We are signed up to host this Sunday night, but in talking with several people many will be out of town or at other events. So, if you WOULD participate in a life group gathering this Sunday can you post a comment so we can have an idea? I’ll re-post on Saturday as to whether or not we’ll actually have one. Thanks guys! And if we don’t see you before, have a great Christmas holiday!

Marla

Since I’ve been struck with a slight case of insomnia, I thought I would get around to making a post about my favorite Christmas party this year.  Thanks in large part to the birth of Silas Benge, Maren and I have the honor of hosting so there are a few details worth reporting.

Let’s start with food.
We are going to ask everyone bring something delicious and decadent and finger food-y/side dish-y.  There are no plans for main course type meals (sorry no Christmas meatloaf, Cade.  And Ben.)  However, the expectation is you pick at so many different entrees you won’t realize you’ve put on 25 pounds of joy until you stand to leave.  In the Comments section, post what you plan to bring so all can see and eagerly anticipate.

Next, let’s discuss the exchanging of the presents.
This is something I truly look forward to every year, and, in some cases, plan for months ahead of time.  It will be your standard White Elephant exchange (or as Mandy called it: Dirty Santa) where presents should be less than $10 and can be classified into one of two categories: (1) Nuts, no one is going to try to steal this junk from me and I’ll be stuck taking this home (or depositing in the Boudra’s trash can before I leave), and (2) Thank God I didn’t pick a Category (1) present.  For couples, we ask you bring no more than one Cat. (1) present.  Bonus Heaven points WILL be awarded to those couples that bring two Cat. (2) presents (and inevitably go home with two Cat. (1) presents).  Some previous examples of Cat. (1) presents from Christmases past include a skid plate, a DirectTV dish, and The Doll.  Some popular Cat. (2) presents are Starbucks gift cards, iTunes gift cards, and some other girly type things that I’m struggling to recall because they didn’t interest me.  There are a few legendary presents that straddle the Cat. (1)/Cat. (2) line *cough* giant afro wig *cough* whose reappearance would delight all (I’m talking to you, Natalie).

Finally, in the interest of full disclosure, this is being composed at 2:30 a.m. by a brain addled by grading exams, so forgive me if this comes off a tad stream-of-conciousness.  I hope you are all resting peacefully tonight and that the remainder of your week is blessed and filled with joy.

Regan

Life Group will be at Ryan and Allison’s tomorrow night at 5:30 PM. We plan on serving tacos, and we will provide the meat, shells and cheese dip. We need some volunteers to bring other items like lettuce/tomato, shredded cheese, salsa, sour cream, or whatever anyone likes on their tacos. We also will need a few drinks. Let us know here if you can bring something.

Also, don’t forget about our holiday party next Sunday at the Boudra’s. We will do the white elephant gift exchange again – with a limit of $10.

RK

For those of you helping at 3:00 today, please be at the storage facility at 2500 West Main St. on 518 west of I-45.

We will be helping Kami and her family unload her UHaul and whatever else they need today. This is taking the place of Lifegroup tonight, so I hope to see you there.

RK

I didn’t get any takers for a Life Group host this week , so here’s what we’ll do: I’ll cook a turkey, you bring a side dish, and we’ll have an early Thanksgiving at our house.  Please post in the comments what you plan to bring so we don’t have any duplicates.  See you at 5:30!

-Rachel

Lifegroup this week will be at Cade’s house (830 Knotty Elmwood, Houston, TX 77062).  We will be eating delicious meatloaf.  I hope to see everyone at 5:30 pm.

-Cade

This Saturday at Terry’s he is cooking up a huge batch of chili and inviting everyone over to eat until they can’t eat anymore. Food will be served starting at noon and will be served until there is no more!

Some drinks will be provided, but BYOwhatever you want.

Terry’s address is

67 Hideaway Drive
Friendswood, TX  77546

Due to conflict with the Southeast Women’s Retreat (which is what I was afraid of) we are now thinking the weekend of Feb 19-21. Conflicts anyone? I know it’ll probably conflict with someone, but maybe not something as big as the retreat? Again, nothing set in stone here. Just trying to plan ahead.

Lifegroup will be at our house tonight – Ryan and Allison’s – at 5:30. Allison is already working on some great chili for everyone, so dinner will be provided and Cade will be giving us some thoughts as well.

We do need some volunteers for drinks and any desserts. Please leave a comment if you can bring either. And if you want to volunteer to dust and vacuum our house, please let us know as well. Just think, you have an opportunity to extend my afternoon nap a little bit longer.

My email is ryankirksey@yahoo.com if you need directions.

Josh is thinking of heading up a Spring camping trip. Anyone interested? Right now we’re looking at the weekend of Feb 26-28. Trying to book in advance so people can plan accordingly. Let us know if you know of a big conflict that weekend OR if you’d like to come along! It will be  close to home, Huntsville State Park, just up I-45.