HAPPY NEW YEAR

I am praying for a wonderful 2008! I know God has a lot of great things ahead for us and His church, and I am looking forward to another NEW YEAR. I have many things I would like to see happen, but the main "happening" I would like to see is an outpouring of the Holy Ghost on all those who are seeking for a change in their life and for the backsliders who have wandered away from God to "come home"! He is calling and I hope and pray they are listening and will return to Him soon! I've had a wonderful year and have enjoyed blogging. I have enjoyed keeping in contact with my friends and meeting all the new ones in "Blog World". Thank you all for all your kind words, and for letting me be a part of your world. God bless you all! Happy New Year and Happy Blogging!

Another Relaxing Evening

After going to eat at the Old Hickory Steak House downstairs I decided to come back and try out Windows Live Writer.  After reading about it on Take Two  blog I had my curiosity get the best of me.  I can't stand it when someone is talking about something and I don't know what it is, so I downloaded the Windows Live Writer and that's what this post is all about.  LOL!  Has anyone else tried it?  Let me know what you think if you have.  This is a picture I had from a few years ago at Christmas.  Aren't they just two little dolls?  They were so tickled!  They've always had so much fun together.  I think I might like using this Live Writer!  You can see exactly what your post is going to look like before posting it to your blog.  I know I've just started so I'm sure I will have some questions.  :)  One of my New Year's resolutions is to learn more about blogging and how to use the right tools to make the experience even better.  Although, I have had a wonderful time with what I've already learned.  Ok...enough is enough. 

Christmas Present

For the last 23 years we have pastored a church that loves their Pastor and Pastor's family. Life Tabernacle is a very loving church and I am proud to be their Pastor's wife, but more than that they are our church family and friends. I remember many years ago when we were pastoring in another town, my husband was Home Missions Director for Section 1 (use to be 13) and he scheduled a Christmas for Christ service in Wichita Falls at Life Tabernacle. When we left the service that night and we travelled the back roads on our way home, I looked at my husband and said, "I felt so at home tonight at Life Tabernacle. I felt like I belonged there as Pastor's wife!" Of course, I did not know the plans God had for our lives, but many times wondered about those feelings. Several years later we accepted the pastorate of Life Tabernacle and it has been a wonderful relationship! I love how God "orders our lives" and puts men of God and saints together to accomplish His will. My cup definitely runs over with love and thankfulness for the people God has placed in our lives. Every Christmas the saints of Life Tabernacle have given us a gift, and this year was not any different. This year they presented us with a "two night stay at the Gaylord Texan". They also gave us money to spend while there! What a wonderful, relaxing gift it is and we are enjoying it at this very moment! We arrived here this afternoon after spending Christmas in Pflugerville. After getting settled in our room we went to eat at P.F. Chang's and it was a wonderful experience for us. We had called and made reservations, then decided to "just go and see if we could get in earlier". By the time we got our name on the list my husband was needing to eat!! He can't go too long or he will have a "low" so he asked for "something to drink and a little something to munch on while we waited". The manager said, "Yes sir! I'll get you fixed up." In a few minutes the manager came by and said, "Sir, what is the name on your reservation?" My husband told him and he said, "I'll be right back." I watched him as he cleaned off a table in "record time" and then he went back toward the kitchen. In a few minutes he walked out of the kitchen with a plate of egg rolls and sauces, set them on the table and walked over and said "Mr. Elms follow me." We followed him to the table he had been preparing for "someone" and from that moment we were waited on as if we were "somebody come"!! :) We ordered our meal and as we were enjoying the delicious "Lettuce wraps, Mongolian Beef, Spicy Chicken and brown rice", the manager came by again and said, "You ordered some of my favorites, but I'm going to bring you something else that will compliment those dishes." He brought back an order of "Vegetable LoMein" and served our plates! It was very good and really did enhance the meal. We were so full and as we were finishing up he came back by and said, "I've got dessert for you, too! Do you like chocolate?" LOL! He then brought out a "Chocolate Torte with fresh fruit"!! It was very rich and good, but there was no way to eat it all. It was amazing how he treated us and didn't even charge us for all the "extras"!! You know, there are some wonderful people in this world. We do not know "why" he treated us with such kindness, but we felt "very special" once again. We looked around to see if there was anyone there telling him what to do. My husband said, "Do you think he knew we were coming?" Well, I don't think anyone told him anything, I just know we enjoyed one of the best dining experiences we've ever had, and that I'm so full I can't hardly breathe!! To our Life Tabernacle family let me say, "there was a man at P.F. Chang's who treated us exactly the way you do and he represented you well!" THANK YOU for our Christmas gift this year. We love you ALL!

All Is Calm

The last few days have been "quiet in blogworld". I have checked many times to see if anyone is writing. A few people have written about Christmas and even shared some slideshows, and I have enjoyed them. But, it seems for the most part everyone's letting their brains and blogs rest. I, being one of them. I really haven't had a lot to say the last few days. It just seems we all are relaxing and waiting for the New Year to begin. My mind is wondering about the year 2008. I never thought we would still be here in this world by now, but He hasn't come back for His church yet, and we are still "watching and waiting for His return". Unless Gabriel blows his trumpet in the next few days we will begin another year. What does the future hold for all of us? That is a big question and it is a question no one can answer. So, I will just say...."I don't know about tomorrow. I just live from day to day." God has something special for us, I am sure. I wonder what it might be. I wonder....just wonder....

Santa's Reindeer

I just wanted to show you one of Santa's Reindeer. She came in from the North Pole a few days ago. She's the prettiest reindeer you'll ever see! Have a Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!

I trust your day will be filled with

love, laughter, and making special memories.

Love you all!

Savanna and Scarlet

I just received this picture tonight from Jonathan and Brenda and wanted to share it with you. Now that Jon, Brenda, Savanna and Scarlet live so far away I don't get to take as many pictures of the girls as I use to, so I was very happy to receive this one from them tonight, along with some other "Christmas Memories". Girls, I love you "so much I can't stand it" and I will miss you this year on Christmas day, but I know you will have a lot of fun with Nana and Papa! Play until you can't play anymore with all of your cousins, and have lots of fun. I hope Papa and I can see you sometime soon! Love you bunches, and bunches, and bunches!

Ok....now that I've said that, I will just say we had a wonderful weekend in church! The presence of God filled both services and we were surrounded in His love. We also were privileged to have the Kenny Prince family, Doug Boyd family, and Joel Bean family with us! It's always so much fun when those who have been a part of the "Life Tabernacle Family" come home to visit. Bro. Joel preached a wonderful message tonight and stirred our hearts to be "annointed of God"! Afterwards, we all went to eat and definitely enjoyed the time together. We love these wonderful men of God and their families and are so proud of them! They are all doing a work for God in other places now and we pray for the Lord to bless them in their "field of labor".

I don't know how much I will be able to be on to blog the next few days, but until we "meet again in "Blogville" let me just say, "HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS"! I hope you get everything you want and need. If you are travelling, please be safe and enjoy your visit with loved ones and friends. I love you all and will talk to you SOON!

Baby, It's Cold Outside!!

High: 43 °F RealFeel®: 29 °F Winds gusting past 40 mph; mainly cloudy and much colder! This is our forecast for today, but tonight it's this.....Saturday Night, Dec 22 Low: 25 °RealFeel®: 15 °F Mainly clear and cold!! Right now it is only 36 degrees, and it is COLD with the wind blowing good and strong. I woke up this morning, put on my robe and slippers and cooked breakfast (eggs, pork chops, toast and jelly, and coffee) I told my husband that I wasn't going anywhere today, so he built a fire in the fireplace so I could enjoy it the rest of the day and yes, it is still going! I'm doing good putting the "logs on the fire". :) I have been baking cookies and I'm going to make some "Candied Pecans". I have been hungry for them for a long time and decided to find a recipe and "try it". Hopefully, they will turn out. If not....oh well! :) I love the overcast skies, the wind blowing, the crackling fire in my fireplace and the smell of the wood burning! I love the sound of Christmas music coming over the speakers in my home, and the smell of cookies baking in the oven. Earlier I saw a few snowflakes falling. I don't think we will have much snow this time, but you never know when you live in North Texas!! Have a wonderful, delicious, exciting, relaxing, "Saturday before Christmas"! Enjoy the season and remember to enjoy "the Reason for the season"!

P.S. I almost forgot to tell you, but I'm fixing TACOS tonight! I wish you all were here to enjoy them with me. :)

My Friend Susanne

I just had to get on tonight to tell you about my friend, Susanne. I met her this summer when my husband and I went to Nova Scotia to preach for her father, Bro. Gratto. I have known of Susanne for a long time, because Daddy and Mother preached for Bro. Gratto many years ago, and they came back talking about Susanne. This past summer when we were there Susanne and I had so much fun being together. Susanne is "hearing impaired" and I am "sign language impaired" so we had a lot of fun "talking" together! One time when we were talking to each other she knew I wasn't catching on to what she was saying, so she signed to me that she needed a pen and paper so she could write what she was telling me. LOL! I thought that was quite brilliant, since I was the one having trouble! She seemed to do just fine "reading my lips" and undertanding what I was saying. I know it wasn't because I was "good" at communicating with her, she's just good at "understanding" what others are saying!! :) Susanne has a beautiful spirit and is a very cheerful young lady. She lifts your spirit just by being around her. I wanted to let you all know she started a blog some time ago and I just found out about it. I have spent quite awhile visiting her blog and found it so very interesting seeing all the beautiful pictures from Canada and of course, knowing her family. Please stop by her blog and say "hello" and welcome her to our "blog-world".

Checking In

Before going to bed for the evening I wanted to write and say I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas Season! I have not been able to sit down and write much the last few days and have missed writing my posts for the blog, but hopefully I will be able to soon. I have pictures to post and things to say, but they will have to wait a little while longer. Today has been beautiful here, but I hear some COLD, wet weather is heading our way. The thing about "bad weather" for us in North Texas is that it seems to always hit us on the weekends! It is so crazy!! I heard the news reporters talking about this the other day and I think they are as baffled about it as I am. We will just wait and see what happens. I think I will do what little shopping I need to do tomorrow, then come home and sit by the fire. I will leave you for now and I trust you will have a beautiful day wherever you may be! Merry Christmas to you all!

Trash Talk

Last night was our "Life Tabernacle Family Social" at the church and we had a wonderful time. After most of the people were gone and we were ready to come home, Andrew and Mandy could not find the stack of Christmas cards they had been given. We searched all over the fellowship hall, on the counter, in the cabinets, in the closet, on the tables, the chairs, in the sanctuary, the offices...you get the picture, I'm sure. We couldn't find them anywhere! I felt so bad that they would have to go home without their cards. I know how enjoyable it is to get home, put on your robe, sit down in your chair with all the cards, reading every word. They are always so sweet! My heart always swells with love and thanksgiving as I read. I was feeling so sorry for Andrew and Mandy when all of a sudden the thought hit me and I said, with great emotion....... "MY CAMERA! WHERE'S MY CAMERA?" By this time no one was at the church except my husband, me, Andrew, Mandy, and the girls. We went back to the fellowship hall to get my camera off of the cabinet "where I had put it" earlier in the evening. My camera was no place in sight! Yes, we looked all over the kitchen once again. On the counter, in the cabinets, on the tables, the chairs, in the closets, drawers, sanctuary, prayer room, offices.....anywhere and everywhere we looked!! Now, I was getting worried that someone had "taken it", but didn't know of anyone that would have done such a thing, so someone MUST have taken it home with them "thinking it was theirs". And the cards....well....it was possible someone had gotten them mixed up with theirs, also. In these situations their are so many possibilities and my mind was going ninety miles an hour trying to...."figure it out"! A few phone calls were made, but NO ONE knew where any of the things were! I called Rita who had been working in the kitchen and she said......"Sis. Elms, ya'll need to look in the trash. There was a trash can sitting right under the counter and it could have been pushed off in the trash." (TRASH! TRASH! OH NO! NOT THE TRASH!) I had already had experience with the "TRASH MONSTER" and did not want to go through that again!! Let's go back: (suspence....I love suspence)

"A few years ago I bought my sister a "special gift". I was so excited about giving it to her, because she had NO IDEA that I would go buy it for her. I had it wrapped up good and "safe" in the bag from the store that I had purchased it from. When I got home with the package I sat it at the end of the counter in the kitchen so that "if she came by my house she would not be able to recognize the package". It was one of those "sneaky times" we all love to enjoy. :) I came in one day and noticed the package was gone. When my husband walked into the house I asked him if he had moved "the package". "What package?" was his reply. "Karla's gift! It was sitting right there at the end of the cabinets," I answered. "You mean the one that was all wrapped up sitting right here?" he asked. "Yes, that one!" I answered as my heart began to skip a few beats. My husband looked at me funny and took a breath and said, "Honey, I didn't know that was Karla's gift. I thought that was trash. With the kids here and all you've been putting the big trash bags right here and I took it to the trash this morning! In fact, since it was so heavy I put it on top of the trash can to hold the lid down." Well, I nearly had a heart attack! (just a figure of speech, don't worry) I knew that the "trash truck" was suppose to come by TODAY and pick up the trash!!! I went into a panic. I double-checked to see if they had already come and they had! Now, "what am I going to do"? I had every emotion hit me at one time!!! I could not believe my "special gift" to Karla was in the TRASH truck and all I could see was the "jazz saxophone player" being SMASHED in the back of the monster TRASH truck!!!!!! To save you anymore details to this story I will just say that after a frantic search for another "jazz player" I found it and Karla got her gift.

Now, back to my camera. Wendell and I were still looking all over the church for it...and the "cards" when Mandy called and said, "Mom, we found your camera. We are out here at the dumpster and our cards were in the last trash bag that was taken out, so Andrew kept looking and he found your camera. It wasn't in its case, so he's looking for the case, now." Once again, I had a lot of emotions flowing through my mind. I could just see my new camera we had bought while on vacation last summer.....down in the TRASH. I could only imagine what it looked like as he pulled it out of the "garbage"! Coffee, creamers, sandwiches, cookies, cakes, tea, and coffee grounds along with no telling what else might be in that dumpster! After a little bit, Andrew found the case, the camera and the cards! He rescued my camera from all of this "stuff" and he is my "hero" today! :) Anyone that would go "digging through the trash" to find anything for me is a very special person! I could spiritualize this, but I won't write it all out for you today. Just remember for future reference that, "there was a babe born in a manger Who came to mankind to dig us out of the trash so that we could be free from sin and have everlasting life"! I think my camera is fine! It has been taking pictures okay. Now, if the mechanisms do not get "stuck" because of the "garbage it was in" I will be using it for many years to come, unless I leave it "on the counter where someone can push it off in the trash without realizing it". I think I've learned a few lessons out of all of this.
1. Be more careful not to leave "valuable things" where they can be "hurt", "ruined" or "trashed".
2. Be careful with "valuables" that belong to someone else.
3. Someone has a "valuable" they have lost. I must help them find it, even if I have to go to the "dumpster"!
4. I will also remember......I have a Savior.....Who came!

Christmastime for Sure!

Whew......I've been too busy to sit down and blog anything! I've been doing things getting ready for different things that are happening this week, so I hope to take a little time in the next few days to write something, but until then...ya'll have a great weekend!

Family

This morning I received a call from my nephew Nathaniel, and I enjoyed the "visit" long distance so much! While visiting with him I learned things about him that I did not know, and admire very much. What a great man he is and has become over the years. Thank you, Nathaniel for calling. Now, let me tell you why I am writing today. I LOVE FAMILY! I know that doesn't come as a surprise to any of you who read my blog, but in my talking with Nathaniel and saying goodbye to him, he said something that brought tears to my eyes and a touch of sadness to my heart, yet I was happy. NO....he didn't say anything wrong....he said everything RIGHT! Families are so neat! It's amazing to me how personalities and traits are handed down from one generation to the next. Today I heard it again and loved it! Keith, my brother who passed away in 2000...SEVEN long years ago (that's hard to believe) had a way of saying one word in a "different" way, and he "came alive" again today. Nathaniel said "that word" today. The word is "a....ryight" (lol) How do you spell it? (lol) Nathaniel said "a...ryight" (alright) just like Keith always did, and that's what made me "sad", yet "happy". I could hear Keith talking to me at that very moment. When I hung up the phone, I then called Andrew, our son who was at the church. I once again heard my brother in Andrew's voice and words! I LOVE FAMILY! Families keep memories alive through their actions, words, voice, and stories told. Andrew has actions "just like Keith" and sometimes I go back in time when I'm with him. Even though my eyes fill with tears, especially this time of year, my heart leaps with happiness to know my brother lives on through some of the men in my life!! I LOVE FAMILY! Now, unless you think I am sad, I probably am a little bit, but that comes with life. I am fine and don't want anyone to "feel sorry" for me. :) Memories are what keep people enjoying life and having them is a blessing! I would hate to live without having the sweet memories of those I love. Enjoy your family this Christmas, and you'll have "beautiful, fun memories" to ENJOY the rest of your life.

Urgent Prayer Needed!

This is a very urgent call to prayer for this lovely young evangelist wife and mother. I am asking all who believe in God to pray for this special lady! I copied this information off of the Prayer of Bethani site so you will have a "target" to pray for. God will hear us as we pray! In Jesus Name we pray healing to come to Bethani at this very moment! AMEN!

Request for Prayer: Bethani had her blood work done yesterday in Redding. She woke up this morning unable to keep her medications down. They called the doctors in San Francisco to discuss her problem today. After looking at her blood work they told them to come straight to San Francisco that her numbers showed that she was in full rejection of her liver.

The family is asking for your prayer! Please pray that God will reach down right now and touch Bethani. God is able!

A Cute Christmas Story

The following story was sent to my husband and he shared it with me. I wanted my "blog friends" to enjoy it, so I'm posting it tonight. I do not know who wrote it or I would give them "proper recognition". As you all know by now, I LOVE children and watching them perform. I remember the many Christmas "plays" I have seen through the years. The children are always so entertaining and the parents proud, yet sometimes "humiliated". LOL! I could keep writing, but I'll stop for now. Enjoy the story!

My husband and I had been happily (most of the time) married for five years but hadn't been blessed with a baby. I decided to do some serious praying and promised God that if he would give us a child, I would be a perfect mother, love it with all my heart and raise it with his word as my guide.

God answered my prayers and blessed us with a son. The next year God blessed us with another son. The following year, he blessed us with yet another son. The year after that we were blessed with a daughter. My husband thought we'd been blessed right into poverty. We now had four children, and the oldest was only four years old.

I learned never to ask God for anything unless I meant it. As a minister once told me, "If you pray for rain, make sure you carry an umbrella."

I began reading a few verses of the Bible to the children each day as they lay in their cribs. I was off to a good start. God had entrusted me with four children and I didn't want to disappoint him.

I tried to be patient the day the children smashed two dozen eggs on the kitchen floor searching for baby chicks. I tried to be understanding when they started a hotel for "homeless frogs" in the spare bedroom, although it took me nearly two hours to catch all twenty-three frogs.

When my daughter poured ketchup all over herself and rolled up in a blanket to see how it felt to be a hot dog, I tried to see the humor rather than the mess.

In spite of changing over twenty-five thousand diapers, never eating a hot meal and never sleeping for more than thirty minutes at a time, I still thank God daily for my children. While I couldn't keep my promise to be a perfect mother - I didn't even come close - I did keep my promise to raise them in the Word of God.

I knew I was missing the mark just a little when I told my daughter we were going to church to worship God, and she wanted to bring a bar of soap along to "wash up" Jesus, too.

Something was lost in the translation when I explained that God gave us everlasting life, and my son thought it was generous of God to give us his "last wife."

My proudest moment came during the children's Christmas pageant. My daughter was playing Mary, two of my sons were shepherds and my youngest son was a wise man. This was their moment to shine.

My five-year-old shepherd had practiced his line, "We found the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes." But he was nervous and said, "The baby was wrapped in wrinkled clothes." My four-year-old "Mary" said, "That's not 'wrinkled clothes,' silly. That's dirty, rotten clothes."

A wrestling match broke out between Mary and the shepherd and was stopped by an angel, who bent her halo and lost her left wing.

I slouched a little lower in my seat when Mary dropped the doll representing Baby Jesus, and it bounced down the aisle crying, "Mama-mama."

Mary grabbed the doll, wrapped it back up and held it tightly as the wise men arrived.

My other son stepped forward wearing a bathrobe and a paper crown, knelt at the manger and announced, "We are the three wise men, and we are bringing gifts of gold, common sense and fur." The congregation dissolved into laughter, and the pageant got a standing ovation.

"I've never enjoyed a Christmas program as much as this one," laughed the pastor, wiping tears from his eyes. "For the rest of my life, I'll never hear the Christmas story without thinking of gold, common sense and fur."

"My children are my pride and my joy and my greatest blessing," I said as I dug through my purse for an aspirin.

Hear Alayna Sing

You can now go to Mandy's blog and hear Alayna sing her first solo in church! We are so proud of her! She will grow up singing and blessing everyone with her beautiful voice. She is only 5 years old and already has a "heart after God". "God, please keep her in Your loving care, and shield her from the enemy. Thank you for our sweetheart, Alayna."

Note: You can also go to this post to read more about our concert night. It is a post I wrote earlier today. Thanks again for stopping by.

Medicine for those in pFLUville!

I visited this blog today and this is what I found! I just couldn't help but post it. LOL! I think my brother-in-law, Gene could have sung this song a few days ago when he was sick with the pFLU! Hope you like this song, Gene!
"Laughter is the BEST medicine!" Hope you're all feeling better now!

Christmas Concert

Last night was a wonderful concert by Life Tabernacle Sanctuary Choir, Children's Choir, and Drama Ministry. We were concerned about the weather, because we had some icy bridges Sunday morning and the reports came in of people slipping and sliding on their way to church. Sharon and her dad were not as fortunate to "just slip" and she lost control of their van as she hit ice on a bridge.We are all so thankful that they are doing fine, except for being sore from the crash! God keeps His hands on us in times we don't even know we are in danger. Thank you, Lord! After discussing about the weather my husband decided to go ahead have the concert and we are so glad he did. We had a wonderful crowd and a great time in the presence of the Lord. Our choir, children's choir, and drama department did a beautiful job and people were touched by what they felt and heard. I do not have any video to show you, but I will give you another slideshow to enjoy. :) You have to go here to understand that last statement. Have a great day and I will "talk" to you again, soon.

Too Tired to Blog Tonight

I really wanted to blog tonight about everything that's been happening here in our church, but I think I'm just too tired!! I'll just say for now...we had a wonderful Christmas Choir Concert tonight and I'm so very proud of Kassie, the choir, and musicians!! Also, the children's choir sang and did incredible under the leadership of Carmen. Ok....that's all I'm saying, but I will leave you with a picture.
I thought you would enjoy my little Christmas Sweethearts! I'm also waiting for Mandy to blog so we can "see and hear" Alayna sing her first solo in church. Ya'll have a wonderful Monday! Hopefully, I will get around to blogging tomorrow.

Cozy Time of Year

I am not a big shopper like a lot of ladies, so I only go shopping if I need to. I know that probably surprises some, but that's just me. I haven't finished my shopping for Christmas, but I will and the gifts will be all ready to unwrap when that time comes. For me right now I am enjoying the Season! I finished decorating my house, minus the tree, and I am enjoying the coziness of Christmas decorations, Christmas music, and remembering the good times in the past. I love the lights twinkling on the houses, shrubs, and trees. I love the nativity scenes in the yards that tell us the story of a time so long ago when the Savior of the world was born! There is just something magical about this time of year. I love seeing the anticipation in the eyes of children as they wait for the night all the gifts they have been dreaming about will be "delivered" by a jolly old fellow, that doesn't even exist. The "dreaming" is almost too much for them to stand! Anyone who knows me, knows me as a "grown-up that's still a child at heart". I love the simplicity of life. I'm not one to leave "traditions" very far behind. My house is still decorated in red and green, Santa and Mrs. Santa, and alot of different Santa's sitting around. Doesn't the song say, "He sees you when you're sleeping. He knows when you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good so be good for goodness sake"? Well, my house has Santa watching from many different locations. Now, for those who do not believe in Santa, I don't either, but I do believe in the "spirit of giving" that Santa always portrays. I know it's a fairy tale story, but it's fun imagining with the children that there's a "jolly ole fella" off in the cold country, that will be riding in his sleigh full of toys, pulled by Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and all of his buddies who help keep the sleigh traveling at an incredible speed to get to all the children all over the world giving them presents they asked for when they sat on his lap in the mall! I also love the Christmas programs put on by our children. I love being with friends and family and enjoying the sights and sounds of Christmas at parties that are given to celebrate Christmas! I love candles flickering throughout my home warming our heart as we walk into a room. I love the special night at church we set aside for "Christmas for Christ" when families walk passed the manger placing their offering there so the gospel can be carried to those who are in "darkness". One of the most touching part of this night is when a member of the family who has just given their offering, picks up a candle and places it on the map of the United States of America! Many times they will choose carefully where they place their candle, because they have family somewhere far away that needs God in their lives. You can almost hear the prayer in their heart that "somehow, someway God will send someone to them to show them truth"! I could go on and on about Christmas and what I love about it, but most of all I love KNOWING we have a SAVIOR, and He loves us so much that He came to redeem us. If He had not cared, if He had not sacrificed His life for mine, then I would have no HOPE. Living without hope has got to be the most LOST feeling anyone could ever have. Thank you Jesus for coming so we can have LIFE and that "more abundantly"! Here is a slideshow of our special "Christmas for Christ" service. This is only a "taste" of how wonderful this night is. I trust you will enjoy Life Tabernacle's "tradition".