The Race has been a first for many things for me.. but one of the hardest things was thinking about being away from home for Christmas. Just the thoughts of missing my neice open her gifts Christmas morning, having a big breakfast with my family, watching Christmas movies all afternoon until we went to my grandparent’s for dinner, was becoming almost unbearable.
That is until one of the girls on our squad, Brette, reminded us a few days before Christmas about the blessing it is for us to be here, in Swaziland, serving God’s orphans. She made me think.. as much as I am missing my family this year, what will my Christmas be like next year without all these beautiful children? I’ll be just as sad next year when I wake up to do the same things I’ve done every year, but miss what I have been blessed to experience here this Christmas.
What exactly will I miss??
A candle lit Christmas Eve service that can only be done with my amazing T-Squad
Waking up and having a pancake breakfast with my squad – laughing and telling fun stories
Walking outside to be greeted by my precious “buddies” running up to me smiling – jumping in my arms
Watching 96 orphans gather around to receive gifts from a man dressed as Santa – with looks of excitement and complete joy as they have their arms filled with gifts
Decorating Christmas cookies with my Akeelah, and all the other kids
Having an amazing meal that doesn’t even compare to anything we’ve had in the past six months
As well as the fun and laughter at our White Elephant gift exchange – where I could give a braid of my old hair to someone as a joke
It was nothing what I expected Christmas to be like, but better then I could have imagined! As exhausted as I was by all the activities going on that day, it was a day that was so full of love that I wouldn’t have wanted to miss it for anything! So again.. thank you to all who have loved me, supported me, and encouraged me on the journey – making it possible for me to be here for such a special day.
I wanted to share with you all a gift I received from one of my teammates, Tina, however I couldn’t get it uploaded. So I hope these few pictures from our Team Asha photo shoot will do for now 🙂
XoXoX
-Bri
