Christmas Blessings to You

 December 2022. In the “Wizard of Oz,” Dorothy noted that things come and go so quickly – and so it is with the passing of this year. It seems hardly moments since we last wrote of a year-in-the-life of The Chandler Family!

 We completed our first year “at home” on Johnnie Chandler Road, and couldn’t be happier. Besides deer, squirrels and birds, the precious sights from the kitchen window remind us what a good move it was: “Cousin Corner” where cousins meet [almost] daily, the lawn mower making its rounds (often pulling a wagonful of cousins), pole-barn business and gardening down-the-hill. We’ve acquired the perfect pet: a daily-call from Olive at the back door for doggie treats then (here’s the “wonderful” part) she goes home to Dennis’s house! It was special to host Christmas 2021 here at the “Chandler Farmhouse” where so many past Chandler Christmases took place – extra special to Danny, Dennis and Dustin who share such fond memories here. For sure, it was a challenge to discover exactly where to hang 16 stockings but they were suitably hung … filling them is always a cha$$enge! 

 Bill and I returned to our home church, Moon’s Grove Baptist, in July where Beverly accepted the Worship Leader position. Together, we enjoyed several trips to St George Island including a June trip with all 16 of us; we’re already booked for SGI 2023 … a full house as well. We still enjoy our little jaunts to the Goose Pond cabin (about an hour from home) where Bill hunts while Bev enjoys porch-time. We, of course, treasure time with The Grands: Ella (11), Caleb (9), Isabelle (7), Natalie (6), Harper (5), Nora (3), John Luke (2), Jacob (1). We greatly appreciate how Danny & Brittney, Dennis & Elisa, Dustin & Emily give such care and love to their children and to us. The Girls (as Bev calls them) “mother” both of us really well! We are so blessed!

 Without doubt, the hardest part of the year was the October Home-going of Beverly’s Dad; he was known as “Papa” to his grandchildren and “Grand Papa” to his great-grandchildren. Losing a family patriarch is never easy but losing one who left his mark so deeply in our lives (and the lives of so many) is something this family will press-through for months and years to come. We also lost our dear friend and Island Pastor, Mike Whaley. Our memories are a treasure!

 Beverly finished writing an in-depth Bible study this year of Psalm 119, which she also taught-through (January-October). She continues to post daily to her blog (morningwithbeverly.blogspot.com), and is a little closer to finishing her book of devotions. We’re so thankful her Dad was able to write the book’s foreword before he went Home. Who knows, maybe – just maybe – 2022 will be the year she sees it published!

 What a joy to share a little bit of Chandler Life with you this Season. From our
home and hearts to yours, may Christ find His home in your hearts
this Season and throughout the coming year.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year, Bill & Beverly