Christmas Memorial Service

Our church's greif share department had a Christmas memorial service in the chapel Thursday night.  They said to bring an ornament that represented our loved one.  David and I went shopping and was unable to find anything.  I was pretty disappointed and bummed.  A sweet lady we went to church with in Hillsboro asked her daughter to look while she was out shopping and she found one.  It's a sponge bob ornament.  Sponge Bob is all tangled up in Christmas lights.  It was perfect.  I'm wishing I had taken a picture of it now and still may when they move the trees into the welcome center.

We really didn't know what to expect from the service but it was nice.  We cried, laughed, and then cried again.  The pastor spoke to us and talked about Jesus being the light and how death doesn't win.  Our seperation from our loved ones is not eternal.  We will see and be with them again.  All because Christ defeated death.  It was a powerful reminder that we will be with Hannah again.  I will wrap my arms around her and and kiss that beautiful forehead again.  That's comforting.

After he spoke we each went to the front and hung our ornament on one of the three trees there.  Most of the peole hung photos of their loved ones or an angel type ornament on the trees.  Ours was the only cartoon character. LOL!  So, when they move the trees to the welcome center it should be an interesting sight.  SpongeBob is in the church house y'all!  Hannah would love it!  :<)

The holiday's are terribly hard without her.  I find myself crying tears often and everywhere I look I see things that she would love.  Around the corner from us is a blow up Sleigh that has Eyore, Pooh, and Tigger on it.  I can't help but imagine I'd have to take that route home everyday had she been here.  It hurts your heart.  It's a hurt that is indescribable.  Still, we just breathe and take the next step in the day.

I think the boys are struggling hugely with this holiday thing.  It's hard enough that nanna isn't here.  Nanna loved Christmas and she lived with us the last 8 years of her life.  She'd get that fat JCPenney catalog every year and the boys would sit and look at it and tell her what they wanted.  Then this is the first year without Hannah and I think the boys had as much fun helping her enjoy Christmas as they did themselves.  It's different this year.  New for us.  We just don't know what to do with ourselves because everything we've always done is not doable. 

The one thing that doesn't change is the reason for this season.  JESUS.  It is in him we have hope and it's because of him we'll all be together again some day.  For that I am eternally grateful.  I miss my Hannah but one day I'll see her again.  All because a baby was born, grew up and died on a cross for my sin, and rose again defeating hell and the grave.  Halelujah!

Love you all!  Thanks for the continued prayer and support.  It means the world to me!