| Author | Message | ||
| Lisa_boyldavis Registered user Username: Lisa_boyldavis Post Number: 248 Registered: 3-2005 |
Dear FAF Friends, I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas! We had a quiet at home holiday. Just a note on how great God is. I for some reason (totally unlike me) decided to not cook a large meal for our family this year, but to spend more time together. As it turned out, some friends from church were in a head-on, on their way home from church. The other driver was killed (high on drugs), and our friends landed in a hospoital with multiple broken bones and surgries. If I had cooked, I'd have probablly have asked people over, and been tied up and unable to spend the day in the hospital, but instead was available for what God had for us to do. The kids and my husband went to the children's hospital, and I to see the mom. The dad was in surgry. Anyway, I'm trying to say it's wonderful being led by the spirit rather than being ridged. In the end we all had a really nice day, time to play with the Christmas games and toys (the bee bee gun was the big hit  and no one was intoxicated with food on the couch! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and a happy new year. Love, Lisa p.s. No word on my aunt Ruth. The prayers meant more to me than you can know. | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 274 Registered: 9-2006  |
Thank God for no catastrophe's here Lisa, a nice normal Christmas, I rode my easyboy recliner hard but gave him a nice pat on the back for the smooth ride. Easy there boy, whoa now. Didn't eat no possums, just a ham sandwich. Still got colds but no big deal. Will put your friends on prayer list. Grand kids were properly spoiled with too many gifts, bank account has a flat. Read some word, got blessed out of my socks. Trying to figure out new fangled overly expensive camera one of my sons gave me, looked longingly back over at my old 35MM, not ready to bury it yet but may soon put it too rest with the rest of the junk. Blessing on all youins. River | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5130 Registered: 12-2003  |
Merry Christmas, dear FAF family! Our Christmas was busy but good. We had brunch for our Bible study group yesterday, and the Christmas Eve service was perhaps the most moving one yet. It completely restored my flagging Chrismtas spirit which was suffering from fatigue. Christmas Eve and today actually were wonderful if a bit strained (doesn't that sound like an oxymoron?!)óit's always a bit taxing when the historic Adventist relatives are in the same house as the former Adventist relativesóand then throw in a couple of cousins who are the loosest kind of Adventists who defend vegetarianism while asking for their coffee with creamer. But God is faithful, and he held our hearts in peace and has given us a relaxed and wonderful afternoon and evening. I got what I really wantedóa new NIV study Bible. (My old one had been rebound and was still falling apartóI've been stuffing the loose maps inside the front cover...I just resisted breaking in a new Bible as long as possible. The old one is like an old friend that opens up to the exact places I want...Besides, it was the one I used as we studied our way out of Adventism!) And dear Richard did throw in a pair of earrings. Ahóit feels good not to have a deadline of some sort tomorrow! I pray you all have experienced the joy and peace of Jesus in a new way this Christmas. Colleen | ||
| Randyg Registered user Username: Randyg Post Number: 327 Registered: 12-2004 |
Dear Colleen and FAF family, I too want to wish a belated Christmas greeting, and to thank you all for being a part of my journey. For me that is the greatest gift that this forum provides, a family that understands and supports each other in our joys as well as in our sorrows. So many here has felt the freedom promised to those that accept Christ's gift, but as you can tell we are not immune to sadness, heartbreak, familial dysfunction, and the struggles that life throws at us. This family however understands, and is willing to hold each other up in prayer and provide ongoing encouragement as we navigate what life throws at us. Thank-you all for your friendship and support for me and for each other. You are all real special. For many this has been a downer Christmas for whatever reason, I pray for courage and strength as we journey into 2007, and may God continue to guide as we learn more of His goodness and grace. For many this has been a year of transition and for some that transition is painful and ongoing, I prayer for peace of heart and comfort in Christ. Randy | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 353 Registered: 6-2006  |
Merry Christmas dear Friends! I had a very busy but fun Christmas. Saturday we spent time with our SDA family and enjoyed a vegetarian meal (even tho half of my in-laws eat "clean" meat). I actually had "Dinner-Cuts", to which I usually turn my nose up, but they were breaded and fried and very tasty. (So much for the health message!) Sunday morning I reluctantly sang a solo in a negro spiritual at church. Our choir director is a beautiful black woman who brings black gospel into our white/norwegian/lutheran congregation. The harmonies are awesome, but I'm so white that I sound more like Marie Osmond than Tina Turner, which is disappointing since I've always LOVED gospel music. So I re-wrote my part so it would sound more like me, and outside of my nervous shallow breathing, I did pretty well. Then Christmas Eve we had pulled pork sandwiches and lots of banana bread and chocolate! I thanked God for "resurrection food". I'm thankful this year for another Christmas with my wonderful husband and kids, my loving families and my abundance of friends. I'm especially grateful for meeting you all this year and having this forum to visit. Colleen and Richard, thanks again for your kindness and faithfulness to all of us! God bless all of you (including all you lurkers out there) My prayers for all of you are for a joyful new year with the freedom that only comes through our beautiful Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!! Leigh Anne | ||
| Melissa Registered user Username: Melissa Post Number: 1522 Registered: 7-2003 |
I'm thankful to have been able to spend another Christmas with my family. We went to my brothers and enjoyed their little boy's first introduction to the 'season'. This is the first year in more than 10 years that I have agreed to leave home for Christmas because it is so hard on the kids to get their stuff then have to leave it for the day! Jonathan was disappointed he didn't get to see Santa and wants him to come back with more presents.... Considering all the stresses of this year, I look forward to saying good bye to 2006. I continue to pray God will protect my children and keep the enemy at a distance. I hope to some day reflect on this year and marvel at the things I could not see at the time. As I reflect on all that has come and gone, I can honestly say I hope I never have another year like this one. My new years 'wish' is to find another job that is not in the same location as my ex. Nothing like seeing someone else with pictures of your child up in his office and know you're not welcome to admire them. Very strange. As I think about what I'm thankful for, and there are several things besides just having my children with me, one is the friends I have out here in cyberspace who share this odd commonality of being 'outsiders' to adventism. My hope is that each one of you will continue on your exodus with peace and serenity for the path God leads you down. There are many challenges to being on the 'outside', even for those who were never on the inside. God grant you the wisdom to discern words, actions and thoughts as you deal with those still on the inside. "God bless us everyone" | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3189 Registered: 3-2004  |
My Christmas eve was very interesting. It started at church at 1:30 in the afternoon. Our church had 4 identical Christmas services on Saturday and 4 on Sunday. Volunteers are needed for many things, so I did what I enjoy doing, greeting people as they enter the church, for all 4 Sunday services. The church feeds the volunteers, so I was there for lunch about 1:15. I saw friends I have not seen for a while, made new friends and was able to let a new friend know what adventism really believes. She only knew them as a Saturday keeping church. I was also informed of a new rehab center that will be opening in May, so I gave the RN that told me about it my phone number and said, it the folks are interested, have them call me. I left the church about 7:30 PM. I did get to sit in the first service and hear the sermon. Christmas day I spent with my younger sister and her family at her daughter and son in law's house. It was a fun time with the grandchildren of my sister. I was able to help my nephew in law's mother with her arthritis in her hands. My Christmas was stress free and God filled and I am so thankful. The sister that lives near me does not practice adventism, but eats vegetarian, most of the time. We made vegetarian enchiladas on Saturday. So I continue to pray for her and the rest of my brothers and sisters that God touch their lives and hearts. My son called me from Maryland, as he and the family went to visit his Dad and step mom. I spoke to my son and grandson. I miss them, but they are doing what God has for them to do. For that I am thankful. So, I had a peaceful Christmas and thanked God for Jesus, as he is the reason for the season. He is always awesome. Diana | ||
| Honestwitness Registered user Username: Honestwitness Post Number: 196 Registered: 7-2005  |
My Christmas time has been so busy, I've barely had time the past few weeks to read the posts here. It's wonderful today to read your thoughts and share in your joys. On Christmas Eve Eve (the 23rd) hubby and I joined with 30 of our relatives and had a wonderful time of food, gift-giving and fellowship. It was my side of the family and the majority of them are Christians (non-SDA). My sister and her husband hosted the event in their lovely home. She had two "scenes" set up in their living room, one on either side of the beautifully decorated Christmas tree. On one side was the traditional manger scene, with the figurines of the Baby Jesus, etc. But the really neat thing she did was the display on the other side of the room. It was an empty throne to symbolize that Christ left his throne in heaven to come to earth as a baby to be our Savior. It was very artful and very touching. I'm so proud of my family and thankful for the witness they provide year-in and year-out to my SDA husband. On Christmas Eve, hubby cooked a turkey breast and mashed potatoes for our dinner. He used to be a strict vegetarian, but he will now eat poultry and clean fish. I sang in our PCUSA church choir during the morning service and two evening services. It was a total joy to sing with such a talented group of people. Christmas morning we visited my son's home and had a more intimate time of food, fellowship, and gift-giving. It was precious, too. All except for the part when my son (#3) told me he, his wife, two dogs, and two cats are moving out of the country, and across an ocean, next spring. That was on top of the announcement a few weeks ago that son (#1), his wife and my two little grandsons will be moving to another city come next spring. Son #2 is already living in another city, and has been for over ten years. So that will leave me here, while all my children are far away. Melissa, I'm glad you're moving forward, away from your sad 2006. But after my very happy 2006, I seem to be facing a sad 2007. I know the Lord will sustain me through it all, and I know He has only the best in mind for all of us, no matter how much it hurts in the present. Joy to you all! Be blessed! Honestwitness |
