Dear Friends,

A Christmas gift for my friends...
 
I can hardly believe that its this time of year again! With all the bad news around, my thoughts turn to the idea of bringing and being good news. Christmas is a wonderful opportunity for just that. people are so much more open as they search for hope and meaning amongst the hustle and bustle.
 
Christmas time for me is a time for contacting old friends, and family. I'm part of a large extended family. There are many cousins and grown up nieces and nephews as well as brothers and sisters.So there are lots of evenings sat by the fire, writing Christmas cards, trying to make this once a year contact count! As I think of old friends I remember a dream I had in September 1998, after my dream I wrote this poem, I'd like to share it with you, here it is:

I thought you were my friend 
 
It's Judgment day and here I stand
knocking at heavens door
will you go in my friend?
 
I thought you were my friend,
I was thirsty,
but you had the water of life and you never gave me to drink
 
I thought you were my friend
we often dined together
but you had the bread of life 
and you never gave me to eat
 
We laughed, we joked
our children grew together
we shared deep secrets
 
but you had the words of eternal life
and you kept them your hidden treasure
 
We played, we partied
I introduced you to all my friends
 
But you knew Jesus
the friend of the friendless
you knew the answer to all my problems
and you never told me.
 
So here I stand and knock at heavens door
will you go in?
 
I thought you were my friend
 
(© copyright Norma J Murrain 1998) 

I woke up in a cold sweat and vowed this is one dream that would not come true for me. EVERY ONE I CALL A FRIEND WILL KNOW ABOUT JESUS! So all my cards and gifts carry a bible verse or inspirational message and I hope I'll never miss an opportunity to live the gospel or to share the gospel!
 
We have had a busy year and it was great to meet so many friends at exhibitions around the country. Thank you for all your kind comments and encouragement. Our collection has really grown and our website now has almost 300 designs! Please visit soon, for extra special inspirational gifts for all your loved ones.
   
Thank you again for your prayers, please continue to pray for us as we continue to 'be church in the community' at our workshop. Please pray that God will continue to open doors for our message in 2009. That he will go before us into new lands as we seek to supply in Europe and the USA and that God will continue to use us as we seek to share the gospel through silver.
       
Seasonal greetings to you and yours, may your Christmas be filled with love and friendship and may the joy of the lord always be your strength. 
 
Love and blessings in Jesus,