering to bury the handle as well! Remembering that each and everyone one of us is 'SOMEONES ANGEL' should make all those extra efforts worthwhile, correcting a problem, a situation.

..........JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON..... Love can reduce 'friction to a fraction'.

This is a season of forgiveness. Do you know how you can tell if YOU cannot forgive? Here is a little test for all of us:

Do we always keep score?? Do we always boast of our OWN record?? Do we always have something to complain about?? Do we always try to alienate, divide or seperate?? Do we always accuse or expose?? Are we always angry and jealous??

Here is mom talking again............'if the shoe fits, wear it or get a new one'! ..........Maybe in order to be happy, we need to become a person who can forgive. Maybe it is time to do OURSELVES a favor, and forgive! What better time than right now. Now, when people are in a forgiving spirit.

Everybody loves to eat..........admit it! It is a proven fact that a large percentage of the world's population, especially those who celebrate the Christmas holiday, always gain about ten pounds during the month of December! And, as a rule, when are people more sociable?....more forgiving?.....more loving?......why, it is none other time than when they are enjoying a special morsel, possibly together with a friend, neighbor or family member!

So, please, let me share a recipe with you. Easy to make. Easy to put in a little container. Different, in fact, a trifle unusual. Easy to transport to that friend or neighbor or relative that needs extra special love and care at this time of the year. Could easily be used as that 'forgiving' tool. Consider it a 'door opener', so to speak. Like I said, it is unusual, it could spark some interesting conversation!

KOOOOKIE KOOKIE RECIPE

Grease a 15x10x1 baking pan. On the pan, spread l package (10 ounces) of corn chips.
In a saucepan, over medium heat, bring to a boil: l cup light corn syrup, 3/4 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup brown sugar.
As soon as it reaches the boiling point, remove from heat; stir in l cup creamy peanut butter, l teaspoon vanilla and if available, l teaspoon butter flavoring, and stir until smooth.
Pour over corn chips. Cool overnight. Then, either break or cut into pieces. Yields about 3 dozen yummy, mouth watering kooookies!

So, 'ready or not', it is on its way........Christmas is due in just a matter of days! And, we all agree that Christmas can be hectic what with all the travel, shopping, cooking and baking, parties, extra community functions,..... but it all boils down to the mood that we have in our own hearts and minds as we lead into Christmas as to how each and everyone of us will respond. ........ When I am excited it seems that Christmas usually turns out great! BUT, on the other hand, if I am tired, grumpy, do not have forgiveness in my heart, I will find myself dreading every thought of this beautiful season.

Going to let you all in on a little secret..........."Ready or Not", here I come..........I am going to be ready..........I am going to avoid getting too tired.....I am going to celebrate Christmas with as much family and as many friends as I can.............AND I am going to celebrate Christmas in THIS way...............I am going to let........

"JESUS" BE THE REASON FOR THE SEASON ..................and I invite you all to come along!

MY CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE:

"Just what are YOU doing this Christmas so that you will be remembered in the Christmases to come?"

It has been written that we should start each day with a fresh beginning; as if the whole world was made anew! Isn't that a refreshing thought to enjoy??!

Like the suggestion of my oldest granddaughter this past week when she said, 'Granny, Christmas is going to be at our house next year. I want to be able to go to my church on Christmas eve!'. Nothing wrong at all with that thought. The good Lord willing, I will enjoy Christmas eve at and with HER in her home church next Christmas, with the rest of the family in attendance as well. Start a new fresh beginning, and make the whole world new!

But, before the final chapter of Christmas for 2008, I feel like sharing with you, .....with a little added interpretation, something I received from a friend living on the West coast this afternoon, entitled "Stroll Down Memory Lane'. Upon reading that e-mail, it further enhanced the melt down I seemed to be experiencing because what it did was show pictures of various items, events from years past, starting with a picture of a 45 RPM spindle, record balancing on it. Why, that is nothing. I still have 45 RPM records. Of course, some with nursery rhymes which my children enjoyed, others are Christmas carols, some good ole polka time records, waltzes. And, even have a machine capable of playing them!....I am strolling!

And, I would never ever dream of disposing of those metal ice cube trays with levers!!!! Hey, unless you are fortunate enough to have an automatic ice machine in your frig,......and even if you do...... nothing beats those type of trays to acquire the needed ice cubes for cold drinks these days....... Oh, those plastic things that you have that you have to twist and turn to get the cubes to release and then they pop out, all over the kitchen carpet..........or not having the glass balanced incorrectly on the tray on the front of the frig to receive the crushed ice as it spills from the machine, going on the floor instead.........UGH......back to those metal trays anyday!

Mentioned brownie cameras with the blue flashbulbs. Guilty! The first brownie camera I ever owned can still be found in my hall cupboard. Why, who could ever throw that precious item away!!! I earned that working in harvest when I was only about twelve years old. It did not use flash bulbs. And, you know something, I bet it would still take as good a picture as it did that many years ago...........that is, if I could find a film to fit it!!!!

Gallon of gas was addressed as being $o.25 cents a gallon..........well, thank goodness, can finally report that gas here is now $l.54 a gallon, down from a high of nearly $4.00 this past summer. Explain that, if you will. What made the gas fluctuate that way???? We all have our own personal reflections on that situation, am sure, sad to say!! The cost of production of a gallon of gas in this area is nearly double what the producers are being paid now. So, is that fair???

So, McDonald hamburgers were $0.15 then, well, they still put out a pretty good Big Mac for a $l.00 here today! We are fortunate to still have several $l.00 items on their menus, just off the I-70 freeway! Comes from living in a rural area, I would say..... and it went on further to address Drive-In Movies. That, we no longer have.....at least active. The marque is still in place on the west edge of town, along Highway 40. A reminder of days long gone by. But, we still have car hops at the A&W Drive-In on South Highway 281, leading to the infamous I-70 highway. A popular stop-off for many travelors who are aware that we still have the ole A&W in operation. So, if you are traveling through this area, make sure you stop in for one of their tasty Root Beer Floats. Pretty hard to beat that delicacy! Word has it that many returning families rarely fail to stop in for that last order just as they are leaving the 'home town', heading back to their familiar settings in life.

The article went on with other items like Studebaker cars, washtub wringers, Tinker Toys, Lincoln Logs, Roller skate keys, 5 cent cokes in glass bottles, 5 cent postage stamps, the Ding Dong Avon lady callers and Aluminum Christmas trees.

Sure, I can remember all of them.

The article ended with a little reminder that if YOU could remember most or all of the things mentioned therein, YOU HAVE LIVED!........?????? But the cute way it ended was the thing that topped off the whole article because it said....'Pass this on to anyone who may need a break from their 'grown-up' life'................ah, now, grown up life isn't all that bad!.

Best if we live our lives with an attitude of gratitude!

Do everything with grace and confidence and accept life as it unfolds.

So, as we come to the end of another Yuletide Season...... As we end the Christmas week.......As we bid farewell to family and friends as they return to their homes and normal way of living.......As we put away the Christmas decorations......Read the Christmas cards one more time before we put them in the recycle bin......As we taste that last tasty cookie.......As we sit and reminisce and possibly shed a tear or two, remembering the good times we were able to share together and missing those that could not be with us during this special time............may we all share in this challenge for the week.........and for all the weeks ahead, as we live our lives with an attitude of gratitude..................

START EACH DAY WITH A FRESH BEGINNING...... AS IF THE WHOLE WORLD WAS MADE ANEW!

*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*

*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*

*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.*

*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*

*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *

*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*

*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*

*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*

*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*

*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*

*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*

*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*

*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*

*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*

*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,

not Happy Holiday !*

PLEASE, all Christians join together and
wish everyone you meet during the
holidays a

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Did you ever....may be followed by: Ever think this day would come? Finally get that work done that you were told to do? Get your home work finished? Ever see such a beautiful sunset? Carry the groceries into the kitchen and put them away?
Finish making your bed and clean up your room? Think that you would see your child go to grade school? Ever see such a beautiful Christmas tree? and on and on. Lots and lots of 'Did you ever's'!

Several weeks ago, however, prompted a 'DID YOU EVER', from me, and I was sitting here in my big overstuffed chair, all by myself (and I don't generally talk to myself, BUT), this commercial came on the air, which, as it was truly meant to do, caught my attention. Advertising, of all things............BLACK FRIDAY. And, to top it all off, can you believe the subject it covered? Oh, I do not need to tell you, you all know. Shopping. Shopping the DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING. Well, 'DID YOU EVER?'

Well, I hadn't. Never before, have I heard of a joyous day, such as the day after Thanksgiving .... referred to as Black Friday. As a matter of fact, the only time I had ever heard a day referred to previously, as BLACK, was when someone died on that particular day and a family member would refer to that day as a BLACK day.....and to think the advertising world was using the day after Thanksgiving, just hours after families spent together at the dining room table, enjoying, turkey, stuffing and all the trimmings, maybe fun in front of the TV watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade, followed by the football game, and on a nice day, even walks around the block together, enjoying a game of golf........all to be 'blackened' by the DAY AFTER! Well, 'DID YOU EVER?'

The day after Thanksgiving should be a continuation of the joy of giving thanks for the year! Oh well, if you want to go shopping, get in the mood for upcoming Christmas, letting the women of the house spend hours at the mall while the men are happy to have them out of their hair and can do their thing.........but to call it BLACK FRIDAY. Well, ....you know what! All I can say is, if my profession were in the advertising field, and I was given an opportunity to grade the person, or persons, or organization, or whomever, who thought of Black Friday as descriptive of the day following Thanksgiving, they would have been given a Big, FAT, F+, and possibly shown the door. DID YOU EVER?

DID YOU EVER in your whole life hear of big chain stores, and I mean BIG BIG ones who are refusing to let the Salvation Army Bell Ringers use their entrances for Christmas. Or fast food chains refusing to contribute to local charities? Or even yet, refusing to support our troops over seas, as well as here on the homeland, who stand in fear daily, of losing their lives? Living and dying to protect our country? Or, anyone who claims to be an American refuse to salute our United States flag, or pay homeage to our veterans? DID YOU EVER?

And, while we are on the subject, up comes CHRISTMAS!

DID YOU EVER think that the day would come, in our country, when we would say to someone, 'MERRY CHRISTMAS' and the person to whom this was addressed, especially a store clerk, so directed by their employer, responding with 'Happy Holidays'?.............DID YOU EVER? Well, I never did!

Well, here it comes, DID YOU EVER THINK that I, me, would admit to being a REBEL?????? Well, here it comes! I have reached my limit. Not telling people 'Merry Christmas' is BAH HUMBUG as far as I am concerned, and I will not tolerate it! I just won't!

CHRIST gave us Christmas! That is what we celebrate. Not a holiday so designated and set aside by governmental authority. We celebrate the Birth of Christ! That is what Christmas is all about and Christ will remain in Christmas.

Yes, Christ gave us Christmas, not some high paid executive who wants us to patronize his place of business, pad his pockets and allowing him to overlook the fact that there would be no 'Happy Holidays' were it not for the birth of Christ............. AND If we cannot find Christmas cards which say 'Merry Christmas' on them, we can still use our pen and penmanship, and write 'Merry Christmas' on them, or better yet, find a store that offers cards with those very words on them! That's a solution. We still have that freedom, praise the Lord!

So, yep, this ole gal is gonna REBEL. The day after Thanksgiving is still Second Thanksgiving Day and for many families, Thanksgiving Day itself, and it is NOT going to be Black Friday...............

AND I am going to tell everyone I meet 'MERRY CHRISTMAS', and if they do not respond in the same way, they may find me repeating myself.....just in case they did not hear me the first time. (Ahem)................. I am going to write 'Merry Christmas' on every Christmas card I send out, on every bill, on every piece of correspondence.......you bet! And, even if you never did think I would do that, you are in for a surprise! I think our parents would be proud of our actions, standing up for our heritage, our faith, and our country!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

"Meet everyone with a smile on your face, a "MERRY CHRISTMAS" greeting from your lips and heart...................and help us turn this world around!"

Coming down from a high with all the Christmas hustle and bustle, we find today is the last day of the year 2009? Our thoughts wonder and meander about us. And we have to think, what happened to us this year that we would feel right about passing on to others for the New Year which we will be celebrating this very night?

Anyone who has ever experienced the efforts involved after losing a loved one, and being responsible for disposing of their personal affects would have no problem whatsoever in expressing an opinion on this subject, am sure. But is it always 'personal affects' that are important to 'pass on'? Even though they may hold us to the past, offer comfort in various areas, are neat to display for other family members, I strongly feel they are not the most valuable things that we, as human beings, should hold important. Rather, my personal feelings lean toward sharing of many more various events that can never, ever, be taken from us!

I have been told that LIFE is 10% of what you Make it and 90% of how you TAKE it, so if this is true, we need to decide for ourselves, individually, just what we want to do with this 100% we have. How can we pass it on in a way that we would be comfortable with?

What do we want to pass on? Ah, that is the most important.

I want to pass on to my children the events in their lives that made me happy.....the times they made my life extra special. I want them to know the joy they have given me during my lifetime. I want to pass that on.

I want to share the wondrous treasures with which I have been blessed so that those treasures can continue to give someone else a merry heart, a better attitude of what life has in store for them.

I want to pass on to others the joy that can be found in counting our blessings, celebrating the gift of life and love, of sharing each day so that we know that each new day is a gift from God!

I want to pass on to others that we are most certainly that gift from God, and as a result of receiving that gift it behooves us to smile, laugh, give encouragement, spread as much sunshine as time permits to all we meet!

I want to live my life, without looking back too much so that I do not find myself heading that way, yet remembering the joys that I have received and now have the opportunity to share with those I love and cherish! Yes, this I want to pass on!

The list is endless.....Passing on the opportunity to look and see the blue skies, the beautiful cascading snowflakes, knowing the champions, the faithful, to know that each day is a blessing in itself, knowing when to make the right choice in all we do and say, and above all knowing just when to 'pass on' to others so that they too, can share in the bountiful blessings with which we have been enriched!

So, as the last minutes of 2009 fast tick away, may each and every one of us, find it in our hearts, the opportunity to 'pass on' into a New Year leaving only the most precious of memories to each and everyone who share in our lives and who has made this year one that will live on forever!

CHALLENGE FOR THE NEW YEAR!

THINK OF ALL THE BEAUY STILL AROUND YOU AND BE HAPPY!

'Happy New Year' one and all and may God richly bless you and yours today and all through 2010!