Christmas is always a special time which allows reconnecting with family. As the family and extended family grows, however, it becomes increasingly difficult to bring everyone together in one place for any length of time. We had a great time in the Central gym on Christmas Day, celebrating with family and friends - 50+ people enjoying food, games, and conversation. It seems the giving and receiving of gifts becomes less and less important and just hanging out together is where it's at. Family is such a blessing!

My favorites in December, 2003:
CD - Revival in Belfast - Robin Mark
DVD - Remember the Titans
Recent Movie - Radio
Book - Authentic Faith - Gary Thomas
Little people: Autumn Deur, Savannah Fry, Harrison Deur, and Caleb Hart

Focusing,
Dave

Today I had the wonderful opportunity to watch my grand-daughter, Autumn, perform in her pre-school's Christmas program. It's always fun to watch children in this kind of setting, each innocent...not a whole lot of cares yet...able to have fun just chasing each around a room. Kids - their lives are so simple, so uncluttered, so full of fun, joy, and amazement. Today I was challenged to seek to regain some of that joy and amazement, and what a time to do it - Christmas.

I stand in awe, overwhelmed with "the gift" - Jesus Christ, God incarnate, God with us. Born to die so that I may live. Amazing love, how can it be?

Thank you Jesus for challenging me through my grand-daughter and her friends, to look at Christmas in a fresh and meaningful way! Thank you Autumn for reminding your Papa of what's important!

Today was a pretty good day. It seemed like I made progress in a couple of areas and that's meaningful after seemingly falling behind each day for the past 2 months. I may be peaking. This weekend we have a Men's Breakfast for Champions scheduled on Saturday. Dan Seaborn is speaking (see www.winningathome.com) and we're expecting about 115 men. The place will be packed and rockin at 7:30 in the morning.

Doing the laundry,
Dave

Today I found out how long it takes to go from home to South Bend... and then almost back home...only to go back to South Bend...and then go back home again. Have I lost you yet??

G and I were taking Bif, Jo-Jo, and Savannah (who, by the way, is perfect) to South Bend to catch a flight back home to the Oklahoma. We dropped them off at the airport and headed for home. We received a phone call from them when we were about 20 minutes away from home, and were told that their flight was delayed and there was no way they could conveniently get home, at least without a great deal of stress, that day. Back to South Bend we go. We collected the 3 Okies and brought them back to the pocket to spend another night - bonus!
Tomorrow they fly out early.

Things I learned today from this experience.
1. Stick around at the airport for a while after dropping family off for their return flight home.
2. If you're limited on time after dropping family off at the airport, and you must get back to work, then leave the airport but drive very slowly on the way home.
3. Get a pilot's license and fly them home myself.

Bottom line, it's really great having them stay another night. We are blessed.

Drifting,
Dave