Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everybody! I pray that you survived the holidays. Lori and I enjoyed a trip to Florida to spend Christmas with our daughter and her husband. Is it just me or does anyone else prefer cold to warm at Christmastime. We also attended the wedding of a good friend of ours, Mark Herrera. We had a great time, but as always it was good to get home.

I was reminded again this Christmas how incredibly over indulgent we can sometimes be. Every year I say "Next year we are not going to overdo! We are going to make the holiday more about serving others and not over indulge in eating, spending, etc." Yea right! Again, it didn't happen, at least not to the degree I would like. I am a product of my culture and environment (I love blaming something else for my lack of discipline!) and it seems no matter my intention, I get caught up in the same old traps. Every year seems to get a little closer to my intent though and that feels good.

The gifts I recieved from my family were funds for the work in Honduras. I am excited that this summer there will be a new home built for a family in Honduras because of the generosity of my family this Christmas. Somehow that just feels right. When I look around me it is obvious that there is nothing I need more of. I have plenty of everything (and way more than I need of most things) so I am grateful that I can use these gifts for someone else.

See you soon