We spent Christmas with my guardian-parents and family December 10th. What a time! Little kids everywhere! And another on the way. We had a great time of games and laughter. And of course, food (and fattening food). I got the Maxwell Bible- which I love. It was wonderful to see Tim, Dan and Leanne- and spouses and kids. Reminiscing and joking made the weekend memorable.
Our church Christmas program was the 18th. Josh directed it. One little angel was wailing and gnashing teeth prior but he calmed down for the actual play. Another little angel sang "Happy Birthday, Jesus" while her little angel sister tried to assist on the piano. We had a "live" baby Jesus who "no crying he made." Then, of course, a smattering of teens (and some parents who helped the little ones). Everyone did very well with their lines and cues. Our church is so blessed to have these youth and kids.
And we gave our last respects for Grandpa Black. He was such a stalwart of Christian faith. This was by far one of the most beautiful funerals I have been too. Grandma Black is doing well considering the loss. We will all miss him dearly.
The parsonage Christmas morning was quite an affair. The exchange of movies (I got "The Passion..." "The Village" and a couple of PS2 games [hey, I am still a kid at heart with no time to play though]), books (I also received Maxwell's
The Overley Christmas was filled with lots of noise with bigger grandkids everywhere which makes for tons of activity. I got to carve the turkey (my yearly job) and my father-in-law got in trouble snitching pieces. We had a great time updating jobs, solving economic issues and looking at new engagement rings (2 girls are engaged now- Charity [mine] and Elizabeth [Joe & Denise's]).
Charity left yesterday to spend a few days with her future in-laws in Houghton Lake. Josh heads out tomorrow for Grand Rapids and the Wesleyan Youth convention (Logos 05). So Naomi and I get a day or so to breath. Andrew and Charity will be to our place Thursday.
Tomorrow night we will have the Henderson Christmas at my sister's (Alice and Mark). She is always a great host with a big dog (Sherman). I don't get along with big dogs too well but they claim that he's a big baby (with a big bark AND big teeth, I might add). The coffee will be great (Mark's sister owns a coffee chain in Lansing) and so will the reminiscing. It is always good to get with my Dad and siblings.
UPDATE: We had a great time at Alice and Mark's. And yes, their dog Sherman itimidated me again. He is a big baby- with a big bark and big teeth, I might add. Cathy couldn't be there- truck driving to New Jersey. Jason and his wife Joyce, their daughter Rian and new baby son, Zander arrived with Dad. We had a great time of exchange. We got a new clock from Cathy and I have a new sweater. (I preached in it this last Sunday night.) Dad is looking good (just a little bit older). And the ham Alice baked was fabulous! I ate way too much and left no room for pie. Shucks! Maybe I'll do better next year.
And then New Year's Eve. We haven't finalized our plans just yet. But it looks like the wife and I will be on our own. The kids have their own plans already in the works.
UPDATE: The kids did have their own plans- no problem. Naomi and I went up to Jim and Alisha Grays for games, football on t.v. and munchies. Whoever made the chocolate covered peanuts and raisins had better have a good excuse when they face the Lord someday. They were so good it had to be sinful! We rang in the New Year and headed to the door ten minutes later. I guess we are just getting too old to be out late.
Well, I trust that everyone else's holidays are as blessed as mine.
May Jesus' light shine.
Happy Christ-hana-rama-kwan-mas! [I just want to politically correct.]
