Merry Christmas

To be honest, I can't really remember when this year started- I know, that's silly you say! Of course the year started last January... and I know that, what I mean to say is I can't remember what life-changing or even exciting changes we made in this last year alone! (There have been a lot) However, I just wanted to take a minute and say how grateful we are to have such loving, kind, generous- friends and families. We are so blessed to have them in our lives. These past few months have been a little more difficult- and by difficult I mean we are poorer than normal- haha- and that in turn means I had to switch to a cheaper shampoo and deal with all the issues there... but I digress. Even though we have been experiencing a bit of bad luck with a side of poverty (okay it's really not. that. bad), we've been blessed in so many other ways. Jarom and I have got to spend a lot of time together- which is normally a rare event- Fae has been able to spend more time with daddy- and we've been figuring out ways to stay entertained without spending any money- which is difficult, but also awesome. I also learned what the true meaning of "window shopping" is.. and I'm pretty sure I like regular shopping better. No, I'm just trying to be humorous.

Seriously though, I've been thinking a lot about Christmas lately, and it's meaning and what I should be teaching Fae- most of you know that I like to focus on the birth of Christ rather than gifts, we like to do gifts too- don't get me wrong, but I feel like that is way too much of a focus in the world today. This year I orchestrated a toy drive at our church for the City Mission of Schenectady. I am kind of a bleeding heart for children- and given the opportunity- and permission from my husband would likely adopt all the little infants in the world (that's probably an over exaggeration- but none the less, point made.) Christmas is a time for giving, not just gifts or cookies, or money, but for giving time and service. I'm not a saint by any means, but I decided that as a family we were going to "give more"; give more service, time, talents, etc. What is important during this time of year is that everyone know they are a child of God- no matter what race, what religion, or whatever else. Everyone matters- even that annoying upstairs neighbor that threatens to tell the "manager" every time we drop something and make a loud noise. We all matter, and we are all special in some way.

I just want to wish you all a Merry Christmas, and a year filled with charity and love for one another. Spend time with those you love, make time for those who don't have anyone else, and most of all treat everyone with love and respect, everyone.

Love,
The Bowman's