Christmas Day 2016

Christmas fell on a Sunday this year. I love it when it does that! Calvary Church has been going through its Grace Beyond building project and last Sunday (December 18) was our first Sunday back "home" to worship after spending the last eight months over at the field house at Calvin College. So Christmas day was our second Sunday back in our newly renovated, not-quite-finished building.

I picked Nana up and we went to church together. It was a "family" service, so all of the little children were IN the service and had a special message given to them too. Pastor's message was about Jesus becoming a human and what that meant--that laying aside of His glory and becoming one of us. Pastor also talked about what that transformation meant for Jesus for eternity. It was a very thought-provoking sermon. I loved singing the Christmas Carols, too, with nearly 3,000 people all back together at our church again.

After the service, Nana and I came over to my house and ate lunch together (I had it all nicely cooking in the crock pot). We visited for awhile and watched some of "Home Alone 2" (just because it is a funny movie), and then I took Nana back to her house and drove over to Dylan, Kelly, and Brendan's place where we celebrated Christmas. Shane was there too.

Weeks ago, I had asked what I could get Brendan for Christmas that would be SPECIAL. !! So Dylan and Kelly were kind enough to let me get Brendan his very own rainbow ukulele! 

 Brendan is very patient about opening presents. At one point, he had gotten most of the wrapping paper off and said with his sweet voice, "It's a box!"

 Ah, but INSIDE the box was this very pretty ukulele for our Little Fellow!

 Look at his little face! And Dylan's too! Priceless.

 Dylan tuned up the strings, attached the rainbow strap and made sure it fit inside the very cool carry case. Everything was Perfect! :)

 Brendan has had quite a Christmas this year! His grandma Julie and grandpa Pat sent him a Polar Express lionel train with sound effects galore, remote control and everything! Brendan is absolutely thrilled with it.

 Kelly's family called and Skyped with us for awhile too. 

We had a really nice afternoon just relaxing and watching Brendan's JOY. So thankful to be with family on this beautiful day.