Would...

... anonymous step forward please???? YOU are the winner of my little snowflake candle holder contest!!! I'm fairly confident you are a student of mine since you called me, "Miss Hammond":o), so let me know who you are so I can pass them along to you!

Thank you to everyone else who participated... if anonymous doesn't respond within a couple of days (hint, hint!) then I will pick someone else to find a home for the holders. Enjoy!

Home Again, Home Again.

Judging by my site meter, I think I better post something:o). I flew home on New Year's Day, just in time to visit with my parents and unload my two huge suitcases before tumbling into bed. Each night in Indiana we didn't go to bed until 12:30 or 1:00, so I was just continuing the pattern by not going to bed until closer to 1 AM... unfortunately the alarm buzzing at 6:30 AM reminded me that this could NOT become a habit:o).

I do have to share three blessings from the beginning of the trip...

• I was getting off the Turnpike in Phila. and handed to the toll booth collector my money and my testimony tract. He surprised me when he said he already read it (a sign I go up and down the Turnpike waayyyy too often!) and said it was a blessing to him since he's a Christian too! Then he offered to pay my toll for me... what an unexpected surprise!
• My sister sent out a lot of gifts with me for my brother and his family, and so I wasn't too surprised when the guy at the airport told me my bag was overweight. I wasn't, however, prepared to pay $25.00 and I didn't have room to shuffle anything around when the guy suddenly said, "You know, it's Christmas. We'll just let it go." Thank you Father!
• On my flight from Detroit to Chicago, there were only about 20 people on board. I was in the way back of the plane (close to those loud thingamajings:o)) on the flight from Phila. to Detroit, so I figured I would just move up a few rows once the plane was in the air. As we were preparing to leave, the flight attendant came back and said to myself and two others, "You're going to have to move to first class." Well, since I had to, I moved up to the nice comfy chairs:o). Isn't God good?!?!

I love the way Trevor is watching Tyler play his cup-stacking game...

He's a kangaroo... can't ya tell?!?:o)

We stopped at Taste of Thailand (a restaurant) on Saturday and I was soon transported back to the streets of Bangkok... yum, yum!

I've never met anyone (outside of my church) who reads my blog, so I was a little surprised when Rebecca came up to me to say she reads my blog... so being the blogger that I am, I knew I had to take a picture and post it:o).

My sister-in-law Kim and my niece Tiana...

Jack and Kim... a very dearly loved family!

Just Popping In To Say Hi:o).

My niece and nephew wanted to come to the library to check out some movies, so that would explain the internet access and a blog post:o). This has been such a sweet time of fellowship for me with my brother and his family, especially since my sister-in-law just lost her father only two weeks ago. The Lord's way is always best because He placed me here to be an encouragement and blessing to my family, particularly my sister-in-law during this first Christmas without her dad.

The best part about this trip has been the quality time we've spent together. We haven't jam-packed the trip chock full of amazing places to see, but it has been filled with lots of love, giggles, and grins. When my 5-year-old nephew saw me last Thursday morning (remember he's autistic) he said, "Auntie Anne, you're alive!!!" So although the nights have been late (I'm talking 1 or 2 AM every night!) it's been a blast! I trust you all have been as blessed as I have been during this Christmas season. And I think I forgot to mention the best part of it all: uninterrupted quiet time with the Lord in the morning... not having to worry about rushing out the door to get to school. That has been the sweetest time of my day...



Feel free to enter the contest in the post below. I plan on closing it out on Thursday January 3rd so you still have some time:o).

Well Nothing Says Christmas...

... like going on a trip! It's been so quiet around this little blog because of an incredibly busy weekend and it's gearing up to be a busy day tomorrow. I fly out of Philadelphia (oh the joy of flying from Philadelphia ) tomorrow night into Chicago with a layover in between the two. That layover consists of 49 minutes exactly, and Philadelphia is known for delays at this time of year, so if you wouldn't mind praying for a delay-free exit from Philadelphia, I would appreciate it!

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Last night both of my brothers and their families came over for dinner so I just can't resist posting a picture of Ethan:o).

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Posting is going to be slim to none until the New Year because I'm seriously questioning the internet access where I'm going, so I thought I would hold a little contest for all of your faithful (and new!) readers while I'm gone:o).

A few years ago I went to a Princess House show in Florida with my sister and won these four little snowflake holders! The hostess very excitedly told me I could use them as a candle holder (as pictured above) or as a placeholder for name tags for a dinner.

It was a really good idea and for a while I shared her enthusiasm, but since I came home from that trip, I haven't used them once (except to take the pictures for this post!). So I figured it was time to let someone else enjoy them!

All you have to do to enter this contest is to leave a comment on this post. It would also be great if you linked here as well, but that's not necessary:o). When I come back from my adventures in the mid-west, I'll pick the winner!

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I hope you all have a very blessed Christmas - whether you spend it with family or friends! Let's not forget the real reason for Christmas and take the opportunity to share the love of Christ.

Merry Christmas!

Wishin'.

I wrote the missionary family I stayed with in Thailand to let them know I was praying for them and this is the reply I got:

Thanks Anne, We are praying for you also. Wish you were here ;-)

Chao Praya River, Thailand

Yeah, me too...

Lord willing, this next year will find me back in Thailand...

Christmas Fun!

Jendi tagged me for this meme a little bit ago and since I forwarded this along to about 20 girls via e-mail, I figured I would post it here too:o). Feel free to consider yourself tagged in doing this meme if you haven't done it yet!


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I normally go with gift bags unless I'm watching a movie and want something "to do" and then I wrap.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Real:o)
3 . When do you put up the tree? For the past couple of years we haven't done one; when we used to do it, it was usually early December. This year we actually got one for free so we'll be putting it up soon!
4. When do you take the tree down? Right around January 6th or 7th.
5. Do you like egg nog? Nope.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My Pound Puppy... he was my favorite for years!
7. Do you have a nativity scene? My mom has a pretty ceramic one she made.
8. Hardest person to buy for? Without a doubt, my dad.
9 . Easiest person to buy for? My sisters.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail Christmas cards for sure!
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A sketching pad when I was about 7... I hated to draw and it was one of a couple gifts I got that year.
12 . Favorite Christmas movie? I like Little Women because it starts out being Christmas. I guess It's A Wonderful Life would have to be the classic Christmas movie:o).
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? As I see things all throughout the year.
14 . Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? If I wasn't going to use it then yes.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Poppy seed Roll.
16 . Clear lights or colored on the tree? It depends... if all the decorations are quaint and elegant then clear. But if everything is a little more festive then color.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Hmmm... I'm not sure. I guess when I think of all the "traditional" songs it would have to be "Little Drummer Boy". But we've done cantatas for several years now and I always remember the song "Let the Joy Begin" (the real title is Joy to the World, but that could get confusing:o).
18. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star.
19. When do you open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Sometime on Christmas Day. We would always wait until everyone in the house came downstairs and then we would open the gifts one at a time, starting with Dad and finally ending with me! It was a really nice way to do it, and that way we got to share in everyone's gifts.
20 . Most annoying thing about this time of year? The covetousness.
21 . Favorite ornament theme or color? I have a few ornaments that were handmade by people who are no longer alive so those are kinda special.
22. Favorite for Christmas dinner? I'm not too picky besides having Cranberry Sauce! I LOVE cranberry!!!
23. Favorite Christmas memory? When we had 20 family members over for dinner.
24. What do you want for Christmas this year? I don't want anything (unless it's a ticket back to Thailand!) The Lord has abundantly blessed me by meeting my needs.

It REALLY Is Common.

So I'm not sure if it's the meds the doc gave me, the Subway I ate at 9:35 PM, or just the great evening of fun I had, but here I am at 3ish in the morning, wide-awake and really dreading the day ahead of me:o).

What do most normal people do in a situation like that? Blog, of course! So here I am...

I went to the doctor's Monday afternoon and was shocked to see his son is now a doctor practicing with him! When did that happen? Oh sometime within the past ten years, seeings that I haven't been there since I was 14:o). After being checked by both doctor-son and doctor-doctor, they came to the conclusion I have a common cold.

While that's not as impressive-sounding as walking pneumonia or bronchitis (in my defense it has been a month-long process, so I was expecting something a little more than the common cold), I'm also thankful that I did go to find out what the problem is and that it wasn't the two mentioned above. I've never been to the hospital before (I mean for me. I've visited people in the hospital though:o), and I didn't want to start now!

So that's all it was. I do appreciate your prayers; I was expecting to pay $57.00 for the visit and medication, but instead the Lord graciously allowed me to pay $42.00! And when saving pennies for trips to visit the mid-west family next week and for Thailand, then every bargain truly helps!

The Babe... The Christ.

Do you worship the Babe in the manger,
But reject the Christ of the Cross?
Your redemption comes not by the manger,
But the death of Christ on the Cross.

If you worship the Babe in the manger,
But ignore the blood of God’s Son,
To you Christ is only a stranger,
Til you trust the work He has done.

The Babe in the manger was God’s only Son,
Who came to the world to die.
The Babe in the manger could never have done
The work of His God on high.

The Babe left the manger and went to the Cross
To pay the wages of sin.
Your way of forgiveness is not by the Babe,
But the Christ who died for your sin.

– W. S. and Mildred Dillon

Would Ya Pray?

It all started rather innocently - a sore, scratchy throat one Thursday morning. By Saturday, it had turned into a full-blown cough, making cantata practice interesting! This cough has been a part of my life for almost a month now, so I'm finally going to the doctor on Monday. I've been told dozens of times within the past month, "You sound horrible!" and while I'm sure that statement has always been mentioned in the nicest way possible (!), I'm ready to be over it.

This sounds selfish asking for prayer, but would you please pray the appointment and medicine wouldn't be too costly?!? I have no insurance (because I'm rarely sick - thanks be to God!) so I'm paying full cost for this one. To add to the whole interesting dilemma, my doctor is 50 miles away (yup, you read that right). I can't tell you the last time I stepped into his office, but it had to be at least eight years ago! I really like my doctor too... he's got this great accent and always clucks his tongue:o). I just try not to see him very often;o).

Thanks for praying!

In The Arena.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at the worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly...

~Theodore Roosevelt~

(One of my student's had to memorize this quote for Civics , and I was challenged by the man who is actually giving it his best by being in the arena...take it or leave it for what it's worth!)