Happy December

I think the rest of the world is just as delighted as I am that December is here. How can one not relish in the joy and excitement of the season? {Well, I guess unless you're Ebenezer Scrooge}

It was extra fun this year opening our boxes of Christmas decorations, having not seen them since Christmas 2009. {although for me, getting a whole new Christmas experience in Hungary was entirely worth it; not sure Matt can say the same about Afghanistan...}

Our apartment is now merry and bright, all aglow with the cheerful lights of our {little} Christmas tree.

Here's a glance at some of the Christmas delights:

I have a couple of very special items from Germany adorning our home:

This bow reads "Fröhliche Weihnachten" {Merry Christmas}. It was gifted to our
family by a German couple in our old home church back in St. Joseph, Michigan. The
church there has many German immigrants.

This gorgeous tablecloth was purchased in Germany and given to me as a wedding shower
gift by my 8th grade German teacher. She also attended our church, along with her husband,
and they, too are German immigrants.

I can feel that this is going to be a very Merry Christmas, indeed!

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On an entirely different and very serious note, I would like to ask for your prayers for our dear family friends, Jim and Maureen Lyon. Two nights ago, their beautiful home in Anderson, Indiana caught on fire. The fire started in the garage and was contained from spreading throughout the entire house, but the damage is still severe. I have seen photos and the smoke damage alone is incredibly devastating. The entire one side of their home, including the garage, kitchen, master bedroom, and a spare bedroom, are destroyed and will have to be reconstructed. Thankfully, everyone is safe and sound, including the family dog.

Jim is the Senior Pastor at Madison Park Church of God in Anderson, Indiana. Our families are life-long friends, with the friendship between my parents and Jim and Maureen dating back to the beginning of their ministry careers in Seattle, Washington. In fact, I am named after Maureen {Deanne Maureen}.

They've had two recent family member losses, so this on top of everything else has made for the most unpleasant beginning to the holidays. Please keep Jim and Maureen in your prayers this Christmas season.