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Big News!

Nathaniel and Abby Are Engaged

Saturday, December 25

Sharing the good news on Christmas morning

There will be a summer wedding

I had a feeling something was up when they wanted everyone to come to the kitchen.

Love this picture. I captured it just after Mark congratulated them and hugged Abby.

Cerwin, Me, Abby, Nathaniel, Diane, and Mark (Diane is our daughter and Abby’s mom).

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This will be a new experience for us – our first grandchild to get married – and we are very pleased to welcome Nathaniel into our family.

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You’re my God, and I thank you. O my God, I lift high your praise. Thank God—he’s so good. His love never quits!

Psalm 118:29 (The Message)

The Snow That Didn’t Amount To Much

But, Oh, the Wind!

Monday, December 27

 On Sunday evening we had a dusting of snow, and by predictions could have three to five inches by morning.

But by appearances in the morning, I  don’t think it snowed at all overnight.

There was just enough snow to notice footprints of critters that had been near our house over night. This print is probably that of a cat.

There were lots of little bird tracks near the bird feeders – mostly from early this morning when they came looking for breakfast.

And because there are lots of humans in our house right now, there were people tracks in the driveway.

Though we didn’t get much snow, we could hear the wind howling around the house all day long – making us thankful for a nice warm place to live with lots of activity going on in preparation for our family Christmas supper.

If you live wide-eyed in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. Keep your eyes open, your lamp burning, so you don’t get musty and murky. Keep your life as well-lighted as your best-lighted room.

Luke 11:34-36 (The Message)

Christmas Day With Our Family

Part 2

Saturday, December 24

Looking toward the back of the garage

Following our meal (for forty-four) Diana arranged the gifts for our Now-You-Have-It-Now-You-Don’t game. Jana (pink) is handing out two numbers to every person.

Jared looks like he is thinking, “What could be in this box?”

When you snap a photo without warning, the results can be interesting. Is Jeff (left) getting up or sitting down. Is Elizabeth (center) putting a package down or picking it up. Why does Velda have her hand across her face? Is Elvin (right) praying or looking at his two numbers?

Nathan and Jana sure look serious – but Deb seems happy. Kristen and Jere are also a bit serious. Something has Diane’s attention.

Nathan watching Jordan open his package.

Look what I got!

It came with this Harley cup and bag of coffee.

So what do you think, could I make a biker? I gave the headband to Roy – from whom I stole the gift when playing the game. It was an open gift so I knew what I was getting.

Hezekiah got a box of goodies.

Peyton helping her grandma Pat open a package.

Next she helped her dad (Jakey) open his box.

Crystal (her momma) had to move her head out of the way so Peyton didn’t hit her face with the paper.

Next Peyton helped Dorretta open the package she had chosen during the game.

Don and Nathaniel visiting. Jeremy, Shtefan, and Justin in the background.

A wide view of the garage end of the family “circle”.

Justin with his mom, Dorretta.

Diana, Josh, and Roy

Only when I focused on the manger scene on the shelf did I notice that three people were storing their cups there.

Nathaniel and Abby

Chris

Peyton decided to sample an orange – peel and all!

Oh, that didn’t taste good.

As a matter of fact, it’s terrible!

~~~

It was a fun, family Christmas for us.

~~~

Everything was created through him; nothing—not one thing!—came into being without him. What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by.

John 1:3-4 (The Message)

Christmas Day With Our Family

Part 1

Saturday, December 25

Nathaniel, Cerwin, Abigail, Diane, Elizabeth, Mark, Lydia

The eight Myers arrived from Maine on Christmas Eve. Mark, Diane, Josiah, Hezekiah, and Lydia arrived about 4:00 p.m.

Elizabeth, Hannah, and Abby got here about 1:30 a.m. Christmas morning. Nathaniel lives about a mile and a half away and came on Christmas morning to take Abby to a Christmas brunch for his family.

Elizabeth had a photo book sent here, and was anxious to see the pictures of her mission trip to Thailand, China, and Vietnam.

Our driveway signified that we had visitors on Christmas morning.

It was a fun challenge to find places for this crew to sleep, and keep the garage open for a Christmas party of forty-four people on Christmas night.

Mark & Diane have the guest room. We put four air mattresses in our basement office for the girls (Elizabeth, Hannah, Abby, and Lydia). They have quite a nice suite down there. Hezekiah and Josiah are sleeping on air mattresses in the living room. They like having HD TV in their bedroom. The only room of the house that isn’t being used for the next eight days is Cerwin’s workshop in the basement.

Christmas Brunch

Blueberry and cream cheese stuffed french toast

Venison sausage – grilled by Cerwin

Fresh apple pieces in orange juice

Raspberry Twist for dessert.

Suddenly many other angels came down from heaven and joined in praising God. They said: “Praise God in heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God.”

Luke 2:13-14 (Contemporary English Version)

Christmas Buffet

Bucks-Montgomery Chapter

Saturday, December 18

Cerwin and I always enjoy this annual Christmas brunch at Henning’s Supermarket, Harleysville, Pennsylvania – about an hour and forty-five minutes from our house.

Waiting for the program to begin. Cerwin and I showed the 2010 Truck Rally pictures during the brunch.

Following the meal we enjoyed the talents of Looking Up from Quakertown, Pennsylvania.

Bunny O’Hare sharing a TFC ministry update.

Afterward Bunny and Peg asked me to take pictures for their ministry ID tags.

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This chapter is a great encouragement to the ministry – we call them our cheerleaders.

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She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

Luke 2:7 (New Living Translation)