Merry Christmas everyone!

Merry Christmas everyone! I do hope you have had a happy and healthy Christmas and that the trend continues into the New Year. As I am writing this on Monday morning, I am still in the state of anticipation that is always here three days before Christmas. You know, sort of bubbling with excitement. It is just a wondrous time of year. I have really taken it rather easy this year and paid attention to the truly important things, soaking up the essence of love and peace, family and friends, trying to keep the gifts of Jesus foremost in my mind.

Some people have already begun the Christmas celebration. Jane Holifield had her family in town last weekend for an early holiday celebration. Larry and Phyllis Holifield came from Little Rock, and Shirley Morton from Collinsville, Ill. Of course they were joined by Danny and Lura Holifield and Mark and Amy Manchester. Friday, Saturday and Sunday were a blur of food, fun, giving and family, along with a constant flow of friends dropping by. What a merry, merry time they had! And they still have Christmas Day to look forward to.

Barbi Terry is enjoying her Christmas gifts, too. I am talking about her boys of course. I know they are really young men now, but I also know about mothers, and they will always be her "boys." BK will be returning to 29 Palms on the 27th, but Brantley is here until Jan. 3. I think I can guarantee that we have some pretty happy grandparents in town as well. Look for BK again in February. He will be here for a few days before he ships out to Iraq for seven months on USMC missions.

Speaking of returning warriors -- welcome home, Terry Burdin, Josh White and B.J. Nutt. We are glad to have you back. Is there anyone else I am neglecting to mention? Let me know. We want to honor each and every returning vet. God bless you all.

Pearl and Gerald Lamb are entertaining again, I hear. Their daughter, Traci Ball, and her children, Erica and Trey, are in town for the holidays. They will attend the wedding of Traci's nephew, Clinton Engle, while they are here, as well. Congratulations to you Mr. and Mrs. Engle.

I talked with Lucy Hancock the other day at the post office, and she was telling me how much Jane Fennell is improving. That is such good news! If you get a chance, go visit her. She is in the General Baptist Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center in Campbell, Mo.

I am off today to drive my friend Paula Benton to the airport in Little Rock. She will be spending Christmas with her sons and daughter-in-law. Jeffrey Ham, her oldest, lives in Houston, Texas, and Chaz and Kelsey Hulett live in Pearland, Texas. She also plans to do some visiting with friends while she is there. I will have more to report when she returns.

Speaking of driving to Little Rock, I suppose I had better end this and get on my way. Let me know who is coming into town over the holidays and who has been out of town. Give me a call or send me an email to let me know what is going on. My phone number is 595-3173 or you can drop me a note at 514 West Third Street. My email address is: porchswing@newwavecomm.net.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! Peace and Love to us all.