I just thought I would spend some time and catch you all up since my last post. (This one is for you, Chuck!)
I helped a couple of girl friends with the Christmas Pageant. It was great fun (albeit a little stressful), and we had a great time - we spent all day Saturday before the show working on costumes, and had some great results. I don't have pictures, as I was herding sheep, wise men and trying to keep baby Jesus quiet (yep, we had a live one - Jon David). We are wondering who is going to have the baby for next year...
Christmas Eve service was beautiful. I really enjoy that particular service, watching a child place Jesus in the manger, and thinking about what St. Mary must have been thinking on that night so long ago. Christmas Day was a nice quiet day for Keith and I. I actually came down with a nasty cold on Christmas Eve, so it was nice that we had planned to stay home and enjoy the day by ourselves. Frankly, the month had been so busy with our open house*, the pageant, Christmas, etc. that we were not able to get the trees decorated, or the house cleaned. So, we got up, decorated the trees (yes, we had 3 of them!), cleaned the house, got cleaned up, made our Christmas meal, and had "Christmas" about 4 p.m. It was perfect. I had the day after off, and was able to really just rest and try to get over the cold. (Believe me, I know it doesn't sound nice, but it was for us!)
New Years Eve, we opened the house to anyone who didn't have something else to do that evening. We thought it would end up being 5 or 6 folks. We had 25 people come over and had a great time! We did the countdown at about 10p.m., so those with kids could get them home if they wanted. We played games, drank "Marcia-ritas", and ate lots of good food. (we did this pot-luck, bring a food and beverage and come!) What a great time. It was the first entertaining we have done, and we are planning more. Its nice to have room to have folks over! We spent the rest of the weekend quietly - not doing too much.
Sadly, Marcia moved to California. She is a good friend - someone I could hang out with when there was nothing going on. She was always up for company and/or a shopping trip. We are still in touch, and she has promised to come visit us often. I am sorry that she left, but am happy that she is doing something she loves. (and she gets to leave Memphis, too!) Love you, Marcia!
Since then I have started and almost finished my Managerial Accounting class. It is going well, but the final is making me a little nervous. I also got a new sewing machine, which I love and am working on getting my sewing room organized. I bought a solid core door (do you know how heavy those are????) and painted it a nice soft green to go in the room on saw horses. I have a pegboard that I am going to paint and frame to use to hold tools such on. I have big plans for that room, but it is getting smaller by the minute - so some of them may not work. We'll see. I am hoping that Elise (hint hint) will be coming over soon to help me arrange it, as well as some of the other rooms in the house.
Keith is busy with church stuff. It's amazing how much work there is when you double the size of the congregation! But he enjoys every minute (well, most minutes) of it. He is doing well, and has maintained his weight loss. lucky boy. We are so happy to be here at St. James at this time. We see so much growth - spiritual and size - it is exciting to watch and see where God takes us.
Well, that just about does it. I don't have much more to report. I am taking a trip to Jonesboro, AR on Saturday (it's about 1 1/2 hours away), to visit friends from seminary. Di just had a new baby, and I need to get over there to see him! That and get out of Memphis for a little while. I am looking forward to the trip. Other than that - on to lent, and then the most wonderful season of the Church Calender - Easter! Our Easter Vigil is my most favorite service of all. But we must get through Lent first...can't get to Easter without going through Good Friday.
I hope you are all doing well. I will try to do better keeping this thing updated.
PS: Congrats to my brother David and his wife Rachel who just bought their first home! I'm so happy for you all, and proud of you, too! Kiss that baby for me!
*(FYI: our open house is a breakfast we put together for the church. Because we have gotten so large, we actually had the "open house" in the church hall so we would have room - even the new house is not big enough!)
