My Christmas card to you

Season's Greetings!

Hmm, not quite the sentiment I'm after.

Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree...

Hmm, that sounds like a song.

Lots of presents. Big presents.

Nope, that's not it either.

At last! What Christmas is really all about. The best presence.

May the babe in the manger bring you peace as you celebrate his birth.

Merry Christmas!

They're playin' our song

Pastor Paul and I used to listen to our favorite Christmas songs together in the office sometimes. We liked so many different songs but one song was a particular favorite of both of ours.

I know he's going to be so excited to hear this version I found by a great new artist!

Ahh, back in the sunshine again.

I finally got to go on a motorcycle. Glen and Gidget let me hitch a ride out of Michigan with them. They're feeling a little overdressed now that we've gotten out of the snow and cold.

I was a little afraid to ride without a helmet but it has been great! I have ended up enjoying some gourmet bugs without having to do any rooting around. This is the life, let me tell you. Just kick back in a comfy chair, watch the world go by, and dinner comes flying right into your mouth.

And don't you think Glen's bike is nice? Red is one of my favorite colors.

I'm kinda sad to say goodbye to them but we're headed in different directions now. I hope they can make it back for the Blessing of the Bikes next spring. They told me they'd try.

Remembering...

Nothing warms your heart on a cold night like remembering good times, in warm places, with good friends.

This is a beautiful sunset I enjoyed with Angela and Lizzie when we were on our Mexican missions trip this past summer. Ahh, those were good times! If you ever get a chance to go to serve in Mexico on a missions trip, I highly recommend getting assigned to work in the nut house. Personally, I really enjoyed garbage duty, too, but I know that's not for everyone.

These memories make me long for warmer temps and to get out of the snow. I 'm gonna head out of town again for a while. I'm not sure if I'll be back in time for Christmas, Pastor Paul, but if I'm not, you know I'll be with you in spirit.

The search continues

I was hoping Petunia would be here, worshipping baby Jesus with the rest of the animals.

I'm beginning to fear that her disappearance has something to do with the fact that this is a store. People buy things they see here. Perhaps someone bought her while I was gone and she has been taken home with them, probably to sit on a shelf like I always did in Pastor Paul's office. I'm going to keep looking to make sure she isn't somewhere in this store before I give up hope.

Though searching for Petunia, I have been able to fulfill another lifelong ambition. I've always wanted to sit on Santa's lap and chat with him. I kept waiting to hear a jolly "Ho, ho, ho" but it didn't happen. I don't think he is the real Santa. Maybe I can't check this off my life list after all.

As I continued through the store, I stopped to ask these guys about Petunia. I thought the one on the right must be a friend of Pastor Sarah's since he is from New York. They were all smiles at first but couldn't help me find Petunia.

Then things turned a little ugly.

Rather than being a friend of Pastor Sarah's, I think he was a friend of Fritz Kern's. Or maybe all guys just immediately think "football" when they think of pigs. I suppose it's better than thinking "bacon".

I landed near this kind-hearted woman. She picked me up from the floor, dusted me off, and put me outside.

Farewell, my dear Petunia, farewell. I hope we will meet again someday.

Radical? Maybe, but very cool

I stopped to check my email, hoping to hear from Petunia. I'm sure I gave her my email address, didn't I? Oh, I hope so!

When I looked at my messages, a friend had sent me this video to view. I decided to share it here. I think it has a message that all of us need to hear as we enter the Advent season. In fact, if I had all the email addresses in the whole church, I'd send this to everyone.

I'm going to spend less on gifts this year (sorry Pastor Paul-that means I won't be getting you a hat or tie from Bronner's after all) and give more presence.

I want to celebrate Jesus, and celebrate like Jesus, this year. Oh, and just a reminder as you plan your holiday celebrations: Jesus didn't eat pork.

Where is Petunia?

I've been looking everywhere for Petunia.

We had so little time together. I don't even know her favorite part of this store. If I did, I'd probably find her right away.

Sometimes, when a security guard goes by, I pretend that I live here like these guys do. Big Bird taught me to hold my head up and open my mouth just like he does. Those security guys don't even seem to notice me.

But nothing I've done, no place I've looked, has brought Petunia back to me. I'll continue looking, and asking questions when I find folks willing to talk to me about her, until I know what has happened to her.

Don't despair, my little Petunia!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends!

Turkeys have my sympathy on this day. I hope many of you will choose to enjoy a vegetarian holiday this year.

I miss you Pastor Paul and hope you and the family have a wonderful holiday, even though I will not be sharing it with you.



photo credit: public domain
copyright: public domain

Bronner's

I'm sorry I haven't been updating my blog very much lately. I'll share a few special photos with you today to make up for it.



I decided to see what Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland is all about. I'm pretty sure Pastor Paul takes Kay there when they go to Frankenmuth. I was amazed at everything they have. The place is huge! I had to be really careful not to get trampled.

Something very special happened to me at Bronner's. I think I met the woman of my dreams. Isn't she beautiful?

She thinks I'm warm and cuddly. Is this what being in love feels like?

I set off to shop for new clothes for her. When I eventually go home to Pastor Paul again, I'm not sure he'd like having my wife wear MSU clothes.

I found this UM Santa hat. Maybe I should pick it up to go with Pastor Paul's Christmas morning outfit. I'm sure the family would thank me.

I can't find anything that looks like it will fit Petunia. Ahh, just saying her name makes me feel happy. Who cares what she wears? Pastor Paul will welcome her, I'm sure. He's not a prejudiced kind of guy. I'm going to go back and spend some more time with her.

NO! THIS CAN'T BE!!!

She is gone! The love of my life has disappeared!

I'm going to search this store until I find her. I'm sure she went looking for me. Be brave, my little Petunia. I'm going to find you!

I'm outta there!

That Fritz has a good arm. I'm a little bothered by the idea that he thought of me as a football, but at least he didn't make me into sausage.



Instead, he threw me right into a gourmet dinner. It really helps my paycheck go farther when I can use my urban foraging skills.

The dark side of Frankenmuth

Aha! I think those are brats in the back. I wonder if I would like them?

Oh, no! I don't like what I'm seeing in this case!

This guy offered to help me. His name is Fritz. Fritz KERN! Oh, no! He makes pork sausages!

He likes to play football, too, I found out. Quite unexpectedly.

Checking out the town

I've heard Pastor Paul talk about a place he likes to go in Frankenmuth.



It's called Kern's Sausages and he likes to buy their brats. Brats are a beef product, aren't they?

Oh, I like this place, too! What good taste they have in the photos they use in their decorating here. I hope I'm that good looking a pig when I finish growing.

Maybe I should buy some of these chips and candies. I bet that's why the hog's picture is here-so I'll know what to buy if I want to look like him. And I do want to look like him.

Maybe then Pastor Paul will want to pose for a picture with me, just like that girl with her pig.

Look at me!

This is so awesome! I've never ridden a camel before, have you?

I slip around a little on this blanket but I'm not sure we're actually moving. It doesn't seem like we're getting anywhere.

It's still pretty exciting to be up here. His legs are WAY longer than mine. I can see for miles from here.

Frankenmuth

I came back north for a little color tour. I was hoping it wasn't too late for the beautiful leaves but I guess I waited a little too long.

I happened to end up in Frankenmuth this weekend.



There were women everywhere. Once, I looked ahead a bit and saw some ladies from home. I tried to catch up to them so I could ask how Pastor Paul is doing without me. They were too fast for me, though.

These ladies stopped to talk with me. I found out that they are Free Methodist and they came to Frankenmuth for a ladies retreat. That explains why I saw those Lapeer ladies here.

This town seems to have a lot of things to see and do. I think I'll stay here for a few days.

Oh, and Pastor Paul? You could write me sometime and let me know how you are. Even though I haven't come home, I haven't stopped caring about you.

B & B

I got to stay in a swanky Bed and Breakfast recently. Swanky, isn't that a cool word? Say it with me. Swanky. Great word.




The proprietors let me sleep right here. I've always wanted to sleep in a bunk bed, way up in the air.

Another of my life's dreams come true!

Thankfully, they didn't light the fireplace. No roast pig here.

Did YOU vote?

Although I'm not a registered voter, one of my friends gave me his sticker because he knows how patriotic I am. And how much I like stickers.




Then he took me to Starbucks for a free coffee. They gave me one even though I didn't vote.

It's been a wonderful day.

Southern hospitality is a beautiful thing.

Battleground state?

I've heard that Virginia is a battleground state. That sounded quite interesting so I made my way here to check it out. I'm always interested in learning about history, soldiering, and military strategy.



So far, it's all been very friendly. No sign of soldiers anywhere. I wonder where the fighting is going on? I think I'll head inside and ask.

This nice lady held me up so I could read this more easily.

"Virginia is for Lovers"?

Now I'm really confused.

I guess this where you go when you want to quarrel with your beloved?

[Deep sigh] I really wanted to see some soldiers.

Fall is a beautiful time of year, isn't it?

I've noticed some strange people lately, though.

This guy hasn't introduced himself to me yet but I think his name must be Adam. Why else would he wear leaves?

Oh, that's right. It's time for Trunks Full o' Treats. That explains a lot.

I know what I want to be this year.

I'm going to be Leonardo DiCaprio!

I'm still looking for my Kate Winslet.