Wasn’t it wonderful, having Christmas fall on a Saturday? A lot of people got Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the day after, Sunday, off. We stayed put and my family came to us. It was the first time in years Mother, Daddy, my brother and sister, one of her son’s, Dave and I were together and we spent the time like billionaires! We ate well, we laughed, shared a few gifts but the biggest gift was being together. Thank you God!
There are a few places you might enjoy visiting on the www. One place is Michael Youssef’s blog. Dr. Youssef was born under a social dictatorship, in Egypt, and now lives in Atlanta, GA. His perspective is unique; he’s not one of those who thinks he knows, he knows what he knows because he’s lived it and is more than willing to tell what it was like then and now. He’s a Bible believing, Bible teaching, Bible preaching man after God’s own heart; quite unlike so many “feel good” preachers that twist the Word to suit themselves and their budgets.
Pirate Christian Radio – “Finally, a real Christian radio station that is free from the scurvey plagues of pop-psychology, goofy fads, self help, pietism, liberalism, purpose-drivenism, emergent nonsense and the sissy girly Oprahi-fied spirituality that is being passed off as Christianity.”
Ah, come one…say what you really mean -smile-.
Are you a dangerous woman? If you’re a Christian and a woman then you, perhaps, qualify for being dangerous woman. Read more here.
One more Christmas story for you…
A man named Bob May, depressed and brokenhearted, stared out his drafty apartment window into the chilling December night.
His 4-year-old daughter Barbara sat on his lap quietly sobbing. Bob’s wife, Evelyn, was dying of cancer. Little Barbara couldn’t understand why her mommy could never come home. Barbara looked up into her dad’s eyes and asked, “Why isn’t Mommy just like everybody else’s Mommy?” Bob’s jaw tightened and his eyes welled with tears. Her question brought waves of grief, but also of anger. It had been the story of Bob’s life. Life always had to be different for Bob.
Small when he was a kid, Bob was often bullied by other boys. He was too little at the time to compete in sports. He was often called names he’d rather not remember. From childhood, Bob was different and never seemed to fit in. Bob did complete college, married his loving wife and was grateful to get his job as a copywriter at Montgomery Ward during the Great Depression. Then he was blessed with his little girl. But it was all short-lived. Evelyn’s bout with cancer stripped them of all their savings and now Bob and his daughter were forced to live in a two-room apartment in the Chicago slums. Evelyn died just days before Christmas in 1938.
Bob struggled to give hope to his child, for whom he couldn’t even afford to buy a Christmas gift. But if he couldn’t buy a gift, he was determined to make one – a storybook! Bob had created an animal character in his own mind and told the animal’s story to little Barbara to give her comfort and hope. Again and again Bob told the story, embellishing it more with each telling. Who was the character? What was the story all about? The story Bob May created was his own autobiography in fable form. The character he created was a misfit outcast like he was. The name of the character? A little reindeer named Rudolph, with a big shiny nose. Bob finished the book just in time to give it to his little girl on Christmas Day. But the story doesn’t end there.
The general manager of Montgomery Ward caught wind of the little storybook and offered Bob May a nominal fee to purchase the rights to print the book. Wards went on to print,_ Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer_ and distribute it to children visiting Santa Claus in their stores. By 1946 Wards had printed and distributed more than six million copies of Rudolph. That same year, a major publisher wanted to purchase the rights from Wards to print an updated version of the book.
In an unprecedented gesture of kindness, the CEO of Wards returned all rights back to Bob May. The book became a best seller. Many toy and marketing deals followed and Bob May, now remarried with a growing family, became wealthy from the story he created to comfort his grieving daughter. But the story doesn’t end there either.
Bob’s brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, made a song adaptation to Rudolph. Though the song was turned down by such popular vocalists as Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore , it was recorded by the singing cowboy, Gene Autry. “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” was released in 1949 and became a phenomenal success, selling more records than any other Christmas song, with the exception of “White Christmas.”
The gift of love that Bob May created for his daughter so long ago kept on returning back to bless him again and again. And Bob May learned the lesson, just like his dear friend Rudolph, that being different isn’t so bad. In fact, being different can be a blessing. ~ author unknown to me ~
Personal note – we continue living in Richmond, Dave continues his treatments and the snow storm that slammered the East Coast barely brushed us here. We’ve been able to get to MCV with no problems and other than “coping” with electric heat, all’s well. We’re used to a warmer heat and electric heat is “the coldest heat” we’ve ever used. Brrrrrrr! We’ve touched base with several Richmond friends and I hope to visit some of them while we’re here. Depending upon how Dave is feeling, and his energy level, he may, or may not go with me on those visits. Your prayers are most welcomed, needed and appreciated and we’re believing God for healing in the form of treatments. Thank you, one and all.
Blessings ~ Massey Cancer Clinic ~ your prayers ~ 4-wheel drive vehicle ~ sweat pants ~ a full refrigerator ~ wool sweaters ~~
Soli Deo Gloria,
Sandra
Lady Farmer says
Sandra~
I don't know how you, in the midst of all you and your husband are going thru, can find the time to uplift and encourage us with your wonderful stories, thoughts and websites! Thank you for that!
What a special day Christmas must have been for you with so much family gathered to share in the celebration of our Saviours' birth!
I have never heard the story of writing of Rudolph! Thank you for sharing this also ~ it was quite interesting!
I will continue to pray for you and Dave, however God chooses to heal him!
Blessings!
Paula says
Wonderful story, Sandra! And I love the pictures of the hay bales- that is too cute.
Sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas with family… we also had snow most of the day Saturday and it was wonderful.
Wobegon Cottage says
Family, Friends and good food always make a Christmas better for me…We will be praying for you. Happy New Year.
Timi says
I am so glad you could celebrate Christmas with your family!
I know how much it means to you !
Karen says
Years ago we were renting a big open house that had electric heat and it was a cold winter. We had the thermostat at 68 almost all the time, and our first bill was $800!!!!!…. I don't like electric heat either.
Prayers sent your way for a Happy, Healthy New Year – so glad you spent the holiday with family.
Farm Girl says
I will put all of those things on a list to pray for and keep you and Dave before the throne. I didn't know that story about Rudolph, thanks for sharing it. I love Michael Youssef! I have since I first heard him speak. I really laughed at all of your stuff on your list. Wow, what a breath of fresh air for you to say that. I have felt like a dinosaur for so long. So yay for you!!
I am so glad you got to have Christmas with your family. God is so good. He knew just what you needed.
Blessings to you today,
GLENDA CHILDERS says
How sweet to be with your family at this holiday and during Dave's treatments. You continue to be in my prayers and I so appreciate your updates.
Fondly,
Glenda
Anonymous says
Wonderful that you all were able to share Christmas together Sandra. We received a rare snowfall for Christmas day. Remembering you and Dave in prayer. May God bless.
Old Centennial Farmhouse says
Sandra, you are so dear to me. I just want to thank you for your uplifting post and the recommendation for a "good preacher"….I can always stand to have one at the ready when I need to hear God's word.
I am so glad you all had a wonderful Christmas! And thanks for the update on your husband's treatments–it's a reminder to us to keep praying for Dave!
XOXO
Joni
Anonymous says
I'm new to reading your blog. I'm sorry about your husband's cancer. I will pray for you both and your family.
Penny says
Wishing you and Dave a blessed New year!
Nancy says
This is a wonderful post! Thank you for sharing with us.
Peggy says
prayers going up for you and Dave. Thank you for the wonderful story and links. Have a very, peaceful, blessed New Year.
THE OLD GEEZER says
Happy New Year from Southern California. No snow here but a lot of rain storms and mud slides!
Sandra, I pray that you and Dave get back home soon.
God Bless You, ~Ron
Vicki W says
I don't know if you will have time but I would love to meet you while you are here! Maybe a coffee break or something.