Our kids exchanged names for Christmas gifts after Thanksgiving dinner. We usually put up the tree the next day, the Christmas CDs would come out, and that evening we would go shopping for ornaments. Every year, each child got to choose an ornament, the idea being that when they grew up and moved away, they would take their ornaments for the start of their own collection. These weren't Hallmark ornaments with dates or frames for their photos. They were whatever the child chose. Sometimes it reflected their current interests, and sometimes they were just pretty ornaments. Usually the evening of the last day of school before Christmas (Daddy is a teacher, so we followed the public school calendar), we would drive around and look at Christmas lights. Then we would come home and the kids would make "gingerbread" houses out of graham crackers. And that would also be the night they would sleep around the Christmas tree. Mom and Dad joined them when they were little, but as they got older, we opted for our cozy bed while they goofed off in the living room. When the girls were taking ballet, they performed in the Nutcracker every year. My two artists made Christmas cards every year for each member of the family. As they got older, the designs became very elaborate -- real works of art. Of course, there was cookie making, too. One year, for some reason, I just didn't get much baking done, so I was fired from that job. After that, the kids each had their specialties that they would make, from decorated sugar cookies to mint fudge and everything in between. One year, we had a party for the neighborhood children with games, crafts, the Christmas story with Betty Lukens felts, and snacks. Several years, we went caroling. These traditions and activities are the things they remember, rather than the gifts they received.

Tracy, I can try to explain my understanding, but I am afraid it will fall short of what you are looking for. Furthermore, I don't have all day to spend on this forum. But here goes with my feeble attempt to answer your question: Revelation 4:11 tells us that God created all things for his pleasure. (Why does an artist create art?) Isaiah 43:7 refers to God's people being created for His glory. Isaiah 45:18 says that God did not form the earth in vain; he formed it to be inhabited. He made living creatures to live here and, according to Psalm 147:11, he takes pleasure in those who fear him and who hope in his steadfast love. Genesis 1:27 tells us that we were created in the image of God. (We are special to him) BUT God didn't make robots. He gave us moral freedom. Romans 5:12 explains that sin brought the curse of death to the world. Ezekiel 33:11 says that God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Romans 6:23 tells us that the payment for sin is death BUT goes on to say the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. In his infinite mercy, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). In Luke 15:7, Jesus speaks of the joy in Heaven over sinners who repent. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that, for the joy that was set before him, Jesus endured the cross...God made us for his pleasure and we messed up. Because he loves us, he made a way for us to be restored to Him. That's why John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life." Some will scoff at this post, but it is what it is. As I said, don't just take somebody's word for what the Bible says or means. Crack it open (I am not only speaking to you, Tracy) and read it yourself. Ask God to help you find the truth.

First of all, the question was not posed as "some sort of proof". I just thought it was an interesting question to consider. Second, my suggestion to search the Bible was not flippant. It was genuine. Don't just take somebody's word for what the Bible says or means. Go to the source, and ask God for understanding.

I knew this would be the next question. I suggest you search the Bible for the answer.

I just recently read a devotional put out by the Institute for Creation Research that pointed out a few interesting thoughts. First, the Lord Jesus Christ himself stated, "from the beginning of creation, God made them (referring to people) male and female." Jesus also quoted scripture concerning 6 days of creation, with the 7th being the day God rested. And if one believes the first chapter of the book of John (literally, I suppose many would say), one would see that all things were made by the Word -- that is, Jesus. So, in other words, He was there at the time, in fact He was the one who did it, therefore, He should know. The question is, were human beings just an afterthought, or were we God's main purpose for the creation? If so, why would He waste billions of years in a meaningless charade of suffering and dying by billions of animals before getting to the point? I believe there have always been "YE creationists", it's just that as the theory of evolution has become accepted as truth, we now have to have a label for those who don't believe it. I would suggest that, if you are searching for an answer, you read the Bible (actually read it yourself) and ask God to reveal the truth to you.

There are many reasons why we homeschooled our children, but God led us in that direction and gave us the conviction to do it. I would say that we started our home school as a way to glorify and honor God by raising our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and teaching them about Him and His creation. The Bible verse that graced each student's diploma as they graduated was Proverbs 9:10, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."

I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA. A BBQ sandwich in that area is made with chipped, or chipped chopped ham (made famous by Isaly's). This very thin sliced ham is not found outside of "The Burgh" as far as I know. The sauce is some variation of Heinz ketchup and other ingredients, but as I recall, the simplest was made with ketchup and Coke!

DH has so many passwords that he's having trouble remembering them all. The trouble seems to be that some passwords require symbols, others can't have symbols, some need both upper and lower case letters, and the lengths required vary. A couple days ago he forgot his pin number for his debit card. With all the online banking, bill paying, etc., this is going to become a real problem for people as they get older. I know WE need to come up with a solution fast!

We usually don't do much for birthdays, but for my 50th, which was shortly after our 30th anniversary, DH took the whole family to a wonderful restaurant on the beach and gave me a beautiful diamond necklace.

Praying for a full recovery.

SOMEBODY is going to pay for it. "Government funded" means taxpayer funded.

The SIL could be the wife of OP's brother.

More Islamist savages... http://www.timesofisrael.com/is-beheaded-4-christian-children-says-vicar-of-baghdad/ http://blogs.wsj.com/dispatch/2014/12/14/sydney-police-investigate-siege-situation-live/?mod=e2fb

:iagree: It has gotten very old. Some people just have to turn every conversation into a debate over some controversy. It is sad.