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posted by Robert on 12/27/06

With a desire that our family would focus on giving rather than receiving at Christmastime, Mom came up with a great idea that was destined to become a family tradition. Now, every year as Christmas Eve approaches, anticipation and excitement build while each member of the family secretly creates a special gift for someone else.

One thing that makes our gift exchange special is that it has to be a personalized gift, often created with materials that are already in the home or workshop. Mom coordinates it ahead of time so that each person makes a gift for a different person. And Dad is always there to help out anyone who needs a hand with a difficult project.

This year on Christmas Eve we gathered at Grandpa and Grandma Brannon’s house, enjoyed cookies together in an atmosphere of lighted candles, and marveled at all of the creativity, diligence, and thoroughness that went into each person’s exchange gift. Over and over again, this fun family tradition has revealed to us the truth that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”

2 Comments » | posted in Family News

posted by Esther on 12/23/06

Thursday evening found David and I, in full Christmas spirit, busily making our first batch of gingerbread cookies. We had just finished mixing up the dough when David peeked in the bowl, noticed it was sticky, and remarked, “I think we need another half cup of flour!” Looking at the recipe, I saw to my amazement that it read: “add up to one half cup additional flour if necessary to prevent sticking”. Wow! David is a natural chef!

As soon as the dough was ready, the cookie-cutting crew came. Unsatisfied with with the limitations of the cookie cutters and overflowing with artistic creativity, Donald, Michael, James, Daniel, Jonathan, David and I set to work creating original gingerbread men (and women!). The amount of dough that secretly disappeared in the process goes to show how tasty this recipe is.

1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons ginger
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup margarine, melted
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
½ cup evaporated milk
1 cup molasses
4 cups stone-ground or unbleached flour unsifted

Combine the sugar, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda. Mix well. Add the melted margarine, evaporated milk, and molasses. Mix well. Add the flour 1 cup at a time, stirring constantly. The dough should be stiff enough to handle without sticking to fingers. Knead the dough for a smoother texture. Add up to ½ cup additional flour if necessary to prevent sticking. (We ended up adding a whole other cup.) When the dough is smooth, roll it out ¼ inch thick on a floured surface and cut it into cookies. Bake on floured or greased cookie sheets in a pre-heated 375° F. oven for 10 to 12 minutes. The cookies are done if they spring back when touched.

3 Comments » | posted in Recipes

posted by Robert on 12/19/06

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was filled with sorrow at the tragic death of his wife in a fire in 1861. The Civil War broke out that same year, and it seemed this was an additional punishment. Two years later, Longfellow was again saddened to hear that his own son had been seriously wounded as a lieutenant in the Army of the Potomac.

Sitting down to his desk, one Christmas Day, he heard the church bells ringing, and ringing. It was in this setting he wrote:

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep,
God is not dead, nor doth he sleep.
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.

(from The Timothy Report, Swan Lake Communications, Swanlake@jam.rr.com December 15, 2003)

1 Comment » | posted in Historical Glimpses, Tidbits

posted by Robert on 12/17/06

Standing in a crowd of friends and neighbors, sipping my warm cup of hot chocolate, I listened to the familiar sounds of Christmas carols floating through the chilly night air. It was the annual town Christmas Celebration at the Salem depot!

This year Esther, James, Daniel & David played four beautiful Christmas carols on the bells, thanks to an invitation from our friend Mike Davis. Jonathan, David, and Robert also played a bell arrangement they had come up with day before. And afterwards Donald and Michael joined the rest of us on stage to sing a few more Christmas carols together.
With his red and white hat bobbing in the breeze, the announcing DJ told the crowd how that he was so grateful we had reminded everyone that this was a Christian holiday and that Jesus was the real reason for the season. Amen to that! We were honored when he then handed us his business card and asked us to contact him about playing for the Apple Butter Festival next year!

What a blessing to be able to remind the world that Christmas is really all about Christ!

1 Comment » | posted in Family News

posted by Robert on 12/14/06

After three full days of traveling (two of which were the same day of the week, thanks to the International date line), I finally arrived home from the Philippines on the 12th.

This trip went far beyond my expectations. Seeing how the Lord was able to use each member of the team to spread His Word to orphanages, schools, and churches was absolutely thrilling! My own outlook on world missions was greatly enhanced as I experienced day to day life in a different culture. And my heart was blessed over and over again as I was able to meet, learn from, and minister to Filipinos of all ages.

I’ve included a few pictures from the prayer updates but I’ll look forward to hopefully posting more when I can. Thank you all for your prayers! God is good!

1 Comment » | posted in Ministry Reports