Amy's 'momentary trouble'

About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was the governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's hometown, for the census. As a decendant of David he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancee, who was pregnant.
While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped Him in a blanket and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the hostel.
There were shepherds camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: "Glory to God in the heavenly heights; Peace to all men and women on earth who please Him."
As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the shepherds talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the shepherds were impressed.
Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The shepherds returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told! ~ Luke 2:1-20

A man went to the local locker the other day…it was the middle of the afternoon and he thought the place would be slower…he was wrong! He goes in and takes a number…14…they’re on 97. He peruses the cases and mentally checks off the items that he needs, recognizing that it’s going to be a long wait, he settles into a spot along the back wall. About 5 minutes later, the owner of the locker comes out of the back room and spots the man standing in the back. They know each other (not close friends, but more than acquaintances), so they wave to each other and the owner returns to the back room. Not two minutes later the owner comes back out, comes around the counter, approaches the man and asks him how he’s been. The man had gone through a recent heartbreak and with the emotion still fresh in his mind, his eyes fall to the ground and answers that he’s good. Next, the owner says, ‘So, you got a number? I’m free and I’d be happy to help you.’ The man, feeling about 20 pairs of eyes on him, hesitates, but the owner snags the number out of the mans hand and says ‘Come on!’ The man orders a couple steaks, ring bologna, some chicken, a couple pounds of hamburger and some summer sausage. The man waits as the owner carefully wraps and bags his order. When the owner finishes he motions for the man to meet him at the register, when he gets there, the owner comes around and just hands the man the bag…the man starts to say ‘I can’t…’ and the owner interrupts, saying ‘You’ve experienced enough this year, Merry Christmas.’

This man is me. The love and support the kids and I have received during this Christmas season, goes beyond even my words to explain. THANK YOU! Thank you to you teachers, who worked with, laughed with and yes even cried with Amy, your generosity goes WAY beyond anything I have ever known. Thank you to the nurses who took care of Amy during the MANY trips and stays. I sit here and think of the literal 100's maybe 1000's of cancer patients you see each year and you chose us to bless. I, as her husband, have always thought of Amy as special, but to see the results of the lives that she touched revealed is a huge blessing to me. Your generosity was a total surprise. Thank you to those who worked with Amy at Land’s End, even though she worked only during the Christmas Season each year, you still saw fit to bless us with your generosity. Thank you to Foremost Farms, my employer and co-workers all have been and continue to be supportive. Your generosity and personal sacrifice is so much more than I ever expected or could have hoped it would be. And to all of you who have given of yourselves, whether it’s cash, food, cleaning, taking or running my kids or simply praying for us, thank you.

Merry Christmas everyone – Celebrate Jesus!

For the love of Amy - V