It's not the beginning or the destination that counts. It's the ride in between . . .

“It's not getting from A to B. It's not the beginning or the destination that counts. It's the ride in between...This train is alive with things that should be seen and heard. It's a living, breathing something -- you just have to want to learn its rhythm.”  ~ David Baldacci

In December we gathered at Paula's lovely Victorian home to celebrate the Christmas season, have our book exchange and a lovely potluck Christmas luncheon. Stephanie, Suzanne, Paulette, Carolyn, Paula, Darlene, Ann, Lillian,Patti, Brittany and Sandy attended.  We had a wonderful lunch of roast chicken, rice pilaf, green salad, Italian Wedding soup, home-made rolls, vegetables, Sparkling Grape Juice, as well as pie and ice cream.

Our book exchange is always lively, as you are allowed to "steal" a book twice, but the third owner gets to keep it, unless the first person to get a gift (who also ends up being the last person to choose) decides to steal it away.  
 Paula always has a festive table set for the Christmas luncheon

 These banners change throughout the year.

Brittany, Lilian and Suzanne

Sandy, Paulette, Carolyn and Patti

Some fun quotes from The Christmas Train:
“It's often said that God works in mysterious ways. You have to really think about what He's trying to do. You can't be lazy and believe in God; He doesn't make it that easy. It takes spirit and faith and passion to really believe. Like most things worthwhile in life, you get back what you put into it. Only with faith, you get back a lot more.” 
― David Baldacci, The Christmas Train

“It’s been my experience that most folk who ride trains could care less where they’re going. For them it’s the journey itself and the people they meet along the way. You see, at every stop this train makes, a little bit of America, a little bit of your country, gets on and says hello. That’s why trains are so popular at Christmas. People get on to meet their country over the holidays. They’re looking for some friendship, a warm body to talk to. People don’t rush on a train, because that’s not what trains are for. How do you put a dollar value on that? What accounting line does that go on?” 
― David Baldacci, The Christmas Train

Crocodile on the Sandbanks by Elizabeth Peters - October

“When one is striding bravely into the future one cannot watch one's footing. ” 

― Elizabeth Peters

“I disapprove of matrimony as a matter of principle.... Why should any independent, intelligent female choose to subject herself to the whims and tyrannies of a husband? I assure you, I have yet to meet a man as sensible as myself! (Amelia Peabody)” 
― Elizabeth Peters, Crocodile on the Sandbank

Our October book club was held at Patti's home.  We discussed Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters.  The book was enjoyed by everyone and many discussed a desire to read more of Elizabeth Peters' books.

Amelia Peabody's father leaves her everything in his will because she is intelligent and is the only child who is interested in history and archaeology as he was.  This enables her to travel abroad in order to follow her enthusiasm for antiquities.  Crocodile on the Sandbank is the first in the Amelia Peabody mystery series. It is in this book that  Amelia and her consort, Evelyn Forbes travel to Egypt, where they find Radcliffe and Walter Emerson excavating.  People and antiquities disappear, and a ghost seems to be haunting their camp at night.  Amelia and Radcliffe Emerson  detest each other at first, it seems, but after he becomes very ill, Amelia keeps his excavation going.  They grudgingly begin to respect one another. They solve the mystery together and Amelia and Radcliffe Emerson begin their life together as husband and wife.

“Your trousers are on fire. I would have told you, but you so dislike advice...” 

― Elizabeth Peters  

Let It Go by Chris Williams

"You can't always appreciate why you should keep moving forward until you've gone far enough to see the progress you've made." ~ Chris Williams, Time Out for Women

In November, we met at Sandy's home to discuss, Let It Go a True Story of Tragedy and Forgiveness, by Chris Williams.
We all learned a great deal from this book. Chris lost his wife and unborn child and two of  four children in a tragic auto accident in Salt Lake City.  It is his journey of forgiving the young man who hit them and working through the terrible loss he and his children faced.  He shows great faith and trust in the Lord and relies on the Savior to make it through each day.  

This is a remarkable true story, one of faith, fortitude, trust in the Lord, and being able to see and understand the burden that another person or family carries.  Chris reached out to the young man and his family and this is something rare in today's world.  We all felt that experiences and trials that Chris faced as he grew up helped him get through this difficult experience and has helped him teach others as well to trust in the Lord.