December Madness

Why wait till March, when you can start the madness now? Just the typically way over-busy season leading up to the celebration of the birth of Jesus. This year, the assault on Christmas seems to be more open, but the response to that assault seems to be more firm in resolve. I make it a point to say "Merry Christmas" to everyone, everywhere these days. There is no "holiday tree" up at my house, it is a Christmas Tree. Speaking of which, we finally broke down and retired our old tree after nearly 20 years of service. We loved that old tree, but it was truly time to move on. So, we got a pre-lit 7 1/2 foot artificial tree that makes life much easier on the decorating and tear down situation with the tree. Because we wrapped each branch of the old tree in lights, just putting on the lights alone took a couple of hours. Now, open up the tree, plug in the electric cords, and you are ready! I'll take a picture of the tree in a few days, and post it so you can see the beauty of our new tree.

We actually have our Christmas Cards and a few gifts that we needed to mail already out! I took them to the post office yesterday. They were already out of the "religious stamps" (as the postal worker called them), so I had to settle for holiday cookies stamps. That stinks! But, the bottom line is, we have already mailed out our Christmas Cards. This has to be the earliest we have ever gotten them out!

Emily is going out on her first official date on Friday. She is excited, and it is a very big deal around here. The guy who is taking her out is a good friend of hers (and she has had a crush on him much longer than she wants to admit). We know the family through the high school chorus, and they are very actively involved in their church. It should be a fun time and a big night for my baby girl. Oh boy. I am so NOT ready for all of this!

Ian just got his class ring a week ago. It is beautiful (and it should be for what it cost!), and he proudly wears it. He has been extra busy with show choir over the past couple of weeks, not to mention the holiday concert that Emily and he were in with the full chorus last week. The same show on two different nights. Oh yeah, and we worked the Exchange Club/High School Chorus Christmas Tree Lot on several other nights during the past two weeks. Did I mention that we were in the middle of December Madness?

Elliott and Abi will be here on Sunday. Abi is going to stay with us for a couple of days, and then Elliott will go to her parents' home a couple of days after New Year's. Elliott has officially finished with finals at school now, but has to stay to teach guitar lessons at the Community Music School through Friday. He then heads to Traveres for his weekend ministry at Mid-Lakes, but should be home Sunday mid-afternoon.

Speaking of Sunday...the children and youth Christmas program takes place Sunday morning at 10. The children are singing several songs, and leading the congregation in several other Christmas songs. Ian, Alison and Katie are doing a four act drama that is very powerful, and other teens will help with being stage hands, to serving Communion. It should be an interesting service. Then, Sunday afternoon/evening from 5:00 until 8:00, the Fabulous Blount Mansion will be the scene of our Christmas Open House. Peggy is stressing over details of getting the house ready (we are having our garage door replaced as I type this, but that is a whole 'nuther story). She has postponed her periodontal surgery from Friday to Monday to be better able to prepare for Sunday (and to help Emily get ready for her date on Friday). Did I mention that we are in the middle of December Madness?

The Florida Christian Youth Convention has come and gone, and I am busy in the midst of preparing for next year. I serve as the President of the Convention in 2006. Whew. December Madness 2006 has already started!

We Blounts plan to be on the road to Ashland, KY, no later than 6:00 AM Christmas Morning, having taken care of Christmas Eve Worship Services in two different churches before heading out. Yes, VCC is having a worship service Christmas morning, but I have a vacation day that day, and the five of us (Elliott included) will head north to spend a few days with family. We will return on Friday, December 30th since Elliott has to be at Mid-Lakes on December 31st. Whew! Did I mention that we are in the middle of December Madness?

Throughout it all, we are focused on the Christ. May this blessed season remind you of God's great love. Tell someone you see today, "Merry Christmas" and let the atheists know that we will not kowtow to their ridiculous, shrill whining!