The Priests sing 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen'

Merry, Merry Christmas!!!!

We are now in the Christmas season, what a beautiful time of the year.  Although the weather may not indicate it the Church readings and prayers certainly do.  During this octave of Christmas we celebrate many different feasts such as the feast of the Holy Family, St. John's feast day as well as the feast of the Holy Innocents.  There is much to reflect on and give thanks and glory to God for His goodness.  There is a different scene however out in the world.  The decorations are down, the sales on Christmas items left in a pile are front and center in most stores on clearance, and the joy of the newly born king has been forgotten.  As we reflect on the birth of the Savior the Church is so wise in celebrating the incarnation of God becoming man for an octave rather than just one day.  We are reminded during this week of those who lived and died for Christ, from the newly born in the Holy Innocents, to St. John who rumor has it lived well past 100.  Each of those who lived and died for Christ made sure to be mindful of what God did for them, not just for one day but for all eternity in stooping so low as to become a helpless child. 
Our faith is a gift.  And, at this time of giving we can be receptive of His gift of himself to us at Christmas, have we truly prepared for him, and are we rejoicing this week for the Love of God in sending His Son in order to redeem us and and call us to be with Him forever.
"Joy to the World, the Lord is come!!"  Leave your decorations up, visit with family and friends and tell them you love them, assist those who need your help.  Pray and thank God for this season and welcome Him into your life, and remember all of the wonderful things he has done for you.
The Murray Clan wishes you all a very blessed and Holy Christmas!!!

World Champion San Francisco Giants Fans!!

A time for waiting... a time for hope...

Yes, Advent is upon us.  We are awaiting the birth of the Savior, we are waiting, preparing the way, and anxious.

Claire has been home for two weeks and we are so glad to have her out of the hospital.  Still, we recently saw the orthopaedic surgeon and Claire had a scoliosis x-ray.  Her scoliosis has progressed and  her spine has slowly developed into an s-shape.  This deformity can cause damage to her organs as well as further complications to her spine and nervous system.  We know that straightening her spine is crucial right now and the Orthopaedist concurs.  Yet, he has not let us know the date of the surgery.  He plans to place more rods and screws from her pelvis up to her mid-back where the current rods are holding up and straightening her neck.  This area is more healthy bone given she did not undergo radiation in that area; the fusion of bone and hardware should heal rather quickly, but be very painful.  Claire has already had two previous spinal fusion surgeries, she is very familiar with it and not looking forward to the experience. Yet she is anxious to have this curvature corrected, to have this surgery behind her.  Claire wants to have the surgery and move on with her life, and school, and the future.
We saw the surgeon last week and still do not have a surgery date.  There are many different specialists involved in her care - the neurosurgeon, the orthopaedic surgeon, the plastic surgeon, not to mention the oncologist and the neurologist that all help to care for her total health.  We are very blessed to have so many dedicated and compassionate surgeons and specialists monitoring and assisting in such delicate procedures.  We also maintain hope because the Orthopaedist mentioned that she may regain some of her leg functioning once her spine is straightened.  This is our prayer as we wait in this joyful season of Hope for our Savior to come.  We pray for His healing touch, we hope for success, we wait for a date and we are anxious for results. 
There are always so many things to pray for, so many opportunities in our lives need prayer, members of our family who need prayer, our friends need prayer, the Church needs prayer,  the world needs prayer.  We are so thankful to so many who keep Claire and the Murray family among their prayer lists.  Be assured of our prayers for all of you who have been so generous in praying for us.
Once we have a date for the surgery and the next step we will certainly post it.  But in the mean time we wait.... and always have hope...