Why I love Christmas...

The pictures below show the over the top way we decorate at our house for Christmas. When Pete and I first were talking about getting married twenty some years ago, I remember telling him that I love Christmas decorations and have lots of them. Could he live with that? He said yes, I said yes and the rest is history.

54+ tubs of decorations have to be moved from the attic. This portion of the decorating program has gotten so much easier since the installation this past summer of the pull down stairs in the garage. (Thank you Pete and Chris!) Then the decorating begins. In two days or so the house turns into this cool Christmasy cottage and I love it. We had four or five different gatherings of friends here this year including one with many of our Jewish neighbors. I love hearing oohs and aahs and laughs about what is displayed. But what I love most is the fact that God sent his Son in the form of a little precious baby to bring us all to Him. Yes, I know snowmen and Santas don't really have anything to do with Jesus' birth but in my little brain, every bit of decoration is a thank you to Him.

And this new year has had a rocky start. Those decorations gave me comfort as I prayed through many nights. And the taking down of the decorations? It was a work-celebration of love as some of my dearest friends who came over and helped us put everything away in one Saturday morning! I love these women and their unwavering hearts. And so this new year is starting at a low point but is moving upward. All the thanks goes to Him...And that is why I love Christmas!

Peace that surpasses all understanding...

I have been away from my blog since Christmas. Facebook fills a gap, but more for information and checking in than anything else.

These last 10 days have been hard ones, really hard ones. In many ways I should be in a state of utter dejection, worry and chaos. But the God of compassion and love has continued to show the way. For no other reason than God, I have a sense of peace... one that truly surpasses my human understanding. I ask for prayer, prayer for this family and many others who are in hard times right now. I am praying for your peace, too.