Thanks God for letting me maintain a little sanity today. You know that normally I get so wigged out over the Christmas routine that I have to leave the house while everyone else decorates. But today I did OK and I thank you. Thank you that I could go out and shop a little before decorating. Thank you for letting me have great parking spaces, good deals on presents and peace at home. I appreciate your giving us wisdom about things to keep and things to throw out as we were decorating.

Maybe the reason for my anxiety comes from what the tree means and symbolizes and how the ornaments represent the fleeting of time in our lives...

...Our first ornament personalized 23 years ago on our Honeymoon.
...Baby's first Christmas ornaments that should now say "Young Man's 21st Christmas" and Beautiful daughters 17th Christmas.
...Rocking Horses for Jared
....Little Lambs for Rachel
....Years of school projects
....Music notes, shapes, instruments from those who think we MUST need ONE MORE.
...An Angel for Ashton who only saw 1 Christmas.
...A picture of a building that proved in issuing a degree that you really can GO BACK to school.
...Seminary
...Charleston
...Greenville
...Apples to remind us of Grandma who smiles from Heaven to us at Christmas.

Father, Let the memories remind me of the joys and happiness they represent. Don't let me allow them to pull me down at such an Exciting time of year.