We had such a lovely Christmas this year with my parents and my brother and his family visiting us in Arizona. The only down side was that my meice, Bethany got sick on Christmas Eve but she pulled out of it by evening and we made some great memories. My younger brother and I were pretty close growing up as we were only one grade a part. He was a kind, gentle leader and loyal friend. We went to the same school, sang in the same singing group, lead worship together, lived at mom and dad's till we were married, hung out with the same group of friends, etc. I would always buy older cars and Andrew would fix them and work on them for me. I was telling his girls this week that I always knew what girls in high school were "into" Andrew as they would all at once start to be extra friendly to me, I knew they were onto my handsome brother. :-) I was thrilled when he started dating Shelly and just as thrilled when I became an Aunt to his first, Bethany.
We were also so happy to know that Johnny & Julie were invited to spend Christmas with their sister. I cried when I got this photo. What a redemptive work of God that they could all be together. God is good. They were so happy.
This Christmas break together, we had a bowling and laser tag evening where Andrew kicked it bowling and I tanked. We watched great movies including the War Room, we had gifts, stockings on Christmas morning and an elephant gift exchange. Some went shopping at the outlets, others swam and hot tubbed. We fixed and ate yummy food together. We had lovely Christmas day and a precious time of sharing about Jesus. We missed our family who were in Oregon, LA and Liberia but super thankful for those who were with us. I feel blessed, wealthy and full of gratitude for the family time together. Here are a few pictures of memories made . . .
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