Father Bill's Last Sunday At Christ Church...



Ron, Fr. Bill and Susanne



Today was a bittersweet time for us at Church ... our long time (15 years) priest, Father Bill Myrick, is retiring at the and of the year, and today was his last Sunday with us, since tomorrow is also his birthday, we had a cake and celebrated with him.



Ron and Susanne Nelson, and the Music Ministry led us in a song they created lyrics for, to honor Father Bill ... sang to the tune of "Leaving on a Jet Plane".  I don't think there was a dry eye in the whole Church as we sang it to Fr. Bill.

Leaving in a U-Haul
Your bags aren’t packed, not ready to go,  You’re living there, it’s right next door.
We hate to part our ways and say goodbye. But the dawn is breaking, a new life waits,
Retirement’s here – it’s gonna be great; We really do not want to say goodbye.

Refrain: We’ll miss you and hold you dear,  Pray for you throughout the year,
You have made a footprint in our hearts.  You’re leaving in a U-haul,
Don’t know if you’ll be back at all,  It’s time we let you go.

So many ways you taught us well, Encouraged us when we fell,
You taught us that to love is best of all.  The Study Groups, the Homeless too,
The Masses prayed – we’re born anew.  You shared yourself whenever we would call. (Refrain)

The time has come, we wish you well,  The schedule’s gone – it will be swell.
So many things to do throughout the days. Your camping trips, canoeing too,
Family times and gourmet food –  But who will change our lightbulbs when we’re gone?  (Refrain)

Blowing out the mass quantities
of birthday candles.. *lol*

It's going to be different not having
Fr. Bill around everyday at Church.



Deb & Fr. Bill, looks like Deb & I
are on our own after the 1st of the year!
(Oh, maybe we'll have to take some time
off for Goodwill trips.. heh!!)



Jorden got to say her goodbyes to Fr. Bill too!

Good-Bye & God Bless Fr. Bill!

Good-bye is never forever to those who love the Lord.

We Pray for our priest, and friend, Father Bill Myrick:
Dear God, Thank you for the blessing of Father Bill Myrick and the Spirit-filled leadership he has brought to our Parish. He is truly Your servant. Be with him in this time of transition. Temper his loss with the joy and excitement of looking forward to a new period in his life. Care for him and bring him to a new home where he can continue his path with You. Bless Father Bill as he has blessed us and keep him safe in Your Almighty Hands. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Gifford Family Christmas continued...

More fun from the family Christmas celebration at our house....  (see previous post for other photos).

The stairs were a popular
place to hang out since
everyplace else was taken!

Family grabbed whatever space they could find....

Shoes were at one time in a nice
neat arrangement on the porch...LOL!!

Just when you thought no more
relatives could arrive - they did!

More of the Pelnars arrived!



Loren and Kasey try out
the musical Santa hats.



After some of the family left, Jorden was FINALLY able to open some of
her gifts from us.

Beautiful clothes from Aunt Janel,
Uncle John and the boys!

Cool Hat/scarf from Grandpa & Gram!



Loving cousins... Jeff, Josh, Jorden, Jake.



Grandkids... gotta love them!!



Jeff, Josh, Jorden and Jake.



Aunt Kasey reads to the kids
from a funny book she got
as a gag gift...



The book that had the kids so
interested as Kasey read it. *lol*

John was talking smack to Janel,
and bet she couldn't take him
down... she was about to show him!

Janel is under the pile-on! *lol*

Now John-John is under the pile!

Janel and Jake

Uncle John-John and Jorden.

A wonderful family time... Merry After Christmas to all... and to all a Good Night!!

Gifford Family Christmas 2012

My side of the family usually celebrates on Christmas Morning, but my Mom is recovering from cancer surgery and undergoing chemo treatments, and still at a nursing home recovering, so we didn't go to Dad and Mom's as usual, but had our family Christmas after Christmas Day... at our house.  About 65-68 of us were able to come and celebrate.  Mom was able to come from the nursing home too for a few hours.  It was mass chaos, but a good time celebrating with Mom and Dad and all the family! 

(We missed those of you who couldn't make it too!!)

just SOME of the family in the
living room.

Mom's enjoying the fun!

More of the family.

Good luck getting into the kitchen!

And even MORE family...

Mom and Aunt Shirley

Sandy opening a birthday gift too
Her birthday is Dec. 30th

An ugly sweater competition was
part of the fun!

Harriett, Susan, Peggy - ugly sweaters

Aunt Shirley & Laura win the
Ugly Sweater Contest!

A fun, take away gift exchange took
us about 2 hours to complete!

Chellie & Elf Jorden

A load of presents for the gift exchange.

Dad (Papa) & Josh
hiding out in the kitchen.

Kasey and BF Loren

Just a little crowded!

Matthew picked a Packer blanket,
which was grabbed by others in
the mad Christmas exchange game.

The dining room was less crowded!

Some of the kids hid out on the front
porch, a haven for shoes & coats.
Good thing there was a space heater!

Some of the girls couldn't take the crowd
and hid out in our bedroom at times,
watching movies on the tv there.

And the gift exchange game continues



Jorden loved the snowglobe from
Daddy Kaine!



Loren & Kasey try on
the Santa hats.



The bass tuba was a gift
that many of us fought over,
I ended up winning it!
But, I gave it to my nephew,
and he is going to try to restore it.

It was a hectic, but fun time, and glad that Mom could be here too! ... more of today to come later...