Merry Christmas!

by Amy

I hope you had a great Christmas this year as you reflected on the perfect, precious gift that was given to us 2000 years ago! We had a wonderful Christmas this year. On Wednesday night, we had about 20 friends over. We had fun sharing the story with those who had never heard it before as well introducing them to traditional American Christmas cookies. They weren't too sure about the colored icing on the sugar cookies, though.... We also had lots of fun doing a gift exchange and playing some games together. Then, on Christmas Eve morning, we were invited to attend a special gathering of about 700 local, like-minded friends as they celebrated our Savior's birth! It was such a precious thing to get to be apart of - It gave us a glimpse of heaven when those of every tongue, tribe and nation will worship before the King! What a blessing!

Later on Christmas Eve, we each decorated our own heart-shaped birthday cake for Jesus. After dinner and finishing our wonderful advent book, we sang Happy Birthday and enjoyed some delightful chocolate cake! Here are each of the kids displaying their hearts. You gotta love the "V" for victory, my boys are giving ya! That's what all the locals do in every picture they take!

We had quite a bit of batter left over, so we made and decorated some cup cakes too! Mmmm!

On Christmas morning, after eating blueberry muffins for breakfast, we packed up about 50 bags of Christmas cookies and little booklets and hit the streets. We had fun wishing the people we see everyday a merry Christmas. We visited the management office of our apartment complex, the apartment cleaning people and security guards. We also went to the newspaper stands, vegetable market, and flower store. We also went by Savannah's school and took a special gift to her principal and teachers. That afternoon we returned home to do a video call with Brad's mom, and let her watch the kids open some gifts.

This year, our kids Christmas gifts had 2 themes. Leapster and Legos! My boys are so into legos! So, this Christmas I think they each received four sets. And, Savannah really enjoys the Leapster that my parents gave her for her birthday last summer. But she only had 2 games. So, while we were in the States, Brad and I bought several more cartridges to give to her. They also got some fun books, Adventures in Odyssey CDs, markers, a digital camera (for Savannah) and color wonder stuff.

While the gifts were quite abundant, they serve to remind us that "every good and perfect gift comes down from our Father above." And that 2000 years ago the best gift of all was given! This holiday season, may you know the rest and peace that He can provide! Merry Christmas!