Remember those serving Christ in foreign lands

My Aunt Linda sent me the following poem today. It really hit home with our last 3 Christmases. We were always so grateful to those who remembered us by sending their Christmas cards and letters. I want to encourage those of you who personally know others serving overseas, please send them a Christmas hello. It only costs about 80 cents and helps makes the holidays a little warmer to be remembered by friends back home.

Missionary Christmas

Christmas was special when he was a child,
food and presents and carols and smiles.

Tree decorating was great family fun,
and cold nights by the fire watching old reruns.

But then one day God spoke to his heart,
and he gave up his culture to make a new start.

Now taking the Gospel to far off lands,
his Christmas is different than what he had planned.

The weather is sticky, with stench in the air,
the needs that surround him are terrible to bear.

Instead of carols and Christmas bells,
he hears chanting and the casting of spells.

The childhood dream of Christmas in the snow,
was left at the altar when he decided to go.

If only the ones who he left behind,
would remember his face during this special time.

And send him a note, or a word of thanks
or maybe even something he could put in the bank.

Then Christmas would not be so tough this year
and even for the missionary it would be ‘good cheer.’

©Wayne Dillard 2004 (Missionary to Thailand)

Gingerbread Houses

One year at Thanksgiving, when the kids were about 5 and 3, my Mom decided we were going to make Gingerbread houses. It became an annual tradition and each year sometime around Thanksgiving or the first of December, my whole family got together to help the kids make Gingerbread houses. The kids would chose a different adult partner to be there helper while one of the ladies (usually my Mom) was in charge of keeping the icing coming. I have to be honest and admit that I really didn't like this fun family project. While I was glad the kids got to do it, for some reason I dreaded it. I am not really sure why. Maybe it was the sticky mess or trying to get the house to stand up or just all the noise and confusion, but each year I really wanted to groan on Gingerbread house day. So of all the traditions we gave up when we moved to the Philippines, this is not one I have morned.

Here's Will in 2000 with the finished product

If you remember from previous blogs, my children are really wanting to walk down memory lane during our year in the states. We have to do all the things we used to do. Of course this includes Gingerbread houses. My Sister-in-law assured me that times have changed and it is actually a fun experience. The main reason....they do it all themselves. So last Friday my sister-in-law and I got the kids together to build a house, actually 4 houses. Chris, my sis-in-law, made the icing, while I was in charge of buying the candy. She was right, we had fun! The kids did their own with little to no help while Chris and I just watched, talked and laughed with them. Afterwards, my brother came home from work and Allan came over and we ate pizza and then out to see Christmas lights. It was such a great evening

Will in 2008--he's gotten so old!

Emily in the building process

Beth spread a little icing on

Laura puts the finishing touches on the board

Laura and Beth's final product

Emily and Will's Gingerbread Drive!

"Oh There's no place like Home for the Holidays....

...no matter how far away you roam.

When you pine for the sunshine of a friendly gaze.

For the Holidays you can't beat Home Sweet Home!"

A combined Miller/Gilmer Thanksgiving at my brother's house

The kids table

A Little Bit of White

I was pushing the cart through the grocery store, just picking up a few things, when the call came. Half expecting it, I still wasn't prepared for the piercing scream coming from the other end. "Mom! Guess what? Guess What? Guess What?" I knew the answer, but I played along asking "What?" "It's SNOWING!!" I had seen a few flurries while out doing some Christmas shopping and had hoped the kids would see them too. They were currently out in the yard dancing with glee. The first ones were spotted while driving home in the car with Allan and hands and heads were hung out the window touch it. Of course, the flurries lasted only a short while, but hopefully it is a taste of weather to come. There are 2 kids (OK maybe 2 adults as well) who are dreaming of a white Christmas. "Let it Snow!"