Gayla's Magazine

The Christmas Mystery Trip

 

Minnie Mouse has been dying to tell the grandchildren about where they are going for their Christmas Mystery Trip!  Finally the time arrives to tell them.... and before we could tell them. They both began smiling and laughing and telling us that they knew exactly where we were going.  DISNEY WORLD!! And so the word is out - they are so excited and we are too!

 

Even Missy is going!! She is dressed up and having spent a day at a Doggy Spa she is ready - the one and only member of the family with no packing to do!

 

Visiting with their Great Grandmother Joyce Latta, they tell her all about what they want to see at Disney World.

 

So it was with whirlwind goodbyes with their Great Grandfather - Samuel Latta and get the suitcases on board the Coach and head off to Florida!!

 

We are off...... with 2 grandkids and a dog!  It will be a trip of a lifetime for all of us.  

A Special Christmas Table Setting

 

Creating a special Christmas table is simple to put together,  but takes pre-planning for full effect. These are snowflake Christmas tree ornaments.  They lay flat and can create interest without adding bulk to the table.

 

These little glasses are used for a single peppermint striped ornament to set in.  (I painted  these glasses a long time ago and use them some way every Christmas) Just set 4 of them down the middle of the table for a special decoration that describes the theme. 

 

These frosted glasses are perfect for a peppermint themed table.  I just tucked an red and white plastic ribbon ornament inside ready to serve as the stirrer for a special frosty type smoothie drink. I left these on the table for decorations only and used others for the actual Brunch.  These are also great for Eggnog later in the holidays.

 

Use a twist of red/white striped wire ribbon for a napkin ring and the entire table put together is great! Make it twist up high off the plate for added effect for your guests.

 

I love how sugarplums are dancing in my families eyes when they set down to eat a special Christmas meal!  I want them to feel special and loved from the sight of the table, to the presentations and tastes of all the foods served.

No holiday meal should be unplanned - it's a wonderful gift you can give to them!!

The World's Best Christmas Treat

   

Buy some Pretzel Sticks - 'Rods' they are called in Texas.

Melt some chocolate in a bowl.

  

Lay them out to dry slightly on wax paper.

 

Now there are a variety of ways to dress these up. 

1. Crush peppermints in a food processor and roll the sticks dipped in chocolate in them.  These look really pretty and taste fantastic!!

 

2. Roll the dipped sticks in coconut.  Also very pretty and a whole new taste!

 

3. Or...... melt some white chocolate and using a spoon drizzle quickly   the melted white chocolate across the dipped sticks.  Oh so good!

 

Wrap these in a special box, and delightful tastes await your guests!

2008 Christmas

 

One of my christmas table designs this year is called 'A Peppermint Treat' and Christmas Brunch was served on this one. 

 

My Mother and Dad  arrive for a 2 day visit - on their way to visit my other brothers (2 live in Texas) we kept them busy the whole 2 days!

Extravagant Presence

 

Thought you might like to see some pictures from Extravagant Presence.  I am truly touched by what God did in this Drama - it was AWESOME. I stepped out on faith on this Drama, just trusting what God had put in my heart would come alive in the hearts of all those who would see it.  And it did. Writing this Drama came to me in pieces - but when it was all on paper - wow!!

   

  

 

 

I don't think there was a dry eye in the entire crowd.

 

 

 

   

 

It was majestic, powerful and very moving.  Using the Word of God and worshiping in the Spirit of God brought down a new dimension of praise!

My Christmas Greeting

So what is going on.....

 

Busy day!  Upstairs in the Palace - the Kidtricity Christmas party is happening.  Here are some of the teachers all receiving their Christmas present for being such faithful and attentive teachers through out the year.  We love you all.  I have no idea how that star got above Daisy's head - didn't even know it was on the wall!  Or was it????

 

Well planned by our Education Administrator - Walterene has made sure every detail is covered for this event.  Every child received a bag of gifts and TLC.

 

Goodies to eat, and a fun program of games, every child had a good time.

 

The children's pastor has fun with the children.

   

   

And downstairs........

 

Upwards Basketball was going on.  With game after game of different teams - boys and girls from all over town were having a grand time.

 

There are loud cheering teams....parents shouting to their kids.... kids and Coaches all trying to be heard...... whistles of the Referee's  going.  It's wonderful!

 

Upwards Basketball is a wonderful organization of Christian parents providing safe and healthy sports for children ages 6 - 12 all over America.  New Life is a part of it, and thanks to Kenny this year for providing great fun for many many teams this year!!

 

Our double gym provides 2 games going at once. So it's a busy place all day long on Saturdays.

A Christmas Giveaway

One morning last week I received an email.....

 

Good Morning Miss Gayla!

I need some information.  I work for Victory Transportation Systems, Inc here in Houston.  The owner is a good Christian man and very community minded.  Each year he gets each of us here in him company to step forth and take a family who is in need for Christmas.  This year – as you well know – there are so many children that are not going to have Christmas because their families lost everything in Ike.  We have about 80 kids left on our angel list that won’t have toys for Christmas.  We want so badly to help them.  Our Victory family has stretched our budgets and we are having trouble with these last 80 kids.  We are a small company with about 30 office employees and 100 drivers, so we are really struggling to help these kids.  Where can I go to get help with these last 80 kids?  We have one week left to get toys for these children.  Our owner usually takes about twenty families on his own.  I would appreciate any advice you could offer.  Being a part of New Life I appreciate that we as a church help so many.  I figure that you must have resources and this is going to be one of God’s miracles to get this many toys in so short of time.

Thanks for any advice you can give!  God Bless you and your wonderful smile!

Jill

 

Of course - this is part of our Role Models of America program - ggiveaways to needy families.  We were happy to jump in and help finish up with last gifts needed.  Our staff put together toys to make their giveaway complete. 

 

Thanks for caring for the needs of others Victory Transportation and Jill for letting us know about the need!

Merry Christmas.

First Baptist Christmas School Program

Attending all the functions of Christmas for my family includes a visit to my grandson's school  Christmas program.

 

A full crowd of parents and Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and siblings all here for their child's special presentation. PawPaw and I wouln't miss this for the world.

 

As a Pastor's wife who has put together countless programs and presentations - I appreciate and notice the details of hard work of others.  No program comes off well without the hundreds of silent hours of planning, thinking, working out details and rehearsals of choirs, actors and actresses, lights and sounds, costumes and props and assistants.

 

It's wonderful to see well behaved, dressed up children in perfect order and prepared for their parts in the whole play.  Their little faces upturned and smiling, all eyes are upon them and they know it! My special  little person is on the front row and center - he is poised and knows his songs. 

 

It is worth whatever it costs to keep a child in a Christian school, for their academics  are complete not only with the usual subjects but also values and character lessons and their personal Christianity growth. It's the only place I know that a first grader can be reading on a 4th grade level! It's so worth the sacrifices of the parents. 

James and Carol Ann Merideth

 

Pastors James and Carol Ann Merideth are building a new Community Center and they came down for an overnight stay so we can help them with building supplies.

 

We are excited about their building and know what a blessing it will be to their church family.  Looking at the plans the Bishop can readily see what they need and what we have to share with them. 

 

So we spent the afternoon gathering a large amount of building materials for them.  And then it took quite a while to get everything packed up safely  for a 5 hour trip home!

 

Between many phone calls and emails running different projects - my husband got this blessing settled for them.

 

Carol Ann manages to squeeze in  a little bit more for some giveaway projects at their church.  We had a great visit - but just too short!

When it's all done (we can relate to what all it takes to build such a structure) we will be going to the dedication of it.  Should be this coming spring! Nothing like having good friends to walk with you through a building project!