Winter: Welcome to the Shortest Day

Finally it is officially winter, although it has felt like it for a while, now. We acquired this droll little snowman, a metal stand up sign, at the Compton Heights bazaar. We have no idea who donated him, but a label on the back indicates he may have been purchased at a shop in Branson. However he has traveled, we are glad to have him on our porch to welcome winter visitors!

We had an eventful weekend. On Monday, Doug e-mailed us that he would be arriving from Florida by plane on Friday night, while Matt would drive with Sam and get here on Sunday evening. So we met his plane and he spent two nights and days with us. We had a great visit with him. The three of us attended the American Chamber Chorale's Christmas concert in Chesterfield on Saturday night, and we all went to church yesterday. Matt arrived safely last evening and the three of them are now ensconced at Matt's parents' home in Edwardsville for a two-week stay in the area. Their dance card is just about full but we expect to see them again a couple of times before they go home.

Last evening Norm and I enjoyed a relaxing time at the open house that our pastor gives each year. After we got home, we sat down and opened all the Christmas cards and read all of the Holiday letters we have received so far this year. Now it's time for us to start composing our own holiday letter to send out by New Year's. This evening we are looking forward to finally getting together with our friends Mike and Sandy for a dinner out. (Nice not to have to cook...:) We hear that Heather and baby, as well as John, will be in town for the holidays and we hope we get to see them while they are here.

Our thoughts are turning to those who are struggling to be well this holiday: our friend Nancy, doing rehab in Kansas City; Norm's cousin Joe's wife Elaine, enduring some grueling radiation treatments in Tulsa; our church friend Royce, fighting off a new infection in his foot; our church friend Janice, on chemo; as well as all their families and friends caring for them. May the Christ we will soon celebrate as having been born in Bethlehem bring healing and peace to them!