Christmas Time

If some of the recent posts were too whiny, or I complained too much, I sincerely apologize. It is important to be honest about my struggles, I think (and I truly appreciate everyone’s prayers and encouragement), but at the same time there is so very much to be grateful for. This last week was fantastic. Our Christmas party was even better than I hoped for, and as we sat there with a few dozen friends laughing and talking and making plans to hang out again next week and thinking of how we had met each of them and all that God has done here so far, I felt overwhelmingly blessed. I don’t deserve this life and these friends, but by God’s grace He has given them to me.

Our friend/boss Carolyn came all the way from Washington to spend a few days with us this week. She is amazing. Funny and energetic and kind and compassionate and extremely wise, she played a huge part in making this week good for all of us. Thank you to her and her family for sacrificing time and more for her to be able to be here with us.

So, there is this Santa train-type-vehicle that drives around the Korzo (this long plaza thing lined with shops and buildings in the center of the city that everyone walks through all the time) and kids ride on it. There are loud speakers attached that blast Christmas music for all to hear. Well, mainly Christmas music. They also play a few random Johnny Cash songs, and Pete said he heard DMX (!) the other day, too. I’d like to ride on it sometime.

Last night Taylor and Michelle and I watched ‘White Christmas’ – also known as the best Christmas movie of all time. Is anyone with me on this?

Matt, one of our bosses and perhaps the funniest person many of us have ever met, created a blog for John. Hopefully he will keep updating it with increasingly scandalous and bizarre content until, at last, John is motivated enough to start one of his own.

Currently listening to: Christmas music by Nat King Cole