MERRY CHRISTMAS - DECEMBER 25, 2015

"GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN."

Luke 2:14





MERRY CHRISTMAS,
Jean, David and Family
Elmer, Anna, and Family
Bishop Eli, Emma and Family
Bishop Joseph, Martha and Family
Marilyn

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS - 2015

Drove around taking pictures of Christmas lights.  As I can't drive well at night, I took most of them at sunset except the last one.  Tried to find one with the Nativity, but I couldn't find one this year.

THERE WILL BE A POST TOMORROW.

PIERRE'S "THE BARK" - SANTA LETTER

I got a letter from Santa Claus and also The Official Nice List Certificate.  Lily that is mentioned in the letter,  is my girlfriend.  Lily got these, too.  Santa also sent us a sticker to put in the window asking him to stop here.

I have tried to be a good boy all year long.  Now, I will not be afraid of Santa again after he says that I am good boy and am on his list.  Sure hope he leaves me something for Christmas.

Merry Christmas,
Pierre

ELMER'S HAS GOT SOMETHING TO SAY

Sometimes we get the real Christmas out of view. We get looking at the presents list to see what we have to get for every one.  Of course, everyone has a person we don't know what to make or buy for.  The Christmas cards have to get out.  All the cookies and candy has to be made.  The parties must be attended and more.  Will people like what you have for them?

This is what I think got to Marilyn.  She still has Christmas shopping to do.  Hasn't sent out the Christmas cards.  Didn't get the cookie recipes on here.  Time is passing by.  What shall she do?

I am going to tell you what I told her.  STOP.  Take time to get a nice cup of tea or coffee (like someone said), get comfortable in her recliner, get her Bible and read about Christ's Birth.  I know she knows the Lord.

If the Christmas Cards don't get sent out - does anyone really care?  They will look at them and then toss them in the garbage unless they are like Anna is.  She saves cards from one year to the next and makes Christmas Cards out of the old Christmas Cards.

Try to get your close friends a gift.  It is our way, to give someone a gift. If your friend should not get a gift, would they really be upset?  If they are, they aren't a close friend.  We don't give several gifts for one person.  Sometimes, we buy more than one gift for a child, but not very often.  Anna always makes or buys a few extra gifts.  That way, we have an extra gift if we need one.  She will be out looking around the Monday after Christmas in a store or two.  Also, will be planning for next years Christmas gifts she makes.  Anna never waits until the last minute for Christmas gifts.  She starts making next years gifts after this years Christmas.

Christmas Recipes would have been nice on here this year, but everyone understands.  We will try to do better next year.  Jean, Anna, and Emma are going to start next years recipes this year so we won't have the same problem next year.  Actually, it's really not Marilyn's fault that they are not here.  With the wedding, Jean couldn't do it.  Anna and Emma, had church things come up.  So don't blame Marilyn.  In fact, so far, no one has complained.

Have had people tell me they couldn't give money to charity this time of year.  Christmas should be all year around.  People get food baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  If they are hungry at Thanksgiving time and Christmas time - then they must be hungry all year around.  After the Christmas, we sometimes forget that there still hungry people in the world.  You can give to your charity anytime of year.

Also, if you can't afford a gift for someone, maybe doing something for them can replace it.  Offer to give them a ride, help them clean their home, help plant their spring garden, shovel their snow and more.  People sometimes need more physical help that they need pretty gifts.

I see pins saying: "Jesus, is the reason for the season."  But, Jesus is not just for this season.  He is for all year around - every year around.  He not only was born for us, but He also died for us.

Merry Christmas,
Elmer and Anna

MARILYN'S MESSAGE

I have not been feeling well the last couple of days, so there will not be a post today.  Depending on how I feel, there may be one tomorrow.

I am sorry about this and hope you understand.  I don't think I have ever done this before.

Marilyn

GOD'S CREATURES - BISHOP ELI'S COWS

After Thomas and Ruth's weddings, I took some pictures including cows.  I was about to take some cow pictures and the farmer came by in his truck and asked me what I was doing.  When I explained I was taking pictures for my blog, he asked me not to take pictures of his cows, which I didn't.  Bishop Eli and Emma were in the car with me so Eli said when I got to their farm, to feel free to take pictures of their cows, which I did.

BARN RAISING - BARN FINISHED

Back in July, I took pictures of a barn raising.  Well here is what the barn looks like all finished.