Today, my youngest son, Ian leaves on a trip to London, England and Dublin, Ireland. It started out as a lecture class for his MBA and was a 3 day visit. Somehow…he has managed to turn it into a 10 day trip. He and 2 of his buddies are going a couple days early to be able to see more of London. Then as the other students head back to the states, these 3 have arranged to route themselves through Dublin and are spending several days there. Ian has always had this ability to milk a situation for all it can possibly hold. Always one to take advantage of every opportunity that presents itself, this sweet son of mine loves life. He has had a wonderful time in college and has been a part of everything that has come his way. I really don’t know of many boys who have been so involved. He has held a part time job most of the years, and held down a full time job some of the time. He has kept his grades up…not perfect but all “A” and “B”. Two summers ago he was able to turn a week long class in Prague into a 3 week trek through Europe. He made all the arrangements and schedules and had a ball. And now he is out for one last “hurrah”. He graduates in May….then he’ll become part of the “real world.”
He is leaving from Atlanta this evening and will be home on Christmas Eve.

I must take this opportunity to thank God for blessing Don and I with this child. He was a surprise baby…Alex was only 16 months old when Ian was born. And then he was born with a cleft lip and palatte. Quickly I learned about how to care for a child with this deformity and it wasn’t easy. He has had 12 surgeries on his face. But, isn’t he handsome now? He truly does have a “million dollar smile!” He has also dealt with a heart condition and gone through 2 operations for that. God has led us to wonderful doctors and specialists through it all. And, I have been able to use my knowledge to help others going through the same thing.

Don and I prayed tht God would give Ian a personality that would outshine his outward imperfections and He answered us with such blessings. Ian has always been a leader and has always been surrounded by good friends. But, most importantly, he loves the Lord. He has a strong sense of right and wrong and is not afraid to stand on his convictions. He’s no “angel”…but I can truly say that I trust his judgement in most everything. God has a plan for him, and it is exciting watching it unfold.

So, if you think about it this week, please say a prayer for this mama’s boy far away this Christmas season. Pray for health and safety…of course…lots of fun.

The very best gift that I ever got
Didn’t come from a department store.
It didn’t come from the shopping mall,
Or the mountains or sunny sea shore.

It didn’t arrive in a big red car,
Or a shiny chuggin’ choo choo train.
It wasn’t delivered by a man with a bag.
But, it’s my favorite just the same.

It didn’t come in a great big box.
It didn’t have a whirly-twirly bow.
It didn’t come in a pretty gift bag.
It’s still my favorite, though.

I bet that you would like to have
A wonderful gift like mine.
You can take it with you anywhere
And keep it with you all the time.

It’s the gift God gave us long ago
In a stable very far away.
It’s a gift I’ll treasure all my life
And it came on Christmas Day.

So, thank you, God, for giving me
This gift from up above.
It’s good and it’s perfect, and it’s all I need,
And it’s filled with your sweet love.

This is a poem I wrote for the children to say in their program. Just imagine angelic little faces talking about the BEST gift. So sweet. I am blessed beyond measure to be able to work with little ones each day…and blessed even more to be allowed to plant seeds of knowledge about our dear Lord.

A very sweet thing happened at school yesterday. I had 2 programs for my K-5 students, 2 classes in each. Our program was entitled GIFTS. We sang about the gifts we want for Christmas…and the gifts we are getting. All leading up to the greatest gift of all…Jesus. I used several Bible verses. “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.” “The gift of God is eternal life.” “Every good and perfect gift comes from above.” James 1:17. As we’ve learned our music, and speaking parts, I have had the chance to speak to them about what these verses mean. You can never know for sure they understand the point, but sometimes they get it. Before the program I always pray with each class before we go to the stage. As I was praying in one class, I thanked God for giving us a beautiful, sunny day for our program. When I said,”Amen”, Hudson was already waving his arm in the air to tell me something. “Mrs.Owens, our sunny day came from God ’cause everything good comes from Him. Right?”, said Hudson. “You’re right, Hudson, today is a gift from God.” So,even though there were 70 K-5 students performing yesterday….I know that at least 1 understood that EVERY good thing that happens to us is from God. And if there is just 1…that is enough.

A song I wrote for this program:

EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT

Every good and perfect gift comes from above.
Every good and perfect gift is filled with love,
From the One who watches us and knows our every need.
Every good and perfect gift is from God, indeed!