Elf Bowling

Welcome to Candy Cane Lanes, where Jingle Bell has been doing a bit of bowling.  Our floor really lends itself to bowling, something we'll all have to pick up again soon when the schedule isn't so busy with Christmas fun.

Today was back-to-school for Madison, and a rest day for Mommy, who needs just one more day before venturing out too much.  We stayed home and - believe it or not - were still wrapping presents.  We were also dealing with other more financial issues that we've been dealing with for the past month (more on that in a bit).

After school, we left with Madison to go visit Doc Williams one more time this year.  She loves visiting - he's got such a great sense of humor.  He has a snowman in the bathroom that is motion activated:  he'll announce when you walk in, "Do I feel flush?"

We did some shopping for books for Madison's Christmas party tomorrow.  It's not the official party, but one where everyone exchanges books.  We bought a few and wrapped them tonight - yes, more wrapping.  I'm not making this up:  I've wrapped about fifty things so far this season.  SO FAR.

We went and got our free chicken strips at Chick-Fil-A afterwards, the last part of our calendar cards (where we get a free item each month), and then we went to Parson's to show Madison the Christmas villages they have set up.  It's a small empire of Victorian houses, New England houses, Mickey Mouse houses, and even Harley Davidson houses - complete with festive villagers, snow, ice skating and a Santa flying overhead.  It's almost the equivalent of those old Christmas window fronts that you see in the movies, where kids press against the glass to see the moving things:  ice skaters, moving cars and flying reindeer.

But it was late, and it was time for bed, really.  We finished our piano practice completely (nailed it!) and got to work doing some more wrapping afterwards, getting Madison's books covered for the morning - while wondering what that elf Jingle Bell will be up to tomorrow...

DECEMBER 16 - "Olive the Other Reindeer"

Olive is a dog. Not a reindeer. But all that changes pretty quickly. On the radio, Santa sounds desperate for help from “all of the other reindeer.” But what was heard is this: Santa needs help from “Olive the Other Reindeer.”

We know what you’re thinking: he certainly did not say “Olive the Other Reindeer.” Still, Santa needs help. That’s why Olive decides to make a brave journey north, despite many obstacles. And every time she tells someone why she’s going, they think she’s absolutely crazy. After, she’s just a dog – not a reindeer.

And yet it is Olive that saves Christmas. It’s true! Her enthusiasm gets the other reindeer trying their best, and her nose leads everyone back home to the North Pole.

What we learn in the end is that it doesn’t matter what people call you. What matters is what God calls you, and what you were made to do. In Olive’s case, she was designed to go up and save Christmas. She knew this was her mission in life, no matter what everyone else thought or said. And while everyone else sat around depressed because there was no Christmas, it was Olive who stood up and decided to do something about it.

Never let others call you something that you are not. God put you on this planet for a purpose. It may not be to save Christmas, but it probably is to help save others. Rise up, and stay on course to do your thing. You never know: you could go down in history!