(I had pictures to put up but internet is being stubborn
Christmas has already come and gone?! Where’s the snow? Or at least the cooler temps? The cookies? None of these were included in my Christmas this year!
This is what it did look like…
Decorations were one strand of lights, paper snowflakes, paper chimney complete with paper stockings, a cardboard Christmas tree, a paper wreath, and a Merry Christmas banner.
Watching a Christmas movie on Christmas Eve with the pastor’s family and a few others who help around the house and church. We also blessed them with small gifts and candy. Most of their families struggle to get by and don’t receive gifts so this was special for them.
Exchanging gifts with the team on Christmas morning. There were chocolates, favorite foods, a few books, and gag gifts.
Becca, Emily, and I enjoy running but for safety reasons we always have to go with at least one other person. Our teammate Josh bought “Team Walkers” for us so we could have even more fun working out together. Haha! (The pic was us doing the team walkers. It's a plastic piece with places to strap your feet and ropes to hold. Three people stand on it and try to walk. Try is a key word here!)
Church service in the morning. A four-hour long one, complete with plenty of dancing and a couple sermons. Afterwards, everyone stuck around for a big Christmas meal together of rice, greens, potatoes, and a small piece of meat.
For a little bit in the afternoon, some of us went to visit a family from the church. I always love hearing people’s stories about the freedom and joy they now have because of what Christ has done in their lives. Along with her children Paul, Charity, Hope, and a younger son. She struggles to get by but she is still filled with a peace that passes all understanding because she has the hope of Christ. This is an extraordinary family with servant’s hearts and I feel blessed that I was able to sit in their home and talk with them.
Finished the evening watching the Santa Clause movie. Good times!
Although there were things that I missed about being home, I wouldn’t have traded all of this to be back in the States. There’s something to be said about having a simple celebration, not being focused on the gifts, serving others, and remembering the reason that we do celebrate. This will be a Christmas I won’t forget.
