Sunday,  December 20, 2009,  Nashville, TN., 5:12 a.m., C.S.T.~

Dear Journal~

Louie here.  Thought I'd write to y'all before getting the troops up so we can get ready for breakfast (this morning, it's Denney's) and then head over to the church; we have to be there by eight thirty at the latest, so we can get ready for our Christmas Cantata, which is today and tonight.

We get to do it three times.  Both morning services and the evening service.  We've really worked hard on the songs and the speaking parts; I pray all goes well without incident!

Right now, though, it's like a silent night:  all is calm, all is bright.  :)  Only me and some of the animals are up.  I'm sitting in the kitchen, drinking a cup of Louisiana-style coffee; need it to wake up and get my brain in gear!  LOL

Tomorrow Anh and Steffi (plus Thu and Tank) arrive from Oklahoma and Texas; on Tuesday, Dwerlina and her family come in from Louisiana.  I'm just glad I don't have any children on the eastern seaboard:  they got smacked by a powerful blizzard yesterday; the blizzard was packing some hurricane-force winds, and it dumped at least 2-3 feet of snow in some places! 

I am excited at seeing our kids again; I miss them so much when they aren't here!  We last saw them on Thanksgiving, nearly a month ago. 

I just wish that Lightning, Darnell, and their kids could join them:  they are still trying to work out on their marital differences.  They've been seeing a marriage counselor for several months now, and they want to make doubly sure that things are all ironed out before they even attempt to come see us.  I don't blame them one bit, but I sure do miss not having them here for the Christmas holidays:  it's not the same without them!!

It's cold outside:  temps in the lower 20's and clear, with stars studding the early pre-dawn sky.  Last week, we saw the Geminid meteor shower; it was spectacular!

We won't have a white Christmas this year here in Music City:  rain forcasted with highs in the forties, and snow the next day.  *Sigh*  Not the same without snow for Christmas morning!  The kids are going to be so disappointed!

Last year we got dumped on for Christmas.  Had a surprise blizzard a few days before Christmas that snarled traffic and cancelled flights, but things were (relatively) back to normal by Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  At least I don't have to worry about traveling or driving in treacherous weather conditions when I navigate my way to work!  (Yeah, work Christmas Day.  Bah the humbug!!)

Still trying to decide whether to have Christmas on Christmas Eve night or after I get off work at two in the afternoon that day.  I have plenty of time to think about it.  :)

Poor Bill has been working his tail off at Wal*Mart.  He is tired of dealing with shoplifters, which only ends up with the store rising their prices (as if prices aren't already high enough now!); he will be so glad when the holidays are over!  He also has to deal with grumpy customers, crying kids or kids being left alone, inattentive co-workers, and people not putting items back where they belong.  I'm guessing that's why he's glad he works in the back, in Security, so he doesn't really have to deal with all that like he used to when he was a greeter!

I talked to Kendra the other day:  things still not looking all that well for Sophia.  It's cancer.  She might end up losing her leg. And Missy, one of her other daughters, has a brain tumor.  So she's dealing with a lot on her plate.  I continue to lift her, Michael, and the rest of the kids, to get them through this time; they've already been through more than anyone has a right to bear.  I feel so bad for her!!

I just wish I could do more for them to ease their pain somewhat!

Well, I just wanted to write in here before things got crazy, so I could wish all of my friends a very merry Christmas!  Take care, and may God bless you always!  I hope you have the merriest of Christmases ever, and I hope those who aren't remember that God loves them and cares for them; I pray He eases their pain somewhat!  Nobody should be hurting or sad, especially on a day like Christmas (but sadly, many people are)!

(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tennessee, Louie May.  :)