(The following was submitted by one of our Grace students.)

My family has many traditions for Christmas.  Going to Warm Springs and Callaway Gardens is one of them.

We start off by getting up early and driving to Warm Springs.  When we get there we always eat at the Bulloch House.  They make really good “southern” food.

After we eat we like to go shopping and look around in all the little shops in the town.

When we finish shopping we got to the Animal Safari.  That place is a lot of fun.  You get to rent a van and drive through what looks like a safari.  The animals can come up to your car and you get to feed and pet them.

After the safari we head on over to Callaway Gardens.  We take the trolley around and see all the lights.  My favorite is the swan on the lake.

After seeing the lights it is pretty late so we head on home.

(Check back on Tuesday for the next instalment of…”What Does Christmas Mean To You?”)

Lamentations 3:22-24

22^(A) The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;^[a]
his mercies never come to an end;

23they are new^(B) every morning;
^(C) great is your faithfulness.
24^(D) “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
^(E) “therefore I will hope in him.”

Ok. so it might not be the 5am club, but is the 545 am club good enough? I have had the realization a few weeks ago that I was not serving God, my family nor myself by “laying on” on my “days off” from my salaried job.  What in one sense was self serving was in a more real sense self hurting.  Please don’t get me wrong, sometimes there is nothing more glorious than the occasional lay in with my husband when the kids come in and jump on our bed.  But when the exception becomes the rule it hurts my family.

Hence my joining of the 545am club! My eldest son Tommy has to get up for the bus at that time (it arrives between 615 and 620 in the morning) so it just is a good jumping off point for my day.  I am able to ease into by helping getting him ready for the bus.  Actually squeezing in a (tired) conversation with a hug and a kiss before he leaves.

When he is gone I am able to scan my emails leisurely while my two youngest are still snug in their beds.  Imagine that, being able to read my emails (and blog ) without being tense because they won’t leave mummy alone.  Somehow my email time isn’t feeling as self serving with the knowledge that previously I would have been back in bed snoring.. errr did I say snoring.? Only Ronan snores… I am a delicate princess!

My next captured treasure is time with God.  I am going to savor a cup of coffee maybe a slice of toast with clotted cream and jam while I delve into my scripture portion of the day.  How precious is this time with God as the sun is just now filtering through my windows.

Now I can unhurriedly rouse Malachy from his dreams.  No hurry, just easing him into his full day of Kindergarten.  Hard work to be a kindergartener these days.  You have to catch a big yellow bus, read,write, color, play with buddies etc What a joy to start his day with hugs not tense words.

Molly, now she is not ready to join the 545am club.  She can still be a bit of a lay about.  But at 2 years of age, I think she can get a pass.  But she gets the benefits as well.  She has a mom refreshed by our gracious God and savior.  A home that is more organized and calm.  A happy daddy and brothers.  Plus, she is just a happy toddler by design.

Now, to put my words into actions.  In humility I ask you to keep my accountable in staying faithful to my God, my family and my “club”.  Peace be with you friends!