Posted on 12/05/2004 7:58:58 AM PST by Liz
All of our longings, our hopes and dreams, are represented by the birth of the innocent babe in the manger, the Christ Child.
The Spirit of Christmas, and our spiritual renewal, was never more powerful than it is today, Christmas season 2004.
Christans are more united than ever, and that's a good thing, for Christians, and for the future of America.
Let's pass around the good cheer, and tap our keyboards as one, wishing one and all a very merry and sacred Christmas, and a prosperous and healthy New Year.
This seemed like a good place to wish all the great people I have met at FR a very blessed and happy Christmas, and the best in the year to come:)
Becky
to you and Mack and your family also!
I found this great link on Earl Rowell after reading your post. I had never heard of him before. Thanks.
The happiest of Christmases to you, Joanie. And may you get lots of wished-for snow. ;-)
A little while ago, I’m sitting here in the livingroom, drinking in the Christmas tree, listening to a Christmas CD (unique English carols, hymns and anthems from the period 1750–1850), and totally engrossed in reading Horowitz’s Unholy Alliance: Radical Islam and the American Left (Yeah, I know. Not exactly complementary activites, but I’m in an eclectic mood tonight :).
Rick, who uncharacteristically fell asleep on the couch about three hours ago, awakens, walks over to me, and says, ‘Sorry I haven’t been much company tonight, Joanie. I guess the busy weekend got to me.’ He kisses me goodnight, and turns to go upstairs.
To which I say, ‘Why are you going to bed so early, especially after having slept the night away down here?’
He walks back to me, stands in front of my chair, looking at the grandfather clock behind me, and says, ‘What do you mean early? It’s after midnight.’ To which I respond, ‘What do you mean after midnight? It’s only a little after eight o’clock.’
We both stare at each other in a mutual, energy-less it’s been a long few days daze, only to simultaeously realize that he is reading a clock that I had neglected to wind, and I have been afflicted with senile dyslexia, having read the digital clock on my lap top as 08:10 rather than 10:08.
As my Dad used to say, getting old ain’t for sissies. :)
Signing off now ... It’s way past my bedtime (11 past 37) ...
~ joanie
LOL! But I still say my New Orleans story beats that one on the stupidity meter. ;)
What CD is that? Pre-Victorian, performed in churches?
You're makin' me feel guilty about my earlier post to this thread! ;-)
From their CD:
Vital Spark was formed by myself and some friends in the winter of 1992 to sing and play what is now called West Gallery music. This name comes from the galleries which were erected in churches in the 18th century to accommodate the singers and musicians who were to perform this new style of church music. We also sing pieces from the allied American tradition known as Sacred Harp or Shape Note singing.
Vital Spark is based in Malvern, Worcestershire, England and most of its members are from the local folk scene. This type of music was mostly written and performed by amateurs who, like us, took their influences from the sort of music they performed outside the church environment, be it folk songs or country dance tunes. Although we stick to the original arrangements, most of our influences are obviously from the 20th century … John Williams 2001
Here’s a photo of the group (obviously a humble, fun-loving bunch, who enjoy what they do ... kinda remind me of my own choir :)
Thanks, Joanie. Very interesting! I'll be checking them out some more.
I once sang in a men's group that did some shape note stuff. It drove me crazy! I wound up rewriting that music out in regular notation.
I thank G*D every day for finding FreeRepublic back in 2000. You saved my sanity and have taught me so much. We are truely blessed here with so many intelligent and well informed posters who share their knowledge.
Special Merry CHRISTmas to Jim and John Robinson and all their helpers for giving us this site. And a special CHRISTmas prayer for all our troops away from home.....may HE watch over you, keep you safe and bring you home soon.
Happy Chanukah and Merry Christmas to all! Bah Humbug to the Secularistas!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I purchased three copies of your Dragons Fury collector's edition--two for Christmas presents and one for myself.
Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!
hugs, duckie/sw
Great post---especially the capitals.
Merry Christmas to you, too.
too.
CHRISTMAS 2004
Well, another year has come and gone! Is it me, or is that happening way to quickly! We have had a great year this year. There is a lot to share. David went “on the road” this year. He really has been patient, and waited to be hand picked by the Sheriff to do this. We have heard this was a long process, and that most don’t make it, even after being picked. What is “on the road”? Well, David got hired with the Sheriff’s Office when there was an abundance of deputies, so they put him first in the juvenile boot camp, and then in the jail. In January he got selected to go work on patrol. After 5 months of training (which was not easy, even for someone with tons of experience) he passed. He is really loving his job, and looking at other opportunities within the department. David also completed the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School. David is eligible for promotion to Sergeant First Class (E-7) and is waiting to see what slots open up in Tallahassee. The girls are very proud of their daddy, and really look up to him. Jennie has also had her hands in a few pots this year. She has continued home schooling the girls. It has been a great experience for the whole family, and we are all enjoying it. Even the shuffling around to all their activities, and play dates. Jen’s still working with Nest Family, and doing very well with the business. It allows her to travel, and do some independent work, which she likes to do. In April, Jennie found out she had skin cancer. She did a treatment called Efudex in October for 2 weeks that helps to remove it. What was supposed to be 5 weeks of healing only took about 3 weeks. It looked and felt horrible, but is completely healed now. During that process, the doctor stated he wants her to continue the treatment next year, and do it on other areas. Hayley is becoming such a wonderful young lady. She has been participating in a program called Girls in Action. In March they did a fundraiser that consisted of a 17-mile bike course. Too much of our amazement, Hayley completed the whole course! For a while, Hayley had expressed interest in being baptized. After a lot of prayer, and having some conversations with the children’s director and pastor, we all agreed she was ready to be baptized. She was baptized in April. She also got to go to camp for her first time this June. It was a sleep over camp, and she loved it! It was an all girls’ camp, with great activities. She immediately asked if she could go back again! She loved it! She has such a heart for Christ, and ministry. She is doing so well in her schoolwork, piano, and loves being with her friends. We are praying for her to have that one, special “best friend”. Amanda is quite the gymnast. She is a lot like David. Afraid of nothing! She is a little ahead of the game (academically), and very competitive. There is a good chance that she may be on a team next year for gymnastics. We are giving this much prayer. Amanda’s celiac is under control, and has been for almost 2 years. We have accidents occasionally, but since being on a gluten free diet, she has grown wonderfully. We have not had any incidence of asthma, and she is just all around a healthy girl. It’s amazing to see her handle it. She knows what is and isn’t gluten free. We buy her gluten free cookies (even Oreo type cookies) pasta, etc. She is, by no means, missing out! The doctors are pleased with her results. She is enjoying doing kindergarten work this year. She didn’t escape injury this year (she is notorious for a yearly accident!). This year she burned her fingers by touching the stove. We are wondering what will come next. We are now investing in the Aflac accident policy! Our family also purchased a home this year. It was truly a gift from the Lord. It is just the right size, neighborhood, and style. We took some time to do some changes, and I am sure will do more in the future. It is a closed, private street. The girls ride their bikes; there are racquetball courts, common area, and a pond with ducks across the street. The girls are most happy with the back yard, and the pool. Now that it’s the holidays, our neighbors put up lights galore and at night it’s beautiful. The active hurricane season spared our home, and most of Tallahassee. For Thanksgiving, we had the treat of having David’s parents come all the way from California. Jen’s parents also came over for Thanksgiving, and it was a great time of thanks. We enjoyed some of the sights of Tallahassee like the Capitol, and the Battle of Natural Bridge. Of course, the girls just wanted ice cream with Grandpa! Everyone enjoyed seeing them. We haven’t gotten to visit with them in 3 years. David’s Dad went on a ride-a-long (a day on patrol) with David on the day before Thanksgiving. The following week, David’s Mom, much to our surprise, asked to go on a ride-a-long too. You’ll have to ask them about it sometime. Have a great holiday season!!
May the joy of Christmas fill your hearts and homes this year and every year. Best wishes for a happy and prosperous new year. May God bless you one and all.
FGS
Merry Christmas, Becky and Mack.
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