Tinsel Town in 3D

We're in Tinsel Town now!  Jingle Bell and a few friends were lounging on the couch this morning, checking out a Christmas movie on the big screen.  It appears as if they were a little messy too!

It was Tuesday, and the last piano class of the year.  Madison got candy canes and other gifts, like chocolate "reindeer noses," and gave a gift to Mrs. Pam as well.  Yesterday, we found a musical note ornament at Hobby Lobby.  That store was very packed yesterday, which was good to see.

We got a gift for Madison's school teacher as well, one she'll be bringing to school tomorrow.  It's a "Wizard of Oz" book with animated pictures in it.  That seemed to be the theme for her this year, so we thought it may be a good book to have around, or even in the classroom.  We got it in Dahlonega what seems like a long, long time ago.  That was just last month when we were at the Riders in the Sky Christmas concert.  Here we are about a week to go until Christmas, and it seems our extended Christmas season strategy is working:  we can pace ourselves, instead of trying to cram every Christmas activity possible into a few short weeks.

We still have some movies to watch, and other things to do.  For example, we haven't done a gingerbread house yet.  Nor have we made gingerbread cookies.  That's a surprise for Madison coming up soon:  today Mommy found at the grocery store some molds for "Ninja Bread Cookies!"  Also, she found a mold for gingerbread cookies that are in the shape of "Ugly Christmas Sweaters."  Yep, that just happened.  There are a few places we'd still like to go as well, but we'll see how the weather works out.  Madison's last day of school is Thursday, and then there is the winter break, and all sorts of time off.

Daddy had a dream about Madison last night that was kind of funny:  he was stunned/scared when he heard her start the car in the driveway!  Even more unnerving:  she put it in reverse.  And yet when she reached the end of the driveway, she put it into drive, lining the car up perfectly on the street - and waiting for Daddy to get in the car.  When a shocked Daddy came up to the car, she looked at him, and said in a patronizing tone, "Daddy, don't worry.  I learned how to drive already."

Madison is a smart cookie.  She's above average on her spelling at this point, above the level required on the second grade spelling list, and already working on subtraction - and getting all of the answers right there.  I think her weakness is doing things in a hurry sometimes, which is a universal weakness, isn't it?  But her graded classwork was impressive, and Daddy and Mommy are really, really proud of her.  We're so happy with that progress.  As for her speech, that's improving as well.  It isn't improving as fast as Daddy would like it, but there are some areas that she's gotten much better.  Considering where we were two years ago, it's much, much better.

Time to go, but speaking of "years ago," here's our latest devotional entry for Tinsel Town, based on a Christmas classic:

DECEMBER 17 - "Miracle on 34th Street"

Doris Walker has been let down, big time. Her faith in people is gone – in fact, there’s really nothing she has faith in anymore. This is the world her daughter Susan sees, one where she’s taught to reject anything that you have to believe in.

Enter Kris Kringle, a man who believes himself to be Santa Claus. Things are about to get interesting at Macy’s Department Store! Is the Santa that works there really Father Christmas? In the amazing movie, “Miracle on 34th Street,” that question is put to the test.

It’s a Christmas classic that actually puts Kris Kringle on trial, and asks the question, “Is there a Santa Claus?” It will really take a miracle to save Christmas!

Of course, there’s just got to be a happy ending. For Doris, she discovers the rewards of faith. But for a time, she is like so many people today: we all tend to put our faith in people a lot, only to be let down. That’s the problem with us: we’re all human.

There is One, though, who you can count on. His name is Jesus, and he is the reason for the season. He’s promised to never leave you or forsake you. Though things may seem hopeless at times, keep this in mind: your troubles are just a small part of the big picture, and just like the movie, you’re heading for a happy ending!

Jesus cares where you are, and sees when you’ve been hurt. If you think you’ve been let down, imagine being in his shoes: he’s been through it all, and more. You can put your faith in him. He didn’t have to, but love came down at Christmas – and that’s the greatest miracle of all.