Christmas Memories

I have a house full right now and it is wonderful. There were 8 children playing in my yard this afternoon. We have "dress up", football, swords, bikes, wagons and you name it. We have had laughter and card games with some driving around looking at Christmas lights while the children sang loudly. I know that God loves to see families give and receive His love. I know that He wants us to look to Him and honor him as the giver of all good gifts. I know that He loves all the effort we put into the baking, wrapping and serving each other as well as those who have less than the best circumstances. I have talked to you before about the powerful tool of being THANKFUL. It is always easier to remember what is missing, what was better before this problem or that problem, what hurts, what isn't with us (Billy). I think God mostly appreciates when we are thankful even when we don't think that we have much to be thankful for. I am thankful for Billy's wonderful faith in Jesus and how he read the Nativity Story to the children. I am thankful for all the funny games he had us play on Christmas Eve. Ask Richard to tell how he riped open the box in the box in the box and consequently destroyed the check with his name on it. But, I must tell you with tears that I really am thankful that he is spending Christmas with Jesus and that he is praying for us and encouraging us to look forward to the time we will all be together again. I want to encourage everyone to remember that you are blessed because someone is praying for you.