Shared with me from Rosalie

Letter from Jesus about Christmas:

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking my name out of the season.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate my birth, LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

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Now, having said, that let me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of santas and snowmen and put a small nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all believers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

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Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree "a holiday tree", instead of a Christmas tree. It was me who made all trees. You can remember me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

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If you want to give me a present in remembrance of my birth, here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

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1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way my birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell me all the time.

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2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

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3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.

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4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of my birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

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5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

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6.. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

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7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

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8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes my love and Good News to those who have never heard my name.

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9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to your church or a charity which believes in me and they will make the delivery for you.

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10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in my presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

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Don't forget; I am God and can take care of myself. Just love me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember: I LOVE YOU!

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JESUS

Hey, the sun was just here a second ago!

When I came back from the "other" room, it was gone again! I really need the sun, you see, to recharge my batteries, as I am solar powered. Justin told me once that I was a sunflower, I grow toward the sun. If that were the case, I would be substantially taller, I would think. But I still love the premise! Hopefully the sun will reappear at some point, and soon!

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One of my Facebook friends posted a funny status update yesterday, reporting that he had troubles pressure washing at Victory, getting no pressure from his machinery. The problem turned out to not be the machinery at all but rather the hose being plugged with some refuge-seeking lizards who found themselves trapped in the hose. Two the three extricated from the hose did not survive the struggle but after a brief service, Ed was able to commence his project. Makes me wonder if I sold a salvageable pressure washer at the church yard sale....

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Some of my time Monday was spent working on my cards though I was not going to mail them just yet. I like folks to get them closer to the actual holiday but my mail brought a couple already yesterday. One couple wrote that they sent theirs early to let folks know their new address since they moved in September. Okay, they get a pass. I have been checking the mailbox daily, as I usually do the first week of the month as I watch for my check to come but have promised to continue being vigilant as the mailman struggles to load the mail into the seemingly tiny box. Again he had to use the parcel box for me as I had a package arrive from Northwestern Publishing House, bringing me two of the three items I had ordered. The very week I ordered something for my mom as a CHRISTmas gift for her, it arrived in her apartment within days! Surprise! I got her the large print edition of the Meditations book and NPH wasted no time in getting it to her.

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Tonight is the CHRISTmas party for the Art Guild and I am so not wanting to go. For starters, it is a costume party which is an immediate turn-off to me, because that flies in the face of what we should be celebrating. Martie is not feeling well and likely won't be able to go plus my heart is just not in it. I had so much fun last night at the Ladies' Group party that tonight's would be too hard an act to follow! So, at this writing, it is unlikely I will be attending the party tonight. Neither Martie nor I bought advanced tickets so it will not be loss for us. The tickets are sold "per couple" and usually she is my date and I, hers!

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Our party at Judy's last night was just a hoot with it really kicking into high gear when Janet arrived. She brought Jackie and Renee with her, let the fun begin. Kathy B. came a bit late, too, as she had another party to attend first. The gift exchange is the most fun with the Chinese fire drill rotation of presents, snitching, getting the present back, grabbing someone else-----chaos! The gloves come off and no more Mr. Nice Guy, with even the older ladies getting into the mix. Such laughter ensued! One mom/daughter team came and when the mom, Sue, opened her present, she oohed and aahed over it a bit before her daughter leaned over to whisper, "That's what you brought...." Cue the towels for us to sit on! Later in the swap, the daughter, Kristin, snitched a gift away from her mom and when Sue realized what happened, she hauled off and smacked her daughter on the arm, which brought down the house. Kristin later lost custody of the gift entirely so neither of them ended up with it. Great fun, great food, great friends, great celebration! "Hark, the herald angels sing glory to our newborn King"!

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While we were partying and having a fun time, the Council and Elders were meeting to discuss the budget and other church matters. Hardly seems fair, does it? Hey, they could have their own party, right? I am going to have one in January when the new people come on Board to thank the old and welcome the new faces serving our members and the Lord. An Epiphany party! What a great idea I just had...wonder what they could bring for gifts???? Gold would be good...

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One comical thing happened at the party when we took a little break for some business discussion. Judy brought up the reception for following the preschool/kindergarten program next week, for which I am Chair, and wondered if "we" should get organized for that. I told them the plans I had made so far and she volunteered tablecloths, plates, napkins, her punch bowl and the contents for it.....and made a plan for us to meet to set up the tables to make them user friendly. Well, good then! Aren't I something? I was going to have a cheesy reception and now it blossomed into a more grand affair! My biggest job is the gift bags I am making up (make a note, Kim---go shopping today!) for the little ones to take home. I had not really considered setting up or dressing up tables at all, but that's fine, the more help, the merrier! I just want the families to be warm and welcome, and this plan will make that so!

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I was hoping Martie could come help me with the bag assembly on Wednesday, as that is our usual day to get together, but now that she is not feeling well, this might not happen. If she is still ailing, she cannot come but if she is feeling better, she may need to work to make up for any she misses. It is not a huge job, but is something we like to do that I was saving for such a day. No more waiting now, I guess, as the deadline approaches.

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Before I went to the party, my cousin from WI called with some follow-up info regarding my sis-in-law, Sharon, for whom she is caregiver. Rochelle is retiring at the end of the year (hey, that's now!) but said she will stay on as Sharon's caregiver and if Rochelle does not mind....Anyway, there had been some question regarding the POA and other official business regarding Sharon's care which needed to be resolved and when I asked Rochelle about it, she said she still waiting to hear from someone. When I hung up with her, I called Harvey in Green Bay, who takes care of all of Arno's business. Evidently Nancy has all the paperwork for Sharon, which is good to know. Now, it just needs to be sent or delivered to the Home, entered into their files and at the doctor's offices. It was great to talk to him since I missed seeing him this visit due to our schedules and his bowling. He assured me that he would contact Nancy about the paperwork before he sat down to to watch the football game. Go Pack Go!

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My family and friends in WI are facing a big snowstorm this week and I pray all get to work/school and home again safely. It was my great pleasure to watch the Packers play last night when I got home from the party and win! Bravo! A few shots of the stands showed a couple guys with their shirts off which Lynn and I learned the hard way is not a good idea....just teasing! The announcing team had good things to say about Green Bay and its state, which made me feel all tingly, as they have a genuine affection for Lambeau Field and its players and fans. Even those without shirts!