EDITOR'S JOURNAL: November/December 2008

Jodi Schwen
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

I can’t help it. When the holidays roll around, I am increasingly amazed at how blessed we are to live in Lake Country. During my eight-minute commute, I eagerly look to see how the early-morning sun will display its multi-hued splendor. When I cross the parking lot to enter our Riverplace office, I eavesdrop on the geese flying overhead—knowing it may be the last time I hear their companionable chatter until spring. There are many “gems” hidden within our days—gifts from nature, gifts from others, and even gifts from unexpected sources. Do we always pay attention to them? And what better gift to give others than to “pay it forward” from the bounty we’ve received?

Lake Country’s Georgianne Nienaber is one person, but she works tirelessly to tell others about the needs of those in Africa. Nienaber’s name isn’t splashed across world headlines like the actresses who do their deeds with paparazzi in tow, but she is making a difference—one trip, one article, and one day at a time (p. 38). In our “Alternative Gifting” article (p. 42), we’ve provided a few suggestions that can be used to benefit others. From Samaritan’s Purse and Heifer International, to a smaller-scale, yet still notable gift of “self,” we hope you will enjoy a few new ways to give gifts. Eager to share their love of everything Colonial, one area family opens the doors to their New England-style home during a holiday open house (p. 30). We’ve even scattered a few community celebrations throughout the magazine.

It’s like lighting a candle in the darkness. One candle makes a small flame, but when many people each light one candle, the light is hard to ignore.

Enjoy the magazine.
Share your light.