Christmas looks a little different this year. First things first, I am looking around me and I do not see any snow only the sun and zebras. This also happens to be my first Christmas away from home and away from my family. I could sit here and focus on the negatives but instead I chose to be overwhelmingly greatful. I am here, in Zambia, doing what I love with a group of people you might as well call family. My mom wrote me a Christmas letter that I was reading this morning and it said something along the lines of home isn’t the place you are but the people you are with, yes I am away from my family but I would definitely consider myself home with the people surrounding me. I know that next year I am going to be longing for times such as these and that is such a crazy thought right now but I know it’s true.
Here’s a peek of what my Christmas has looked like thus far.
First of all, my Christmas Eve night was crazy, it poured, the entire sky was full of thunder and flashes of lighting that lit up my tent. I woke up at 4 am for the priceless opportunity to Skype in and join my church families’ Christmas service, I love those people so much and it was so sweet to have a piece of home this Christmas from the people who have supported me more than I know and that I can say without a doubt pray for me everyday. The connection wasn’t great but it is something I’ll treasure forever. Instead of going back to bed, Elisabeth and I made cinnamon buns and coffee in the dark before the sun rose and brought them out to the island for our team to enjoy while we read Luke 2 and exchanged our secret santa presents. Then it was due time for some rest, we also brought cake and some carols over to the kids at the children’s home. After a popcorn lunch we headed into town to use wifi and swim! I got to talk to my family for the first time in I think over a month and it was so special after living in the village for quite some time to connect with them and on Christmas morning to top it off. I went for one last dip and we are now about to head home and maybe enjoy a camp fire?
I really am feeling blessed this holiday season by everyone’s love and support for me. I also want to thank everyone who comments on my blogs and posts, I read them all and they make my heart oh so happy.
Merry Christmas
Love,
Sydney
