Sandwich Day 16 - December 25, 2007

Christmas at The Cove

Family:

Matthew 12:48-50 (New Living Translation)

48 Jesus asked, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 49 Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. 50 Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!”

For me, a good Christmas is getting through it all with as little damage control as possible. I have had only a handful of them which I can truly say were special…this is one of them.

Sandwich Crew: me, Rick, Colette, Mike, Sam, Wayne, Charlie, Colette’s sister Karmen and a special phone call in from Jerry.

Cove folks: Rabbit, Mary, Teresa, Donny, Mike, Susie, Taz, Manson, Hopper and Bingo the dog.

Special guest of honor: Jesus accompanied with God and the Holy Spirit.

Menu: Delicious beef stew and cornbread (Sam) – Homemade cookies (Gaye) – and from the Cove family – Smoked Turkey – dressing – gravy – green bean casserole – mashed potatoes – raw vegetables & dip – fruit cake – (I’m sure I have forgotten something but you get the drift) – it was a feast waiting to happen!

I would never have thought sixteen weeks ago as we handed out sandwiches that I would be spending Christmas day with these special folks!
The weather was beautiful as we walked the neat little path to the campsite home of the Cove family. We walked into the typical Christmas atmosphere…decorated tree – the buzz over the final preparation of food as all comes together on the table. We were greeted with big hugs and love. We ate good food – listened to Rabbit play the guitar – we sang – we read from the Bible – we prayed – we laughed and told stories on each other. Mary wanted to show me her tent…it was set away from the others…typical Mary. We talked about past hurts and not being able to trust easily. For Mary to trust me to see her tent meant a lot. Watching Rabbit play the guitar and sing made me smile. Susie was having so much fun. Even Taz admitted to having a pretty good day. For a moment in our minds, Mary and I became Janis Joplin and sang “Me and Bobby McGee”… we would have made Janis proud! When it became time to leave it was hugs, God Bless You, and thank you. As I was walking the neat little path back to reality…I have to admit…I didn’t want to go!

Peace – Vicki (North Star)

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First I would like to comment on the Church service we had on the 23rd.

We had a great turn out. Folks were out there waiting on us when we got there an hour early! A Sheriff and a Police officer were in the parking lot and I think there was a little concern as bikes started to pull in! Rhino with Soldiers for Jesus met us and rode in and we had most of the crew from Rushing Wind. As the last member of BFC pulled up and he and I were talking I think they finally figured out who we were and they left. They sat there for over and hour watching us.

The service was short but very heart felt. We had the Lords Supper and we all got stoned with the "Jesus" stones we carry that represent where the nail pierced His hand and the drop of blood that will cover all you have done and all you ever will do. They recited the closing prayer "Loud and Proud". It was a great time of fellowship and good fun!

Christmas morning was so special. Taz and Rabbit were at the store and Manson came up right before we headed to camp. Taz told me the camp was all a buzz about us coming and they were cleaning and cooking so he had gone to work to get out of the way. Manson told me who his Dad was in the motorcycle community so maybe I can touch base with him. He really just wanted to say Merry Christmas to his Dad. He made it very clear it was not his Dad's fault where he was and said "Don't knock my Dad cause I am here. It is my fault." Most of these folks are very truthful when they get to know you.

We got to camp to see a beautiful spread of food and lots of smiling faces! I felt kind of bad that we had stew/soup and cornbread after seeing what they cooked in a smoker and on a fire. They had the same things that were being eaten in houses all across America. They all wanted to show us what they had gotten and received for Christmas. Rabbit had new strings for his guitar and started the singing. He is talented and passionate about his singing. We did country, oldies and gospel! Everyone joined in..

For me the meat of the day was when they got the Bible out and read about Mary carrying Jesus and being afraid.. I have never done that on a Christmas before and it was awesome. They really made Christmas about Jesus!

We handed out the Jesus shirts we had gotten at Wal-Mart and they were opened quickly. Many put theirs right on and were very thankful.

Rabbit prayed for us all as family. He was right.

It was an awesome Christmas day!

Rick – (Pastor Spike)

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We forget that mankind lived that way with campfire and tents , etc for most of our history - especially Bible time history. I felt right at home there and would probably gladly join them except for my responsibilities to my son.

Love was all around.

Michael B. - "ZZ" AKA "Moses"

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My Redneck Recollection of Christmas 2007

(Recollection, as understood in respect to the spiritual life, means attention to the presence of God in the soul.)

Christmas 2007 was a rough, yet great one for me. Rough in that I was not with my “blood family” and I was worried for some. I wish to reflect on the great part of this past Christmas as I experienced it.

I met some co-workers and friends at a corner store to hook up with some new friends and go to their place to share a Christmas meal and fellowship on this special day. We were taken to a location in front of their home and unloaded our trucks of the food and gifts that we had brought. Carrying our supplies down the path towards their home, I heard their doorbell (Bingo, the dog) sound to inform our hosts we had arrived. We were greeted with smiles, hugs and warm welcome from all (even Bingo after she sniffed everyone to see that we were ok by her standards). I felt welcome and comfortable as soon as I entered their home.

Very shortly after my arrival, I did what probably 99.99% of new guest to a home do, I looked around to “check out” their home. Here is what I saw:

A table loaded with food that had been prepared by our hosts and placed out for everyone to see and help themselves.

A family, sitting around the fireplace warming their hands and feet on a small pile of burning embers. The area around the fireplace was covered in ashes from previous fires that were most surely used to warm the family on past days and nights. This area must be the place in the home that is most used for family fun and fellowship.

I saw a Christmas tree decorated with many ornaments and tinsel all over. An Angel was placed on top of the tree as if she was sent to set there to watch over this family.

I saw open places to sit in the family area around the fireplace and was offered the use of one several times. It seemed the seats offered were the best ones in the home, with the most padding and near the fire and the food.

I saw separate rooms spread out that the family members must use for sleeping and shelter. Each room seemed to have its own personality that I’m sure matched to each family member.

All of the above is what I experienced with my eyes.

What I experienced with my heart was:

The warm fellowship of everyone there, singing songs, laughing, eating and thanking God for what was provided for us on that special day. It was a great birthday party for Jesus and I feel he was looking down upon everyone and smiling.

I walked into that home with some small material gifts to give our host and I expected to leave with no gift. What I left with was bigger than any package that could be wrapped or decorated with a bow of the finest ribbon. I left that home with a warm heart from acquiring new friends. I left that home with a full stomach after eating the wonderful food prepared. I left that home feeling content from the prayer, song and fellowship that I was allowed to be a part of.

Vicki, I to, felt the sadness of having to leave their home as we walked back up the path away and back to the trucks.

May God’s grace be with our Christmas hosts of 2007.

Wayne – God’s special Redneck

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A Priceless Gift....you called me out of death and into life.

"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him." 1JOHN 4:9

Missing the celebration at the Cove, I dropped in via phone call. I wanted the chance to chat with Rabbit and wish him a peaceful day. It was good I made that phone call and the amount of grace that filled my heart as I returned to the in-laws home for the unwrapping of presents and lunch. As I listened to each conversation that morning I saw how much Jesus was no longer part of "Christmas". This isn't just our family but so many others out there. We all love each other very much, but lose focus on Him and concentrate on ourselves all too often.

My wife, children and I started the morning by focusing on Jesus and that God loves us so much he sent His only Son as a gift of peace between us and Him. However all to often we lose focus on what is Important and let the urgent take over. Several times my wife mentioned we celebrated the birth of Him that morning and several others in the house asked whose birthday it was? One even said they were worried they missed a birthday of a niece or nephew...Once again making room for the Important things has been replaced with the urgent.

Let us take to heart the Important things, His will, and leave the urgent things behind...

May the Peace, Love and Grace of Jesus Christ be with you always,

Wheeler