12-13-03 Mom Wrote,

Merry Christmas to all of my wonderful family! Wishing you a New Year with God's richest blessings.

I had my newsletter all ready to go last weekend. That was before I got Jim & Vicki's with the powerful experience they were willing to share about Brandon. Brandon if you are reading this I want you to know that a Grandmother is very proud of you. You have been in my prayers and I keep wondering what God's plan is for your life.

Thanks Jim for being willing to come and move my car. Last week Linford Landis cleaned snow from 10 cars and then was in the hospital till Wednesday. Last year it was me.

What Christmas memories from child hood do you have? Would you like to hear some memories of my childhood Christmas's?
My first turkey dinner as a child, maybe 8-10years old. Turkeys were still either scarce or too expensive for us. On our farm we always had ducks or geese all over the place, they would really mess up the walk. Many lost their lives for our holiday meals. Now a duck or goose dinner would be special. Would you know what a duck tasted like?

Buying and giving gifts was never a big deal.

Cookies and candy were made by mother. Carmel popcorn and fruitcake were plentiful.

Many evenings around the kitchen table, with oil lamps, we would pick out nutmeats. No nuts for me to pick out this year!

Dinner at one of my Aunt's place is a happy memory. Sometimes in Harleysville at Aunt Mary Hunsberger, sometimes in Bally at Aunt Katie's, (Luke Gehman's Mother). Aunt Mary always had a little gift for all the children. One of mine that I remember was a pen & pencil set, (Pre Ballpoint).

In Sunday School we usually got a little box of candy, a big orange, and a very special Washington State Apple.

Our Christmas Morning started like every other morning. Cows had to be milked, animals & chickens had to be fed. After breakfast we would get ready for church, for the Christmas Service. Later we started having Candle Light Service on Christmas Eve. You are all invited to the Candle Light Service at Swamp at 6:00 PM on Christmas Eve, 2003.

Let us always remembers that Jesus is the reason for the season.

See you soon.

Lots of Love,
Mom or Grammy