AUTHOR: Robin Dugall DATE: 8:21:00 PM ----- BODY:

I've been sitting around the last couple of nights...talking football trash with the fellas...giving Aaron a hard time about chicks...working on computers...poking at my daughter's growing tummy...working with Tiff in the kitchen...holding my new baby granddaughter, Mya Christine...playing with Anna Banana and Abby (fun and wacky girl!)...seeing my wife smile and my children have peace in their soul. This is the best place to be in the world at this very moment. I wonder about how many of these moments I've missed in the past because I was obsessed with what was coming...always anticipating more to do that I couldn't rest in the moment. Now, the Lord has finally gotten through to me. I've often thought what it must have been like through history (until recent times) where families hung out most of their lives. What it must have been like for Abraham and Sarah living together with their families without the distractions of tv, movies, and the complexities of modern life. What it must have been like for the families in New Testament times...spending large amounts of time in conversation...passing on the stories of the faith...laughing about something that one of the family members did that was stupid. Or what about those families who built a majority of this country while living in rural circumstances...working hard but working together...eating and talking...raising children...loving...burying loved ones. Yep, there is something special about the family that I love. There is a peace that only comes over my soul when I'm hanging out with my own flesh and blood...heart and soul we share...special memories that noone knows and none can steal, replace or emulate. You can say alot about sleeping in heavenly peace...the Christ Child and the wonder of Christmas. For me, at this time in my life...the Wonder of Jesus is also experienced in the miracle of the love of my family. Thank you Lord for that gift...thank you Lord for the love of my family.

-------- COMMENT-AUTHOR: Unknown COMMENT-DATE:4:03 PM COMMENT-BODY:robin, do you realize what an amazing inspiration you are? you are the opitome of 'patriarch'. cocoon with them this season. be warm with your family, huddle up with them and bathe in the love that they obviously have for you as well. --------