Last Sunday, we had our Christmas banquet after our church service. The kids in my Sunday School especially the girls were dressed up for the first time. I told them that we will have a picture taking during that day. They girls were pretty and some were wearing their sandals. I could tell they were so excited. The boys sang special song during the worship service followed by the girls. Then we listened to the message given by Pastor George. It’s all about Christmas of course. After the service we had our lunch inside the church. The tables and chairs were arranged to accommodate the pots of rice and different foods. I cooked chicken adobo and white beans. One of my uncles cooked pinakbet as I requested. It was so good. There was ginataang gabi, monggo, ginisang upo, lumpia, dinengdeng, etc. The kids were served first and then the adults. They like my chicken adobo. It was all gone. I was so full that day. I gained weight this holiday season. I hope to lose it soon.

We had parlor games after lunch. But before that, I asked the kids to recite all the verses that I asked them to memorize since we started Sunday School. There were three who were able to memorize but the first prize went to the 7 year old girl named Melissa. She has s fantastic memory. I gave the 2nd prize to a 9 year old girl and the 3rd prize went to an 11 year old boy. Then we started the parlor games. The kids and the adults participated. I gave out prizes to the winners and I distributed chocolates and candies to all. The kids and adults had a blast that day. We went home exhausted but I enjoyed it.

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Been busy buying gifts and prizes yesterday and today for our Christmas party in our church. We will be having parlor games for the kids as well as the adults. I already wrapped the gifts for the 2 kids who memorized most of the memory verses that I gave them. Also I wrapped the gift for the girl who always give her time to clean the church and arrange the chairs when hubby and I can’t make it. I wrapped a few of the prizes for the parlor games and I still have a bunch to wrap. I do it myself and I’m enjoying it.

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Yesterday I asked my youngest brother to drive for me. We went to the grocery store and bought prices for our Christmas party in our church on Sunday. I bought mostly junk foods, chocolates, candies and lollipops for the kids. We will be having our Christmas banquet after our service on Sunday, December 19th. Then we will have parlor games for the kids and adults. I will wrap the prices that I bought. The kids in my Sunday school will be having their exchange gifts too. I’m pretty sure they will enjoy our Christmas celebration.

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We opened our Christmas presents after lunch on Christmas day. We waited on Shelly, Robert and Josh before we opened the gifts. The boys of Steven came in the evening with their mom. The kids got lots of presents of course. They got a lot of toys from their aunts and uncles. Hubby and I didn’t give toys. Instead we gave clothes. Wayne in Iowa had sent all the kids Christmas presents. The boys got remote cars from him. They were all happy with their gifts. Kids here in the US are so lucky. They have a lot of toys and clothes on Christmas. I remember the poor kids in the Philippines. They don’t have what the kids have here. Maybe just a simple toy, a new shirt or chocolates will make them happy. I really miss Christmas celebration in the Philippines. We eat the foods that we prepared on Christmas eve. It’s happier there, we go to our neighbors’ house and eat. Karaoke/videoke singing is all over the place. In our house, we had a videoke and my brothers, friends and brother-in-law sing songs with all their heart. I used to sing too though my voice is not that good. Oh well, those were the days.

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Hubby and I celebrated Christmas in Alvarado with his kids and grandkids. That was my 5th Christmas here in the US. How time flies! Stacy and Sherry cooked lots of delicious foods like baked ham, stuffing, deviled eggs, mashed potatoes, green pea salad, pistacchio pudding, banana pudding, sweet potato casserole, pecan pies, green bean casserole, dinner rolls and of course I cooked pancit. We went to Alvarado last Sunday afternoon and just got back yesterday. We spent 4 days there. We’re so glad to see everybody especially the little kids of Stacy, L.A. and Consuelo.

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Hubby and I went to the mall after lunch today. He bought me my Christmas presents which I have been requesting from him. I wanted to have a siver necklace with matching earrings. He also bought me a silver wrist watch and a necklace with swarovski crystal pendant. They are not that expensive because they’re on sale. It’s Christmas time and sale are everywhere so we really had a big discount. I’ve been asking him to replace my jewelries which were stolen early this year. We didn’t have a budget for a diamond ring to replace my diamond ring which was also stolen. But anyways, I love my new jewelries though they’re only silver and not gold especially it was given to me by my dearest hubby.

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When my hubby and I got home from the mall yesterday afternoon, there was a voice message on the phone from a lady in the post office saying that there’s an express mail for him that just arrived. He decided to go and get the mail and when he got home he opened it and it was from Wayne, his son in Iowa. He sent us a $100 check as his Christmas gift to us. Hubby and I were so delighted of course. It’s really a blessing from the Lord. Just a couple of days ago, my youngest step-daughter Sherry deposited $100 in our bank account in Alvarado to pay our way in going there. We’re so thankful for the blessings we received. We’re planning to go to Alvarado on Sunday to spend Christmas with the kids and grandkids. Merry Christmas to everybody!!! Happy birthday Jesus, you’re the reason for the Christmas season.

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Last Sunday afternoon, our friends Jeff and Mary Ann dropped by in our house just to give their Christmas gifts to us. It was so sweet of them to think of us. I didn’t even buy a gift for them. Mary Ann said it’s okay, anyways she said she’s working and I don’t. She broke the good news to me that she’s preggy now. She’s been praying to God to give them a baby and it’s an answered prayer. Ann said her hubby is so happy. I told them that’s the best Christmas gift ever. I told Jeff to take care of Mary Ann and their baby. We took some photos before they left left.

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My hubby and I had taken these photos last night right after we came home from our Church Christmas Banquet. We had a good time taking pictures beside our Christmas tree. Hubby was even hugging it, he-he-he!

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We had a good Christmas banquet in our church tonight. Lots and lots of foods were brought in by the church members. There were ham, turkey, green bean casserole, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and a lot more that I can’t remeber. Of course there were lots of desserts, different kinds of cakes, cookies, pies, etc. I brought lumpia and as expected they were all gone not too long. The dining hall was well decorated with garlands, Christmas lights, Christmas ornaments and Christmas trees. After eating, Bro. Hugh had preached a good message. We had such a good time tonight in the church. By the way, our Pastor and his wife arrived yesterday from a week vacation. It’s good they’re back safely and we missed them.

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We had a good Christmas celebration in Alvarado, TX. We stayed there for a week and we just got back home yesterday afternoon. My hubby and I didn’t do a lot of things there, just relaxed and enjoyed each other’s company and had a good time with the kids and grandkids but unfortunately, Steven’s kids were not there. Only Josh and L.A. were there, the oldest and the youngest grandkids.

Soon another baby will be added in the family because Stacy is pregnant on her 2nd child now.

We also went to see some of our friends but unfortunately Tonja was not there when we went in their house to give her lumpia. She went on last minute Christmas shopping with her husband. Only her 2 lovely daughters were there. We didn’t stay long, then we went to see another friends of ours, Bro. Jesse and Ms. Sue. It was good to see them again and then the Higleys came by also and we had a good time talking to each other. We had also the chance to go to Taco Bell when my hubby took Stacy to work. Her son and her hubby went with us too and all of us ate there for free. Stacy is an assistant manager in Taco Bell and her family gets free food whenever we go there. I ordered my favorite chalupa and tacos so did my hubby. Both of us like chalupa. We had also rented movies and I got to watch 3 good movies that I’ve been wanting to watch which my friend suggested to me, love story of course. We exchanged and opened gifts on Christmas day after our lunch and my hubby and I got Christmas presents from his kids. We took photos and also video.

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We’ll be leaving for Alvarado today to celebrate Christmas there. I’m excited to see the kids and grandkids and our friends there. All the gifts have been wrapped and ready for Christmas. I’ve done all the giftwrapping because hubby has been busy working. He just went with me shopping for the gifts. The other day he gave me my Christmas gift from him. It’s a micro digital camera, a lot smaller than my regular Sony cybershot digicam. He knows that I love taking pictures and this one is tiny and I can even wear it like a necklace because it came with a long strap and a CD called phototags express wherein I can put captions in my photos and make cards and calendars. It’s so cool! He also bought me 1 box of photo paper so I can print pictures in my printer and I don’t have to go to Wal Mart and have it developed. I’ve been having fun printing our photos since then.

Okay I will have to prepare our things and get ready. We’ll be back a day after Christmas. Until then…

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We had a Cristmas Banquet at the church today at 6:00 PM. There were lots of foods, desserts and drinks. I just ate moderately though and I have to stop eating when I’m half full. That’s the secret of not gaining weight this holiday season. I enjoyed the food and the fellowship with our church members who are so friendly. My hubby ate a lot though. He can’t resist the foods and had to return to the banquet table for a second serving. I was teasing him that his belly became bigger after eating too much. After the banquet, at around 7:00 PM we had a worship service and the ladies in the choir rendered Christmas carols. After that, the guest preacher gave his message which is about the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. His text verse is Matthew 1:21, "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." Christmas is all about Jesus who was born by a virgin in a manger. He knew no sin but he became a sin for the world to save us. The preacher has delivered his message well and I was really blessed.

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Time flies so fast. Christmas is just around the corner once again. We can feel it in the air. It’s chilly. Yesterday, my hubby had put up the Christmas tree and then when it was already standing, he put the lights around it. Then after that, it was my turn to put the decors on it. We used the same Christmas tree that we used last year, a 6 ½ ft. tall tree. I had also hanged a Christmas wreath in the door and also at the porch.

Today, my hubby and I went to church and after lunch I asked him to take me to the mall to buy Christmas gifts for the kids and grandkids. We went to JC Penny because somebody at work gave my husband a 20% discount coupon and it is only good for today. We need to buy some more gifts but we will wait on the 15th because they will have a midnight madness sale at the BX inside the base. Christmas happens only once a year and I really want to buy gifts for the family. It’s a way to show our love for them. For me, it’s not really the gift that matters, it’s the thought that counts. It’s a good feeling to know that somebody remembers you on that special occasion and I want them to know that we think of them and we love them. We will be spending Christmas in Alvarado and we are looking forward to that day. My husband will be off 4 days from work so we can have a good holiday celebration.

Ever since I was a kid, this time of the year excites me most. It’s the time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind. It just disgust me that in this country, wherein it’s supposed to be a democratic country, most places now won’t allow the word Christmas, instead they used the word Holiday. Others also used the word Xmas and removed Christ in it. How disgusting! Jesus Christ is the reason for this season and they should honor Him for that. I just pray that whoever thought of this thing that is happening here in this country will be awaken and will realize that without Christ there's no Christmas to celebrate.

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