Dear Reader:

I have been excitedly waiting ….to show off “Big Red‘….who has produced three beautiful red blooms…just in time for Christmas! No blooms all spring or summer or early fall….and suddenly on Christmas Eve “Big Red” gave me my Christmas present….three of them in fact! I love you “Big Red,” the persevering geranium, since 2008!

Before I give you the link to my story (too long to print on the post)  I want to share with you this last Quinn Caldwell message for Christmas Day.

” Now would be a good time to get comfy, fix a drink of something good, put on some soothing music, turn off all the lights except for the Christmas tree, pull a chair up to the window and look out. 

For a prayer tonight, all you need is your own breath…no more words from me. Well, maybe just three:

Thank you, Amen.

The M&M gals (Marcia and Mollie) made this wreath arrangement….I just love it…don’t you? Now sit back, get comfortable, and enjoy the story.

…….

Why the Elephants Came to the Stable

A Christmas Miracle….Ben got released from the hospital at noon and Lee, Bekah, and Ady put him in the car and headed to Summerville. Overall he really dodged a bullet…the mildest stroke one can have and still call it a stroke…so he was very lucky and is on some blood-thinner medicine.

Everyone was so tired (of course with the exception of Ady) that they fell fast asleep before the church service. Ady and I played outside, sang songs…she even helped me pick up sticks in the garden…we had a great time. Your prayers really came through!

I think the story went over well….I hope it did….my family provided its fair share of loud Christmas joy throughout most of the story…but perked up, as usual, with the candle lighting…the highlight of the service for them.

Then we were all back at the house for homemade soup, club sandwiches , cheese dips and crackers, desserts (including Baklava.) But mostly it was just fun being together….

• I came up with a plan this year to help the older children, Ady, Eva Cate and Rutledge help give out the gifts without total chaos….They were told they had to display kindness by giving out gifts to others, being kind elves, before they could open their Boo stockings. It actually worked well….they loved it.

Ady and Eva Cate…their first Christmas together then and now together again.

While the cat’s away the mouse will play….Rutledge left his truck on the “pew” seat to go down for the children’s story with Harvey so Jakie moved in quite quickly.

Merry Christmas Everyone…May the Joy of this day fill your heart with happiness and bring a little bit of Christmas to you each day of the year!