While seeing Christmas through the eyes of the clients of Big Sandy Activities you once again discover the magic of the season. We discover we can celebrate life in the smallest things and find real joy in the process. On every other Monday Sister Kathleen, Connie Green, and LeRita McKeever from Saint Margaret Mary's Catholic Church come and lead the individuals with a fun and interactive bible study at the BSA center. The individuals role play the lesson at least three times, before they get their roles down pat. They don't mind the redo, because it is a fun experience every time they act it out. This last Monday they acted out the nativity story with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, Angels, Shepherds, and inn keepers, while singing hymns of Christmas. After the lesson and the music, they went around the circle of friends and colleagues and prayed for the ones they love. This bible study was made very special because every one of the clients were given their own special pillowcase. The catholic women know them well, because each pillowcase was made with the interest of the individuals in mind. Such a simple gift brought them so much joy.

The women of the Catholic Church believe they gain more from their relationship with everyone then they give. They've watched them grow, enjoy their unique approach to their friends and an honest connection to God. It is very rewarding relationship.

Monday night also brought Rotary to home to sing Christmas Carols. Every year they go to the nursing home and sing to the seniors in the dining room before they come to sing for BSA It' s just one of those simple little things that Rotary does that no one knows they do. It exemplifies, in a simple way, the heart of this service organization. When they come to BSA it has come to signal the start of all Christmas celebrating for Big Sandy Activities. Big Sandy Activities appreciates their efforts on behalf of the individuals served at BSA.

Thursday BSA had their first open house at the new day program. It appears that so many of the issues of the new building are now behind them and it seemed like a grand time to open the doors and ask everyone to come in. Although in years past Big Sandy Activities would easily celebrate with more decorations and light, however we now decorate with a little less fuss, because so much stimulation greatly affects individuals with Autism. It is the hope of this open house that Big Sandy residents would become a part of the lives of people who choose to live in Big Sandy and become a part of woven fabric of who we are.