Think I'll sit down here for a bit... (13)

[ctay]

Got home from the mountains last night, didn't sleep good there, got home, thought I'd sleep last night still didn't sleep good, been pushing myself all day to do something. We had a good time though, took the granddaughters with us. They loved the hot tub

 

[Lupinus]

Congrats!

 

[ctay]

Ok where is everyone? Sure has been quiet in this thread. Hope everyone is doing well.

 

[ctay]

Good evening

 

[ctay]

My son totaled his truck this morning, turned it over and smashed the top in, came out without a scratch, the Lord sure was with him this morning.

 

[Archaenfel]

Our pastor has invited an Army recruiter into the Sanctuary. After the service he was in the Narthex, making dog tags for all the kids. This is going to be going on for the next month - one service after another. He'll probably finish with the Marines, under the philosophy of 'saving the best for last'.

( He's a retired Marine. )

I like our pastor - his sermons are scriptural, his manner is friendly, and he's been really helpful with our Cub Scout pack. For these reasons I will remain quiet and seek to be friendly, but I really don't like the periodic recruitment drive.

My son is my only son. We finally had the good news after 1-1/2 years of trying, and we haven't been able to have another child since. My wife's brothers were both in the Marines - an experience which did not improve either of them. I feel our government is far too casual in its use of the military, and I do not wish to bury my child.

 

[QuiltAngel]

My kid was safer in Iraq than he is here at home. More young people die on our roads than they do in the wars going on. Also, if one expects the military to improve a person, some improve or likely mature and some don't. I suspect that in life, they would turn out the same way though.

That being said, I agree with you about the recruiting type activities at church.

 

[LilLamb219]

Happy Sunday to all! Anyone gone Christmas shopping yet?

 

[Archaenfel]

What Christmas shopping? With my salary, I'll be happy to keep food on the table this year.

 

[LilLamb219]

What Christmas shopping? With my salary, I'll be happy to keep food on the table this year.

I'm sorry to hear that. Have you signed up for any food pantry places or even the Angel Tree projects that stores and churches do?

 

[CaliforniaJosiah]

Happy Sunday to all! Anyone gone Christmas shopping yet?

I don't have a very long list, but actually, I'm mostly done.

I do all my shopping online, so I don't really "GO" shopping....

In addition to people, I also gift several charities. There is a pro-life "crisis pregnancy center" I volunteered at when I was in high school, I give them $100 or more every year. I'm a pretty active BSA supporter, and I sent them $100. every Christmas. There's a food bank here that does really good work. There's about 6-7 things like that.

My congregation here does not give the pastor a Christmas gift (SHOCKING! UNHEARD OF!) They do a nice bit in October for Pastor Appreciation Month (and that's good), but nothing for Christmas. Last year, I found out that he and his wife have a fave restaurant and I gave them a $100. gift card for it (totally secretly), I'll do that again. Those things I usually don't do until shortly before Christmas.



.

 

[Aibrean]

We are getting gifts for immediate family and limited to $20 a person.

 

[Lupinus]

We are getting gifts for immediate family and limited to $20 a person.

Same here basically. Gifts going to immediate family only, small home made candles to people further out on the family tree that will be at family gatherings.

Oh, and pictures. I'm fairly certain my Grandmother would drive the ten hours down here just to whack me if I go another year without getting her updated pictures

 

[Aibrean]

We went to a dinner party held at the pastor's house for the staff where Devon works (our sister church). You know you are surrounded by Lutherans when the amount of beer/wine is equal to the amount of food.

 

[neen1]

I've been looking at the previews of the "Black Friday" sale ads and I'm not seeing too much I need to go out for this year. maybe the $8 jeans at Wal-mart for my sons,but other than that, there isn't too much. We are going to Florida after Christmas this year, so we wont do alot of gifts for the kids.

One thing I have noticed that most Black Friday sales are not starting at midnight or earlier on Thanksgiving Day!! I think that's just crazy!!

 

[DaRev]

I am anticipating a wonderful Christmas this year!! The gifts are only a small part of it.

 

[alexnbethmom]

I am anticipating a wonderful Christmas this year!! The gifts are only a small part of it.

me too - but i already got my gift....

 

[ctay]

Just getting gifts for immediate family, I hadn't done the black friday sales in years, its just to crazy at those sales and not to much I'd want from them.

 

[omajoy]

Hello, dear friends! After a 4 month hiatus, I've decided to come back to TCL. Yep, it's me - formerly known as seajoy (CF didn't like my old name and password, I guess. So I got a new name). I'm going to be an oma in about 3 weeks or so, and I'm pretty joyous about it - thus the new name. It is my son's wife who is due shortly, and the Lord is blessing us with another grandchild in May. Our daughter is now pregnant too. So much fun.

I have missed you all very much, but needed the break. I feel refreshed and ready for some wonderful Lutheran conversation. I am friends with several of you on fb, so I know that DaRev and a&bmom got married.....any other exciting stuff happen out there in TCL Land? I really look forward to hearing about all of you, and I would guess that there are new people here too. I have not been lurking, so I don't know at all what has been going on.

God's blessings and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. It's good to be back.

 

[Searching_for_Christ]

I'm not planning on doing too much gifts this Christmas. I'm actually more than content with a small bit of gifts this year. I'm going to be getting a Lutheran Study bible tho

I'm actually VERY MUCH looking forward to a Christmas service I'm going to love it.