Christmas 2008

Last week

I was able to go see one of my favorite groups in concert with Hannah and Amy.

It got me into the Christmas spirit, and they all had amazing voices.

We all had a great time together!

I got up at the unholy hour of 4:30 this morning, to get to work by 5:45. It was crazy, but I really enjoyed the drive into work. I was able to think back on all the Christmas memories I have had over the years. I owe them all to my parents. Without their willingness to be adventuress and follow the Lord's leading, I would be a different person.

So, follow me down memory lane.

* I was 3 years old when we moved to Hawaii. It was an odd Christmas since it was so warm and completely unChristmas-like.

Me, the one with the short bobbed hair, singing in the kids choir at church for Christmas.

*We owned our 'Christmas Cabin' in EP, CO when I was four and five years old. I remember Dad would leave us in the car to get the heat and fire started in the cabin, and then he would carry Hannah and I in blankets into the living room to keep warm while he and Mom unpacked the car.

Christmas Eve was spent at my Papa's church caroling and eating popcorn balls.

Me and Hannah out front the shed at our cabin

*My favorite Christmas memory of all time was the year that my family lived in Naples, Italy when I was 13 years old. My uncle and cousins visited us over Christmas and we took them throughout all of northern Italy, Austria and Germany. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day was spent in Oberammergau, Germany. We went to a German, Lutheran church for their candle-light Christmas Eve service. That is something I will never forget. Christmas Day was spent cross-country skiing and then eating at a big hotel in town for dinner. It was an amazing trip.

This Christmas, as past Christmases, I am looking forward to celebrating Christ birth, knowing and believing the true meaning of Christmas. I also want to cherish this Christmas with my family. I have no idea what 2009 holds, and where I or we all will be next Christmas.
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"I heard the bells on Christmas day.

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along the unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Till ringing, singing on its way

The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime

of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head

“There is no peace on earth,” I said,

“For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With peace on earth, good will to men.”

--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Merry Christmas!
L.s.R