Written to my inlaws Howard and Lynn after returning from visit to Atlanta and Virginia.
(Get yourself a cup of tea and sit down! This has turned out to be a long letter!)
I'm checking in this early am (can you say: JET LAG?) to let you know that the package you sent for Cameron's birthday came yestererday! I'm sorry to not have followed thru much on their wish lists for Christmas. They are so content these days that they didn't have much to say about what they want. ADDED to that, Jim and I were in over our heads in November - and couldn't get on top of everything. By God's grace we didn't let anything earth stopping fall through the cracks! Now that I'm back, our December and into 2004 is thankfully open to do more relaxing and putting around and digging ourselves out from under the piles that have grown while we were out saving the world thru Jim's conferences and my drama.
Kids are sure happy boys these days. They got up early too and we did some reading. When they got down on the floor to start playing Star Wars action figures, I made my exit to my office! Jim stayed home yesterday as we unpacked and cleared clutter - getting ready to put out the decorations and tree today. He's off soon for an early morning and full day today (he took the car!).
Before my suitcases were unpacked, Jim had me busy helping him with a Christmas mailing to all those who've made donations to our account this year, thanking them for their generosity. We sure feel loved when we look at the list of those who give. I know sometimes you've worried about this for us, and I just want you to know how confident we are in God's provision. We're not living like kings, but we are so comfortable. Very comfortable compared to many of our colleagues. So many missionaries struggle with trying to make ends meet month by month. This far, Jim and I have been very blessed to not have to have our hearts and minds constantly occupied with these concerns. We don't have to spend much time each month checking the giving to CRM in order to make life or ministry financial decisions. Still, over the 4 years we have had a few drop off for various reasons.
ON the BIRTHDAY FRONT: We're just now beginning to plan a little birthday party for Cameron this Sunday afternoon. Doing it a Singaporean style (we've participated in a time or two): Calling a couple of his little friends ahead of time, and then taking the snacks and cake downstairs to the playground to share with whoever will be playing then!
Just so you know, I DIDN'T take the boys into the District this trip. It snowed the first night in Virginia (5"!). IT started flurries on our drive home from the airport! The boys kept busy building forts and igloos and feeding the cows and playing in the Lassiters basement that had been finished the day before we arrived. I just didn't want to enjoy taking them there on my own...without daddy along... and (especially after hearing your little tale of making the pact with Walt to take this unborn grandchild to DC when he is eight!) There is the remote possibility that in the future YOU might feel up to making the trip with them...(All things are possible! I know the healing is slow, but we are praying for you to gain your strength back day by day!).
ALSO: While on our trip, I did venture to the toy store and walmart (in both Georgia and Virginia!) and came home with suitcases full of Christmas gifts. I'll sit down with Jim to sort them out, but want to tell you that I did get some sure fire winners with the boys for their birthdays and Christmas. Would you mind giving me a budget for their gifts? I do know for sure that two awesome STAR WARS board games will be from you. The boys didn't see them in the stores (they were too busy looking at the Star Wars action figures in another row) and I know that they will be excited about such a surprise. I may find a few more things in the next 2 weeks, but they really will have enough to give from both us and YOU, if we call it quits with what I've already picked up.
If it's alright with you, and you haven't made other plans, Jim and I have decided to put your Christmas budget for us toward an "i pod" for him (a little portable digital music gismo that holds thousands of songs - Jim's diversion is his music these days), and a new cell phone for me. This time I'm thinking of having it surgically attached so I can't lose it. We want to go shopping for them the next time we have a date night. I'm charging everything these days on American Express - triple points! We're going to look into using them for frequent flyer trips in May to come see you! We'll probably need to get those reservations done this month!
FOR YOU: My parents have come home with a bagfull of gifts to bring by to you two to put under your tree. Souvenirs from all our travels this year...We've sure been to a lot of places this year! We hope you'll like them.
I picked up a novel at the airport in Detroit on our way back and read it...It made me think of you two SO MUCH that I can't wait to send it to you. Have you heard of John Grisham's SKIPPING CHRISTMAS? It was a fun story I really enjoyed it, and it made me miss you two SOOOOO much!
Write when you can. We sure miss you.
The boys are begging me now to leave my cave and help them get out the fake tree and start DECORATING!
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