Merry Christmas Eve Morning

Merry Christmas Eve Morning. :)

We are enjoying a lazy morning together. Chloe is playing Wii and Chad and Emma are playing with Paddington. I'm working on a cup of coffee and cleaning out e-mails from the last few days.

I'm looking forward to being with family later in the weekend and then the arrival of more family next week.

It's going to be a busy week! Chad's shoulder surgery is Tuesday and out of town family arrives Wednesday. I won't lie I'm a little nervous about so much activity in this house with this particular patient, but we'll make it. After yesterday, I'm just thankful we have family that can come visit.

Some friends in Chattanooga can't say that this morning and my heart hurts for them. Death is hard anytime, but at Christmas time it just seems to sting a little more.

I woke up extra early this morning and stared at the ceiling. Thinking of our friends and praying that God, who IS peace would comfort them in huge ways today. As I was praying, I couldn't help but think about several other families we know who are experiencing their first Christmas without a loved one. In particular, the family up the street. The girls and I got to know this couple and their children and grandchildren at the pool this summer.

The sweet wife was fighting cancer but she was LIVING every single minute. She put on her beautiful sun hat and jumped in the pool with her grandchildren. Her family constantly watching her, asking her if she was tired, did she need to go in...but she would smile and say I'm okay.

As we drove in the neighborhood a few nights ago, I saw this husband, standing in his window looking at his beautiful Christmas tree. Alone. My heart ached.

We are so blessed. Yes, we are still in a tight season financially, but God has been faithful and good. He is still in control and I believe with all my heart that I can trust Him.

It makes me so sad that so many Christians measure the "greatness" of their Christmas holiday by the number of gifts under the tree OR the amount of money spent. (Spent personally, or spent ON them.)

This year, we are having a blessed or GREAT Christmas because each person that lives in this house knows Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. What else can a parent ask for?

We are blessed this year to see each and every member of our extended family during Christmas/New Years Week. (Granted, Chad won't remember next week, but I'll take plenty of pictures!)

We are blessed to have TODAY. Today, Christmas Eve 2009 will be spent together. We will worship this afternoon with our church family and then come home to read the Christmas story, eat a non-traditional Christmas eve meal and then....

If I can talk the man into it we will take a drive to see Christmas lights. My ALL TIME FAVORITE THING TO DO ON CHRISTMAS EVE!

I pray today that you my sweet blogging friends are experiencing the Prince of Peace, the Wonderful Counselor, the Everlasting Father like never before. He is good and you can trust Him, I promise.

Merry Christmas,
stephanie