It's Monday Again

We’re half way between last Monday and next Monday!  So here it is…a brief IMA spanning Christmas and New Year’s.  I trust you had a wonderful Christmas with your families.  We were blessed to have our children, their spouses, and our grandchildren with us on Christmas Eve which has always been our special time.  I am thankful for the incredible blessing of family…and Family. 
We had the opportunity on Sunday to worship at our home church in Moncton and hear a Christmas message from John Symonds in the morning service.  We also attended the first of two Christmas Eve services and the church was packed to capacity and full of energy and excitement. 
Gloria and I will be leaving for Florida on Saturday to attend The Gathering, host the Atlantic District Snowbird Breakfast at Brooksville, attend the GS/DS meeting, and enjoy a 10-day vacation break.  On our way back, we’ll be stopping for a Sunday visit at Scarborough-Coastal on January 21st and plan to be back in the office on Monday, January 22nd, D.V.
Karrilee will be in the office Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM, and will be available to respond to your inquiries and questions.  She will be able to contact us in the event of any true emergency. 
Please note:
• The reception at The Gathering for all Atlantic District personnel will be held on Tuesday, January 2nd, at 9:30 PM (please note time change) in the Lemon Ballroom at the Wyndham Resort.  There will be refreshments and a special gift for every family.
• Atlantic District Snowbird Breakfast is scheduled for Wednesday, January 17th, at 8:30 AM in the Country Kitchen Restaurant, Brooksville.
I received a happy Christmas surprise when I came to the office this morning and discovered a note and a cheque for more than $3,100 from the Brown’s Flat Fellowship.  At their Christmas program, they took a special offering to assist in the cost of the wastewater system upgrade at Beulah.  Very thoughtful and appreciated!
I read just this week that according to a CNBC survey, 43% of American families spend more than they earn and the average household carries more than $8,000 in consumer debt.  I trust you kept your Christmas spending under control – seriously. 
We received word on Tuesday that Leslie Black passed away last Friday in Weymouth, MA.  The funeral service was to be held today, Thursday, at the Wollaston Church of the Nazarene.  I was able to speak with Ruth yesterday and expressed sympathy to her on behalf of the District family.
IMA will not be published for the next couple of weeks – it’s going on vacation with us. 
THOT:  The most miserable person of all is the one who knows the truth yet doesn’t obey it.        – Chuck Coleson