Merry Christmas!

Season's greetings to all, from the other Livengood. Yes, believe it or not, this post is being brought to you by Jon. Amber has been whining about how I never contribute to the blog, so here we are. It's not that I'm lazy, I've just been waiting for the perfect time, so there. I wanted to update the blog on Christmas day with pictures and news since we can't be with family and friends this year. So, since you can't be with us today, at least you can see us via our website.

Last night we went to the Christmas Eve candlelight service at Central Church. The senior pastor, youth pastor, children's pastor, and community life pastor all dressed up like shepherds and told the Christmas story from their perspective. It was hilarious, they got a lot of mileage out of the belief that shepherds of the time were dumb and uneducated. After church we came home and feasted on unhealthy snacks (Oh, how I had longed for that moment) and watched Prancer and Charlie Brown's Christmas by a roaring fire.

This morning we got up at 7:00 (mostly because I realized I had forgotten to fill out my timecard online) and opened our loot. To me, one of the best things about Christmas is the post-present-opening lazing around (I don't know if lazing is a word, but I'm using it); playing with your gifts, or in this case, trying them on. Eventually we got busy preparing Christmas dinner. This is the first time we have had to make our own Christmas dinner, so we had a hard time deciding what to make. But, the lovely and talented Amber Livengood rose to the challenge and created a culinary masterpiece. Our menu was as follows:

The House of Livengood

Main Course

Creamy Pear Salad

Broccoli and Rice Casserole

Potatoes Deluxe

Glazed Summer Ham

Hot Buttered Rolls

Dessert

Red Velvet Cake

Served with Vernor's Ginger Soda

chilled

We ate like royalty (and we will continue to do so for days, since we made so much).

I have had a great time this season. We watched The Nativity Story a couple of days ago, and the combination of that, the way the Lord has blessed us recently, and the sermons on Christmas that pastor Prince has been preaching, have all had a profound impact on me this year. I can feel myself get a little teary as I write this. Maybe I'm just finally an adult who can see beyond all the lights and gifts to what it's really all about. The wonderful gift that was given for us so long ago is just as real now as it was then. The songs we sing are more than just words, they are the story of a God who gave Himself utterly to those He knew, for the most part, wouldn't even care. May the God who gave of Himself bless you and your celebrations this year.

Weekend Update...

Our top story tonight is...Jon got a permanent job! He interviewed a week and a half ago at Nazarene Headquarters for a position as Assistant to the Deputation Coordinator in the World Mission/Nazarene Missions International department. On Wednesday we found out that he had been chosen for the position and that he will start on Jan. 5th! This job will provide the stability we've been praying for. It's just a short walk from where he will attend school, and he'll be able to adjust his schedule to accomodate for classes, and still work full-time (with benefits!) We can even ride to work together some days! Anyway, we are really thanking the Lord for this new development!

We've been celebrating the Christmas season all month long. On December 1st we got 6 inches of snow, so we took the opportunity to go see "Christmas in the Park", which is an extensive light display you can drive through (For you East Peorians, it's similar to Winter Wonderland, only no floats...). It was especially nice to see in the snow. On our way home we stumbled upon the coolest coffee shop and had some hot chocolate. It was fun to be on a "date" even after being married "all these years".... As for the rest of the month, there's been the usual shopping, watching Christmas movies, going to parties, church programs, EATING (and the stomach aches that accompany that...) and getting together with friends. We've joined a new Sunday School class at church and have made some new friends, so that's been fun. I'm hoping to get involved with the music at church after the first of the year...hope I haven't forgotten how to sing...it's been far too long!

Tonight we saw The Nativity Story. In the midst of all the Christmas activities, it's good to be reminded of why we celebrate Christmas at all. I hope that as we go through the celebrations in the next couple of days that we are all reminded of Jesus' birth, his sacrifice, and his love for us! Merry Christmas!