The days are rushing by and Christmas is almost here! It is hard to feel like 'the season' when we have 75* days and blue sunny skies along with flowers blooming that are not 'christmasy'. Our flowerbeds are full of blooming geraniums and the tulip tree still has some flowers. Somehow to plop poinsettias in the middle of such foliage doesn't look right! In spite of appearance, we decided to get into the spirit and have done some special baking along with some chocolaty treats. Wednesday the church ladies came for a cookie baking exchange. After sharing a bunch of cookies, we ate lunch together. I enjoyed the morning even though I wasn't involved with the baking. Last night was the staff Christmas meal. We had a great time and Janelle had things beautifully decorated. The meal was delicious and then we got to sing some English carols after Roy told the Christmas story. He has a way of making it come alive and keeping the children's attention. The last thing we did was listen to the story of Mr. Toomie. The candle light, festive spirit, good friends, good food and thankful hearts made for a memorable evening. Today is the first day of school vacation and we celebrated by having breakfast a bit later than normal and making waffles! Marta and Priscila left on Wed. to spend 2 weeks with their families, so this morning Jared and I were mopping floors and wiping off the dining room chairs. The work load isn't as big as normal because we aren't getting any guests that we know of. So we will try to balance the work that needs to be done along with a bit of holiday time. This morning we were talking about what work needed to be done and the never ending dishes that seem to need washing, when Roy came into the kitchen and told us of a family in their church that had a 16 year old son who got killed in an accident in March and then yesterday the family was driving and got hit by a drunk driver and the 11 year old boy is in critical condition! Talk about perspective. "O God forgive me when I whine"...
One thing about Christmas this year that makes it special is the fact that we are so clearly reminded of the reality that 'things' are not what make Christmas!! There is the sweetest lady that has such a hard life that most of us would think we have a right to be bitter and to self medicate to ease our pain, but she sings and laughs and looks to God for strength. She has money to buy rice and beans for her Christmas meal, but no money for specil food, and instead of complaining, she looks forward to the fact that her sister is coming to visit. There is another family lives in a continuous battle just to keep food in the house. Two days ago, they had no food and the daughter works to provide for the whole family. They do what ever they can find to do, selling donuts and such like. How can I go spend money on more clothes, decorations, and things when I see such suffering? These are poignant reminders that contentment and a grateful heart is not an option, but a Bible command! So Christmas in the tropics is.... enjoying family and friends.... drinking fresh strawberry lemonade... sitting in the sun soaking up the warmth...... singing 'we wish you a merry christmas' in English, while dropping off some packages at a home..... hugging the hurting showing love through the language barrier.......... sitting in candlelight listening to Mr. Toomie.........watching the children play an active game of tag in the dark......... playing games.......... planning a treasure hunt for Jared to make finding a few fire crackers an adventure..... but most of all, remembering that Jesus was willing to come down here and live on this earth and face the hatred and rejection of so many of his creation, willing to die on the cross; he was willing to do that for me! That truly is what makes Christmas the most beautiful time of the year! ...............................................................................Merry Christmas!
