2009 Christmas Greeting

I decided to post our Christmas greeting on the blog because it's impossible to thank all of the people who have carried us through this difficult year.

Cancer touched our family personally and has made for a long year. First, my diagnosis of breast cancer in February, then Rob's Dad passed away just days after learning he had cancer in August. We grieve Bob's absence in our lives, but we are thankful he is in heaven where there is no more suffering.

We have learned to treasure each day as a gift. Birthdays and anniversaries had deeper meaning to us this year.

In June, we celebrated our granddaughter's first birthday with lots of laughter watching her eat her birthday cake by the handfuls.

Rob & I celebrated 18 years of marriage in July. We learned it's true about looking more like your spouse the longer you're together. Rob reminded me on my birthday that "bald was the new blond."

We had the privilege of caring for our granddaughter, Sydney the weekend of Derek & Ali's 2nd wedding anniversary. We understand the meaning of grandchildren; our moments with Sydney are definitely GRAND.

I managed to pull one over on Rob with a surprise party for his BIG 4-0!!! He wore my blonde wig at the party and found out that blondes really do have more fun.

November, Derek's birthday wish came true, the Yankees won the World Series. Erin turned 14 the day before Thanksgiving and is anxious to put her driver's permit to use.

My motto this year has been, "Life is hard, but God is good." Yes, it's been difficult, but God has given us SO MUCH to celebrate and be thankful for. Your love, encouragement and prayers have carried us through. Our hearts are overwhelmed with gratitude. THANK YOU!

We pray you will experience PEACE not as the world gives. (John 14:27)Your HEALTH will be restored and your wounds healed. (Jeremiah 30:17) You will have HOPE because the Lord's compassions are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:21-23)You will have FAITH as small as a mustard seed that can move mountains. (Matthew 17:20) You will have COURAGE because the Lord is with you. (Deuteronomy 31:8)You will grasp how wide, how long, how deep the LOVE of Jesus is for you. (Ephesians 3:18-19)

Merry Christmas!



Emmanuel by Laura Story, C.F. Alexander. A new, favorite Christmas song for me this year. Lyrics below:

Once in royal David's city
stood a lowly cattle shed,
where a mother laid her baby
in a manger bed:

Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child.

Chorus:
Emmanuel
The promise kept
Its longing of my heart for God in flesh
Through this child, all earth is blessed
Emmanuel

He came down to earth from heaven,
who is God and Lord of all,
and his shelter was a stable,
and his cradle was a stall;
with the poor, the scorned, the lowly,
lived on earth our Savior holy.

Bridge:
Our answered prayer
Our faith’s reward
Redemption’s near
Redemption’s here

Alt Chorus:
Emmanuel
We will rejoice
We will worship you, our Savior and our Lord
We will join creation’s voice
Emmanuel