My husband and I were in Houston for a night, so we decided to stop by Galveston since we were so close.  I have always loved this city and  was anxious to see how it was holding up post hurricane.  I was prepared for damage, but had no idea that the city was still in such bad shape.  There is still no functioning hospital on the island, and most businesses are still closed.  Many buildings and houses have just been abandoned and look beyond repair.  I’m really hoping that with time, funding, and upcoming tourist seasons they will be able to pull themselves back up again.  They did it before and I think they’ll do it again.  I hope to visit there again with the family sometime and get to show my husband what it was like before.

Usually I am so sad to see the Christmas season come to an end, and I dread taking down the tree and decorations.  I miss seeing beautiful wrapped gifts under a lit tree every morning and night.  I even miss observing cranky shoppers fighting their way to the checkout line while charming Christmas music plays in the background.  I’m always that person standing in line stupidly smiling (which makes people even more annoyed).  But this time seems a little different.  Even though we have some major challenges facing our family early in the new year, I’m closing this one with optimism.  I’m ready to conquer and overcome so next year at this time it will be just one thing more to celebrate. Hope you all had a fabulous Christmas season! Here’s some photos from ours:

Every year our family is involved in putting on a one day event to collect needed items for our servicemen.  In the past few years we have used the drive to support wounded soldiers returning to Ft. Hood.  This year we partnered with the USO in Iraq so these donations could reach the soldiers just entering or returning to Iraq to serve.  This year was another huge success!  We raised over $2,000 in donations and a truckload of items to be sent over to our troops!  Thanks to everyone who came out to show your support.  It’s always an awesome experience joining together with others for a positive and united cause.

I can only imagine the stories these men have to tell.

I get a kick out of these ladies every year! They have more energy than I do.

Boxes of donations!

Letters of support to be sent to the soldiers -

Thanks to the Girl Scouts for helping with the crafts

At one point the Joshua Experience called each branch of the military, and all veterans stood while their branch was called.

Names of soldiers currently serving were added to tiles so we could pray for them