Merry Christmas...

Short and sweet - Jesus is the Reason for the Season... it is good to remember that as I stack up all the gifts I've wrapped and get ready to head to the mountains to spend the next 2 days with Kenneth's family. There may be a million and one things going on in my head - but none of that matters right now. This is the time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and the gifts he has given to us. When we were little mom would have us take all the Christmas cards from the year before and make a Happy Birthday Jesus banner which we'd put on the wall. There are some years I even remember doing a birthday cake for Jesus and we'd all go around the table and I think say something we were thankful for.

It is wonderful to give and receive and bless each other through gift giving, but I know my focus for this season should be on the eternal gifts that are mine to keep all year round. I am thankful for that reminder and for the Peace it brings me to remember that amidst the chaos of December.

The coming year is going to bring many changes for me, and I am ready for them all, I open my arms wide and I embrace this new year and new beginning and wait with eager anticipation to see what the months will bring, and what the future will hold.

I went to the Christmas Eve Eve service at church tonight, and it was really beautiful and I loved the message as well, and the reminder of our Father being Eternal. That was very powerful for me tonight as I felt the weight of the loss of mom heavy on my heart. Nothing about this Christmas is the same without her, and my heart is heavy as I wish I could lean on her yet again.

I get to see Kent tomorrow too - the days have passed SO quickly! Each day has just been packed full of crossing items off my to-do list, so it went really fast for me. I hope he's been having a great time with his Aunt and I can't wait to see him again!

So good night and Merry Christmas to all, may you find peace this holiday season and be surrounded by those you love the most.