In 1938, Milton Hershey made a statement I think is relevant, especially at this

time of the year.  He said, "The more BEAUTIFUL you make something

which people can see and use, the more ENJOYMENT they will get out of it."

 

That is what God did yesterday morning.  The sunrise was spectacular!

One that took my breath away.  In the stillness of the early morning

hour, the grandeur of it all, caused my heart to overflow with gratitude.

It seemed like even the birds were celebrating the morning sky.

It is also what Sue and her committee did in our church basement this past week,
for our annual Christmas dinner and celebration.

It showed us all once again, how time and creativity, can transform an older, simple
looking church basement, into a thing of beauty, with ambience abounding. 

They took greens from their trees, and decorations from their cupboards, and set the tables.

Adding to the ambience of the dinner, one of the men, put a fire on the screen in the corner.
For the first time ever, we had the cozy and pretty element of a fire burning during our
dinner.  Milton Hershey was right!

Even the entrance doors provided colorful welcomes and goodbyes, with the outdoor and
indoor wreathes.  Maybe Sue would give bow making classes:)

On Saturday, in our part of the country, it rained all day.  We had our five grand-
children here for the day.  Thanks to this "Gingerbread Mini Village Kit", purchased
at the local grocery store,  we were able to add fun and beauty to the day.  Five tiny
houses...five young, eager children,and one very patient and gifted paw pa, made
for a few hours of entertainment. 

If you want to sell a product, especially to children, add lots of colorful candies and
white icing, and the interest will be there.  For a few minutes, he had their rapt attention,
including the one wearing his black cap.

Each one took their turn, carefully crafting their appointed house.  Still wearing their
nametags, from the afternoon visit to the train room at their great-grandma's retirement
home.  Who would have thought, that five tiny houses, could bring such enjoyment!

 

Add a candy, eat a candy...works well:) 

 

Proudly, they displayed their finished houses.  The mini village is now displayed on their
mother's kitchen counter, and in the process,  their paw pa has aged a few more years, in
those two hours of time:)

Finally, tying in perfectly with Mr. Hershey's quote, was the amazing rendition of
"The Old Rugged Cross", which Craig Wayne Boyd sang last evening, on "The Voice".
It brought me to tears.  In a world that seems to be falling apart at the seams, it
spoke of "hope" and "peace", and the audience responded in heartfelt applause.  For
me, I could hear both of my grandma's singing this song, in my memory, as they both
loved the song.  Thank you Craig Wayne Boyd!  I am still singing it.
If you want to hear him share this song, you can find it here;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amxE80Zj1Ys


Thank you for stopping by today, for the things you make BEAUTIFUL on your
blogs, so that all of us can enjoy it.