Dear friends!!
We have had so much to be thankful for this year – not only joys, but also the challenges.
We are finishing off the year experiencing the joy and light of the birth of Jesus. This began as we celebrated the Dutch tradition of “St Nicholas” (Dec. 5-7)
We opened our time together in prayer of thanksgiving for food and time together.
Every year St Nicholas Celebrations become even more special. In past we have made a gift for whoever name we had drawn. This year, we changed the program a bit. Lynne had stocking stuffer gifts. Everyone was given a bow and had to match the colour of the bow with a bow on one of the presents. You could swipe another’s gift or pick from the pile.
Then we had the charity presentations. Each family was asked to select to select a charity they thought we should give the money to. Each family picked the charity they had a personal connection with. The presentations were incredible.
Jen, Nigel and Pip chose two charities, Sick Kids and the Jamaica Hurricane Relief.
The Sick Kids poster they made showed Pip in hospital last year, Pippa explained what happened to her (“her pee turned red”) and how well she was treated while in hospital. She was diagnosed with Glomerulonephritis. She was able to meet the Cirque de Soleil people who visited the hospital while she was there. Sick Kids Foundations 525 University Ave. Suite 1400 Toronto.
The other poster showed the devastation in Jamaica. Lynton spoke about the situation in Jamaica and how his family has been affected. He also warned us not to send money to Jamaica at the moment because it is not clear where it will end up. PWS&D have a special drive for this disaster which we have used and trust.
James, Audrey, Maia and Noah-Jan chose a charity in Quebec for abused women. It is a charity that provides everything for abused women and children. Emergency shelter housing, counselling, support services, security, referrals, advocacy and the impressive list of care goes on, to women and children exposed to domestic violence.
One of their wealthy neighbours was strangled by her husband recently (two teens were in the house). So sad, we were all in tears. James and Audrey have to drive by the house twice a day – the crime scene tape is still up. They wanted to support abused women so that they can be rescued from violent situations. Their emergency Shelter choice is Athena’s house, sheildofathenena.com.
Jeff, Tara, Maisie and Bennett, gave a brilliant presentation on Dyslexia! Maisie explained how she has been diagnosed with it and how it affects her reading, writing etc. and what the Dyslexia people are doing now to support her.
Dyslexia runs in our family. Lynne is dyslexic and thus it is a gene she passed on to our children and now grandchildren – but thanks to the support in place they are getting the help they need to navigate dyslexia. This was a fascinating report by the family that pointed out all the positive super gifts they have as well. They put their presentation together on the laptop.
So proud of these kids!!! All the presentations were so great. Each charity filled a great need. We all voted that we should split the $2100 in the charity pot three ways.
This was followed by a secret Santa of the home-made presents. We drew numbers and each one could either pick a present or steal one that had already been picked. Awesome creations!
It was a special day indeed – the food was fantastic it was spread out on the living room table and everyone could help themselves. James Audrey and the “grands” had to leave at 4:00 to get back to Montreal by midnight. School and work were waiting on Monday.
We all chipped in to be creative (thanks to internet).
We had a wonderful time, and we thank God for our family.
Christmas day will be filled with great music, pondering the wonder of Jesus’ birth and what it means to us and Charles Dickens – A Christmas Carol.
MERRY CHRISTMAS! May you all enjoy the light and love of Jesus this season and all year.
Lynne and Jan