Live Nativity, Snow Storm, Freedom is Coming, Marcus Theatre

On Dec. 16, for the third year in a row, our church, Faith Lutheran in Fond du Lac, hosted a live nativity. This was the first year we were able to attend and it was delightful. A few highlights were the spry nine month "pregnant" Mary who hopped nimbly off the uncooperative pony in the stable. This pony did not want to stay in its stall and WHINNYED  at an inappropriate time. (We had a debate on the way home about whether whinny was a word and never reached a consensus.) The pony then later stole hay from the well behaved calf. The back story is that they used a pony because one of the years they used a donkey it snatched a hat off a child spectator taking some hair with it. Apparently ponies aren't any better behaved than donkeys. The comments from the children and the "sudden" appearance of the angels during the reading were priceless. I video taped it because Mary was played this year by the sister of a friend of Richard's and Joseph was played by one of my former eighth grade students. I'm really glad I did. It was a priceless experience and really got me in the mood for Christmas!

Here is the video for your enjoyment as well:

On Dec. 19 and 20 Wisconsin experienced a winter storm that upgraded to a blizzard. We received in excess of 15 inches of snow. We were fortunate in the fact that all of the kids were home by the time the storm started and no one had to travel anywhere until it was over.

 

It was also nice having the boys home to help with the clearing of the snow!

 

After the storm the temperatures dropped to below freezing where they have stayed for the last week. That means all of that snow is still around and plastered on houses, signs and trees.

 

It guaranteed a truly white Christmas this year!

 

December 21st was the Christmas concert at WLA. I was concerned that it wouldn't take place this year since the Thursday concert was canceled because of the storm. I needn't have feared however, the Friday concert went on as planned and I was able to hear one of my favorite songs that WLA performs every year. To me it just isn't Christmas with out a rendition of "Freedom Is Coming". This year I had the foresight to tape it off the live stream so now I can listen to it whenever I want! Gotta love technology!

 

 

On Dec. 22 Nick and Tanya dressed up and went out to eat and to see a performance of the Nutcracker at the Marcus Theatre. Nick wore his blues and Tanya wore her new pearls which were a birthday gift from Nick.

 

 

 

They looked fabulous and it paid off! Because Nick wore his blues it was obvious he was in the military. To thank Nick for his service in the Marines the restaurant gave them their drinks and dessert for free as well as a $50 gift certificate for a return visit. I thought that was a really nice thing to do!

 

Photo of the Day:

 

Scripture Verse of the Day:

 

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

1 Cor. 12: 4-6