Family Letter!! Christmas 2009

The Prestwich Family Letter
(Sung to the tune of “Jingle Bells”)

(Verse 1)
The year is at an end
We thought we’d tell our tale
Of past ventures we have had
In ____we set our sail
When last ______ lived we
A change was in Dan’s sight
Thought he, to teach youth again
Well it ju-ust felt sooo right!!

(Chorus)
Oh, find a house, pack again
Moving is not fun!
Specially three times this year
Oh, when will we be done.
Washing walls, fixing walls
Priming, painting too
Got to mend and fix our new home
To make our dreams come true.

(Verse 2)
New school our kiddos did go
5th and 2nd to achieve
Friends were all around
Great teachers pleased were we
Mom thought she’d join the fun
Over-zealous so was she
Now she’s got a “part-time” job
Just count them one, two, three

(Chorus)
Oh, Author studies, Art, P.E.
Reflections to name a few
Dad said don’t ya knoooow
We still have a house left to do-ooo!!
Piaaano, Basketball
Han-nah plays the flute
Nathan with his Pokemon
And family time to boot.....

(Chorus again!)
And stolen car- Van graveyard
Three ER visits its true
No Ava-ca-dos if you please
We don’t want to go back there too-oo
Season pass at Lagoon
Oh, this was lots of fun!
Running, hiking up these hills
Great workouts have just begun.

(Verse 3 slower)
On a mountain our house sits
The view it is just fine
Two Temples we do see
Each time we sit and dine
Life has its ups and downs
This we know is true
And so there is just one more thing
We have to say to you....

(Chorus)
Oh, family, friends, good times...
The bad is there as well
Life is what we make it
So let our chorus swell-ell!
Happy days, hectic days
Oh may our tale say
The key to find the joy in life
Is to seek it each new day!!

Disadvantages of living in a forest in a construction project!!
New Added Verse!!

Milk chocolate they liked best,
butter scotch too
Pecans, potatos,
Rice and pasta to name a few
What a feast they did eat.
While we slept in our beds
Those little critters better watch out
their gonna soon be dea—Mom!

Catch a mouse two or three
Better be-ware
Hannah says humanely
Mom doesn’t care-are
Don’t you dare come back again
And eat my chocolate too
Watch out you little rat
We are coming after you!

(We were able to get the critter problem taken care of just in time for Christmas!!)

Have a great Holiday Season!!!!

The Blind Side

(Posted by Daniel)

As part of our anniversary celebration Krisse and I went to see "The Blind Side".

http://www.screenit.com/movies/2009/the_blind_side.html

http://www.theblindsidemovie.com/

While government programs can alleviate a measure of physical suffering, they can never fill the needs that lead to the problems that they seek to fix.

This movie depicts one high-profile story, but the results can be duplicated wherever individuals, families, and communities will reach out in a personal way that resonates in the hearts of those who give, and those who receive.

Life is more than food, shelter, clothing. It is more than mere physical interactions in a physical world. Life is about the souls of individuals connecting deeply and meaningfully, and in a way that causes all involved to want to live life in a deeper, fuller, better way.

Could it be that through government programs we seek to fill unmet needs in a clean, comfortable, and therefore detached way? We somehow think that we personally don't need to get our hands dirty, and we don't need to open our hearts to feel with those in need. If we never feel with, we can never be full inside. Furthermore, the compulsed giver, and the dismissed receiver end up feeling only resentment for each other, and the need goes on.

I'm grateful for this Christmas season where we remember that the babe born in a stable began, lived, and ended his life where there was need. He extended his own hands and soul into dark places to help meet the most important needs of each of us.

I'm grateful for those who extended their efforts to make this film, and hope that the viewers will internalize its message.