Merry Christmas my dear friends!

I just wanted to check in today and let everyone know how much you have meant to me and what a blessing you all are! This WLS journey so far would have been a lonely road without all of you! I have a lot of support with my husband, family, friends, and church family but all of you truly are connected to what I am experiencing and the Lord put you in my life for a very important reason. Thank you for your prayers, friendsship, and love - I am truly blessed and would be remiss if I did not get on today and tell you all this - you are my family! I love you all very much and wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas! God Bless and Peace in His Holy Name, Lynda Phil. 4:8

I agree with you 100%. I feel so blessed that I stumbled on to this website back in Oct. Never in my life did I think that I would find a place (on the internet no less) where I would cry with people who are mourning and rejoice with others in their personal triumphs. You are right when you say that we are a family. We truly are bothers and sisters in Christ who share so many common bonds. This Christmas, 2005, is a particularly hard one for me. When I wake up tomorrow morning, for the first time in my life, there will be no presents for me under the tree. A couple weeks ago in a roll call I had said that if we take away all the materialistic things society associates with Christmas, we will be left with a savior in a manger. This year, I am forced to do just that. And you know what, that's ok. The bible says that ALL things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. I know that He is working things out according to plans as I speak; and I thank Him in advance for it. Let me give you all a challenge. As you go to church tomorrow morning and celebrate the birth of our savior; think of how amazing God is. Think about the eternal gift that He gave us out of love. There is no doubt that will be easy to do tomorrow. The challenge is to hold that feeling of worship and praise and continue to exalt Him daily with the same thanksgiving. As children of God we shouldn't need a special day to remember what Jesus did for us, we should celebrate it 365 days a year. God bless you and have a God filled Christmas!! I love you all!! Dawn

God bless you, Lynda. For some reason I was thinking of all you guys today. My wife gave me a painting of Jesus pulling Peter from the stormy waters after he tried walking on water and became afraid and began to sink. It is awesome!! I think we all can relate to it. Jesus is always there for us reacing out when we are afraid or doubt. ........a Savior was born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Merry Christmas!!

Ok Lynda, I am 2 days late on this one but ditto ditto ditto! Everyone here has been a family to me also. It seems funny to me sometime when I mention one of you to a friend here. We have all been through so much together these last few months and yet we've still never met in person. It is such a blessing to have all of you to share this journey with. We are blessed in so many ways! Praise the Lord! If the number of messages posted on the board the last couple of days is any indication, everyone must be having a wonderful Christmas. I know I have. This has been one of the best ever! I love you all! Jacinda