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A HAPPY LAW ENFORCEMENT HOLIDAY SEASON! ...Part 1

"This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad
in it." Psalm 118:24 (NAS)

Ladies, the holidays are approaching and will be here before you know
it! So today we will begin discussing how to have a "Happy Law
Enforcement Holiday Season"!

One of the biggest frustrations for law enforcement wives is not
having their hubby home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and/or New
Year's Eve. For many, those holidays are associated with special
traditions and feelings. There can be a sense of loneliness and loss
when a holiday cannot be shared with your husband because he is
working. In order to relax and enjoy the holidays as a law
enforcement family, you'll need to change your mind-set a bit, do some
early organizing, and be creative!

This week, let's talk about scheduling the celebration. Who says that
Thanksgiving or Christmas have to be on a certain day? And New Years
is still the New Year if it's the 2nd or 3rd or 4th of January! They
are simply days set aside to celebrate. So... pick a day that your
husband is off and make THAT your holiday! We have to get away from
being obsessed with a particular DAY being the only time to
celebrate. EVERY day is given to us by the Lord and any day can be
declared your holiday!

What if his hours don't fascilitate a traditional holiday dinner? How
about trying something new, like "Thanksgiving Breakfast"
or "Christmas Breakfast" or a "Midnight Feast" or "Happy 1st Week of
the New Year"? I did a Thanksgiving breakfast one year when the
family couldn't be together for dinner, and it was a blast! My kids
still ask for it every year! Imagine a mega-breakfast with several
choices and "trimmings"! You can still get the table decked out and
serve juice in wine glasses!

Another fun alternative is to see if the department will let the
wives bring in Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinner, or a New Year's
Eve spread for the officers on his shift. What a way to spice up the day and
bless the officers who are stuck working the actual holiday!

Ladies, God would want us to put our mind-set on making memories and
enjoying the family during these holiday months rather than moping
over what is missing. This can be your best holiday season yet!

Next time we will be discussing ways to get through the holiday
months without CHAOS, even if you are having to do most of the
planning yourself because of your husband's work schedule! You can do
it!

PRAYER: Father, thank you for our families and for the chance to make
memories with them! Help us to let go of perfectionism and to enjoy
our loved ones through this upcoming holiday season! In Jesus' name,
amen.
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