2012
*****
The anticipation of Christmas celebrations and traditions become
a little sweeter with each passing year.
Perhaps it is growing older and wiser that allows me to see with a
greater precision, and hold in my heart a little more deeply, the MESSAGE OF
HOPE given to us at Christmastime-------(Luke 2).
If you have been a long time recipient of my newsletter, you
know the great care and thought that goes into selecting “just the right theme”, a theme that both summarizes a bit of our
lives, and brings to you a special Christmas blessing all in one. 2012
has been a remarkable journey of thankfulness, 1000 gifts in all. Well, almost. Recent reflections upon my list (projected to
be complete by December 31st) allowed me to see at a glance, the incredible
richness that 12 short months can hold.
So it is, through bits and pieces of that treasured list, that I share
another year in the life of our family with you.
*Sitting by the fire
with lifelong friends, sharing deep, thought provoking conversation about
life’s joys and sorrows, until the wee hours of the morning greet us.
*A beautiful
neighborhood, perfect for taking long walks.
*The amazing people we
get to meet every single day, the lives we get to touch.
*Our church family and
the camaraderie with good pastor friends and families.
*Moments that keep us
real, keep us grounded, and keep us thankful.
*Outrageous laughter at
the dinner table and sometimes a quiet evening of reflection.
*The fruit of
yesterday’s labor, returning to bless.
*Studying chemistry
with Matt, taking him for his drivers permit, and hearing his name called for
the MVP of his high school baseball team.
*A midweek train ride
to New England that yields quality time with Sarah and visiting relatives. Proofreading the countless essays that go
along with an English/Journalism major, and splurging on cinnamon lattes during
a cold rainy day.
*Fears and uncertainties
that drive us to our knees---together.
*Kitchen table
opportunities, Boardroom opportunities, and expressions of love that come in
all shapes and sizes.
*Seeing the deeper
things of God taking root in our lives.
*The gift of a
husband’s love and the 1000 ways he shows it after 21 years together.
*The grit and honesty it
takes, being a trailblazing family—never a dull moment.
*Those parts of the
journey that seem bleak, they show us what we are really made of.
*Enough good books and
enough good friends to last a lifetime.
*Gardening…..a family
affair.
*Tiny glimpses of God’s
infinite power.
*The privilege of
accompanying Rick as he opens a PA Senate Session in prayer.
*A stroll through
Central Park , reflections at Ground Zero and other NYC sights.
Manhattan
at Christmastime---nothing in the whole world like it.
*Joy unspeakable.
And last, but very
far from least, Rick’s very own weekly version of “Tuesday’s with Morrie”. He calls it Tuesday’s with Morris---- you
know, those relationships and little day to day moments that really count for
the big stuff.
Just as
thankfulness has been written upon my heart these past 12 months, may the
MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS and its MESSAGE OF HOPE be written upon your hearts---both
now, and forevermore.
Rick,
Crystal, Sarah and Matthew Steimling