May each of you and your families have a joyful Christmas. From the lack of decorations in my neighborhood and talking to a number of families, it appears that many people are making an effort to go "home" to be with extended family this year. Instead of spending a lot of money on presents people seem to be returning to the true meaning of Christmas - family and the many traditions we grew up with and most important, the celebration of the Birth of Christ or the celebration of Hanukkah. Some of you have very ill family members or have lost family members recently and we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers because this will be a difficult time for you. As we reflect on the events of the fall, we all hope the New Year will not bring a repeat and we pray for peace in the world. We hope our service people who are abroad protecting us will be safe and soon return home. Martha