-----O Come Let Us Adore Him

Mary said " Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to His Word"!

God sends each person into this world with a special message to deliver, with a special song to sing for others, with a special act of love to bestow. No one else can speak my message or sing my song or offer my act of love. These are entrusted only to me.---------------John Powell SJ

It has been my tradition to enclose an "oldie but goodie" picture each year and this year is one of my favorites: It was taken some 35 years ago at my sister Theresa's wedding reception . My sister Coleen and I were quite proud of our bodies and more than willing to show them off, but when we went to retrieve the photo's, this photo was not amongst the proofs . It seems the photographer found it too risque' to print and though we were unsuccesful in convincing him differently, one irate call from my mother and all the sudden it appeared. Ha! I love the apparent, shocked look on my newly married baby sisters face. What a happy memory!

It is not quite so difficult to remember the true meaning of Christmas here in Uganda, as the traditions of gift giving and decorating are minimal. While the sense of anticipation that Advent brings is quite palpable.

Two years ago, my first Christmas here, was indeed "The Best Gift I ever Got" as Baby Michael had come to stay with me, my friends Bert Self and Diana Sherrod were visiting for the holidays and between the three of us and the presence of a tiny baby as our Christ child, we created a very special Christmas.--------------------------------------------------I could not see how this Christmas might stack up, as for various reasons, I lacked the enthusiasm and vision necessary for such an experience. But, as life (don't really believe in luck) would have it-it is turning out quite lovely. I just found out that Micahel will be allowed to be with me for Christmas, which gave me the needed nudge to decorate a bit (mostly outside, as he is a toddler and into everything!). I am baking home made Chocolate Chip Cookies and listening to the three Holiday CD's I own (Josh Groban, Johnny Mathis and Ella Fitzgerald) Quite eclectic but seems to be doing the trick. -----------------------------------------------------This will be my last Christmas here in Uganda and heaven only knows where I will be for 2010 holiday festivities. ----------It may seem like a strange Christmas tree in the mini video, but it has a story: I so wanted a tree two years ago but none was available, so I bought a plant, decorated it and was quite happy with it. Then Bert and I planted it outside after the New Year. Well over the last two yeas, I was never quite sure it would make it, as you can see, it had a few lean times. But now it is over 6 feet tall and healthy as can be. Enjoy the decorations, video style as we await the birth of the Christ.----------- Christmas Blessings to you and all those you hold dear.--------Marie