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The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall.

Hosea 14:9 (New Living Translation)

The Nativity

by Our Grandchildren

Monday, December 27

Happy Birthday

To Our Favorite Diane

We Love You

Dad & Mom

Teach me how to live to please you, because you’re my God. Lead me by your blessed Spirit into cleared and level pastureland.

Psalm 143:10 (The Message)

Our Family Christmas Meal

…and how to eat a cupcake by Jesse

Monday, December 27

How is that for a place setting?

Listening to Cerwin welcome everyone

Another result of a unposed photo. Josiah is enjoying his coffee while Hannah and Hezekiah look quite serious, and Lydia is checking out something on the punch table.

I think this is when Cerwin was teasing Nathaniel for announcing January 2 as their wedding date – instead of July 2 – on Christmas night when telling the High family that he and Abby are engaged.

The sick room. Gloria and Ian were banned to the kids room with buckets and waste cans nearby. Jordan was also sick, and only stayed a short time.

Prayer before the meal

Left to right: Jana holding Great-grandma Hershey’s plate, Lydia helping Great-grandma High, and Diana filling Grandma Sauble’s plate.

Clockwise from top: Refrigerator mashed potatoes, ham, turkey, brown butter corn, bread stuffing (or filling – whatever you call it), sweet potato croquet. Center: creamed mixed vegetables.

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How to eat a cupcake by Jesse

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Lick the icing

Take a bite out of the cupcake

Check out the results and smile

If you can’t eat the whole thing, make sure you eat most of the icing.

Lick your fingers

I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world. [Jesus]

John 16:33 (The Message)

Christmas Meal Preparations

Monday, December 27

Chris and Kristen

This year our daughters and daughters-in-law informed me that I only had to prepare the house and provide coffee, mocha punch, juice, and hot apple cider, because they were going to plan and prepare the meal. How nice is that!

It seemed strange at first, because I have always prepared the entire meal, but since I began working for Transport For Christ fulltime in 1990 (after our oldest three were married), November and December became very busy with preparing and mailing newsletters for the staff.

Jere cutting the ham. I think it was the best ham I ever tasted. Earlier in the day Kristen pressed cloves into the ham, and covered it with ginger ale.

Kristen, Deb, Jere, Diane, and Chris – all five food preparers. Several granddaughters prepared cookies and place setting items (see yesterday’s post).

Diane heating her homemade rolls while Chris arranges a fruit tray.

The ham platter is looking good Jere.

Deb finished cutting the ham while Jere took the turkey out of the oven.

The fruit tray looks beautiful and delicious.

Jere called this “drunk turkey” because it was prepared by roasting it in pear schnapps. They also used fresh rosemary. The turkey was placed on a rack and basted on a regular basis. It was yummy and very tender.

They had so much fun preparing the meal that they are hoping I will allow them to do it again next year. I give my permission.  

If you walk around with your nose in the air, you’re going to end up flat on your face, but if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself. [Jesus]

Luke 18:14 (The Message)

Getting Ready For a Christmas Celebration

With Our Children

Monday Evening, December 27

With the eight Myers at our house, there is usually a lineup of shoes inside our garage door. They look especially neat for this picture because I had just arranged them in preparation for many more sets of shoes when our other children and grandchildren arrived. I should have taken a followup picture when shoes were stacked on top of shoes.

Cerwin had taken his mother to a doctor appointment earlier in the afternoon, so she was the first one to arrive. In this photo she is looking at our basketful of Christmas cards and letters.

Several of the children and grandchildren made decorations and place setting names for the tables. There were beautifully decorated cookies, candy, and packets of hot chocolate.

Red and green tablecloths

Lydia made the napkin holders out of red and green felt.

I prepared a mocha punch just as people began arriving for the 5:30 p.m. supper. This is a family favorite.

Recipe for Mocha Punch

6 Cups Water

1/2 Cup Instant Chocolate Mix (I use Nestle Nesquik)

1/2 Cup Sugar

1/4 Cup Instant Coffee Granules

1/2 Gallon Vanilla Ice Cream

1/2 Gallon Chocolate Ice Cream

1 Cup Whipped Cream

Chocolate Curls (Optional)

Bring water to a boil in a large sauce pan (I microwave it 8-10 minutes). Remove from heat and add chocolate mix, sugar, and coffee. Stir until dissolved. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours.

About 20-30 minutes before serving, pour cooled mixture into a punch bowl and add the ice cream. Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate curls if desired. 

VARIATION: Strawberry Punch. Substitute Strawberry Nestle Nesquik and omit coffee. Use 1/2 gallon each of strawberry and vanilla ice cream. Garnish with whipped cream and strawberries.

I love you so much. I do want the very best for you. You make me feel such joy, fill me with such pride. Don’t waver. Stay on track, steady in God.

Philippians 4:1 (The Message)