Merry Christmas!

Another First!

We all have firsts in our lives. First word, first steps, first kiss and first love. You get the message. We can go on and on even outside of our lives to historical moments, etc. My first Christmas without my mother was years ago, now it's without my brother. Yes, I'm sad but I'm not the only person who has a list of firsts. So, this Christmas, let's look back and cherish the moments with our loved ones or the people we loved and be grateful for them, Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

I get these inspirations most of the time. Some are really thought provoking and some are tear jerkers. I don’t know who wrote this but it’s a good story! This is truly another Christmas Story!

Thank you, Stephanie, you never stopped sending me these after all these years! I am grateful!

Two Babies in a Manger

It was nearing the holiday season in 1994, and it was time for our orphans to hear, for the first time, the traditional story of Christmas. We told them about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem. Finding no room in the inn, the couple went to a stable, where the baby Jesus was born and placed in a manger.

Throughout the story, the children and orphanage staff sat in amazement as they listened. Some sat on the edges of their stools, trying to grasp every word. Completing the story, we gave the children three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger. Each child was given a small paper square, cut from yellow napkins I had brought with me.  No colored paper was available in the city.

Following instructions, the children tore the paper and carefully laid strips in the manger for straw. Small squares of flannel, cut from a worn-out nightgown a lady had given us, were used for the baby's blanket. A doll-like baby was cut from the felt we had brought from the United States. The orphans were busy assembling their manger as I walked among them to see if they needed any help.

All went well until I got to one table where little Misha sat. He looked to be about 6 years old and had finished his project. As I looked at the little boy's manger, I was startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger. Quickly, I called for the translator to ask the lad why there were two babies in the manger. Crossing his arms in front of him and looking at this completed manger scene, the child began to repeat the story very seriously. For such a young boy, who had only heard the Christmas story once, he related the happenings accurately - until he came to the part where Mary put the baby Jesus in the manger.

Then Misha started to ad-lib. He made up his own ending to the story as he said, "And when Maria laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had a place to stay.  I told him I have no mamma and I have no papa, so I don't have any place to stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with him. But I told him I couldn't, because I didn't have a gift to give him like everybody else did.  But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I had that maybe I could use for a gift. I thought maybe if I kept him warm, that would be a good gift. So I asked Jesus, ‘If I keep you warm, will that be a good enough gift?’ And Jesus told me, ‘If you keep me warm, that will be the best gift anybody ever gave me.’ So I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and he told me I could stay with him—for always."

As little Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of tears that splashed down his little cheeks. Putting his hand over his face, his head dropped to the table and his shoulders shook as he sobbed and sobbed.  The little orphan had found someone who would never abandon nor abuse him, someone who would stay with him - FOR ALWAYS.

Jesus came so that we could be His children – for always.

Unknown Writer

Happy Birthday, Sagittarians!

Especially, Nana, Judy, Charliss, Mae, Hazel, Leslie, Carolyn, Bobby, Cindy, Chris, Jean, Vivian and many others I have forgotten to mention and have moved on. God bless you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cherish the moments with the people you care about.

God's Pie

Rest in Peace, Officer Stacy Case! End of Watch, November 7, 2015!

Stacy Case had been with the Columbia Police Department a little over four years, but had a previous 15-year career in the U.S. Army as a military police officer, where she was a veteran of the Iraq War.  She received several awards while serving her country, including the Iraq Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Award, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and a Good Conduct Award.  She died in a car collision answering the call of duty.