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Merry Christmas

I've been wanting to write a small post for about two weeks now. I wasn't sure where to start or even all I wanted to say. Last night my mom posted a beautiful message on Facebook and it just about covers it all. Here is what she wrote:


"Several days ago, my daughter Taylee Beckstead noticed that there was a bandaid on the foot of her Christus statue. With a few questions she was able to discover that it was 3 year old Chloe who had noticed that Jesus had an owee on His foot. She knew that bandaids help fix owees, so she tried to help Him out. When she explained to her mother what she had done, she walked over to the statue and became aware that He didn't have just one wounded foot. He had "bad hurts" in both feet and both hands. Chloe promptly went to the bandaid box and brought enough to bandage all four wounds. No one has wanted to take them off because we were so touched by Chloe's desire to help.


Sid was diagnosed with cancer in [September]. I am still at a loss to describe the worry and fear and uncertainty that comes with the word cancer. No one who loves Sid, or loves those who love Sid, has been left unaffected. Cancer is not a solitary thing. It's a mortal thing that strikes without warning and changes so many things for so many people.


This has been a sacred time for us. We have been witnesses of so many miracles and acts of kindness by so many people. Friends, neighbors, family, work associates, the list goes on and on, have brought bandaids to this little family in a constant attempt to help bear their burdens and heal their hearts. You have inspired and lifted and loved. Your prayers are felt, your goodness continues to bring hope and courage.


From the bottom of our hearts we thank each of you for making such an effort. This is Christmas! "Surely He has born our grief and carried our sorrows" and so have you."


Christmas is always magical, and Sid and I have loved it especially the last few years because we have watched the season intensify through the joys of our kids. But this year I will cherish in a sacred kind of way. Merry Christmas! "God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son." (The Living Christ, January 1, 2000)





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