Dear Pat,

What an interesting December and January it has been! It has been cold enough to cover me with furcicles with snow so deep, it engulfed my petite self. Bad weather actually caused cancellation of two Sunday morning services. But more about that in a minute.

One event not getting snowed out was our December 13 Christmas Family Night. The food (crumbs) were wonderful. St. Paul's humans really know how to cook. Suzanne Loveland directed a play written by Pastor Julie a few years ago. A tiny bat portrayed by Jason Holland could think of no gift for the Christ Child. But when a cold wind blew through the stable, he burrowed himself into the hole keeping the draft from the Baby Jesus. When asked what he gave, he answered, "I gave Him me for as long as He needed." Anna Smith, Layla Baker, Jonathan Koontz, and Brian Loveland added musical talents to a very special evening.

The Hanging of the Greens and Junior Choir Sunday were to have been held on the two Sundays closed due to weather. These are both such favorites of all the humans at St. Paul's. It was decided that both would be incorporated into the Christmas Eve service. I've said before that St. Paul's has its heroes. Mary Catlett, Kim Shrum, Anne Holland, Susan Brill, Alberta Smith and Susan Fream scurried around like mice getting costumes ready for an ever changing cast of characters and lining up greens for delivery and presentation. These humans sacrificed their Christmas Eve to make this lovely, popular program happen - heroes indeed. As is often the case, some memorable moments came about from our youngest congregational members - from shy little Bailey who finished her two jobs and ran up to Miss Mary and queried, "What next?" to Gabi Fream who saw an unlit candle and scurried in her angel costume to fix the problem -Angels all.

Speaking of angels, George Swecker arranged for the bank parking lot to be cleared enabling people to park for the Christmas Eve service. Richard Lambert used his snow blower to clear sidewalk areas. Angels of practicality - so important.

During the holidays you possibly heard "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" many times, but do you know the yet to become standard, "Margie, the Black-eyed Secretary"? When our favorite Margie Cook fell and blackened her eye, the Overman girls wrote and performed a song about the event. Look for it soon on the top 40 charts.

This morning's Contemporary Service with all the regulars - Anne Holland, Tim Grant, Bobby Grubbs, Greg Patton, the Stoneburners, and Stephanie Heishman-Litten - was uplifting and joyful on a rainy Sunday. Our choir always pleases my little rodent heart. I love that new church members, Glen and Kay Whetzel, have added their talents to our choir. Hair-standing on end moment came about when Anne Holland (singing) and Pastor Julie (accompanying) performed "Mary, Did You Know". It was amazing.

Sometimes, Pat, Jane lets me ride in her purse to her home and I get to watch TV. The Haitian earthquake is almost more than my little mind can absorb. There are so many American humans helping.

I understand that America has problems and enemies, but in a crisis, the generous spirit of the American people can't be topped. Also I have seen the Haitians singing, washing clothes, cooking, trying to regain some normalcy. Their resilience and courage blows my mind.

Pat, this letter wouldn't have been complete without the help of little mouse reporters.Thanks to them. Your loving brother, Paws, the church mouse (jcm)

As always, your loving brother, Paws, the church mouse (jcm)