Christmas pictures

A few pictures from the Christmas celebrations so far:










Mom and Mike watching on














Mammo with her new gift















Dad playing horse with Gregory













Mammo and Morgan















Dad, Ali and me Christmas Eve
















Hank and I














Celebrating Mike's birthday












Some of the damage in Vance's yard








Hank opening his stocking











Ben and Kara!

Christmas in Florida

I just have to say that I am so very blessed with my family. Being so far away in Kentucky I miss out on a lot of the little things that go on around here: my brother's basketball games, Ryan starting school, my cousin's new house, visits with my grandparents. I always love coming home because I know that I am going to be surrounded with lots of people who just love me unconditionally. The great thing about having such a large family is that things are NEVER boring - especially around holidays!!

This particular Christmas has been one of many emotions. There was a sense of something missing as we celebrated last night and this morning with my mom's side of the family. But this year we were without a few loved members. Beverly, Austin and Ellen are serving the Lord faithfully in Albania, MaryGrace is in Vermont and Kate and Derek are still in Arkansas. We got to talk to a few of them on the phone, but it is not the same as having them here in person to hug and joke around with. Also, we were missing the woman who probably loved holidays and family more than anyone else I know, my grandmother. It has been over a year since her Alzheimer's has taken over and we had to place her where she could better, full-time care. We went out to visit with her yesterday - but it was so hard watching the vacant, abandoned look in her eyes. She didn't even recognize my mom this time. Then last night, we experienced the holy act of communion together as a family - one of my favorite traditions. This moment was especially meaningful to me coming off of the semester and particularly the last few weeks that I have. When we got back to Jody's house for the Christmas Eve feast - Ben brought in a sense of joy and excitement as he announced his engagement to Kara!!

Today was all-together different. We started off the morning with the typical child-like Christmas excitement, supressed by trying to be grown-up and cool. =) While opening presents we received a call from my cousin here in town saying that his grandfather (on his mother's side) has passed away last night. Not too long after that, we got a call from my uncle, my dad's brother, saying that his home had been hit by a tornado last night - his backyard was destroyed and the garage severly damaged. Feelings of sorrow for the passing of Dan, and frustration over the damage at Vance's house seemed to be very misplaced on this otherwise joyous day.

This afternoon as I looked around the lunch table, I was amazed at how all the cousins have grown up - we are successful, happy, growing people. What a blessing to be a part of this family!! Then of course, we experienced the joy of celebration - today is my brother's birthday!! As we gathered around him to sing Happy Birthday I remembered that Christmas morning 15 years ago when my mom and dad woke me up to do Santa at 5am so she could get to the hosptial. Now my little brother is not so little and Santa comes a little later in the morning.

So whatever you were feeling today: joyful, sad, lonely, confused, hurt, blessed, content - let us remember the greatest gift and emotion of all - peace. How thankful am I that Christ came as the Peace child - once on that night in a barn, and here recently in my own heart. Merry Christmas.

The Hike

The old rocker slid slowly back and forth on the wooden porch. It was nearly sunset, and he sat back comfortably, with quiet anticipation. She would come, he knew she would. He had been waiting a long time.
















The journey up was long. Rocks in the path stumbled her steps along the way. Sometimes the path was level. It was easy to tell where others had gone before her, footprints imprinted into the mud. The hike was not always hard; in fact, most of the time it was quite lovely. The trees that lined the path were a constant reminder that she was on a path not many choose to take. Some days were quiet, the wind rustling through the leaves blew peace on her journey. Other days, the storms shattered security and the canopy of trees offered little protection. The further up the hill she traveled, the fewer people she met along the way, until one day, she was all alone. It wasn't a frightening thought, hiking this trail alone. Just lonely. And harder. The hill became steeper, and the fog started to set in. A chill set in the air, making it difficult for the lungs to take a deep breath. Her legs were becoming weary, fatigue was setting in. It seemed as though she would never reach the top. There were times she stopped to rest, leaning against an old stump, the wet bark staining her clothes brown. The pack on her back was becoming heavier every day, and she regetted all the little things she had added along the way. Dusk was setting in, and the thought of darkness allowed fear to enter. From the distance she hear an echo throughout the hills..."Fear...not. Take....courage." Fear not. Take courage. She lifted her head.

He said the top of her head crest the hill. That was all he needed to see. The back of the rocker slammed against the wall as he lept from his seat, racing down the path to meet her. She was finally here! Her beloved had made it. All this time, all his anticipation, his pursuing and waiting, was worth it, because she had finally made it home! As he reached out to embrace her, he tossed her pack off, letting the objects that had weighed her down for so long on this journey be released. She was able to stand straight. All it took was one look in his eyes to know she was home, and that he had been waiting for her all this time.

"My beloved. You will never reach the top of the mountain on your own. Stay here with me, until it is time to continue your journey. Rest in my arms. Your journey has been long and hard, but no more. The fear of dark is gone, and the peace in knowing you are home can be in you now. Rest my beloved. Rest."

States

I got this from Ciona's website - and since I LOVE to travel - I thought this would be an easy way to slide back into the blogging world....

Bold the states you've been to, underline the states you've lived in and italicize the state you're in now...
Alabama / Alaska / Arizona / Arkansas / California / Colorado / Connecticut / Delaware / Florida / Georgia / Hawaii / Idaho / Illinois / Indiana / Iowa / Kansas / Kentucky / Louisiana / Maine / Maryland / Massachusetts / Michigan / Minnesota / Mississippi / Missouri / Montana / Nebraska / Nevada / New Hampshire / New Jersey / New Mexico / New York / North Carolina / North Dakota / Ohio / Oklahoma / Oregon / Pennsylvania / Rhode Island / South Carolina / South Dakota / Tennessee / Texas / Utah / Vermont / Virginia / Washington / West Virginia / Wisconsin / Wyoming / Washington D.C. /
Go HERE to have a form generate the HTML for you.