GoodNews Florida

One particular Christmas I had wanted a pair of skis and was really hoping for this present above any other present. Yet, after opening all the presents, I didn’t get the skis and was really disappointed. Feeling hopeless, then my dad re- sponded that my real Christmas present was to go and pick out my own pair of skis together! -Rob Hoskins, President, OneHope When I was eleven years old my father bought me an electric train set. Since my father was older when I was born (50) and in ill health, he passed away when I was younger. It has been many, many years since I have seen him. Every year when I get out that train at Christmas, I remember him and his sacrifice, both for the Lord and for me in getting me that train. It still runs! -Samuel Lamerson, PhD, President, Knox Theological Seminary One year, we didn’t have my mom with us on Christmas because of a medical issue, and we thought we would never have another Christmas as family. So, my favorite Christmas was the following one where God healed her and we were all together for the Holidays. -Scott Baugh, Lead Pastor, Journey Church South Florida Living overseas for 24 years my Christmas memories with my mom and dad were just being able to spend time with my parents and celebrating the tradi- tions of each country we lived in - what is most memorable to me at Christmas time since my husband and I have been married 33 years, we celebrate our heritages on Christmas eve, alternating from Spanish to Italian, every other year. And on Christmas morning with our son, to this day we always wake up to read the Christmas story. -Sue Trombino, Founder, Women Impacting the Nation I have many wonderful Christmas memories of fun family gatherings with lots of laughs and presents. So the Christmas that stands out in contrast to that was when living in Israel as a student. We walked from Jerusalem to Bethle- hem on the afternoon of Christmas Eve passing by the rolling fields where the angels would have appeared 2,000 years earlier. Nothing can compare! -Susan Michael, U.S. Director, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem I have many meaningful Christmas memories, but the most meaningful was Christmas of 1991 when I got engaged. That was a wonderfully life-altering event! -Tom Hendriske, Senior Pastor, Rio Vista Church My most memorable Christmas was the first year that my wife, Linda and I were Foster Parents. We were blessed to be able to provide many gifts for the six girls we were fostering at the time. None of the girls had much of a Christmas before that. So, the memory of their genuine joy when they opened their gifts has stayed with me ever since that Christmas morning — and that was 23 years ago. -Thomas L. Lukasik, Vice President Community Engagement, 4KIDS “For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands!!!” (Isaiah 55:12). Being that our family together planted and harvested many Christmas Trees on our NC farm…that memory always brings forth the joy of Christmas to me as those Frasier firs were delivered also to the homes of others! The most Devine memory, however, is of those years of precious moments standing in church, holding candles with our loved ones on Christmas Eve and singing Silent Night! It was those moments that honored Christ and brought him right where He always belongs - into our hearts as the center of our lives - always. -Virlee S. Stepelton, Ministry Advocate Scott Baugh Sue Trombino Susan Michael Tom Hendriske Thomas L. Lukasik Virlee Stepelton Wants to Know…