Tender Tennessee Christmas

This is the first time in 17 Christmases, since starting Oasis Church in the Fall of 1991 that I have not been leading a Christmas Eve Service. After our Sunday morning Christmas Services my oldest son, Jim and I drove 14 hours, arriving in Gatlinburg, Tennessee Christmas Eve at 4:30 A.M. There we joined the rest of our family. Tonia had gone up earlier to get things ready. Corey flew in from New York City, and Nathan and his family drove from Indian Harbor Beach, FL. This is the first time all our boys and grandsons have been together for a Christmas morning since they have been grown. It has been an amazing experience! (I want to thank our staff, who were willing to let me go early in order to be in Tennessee for Christmas morning with my family. Thanks to all our lay leadership, who along with our staff, have led 16 Christmas services this past weekend and this coming week). No home movies to show you. Aren't you glad! But here are some of the pic's so far. I hope you and your family have a Blessed Christmas. God bless you and have a very blessed Christmas. (Please pray for one of our church's original members and past Church Council member, who lost his mom on Christmas Eve. Paul Tosone will need our prayers as he and Kathy join the family in Boston for this very sad Christmas.)                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Nathan, Jenni, Gavyn, Caleb,  (Caleb was over the pic's). It's great to have them with us for our first Christmas together. It is a little crowded...1,000 sq. foot cottage, 2 bedrooms, 8 family members, air mattresses, sofa beds...priceless!!!!!!!

Our Family has had many traditions for the Christmas Season. One of them was that I would always read the Christmas Story on Christmas morning, either before opening presents, but normally at lunch. Last night Nate called the family together and read the Christmas story to the boys before they went to bed. I thought, why didn't I ever think of that? So much got lost in all the other things on Christmas Day, but Christmas Eve it just seemed appropriate. I was so proud of him, I just sat there and soaked it in, of course not sure how much Cab's will remember at 2 but what a great example.

    

   Jim, Nathan, Corey

Now this Pic will take some explanation.Tonia is Ta-Ta to her grandsons. Why ? Glad you asked! One of her good friends, Brenda Norville who was a Missionary to France was called Ta-Ta by her grandsons. It is an affectionate word in French for Thank you, in Baby Talk. Tonia's explanation!! Brenda passed away about 7 years ago and Tonia determined it was an adorable name and wanted to remember her friend by being called Ta-Ta. Now her grandsons, when they get older, are not going to be very excited about all the dialogue they will encounter on this. But for right now our sons enjoy the name...so much so that Corey bought her this "Save the TA-Ta's" shirt for Christmas. Of course Tonia has been active in raising money for cancer research since so many of her friends have lost their lives to this dreaded disease so hence the connection!!!  You take it for what its' worth! I know, T.M.I. Just had to share this family moment!!!!!!

Nate and Jenni gave Jesus a Birthday party Christmas Eve and then we all sang Happy Birthday to Jesus!!! This was worth the trip. They made homemade cookies and spelled out Jesus, although it's hard to see the letters in the Pic.                     

Uncle Jim and the boys chillin' out watching Frosty the Snowman!! After a month of seeing & hearing Frosty on the outside wall at the Church for our Nightly outdoor Movies about a 1,000 times,I am over Frosty!!!!                                                                                                                                                                                                

Comments

[Raul Palacios]

Guy,
Troy Gramling and I will be up in Gatlinburg this week. Want to have lunch? Email me at raul.palacios@flamingoroad.org

[gabi]

I loved reading about your Christmas and to see your precious family. We love Tonia's t-shirt (being French, I especially appreciate it) but we love her spirit even more. Don & I noticed how Nate is in good shape and Don said "that's what happens when you SURF & TURF". I thought he was nuts at first (perfect brain and all), then he explained that Nate surfs and he works turf....duh!!!!!
Love you guys - enjoy your much deserved and needed rest. See you next year!

Gabi
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