The Season

As this Christmas season approaches, we take the time to sit down and really think about what we are really celebrating. The birth of a Savior - God's son sent to earth to be our Redeemer. Can you imagine what Mary thought when the angel appeared to her to tell her she would be the mother of the Messiah?? How many Jewish women over the decades wondered if it would be one of them? And imagine Mary's wonderment that how could it be her - a young virgin teenager???? But God chooses the most unlikely to to serve His purpose.

Back to Thanksgiving, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner at the hall, all the tables so beautifully decorated, seating usually 12 friends and new friends, people who the hostesses chose to be at their table. Our table consisted of neighbors and friends, hosted by Carole and Jeannie. It was a great time to be together and be thankful of everything God has provided for us. There were about 15 tables in all - people greeting and hugging each other in Christian love.






Thanks to Carole ( with husband Ron) and Jeannie (to Carole's left) for inviting us to share this day with them

More great neighbors

Our table

Other tables - friends visiting

Another group gathering together

Lovely decorations

Sunflowers in November



Our amazing entertainment for the afternoon - Walter has been blind since birth but sings and plays a variety of songs - including very inspiring gospel

We have been busy, keeping up with church activities,  teaching our Monday night bible study on Jeremiah, our work at CHI. Fred and the other guys at CHI have been very busy picking up donations - most to be sold in the thrift store. The store has kept me very busy also, sorting and marking items to be sold and waiting on hopeful buyers, looking for great deals.  And there are many - even we have found some wants and  needs!!!!

Almost everyone has either started or finished putting up their Christmas decorations. We have had ours up for awhile, but not turned on any lights until December 1. It seems strange to have all these decorations, and no snow for them to be reflected on. I do sometimes miss the beautiful snows of NC Wisconsin, but certainly not the cold. Many people have returned  "home" this week - filling up our park.

decorations on our patio

the front of our home - the wreath plays Christmas carols

a lit cross - another treasure found at CHI resale shop

Sally Maloney and I are going to hostess a Christmas table - what were we thinking???  There will be many more people there at this time of year, but it will be fun. We have to decide on who to invite to join us - we may wait to see if there are any "strays" who don't have a table and invite them to join us. Luckily, we have everything we need already for the decorations, plates, etc. I am actually looking forward to it!!! A time to celebrate the birth of a King!!!