Last Christmas I gave you my heart and the very next day you gave it away.
This year, to save me from tears, I'll give it to someone special.
I think it goes without saying that this year is going to be different than any other year of my life but sometimes I forget that- even though paragliding through the mountains of Nepal and praying for hundreds of people in Indian villages have become daily life for me- it's probably still extremely interesting for people at home. So on that note, I have compiled a list of some things I'm experiencing this Christmas that are a little different than last Christmas.
Last Christmas…
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I ate several generous helpings of my mother's infamous prime rib.
This year…
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I eat generous helpings of rice and curry for every meal. EVERY meal.
Last Christmas…
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I ate several pieces of pie, my Aunt Dawn's strawberry pretzel jello, a whole lot of sweet potatoes and probably an entire cream cheese pumpkin roll.
This year…
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Finding a “French Bakery” in India with “American style” cinnamon rolls was the highlight of my week.
Last Christmas…
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I spent hundreds of dollars on gifts.
This year…
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I bought all of my Christmas gifts from a Nepalese marketplace for under 40 bucks.
Last Christmas…
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I talked to my mom about Jesus for hours in a Pier One parking lot.
This year…
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I talk to Jesus about my mom from a rooftop in India.
Last Christmas…
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I spent countless hours driving back and forth from Grand Rapids in the snow.
This year…
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I spend my days driving from village to village in rickshaws.
Last Christmas…
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I read the story of Christ's birth to my family on Christmas morning.
This year…
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My team does daily advent readings to remind us to be ready for Christ's coming.
Last Christmas…
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I couldn't wait for January 1st to road trip down to Georgia and attend Passion.
This year…
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I am preparing my own sermons and preaching to people who don't have the option of choosing between multiple Christian conferences.
Last Christmas…
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I took for granted my air conditioned gym and the elliptical in my living room.
This year…
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The girls on my team put on modest layers of clothing to go running at midnight in an effort to exercise without dying of heat stroke.
Last Christmas…
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I packed & wrapped a box for Operation Christmas Child.
This year…
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I find old Operation Christmas Child boxes lying around in churches and meet the children who received them.
Last Christmas…
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I took hour long showers and dried off with fluffy towels in my own personal bathroom.
This year…
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I walk down the street to shower with buckets full of cold water next to a squatty potty guarded by a small dog.
Last Christmas…
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I brought all my laundry home from college knowing that my momma would do it for me.
This year…
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Indian women teach me how to do my laundry by beating the clothing repeatedly on the cement ground, rinsing it with well water and hanging it to dry.
Last Christmas…
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I had a hard time with public prayer.
This year…
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I pray over more people each week than I have in my whole life.
Last Christmas…
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I chased children around during Sunday school once a week.
This year…
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Children follow us in flocks, chase our cars down the streets and hang from window sills just to watch us doing daily activities.
Last Christmas…
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I went midnight sledding with my friends.
This year…
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I aim to be asleep with my earplugs in and eye mask on by 10 p.m.
Last Christmas…
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Melissa and I made sonic and taco bell runs multiple times a week.
This year…
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Loren and I joke that if we pop enough meflouquin (malaria pills) we might be able to hallucinate some fast food into our lives.
Last Christmas…
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I struggled to remember to do a quiet time everyday and when I did they lasted a half hour tops.
This year…
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I value my Jesus time more than I ever have and struggle to get through a day without it.
Last Christmas…
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I wore strapless dresses to Christmas parties.
This year…
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The women in my village go into hysterics if they see a half inch of my shoulder uncovered.
Last Christmas…
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My whole family fought for a chance to hold and cuddle MacKenzie.
This year…
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I hold babies covered in bedsores because the women at the orphanage refuse to pick them up.
Merry Christmas everyone! Thanks again for following my blog 🙂
& a special thanks to my best friend for making me this Christmas video…
