CHRISTMAS IN LOWER BRULE

I have wanted to get a post on the blog for well over a week, and I wanted so badly to get pictures on here at the same time. Unfortunately, I am experiencing 'technical difficulty' in getting my pictures from my camera to the computer. Ray also tried to transfer them to his computer, but there seems to be difficulty there, also. It must be in the camera somewhere.

Anyway, I will try to describe and explain how the Christmas Season went in Lower Brule. Esther came home in time to help with the Christmas Program. We were so happy to have her here. She and I went over to Lower Brule on the Tuesday night before Christmas, and we finished the last-minute details and visited several homes of the children who were participating in the program. We brought some of them to the church and tried on their costumes and they practiced their parts. Wednesday night was the big night, and we could feel the excitement as the parents gathered in the church to enjoy the children's portrayal of the birth of Jesus. We had a Mary and Joseph and a Baby Jesus and several angels. We also had a baby lamb. :) After the children had presented their parts, we gave them each a little lit candle, and they stood in a line in front of the altar as Esther played a medley of Christmas Carols on her violin for us all. It was a very beautiful part of the program. Even though we find it invigorating to do programs and things with the children, we are also very worn out and tired when it is over; and this was no exception.

On a personal note, this Holiday Season was a special time for Ray and I. We were thrilled when some of our children came home for a few days during the Christmas holidays. We attended a local service on Christmas Eve that featured handbells and a chorus singing Christmas songs. We also had special friends who came to sit around our table to eat and visit and play games. We feel very refreshed, and ready for the beginning of the new year.

Today was a windy and cloudy day, but the gentlemen showed up for service again this morning, and several children came for Sunday School this afternoon. The children were so enthusiatic in singing and participating, but they were so attentive during the story and while they were coloring their sheets. They did a beautiful job on their creations.

I apologize for not having pictures for you, but I hope to have them up for you soon. I will have lots of them when we get the technology to work. :)