December 26 – “Braving the elements”

We decided to brave the elements this morning.  No, not the weather.  It was cold (45 degrees), but it was a pretty nice day.  I meant the crowds at stores.  Chris had a few things she wanted to get for the grandkids, so how could I say no?  And we had to get there early because we had a family Christmas party at 3 this afternoon.  So early meant a little after 8:00.  We started at WalMart, and there were not many people there at all.  Chris stocked up on wrapping paper and the like for next Christmas – all the extra stuff you like to have around that was washed away.  We got the things we needed there and proceeded to our next site.    Randall's came next on the list.  We were going to see if they had stamps so we wouldn't have to go to the post office.  They did, so now our Christmas letters can get in the mail.    Office Depot was next, and they had the computer ink cartridge we needed.   Then after we got home and I started running the last of the Christmas letters, the printer gave me the message that the color cartridge needs to be replaced as well.  I guess that's be another trip.   Our final destination was Target here in Galveston.  If they had the last two gifts Chris had in mind, we were done.  The first stop within the store proved moderately successful.  It wasn't exactly what she wanted, but it finally passed muster.  The last item, however, was a toy, so we had to venture into the wilderness that is the Target toy section.  Again, very few people were prowling, so it was quite nice.  We made a selection or two (hey, birthdays are coming up, and I have to test some things out before I entrust them to my grandkids).    I told Chris that I was really proud of her.  She accepted the first selection and didn't postpone the purchase until another day.  Of course, when we got home she started switching out gifts and rotating the birthday ones to Christmas and back and forth.  Ah, Christmas.    We both decided it just doesn't seem like Christmas yet.  We need some little people running around and wrapping paper strewn all over the place, and chicken enchilada pie to eat.  That happens next week.  So, back to anticipation mode.   Colossians 1:3-4 says, "We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints"   Father, thank you for the saints you have placed in my care and for those who move through our touch on their way to you.  Amen.