Christmas Messages from the Past
My very first Christmas Post was December 2013. “Friends of Copey” was brand new and ready to go. We knew very little for certain about the future then and today we celebrate our seventh Christmas Post of joy. Let’s look back at past Christmas messages.
In 2013, I shared the following:
“On this most special of days, I wish all a very Merry Christmas and a joyful New 
Year. I am so excited about the upcoming year and the possibilities of great things to come.”
So little did we know in December 2013 what “Friends of Copey” would become.
In December 2014, after one full year of this wonderful experimental journey, I was emotionally inspired to share this Christmas message:
“I am truly blessed and the thrill of hope runs rampant within me as I look back at what we have done and looking ahead to see what we could do. Let go and experience the joy of Christmas. Know you have been part of that “Peace on Earth and Goodwill Towards Men (and others)” you hear about. You have been an active partner in the “thrill of hope” in a weary world. A small part of the world is rejoicing today because of you.”
The Christmas message December 2015 reflected my growing appreciation for those who decided to share this very unique adventure with me as we worked to have a meaningful impact on the lives of children in Copey. The Christmas message included messages from “Friends”:
Outstanding accomplishments, Blessings enumerable. Christine C.
What wonderful work is happening at Copey. Love the idea of having a student come up for a US school experience. Cynthia M.
Amazing work! You are an inspiration to us all. May GOD continue to bless you. Paulina V.
You can count on my positive thoughts and my prayers. I truly believe in your venture and we both know “All things are possible, when God is in the mix”. Charles J.
In 2016, the fourth Christmas Post reflected the confidence that our work was truly purposeful and successful. I felt so grateful to have “Friends” who shared this vision and had proven themselves dedicated to this work.
“This Christmas Greeting is my deep and heartfelt message to each of you during this wonderful holiday season. So, please accept this as my Christmas Greeting and my wish for the very best for you and yours and my thank you for all you have done.”
My 2017 Christmas message said;
“It is Christmas Time! It is the time to celebrate the real meaning of the Christmas season and to share the joy of life. My joy is believing we all come into this world for a reason. Jesus could be the very first poster child for a purpose driven life. His birth, His life, and finally His death were totally dedicated to fulfilling that purpose.”
“So, my Christmas message to “Friends” is that as a group of folks we have a purpose. We are divinely called upon to help Copey and we should consider our work a joy for us and a blessing to others.” “Don’t miss the joy”.
The Christmas message in 2018 came in a prayer: 
“As the old year retires and a new one is born, we commit into the hands of our Creator the happenings of the past year and ask for direction and guidance in the new one. May He grant us His grace, His tranquility, and His wisdom!” By Peggy Toney Horton
This year’s Christmas Post, number seven, ties together all the previous Posts with the message of:
“Thanks for believing and supporting this effort. Thanks for your Service as we willingly extend a hand of friendship and support to others in need…for we are called on to be “cheerful and joyful givers”. And, thanks for the joy that does not begin early Christmas morning and does not end late Christmas night. Similar to the work hours of “Friends of Copey”, this joy is at work 24/7 and I encourage all “Friends of Copey”…stay involved and do not miss the joy waiting for us in 2020.”
Merry Christmas!