Christmas Preparations

I'm sorry I haven't been posting, or commenting on your posts. We leave soon for Pennsylvania and we've been packing and getting ready. I do hope you all are well.

Last Sunday was the Christmas Concert at church. The Lord has blessed us with phenomenal talent and this production is always packed. This year included the choir and orchestra, drama, narration, and a live nativity. It was really powerful and reminded us of the great sacrifice Christ made in coming to earth.

We had our office staff Christmas Party today. There's a raffle for gifts that each department brings, we play games and sing Christmas songs. It's always so fun and the food is amazing.

This was just the appetizer table

Lunch was ham, scalloped potatoes and veggies

I may not be on here for a while as we finish preparations for our trip. I cannot wait to see everyone, especially those little grandkids. Adelaide turned 3 today and recently wrote her first word by herself: Nana. 💕

From our family to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 

The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

We pray you experience the deep, personal love Christ has for you, as we celebrate His birth. 

Parent Fail

Hello,

We're in the middle of an 'Atmospheric River.' A constant flow of rain coming all the way from the middle of the Pacific. The forecaster said it started almost near Japan. So we're expecting heavy rain for quite a few days which usually leads to river flooding, down trees and power outages. Thankfully we're not in a flood zone and even though we're surrounded by huge evergreen trees, we've never had one fall. Only by God's grace.

December 2022

Beth and I were sitting at the table last week waiting for her bus. We waited and waited but it never came.

Come to find out her eligibility had expired. Every few years we get a large packet in the mail of paperwork to fill out but I guess this year they just sent a small postcard reminder. 

Our fault, we somehow just missed it.

So she's at the table, ready and waiting and I had to tell her she couldn't go. Karaoke day. (I thought about driving her myself but at that time of morning it would have taken an hour or more to get there and I would have had to take the day off work.) I apologized and told her what happened. She just sat there. I apologized again and asked her if I could give her a hug. She nodded. After a couple minutes she picked up her backpack and jacket went back downstairs. I felt horrible!

Plus, she's needed a new phone case so we looked at new cases on-line and she found one of her favorite designs! Chuck ordered it and told her it would be delivered the next day. That was the day her bus never came.

I came home from work and saw the package on the porch. When I brought it to her she was so excited! She opened it and pulled out the new protective covers for my phone and that was it. I asked her if there was anything else in there and she said no. It hadn't come! 😭 She just put the package on the table and went downstairs. She was so sad! Twice in one day! I felt so bad!

We did get an email explaining why the package was late, but I'm not sure it helped.

Well, it's been a week now and we've worked out a plan with DART. We need to get the paperwork done (including a letter from her doctor verifying she is unable to use regular public transportation) by the end of the year and they will continue to pick her up until then. Whew! 

And, her phone case arrived the next day.

All is well again.

Last night she and I made some chocolate chip cookies. She helps with the brown sugar, eggs and mixing. Then she puts some cookies on the tray. 

She's never mastered using an oven, or the stove either. She doesn't like turning the gas burners on but will stir something that is already cooking. She does like to cook, but only with help.

That's about all for now. I hope you have a great week!

The Last Couple of Weeks

Hi friends,

It's been a while. I pray you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I had every intention of getting on here before Thanksgiving but it just never happened.

We got the results from Beth's biopsies, and they were exactly what we were expecting: Scarring Alopecia, or Lichen Planopilaris. The doctor wants to start cortisone injections and will monitor it closely for side effects. If the alopecia is still spreading after the second injection, they'll stop them and reevaluate the treatment plan.

The Sunday before Thanksgiving we began preparing for the biggest event of the year at our church. (It actually began months ago with leaders meetings, building walk-throughs, creating room set up diagrams...) We feed the community a full meal - family style - and after the first group heads home, we reset the tables and do it all again. Then again. At the end of the day we served over 1000 guests, and 500 volunteers.

The dining room ready for guests

Busser/Server stations in all four corners 

Chuck was a table host for two of the seatings, serving the food and initiating conversation.

This was on our church's website

Out in the main foyer we offer family photos, a reception area with snacks, puzzles and games while the guests wait to go to the dining room, we have a clothing bank, and everything is free. 

Being in the custodial department, we spent a few days setting up all the tables and chairs in every area, and we're one of the first groups to arrive Thanksgiving day and the last to leave: unlocking the building, providing coffee for the guests and the volunteers, cleaning bathrooms, emptying trash, wiping up spills, then all the clean up afterward. Monday - Thursday I put in 24 miles. 

On Friday Sharaya and Ally came over and we had our family Thanksgiving. All the usual food, plus ice box pie for dessert. After dinner we played Mexican Train, and video chatted with Diana, Peter, and the kids. It did my heart good to be with family.

The rest of the weekend I spent in my recliner. 😊

Like the rest of you, we're now preparing for Christmas. We'll be in Pennsylvania this year and are planning a day in New York, plus Christmas traditions with Diana's family. 

This morning I removed the garden hoses and covered the outside faucets; I did a load of laundry; I have a stye under my left eyelid that's been bugging me; Allison turns 16 tomorrow; and Beth wants me to take her shopping today. 

Sorry, this doesn't feel like a fun post. Maybe it just seems that way in my head. I think I'm still worn out from the Thanksgiving Outreach so I may go sit in my recliner for a little while. 

I pray you all had an amazing Thanksgiving.