Circumstances

We celebrated Jesus birthday a day early (yesterday).  Complete with singing Happy Birthday and enjoying a coffee cake and Advent reading before presents!

 

I was so proud of the kids this year, they all got each other gifts!  They weren't big, but they thought of their siblings - I love it!

 

We enjoyed some days with Grandpa and Grandma Adkins.  They were able to come on Saturday (celebrating Eli's birthday) and stay through until this morning!

 

Last night we participated in our Christmas Eve Service!  Our family was busy, as Eli sang, the boys had the Advent reading and prayer, Ron and I served communion and he gave a devotional!  What a blessing to worship and lead our congregations in celebrating Jesus' coming!

The plan was to load up early and begin our 16 hour trip to Gulf Shores, AL where we would spend the next few days with my parents and my brothers family!

 

Unfortunately, plans change!  (I don't like change, by the way!)  We were a little nervous about the weather (tornado's and blizzard like conditions in the path we were traveling), but we decided we had a window and we were preparing to go. 

 

Let me back up just a minute and say that we had gotten a rental vehicle.  We have had it booked for over a month  - our van is in the shop this week and we knew it wouldn't make the 900+mile trip one way.  Yesterday when Ron went to pick up our rental van we were told that it hadn't been returned and would we be OK with an upgrade.  Ron agreed (with no price increase).  However, upgrade meant leather seats and fancy gadgets, instead of more room.  In fact, there is less room.  As we loaded this morning - it didn't work.  We couldn't cram our family of 6 and our belongings for 6 days into it.  We tried, we maneuvered, we attempted - it wouldn't work.

 

Finally we had to make the decision that it wasn't going to work.  I despise letting people down!  I had to call my mom and inform her we couldn't come, then we had to tell the kids - I really don't like disappointment!  I so don't like letting them down!  There were tears!

 

I am trying to be upbeat, I'm trying to roll with this one and see what it is Jesus wants to do for us and through us this week.  Perhaps it's just a week of relaxation as a family.  Perhaps there is something more!  Jesus knows and despite my disgust of change and things not going as planned, I am trying!

 

Our Christmas has not begun quite like we expected - or not at all like we expected!  But Jesus still came, and He is still coming!  We wait with anxious anticipation!