Can it be that Christmas has already come and gone? I just checked our blog site and our last update went out on December 9th! Where does the time go?

Darryl and I hope that you had a very blessed Christmas season. We always have a little bit of trouble getting into the "spirit" of things here because of several things. First, and don't misunderstand me when I say this because I am definitely not complaining, the weather just doesn't feel like Christmas weather should. Of course, yesterday when Courtney and I had the chance to lay out in the sun and work on our tans for our upcoming beach trip, I really was not missing that cold, Christmas chill in the air!

Secondly, shopping is just never the same. I used to love making our annual shopping trip to the nearby city and spending the day getting all of our shopping done. Here, Darryl and I have to make ourselves get out in that traffic (I don't know where everyone comes from, but during December it seems like the traffic doubles). It takes you several days just to find what you are looking for and then the lines you have to stand in to buy anything--- well it's just absolutely exhausting.

Probably the hardest part is being away from family. This year we were not able to spend Christmas with Josh which was hard for us. However, Josh was able to spend it with his girlfriend's family, and he had a wonderful time, so that made it easier.

Even with all of these "Christmas spirit" obstacles in the way, we still had a very blessed time and were filled with awe, once again, of the fact that Christ became a baby, leaving paradise to come and dwell among us on this earth, so that we one day could leave this place to live with him in paradise. Doesn't that just amaze you?

We were able to share food and clothes with the poor who came to our house asking for "Navidades" (Christmas gifts). I was able to visit the prison with our prison ministry team and take Christmas gifts not only to our Bible study ladies, but to all 300+ prisoners on the day of our Christmas party. We shared about God's love for each one of them and planted many seeds that day. I was also able to work with Samaritan's purse to take Christmas boxes into prison couple of days after our Christmas party for the kids who are living with their mom's in prison. We watched as each wide-eyed child opened his or her box. We translated the letters written by families in the states for each mother and child so that they could know of people who were sending them "love in a box" just because of their love for Christ. The following day, I took pizza and a little monetary gift into the prison for the girls that work in the card ministry. I sat with them for a couple of hours, listening to them, providing words of encouragement for them as they went through the difficult time of spending Christmas in prison, and praying for each one. Finally, we spent Christmas Eve with around 200 people at the English Fellowship Church worshipping the One who became the greatest Gift of all time.

So, maybe we didn't have the snow. Maybe we would have rather pulled our teeth out than go shopping for Christmas presents. Maybe we weren't able to be with all of the people we wanted to on Christmas day, but I think we had the opportunity to truly celebrate what Christmas is all about--a baby who came to earth and taught us just what it means to love others.

We will be heading to the beach on the 29th for a couple of days of vacation. We pray that as you ring in this new year, you will be looking forward to all that God has in store for you and that you will ask him to open your eyes so that you don't miss it!

We love you!!!!!

Serving the King,
Kelly, for the Chambers