Christmas 2012!

[Edwin]

Well, Christmas is officially here at our house because Carol is putting up Christmas decorations. She is also listening to Christmas music, which is another reason Christmas it here! When I was in the Philippines the middle of October 2010, I was amazed that Chrstimas was in full swing. There were lots of Christmas decorations in the Manila malls. Then in this one store all the employees stopped and did a little dance that reminded me of something that would happen in Mexico. We always thought it was so terrible that the stores started Chrismas celebraions so early in the year! Of course they were driven by economics and it was important to get the Christmas stuff going early. We try to wait until after Thanksgiving, and now Thanksgiving is past so it is legal. I know some people are upset with the commericalism of Christmas, but I kind of like i all!

[Edwin]

"O Holy Night" is now playing. Carol and I sang that in 2007 at our local school house on a Christmas celebration evening. That day I tried to find the music on the internet so that I could play it, but I could find any music written so that I could play it on the piano. I love that song! It is amazing what you find when you are not looking. I have come across that song countless times in the church hymn/song books that I play out of. There are so many beautiful Christmas songs, and that is part of the enjoyment of Christmas!

[red]

Merry Christmas everyone!
We have not decorated yet, I thought Xmas decors here are expensive so I think will make it simple.

[Edwin]

Yes, Christmas decorations here are expensive! What you do Red, is that you go to the after Christmas sales they have in January, and you can buy some of those decorations for very little money, because the store would rather sell them at cost or even take a loss rather than storing them until the next year. We have bought a lot of Christmas wrapping paper, and other Christmas decorations in the after Christmas sales, sometimes late December, sometimes early January, but watch for them and buy a few things, then do the same the following year and before you know it you will have as much as you want!

We have a recording on of the late Johnny Cash singing some of his Christmas music. We love him. Carol had an aunt who said that she would not walk across the street to see or hear him, but everyone has their own opinions. I know he didn't always stay right on key, but his voice was beautiful, and he had a rhythm like no other. We still love to hear his voice and his singing any of the songs. He had a hard time with his personal life, and he wanted so much to be a Christian, and I think he worked harder at it as his life went by, and I know God loved Johnny Cash, and I think he found the way.

[crisipicada]

Yes, Christmas is so near. I can feel it.

[Edwin]

I love listening to Elvis Presley's Christmas music as well! He actaully grew up attending an Assemblies of God church when some famous quartet singers attended. He wanted to sing with them, but he was not able to sing part, and that is what was needed, so he was very disappointed. He had a fondness for church and God's things throughout his life. I pray that he found peace with God in the end, and there is always hope for that. Christmas is a beautiful time of the year!

[crisipicada]

Lots of christmas decors anywhere here. When you go to malls or stores, visit friend;s houses, house along the highway, lots of Christmas lights. Hmmmm I can feel Christmas now.

[Edwin]

In 2010 when I was in the Philippines in October I was surprised to see the Christmas presence already everywhere. We are seeing a few houses decorated in our towns at the bottom of the hill, but most have not gotten started yet here. People here decorate their houses and yards hoping to get the prize for the most beautifully decorated place. As Christmas gets nearer, more will decorate, and driving off this hill is fun! When you get to the place overlooking the towns below maybe a 1000 feet or so, as we are at 2800 feet elevation, looking down on the towns at night when the place is decorated and lit up with Christmas lights, it is pure delight! It is truely a beautiful scene! Yes, Crisi, all that Christmas presence with lights and decorations truely does make you feel Christmas!

[erwin]

What is the best Christmas gift to give to someone special? If you are a woman, what do you like to receive this season? Aside from being together because it would impossible due to distance, any one can tell me what to give to a woman whom you love?

[Edwin]

erwin, chocolates, and flowers go well. I think every young lady loves to get chocolates and flowers. I heard someone suggest perfumes, but mystic reminded us to be careful with the perfumes, because you can easily get something the young lady does not want, and your intended good impression can actually be a bad impression. Make sure the young lady enjoys the perfume before you go to the trouble of buying and shipping it. mystic told us that it can actually send the wrong message to send perfumes. You kind of have to figure out what she enjoys I think to be successful sending something to a special person. Not everyone can handle chocolates, and some people are allergic to some flowers, so it can get complicated. I think if what you send is seen as an act of kindness it will go over well!