Getting ready to get ready: "To boldly snow where no one has gone before!"

Good morning and welcome. It's Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Today is preparation day for the wife's sister as she gets ready for a cancer surgical procedure coming up this next Saturday. She has four appointments at MD Anderson today, two out here in the Woodlands, and two in the medical center in Houston. Please pray for her and her husband along with the wife as they navigate this schedule today. The last thing she told me before she left this morning was how she was counting on me to be her prayer warrior. I told her I didn't have one iota of confidence in me but I have all confidence in the One I am going to in prayer. Okay. Here we go again, maybe for the last time. People are already contacting us to get on the schedule for the upcoming Christmas-Santa season. We had seriously considered hanging up the suit for good having completed 15 years but we have so many wonderful people who we have grown to love and appreciate over the years and they want us to be their Santa and Mrs. Claus. I think about how I am already in training for how to be feeble while at the same time fully knowing the amount of stress and physical exertion involved, but, we are pretty much sure we will do it again, if the Lord provides and our health holds up. The other day I was at the doctor's and a lady in the lobby asked if I was Santa. I told her I was and gave her one of our cards. She said she could tell I was a good one because of my eyes. Eyes that showed love for others. I thanked her and I did agree that if one doesn't love children, don't even think about being Santa Claus. I exchange information with a variety of Santa's on social media and I can tell you those who do it only for the money and look at it as just another job, well, they will never be the kind of Santa people want for their kids. It's not negotiable. You must love them. And, I plead guilty, 100%. 

 

I have come to understand the secret to our Santa program is my God given Mrs. Claus, unique to our appearances. Her personality exudes hospitality and giving. That means I am many times better as Santa when she is sitting beside me. I know there are differences between abilities, talents, and, what the Bible names as Holy Spirit enabling gifts, but, in her case, well, she tends to have an overflow in the areas where she shines. Me? Well, I am not as much inclined in the exact areas where she is inclined, therefore, the combination tends to work since she helps to build me up and as I often say, I can use all the help I can get. I'll put it this way. Often kids enjoy having their photo made with me, but, they want to spend time with Mrs. Claus. The legendary Santa Claus connects back to the 4th Century Saint Nicholas with the actual name, Santa Claus appearing in the 1700's. Mrs. Claus didn't show up as being recognized until the mid 1800's, therefore, I think we have solved the chicken or the egg mystery on this one. I do remind her of that from time to time, especially when I am asked to vacate the chair because their children want only a photo of themselves with Mrs. Claus. The nerve! I guess I could go out and smoke a cigarette. That's right. I don't smoke. Or, take a walk. With all that gear? Oh well, I just stand by and wait until I am actually wanted back on the set. See what I have to deal with? It's not easy folks, not easy at all. We continue to pray for so many in need, especially those dealing with the aftermath of the storms in the Hill Country. Life does go on and we thank God for His love, mercy, and grace. Amen.