Kathy,

I'm praying.  i have to remind myself that Christmas isn't Heaven yet.  I
tend to have high expectations and then I'm disappointed.

Sharon
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kathy Du Bois" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2005 5:32 AM
Subject: Chris update


>        Hi guys,
>
>        Well, we've heard from Chris again.  He called yesterday evening
> from his girl friends house.  We discussed plans for Christmas.  He
> said that he would like to come home for the night, Christmas
> eve.  He also said that he is willing to come to church with us for
> our traditional Christmas eve service and he may also be interested,
> or willing to attend church with us Christmas day.  He also
> apologized, again for the way that he used to treat us.
>          I know that all of this sounds good, but I'm not getting my hopes
> up.  Chris can be a really smooth talker and very manipulative.  He
> may be sincere, he also may be trying to sweet talk us into
> something, or he may be in real trouble and is trying to smooth the
> way before we find out.  He was suspended from school, for a day, on
> Thursday, for swearing at a teacher and throwing around his
> things.  I think that it is starting to get rougher out there for
> him.  He doesn't have us to take his stress out on any more.  To my
> knowledge, his wallet has still not been returned and that has to
> continue to bother him as well.
>        This must sound like such a sick and twisted message.  I guess that
> most people would think that I'd be thrilled to have all my children
> home for Christmas, and maybe all in church.  However, HallMark isn't
> writing the script for my Christmas gathering.  "Anything could
> happen and that's why I"m letting you guys know.  I need prayer that
> my Christmas will be okay.  I mean, I think things like, if Chris
> doesn't go to church with us next Sunday morning, do we let him stay
> home alone with the presents?  What a mess!  I want to rejoice, but
> it will take a lot of prayer and leaning on the Lord for this one.
>        Pray that I will hold on to the belief and hope that this will be
> another opportunity to show Chris God's love, as I did before he left
> by washing his clothes and keeping his room neat and clean.  Please
> pray that the Lord will protect the day, in our house, that the
> prince of peace will truly reign here and that steps will be forged
> toward reconciliation between us and Chris, and Chris and his
> savior.  Wouldn't the repentant heart of a wayward son be a wonderful
> Christmas present?
> Kathy
>
>
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