A look back at 2008

During this time of the year I love to watch “looking back over the year” shows. So I thought I’d take a minute to look back over the year that is quickly coming to a close, and reflect on the events of 2008 - highlights and not-so-highlights. As you read you will see that the Thornton/Knisley Family celebrated several milestone birthdays and passages of life!!

January:
OSU returned to the BCS National Championship game…but again, a Championship title did not return to Cbus with them. The Thornton/Knisley family still love their Buckeyes and bleed scarlet and gray...O-H-I-O!!!

February:
I “won” the title of “Most Unique Name” at the Direct Energy Superbowl Chili Cook-off…"Pepperoni Pizza Chili”.

IBC suddenly lost one of its best behind the scenes servant’s - Betty Erwin.

Jenni, Kari, the Knisley children and I spent the weekend at Deer Creek - assisting with the Children's Hospital Heme Retreat. However a kidney infection left me in bed most of Saturday.

March:
The “blizzard” of 2008 began on Friday, March 7, dumping 20.4 inches of snow, leaving C-bus paralyzed for the entire weekend...including leaving IBC’s doors closed for Sunday worship.

April:
I boarded a plane and took my first out of state business trip…Houston, TX.

IBC kicked off it’s year long 75th Anniversary Celebration with a dinner and program. Karen, Polly and I coordinated!!!

Steve, Hayden and I drove to Cleveland on a very brisk Ohio Spring evening, sat six rows from the 1st Base line, and watched the Boston Red Sox pull off a come from behind victory over the Indians…GO SOX!!!

I went into contract on my first home purchase.

May:
Ayana had her 3 year check-up and told all of us how she was a big girl now, because she did not cry during her shots!

Jenni hit her head while planting flowers and suffered a minor concussion, leaving her a little loopy and unable to drive or work for a few days.

Hayden was named 2nd Team All City in Baseball – a great accomplishment for a (then) Sophomore.

I celebrated my 32nd birthday…not a milestone, but it is my 1st most favorite day of the entire year, so it had to make the list!!!

I was voted Employee of the Month for DE's US North Mass Markets division. The prize allowed me to purchase my beautiful patio furniture!!!

I officially became a home owner on May 28th.

June:
Dad celebrated his 70th Birthday!!!

Ashley “walked the stage” becoming the third Thornton generation to graduate from Columbus West High School.

After lots of help (mainly painting and cleaning) from my family – especially Steve & my Mom, Villa de Megalicious was ready to be moved into, and an army of friends assisted with the move on June 14th!

Hayden celebrated his 16th Birthday!!

July:
Kari had a surprise “guest” arrive – sending her to the hospital and into surgery to have a kidney stone removed.

Mom celebrated her 65th Birthday!!!

I led the 7 & 8 year olds of IBC on an “Amazon Adventure” during VBS…my most favorite ministry!

Steve celebrated his 40th Birthday!

Adults and children of all ages, dressed in their red, white and blue, stood in line for up to 45 min. to pay their last respects to IBC’s beloved Roberta “Bert” Sutherland.

August:
I took First Place in the 2008 Church Picnic Dessert Contest…good Old Fashioned Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing, yum!!

For 45 minutes I was missing and didn't even know I was missing. The story is long and humorous (now), and my Mom can finally laugh about it. The family was in a panic searching for me...even calling the police and local hospitals. I had over 30 missed calls in a 25 minute window - on my cell phone alone. I realized again how much my family loves me and how important it is to NOT leave me cell phone in the car!!

Ayana joined Elijah at Pre-school, Sophia began Kindergarten and Nana Carol now had more free time during the day, so she could continue to enjoy “retired” life!

September:
Mom and I (and some other IBC friends) enjoyed “The Lion King” at the Ohio Theatre…best thing I spent my money on all year!!

Ashley passed her drivers test!!

IBC continued the 75th Anniversary celebration with a Neighborhood Carnival/Festival – teaching all of us the power of prayer!

Hurricane Ike “blew” threw C-bus leaving most of the Thornton Family (and C-bus) in the dark for several days. Steve’s family sustained the loss of power, but lost their phone, internet and cable for four days…which is worse than losing power when you have three teenagers in the house. School was closed until Friday of that week for Hayden, Emily and Sophia.

Steve & Wendy watched Ashley drive off to her first day of Cosmetology school and celebrated 20 years of marriage, all in the same week!! They celebrated their anniversary by returning to their honeymoon destination...Gatlinburg, TN.

Kari received the announcement that the almost two year “battle” was over and the papers were finally signed!!

Elijah celebrated his 5th Birthday!!

October:
Emily celebrated her 13th birthday!!

Sophia was named citizen of the month for her Kindergarten class.

I began studying for the Certified Professional Secretaries Exam - to be given May 2, 2009. Hopefully passing the exam will be part of next year's highlights!!

Jenni, Chrissy and I climbed into the bright blue Vibe and took a road trip to Clarks Summit, PA to visit Phil & Gina!!!

Kari, Steve and Wendy all received GLOWING “reviews” during their Parent Teacher meetings - always a highlight to any parent's year!!

November:
Emily’s (school) Volleyball Team closed their season with a tournament win and she made a Club team, which will begin in February.

Ashley passed her initial tests and officially "took the floor"...now working as a student in the salon/spa at Nationwide Beauty Academy.

The entire family rejoiced at the news that the lesion on Dad's vocal cord had not only not grown, but was getting smaller. PTL!!

Ashley voted in her first Presidential Election, joining all of America in the most historic election in America’s history.

I had the joy and honor of being a guest at Elijah's lunch table during the Thanksgiving Lunch/Dinner at his preschool. Mom was the guest at Ayana's table.

December:
The Thornton Family (with the addition of Craig) again played “Post Office” to the IBC family...this year sorting 2,750 Christmas cards.

In keeping with my tradition - I was able to give Eli his first “real” Bible. Ashley, Hayden, Emily and Sophia each received their "real" Bible as a Christmas gift following their 5th birthdays.

Terry came to the Children’s Christmas performance at IBC – only the second time he’s been to a service since Kari and the kids came home in 2006.

Jenni purchased a Wii for herself as a Christmas gift – it has been a real source of enjoyment for many in the family!

While each gift that was given was special and appreciated – this year my most prized gift was a cookbook my Mom and Dad found while going through some boxes in the attic. The cookbook belonged to my beloved Aunt Ho (who I referenced in a previous blog), and I will treasure this gift for many years to come!

Jenni, Kari and I attended the first ever WOL Reunion - it was a great time of seeing "old" familiar faces.

All in all 2008 was a great year for the Thornton/Knisley Family, and I pray that 2009 will bring more joy, memories and more opportunities to serve our Lord.

Happy 2009!!!

He's The Reason, for the Season...

As I've mentioned before I'm a Christmas junkie...I love this time of year and EVERYTHING that comes with it. So I begin my Christmas countdown very early...June 25. On the 25th of each month I send out reminders to family members and friends getting their excited and ready for my 2nd favorite day of the entire year. As we get within the month of December the e-mails come weekly...it's a fun and allows me to use some of my creative juices. (If you'd like to be added to the distribution list, let me know!!) Therefore, for some who read my blog...this you it will be a repeat from and e-mail I sent late last week...the . For those others this will be "new" material. I don't like to repeat e-mails and blogs; however, after sitting through our sermon this morning at IBC, the e-mail I sent out on Thursday kept coming to my mind...and for some reason I felt maybe I should share again. Therefore note that some of the details don't exactly match today's date (meaning we are now four days from Christmas, but the e-mail was sent seven days before, etc.)

Final E-mail sent on 12/18/2008 - 2008 Christmas Countdown Series:

Christmas Countdown followers...we are only four days from Christmas, and I hope that your lists have more checked off than left to do. Today's e-mail will be the final e-mail in the 2008 Christmas Countdown series. The 2009 Christmas Countdown will arrive in your in-box on June 25, 2009!!!

Beginning this evening, I'll conclude my purchasing and wrapping, bake some cookies, do a final sort of the IBC Christmas Cards (with the rest of the family on Sunday), make one more trip to the grocery store and complete other various final details. And when I go to bed on Sunday I will be ready to focus. Focus for the next four days on the Great I Am.

For Christmas fanatics, like myself, it is SO easy to get lost in the details, busyness and perfectionism of Christmas. If we allow ourselves, it is easy to look past the true meaning of Christmas...Christ's arrival to this earth through an ordinary, simple, teenage virgin girl. Our homes sparkle, shine and are extra beautiful during this time of the year. However, recently I thought of what it must have been like for Christ to leave the sparkle, shine and extraordinary beauty of Heaven to come to this earth. He came to Earth and became flesh. Just like you and me - he laughed and cried, he celebrated and mourned, he served and was served, he was hungry and full, he became tired and was rested. He became one of us...only unlike you and I - He was without sin. He came not only to become one of us, but to one day die on a cruel cross to bridge the gap for us. A bridge providing a way to allow us to join Him in the sparkle, shine and beauty of Heaven. Over the last few weeks I've had several packages arrive at my doorstep, most were gifts I plan to give away next Thursday. With each package, I was so excited to open the box and discover what my package held. One day as I was opening a delivery, it hit me...I wondered what it must have been like for Mary and Joseph to hold their extraordinary package that arrived on that very first Christmas over 2,000 years ago. When God's gift of Salvation was delivered to the doorstep of mankind. How exciting it must have been for Mary and Joseph to have such a package given to them - given to us.

In closing...my Christmas Wish for each of you is that at some point over the next seven days - you to be able to take time to stop...the madness, busyness and craziness...and reflect on God's continual gift to each of us, His Salvation through His only son - Jesus Christ. Making it possible for NO man to perish, but to ensure that we could have the JOY of ETERNAL LIFE in Heaven with Him.

In keeping with my "tradition" of using a Christmas song for each e-mail, I could think of no more fitting song than "Mary Did You Know?". However, instead of starting my final e-mail with the song, I'm going to conclude the 2008 Christmas Countdown series with both the lyrics and a YouTube link to this very powerful Christmas song. Listen to and read the words, and let the true meaning of Christmas fill your week!

Merry CHRISTmas with Love!
~Megan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0WIJw8JVeU

Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels tried?
And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb.

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is Heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the Great I Am.

Finished Product...

2008 Villa de Megalicious Christmas Tree!!!!

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

Decorating the Christmas tree has always been a highlight for me. When I was a little girl I just loved decorating our family's tree! My favorite decoration was the Bubble Lights - they are so cool!

When I had my very first apartment - money was tight (nothing has really changed since then!), and I wasn't going to put up a tree. But, I had a friend give me an artificial tree that I used for just that year. The night that I was decorating my tree, I heard carolers at my door. There stood, my friends - Tim and Polly with there three oldest boys...at that time they only had three children and Matthew was in a baby carrier. They gave me an adorable ornament - a yellow star with the Precious Moments Nativity scene on it. It has been on my tree every year since, usually right out in front for all (mainly me) to see. Every year as I place it on my tree, I stop and thank God for that family.

Growing up we had a real tree. I have always loved the smell and look of a real tree. After that first Christmas on my own, I had a tradition of getting a real tree. The second Friday in December, I had a friend that graciously and patiently went with me to select that year's tree. He was the shake, shake, shake, bounce, bounce, bounce, spin, spin, spin guy. After hours of picking up almost every tree on the lot and doing the shake, bounce, spin routine...waiting for me to see the lights and hear the angels sing (you know like Chevy Chase in Christmas Vacation), he would throw that year's perfect tree in the back of his truck and we would head home. He would haul the tree up to my apartment. Once the tree was standing by itself in the tree stand, I would order the pizza. As I was getting the other decorations out he would tackle the lights. Soon the pizza would arrive and after we ate it was my turn. I would put the ornaments on. First the sentimental ones...my baby bulb, the star from the Baltzer's, ornaments from years past, etc. Then the new ornament of the year - each year I get a new ornament for my tree. Then the fillers - white snow flakes, red velvet bows, red and silver bulbs and candy canes. This would take a good long while, and soon my tree buddy would be napping on the couch - his belly full and his body warm. When I was done decorating, I would wake him up with much excitement, and we would turn all the lights off and turn on the tree. It was so much fun. The entire evening, we would laugh and share, and just enjoy our friendship. I looked forward to that evening each year!

However, last year was my first Christmas without my friend, he was still around...but we had drifted apart - he more than me, and he wasn't really into being friends or hanging out anymore. It made (and still makes) my heart very sad. Last year was the first time that I can ever remember not having Christmas decorations at my house. I didn't put up one decoration - not even a display of the Christmas cards I had received. It just didn't feel right - I loved our tradition and I was mourning it's departure. A day or two before Christmas I woke up and went to the living room - it was as cold and dead inside as it was outside, it didn't even feel like Christmas. I sat on the couch thinking..how could I do that to myself? How could I let this one person rob me of the joy I had in my decorations and the Christmas season? I decided that Christmas 2007 would be the last Christmas without decorations, as long as I could control it. So the day after Christmas I selected an artificial tree and decided that until I find a new Christmas Tree Buddy, this would do. It was pre-lite, so I didn't have to worry about getting the lights just so either. And it wasn't too heavy - so I could easily carry it to and from it's non-December resting place. I was so excited that I could hardly wait until this year to put it up.

Well that tree went up this past Friday, and it came down that same day. The lights didn't work...ugh. So after several phone calls, the tree went back in the box, was loaded into the car and back to Walmart it went. But a new tree came home with me and it's lights work just great. It went up on Saturday morning, and I'm almost done decorating it. This year I seem to be doing it in shifts, it's not ideal - but it is what it is. I'm eagerly awaiting the lighting of the Villa de Megalicious 2008 Christmas tree. I even have pine scented candles to make me think that I still have my real tree. If all goes as planned, it will occur on Thursday evening! I will finish decorating and sit back with my cup of tea and gaze at my tree - all by myself. But I know I'll be smiling and frankly that's all that matters - because I'll have a Christmas with decorations and the start of a new tradition!!!