Thursday, December 1
December, I suppose, will always begin as a rough month for us as that's when son Jimmy Clint died...so I'm just going to start this journal entry with him. No other words are needed.
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Friday, December 2
Our friend, Charlie, is under hospice care in Tyler so we went over there for a short visit and to take him a "little" bag of goodies. Charlie is such a funny guy and we always enjoy our time with him!
Once back at home, Jim and I worked on our children's sermon for Sunday. Since we like to give the kids something edible that ties in with our theme, and our theme was Be Strong...we decided on some "creative" barbells. These barbells were made with straws filled with nerds and a marshmallow on each end kept the appearance (of sorts) of the weights.
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Sunday, December 4
The only thing different about this Sunday was that after church we went over to the Nickerson's for lunch and a photo op session. We were wanting to get a picture to use for our Christmas card and their home is so beautiful that with the rainy weather, this just seemed to be the ideal thing to do!
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Monday, December 5
Some of the men of the church were putting up the Drive Thru Nativity scenes, so Jim went out to help and I, of course, tagged along to be the official photographer. However, at one point, I decided (as you will see) that I needed to be included in the day's activities without actually doing the work. Guess that's one of the perks of being the photographer!
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Friday, December 9
Jim and Ladd needed to work over at TJ's today on her garage door so I took care of Jarhett, Angela and Ladd's grandson, or it might be better to say that he took care of me! What a precious young man this kid is!
This evening, we went out to church for the first performance of the Nativity Drive Thru. It's always such a thrill to see this all come together to celebrate the Lord's birth! And, like all good things Baptist, it begins in the fellowship with a little bit of nourishment! Then the scurry of getting costumes on before heading out to the real thing.
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Saturday, December 10-Thursday, December 15
Once Jim and I retired from teaching 10 years ago, we promised ourselves that we would give our time and energy in some way volunteering. At first, it was helping to build churches, then our Toccoa time became a twice a year venture; but last year, we began helping in the "vest room" of Snowball Express. Now it's our passion and something we really look forward to!
Just a little info about Snowball Express taken from their website..."Over the past decade, true American Heroes, the men and women of the United States Military and their families, have made and continue to make extraordinary sacrifices to protect our freedom. That’s why we started Snowball Express. Each year with the help of our presenting sponsor, American Airlines, and our other wonderful sponsors and volunteers we are able to bring together children of our fallen military heroes from all over the world for 5 days of making new memories and honoring their parent's sacrifice."
There are so many ways to volunteer for this event; but ours begins with the Patriot Guard Riders.
The Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) were formed 11 years ago in response to the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, that picketed the funerals of fallen military personnel. The original purpose was to form an honor guard around the family during the funerals and burials to protect them from people who would dishonor their service and/or family loss.
Now a national organization, the PGR continues to honor and support families of fallen military, law enforcement officers, and first responders by standing as an honor guard during funerals and providing an escort to cemeteries.
The Texas Patriot Guard Riders are actively involved in Snowball Express activities each December. The North Texas Patriot Guard Riders organize the motorcycle escorts for the participants from the time they arrive at DFW Airport until the time they leave. The East Texas Patriot Guard Riders, of which we are a part, work in the Vest room, where we provide vests for each child and sew on patches that they have selected from our collection of military rank and unit patches, or that belonged to their parent.
Our job is to provide as much positive interaction as possible with the kids and parents as they continue to grieve the loss of a parent (or in one case this year, the loss of both parents who were serving in the military). We have likened the experience to being on an extreme emotional roller coaster for a week, as we laugh and cry along with them while they share their stories.
This year we had over 1,700 youth and surviving spouses attend along with around 1,700 volunteers. American Airlines provided aircraft and crews to fly the families in from around the country for the 5-day experience.
As you will notice in the photos, this year 643 US flags were positioned around the courtyard...one for each fallen hero represented at SBE. It was a sight to behold! Jim went out several times and played Taps. It was quite moving, especially when he played for Jared Plunk, the husband of Lindsay Plunk, one of our former students!
We met other PGR members at Duke's, near Canton, and caravanned into Dallas. Then the setting up of the room began! Electrical plugs are everywhere as you can see when Jim and Beth meet under the table to connect the cords!
Even though I'm not a sew-er", Pat made me an apron! Was I proud!!! Thanks, Pat.
We're ready! Let the children come!
A special salute to Jared by Jim and "Marine"!
And...me being silly...
Each child and family, we have met have become etched on our hearts; we are blessed to have forged especially strong bonds with some that we had met last year. First, our Hawaii friends who gave us this special treat from our Hawaii friends! Thank you for your kindness!
And, then, Stephanie and Knightly who gave us our precious Forever (Relying on God) Frog. (That's what we named him.)
And...before we know it, it's time to say good-bye until next year!
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Friday, December 16
Before going to the Nickerson's for our Sunday School Christmas party, we needed to check in with Jenny, since we had been out of town so long. You never catch Jenny without a smile on her face!
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Sunday, December 18A busy Sunday with church, concert, and candlelight service.
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Tuesday, December 20
Happy birthday, Jim!
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Tuesday, December 21
Happy birthday to daughter, Heather.
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Wednesday, December 22
Christmas dinner at our house with Jim's family.
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Friday, December 23-Saturday December 31
Much of our Christmas celebrations occurred through text and phone calls such as the Christmas eve photos we received from Mike and Kelly. Since we couldn't be together, this warmed our hearts!
We spent Christmas Day with Jerry and Diane; but forgot to take pics until they were leaving!
We spent the 26th riding Taz to deliver Jalapeno bread to friends and to meet Jerry and Diane's beautiful family. And...before we could get home, we ran into a mega rain storm, an exhilarating experience!
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Tuesday, December 27
Happy birthday to grandson, Alexander!
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Thursday, December 29 - Saturday, December 31
On the 29th, we were in for lots of special blessings! First, we got a call from Nancy and Jerry from Artesia with the news that they would be in Terrell and wondered if we could meet for lunch. We jumped at the opportunity!
While we were on the road, we received a call from Gene and Michelle wanting to get together today for lunch but we had to take a raincheck.
Then, a call from Angela and Ladd saying that the family, including Jim's cousin's family from Shamrock were getting together for supper. Wow! When it rains it pours and we were thrilled! Friends and family are great!!!
We spent New Year's Eve in Rockwall where Heather and Whitney and their families met us for a short Christmas celebration.
No New Year's Eve could be complete without our annual calls to friends: Max, in Santa Fe, and Joyce and Gary in League City! Happy New Year, everyone!
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"Let our New Year's resolution be this: we will be there for one another as fellow members of humanity, in the finest sense of the word." Goran Persson, Prime Minister of Sweden, 1996-2006
Jim, Dad, Jim Dad, Gramps and Barbara, Mom, Grams, Gramsie
