... About Birthdays and Being a Twin

      On Tuesday, December 18th my twin sister, Lena and I celebrated our birthday. It was a lot of fun growing up being a twin.  We enjoyed the times that people had to guess who we were - who was Lena and who was Lela.  However, if people checked closely they could tell us apart. It was also fun when our children would get us mixed up. Lena's children would call me “mom” and my children would call her “mom” But confusing teaches at school and guys we dated was the most fun of all! The picture shown is when Lena and I had a fun day shopping, buying look-alike outfits and getting our picture taken 18 years ago for our 50th birthday. Lena says she does not tell anyone how old she is; so note I didn't tell how old she is now! LOL. It’s quite amazing that next June we plan to attend our 50th high school class reunion.  Boy, the time sure has gone by fast. I wonder how many of our former classmates will be able to tell us apart!

     I find something interesting about being a twin when Lena and I were small - when one of us did something naughty we never told on the other one and we both took the punishment; so there were times when I was punished for something I didn't do and she was punished for something I did that she didn't do. Now that I am older I am quite amazed as to why we would take the punishment for something we hadn't done. I decided that there's a sermon in that somewhere because isn't that what Jesus did for us when he died on the cross? The scripture tells us that Jesus committed no sin and yet He took upon Himself our punishment, went to the cross and died for us so that we could be forgiven of our sins and have eternal life.  With Christmas just around the corner keep in mind that is why Jesus came as the baby in the manger. The cross was His destiny. The angels announced His birth, the wise men worshipped Him and gave Him awesome gifts, the shepherd's visited Him in wonder and Mary pondered all the things that had happened at the birth of her son Jesus Christ the Messiah. Always remember that Jesus is the reason for the season and to keep Christ in Christmas for without Christ there would be no Christmas. Recently I filled in for a pastor when he was absent from his church. It was the first Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of “Hope.” For my text I used the scripture, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NIV) That is my prayer for you for the coming year.

Lena's & Lela's 50th Birthday