Honoring a man of distinction.

LtoR: Richard, me, mom, dad, Cara, town clerk, Mayor Beebe, Jody, Operations Mgr.

We are busy busy. How about you? Our business is feverishly working towards our Christmas shutdown and we are trying to get as many projects finished as we can. Today is Wednesday, December 17, 2014, and I send out to you a hearty ho ho ho as we continue to pursue our journey and this year's holiday season. It was my great privilege to leave early on Monday to travel to Louisiana to attend the annual Hornbeck town Christmas banquet. It was a large gathering of dignitaries, employees, and guests where they served a wonderful meal and we were there because dad was being honored for his 24 years of service on the Town Council. He chose not to run for re-election for the upcoming session. No one will ever say that dad has not left his mark using the life God gave to him. He retired from the U.S. Army. He retired from Federal Civil Service. Now he has retired from being an alderman for all these years where he was very active and very instrumental in seeing the little town grow and prosper. What an example he is for us all. We could not be more proud of him and mom as they have set forth before us lives worthy of influence and distinction. I do thank our eldest Chris for taking off to drive me over there and back. That made the trip so much easier. Dad's son Richard and his son Shelton were also able to be there. That Shelton is a character and he's always been a big buddy of mine. It was a great time. In the end, I can only thank God for His provision in us having such wonderful parents. You did well dad. You did well!

Doing the Santa work has its moments. It can be intense. It can be overwhelming. For me personally, it typically is always overheated. But, we do many events and the folks pay us handsomely for showing up. We didn't start out with that in mind and that part of it has surprised us some. We also are able to do a number of events each year where we do not charge. By the very nature of these appearances, they are typically very rewarding. I am often asked what's my favorite thing about this endeavor. If a picture is worth a thousand words we have the one above to help illustrate the joy we are privileged to both bring to others as well as to enjoy ourselves. That littlest one was four days old. His big sister loves Santa and couldn't stop showing her affection. It was special as it transpired with the parents being thrilled, but, even more so to us as we are able to look back and enjoy that moment again. What's that? What about the kickers and screamers? Good question. I hear Mrs. Claus telling people all the time that those 'crying' photos will become treasures and they might even be the best of all. She actually tells people that. That one leaves Santa just a tad puzzled but she probably has some insight into those things that I missed along the way.

Of course it is hard to choose the 'one' photo that captures the essence of our work but my point is only to say there are rewards involved. At the same time we never lose sight, never, as to the opportunity we have in thinking about His coming into our world. Thinking about and thanking. Thanking God. We've been studying about this the last few Sundays and I have to tell you that it is always thrilling when we think about it being God's plan, God's purpose, and His answer to the need that we could not meet on our own. In fact, with regards to our fallen condition we were both helpless and hopeless. However, we find that God in eternity past, before He spoke the world into creation, had a plan that provided for His created human family to be made right with Him, to be His own dear children, and to spend eternity in His presence. Before the world began. No. I'm not saying I understand it, but we, like Abraham of old, can take the truth He has revealed to us and respond in faith believing. That brings honor and glory to the One who made provision for us and to the One who came that we might have life. It's a wonderful time to exalt our Savior and to worship Him. Doing that will fulfill our role in keeping The Christ in Christmas. Amen.   ....More later.