A Room at the "Inn"...a recent story in the newspaper caught my attention as I read about the Sioux Falls businessman and owner of the Holiday Inn City Centre downtown that invited 420 "needy" people to a free room in his hotel on Christmas Eve. He also provided the catered meal from the banquet to 800 guests. Then on Christmas morning they were served a warm breakfast and treated to the Christmas message to boot...wow! Imagine how these guests may have felt as some of them had never stayed in a Holiday Inn. Most of these guests live in poverty searching for food and clothing on a daily basis. The goal of their day is survival...pay the bills, feed their children and try to stay warm. What an awesome gift this was to give to these people who must have felt like "queens and kings for a day". What a blessing this must have been and God is still working miracles on Christmas Eve as He did so many years ago...all they needed was a room in the Inn!

Christmas Blessings from our family to yours!

The decorating is finished, as is the shopping for gifts, wrapping the presents, and baking the goodies. The Christmas cards have been sent...and we can relax and enjoy our families. Making memories together is what I enjoy about this week while Celebrating Christ's birth!

I hope this season of Christmas is a very special one for you...making time to share with our families is so important! Enjoy the gifts, the goodies and celebrate this special Season with those you love!

Twas The Night Before Christ...the birth of our Savior Jesus born in a manger sent to die for our sins. The only gift we need to remember this season is the greatest gift of all...Jesus, Lord Emmanuel...God with us!

Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas Season! May the spirit of the Christ child be with you always! Blessings to our friends and family!

You are a gift to us! Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Winter Wonderland in Iowa...when the snow and cold keep us indoors for some family bonding.

This weekend's weather meant we had to clear our schedules and just stay home...it gave us a chance to really share some family time together. Making coffee and cocoa, the fireplace glows, the kids are settled in playing board games and video games. We watch a few movies and laugh together...make some homemade pizza and Christmas goodies...mmm!

A good ole fashioned "snow day" forces us to stay home and relax when we are used to packed schedules and running here and there. Maybe it's time to appreciate our gift of family and cherish these snow days together! Time to pop some popcorn and settle in to watch another movie! Ahhh...snowed in and lovin' it!

Footprints in the sand...sometimes when we go through a difficult time we feel as if we are going through it alone. I have recently spent time with my dear cousins as they watched their mother suffer with cancer. She was freed from her suffering last week and now she has a new home in heaven. We will miss my aunt Ruth but are relieved to know she is no longer in pain. While the family hurts with this loss of dear aunt Ruth...we know she is in a better place where there is no more tears, suffering and sorrow. We know that when we are hurting the most...that is when God carries us...and these footprints in the sand remind us that we'll never walk alone!

Family ties that bind...time to reconnect with my cousins from Illinois. So many great memories of our vacations to Peoria to see our cousins, aunts and uncles. We'd load up the family stationwagon and tavel 560 miles to the east. This was something we always looked forward to as little kids. We'd get to pack our comic books and snacks for the long car ride. We would count down the days until we could pack for the trip out east...it was a week in the summer and a few winter trips for Christmas...and it was always a great time. Family ties...that bind our hearts in love...we are so fortunate to have these memories!

Counting my blessings, name them one by one!
The old hymn reminds us to be grateful for what we sometimes take for granted.

What are you feeling most thankful for today? I reflect on so many good memories and some difficult times over the years...the gift of health, family, friends, freedom, my faith in a loving Savior...so many gifts to cherish...I am blessed!

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on what we have been given..."Count your blessings...name them one by one...count your many blessings see what God has done! Happy Thanksgiving to you!