After buying the cabin, the cleaning began. We called out to friends and family to help dust and scrub and move in any extra furniture and kitchen supplies anyone had. This will be a retreat for all to share so everyone willingly participated.

While cleaning we decided to go check out the area under the cabin. Among the hot water heaters and pipes and several empty beer cans and bottles and wires and support poles we saw a large black garbage bag. It was covered in dirt and sitting on the dirt foundation.  My daughter, Heather, who never passes up a challenge crawled back as far as she could, being short herself helped, and pulled this large bag out. I especially was nervous when she untied and opened the bag. What if there was a mouse inside or worse,  a whole nest!! When we saw it was greenery we decided to take it to the back porch upstairs and see what else this magical bag held.  To our delight it was a whole Christmas tree. As she pulled and tugged out came old fashioned big tree lights, also covered in mud, and a few homemade ornaments. Heather being a nurse immediately made me throw them away because of mildew but we did keep one and left it outside for a pattern that some day we’ll use as a Christmas craft project. She went to work putting the tree together without instructions and I started washing the old lights. Before long the tree was up and we even found a bow and ribbon that didn’t need too much help. Most of the lights worked when plugged in and now we are ready for Christmas at the cabin too! It’s fun to bring new life into old things.

At this time of year we are reminded more than any other time of our promise to of a new life. God sent his only son to be born for our sakes. Merry Christmas everyone!