HAPPY 2009!!

This is my last blog for '08 (are you cheering)? Anyways, we are taking part in a destination wedding this weekend and won't be back until the 10th. My niece is getting married on a cruise ship and we are heading to Cozumel on Monday. So here's to you and yours for a most blessed 2009. God's blessings and see you next year!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”- Isaiah 9:6

God bless you all this Christmas! - P.R.

A SPECIAL INVITATION

Just a reminder that you are invited to attend a special Christmas eve candlelight service at the church on the 24th. We will have 2 services - one at 6:30 pm and one at 11:00 pm. So if you are having a meal with your family during the early service, why not come out for the the late service? Likewise, if you have a family gathering that night, why not bring the family to the service at 6:30? Either way, we'd love to have you come out to celebrate the birth of our Lord on Christmas eve. Hope to see you Wednesday night.

WHAT IF......................?

What would have happened if it had been three wise women instead of three wise men?

They would have asked directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, and brought practical gifts.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Did a woman write this?

THUMBS UP!!

I'm not really a movie person - It's hard for me to sit still for that long - however M.L. and I went and saw the movie Fireproof last Saturday night and I would highly recommend it. My son Todd already blogged about it a few weeks back so I won't repeat his words. I will say that it addresses the struggles that husbands and wives have in their marriages and provides ways couples can "fireproof" their relationships. I will suggest that you go see it or order the dvd which will come out in the end of January. We will probably show it at church in the little theatre room. Check out the website to see the movie trailer at http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/.

Have any of you seen it? What are your thoughts? It's interesting to see what others are saying - both those who liked it and those who weren't interested in being "preached at". I'd like to know your opinion.

TUESDAY TEASERS!

As the month continues to fly by I thought I'd just throw out (or up) a few things for you to comment on. (I know, you are not supposed to end a sentence with a preposition). Some of these thoughts are based upon conversations I've had recently, and some, well they're just random.

• Why do we spend so much time decorating and making everything look so nice and pretty when Jesus was born in a cold, drab cave or cattle stall and placed in a feed trough?

• Is the shopping season really worth it when people are willing to trample a man to death just for a "good deal?"

• Personally, (and it's me) I can hardly stomach going into a store after coming back from Mexico. I don't need anything.

• I know this is controversial, but what do you think of "Calling in Gay" Day?

• Do you remember Santa's workshop on ABC in Wichita as a kid? Well, it's back. What I appreciated about it was "Santa" (Henry Harvey) always kept the real meaning of Christmas at the forefront of his show.

• Check out randomshirts.com and click on the turkey leg icon on the right side. Then see if you can find my son Todd standing on his head with a drumstick in his mouth. The first kid to tell me which column and how many rows down will get a prize from P.R.

• Little Brayden went to see Santa - was not a bit happy about it. If I get permission from his mom and dad to show the pic, I'll show you. It's priceless.

• Just a thought - If you look at it in the right light, how can there be any darkness?

See ya - PR

HERE COMES #3 (GRANDCHILD, THAT IS)

Well, the rumor is true, Andrea is with child and is due June 13, 2009. Little Brayden will be welcoming a little brother or sister into the family. What are your bets? A boy or a girl? Odds are it will be a boy. Either way, we just pray for a happy and healthy baby, just like the other two grandkids.

We had a blast with Brayden and Owen this past week. They are really taking on their own personalities. What a blessing they are to us.



Little Owen is really getting around, crawling here and there, pulling himself up on anything that will support him. He'll be walking in no time.

Brayden loves his toys and loves to show them off to us. He is walking and running all over the place, definitely keeping his mom and dad hopping. Wait til his little brother (or sister) is born - whew!!