Nicole’s e-Pistle

December 25, 2024

Greetings, Friends, and Merry Christmas!

I hope this message finds you well, and I pray that you are enjoying time with family and friends on this beautiful Christmas Day!

Bjorn and the kids and I are enjoying our first Christmas in our own home, and I am thrilled to report that Santa found our new address more easily than the postal service or Amazon! The kids are having a blast as they open their gifts around our brand-new pre-lit Christmas Tree! Santa even got creative with the stockings (since ours are missing in a box somewhere) – the kids got to have a scavenger hunt to find their treats and goodies!

Tomorrow, we will begin our trek to Florida, with a stop in Valdosta overnight. We are so looking forward to spending 3 ½ days with each of our families before returning home to Dalton (again with a break in Valdosta) on January 3^rd and 4^th. During this much-needed time with family, I will be unavailable for phone calls and emails, but Dick Neely will be in town and is going to see to any pastoral care needs that may come up while I’m away. You will also get to see Ken McKenzie again this Sunday, Dec. 29^th during Worship, as he will be filling in for me at the pulpit in true Ken fashion! He has mentioned his excitement in getting to spend that time with those of you who are in town.

And now, please stop reading your email and get back to loving on all your children, grandchildren, siblings, parents, and others, for in the words of Clark Griswold as he looked upon his choice of Christmas Tree in the wild winter landscape, “The most enduring traditions of the season are best enjoyed in the warm embrace of kith and kin. Thith tree ith a thimble of the thpirit of the Grithwald family Chrithmath!”

A Very Merry “Chithmath” to you all, and may God bless us, every one!