Merry Christmas-Christmas Gift

I simply cannot believe that it has been so long since I last talked with you. I am sorry. The fact that there was so much to talk about overwhelmed me and thus....I put it off. Now, shall we start at the very beginning?

Merry and Blessed Christmas to each and every one. The Lord has been so very gracious to bring us (our whole family) safely to another Christmas. We celebrate the birth of Jesus with thanksgiving and a heart full of love. Oh my goodness, we have so very much to be thankful for.

November was truly a special time. On the 13Th, Zadok Brian Andrew Lloyd was born. He is the firstborn of Stacia (Richey) and Spencer Lloyd and the first grandchild of our daughter and son, Lorel and Andrew Lloyd. Not to say that he is our very first great grandchild. WELCOME PRECIOUS BABY ZADOK. YOU ARE LOVED AND CHERISHED.

I was happy to host a Birthday/Christmas luncheon for the Aqua Babes (my aerobics class) December 12Th. It was a lovely time with 28 ladies. We set up 3 card tables in the living room, used the dining room table and the kitchen table, making it possible for everyone to have a seat. This was the third time I have had the December party. Everyone enjoyed the food and had a good time.

Max and I left Indianapolis on the 20Th and traveled to Texas to be with Nancy, Jim and Chris for Christmas. We are in a very lovely motel suite which was a gift from them. We have had a wonderful time at their home. Chris has two mamma goats and two baby goats. The one baby is two weeks old and the other is three weeks. We sat and watched them frolic and play; climbing anything in sight, chasing the dogs and the cat, jumping on the rock pile etc. We laughed so much as we watched the two adult goats butt heads and play together, also as they protected their babies. I had no idea that goats could be so much fun. No, I do not want to get one. We will leave that to Chris.

Nancy and Jim were so gracious and treated us like royalty. Our Christmas dinner was very delicious.

I was able to meet with Georgine Christenson, who lives in San Antonio (about 20 minutes from where we are staying). We have been very close but haven't been able to see one another for a long time. It was so wonderful to have such fellowship and laughter as we visited for an hour to two hours.

This is Christmas evening and my thoughts are with each one of my children and grandchildren, as well as dear and valued friends of many years. Memory is such a wonderful gift from God. I can review special Christmas times and feel it as though I was there once again.

We plan to leave here and visit with Jennifer and Larry Sturm and then travel to Oklahoma City to see my dear sister, June. We have not met her husband, Rick, and we are looking so forward to that. It appears that the weather will co-operate and we will be able to take that route rather than the southern one.

I will also be happy to get back to my easel and painting. I have purchased some lessons and I cannot hardly wait to put it into practice. Paula, my dear friend (Opera star and artist)also purchased the same lessons. We are having fun talking about it and just knowing that we will learn lots.

As I reflect on the past year, I acknowledge how very privileged I am, how God has blessed me with so much love and care. It is a great privilege to pray, to stand in the gap for all God's puts on my heart to pray for. I realize I have only one life and I have a great longing to hear, when I leave this earth, "well done good and faithful servant". Jesus came to earth that I might have salvation and make my home in Heaven.

Have a safe and wonderful Christmas season.

Vera Sittler