A Little History:
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| TWELVE SHOPPING DAZE...I MEAN....DAYS 'TIL CHRISTMAS:-) |
The origins of the Advent calendar come from German Lutherans who, at least as early as the beginning of the 19th century, would count down the first 24 days of December physically. Often this meant simply drawing a chalk line on the door each day.
Definition from dictionary.com:
1. a coming into place, view, or being; arrival: the advent of the holiday season.
2. the coming of Christ into the world.
3. initial capital letter ) the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas, observed in commemoration of the coming of Christ into the world.
4. Second Coming.
I don't necessarily use mine in commemoration of Christ's arrival, because he wasn't born on December 25th. Still I do participate in Christmas. I do not believe Christmas belongs to Christians because I do not believe anything belongs to Christians. For that matter, I don't believe anything belongs to anybody. None of us arrive here with anything, nor do we leave with anything. All belongs to Him and it's merely on loan to us; the earth, our health, our wealth, our family, and friends. That is my belief. Even those who don't share the belief I embrace, do not own any part of their existence. Even the big bang theory tells us, it's all fading, changing, existing one moment and gone the next. Our intelligence doesn't even belong to us, else one IQ would not be higher than another and when dementia sets it, well, gumption flies right out of the right or left ear, or both. None of this did I create. I feel blessed with all my surroundings, knowing it is all temporary. I worship the Lord Jesus Christ 365, 24/7, except for leap year then -- I guess, I overdose a day.
2. the coming of Christ into the world.
3. initial capital letter ) the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas, observed in commemoration of the coming of Christ into the world.
4. Second Coming.
I don't necessarily use mine in commemoration of Christ's arrival, because he wasn't born on December 25th. Still I do participate in Christmas. I do not believe Christmas belongs to Christians because I do not believe anything belongs to Christians. For that matter, I don't believe anything belongs to anybody. None of us arrive here with anything, nor do we leave with anything. All belongs to Him and it's merely on loan to us; the earth, our health, our wealth, our family, and friends. That is my belief. Even those who don't share the belief I embrace, do not own any part of their existence. Even the big bang theory tells us, it's all fading, changing, existing one moment and gone the next. Our intelligence doesn't even belong to us, else one IQ would not be higher than another and when dementia sets it, well, gumption flies right out of the right or left ear, or both. None of this did I create. I feel blessed with all my surroundings, knowing it is all temporary. I worship the Lord Jesus Christ 365, 24/7, except for leap year then -- I guess, I overdose a day.
I do, however, like the fact that many seem to shine with their faith during this time, like the lights on my tree. So if Christians choose to celebrate their faith now, so be it. If non-Christians want to celebrate by passing around gifts or saying “happy holidays”, so be it. The only celebrators I truly frown upon are the ones who become too inebriated with alcohol or drug of choice endangering themselves and/or others. Those are the only celebrators I wish I could control, control the amount served and control who drives. Yep, so I'm a control-freak!
My advent calendar is a gift I received umpteen years ago from a friend who gave it to me with the intention of enabling me to just count down the days I had left to shop, no deeper meaning intended. It actually says: _____ Days 'til Christmas. I place the appropriate number in the _____. I wonder: Why the countdown? Is it to eliminate or add stress? I'm uncertain. It doesn't do anything to or for me, but it's nice to look at because it has Santas and festive motifs like nutcrackers, ballerinas and snowmen.
Just under my calendar, strewn across the table, the ad bulging newspaper awaits. Headlines read: 12 shopping daze -- days -- sorry -- 'til Christmas. There goes my eyes again. It's all a daze to me. And I ponder: Do thieves have 12 stealing days left on their calendar? Do retail workers have 12 sorting, re-sorting, frowning and grumbling days left on their calendar? Does Santa have 12 days left to get the reindeer ready and rest -- he rest -- they fly?
For me it shouts...YOU HAVE GOT 12 DAYS TO GET JUST THE RIGHT GIFTS FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SPECIAL TO YOU BUT YOU DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY ANYTHING NEARING THEIR SPECIALNESS ON THE VAST SCALE OF SPECIAL! Yep, that loudly. Once again, I LOATHE scales.
I mean, I certainly can buy candles. How generic is that? Yes, a candle for my BFF that I would like to buy a Ferrari that has an airline ticket tucked inside the glove box to Aruba and 2 weeks free in a lush spa all inclusive with tax, meals, tips, alcohol(for Vivi & Scarlet, my pimp and 16) and extra tipping cash for the cabana boy(for Brenda). Yes, that's what my BFF deserves.
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| OH, JOY???? IS THERE JOY ON ANY A FACE??? |
I mean, I certainly can buy candles. How generic is that? Yes, a candle for my BFF that I would like to buy a Ferrari that has an airline ticket tucked inside the glove box to Aruba and 2 weeks free in a lush spa all inclusive with tax, meals, tips, alcohol(for Vivi & Scarlet, my pimp and 16) and extra tipping cash for the cabana boy(for Brenda). Yes, that's what my BFF deserves.
So I dash to the store in a one -- no -- no -- no. There's not even snow on the ground. Head to Simon's -- 'cause that’s what Simon says.
While I stand in a Yankee Store (in Georgia?) sniffing and praying for the candle that will smell like new leather sports car seats and Aruba's ocean breeze. I settle for vanilla. Cha-ching, the register.
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| ARE WE WITNESSING GLEE???? |
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| I can't find my glee anywhere...joy, to the...WORLD??? |
WHERE IS GLEE WHEN YOU NEED IT THE MOST?
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| Does anyone see sugarplums dancing? |
HAPPY NOW???? |
| And the English translation for joy? |
On to clothing. A sweater, mittens, scarves, shirts, shoes....I try with all my might to press the hangers apart, that Belk has over-stuffed their rack with, in hopes the prize is hidden there. Nobel didn't bring it in this year. So I settle: Purple for Brit, brown for Sarah, black for Michelle and black for Heather. I lift my feet and let the crowd carry me to the register (this may be akin to crowd surfing at the arena) where the worn out retail lady has aged 10 years since I was here in July. I recognize her past the stretched sockets of her eyes. I smile. She stretches her face to form what -- yeah -- come on -- there it is -- WHEW -- finally -- I think that's a smile. She pries into my personal life and asks if I have a Belk card. I do, of course -- I mean, I am an American -- but I never use it. So I tell her, "I'd rather pay with cash." At that point, I sounded like a non-English speaking American, I suppose. I'm certain that I didn't, but I could swear I heard her pen drop. I definitely heard the corners of her mouth drop. See I know this, because I am married to the noblest of retail workers who tells me all the time how his company presses the employees to push the cards...push the cards...push the cards. As he's chanting this retail mantra, I envision Richard Simmons in daisy duke-type red striped gym shorts at a don't ask/don't tell aerobic convention. Anyway, my noble of noblest said from the beginning of his retail career, "I can't in good conscience push debt on these young couples who come into the appliance department lusting after the lowest line washer and dryers." He goes on, "I'm supposed to say, 'We can deliver by tomorrow and you save ten percent if you open an account and the payments will just be $19.95 until the year 2095, unless the Apocalypse comes first -- and no interest for the first 25 and a half hours' -- or something to that effect. So he never offers these, because he says his integrity will not let him try to suck young couples into debt that could hurt them and possibly ruin their marriage and, "Why would they need a washer and dryer when their lawyers start telling them to just take him/her to the cleaners". I love integrity at home.
I leave Belk.
Now the challenge is buying my husband, the noble, the integrity oozing guy that greets me with kindness every day of my life...what to get him? What could come close to symbolizing a trade off of what I get from him? I go to the MANLY-MAN's manliest of stores he frequents. Home Depot, Lowes (Yes), Sears, REI, Sears, Home Depot, yes, I'm spinning. Had to circle around several times and go back....What do I find? I find a saw. I look at its shininess, thinking...it's a bit reflective...kind of like a mirror....when he uses it for the first time will it reflect my love for him and he think, "wow, how sharp she is"? I settle.
So...
I drag myself to my car carrying the saw that has been having a wrestling match with the wind all the way to my car that is parked, I swear, in Afghanistan. How did it get there? Lay the saw down. Place my foot gently on it while I fumble for my keys. When will I learn to get them out of my purse BEFORE CHECKOUT -- LIKE AT THE NAIL SALON, STEPHANIE...I know,Steph, you told me that ions ago. I remember you scolding me and insisting I should get my keys out inside, so I could stick it in the eye of my abductor, if the need arose. Just gotta tell you here before you start, Steph, I had a SAW IN MY HAND and by the way the wind was whipping it around I looked much like a samurai warrior.
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| No crib for a bed? |
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| It's Christmastime in the city. Ring-A-Ling. |
I drag myself to my car carrying the saw that has been having a wrestling match with the wind all the way to my car that is parked, I swear, in Afghanistan. How did it get there? Lay the saw down. Place my foot gently on it while I fumble for my keys. When will I learn to get them out of my purse BEFORE CHECKOUT -- LIKE AT THE NAIL SALON, STEPHANIE...I know,Steph, you told me that ions ago. I remember you scolding me and insisting I should get my keys out inside, so I could stick it in the eye of my abductor, if the need arose. Just gotta tell you here before you start, Steph, I had a SAW IN MY HAND and by the way the wind was whipping it around I looked much like a samurai warrior.
Finally jingle-jingle-keys-jingle all the way -- oh, sorry. Get in. Crank the arctic deliverer. Crawl through the parking lot that once was an expressway. Pass my time reading bumper stickers and crossword clues on license plates while fighting sadness at the sight of roadside crosses and wreathes. I hate those things. Sometimes I feel as though I'm driving through a stranger's private cemetery filled with personal uncontrollable anguish. I want to stop and say how bad I feel for their loss, but there’s no parking space. So I turn up Mannheim and carry on.
Get home.
Wrap. And try to rap to music, I learned from Sean.
Doesn't work. Wrap. Hide the unwrapped. Place the receipts in a safe place because nine times out of nine the recipient of my hard agonizing labor is going to beat it to the store on December 26th to return my gesture for something they REALLY WANT OR NEED. Exhausting thought. So I quash it.
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| OH, YES, BABY, DRAW ME A BATH! OH, YEAH, BABY AIN'T HOME YET:-( |
Doesn't work. Wrap. Hide the unwrapped. Place the receipts in a safe place because nine times out of nine the recipient of my hard agonizing labor is going to beat it to the store on December 26th to return my gesture for something they REALLY WANT OR NEED. Exhausting thought. So I quash it.
Make it to my kitchen to brew a cup of coffee. There it is. My calendar. Yes, the screaming one. THAT SAME SCREAMING AND YELLING CALENDAR that had bid me adieu this morning. WELL, I VOW WITH ALL MY BEING, I WILL FIX THAT!!!!
Search my junk drawer that I swear will be on the top of my list to clean out come January 1st, along with crunching celery and whirling exercise. Claw until I find my black Sharpie. Begin my unplanned masterpiece. An artist I am not, but at this moment, I'm feeling pretty Rembrandt-ish.
I re-hang my masterpiece.
Nate comes in from work, he passes it, steps back and begins to read aloud, "12 SETTLING DAYS UNTIL DECEMBER THE 25TH". He comes closer to me, places his hand on my forehead and whispers, "Did you black out the words shopping and Christmas and replace with settling and December the 25th?" I nod. He pulls me close with shaky voice and says, "How much does settling cost?" I promise, "Not much".
Nate comes in from work, he passes it, steps back and begins to read aloud, "12 SETTLING DAYS UNTIL DECEMBER THE 25TH". He comes closer to me, places his hand on my forehead and whispers, "Did you black out the words shopping and Christmas and replace with settling and December the 25th?" I nod. He pulls me close with shaky voice and says, "How much does settling cost?" I promise, "Not much".
Because...and this is the most important lesson of my Xmas, Christmas, Happy Honolulu life....stores don't sell love....
I embodied the character of Dr. Cal Lightman and investigated with all I had learned from his show to reach the truth through interpreting microexpressions, through the Facial Action Coding System, and body language of these pics. I found no glee, merriment, joy (may have been hiding at the bottom of the shopping cart). I’ve actually seen more smiles during a funeral procession.
SO MY JOY, MY MERRIMENT, MY HOLIDAYS... BURIED DEEP WITHIN MY HEART FOREVER AND ALWAYS SHOWS AT A GLANCE AND WITH CAREFUL EXAMINATION. HERE'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT FOR ME, NO PRICE TAG ATTACHED :-)
SO MY JOY, MY MERRIMENT, MY HOLIDAYS... BURIED DEEP WITHIN MY HEART FOREVER AND ALWAYS SHOWS AT A GLANCE AND WITH CAREFUL EXAMINATION. HERE'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT FOR ME, NO PRICE TAG ATTACHED :-)
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| Now, this is JOY! And he is missed by all who knew him. |
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| Yes, Heather & Sean, Cheech & Chong rides again! CHEER!!!! |
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| HAPPY TONIGHT! |
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| MORE HAPPY TONIGHT! |
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| DRESSED IN HOLIDAY STYLE! |
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| IT WAS A LONG ROAD BACK! |
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| GRAND! |
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| SEE THE LOVE GLISTENING! |
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| THREE WISE LIL GUYS! |
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| THE SPIRIT OF LOVE! |
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| THIS MAY HAVE BEEN A DOUBLE DOG DARE OR HEALTHY SELF-ESTEEM:-) |
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| PURE, INNOCENT, STRENGTH. A WONDERFUL GIFT! |
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| WRAPPED IN SWADDLING LOVE! |
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| BEAUTIFUL SIGHT! |
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| AND FOLKS DRESSED UP LIKE ESKIMOS... |
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| OOOO, BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE! |
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| SUGAR PLUMS! |
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| SHE'S WAITING FOR YOU, PRAYING FOR YOU! |
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| WINTER WONDERLAND OF SAND! |
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| ROCKIN' AROUND THE...WAVING GIRL! |
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| IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS:-) |
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| MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME! |
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| LIKE KISSES THROUGH THE AIR! |
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| IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK ALOT LIKE CHRISTMAS! |
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| NOT ALL WORKSHOPS ARE BUILT IN THE NORTH POLE! |
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| BABY'S FIRST AND MOMMY'S FINEST |
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| WHO SAID GIANTS DON'T MELT? |
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| JAR JAR WILL NEVER BE THE SAME! |
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| Not all Frostys melt! |
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| WELL, MAYBE JUST A LITTLE :-) |
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| YEAH, EASTER CAN BE HOPPING TOO! |
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| TWO GUYS, PLANNING |
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| Mother & Child |
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| AMAZING YOUNG MAN |
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| WE MISS YOU! |
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| BRIGHTEST SMILE, SO TENDER AND MILD |
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| A PROMISE KEPT :-) |
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| SUMMER'S STORY |
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| THE OLDEST & YOUNGEST AND LOTS OF LOVE IN BETWEEN |
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| TWO SWINGERS |
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| THEY ARE GRAND! |
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| LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE |
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| SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE... |
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| HE'S HOME FOR CHRISTMAS...NOT ONLY IN HIS DREAMS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu9ZEqhwHoY THE FOLLOWING PICTURES ARE FROM OUR THANKSGIVING DAY MORNING. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK JACK BARNES. FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS HE HAS ALLOWED US TO GO OVER TO HIS TREE FARM AND GET OUR CHRISTMAS TREE. IT ENABLED US TO BE ABLE TO PUT UP OUR TREE AND DECORATE IT THROUGHOUT THE DAY, A TRADITION THAT'S LENT ITSELF TO VERY FOND MEMORIES:-) IF YOU READ MY THANKSGIVING BLOG, THERE PICTURES HELP EXPLAIN... 
  WE GOTTA FIND THE TREE:-)  |
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| MR. INDEPENDENT |
O, CHRISTMAS TREE
DANCING MERRILY IN A NEW OLD FASHIONED WAY!
O, CHRISTMAS TREE, MUCH PLEASURE YOU DO BRING!
HE AND BRIT ARE TAKING A MEASUREMENT AND CHECKING IT TWICE.
STAVE BRAVELY GREEN IN WINTERTIME
BRINGS TO US ALL BOTH JOY & GLEEYOUR BRANCHES GREEN DELIGHT US!
SANTA'S LITTLE HELPER!
DECK THE HALLS!
ELF AND HIS HELPER! |
| NOT EVERYONE SLEEPS AFTER TURKEY! |
IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT FOOD, IT'S MORE ABOUT FUN!
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HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!
THE FOLLOWING PICTURES ARE FROM NOW...MY WORLD NOW. COULD I HAVE PURCHASED, BUILT OR DESIGNED SUCH PERFECTION? NO. I COULDN'T, BUT GOD COULD AND DID. I THANK MY FAMILY & FRIENDS FOR LOVING ME ENOUGH TO STICK AROUND. I THANK MY LORD FOR SOME GREAT TIMES HERE. NONE DO I DESERVE, YET I BASK IN IT NO MATTER WHAT TIME OF YEAR.
MERRY CHRISTMAS,
from NATHAN & SUSAN (A.K.A. CHEECH & CHONG, MA & PA KETTLE, MAMAW & PAPAW, MARMIE & POP) BUT, WE KNOW, AS SHAKESPEARE SO ELOQUENTLY PUT IT: A ROSE IS STILL A ROSE, BY ANY OTHER NAME. AND WE ARE STILL ALL ABOUT FAMILY NO MATTER WHAT YOU CALL US AND NO MATTER WHAT TIME OF YEAR!
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| THE ADAMS FAMILY IS JEALOUS, AND SO ARE THE WALTONS:-) |
I CAN'T HELP BUT FEEL CLOSE TO GOD WHEN I SEE THE BEAUTY OF HIS CREATION, IN A SUNSET, SNOWFLAKE, SAND PEBBLE, SMILE, TEAR, MOUNTAIN, SEA, VALLEY AND I COULD GO ON AND ON. SOMETIMES I KNOW THESE ARE TAKEN FOR GRANTED BUT SOMETIMES I JUST SOAK IT ALL IN. MANY MANY TIMES THESE MOMENTS ARE THROUGH THE EYES OF THE ONES I LOVE AND I AM BLESSED TO BE MARRIED TO A MAN WHO SEES BEAUTY WHEN OTHERS DO NOT AND "OUR GIRLS" HAVE THE SAME ARTISTIC EYE.
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| THROUGH BRITTANY'S EYES! |
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| THROUGH SARAH'S EYES! |
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| THROUGH MORGAN'S EYES |
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| THROUGH NATHAN'S EYES! |
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| THROUGH HEATHER'S EYES!
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| For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.. Isaiah 9:6 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRbDs8MTnCg |
