Christmas 07

MERRY CHRISTMAS! We celebrated Christmas last night at church with our traditional Christmas Eve Services. We had two, one that was overflowing and one that was about 60 of seating capacity... It was a great service....simple and a really good balance of young and old. It just seemed right this year all the way around... I especially liked us getting the young kids on the stage to hear THE STORY. Aaron(our children's minister) did a great job with that.

Someone said "Next year, we will only have one service, right?" I said, "No way... we will need too." Our new building on North Garnett is about 30-45 days from being done..and there will be twice the seating capacity... but new people will come, and I pray that we will be overflowing in both services as we strive to tell people about Christ and the real meaning of Christmas.

With Nathaniel and Lizzie in town, we ate dinner and then opened gifts. I was pretty wiped out from 4 services in 36 hours, but managed to stay in the game for the evening. This time next year it will be Christmas with a grandchild. How cool is that! They will be fabulous parents... Their world is about to be rocked big time... what fun! I am thankful that they are close to us ( 100 miles.)

We miss James and Lydia, but know that God is blessing them in Joliet. It helps knowing that they are serving Christ there, making a difference with so many people. We hear that they are such a blessing to many. The Crossroads Church is doing so well, and the leadership of Matt and Janice ( James' brother and sister in law) and James and Lydia has been so influential on many people.

It is hard to be away... and this Christmas it double tough for them . It is the first "away" Christmas for both of them, along with dealing with the death of James' mother at Thanksgiving. However, Vicki gets a front row seat at the throne of Jesus this Christmas. She is praising God, hands raised, probably doing a little dance along the way... The kids have done so well through this... their character has shined through in a such a good way through this time.

Today... well I am playing my new Eagles album. WOW! what great stuff... We are getting ready for dinner and then Liz and Nathaniel will head back to Fayetteville.

It is has been really good having Joel and Abigial here as well... I love all our kids and what they bring to our lives in a special way. Abigail just finished her first semester at Ozark. I will brag a bit. She finished the semester with a 3.56 GPA, and that was on top of playing College Volleyball. The best part? She loves her classes and I can see how God is shaping her more and more into a Godly woman.
I am so happy for her. Where did my little Abigail go?

Joel is still on the job search. This has been a real patience building time for him. He is closing in on something that he is really excited about. He should know the end of the next week. Pray for him... and for his continued trust in God to provide for him. He has been working about 25 hours a week at the club and doing a bang up job there. They will hate to lose him there. What a great kid. ( He is not a kid anymore... :)

On top of all that is a special gift that came to our friends Danny and Pam Stout. Danny has been on the list for a liver tansplant for several years. Along the way, he has really battled for his health. Earlier this week he found out he was up to #3on the list. Then on Christmas Eve he moved to #1. Last night Pam and I prayed with Matt and Steph ( Danny's Daughter) that God would provide in his time. Less than 20 minutes later Danny got the call from OKC. "Be there in 4 hours!" And they were off... He went into surgery at 3 or so this morning and as of 10, he was out, with a functioning liver!

What a Christmas gift!!!! I know it is bittersweet, because there is another family on the other end who is probably struggling with the loss of a loved one on Christmas. So we pray for them although we probably will never know who that is.

We are so thankful for Christ, and his willing sacrifice for us. And we celebrate his sacrifice all year long. What a blessing!

Hope you had a wonderful time with your family this Christmas. And I hope that deep in your soul you know that you are loved by a God who is Creator, and a Savior who willingly came to pay the price for your sins... at just the right time.

Blessings

Charlie