It's Not Over Yet!

The hustle, the bustle, the can't wait to open another package, is not over. We still have my family Christmas this weekend. 23 people together at Lake Cumberland in Kentucky. A long weekend, 3 nights, 4 days. I wonder how fast the police can make it to the Lake up there. I mean if we should need them. My sister called me today to let me know that her husband and oldest son are going to host a Texas Holdem tournament while we are there. Nothing says Christmas like a poker tourney! I think it will be fun. My biggest dilemma is deciding on the camouflage I will wear to hide my bluff over a high 6 or my excitement over a royal flush (this happens a lot right?). Dark glasses vs. Groucho glasses, Hood vs. Red Hat, etc. I have promised to be on my best behavior and not "cheat". Some of my siblings like to refer to the way I play cards as cheating. I just try and have a little fun. I will keep silent while playing, except for the occasional raise, call, all in, or what in the world did I do that for? This may be the platform I need to get on the Poker Celebrity Tour.

Merry Christmas

"But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them."

Luke 2:19-20

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Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and sing Glory to God in the Highest for sending us a Savior born in a manger.

May God continue to bless each of you

throughout the New Year!

Old Lady, Who Me?

It's happened. I have turned into an old lady! Let's celebrate! Always wondered when this would happen and now I know. I will share with you that it happens at 47. How do I know I have turned into an old lady? I called someone sweetie tonight. They were helping me get my groceries out of my cart. I think they were in a hurry and I wasn't moving fast enough. So they took it on themselves to reach into my cart and start unloading. Hey more power to ya! I'm all for help. So when they finished removing all items from the cart, I rose from the recliner I had sat down in (just kidding) and without a thought or even a pause, I said "Thank you sweetie"! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! My first thought when it came out of my mouth was, "Where did that come from?" and "Who said that?". When I realized it was me, I began to search for ways of retracting my endearment and change it to just thank you. Too late, can't be done. Okay now you must deal with the fact that you will start referring to anyone with the slightest look of youth with terms of endearment. I always hated that. I wanted to tell whomever it was calling me all those cavity forming words to STOP! Now I am that person. I guess next I'll start pinching kids on the cheek!

Rest In Peace

Barbara Jean Reece
December 19, 2005

You were so inspiring
You’re faith was enduring
You’re compassion unending
You’re character alluring

I considered you a friend
You made it so easy
You loved unconditionally
You were never too busy

I’ll miss you so much
I’m sure you never knew
But life here on earth
Won’t be the same without you

My tears will turn to joy
This I am sure
The journey I’ll take
Will be its own cure

I take comfort in knowing
That our Lord was always there
I take comfort in knowing
That our Lord always cared

I watched you til the end
And was very impressed
With the way our Lord
Loved and held and caressed

You are now at peace
This you so deserved
He took your hand and led you
You’re place with Him reserved

Barbara I loved you
And I won’t say goodbye
I’ll see you again
In the Sweet By and By

With love,
Christie Jenkins
December 19, 2005

Girls, Girls, Girls

I have returned home from the "girls" trip. We had a lot of fun. It was my Mom, sister and Aunt. We went to Williamsburg, VA. I am not much for history, but was quite surprised at how much I enjoyed hearing all the history. It was a great place and so much to see and do. We began our trip from my house and I had just received a new gadget called Earthmate. A friend bought it for me, specifically for this trip. I had my laptop and my GPS hooked up and was ready to go. My trip was all planned out and the software was going to let me know all of my turns. Ok, my GPS was not locating satellites and they were all ready to take off. Oh NO, I exclaim, we must wait so I can track our route. Finally after 15 minutes, I had my signal and off we went. This thing even talked to me and eventually I began to talk back. My sister was especially excited, because we could type in Points of Interest along our track and it would tell us every one of them. She typed in Walmart and found that there were more than a few between here and there. I was sure she was going to make us stop at all of them. We did stop at 4. At one point in our trip, our radio stopped working and then our cigarette lighter that was fueling the laptop. We had blown a fuse. I am illiterate when it comes to car things. We decided that we would pull off the route and find a Walmart. My sister was so elated. On the way we spot an Auto Zone and so we pulled into the parking lot. It was 10 minutes before they close. We hurried inside to find two male species that were obviously ready to go home. They informed us that they didn't know a lot about fuses. (Yeah, right) Perhaps we should purchase a variety pack. So my sister keeps them in there to purchase such a thing, while I go out to find out where the fuses are located. I find them and return back in the store to see that my sister had purchased the variety pack and the low down don't count for nothin' employees are announcing that they are locking the door. They leave us in the parking lot not knowing what the heck we are doing. Well we showed them. We replaced that fuse and then along the way had to do it again. We became experts at the replacement of fuses. I will tell you that I had a blonde moment. My sister handed me a fuse and at looking at the number I said "But Cindy I need an 02 fuse and you handed me a 20 fuse". So she took the fuse from me and turned it over and handed it back to me and said, "Will this one do?". Funny, very funny! We stopped at Natural Bridge in Virginia along the way to spend the night and see the magnificent sight. It was pretty awesome. I am glad to be home and start getting ready for Christmas. I'm sure you'll be hearing lots during this time.

Monthly Bible Verse

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5:5)

During this holiday season, there are many that have experienced the loss of a loved one or the distance from family and friends. This brings on feelings of depression and the lack of hope. Jesus lets us know that He is always with us and especially when we are feeling alone. He offers hope. He wraps His loving arms around us and lets us know that we are loved. Call on His name and He will be there. He abides in us. He was born to give us hope, to give us salvation, to bring to us the Holy Spirit. I thank the Lord above for sending His son to us. Thank you for the grace, the love and the hope. Be aware of those around you that may need to know this hope, especially during the Christmas season. Is there a better time to introduce them to hope?