The Snowmen Have Arrived

My house has been invaded by little "snowmen". I love little stuffed snowmen and each year it seems a new one appears in the house. They are the closest I will get to real snowmen as it very seldom snows here in NE Tennessee. But I don't have to worry about them melting.

Today sure looked like winter but thankfully it wasn't very cold. Just misty rain all day and overcast. I think the sun is supposed to come out tomorrow.

I had a very special day today as I "met" a new member of my friend Susan's family. They have a new foster child and he was placed in their home when he was 24 hours old and they have had him about 10 days now. He is so adorable and so tiny. I held him for quite some time today - only weighs 6 lb. and I didn't want to let him go. Their two little girls just love him and he is in such a loving home. He is definitely a very special gift from God and I pray God will watch over him and keep him safe. And I am looking forward to spoiling him and his sisters - they are all so precious and I love being their "Aunt Deb".

"Lord, thank you for the new baby in Susan and Thom's life. He is such a precious gift from You. Give them wisdom and strength each day as they love and nurture this precious baby. Watch over him and his sisters and keep them safe. Guide Susan and Thom as they teach the children of Your precious love and how to walk with You. And Lord, thank You for the friendship Susan and I share - you have blessed our lives greatly and we love YOU!! Amen."

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK LIKE CHRISTMAS

"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!!!" December is here and Christmas is on the way. We usually don't do any decorating but this year I just wanted to get some "yard art". So off to Wal-Mart we went and we now have one big spiral light tree and two little baby spiral light trees. And we put garland on our porch and hung some BIG ornaments on the porch. Then we are going to get some red bows to put on the porch. AND I have all my little "Snowmen" out in the house. I have several sitting around. And that is the extent of our Christmas decorations. We don't usually put up a tree inside and this year we are not exchanging gifts with each other so we are not going to do any more decorating.

I am kind of hoping we get a little snow this year. Not a lot but just a little. We haven't had snow in a couple years. I don't want any blizzards but snow can be so pretty. Sometimes I kind of miss it. And we definitely need some moisture in this area. If we don't get snow, we sure could use the rain.

The Christmas season brings out two emotions in me - the first is my dislike of crowds and people being rude when shopping. I dislike going to malls, stores, etc. during the Christmas season. People should be happy, kind, loving - but instead they are pushy, demanding, and hateful. Something is definitely wrong with that picture. So I try to stay away from any kind of shopping after Thanksgiving. All my shopping is done.

The second emotion is just the opposite - I LOVE CHRISTMAS because I LOVE to GIVE. I wish I could give something to everyone I know. I love showering my friends and family with gifts - gifts I have picked out or made JUST for them. I love seeing their faces or hearing their happiness when they open their gifts. That is the best gift for me!!!

I am praying that this will be a very happy Christmas for everyone I know. I know there are some who are going through tough times but Christmas is the celebration of Christ's birth. Jesus who is our Savior and who came here to be OUR GIFT for eternity - giving us the gift of salvation to be with Him forever. That is what Christmas is all about - HIS LOVE FOR US!!!