HANGING ON

Wow, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, as well as a memorable Christmas season. I'm still enjoying this special time of year. Even though I did not find the time to retrieve my favorite creche, I am still enjoying the three nativity sets I managed to have displayed with their white lights. I'm also continuing to have my tree lit in the evenings, as well as any other Christmas-time lighting that never fails to help in rekindling that wonderful, magical Christmas feeling. I may be one of the few individuals who actually has my own little stash of colored lights in a glass brick, that I keep available all year long. In fact, this year those lights finally went out, and I had to shop around to replace them. Not to fear, I was able to purchase half price colored lights yesterday and replaced them last night.

I'm also hanging onto my special music about the mysterious manger birth some two thousand years ago. I'll keep listening to the wonderful Christmas Message channel that Dish offers as long as it's available. I especially enjoy hearing songs from Steven Curtis Chapman. I am going to use my Christmas money to buy a book written by his wife that I recently saw on Wal-Mart's book shelf. It was so painful to hear that this giving family had a tragic accident occur a couple years ago, when their older son accidentally backed over his little sister while driving their family SUV. Why do bad things happen to good people? I believe their story will inspire many. His songs through the years have been such an inspiration to those who hear them. On more than one occasion I have given one of his cd's to friends who have lost children. It was so sad and ironic to know that he and his family were going through the indescribable pain of losing a child. Thankfully, their faith in God was strong, and they have managed to come through these difficult years. I'm looking forward to hearing the family share their story tomorrow on Good Morning America.

Well, I have a mountain of laundry to tackle today. It's not surprising that washing clothes does not make the top of my Christmas activity list this time of the year.

My sister and brother in law wanted to remind me that they saw something in yesterdays paper that made them think of me. Seems that humming can help prevent sinus infections. Evidentally, I hum a lot of the songs that I listen to on the radio and my TV music channels. I just consider it part of my wanting to be in some form of constant prayer and most of the songs that stick with me are lifting up praises to Him through humming. And, by the way, I've never had a sinus infection.

I hope you're hanging on to the amazing spirit of Christmas. Have a warm, wonderful and safe day. luv, Susan