Two Christmas Surprises!

It was a wonderful Christmas! Shari and Mark flew up from North Carolina for a couple of days, and we had them all of Christmas Day. Terry and Shelley didn't know they were coming, so Bob and I had to keep it a secret. (At least from them - just about everyone else knew!)

Terry was reading that morning, expecting Shelley and Bob and Matthew to be at our house soon. I knelt down by him and told him that I had a little surprise for him for Christmas. He just grunted!! Then Shari and Mark were coming up the walk and I told him that the surprise was coming up the walk. I think he was really shocked. Cool! Then Shelley, Bob and Matthew came. Shari wanted to meet Shelley at the door. It was a good surprise. I think that it was Shelley's secret wish for Christmas - one that she thought was impossible. We all had a very nice, quiet Christmas Day. Then after opening presents together, Shari and Mark handed us each a small bag and told us to open it at the same time. None of us got it at first - it was a baby bottle. We were so dense - it took a minute to sink in. They are having a baby!! What a wonderful Christmas surprise for all of us!

Church Bookstore

I love working in our church bookstore! I've always loved books and reading. I have always wanted to have a bookstore of my own. How great that the Lord has provided a bookstore for me to work in and manage and serve him at Cornerstone at the same time! This is our Cornerstone bookstore, called the "Book Rack". I love ordering all the books, opening the boxes when they come in, and arranging the shelves! I love planning for Christmas and ordering for all of our classes and just trying to provide a good choice of books for a good price. What fun!! :)

At the same time, I am trying to get to know some new people, their names, and something about them as they come in to order books, buy books, use the library, or just look around. I know that it can be a great ministry to make people feel welcome and loved. I am very happy to have this spot to serve and I must keep in mind that it is not mine, but the Lord's.

Boys Love Their Toys!

I think that most men never really grow up. I guess that is good. They all seem to have certain toys that interest them no matter how old they are. Now I like to play with toys also, but I don't buy them for myself! This Christmas Terry saw a toy that interested him so much that he just had to go buy it for himself for Christmas! We saw these remote controlled helicopters at Brookstone. On the box it said that these helicopters could be flown - in the house! A man wrote that! The first one he brought home just went in circles in the air and crashed into everything. The blade broke and it had to be taken back. But, of course, Terry had bought an insurance package on the helicopter, so he got a new one for free. He did much better with that one, but still had trouble controlling it, and it still crashed into walls and furniture. The best part about it was that he took it to church and flew it in the Gathering Space (better idea!), and Matthew got to come and watch. I just love the look of wonder and awe on Matthew's face in this picture!! Terry ended up taking that one back also and finally got one that worked!

An Unexpected Love

Isn't this just the sweetest face you've ever seen? I never ex-pected this feeling. It is an overwhelming love. Matthew Owen Johannes is our first grandchild. He is Shelley and Bob's son, and he couldn't be dearer to me. I can't explain my feelings, but I could just watch him all day - with a smile on my face. He is two years old now, and the feeling hasn't worn off. I love being with him, around him, listening to him, holding him, feeling his soft skin and hair. I love to read to him and hear his cute voice. One day he said, "I love you,Grandma, I love you!" I actually got him saying that on video and I love to watch it. It is so amazing that he would love me back. He is such a special little boy - he remembers everything! I have never felt so awed by another person. God has given me this wonderful grandson to love and I want to be the best grandma ever!