*offers Seajoy a nice, hot cup of tea, and puts Ein Feste Burg on the CD changer*
There you go. I hope you feel better soon.
There you go. I hope you feel better soon.
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Think I'll sit down here for a bit...
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Thanks, back/neck a little better today. I love music...good choice! I love tea, as well.
How are you today? What's up for Christmas?
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*settles into the comfy chair with a glass of eggnog, heavy on the "nog"*
Oh, we've been having a wonderful holiday season. We hosted Christmas caroling a week ago Saturday, and half of my church choir was there. Most of my neighbors were shocked. We're in a very multi-ethnic suburban area, and I don't think a lot of them have ever heard carolers before. It was SO much fun to sing the traditional carols, in two and three-part harmony, and to introduce our five-year-old to this wonderful Christmas tradition. (Plus our church is only a few blocks away, so it gave us the opportunity to invite folks to visit us some Sunday.) I found some really inexpensive carol books at cbd.com, so now I have 20 of them for next year, too. Three of my pagan friends even came caroling with us! They love the music, even if they don't share our beliefs. It was so nice to have them. Then we hosted a party afterward, with hot mulled wine and hot apple cider, and lots of good food and fellowship.
The Christmas pageant was last Sunday afternoon at church. Gem was so pleased because she got to be an angel this year. Last year she had to be a cow, with "the little kids" who play the animals. *said in the serious tone that only a very put-upon five-year-old can muster*
The script of the play this year was based on The Shepherd's Christmas Story, and it was just beautiful to hear the Incarnation explained and sung by the children. I got shivers.
They had a celebration afterward, and then we headed home to finish cookie baking. We had made six batches of cookies, and needed to get the last ones done before Hunter got home from work. Then we packed cookies into little holiday boxes and walked around the neighborhood, just Hunter and Gem and I, to deliver cookie to our neighbors. It's our chance to share our Christmas joy and to say hello to folks we often just wave to as we drive by (if even that).
God really blessed me in this... our behind-us neighbor, who has a daughter a little younger than Gem and a 13-yo boy, said she was only going to be there until mid-January. She and her husband have been estranged for almost a year, come to find out. She's finally moving out on her own. I was a little shy at hearing this, since I don't know her very well. But I ventured that I would keep her in my prayers, if she didn't mind. Before I knew it she was enveloping me in a hug and thanking me for my prayers. I've already determined that I need to keep in contact with her in the months to come. This is going to be very, very hard for her and her children.
As for the rest of it, the shopping is mostly done, and Gem's having great fun helping me wrap. We've been talking about the poor girls and boys who don't have a home or much food this season, and how much God has blessed us with food and shelter. So she helped pick out some non-perishables to donate to our local food bank.
My in-laws will be hosting Christmas Eve Day dinner fairly early, since my MIL has to be to her church by 7 and I have to be to mine later for evening services. I'll be bringing deserts. Pumpkin pie is a must, as well as either apple or cherry. I brought apple to Thanksgiving so I think I'll make cherry this time. Maybe mincemeat, too, since I love it and I bought a bottle of mincemeat for cookies that never got used.
I'm also making a Philadelphia-style German Butter Cake. My FIL grew up there, and it's a real artery-clogging treat for him and the whole family. Now that his brothers have moved away from Phillie, he doesn't have the excuse to go visit them to get his bakery-made butter cake. *grins* It's a very rich yeast dough, covered by a butter/sugar oozing topping. It's like.. um... butter coffee cake on massive amounts of steroids.
Oh, we've been having a wonderful holiday season. We hosted Christmas caroling a week ago Saturday, and half of my church choir was there. Most of my neighbors were shocked. We're in a very multi-ethnic suburban area, and I don't think a lot of them have ever heard carolers before. It was SO much fun to sing the traditional carols, in two and three-part harmony, and to introduce our five-year-old to this wonderful Christmas tradition. (Plus our church is only a few blocks away, so it gave us the opportunity to invite folks to visit us some Sunday.) I found some really inexpensive carol books at cbd.com, so now I have 20 of them for next year, too. Three of my pagan friends even came caroling with us! They love the music, even if they don't share our beliefs. It was so nice to have them. Then we hosted a party afterward, with hot mulled wine and hot apple cider, and lots of good food and fellowship.
The Christmas pageant was last Sunday afternoon at church. Gem was so pleased because she got to be an angel this year. Last year she had to be a cow, with "the little kids" who play the animals. *said in the serious tone that only a very put-upon five-year-old can muster*
The script of the play this year was based on The Shepherd's Christmas Story, and it was just beautiful to hear the Incarnation explained and sung by the children. I got shivers.
They had a celebration afterward, and then we headed home to finish cookie baking. We had made six batches of cookies, and needed to get the last ones done before Hunter got home from work. Then we packed cookies into little holiday boxes and walked around the neighborhood, just Hunter and Gem and I, to deliver cookie to our neighbors. It's our chance to share our Christmas joy and to say hello to folks we often just wave to as we drive by (if even that).
God really blessed me in this... our behind-us neighbor, who has a daughter a little younger than Gem and a 13-yo boy, said she was only going to be there until mid-January. She and her husband have been estranged for almost a year, come to find out. She's finally moving out on her own. I was a little shy at hearing this, since I don't know her very well. But I ventured that I would keep her in my prayers, if she didn't mind. Before I knew it she was enveloping me in a hug and thanking me for my prayers. I've already determined that I need to keep in contact with her in the months to come. This is going to be very, very hard for her and her children.
As for the rest of it, the shopping is mostly done, and Gem's having great fun helping me wrap. We've been talking about the poor girls and boys who don't have a home or much food this season, and how much God has blessed us with food and shelter. So she helped pick out some non-perishables to donate to our local food bank.
My in-laws will be hosting Christmas Eve Day dinner fairly early, since my MIL has to be to her church by 7 and I have to be to mine later for evening services. I'll be bringing deserts. Pumpkin pie is a must, as well as either apple or cherry. I brought apple to Thanksgiving so I think I'll make cherry this time. Maybe mincemeat, too, since I love it and I bought a bottle of mincemeat for cookies that never got used.
I'm also making a Philadelphia-style German Butter Cake. My FIL grew up there, and it's a real artery-clogging treat for him and the whole family. Now that his brothers have moved away from Phillie, he doesn't have the excuse to go visit them to get his bakery-made butter cake. *grins* It's a very rich yeast dough, covered by a butter/sugar oozing topping. It's like.. um... butter coffee cake on massive amounts of steroids.
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What an eventful Christmas Season for you! Wish I could say the same. The season has come upon me rather quickly. The only decoration in my home this year is a pine scented candle. Outside we do have a sign that says "Keep Christ in Christmas."
I had a not so good autumn, healthwise...and it's really showing this Christmas. My daughter is having Christmas Eve at her house (Christmas Eve Service at their church, WELS), and my husband and I will be alone for Christmas Day, as he is on call for our business. I feel like I need something to do that day to feel needed, and help out someone else. Any suggestions?
We won't be able to go to church Christmas Day, because we will be leaving daughter's house early, and traveling in the morning.
Don't mean this to be a downer for anyone, but I'm just a bit out of it this Christmas. Has this ever happened to anyone else?
I had a not so good autumn, healthwise...and it's really showing this Christmas. My daughter is having Christmas Eve at her house (Christmas Eve Service at their church, WELS), and my husband and I will be alone for Christmas Day, as he is on call for our business. I feel like I need something to do that day to feel needed, and help out someone else. Any suggestions?
We won't be able to go to church Christmas Day, because we will be leaving daughter's house early, and traveling in the morning.
Don't mean this to be a downer for anyone, but I'm just a bit out of it this Christmas. Has this ever happened to anyone else?
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- Nov 28, 2004
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Neat thread. I just found it, must be my eyes are bad! 
I have some catching up to do. 
I have some catching up to do.
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You're right...time to go home and cook the hubby some dinner! Thanks for the reminder...closing up shop for today.
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C.F.W. Walther
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Those types of things are always hard to take around Christmas.
My FIL did not have his surgery today after all, it is now set for tomorrow, so he will be in the hospital for Christmas (if not in heaven...it's cancer).
I feel for folks who don't have the Lord in times of trouble. How do they cope?
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- Nov 28, 2004
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I share in your sadness. I buried my father in law this year, and several friends from church. Its hard, but we have the comfort of knowing where they go.
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Yep, it has happened. Many years ago, as I was preparing Advent services, and Christmas Eve/Day, etc. I realized how much I was giving, but not taking time to enjoy the season, and Advent is my favorite liturgical time of the year.
This year has been slower than normal. I had been teaching two Bible classes on Wednesday night plus Sunday. I needed a break, so it is good to sit an evening or two.... But 2+ weeks ago in our snow storm I fell on my back, and badly bruised my wrist, arem, elbow, and shoulder. I couldn't even pick up a glass of water. Only in the last 2-3 days I have been going without my restraint during the day. I even played guitar tonight for a few minutes.
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Sorry about the fall, filo. Glad to hear you are healing, though.
I like Advent, also, normally. This year is just kinda blah.
It's good that our faith isn't based on our feelings. I'm still just as saved as last Christmas!
I like Advent, also, normally. This year is just kinda blah.
It's good that our faith isn't based on our feelings. I'm still just as saved as last Christmas!
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I hope everything heals up O'k Filo. I tell my Pastor all the time to take a little more time for himself and his family. Have a blessed Christmas my friend.
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I'm just about to bake some Christmas cookies. (peanutbutter blossoms...with the choc. kiss , hubby's favorite!)
Join me later for coffee and cookies!
, hubby's favorite!)Join me later for coffee and cookies!
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C.F.W. Walther
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Sorry you 're hurting filo. Been missing you around here.
I'll pray for you if you pray for me. My wife left me last week and I'm hurtin'.
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ctay
What a wonderful day the Lord has made
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I need to slow down myself. I was at the church saturday morning helping with the children's christmas program practice and the pastor said something about christmas being this coming weekend, I'm like no its not, he's like yes it is, I'm like oops I better go get my christmas shopping done. I'm taking over the braille at church. The plates should be coming any day now but I'll wait until after the holidays to do anything.
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