ugly sweaters

Sunday evening, our small group held its first annual Christmas party where about 20 college and career-aged people joined in the fun. This year's theme - ugly sweaters! Take a look at all of those who participated...

I must say, we had quite the array of creativity and ugliness with these sweaters. As you may or may not be able to tell, one sweater was "missing" sleeves, another the sleeves weren't quite long enough, yet another had shoulder pads, one was creatively decorated with wrapping paper and marker, more had fringe and bells, another looked like an afghan, and others contained "strange" colors especially when considering who was wearing them!

Of course, there were some party poopers (uh-hm, the college students) who refused to participate in the ugly sweater contest (maybe next time), but I think we all had fun laughing with one another.

Our night started with the "usual" menu of hamburgers and hot dogs and all of the goodies that go with them...


There were two in the group who apparently didn't care for the food and decided to "dig in" to a better meal! Yummy!?!

AND, when we have people to our house, Ivy ALWAYS knows that means there will be dessert! And, Ivy will not let you forget about dessert! (She's Papa's girl, what can I say!)


Thanks, Sarah, for the sugar cookies and the great idea of letting Ivy decorate her own cookie! She loved it!

After dinner, the group selected the first and second place winners for the ugliest sweaters for both the ladies and the guys. The winners were...


1st Place (Guys): Justin G. / 2nd Place (Guys): Eric
1st Place (Ladies): Anna / 2nd Place (Ladies): Sarah

Thanks to all of those who participated!

We also had a jar full of lots of yummy chocolate candy to guess how many were in there...of course, one of our college students won - Leah! She guessed the exact amount! Good job, Leah! Nathan B. came in a close second!

Although the food, fellowship, and "mini-contests" are always fun, it was time to bring our focus to the REAL reason we were all gathered together - THE one thing all of us have in common or should have in common - our love, passion, and relationship with Jesus Christ. Without the birth of Jesus, there would be no Christmas. Without the birth of Jesus, there would be no hope for all of us. Without the birth of Jesus, there would be no Savior!



For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ~John 3:16 (NIV)

Justin G. challenged all of us with a short devotional from Romans. He reminded us that no matter how ugly our sins are, God still loves us - so much that He sent Jesus to this earth to die for our ugly sins.



But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished - he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Where, then, is bosasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. ~Romans 3:21-27 (NIV)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. ~John 10:10 (NIV)

To finish the evening, more games and fellowship...

While Ivy was playing Jenga, there was only one person who was "strong" enough to turn the big stack of Jenga pieces over to start the game again. This person was called upon every single time a new game of Jenga was to occur. This person was declared by Ivy to have the biggest muscles there. This person was Da - Andy!!!










Merry CHRISTmas!!!!