Chistmas and Other fun times!

I thought it would be a good idea to do an update on how Christmas and how the past couple of weeks have been for me. I have had lots and lots of fun! My Christmas technically started on December 17th. I went with David to a family gathering in Due West. I was very happy to get to meet some of his family that I hadn't met before. We had a great breakfast dinner, and then we opened gifts. I had a great time! On the 18th, after church, I went to David's house for another family gathering. We ate a pretty traditional Christmas lunch and then I got the pleasure of watching some home videos of David and his two siblings. They were PRECIOUS. After that his family opened gifts! The next part of my Christmas came on Devember 21st. Me and David went to see Chronicles of Narnia in the theater our church rented out for the night. The movie was awesome by the way, I encourage everyone to see it if you haven't. After that we came to my mom's house and opened gifts from each other. That was great, I loved my gifts from David (and I think he liked mine, too!). Then the next night me, David, my dad, my brother, and Christy all made the trip to the booming metropolis of Laurens, SC to have Christmas with my family. That was very entertaining also, as it always is. I got some really great presents there and I was glad to spend time with my family. Friday was the annual family "Chistmas Eve Eve" present opening at my dad's house. My two "big presents" were a georgous green coat from Gap, and a long black coat that I absolutely love. I have to wait to wear that one, however, cause it has to be hymned. Along with present opening, we had a huge breakfast feast that my dad made, yuuuumm! Moving on to Saturday (Christmas Eve)-- Christmas Eve is always spent with my extended family on my mom's side. We had the traditional Christmas feast of turkey, ham, mac and cheese, sweet potatos, green beans, and so on. After that we opened presents and just took time to talk a bit. After that, me, my mom, Larry, McCuen, and Christy headed back up to our house to open some gifts from our immediate family. That is always one of my favorite times of Christmas! I went to bed that night, as I do every year, excited about Christmas day! I got up early that morning to get ready for church so I wouldn't have to be rushed in opening presents. We had fun with that as always. I then headed on to church. I was very excited to see Ashley, my roomate from last year, at church. I didn't have much time to talk with her, but I was glad for the few minutes we did have. I got to sit with David and his family at church, which was great. The service was very nice. I liked being in church on Christmas morning, it just feels right. The church looked beautiful. We had different styles of music ranging from hymns to very traditional songs, to contemporary. We also had communion. After church I went with my dad and my stepmom to my grandparents house for a very informal lunch. We had fun exchanging stories and just talking. By this time on Christmas day I was exhausted, but I still had one more gathering to attend. I went on Christmas evening to my stepgrandmother's house for dinner and presents. I had lots of fun there, also. So, I officially had 7 days of Christmas. I am so blessed with so many people around me to be able to spend Christmas with. One thing that God has been impressing on my heart this Christmas, however, is to make sure I remember what Christmas is about. As the number of gatherings and parties I go to over Christmas grows, the number of gifts I recieve also grows. This is not a bad thing by any means, but I have been convicted this Christmas to remember that Christmas is not about the gifts I get, but about 1 amazing gift that I (and the rest of the world) have been given. That is, of course, the gift of Jesus. There is no reason to celebrate Christmas if I do not remember the most important part... the first 6 letters of that word--Christ. The fact that God sent His son in the world to come and save it from sin is amazing. The love that is shown in that act is even more amazing... beyong my comprehension! So that is why my Christmas has been wonderful!
After Christmas has also been fun. I have had time to rest, do a little shopping, and also watch Clemson beat Colorado in their bowl game! GO tigers! 19-9!