Yes, Virginia, There is a....

In two days our home is going to be full again. My gorgeous bride's Christmas wish will come true as we welcome home our children. It has been a number of years since we have all gathered under one roof. Last year Brig and Bri were both on their missions. The year before that Kasi and Bri were on their missions. The year before that Kas was on her mission. It has been a good 4 or 5 years since we have had our bedrooms filled with our children. Mom and I are both excited.

The house is decorated with three trees. My job is to get the trees up and then...stand back and let the master decorator do her thing. I am in awe as our comfortable home becomes even more so. It truly becomes a winter wonderland.

At this time I feel the need to state my support for the jolly, old elf. You see, in my family, if you don't believe, you don't receive. So, in my ignorant bliss, all my children are coming home with the shared belief that, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus." To my great pleasure, though, my wife and our children have incorporated the spirit of the old soul and has made it a part of their lives.

Josh and Brigham share their time and talents each weekend in a nursing home reading to the elderly. Kas has volunteered numerous hours and days to a political organization that she believes in. Brianna is serving in a capacity to help young women in her area grow and mature. She is also spending a month in the spring using her skills as a nurse in Ecuador. Marcia is officially on her second mission for our church. She is being used to help train teachers for parenting and marriage classes that are being offered by our church. It is a task that covers the state of Indiana and Northern Kentucky. (I'm her body guard and chauffeur!!)

Somewhere it is said that "it is better to give then to receive." That is the nature of Santa Claus, that is the Spirit of Christmas, that is the one of the purposes of life itself.

December 25th. A small babe in a manger became THE light on the hill. Lowly shepherds came to witness this miracle. Mighty wise men, from afar, came to pay homage to a young child. Angels sang at his birth. Jesus of Nazareth, King of Kings, Savior of the world...happy birthday.

If you have not found this small babe...ask.

jsf