First - we celebrate that Jesus came to be Immanuel, God WITH US! He came to shine His light in our dark world. And do we ever need His light, His hope, His peace in our world today. 

John 8:12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

Second - I am 100% done with my recovery from surgery! 

1. Surgery (10/16/2020) - CHECK
2. Radiation (Nov 2020 - first week of Jan 2021) - CHECK
3. Chemotherapy (Feb 2021 - Dec 24th, 2021) - CHECK 

The pictures below are a cake and a bell. The cake was sent by my brother and sister-in-law Jon & Rachel. The bell is an ornament for our tree that reads "I fought. I endured. I ring the bell in celebration." It was from a family in our church, Mike & Ashley Tinney. BOTH arrived yesterday.....they day I finished my chemotherapy. To me that is a Godwink moment. 

The third photo is from our Christmas today. We wish all of you a very merry Christmas!

I am SO THANKFUL to my wife, Laura, my family, my friends and church family for all your prayers over the last 15 months. They mean more to me and Laura than you can ever imagine. 

I will end this post with my life verse:

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Actually, one more scripture, a benediction from the letter of Paul to the church in Ephesus:

Ephesians 3:20-21 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.