We had Christmas in Chester Va. this year. Nathan and Richard drove down last night, but are going back to Fairfax tonight. We decided not to do gifts this year because of our limited finances, but we had a wonderful time together.
Last night, Christmas Eve, we went out to dinner at The Sagebrush, a local steak and barbecue place. It is the first time that many of our family (5) have gone out to eat together in years. Paul was to go to Ohio to see his son. Pat is in Florida with his family. And none of us know where Sean is.
After we returned from the restaurant we sat around and played Scrabble. It was another thing that we used to do as a family regularly and haven’t done in years. We had so much fun that we played twice more today. As it turned out, each of the “kids” won one game.
I fixed pancakes, bacon and sausage for breakfast. Richard was delighted. He said that he had not had any pancakes in at least a year. For supper I fixed scalloped potatoes, ham, green beans and Watergate salad. Richard went back for seconds! I divided up the leftovers for the boys to take home with them.
We drove out to Karen’s trailer after breakfast so that the boys could see it and the new site.
But most of the day we just sat and talked and laughed over the Scrabble board. It was the best Christmas I have had in years.
Richard agreed that if I could find him a job here that he would move here too. I am looking and praying that he does get a job here with medical benefits.
Tomorrow a young man is supposed to come to put the shed roof on. I hope that we can get it done before it rains. We had such nice warm weather yesterday and today, but it is supposed to rain tomorrow evening.
I feel so very thankful to God for all He has done for my family and for me! It is a wonderful thing to have my family gathered about me. The only thing that could have made it better is to have more of them here.
Though we have each had near brushes with death these past few years, we are all alive and well. God has brought a deeper wisdom and peace into Richard’s life this year. It was wonderful to see the effects on him.
God’s peace be with you all. Not an absence of troubles, but a great peace in the midst of them. May you find joy in God’s love and in fellowship. And may you grow stronger this year in the knowledge of God and His love for you.
