Missing in the Manger

by Debra DuPree Williams @DDuPreeWilliams

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Williams home. We’re in Florida for Christmas this year. After more than thirty years down here, it doesn’t seem odd any more to see Christmas lights on palm trees. As a matter of fact, it can be quite beautiful. But this year, I’ve noticed a flamboyance of flamingos wearing little Santa hats. I have to say, that’s not my style, but my best friend, no doubt, has one.

We live in a little villa, perfect for those of us who are of a certain age. The kids are grown, and if you’re lucky, out on their own. One of ours is living with us, and while we are delighted to be able to give him temporary housing, it does make things a bit more cramped than we had anticipated. Especially in a small space.

To Go or Not to Go? One Tough Decision

by Debra DuPree Williams  @DDuPreeWilliams

That question comes up a lot during the busy holiday season. Do we pack up the kids, put the dog and cat in the kennel at no small expense? Do we drag out suitcases and clothes to last a week or two, or even a long weekend, for the entire family? Will the relatives have a washer? Does it still work? Is there room for all of us? What about when that relative comes for Christmas dinner? I don’t need to tell you who it is. We all have at least one.

I’m going to give you my thoughts on this. And remember, these belong to me. Formulate your own thoughts and opinions.

We Gather Together

by Debra DuPree Williams @DDuPreeWilliams

We Gather Together 
Many will be singing We Gather Together today, either in church or gathered around your Thanksgiving table. I wanted to tell you a bit about its origins.

When this lovely hymn was written by Adrianus Valerius in 1597, the Dutch were involved in a war for their national liberation against the Catholic King Phillip II of Spain. It was written in celebration of the Dutch victory over the Spanish forces at the Battle of Turnhout. It became well-known and much-loved by the Dutch because they had been forbidden to gather and worship as Protestants.

I Get By With A Little Help - From a Blog

by Debra DuPree Williams @DDuPreeWilliams

Do you look with envy at all those Instagram and FaceBook posts where people’s homes are decorated to the nines? You know the ones I’m talking about. Your sister who has every cutesy-pie little decorative piece here and there and everywhere and she posts photos of Every. Single. Thing. she owns. You do realize that you are not the abnormal one in this picture, don’t you? So many of us are in the last-minute-club that looking at those photos just sends us into the Guilt Zone─much scarier than the Twilight Zone.

Fall-The Glory of God's Creation

by Debra DuPree Williams @DDuPreeWilliams

Almost everyone I know says fall is their favorite season. It happens to be my favorite, too. I love watching the leaves change from their summer green into the yellows, oranges, reds, and even browns of fall. It’s their way of bidding us goodbye for a season, with a promise to return in the spring.

All the leaf-hoppers in those parts of this great country of ours must agree with us. In the Asheville area, where I live for a portion of the year, the hotels and parkways, scenic-vista-pullovers and area restaurants, are filled with those coming to view God in all of His glory. When we were recently up that way, we took two lovely drives to view the leaves. I guess that makes my hubby and me a part of the very group about which I just spoke.

The Greatest of the Great, A Golden Reunion

by Debra DuPree Williams @DDuPreeWilliams

Two weeks ago, I attended my fiftieth high school reunion. Like everyone else there, I wondered where on earth the years had gone. It had been fifty years since I had seen some of my classmates. Others, I’ve seen fairly recently. Facebook and Instagram have proven valuable instruments in keeping us connected to one another.

The festivities began on Thursday and concluded with a breakfast on Sunday morning at the Andalusia Country Club. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend all of the events, but I did make it for the Saturday evening gathering at Springdale, an old estate in Andalusia, purchased by the city, and now used for purposes such as our class reunion.

It's That Time of Year . . . Have You Done This?

by Debra DuPree Williams @DDuPreeWilliams

Here it is, already past the mid-point mark of October and I am just now thinking about October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month. With the stories I know of family and friends who have walked this dark road, you would think I’d remember. But, life took over, I got busy . . . and I simply forgot.

My sister Bobbie was diagnosed with breast cancer in December of 2015. My husband and I were sitting in the Fatz restaurant in Candler, North Carolina, when I got the call from her. I had to leave the restaurant, I was crying so hard.

Cancer is the one word that most of us dread hearing. It invades our bodies and our lives, and the lives of our loved ones, unlike anything else on the face of the earth. It’s an ugly word.

But, since our family members are followers of Christ, we all began to pray for my sister. I put her on every prayer chain I could find. In fact, many of you prayed for her. I cannot begin to tell you how very thankful we are for every single utterance of her name.