Greetings,
      
       Today is Black Friday. If you llive in Shanghai or Los Angeles you probably think I'm writing about very thick fog in your area, but I'm referring to those big store wide sales the day after Thanksgiving. This year  retailers are opening earlier than ever. I'm guessing it is because they can get the consumer to go without sleep for a long enough period so that he or she will have clouded judgement and purchase items they really don't need. Oh... wait... I was just told that is what Black Friday has always been about.
      
      You won't find me getting up early to fight all the holiday shoppers. No way! Why stand hours in line in the freezing cold when instead I could choose to get up at 3:00 A.M. and write this year's Chrismas letter.
     
       I sure enjoy having this one sided conversation with you every year. It is easy for me to imagine you sitting here in the room with me. I hope you don't mind me lounging around typing in my underwear. Sponge Bob boxers are hard to find in a size 38. Now, if you can clear your mind of that mental image.... I'll start with the serious stuff.
     
       Lora moved ou a few months ago. She is the last child to relocate. I'm so sad that I've thought about buying a pool  table to fill the void left in that empty room.
     
       Sara is a senior in college. She enjoys school so much, she has decided to stay on for one extra semester and will graduate about this time next year. Eventually she will figure out that the longer she goes to school the more it costs.
     
       Recently I found out that Eric really likes almonds. He traveled to Cancun this week in search of one rumored to weigh in at around 100 pounnds. Even more amazing...he claims this one can talk. I had my doubts, until he posted pictures on face book. That is when I discovered that the female name Almendra means "almond."
     
      Ryan is still sweating in Harlingen. That's just what you do when you live that far south. Ayden, my grandson, has a vocabulary of about 20 words and can form simple sentences, such as..."Can we go to Starbucks, because I really want a Frapacino and I think the girl that works there is cute." Carrissa is a stay at home mom, which is totally understandable, because as long as she is inside the house she has air conditioning.
    
       Rita's life is much easier now that all the children have moved out. She no longer has anything to worry about, so my worrier warrior needs to find something to fill the void. She has thought about seeking a part time job. I've been told when you choose a career that you should find an area in which you excel. I suggested that she use her entrepenurial spirit and become a professional worrier. Take on the burden of her fellow man. Worry for neighbors and friends so they don't have too, and get paid for the service.
     
       I will soon experience a life changiing event. In a few weeks I will turn 55 and therefore qualify for those early senior citizen discounts. My mom and dad even tell me I could move into the retirement center where they live. It is a nice place, but I think for now I'll just take advantage of the discount saviings. Besides, it would be extremely crowded with all of us in a one bedroom apartment. I don't think the three of us can fit on one queen size bed.
     
      Speaking of life changes ...I remember this past year was defined by our president as one of "hope and change." Change can be good or bad, and it will always be part of our lives. Everyday brings new trials and  challenges. Some of those are totally expected, while others sneak up on your blind side. Ocassionally we are simply unprepared and nearly knocked off our feet when a huge tidal wave of change rolls in, such as an illness , injury, or job loss. Good changes can be a blessing and uplifting. But what do we do when bad things happen to us? I think that is where hope becomes so important. 
     
       Hope is a necessity. It can be the one motvator to keep us going when life becomes tough and we start to wear down. When all else has seemed to fail, hope can pull us through. Truth is, that without hope, people perish. Truth is ...hope is always available.
    
      Unfortunately, hope can be easily misdirected and misplaced. At this time in our nation's history many people have placed their hope in our government to solve our problems. After a year or more of disappointments and discouraging developments a majority of citizens across our country have started to realize that if you hang your hope in the wrong place it can be devastating on a personal as well as national level. 
     
       Fortunately, it is possible to have  a hope that never fails. A hope tested, proven, and grounded in truth, providiing peace and contentment. Sounds like a great deal. All you have to do is hang your hope properly. Place it where it belongs. Hang it on the cross where Christ once hung for each of us. He sacrificed his life so that we might live ours more abundantly. We have his Word on that. Pick up  a Bible this coming year and read all about it. Then set your hope in the hands of God.

                                      Have a blessed Christmas and a hopeful new year!
                                          
                                             The Robinson family,
 
                                                    Mark & Rita,
                                  
                                                         Ryan, Carrissa, & Ayden.
    
                                                             Eric, Sara, & Lora

If you enjoyed this letter,

          please share it with a friend