"That Fun!"

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Tonight we celebrated Christmas with my dad and stepmom with a ride on the Handy Dandy Train. My boys love anything that involves trains so this was a very exciting evening for them! We got to ride in the caboose and see all the beautiful Christmas lights. After the train ride we visited the petting zoo, rode some ponies, and toasted marshmallows. Tonight's weather was perfect, not too hot or too cold. It was definitely the perfect evening for celebrating Christmas in the country.

My little family waiting on the train
Dylan and Evan with Grammie and Popsy
Evan loved seeing the Christmas lights through the train window
Evan loved holding the chicken! 
Dylan thought this rabbit was funny!
The pony rides...
YUM!
During the train ride, the train stopped so the passengers could watch a short film. Guess what?!? The film wasn't about Santa, elves, the North Pole, or even assorted holiday traditions. This film was about the birth of Jesus! It was so amazing to see the real reason for this season being celebrated! I absolutely love that the owners of the Handy Dandy train use this opportunity to share Jesus with the thousands of folks that come to ride the train. 

At the end of the short film, the narrator read John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life." As soon as Dylan realized what verse was being read, he looked up at me with big eyes. He said very loudly, "That is my favoritest verse in the whole wide world!" It warmed my heart to see him get so excited about scripture. 

Today I am thankful for a fun evening with family on the Handy Dandy Train! Dylan and Evan love riding the Christmas train with Grammie and Popsy every year. I am also grateful that the true meaning of Christmas was emphasized during the train ride. It is so rare to hear the story of Jesus told so boldly and openly. Somehow Santa and elves and make believe are exaggerated while the birth of our Savior is forgotten. It was so wonderful to see the real Christmas story tonight and to hear scripture being read aloud.  Mostly, I am thankful that we are able to do so many fun, exciting things with our little guys to help make this season special. When we got in the car tonight Evan said, without any prompting, "That Fun!" Our sweet boys had so much fun and so did we!




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