Merry Christmas Around the World

We are fortunate this year to celebrate the birth of our Savior in East Tennessee. We have balanced our time between both sides of the family as we have shopped, baked, eaten, laughed, and worshipped. It has been wonderful, and we have tried to take advantage of the time as we are well aware we may not all be together next year.

    Melting Snowman Cookies (found on Pinterest)

We would like to wish a Merry Christmas and many blessings in 2012 to our friends and family around the world. To our family we do not see often, we love and miss you dearly. To our friends in harms way, we are praying for your safety. It may be difficult to get into the Christmas spirit while surrounded by camouflage and sand, but we hope you can draw near to the Father despite the circumstances.

Granny's Christmas Tree

We feel especially blessed to be in a financial position where we can give to others. Many military families are not as fortunate during the holidays. As always the more I get involved on post the more I learn about programs and organizations that assist the lower rank enlisted soldiers and families. I am amazed at the generosity of the American people. Sometimes it feels as though the citizens of our country take for granted the life our military provides. However, every time I learn of another program my faith is renewed.  Even yesterday morning Fox News was highlighting the giving efforts of Jack Daniel's "Operation Ride Home" that funded a soldier from Ft. Campbell and his family transportation home to spend the holidays with family in Massachusetts. Traveling is an expense that many cannot afford at anytime during the year. Thank you to those of you who support and financially back these programs. They mean more than you could ever know to the families who benefit from your generosity.

Mike's gifts this year have been focused around the Ranger School packing list. Our fellow infantrymen understand the extent of the items required, and if not for Christmas I'm not exactly sure how we would complete the list. (Many people think that the Army issues soldiers all the equipment needed. Though enlisted soldiers do get most of what is required, officers get very little and are expected to purchase their own.) My family has had a difficult time accepting this. They want to buy normal items, and give Mike gifts to open. Instead I have forced them to give him Visa gift cards so he can purchase things like ACUs, winter boots, and 550 cord. Also my Granny took his list to Wal-Mart and bought items like deodorant, toothpaste, foot powder and my favorite a box of trash bags. Not normal by any civilian standard Christmas gifts, but he's thrilled. I got a new sewing machine that I will showcase when I start my projects in January!! I also received a TV to hang in my kitchen!

From left: Sarah, Popaw, Mike's mom, Mike, and Mike's dad

We will be heading home next week for some rest and relaxation before the new year brings the start of my new job and the infamous Ranger school. I feel that we may be hesitant as we look to what 2012 brings. We will keep you posted all the same.