Well, Christmas is officially over.  I just love Christmas.  We had such a good time together as a family.   For the month of December we laid down our "regular" school days and read two of the books in the C.S. Lewis series and discussed the meanings and symbolism of the characters.  We had a great time.  The rest of the month we baked and delivered goodies to our neighbors, went to a rest home with a group of friends and sang Christmas Carols with them.  My oldest played two songs on the piano for them.  A friends 7 yr. old played several tunes as well.  My 10 yr. old played her bells for them.  Another child played a lap harp (never seen one of those before), and one girl decided she would stand up and sing a couple of solos. 

 After "entertaining" the residents we handed out homemade  ornaments to each resident.  My favorite part was when we delivered 5 very special presents wrapped in all the pretty bows and shiny paper and 5 decorated trees to some residents who never get a visit or a gift from family.  Their  reactions  both melted and broke my heart all at the same time. 

The next week we went to see a portion of "The Nutcracker Ballet".  It was absolutely beautiful! I give it "two thumbs up".  My oldest daughter now wants to take dance (wonder where we will fit that in?)  I will  have to commit that to prayer.  She would be a beautiful sugar plum fairy.

My husband has been off since December 20thI love having him at home with us.  The first week we went to see "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe"  we all loved it.  My 7 yr. old hid her face in Daddy's chest during the scene when Aslan was on the stone.  The demon like creatures frightened her.  After that she watched the rest.  I am so glad we read the book before seeing the film.  My husband took each of the kids out to buy for each other and for us.  He does this every year.  It gives him the biggest thrill and of course they love it. 

Christmas was great.  We had family over on Christmas Eve day and sat back that night and watched my all time favorite movie "It's a Wonderful Life".  Then tucked the kids in bed and got busy.  Christmas morning our two youngest woke us up at 5:00.  The older ones got up around 7:30.  We always have a special Christmas morning breakfast which I prepare the night before and bake the next morning.  I enjoy this time with my family.  I always set the table really pretty with our special Christmas dishes and light a candle.  Before eating we read the Christmas Story in Luke 2.  This year we applied the story to our own lives.  Most of us got a lesson about making room for Him in our "inns" every area of our lives.  My youngest was just thankful for His birth and couldn't understand "why they wouldn't make room for Mary, being pregnant and ready to give birth".  WOW the lessons children teach us.    After breakfast we ran to the living room and opened our presents.  Well, we don't just open them up all at once.  My husband loves the "anticipation" of it all.  One of the kids plays Santa and passes out all the presents and we go around the room one at a time opening up one present until they are all unwrapped. 

Everyone was very happy with their gifts. 

This week we have managed to get everything back in it's place.  Tree down, decorations packed away and the house cleaned up.  I did decide to leave one remnant of Christmas out all year.  An angel that my S. S. class bought me this year (my last year teaching).  No one knew but God that I wanted an angel just like this one.  God is soooo personal.  I put her in my foyer she is metal spray painted gold and matches my gold mirror perfectly.  That way I can have a little bit of Christmas all year long. 

I started my blog with the phrase "the new year brings changes for the Peebles famly"  after many years of prayer and waiting on the Lord, we have decided to look for another church home.  After waiting so long for me and my husband to be on the same page, I somehow thought it would be easy to leave.  I am afraid I was wrong.  I have grieved about this decision alot over the Christmas season.  I am still praying for my pastor and church.  It is just hard to leave.  God reminded me this morning that it wouldn't be right for me not to grieve.  That body of believers has been our home and family since 1991.  We have roots there and many good friends.  We will be visiting a new church this Sunday, we feel it is God's perfect timing it being a new year and all. God confirmed it with His word to me this moring in my quiet time, which He woke me up for at 4:45 a.m.  Boy am I glad I didn't sleep through it.

   If you think about us please lift us up in prayer.  He is our Shepherd and He will guide us to the green pasture and lead us to the clean water.  God bless you all this new year.  May you go and bear much fruit.  Fruit that will remain. 

Renee