Thankfulness for December

I am thankful this December for:

Advent and Christmas

“Joseph, Better You Than Me” by the Killers, Elton John and Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys; “Come Darkness, Come Light” by Mary Chapin Carpenter; and “Heaven” by Brett Dennen

Family and Friends

The Christmas/House warming party we had with classmates from Columbia Theological Seminary

Christmas with Elizabeth’s dad and stepmom, known to Katie as Pops and Dee-Maw

The last week of December and 2008 with Katie’s Nana, aka Elizabeth’s mom

The mission experiences with church members at Rainbow Village, an organization that gives single mothers and their children a “help up”, that pulls them out of homelessness.

The Christmas Eve services at Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church, particularly the child who, as the Magi in the Nativity play, presented Katie who was baby Jesus, with his decorated gift (prop).   And also Katie’s excited response of “Aaaaahhhhhhaaaaggh” when one of the older kids began reading the Christmas story from Luke.

Watching Katie giggle and laugh at the Chihaua (dressed in a Santa hat and holding moraacas) who sings “Feliz Navidad”

The children’s books “Gossie” and “Gossie and Gertie” by Olivier Dunrea

Experiencing Katie’s first Christmas and the 15-20 minutes she spent concentrating on peeling off the wrapping paper with her fingers.

Saturday afternoon lunch at Anna and Jim Brown’s.

A delicious chocolate cake made by Anna Brown.

“The Art of Racing In the Rain” by Garth Stein

The Advent Conspiracy