a different Christmas

 This will be a different Christmas for sure!  

My daughter's first baby arrived early so I had the privilege of being down in NC with her for the past week 1/2.  What a joy to see how amazing she and Jared are parenting this little one, already pointing him to Jesus!  I have loved every moment of it!

Being here also means I'm less involved then normal with Crossroads' Christmas.  I still have responsibilities but missing all the final meetings and tweaks to the plans.  Christmas was always one of my favorite ministry seasons although some of the pastor's I've worked with didn't particularly love it - ha ha!

It's always a magnificent thing to watch everything fall into place as God's hand touches our work and forms it into exactly what His will is.  None of us ever dreamed COVID would still be controlling much of what is happening around us by December, but alas it is.  Still, I see God's leading even in things like Pastor Dave's suggestion for live animals this year - and the fact that they have to be outside.  This removed all worry about COVID by wearing masks and being spread out from one another in the fresh air!

It gives everyone at Crossroads the opportunity to invite anyone they've been wanting to invite to church to stop by...even if it's just to see the animals!  Please use this opportunity to invite families, even if you don't think they'll stay for the service it may be Step #1 in getting them to Crossroads.  Meanwhile inside the Gospel of Jesus will be celebrated through beautiful song and God filled teaching! 

Everything we plan is intentional, everything pointing them to the Savior! We'll have people out with our animals in front of the church to welcome everyone and chat with them about Christ's birth - we just need you to help us get those people here!  We'll even have a camel!

Remember if you invite people with Elementary aged kids or younger, there will be children's services just for them at all of the 5:00 p.m. services - December 22, 23 & 24.  

Even in the ugliness of all the sickness, we can still safely worship and honor King Jesus while remaining a safe distance from one another! I'll be back from NC soon and hope to see you there!

what Christmas meant

As we get rested up from Christmas, I've had some time to consider what Christmas meant this year...

The emotions ran high!

I went from doubting that it would ever come together - to the excitement or progress, and then felt loneliness under the weight of responsibility  - I went from exhaustion to the exhilaration of accomplishment and then fell into a deep contentment as we were surrounded by family!  I just love the challenge to create and relish the years I've been involved with many other team members working on the details.  The enjoyment of creating doesn't lessen the emotions we experience, but this year when we gave out over 60 new believer packets to people that raised their hands indicating a decision to follow Christ, any worry we had experienced was immediately forgotten and turned to praise!

In the midst of preparing Christmas there were intentional moments of reflection on the true meaning of a Savior born for me...a breath taking realization!

I love the season despite it's hectic requirements - and realize what a privilege it is to try each year to tell the story in a true, compelling way praying it makes the story of Jesus come alive to someone for the first time!

You can watch our service here Christmas at Crossroads

I took many pictures that I'd like to share - they tell the story of the journey called Christmas!

Crossroads Artist Group created light-bulb decorations
for the Crossroads tree at Kingwood

Grandmas helpers with the Crossroads' Christmas
tree!

When your talented daughter writes a book...what a blessing to read this Christmas!
Jocelyn Hunsader, author.

This precious little one was part of our Christmas video shoot!

My talented son Eric Biddle shot the Christmas videos

Our precious friend Kristin playing the part of the doctor in our video

It was a cold video shoot day

Such generous Crossroads' attendees braving the cold for our video shoot

Family all together at the carousel! 

Ernesto brought the house down with "Mary Did You Know"!
It was a definite highlight!

Loved working with these hilarious, talented gentlemen!!

A whole row of my Ashland cousins - so thankful for extended family I love!!

Blessed to have the amazing group The Trio playing in our lobby!

Beautiful flowers for the talented granddaughter dancer!

A star is born!

Good friends for Christmas lunch - Dana and Sue!

Cousins so happy to be back together!

Not sure who likes legos more?

Oliver and grandpa carrying Grandma Forbes' new tv down to her!

Family helping to take all the decorations down and clean for the Celebration services!

Loving being together again!

I encourage all of you with grandkids to let them serve with you and see you serve in the church,
if they grow up doing it they take such pride in serving others and spending time at church!!

This about wraps up my blessed Christmas.  I can't thank all of you who made Christmas at Crossroads a possibility, and all of my friends that prayed for me and encouraged me as we planned and executed the services with our amazing teams!!  Happy New Year!

Christmas - a time for friends and family

I've had a privilege few experience for my whole life.  I've always worked and served with family.

I served along-side my parents in church as a kid - cleaning, mowing and preparing for our weekend services.  There's something about making your kids 'help' especially with menial tasks behind the scenes in ministry that makes them take ownership and care about the ministry personally. I HIGHLY recommend inviting your kids and grandkids to serve with you.

My mom and I also worked at two places of business together before I stayed home to raise kids.  These shared days of work and life let us know one another in ways most mothers and daughters don't experience.

As Ron and I had children we all served together at church doing various tasks and being there when the doors were open together. 

I'm in that era of life where I see roles reversing with our kids.  Now I'm the one being taught.

I started my day today 'learning' from the writing of my daughter as I continue my study of Mary from the book she just published.  There's something about raising your kids, trying desperately to teach them about who the Lord is, then benefitting from their knowledge of Him... (tears streaming down my face)...

And then to get the call last night that Jared and Jocelyn lead Trinity their daughter to the Lord...(tears running down my face)... no words

And following having time in the Lord this morning using Jocelyn's book, I saw our son's video work on social media again - as we advertise our Christmas services.

How different they are - one being a 'word-smith' from an early age, the other visually able to see the story and make it come to life through his ability to understand the message that needs to be communicated and capturing it on video or graphically.  Breathtaking...

You can see it at this link.
Lift Up Your Eyes








God has also gifted us with an amazing God-loving daughter and son-in-law too - both crazy in love with Jesus and talented.  We consider both gifts straight from the Lord and miracles!

I'm not writing this to brag about my kids, our family has experienced ugly season's too.
I'm writing to encourage everyone who reads this to mend any damaged family/friend relationship you have right away.

I'm not suggesting you enter back into any harmful relationship, ever! 

But, recently with people I've personally talked to, I've been shocked at how long it's been since they've talked to loved ones.  Differences in life style and life choices have separated them - a difference in opinion in some cases is all that separates them.  You DO NOT have to condone how someone lives in order to love them and let them know that.

Please consider this Christmas season a simple text or call to a family member or friend that you've distanced yourself from.

Jesus says to 'love'...He doesn't list exceptions that permit you to remain mad or harbor a heart of disappointment or lack of forgiveness.

We owe the Savior a clean heart - that's what He asks for at Christmas!!

(I would LOVE to hear your comments about steps you're going to take to contact loved ones!!)