You Make Me Feel Like Dancing!

I got a call from my daughter the other day,  (she is out of state attending her third year of college) and heard what every parent of a college student dreads hearing:  “Um, I think I just need to take some time off to figure out what I really want to do with my life.”

What I very calmly replied was something to the effect of, “Um, over my dead body!”

Now, I didn’t REALLY say that----at least I don’t THINK I was thinking out loud.  Instead, I gave her some advice, suggestions, ideas, counsel…  Since she goes to school out of state, I can’t just say, come on over, sit down and we are going to talk (some sense into you) about it.  I have to accomplish powerful advisory sessions long-distance which can be a little tricky. 

After talking for a few minutes, I realized the bottom line:  She is burned out and doesn’t know how to handle it. Fortunately for both of us, I have been there, done that, and have a dresser full of t-shirts to prove it!

College students are certainly not the only ones that suffer from burn-out, and sometimes it is not just from keeping a busy schedule and having high expectations of themselves (and pleasing their parents).  Sometimes, you just really don’t like what you are doing, and want to get out, even if you are right in the middle of something---A process, a project, a career, a college education.  Or, it may be that you don’t like the subject or industry, or you don’t like the people you are around every day.  You may despise chemistry (or autoCAD!), or it may just be that you aren’t crazy about the professor and his/her style of teaching.  (Some classes are just impossible to make exciting and fun.)  You are probably burning the candle at both ends and are just plain exhausted. You may be depressed or you may just need a break.  You may be at a point where you just want to call it quits and go do something different.  You may be at a point where nothing is going your way and you are tired of trying, wondering why you are spending so much time and effort doing something that isn’t producing any positive results.  Day in and day out---you are frustrated that things aren’t working out the way you want them to, and the level of anxiety increases.

At this point, so many people make the biggest mistake of all:  they just give up.  But  you can’t just throw in the towel and say, “I’m done!”  You have to make a SHIFT happen, and change the way you are doing things.  Shift gears and do things differently---You don’t have to completely stop what you are doing and go find something different, you just have to continue doing what you are doing in a different way.  Shift your “how” and make it more fun and exciting. Change the music. Adjust your "vision."  Just don't start bedazzling your beakers or using your chemistry test tubes for Saturday night’s party shooters. 

2012 was a challenging year for me.  It seemed that no matter how hard I tried, there were roadblocks everywhere that kept me from reaching my goals.  I felt like I was taking one step forward, two steps back and it was a dance I didn’t know, or WANT to learn, for that matter!  I couldn’t get the steps right to turn the dance around to rock to the beat of my kind of music!  Yes, I was ready to throw in the towel and try something totally different.  I felt like I had no control over my career due to the state of the economy and floundering real estate market, and I felt completely defeated.  I thought maybe all the challenges were a sign that it was time to move onto something other than real estate.

However, (and fortunately for me) there were just as many roadblocks preventing me from finding something else as there were keeping me frustrated with what I was doing.  I was not happy, and everyone around me knew it.  I didn’t like being around myself, so I am quite sure no one else did, either.

Then I experienced shift, and it was a big one!  I attended a technology and marketing class in August.  The class was taught by Juanita McDowell with InMotion Real Estate Marketing, and everything changed.  I re-evaluated my business, changed my vision, took a different approach, incorporated several new business techniques, and it became fun again!  I realized that part of what I had been learning all these years, to focus on the parts of your job that you love and delegate or hire out the parts you don’t, I wasn’t doing.  I was also getting too caught up in what was WRONG that I couldn’t do what was RIGHT!  This way of thinking was all on me---I was the one in control.

So, according to my amazing technology instructor, the “Social Media Diva” was born. (Although I felt more like the Social Media Spongebob---SO much to learn and absorb!)  I learned about social marketing on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, blogging, business websites, personal websites, maximizing the use of video and photography, and on and on.  (This is when my original Facebook business page, www.facebook.com/JaniePughofGoldenKeyRealty really took off, and my other Facebook page, www.facebook.com/365ThingsToDoInWarnerRobinsGA was born and took on a life of its own.)  I couldn't wait to get home and develop my plan of action.  I stayed up after mignight, and got up at the crack of dawn....EVERY day.  I couldn't WAIT fo get on my computer and start putting my newfound knowledge to work.  This was the music I needed to hear to get me back out on the floor!  (I just love to dance....) 

I have always been a HUGE fan of continuing education, and Juanita’s class certainly didn’t disappoint---It just made me want to take even more classes!  When it comes time to renew my real estate license, I always have a LOT more continuing ed credits than the state requires, but I love to learn.  I take every class I can, whether it is for marketing or not.  I take classes in real estate law, ethics, contracts, real estate tax, business development, environmental hazards, technology, marketing, and so on…..I am like a sponge in these classes.  I think knowledge is power, and I want to seize every opportunity I can to learn what’s new in the real estate industry.  Being caught like a deer in the headlights and having to say, “Um, I am not sure about that, but let me get back to you on that…..” is no fun.  I need to have the answers before the question even come to mind.  Technology is advancing at a staggering rate, and I don’t want to be one of the professionals in my industry that gets left behind because I didn’t stay in the know.  The thing is, continuing ed is another shift that you can control and make happen!  Learning new techniques, methods and trends puts more great music in the room to get you moving into a more exciting career.  I attended a week long series of classes a couple weeks ago that was the first in a series of three toward getting my GRI designation.  It was an all-day, every day, jam-packed-with-information experience that left me with an “information explosion” going off in my head.  By the time I left on day five, I could hardly drive home---I was so excited to have so much new info that I couldn’t wait to use!  We had ended the week with a motivational speaker that had me ready to jump on the table and start screaming, “I love my job!!!!”  (Of course, there would be with some KC and the Sunshine Band playing loudly in the background.  After all, I gotta dance, right?!?)

So you see, I actually dodged a bullet---I almost pulled the plug and left the industry I love.  I felt like my daughter does right now---burned out, frustrated and ready to give up.  Fortunately, though, I didn’t give up, and neither will she.  I had a lot of people that believed in me and had the confidence that I would get through it.  In the long run, life is just a series of choices.  Each choice either takes you closer to your goals, or leads you away from them.  You can either take charge of your life or let your life and circumstances take charge of you.  But by taking charge, you put yourself in the driver’s seat, and you will prosper as a result.

And of course…..you will dance!

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Let's Play Ball!

Now that everyone is getting back from Spring Break and MLB (Go Atlanta Braves!) has everyone pumped and in the mood, it is time to get back into the Warner Robins American Little League (WRALL) baseball swing and PLAY BALL! Games start back up on Monday, April 8, 2013.

WRALL baseball and softball games started in March and will continue through mid-May when the various All-Star teams start preparing for the tournaments that will play through mid-August.  If you are not familiar with WRALL and the success of this local program, in addition to numerous District and State championships over the years, in 2007, the 11-12 year old division won the baseball World Series, in 2009, the 11-12 year old softball team won the World Series and in 2010, they won the 11-12 year old softball World Series. 

The success of this program is largely due to the hundreds of dedicated players, parents, coaches, and team moms that spend countless hours preparing to play in these games.  There is a lot of "behind-the-scenes" activity before the first ball is pitched, and all deserve a big THANK YOU for all the hard work!

If you are interested in attending these games, the schedules and field info are posted on the website at: www.wrall.org.  Parking and admission to the games is free, so it is the best entertainment deal in town!  If you are hungry after the game, you can find several nearby restaurants such as El Jaliscience or Casa Mexico (Mexican), the Mellow Mushroom or Stevie B’s (pizza), or Shane’s Rib Shack (barbecue).  And I am sure you will see a few hungry baseball “stars” there, too!

Here's to a wonderful baseball season!  Good luck to all these great kids! 

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It's Not How You Look, It's How You SEE

Do you have a vision that is crystal clear, or is it a little blurry?  When you look at something, is it with just a glance, or do you take the time to really SEE what it is and what it is all about?  When you change how you look at things, you change your attitude and understanding of everything around you. How you see applies not only to tangibles, but to goals, dreams and visions, both personally and professionally!

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Federal Employee Appreciation Days

At the "Community Sequestration Update" that was held a few weeks ago, Bob McMahon, President and CEO of the 21st Century Partnership, strongly encouraged communities to publicly show support of how much our government and military employees mean to us. He recommended that each and every business make every Thursday in April "Federal Employee Appreciation Day", and offer a discount or special deal on those days. I am happy to see one local business, Olympia Skate Center in Warner Robins, taking it to a higher level, offering a 1/2 price admission discount, not only once a week in April, but every day for six months! Kudos to Olympia----I hope to see this catch on in our community, as well as other communities across the country that are being impacted by the sequestration.

If you know of other local businesses that are offering such benefits, please let me know and I will post the details on my Facebook page, “365 Things to do In Warner Robins, GA.” (https://www.facebook.com/365ThingsToDoInWarnerRobinsGa)

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Home for Sale In Warner Robins, GA? Are You Ready for the Sign?

It is almost March, and that means the busy season for real estate is upon us!  If you are planning to put your house on the market, here are some tips for getting your house ready to sell.  And of course, I can come to your home to do a complimentary assessment of your property and provide you with a customized list of things to do to prepare for the installation of the “For Sale” sign in your yard!

Getting Your House Ready to Sell

When getting your home ready to sell, you need to look at your house in a new way. Think of your house as a product about to go on the market where it is probably competing with brand new housing. It needs to show well–which means clutter-free and well kept.

Today’s home buyers lead busy lives and may not be interested in taking on major repairs or improvements upon moving in. You need to make your house a “10”. The following information will help you spot what is right and what is not so good about your “product”.  It will give you the opportunity to take the necessary corrective action to ensure your house looks fresh, clean and well maintained when the “for sale” sign goes up.

Fix It First

If you need to make improvements to your home, do the work before it goes on the market. Potential buyers are not interested in hearing about your good intentions to look after defects before a transfer of ownership takes place. Even if fix-up work is underway, buyers may not be able to visualize what your home will look like when the work is finished. They will just remember it being in a state of disrepair.

Professional Inspection:  Yes or No?

A serious buyer may want to have a professional home inspector check your house from top to bottom before making an offer. Even though this guide will help you identify problems on your own, the option of hiring a professional home inspector is an option to you, as well. If you can afford it, an inspection in advance of putting your home on the market is a good idea. It is your best way of finding and taking care of serious deficiencies before an inspector hired by a potential buyer discovers them.

Let’s Begin Outside

Check Your Curb Appeal

How does your house look from the street? That is where prospective buyers will be when they first see your home; and, that is where they will form that all-important first impression. Stand at the curb in front of your house and note what you see.  Be sure to do any or all of the following, as they apply:

	~Remove any clutter in your yard.
	~Repair cracked or uneven driveway or walkway surfaces.
	~If your lawn has bald spots, apply some top dressing and re-seed. Prune trees and shrubs of dead wood. Weed and mulch flower beds, if you have them. If it is the right time of year, consider buying some flower-filled planters to enhance the eye appeal of your property. Make sure your lawn is mowed regularly.
	~Are your windows and walls clean?
	~Does your front door need paint?
	~Ensure your eaves and downspouts are clear of debris and in good repair.
	~Are your backyard deck and walkways clean? If not, use a power washer and any necessary, painting, staining or sealing.
	~If you have a swimming pool, are the deck and pool clean (when in season)?
	~Do all outside lights work? Replace any burned out bulbs, and clean fixtures of dirt and cobwebs.
	~Is there a shed? Does it look presentable?
	~Do the window and exterior door need re-caulking? Even at 6-7 years of age, the caulking may be dried out and in need of replacement.
	~Do you have decorative wooden poles on the porch? Is the wood at the bottom in good condition and overall does it need a new coat of paint? ~How does the doorbell look?  Is it operable?  Is the button cracked?  If so, be sure to replace.
	~How does the fence look?  If it needs to be replaced and/or repaired, go ahead and do it. If you have a gate, is it well oiled?

When you have completed the curb appeal inspection, carefully check the rest of your home’s exterior.

Will your roof and chimney pass inspection?

If you are uneasy about climbing onto your roof, you can inspect most items from the ground using binoculars. Otherwise, be careful when working or moving about on your roof. Unless roof repair is a simple matter of applying new caulking, you will probably need the services of a professional.

	~Check the general condition of your roof. Sagging sections, curled shingles, pooled water on flat roofs and corrosion on metal roofing mean it is time for repair or replacement.
	~Both masonry and metal chimneys need to be straight and structurally sound, have proper capping on top and watertight flashing where they penetrate the roof.
	~All roofs undergo stress from snow and rain loads so it is possible a truss or rafter may become damaged, resulting in a noticeable small depression. A professional should do this inexpensive repair.

Examine Your Walls

The condition of your exterior walls directly affect the look and curb appeal of your home.

	~Replace old caulking. You may have to cut or scrape away old caulking to get a good seal. Do not seal drainage or ventilation gaps.
	~Is your exterior paint looking good? If you see faded colors and cracked or peeling surfaces, you need to repaint. Be sure to get competitive bids if you hire professional painters.
	~You can clean vinyl siding but defects or damage to it and to metal siding usually means replacement.
	~Stucco can be repaired but some skill is required to blend patches with existing stucco.

Now, Let’s Go Indoors

A prospective buyer will usually enter through your front door, so, that is where you should begin your interior inspection. You want your buyer to see a neat, clean, well-lit interior. Get clutter out of sight, ensure that carpets are clean, floors are scrubbed and polished, and that walls and trim show fresh paint (preferably neutral or light colors).

Take a sniff. Are there any unpleasant odors in your home? If so, track them down and eliminate them. Ensure all your lights work and are free of cobwebs. You want your home to look spacious, bright and fresh.

If you have considerable family memorabilia about, consider thinning it out. Your objective is to help potential buyers feel as if they could live in your home. That mental leap becomes more difficult for them if your house resembles a shrine to you and your family.

Professional Realtors® and decorators agree the most important areas of your home to upgrade and modernize are the kitchen and bathrooms. Buyers also want to see new or recently installed floor coverings throughout.

General Interior

	~Check stairs for loose boards, ripped carpeting, and missing or loose handrails and guards.
	~Most problems with interior walls are cosmetic and can be repaired with spackling compound and paint.
	~Ensure doors open and shut properly. Minor sticking is normal but excessive binding indicates possible structural problems.
	~Open and close all windows to ensure they work properly. Fogging between the panes of a sealed window indicates the seal is broken and the unit needs to be replaced. Some types of loans will require this repair, and can be costly.

Living Room, Halls, Family Room, Den, Bedrooms

Keep furniture to a minimum so these rooms do not appear smaller than they are. Ensure that traffic can flow in or through these rooms unimpeded. If they contain bookshelves or cabinets overflowing with books, magazines and knick-knacks, remove some of these items. Ensure bedroom closets look spacious, organized and uncluttered. Create space by getting rid of old clothes and junk. Remember to remove or lock away valuables such as: jewelry, coins, currency, cameras, electronics and compact discs.

Kitchens and Bathrooms

	~People splash water around in the kitchen and bathrooms so check around sinks, tubs and toilets for rotting counter tops and floors. Problems could be due to poor caulking or plumbing leaks. Fogged windows, molds and sweating toilet tanks indicate high humidity levels, which you can remedy with exhaust fans.
	~In the kitchen, clean all appliances, including the oven. Clean or replace your greasy stove hood filter. Make sure appliance light bulbs are working. Clean your cabinets inside and out, as well as counter tops and back splashes. Repair dripping faucets.
	~Remove anything stored on top of your fridge and remove artwork and magnets.
	~Remove any items stored on countertops. It is fine to leave a few things out, but keep it to a minimum.
	~Remove excess  items stored under the sink.
	~In bathrooms, scrub sinks, tubs and toilets, taking care to remove any rust stains. Remove mildew from showers and bathtubs. Fix dripping faucets or trickling toilets, vacuum fan grill.
	~Clean mirrors, light switch plates and cupboard handles. ~If you have ceramic tile, ensure grout is clean and intact.

Basement

The condition of the foundation and main structural members in the basement are critical to the fitness of any house. The purpose of your inspection is to make sure these are sound and durable. Look for cracks, water seepage, efflorescence (white powder-like substance), crumbling mortar or concrete and rotting wood. If any of these problems are present, you need to do further research to learn about causes and possible solutions.

In general, if your basement is damp or musty, consider a dehumidifier. Like all other areas of your home, your basement should be organized and clutter-free.

Change the filters in the furnace and have it cleaned–this is the number one item purchasers want done after a home inspection. If you have a pet with a litter box, ensure it is clean.

Garage

Get rid of the broken tools, old car parts, discarded bicycles, empty paint cans and the hundreds of other useless items that accumulate in garages. Again, you want a clutter-free zone. Make sure it is swept out of debris. Use cleaning solutions to remove oil stains from the floor.

When It’s Showtime!

You have inspected your house and taken care of problems. Now you are ready for showings. You will need a plan of action that assigns duties to each family member so the place can quickly be whipped into shape when an agent wants to show your house!

	~Open all drapes, blinds, etc. and turn on lights to make the house bright.
	~Air out the house to get rid of cooking, pet odors, etc.
	~Set out fresh flowers.
	~Pick up clutter, and empty garbage.
	~Make sure everything is spotless. ~Make sure all toilets have been flushes. ~Empty all trash cans.
	~Set your thermostat at a comfortable level. ~Turn on some soft, neutral, background music.
	~Remove pets from the house or put them outside.
	~If you have an agent, leave when the house is being shown. If you are selling it yourself, you need to strike a balance between being helpful and crowding the buyer. ~Do NOT light candles or have an overabundance of “plug-ins” throughout the house. There are a couple reasons:  First, many people have strong sensitivities or allergies to various “scents”, and you don’t want them to have to leave quickly due to a headache or sneezing fit.  Secondly, some people see this as a means to cover-up an odor.  If there is a bad odor, it is best to find out where it is coming from and eliminate the source.
	~In poor weather, provide a place for boots, overshoes and umbrellas.
	~Display photos of house in summer to show landscaping if selling in winter months.
	~ If you have listed your house with me, display a few of the customized “Homebooks” I prepared for you.  Put these booklets in a prominent place so the customer will take one for future reference.  (Hopefully, when they are writing an offer on your house!)  ~Leave out utility bills.
	~For those on a septic system and/or well, leave out inspection and maintenance information. www.janiepughsellshomes.com

26 Random Acts of Kindness

January 14, 2013

Today marks the one month anniversary of the tragic event of the Sandy Hook Elementary school massacre, December 14, 2012.  The tragedy was devastating to our country.  Whether you knew someone personally or not, it hit us all hard.  I have never cried so much for people I didn’t know than I did for those helpless victims.  No one can or will ever be able to make any sense out of what happened.

Just as religion and politics have always been the source of controversial and oftentimes, heated conversations, so has the protection of our communities as it relates to gun control. I don’t choose to start a heated discussion over gun control, because this was not merely an assault because there was a gun readily available.  Violence isn’t a one-step solution any more than it is a one-source problem.  There are mental health issues, parental responsibility/accountability issues, gun safety issues, and so on.  None of these are easy issues to address, nor are there any quick fixes. 

The issue of gun control?  I am going to leave that one alone.  I have my own opinion, and I choose to keep that to myself.

As far as the mental health component is concerned?  I can tell you a few things I learned after having worked in the mental health industry for many years:  MANY people do not get the mental health care they should either because they can’t or they won’t.  Many, who ARE diagnosed, refuse to take the medication to control the disease.  Many can’t AFFORD to take medication because they lack insurance.   

So what about parental responsibility and accountability?  I am STILL scratching my head, trying to figure out why the mother of the shooter kept weapons and ammunition in her home, knowing she had a family member with a diagnosed, documented mental disorder. 

I am not going to try to solve all the problems of the world.  I am going to stay in my own vicinity and do what I can in my own way, and that is to start with what I consider to be one of the roots of the problem:  Raising children that are kind and respectful of others.  I grew up in a medical family, and my college degree is in public and community health education.  I was raised and educated to believe largely in preventative measures to avoid potential issues and problems.  You can’t put a Band-Aid on a cancerous tumor and expect it to get well.  You are better off trying to prevent the disease with what we know to be cancer prevention behaviors like eating right, not smoking, etc. The problem with violence needs to be dealt with pro-actively by taking preventative measures. 

Now don’t get me wrong:  I am not saying this will totally solve the problem of violence in our society.  I am merely stating that it is my own personal way of contributing to the solution.  I am but one person, but I would rather not sit around and complain about who is not doing what, or who is to blame for everything that is wrong with the world.  I would rather use that energy doing something positive and constructive to add a bit of awesome to someone’s day---A bit of awesome that may impact them enough to keep in their memory bank for a lifetime, as was the case in several of the examples I gave that I personally experienced.

So 26 Random Acts of Kindness later, and I am hooked.  I had the most peaceful, relaxing and laid back Christmas I have had in a long time, and I attribute it to the fact that my focus was different this year.  I spent a lot of time thinking about what I could do to make someone’s day.  I had an eagle eye out to catch other’s “doing good” so I could share those examples.  I can’t walk past a grocery cart in the parking lot without taking it to the front of the store.  I can’t walk past a display of flowers without the urge to buy some for someone.  I can’t let one of my clients move in to their new home without taking them dinner on moving day.  I can’t see a homeless person without extending a helping hand.  My heart is in a different place.  I had a tough year this past year, and spent a lot of time concerned about myself and all the issues and problems I had to deal with and/or figure out.  What I now realize is how trivial those things are in comparison to the loss of so many beloved lives. 

After the murders in Newtown, I decided to dedicate 26 days of kindness to honor each life lost, in search of the good in humankind.  Whether it be a random act I personally did for someone else, one that was performed by one of my kids, husband or other family member, one that had been done to me, or one that was suggested by another:  I decided to focus on being the positive change that I wanted to see.  (Thanks, Gandhi for the great advice!)   The very day I took my mind off myself, and starting to focus on everyone else, everything changed.  I don’t know if the things that bothered me before went away, or if I just quit worrying about what I couldn’t change or control.  As soon as I put my focus in the right place, everything else seemed to take care of itself.  I can’t control the economy.  I can’t control gas prices.  I can’t control whether or not my clients are able to get a mortgage or not.  I can’t control maniacs with guns.  What I can control is my attitude, how I treat others, and the example I set.

I started posting 26 Random Acts of Kindness as a tribute to the children and professionals that lost their lives in the senseless massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary, and I plan to do so again starting on December 14, 2013.  I would love for you to send me examples of things you have done, things that have been done to you, or acts you have witnessed.  And with your permission, share them as suggestions for the 2013 Random Acts of Kindness. 

If you haven’t seen the posts, rather than do a re-cap on this blog, you can find them on the daily posts on either of my Facebook pages over the last month: https://www.facebook.com/JaniePughofGoldenKeyRealty or https://www.facebook.com/365ThingsToDoInWarnerRobinsGa

Sometimes it takes a tragedy to make us realize how lucky we are.  Let’s learn from these sweet babies and the teachers that tried to protect them, and never take a single day for granted.  

Janie Pugh

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A Christmas Story

It’s the day before Christmas, and I wanted to share a story that my, now, 78-year old father shared several years ago about a particular Christmas Eve almost 50 years ago.  Every year, someone asks him to tell the story, so I wanted to pass along what has become a part of our Christmas story-telling traditions. 

Several years ago, Dad was on a plane traveling home from another part of our world, and was reminded when he saw no signs of Christmas or the birth of baby Jesus, just how far we had come from that great event many years ago.  Ten days in lands where the birth of the Christ child is not a part of their daily lives reminded him to think of that blessed event in Bethlehem which has changed the lives of those we know and millions of others that we don’t.

As he pondered the difference this great event made in our world and how much more is needed for peace on earth, he began to think of Christmas past.  He remembered that Christmas years ago as a child, when he got the little red wagon he wanted so much.  Not only could he play with it and make believe, but he could also use it to haul in the firewood for the iron cook stove from the nearby woods.  There weren’t a lot of gifts in those days, but they still heard the Christmas story at their little church on the mountain in middle-Tennessee.  That seemed more important than the gifts, anyway, and the story seemed so “clear” with life on their little farm.  He just couldn’t imagine a baby lying in their manger.  They didn’t have sheep, but he envisioned the shepherds on their mountaintop and at night he could see so many bright stars.  But, he wondered, how did they know which was the star over Bethlehem shining down on the manger where Jesus lay?

His thoughts moved ahead to his first year in college and going home for Christmas was a major challenge.  He took the bus from Knoxville home to Bon Air, TN.  Then he walked through the snow for 3 miles to get home.  It seemed a long way in the cold, but now that he’s older, he found that slight.  After all, Mary rode a donkey all the way to Bethlehem and she was great with child.  His trip home for Christmas was so trivial in comparison. 

A couple years later, while in veterinary school at Auburn University, he and my mom traveled home for Christmas with their first born, my sister, who was about 6 weeks old at the time.  He had paid for her doll on the installment plan; he and mom were working their way through vet school, and funds were tight.  So, it was go home for Christmas in Tennessee for all the family to see their new born child.  

Years later, they left Tennessee and moved to Texas for him to go to graduate school at Baylor University.  As you may know, graduate fellowships aren’t very much support, especially when you have a family, too.  But on Christmas Eve, there was a knock at their door.  Much to their surprise, it was a Jewish friend of theirs and his children.  His friend immediately exclaimed, “I’m your Jewish Santa Claus and we bring gifts for all your children!”  He might as well have been one of the wise men who brought gifts for baby Jesus.

Back to his flight home, many other thoughts of Christmas past came to his mind.  After 10 days in a world without Christmas, he returned to Hong Kong.  Upon arriving at his hotel room, the music of Christmas was playing!!  What a joy to be reminded of the season.  Christ indeed still lives!

Many hours and thousands of miles later, he was back in Knoxville,  He realized throughout the city, every creature was moving.  The town was all decorated for Christmas.  The crowds rushed about the city from mall to mall, in shop after shop in pursuit of toys made in China, the latest iPod or Xbox.  There were toys of mass destruction containing mercury and lead.  The newest DVDs, and cell phones for text messaging people so you don’t actually have to “talk” to them!  As he began to get discouraged, thinking, “This is not what Christmas is about!” it was time to take toys to Morgan-Scott, which is the annual Christmas project he and mom’s Sunday school class participate in together.  There were seven vans and trucks loaded to the brim to bring good cheer to the little children in the underprivileged, under served community just outside of Knoxville.  Their minds were filled with joy as they made their way through Oliver Springs, Wartburg, and Sunbright, because they could make Christmas special for this group of needy families.

But his heart was still not overjoyed.  He had to wonder, “Does the star still shine over Bethlehem?  Will there ever be peace in the middle East?”  We worry about our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan…everywhere.  We pray for their safety and wouldn't it be a blessing if wars could stop and all people could have the peace the baby Jesus’ birth proclaimed?  We pray for God’s powerful hand to show the way, but he already did----if only everyone believed.

It’s now the day before Christmas.  Thoughts of family, Christmas dinner, sharing with one another our memorable Christmas times, our blue Christmases, and maybe even the “Grinch Stole Christmas” Christmas.  There are health issues, economics, family, relationships and emotional issues.  It can be a time of great joy or one of major concern.  It is often so busy, we can’t appreciate a “real” Christmas. 

But the most awesome experience he will always remember was one Christmas almost 50 years ago, while our family was living in Kingston, TN.  He was one of the JC’s delivering Christmas boxes to the needy.  Naturally, as the local veterinarian, he was assigned the “out of town”, more rural requests.  The evening was getting late, and on Christmas Eve, he was driving as fast as he could between stops so he could get home for our family’s own Christmas preparations.  He had one more basket to go.  It was getting dark, and he was met at the door of a brand-new house, by an angry man who demanded to know why I was so late.  He noticed through the doorway, he had already received 2 other boxes from other sources and informed me they made their deliveries on schedule!  He couldn’t believe what he was hearing!  Thinking fast, he looked at his list and asked him his name.  (He already knew his name, but kept it covered with his thumb.)  When he told him his name, he said, “Oh I’m sorry….I am at the wrong house.  You aren’t on my list.”  (This was untrue, of course, but he would deal with that later.)  He walked back to his car and left, not knowing what to do with the undelivered box.  He drove through the night trying to decide what to do, when he saw a dim light in the distance.  It was not a bright star as guided the shepherd or the wise men, but he was neither, so he followed it.  The road was unfamiliar, and grew narrow.  Soon, it was not paved at all, and it was too narrow to turn around.  He could still see the dim light ahead in the distance, so he continued to drive toward it.  Eventually, he arrived at the source of the light.  He found a small wooden shack.  He knocked on the door, and a young lady answered.  The contents of the house were very modest, with furniture and cabinets made of sawmill lumber.  She had a plain scrub pine Christmas tree decorated with handmade paper chains and under the tree was a 5# bag of potatoes.  She had two children, one of which was a young baby lying in a hand-made, box-like cradle for a bed. 

He asked the lady her name.  When she replied, he said, “I’m so glad to find you!  I’ve been searching all night!  I have a Christmas basket for you from the Jay Cees in Kingston.”  “How can this be?” she said.  Again, he told a little White Christmas lie.  “But I know you!  I have my sources, so wait here until I can get your Christmas.” 

He brought in the ham, the staples, fresh fruit, some candy and a few toys.  She was shocked and happy.  But before she could comprehend what was happening, he wished her Merry Christmas, and drove through the night.

Finally, he made it to Highway 58. As he traveled home late that Christmas Eve, he thought he heard a voice say, “Don’t worry about the lie---you don’t have to be a shepherd or wise man to worship the Christ child.  But tonight, you had a glimpse of what they experienced 2000 years ago.”

Today is the day before Christmas.  I know there are many amazing and miraculous Christmas stories out there, but I wanted to share one that is special to me and my family.  May you all enjoy the blessing of the birth of the Christ child. Merry Christmas to all and to all a season of blessings!

One final comment, which is something Dad failed to mention, that was later pointed out by my mother:  Dad went back later to try to find the wooden shack where he delivered the last basket, and it was no where to be found.  He never found the house.