Ok, so I didn't hear any bells, but Christmas was GREAT! As Tiny Tim would say, "GOD BLESS US EVERY ONE!"
Christmas Eve was a lot of fun this year, and very unique. The past several years, I have spend Christmas Eve in Arrayanes with Mily and Sandy and their family (which is like half of the Arrayanes church body). This year, I did the same, but I SPENT THE NIGHT (Sandy was VERY excited about this..it was the first time!) and was blessed to be able to wake up Christmas morning with a family instead of alone. :)
Their family from Guadalajara was visiting, so the house and yard were PACKED! The evening started with Aide's birthday celebration since her birthday is Christmas Eve. She turned 14!!! Next year on Christmas Eve, we'll be celebrating her Quinceaneara! Wow! It's hard to believe that this girl who was a shy, quiet, 11-year-old when I first came to know her is now quite grown up and outgoing and bubly and beautiful..and turning into a beautiful young lady inside and out!
(Left) The birthday cake (made by Sandy), two sets of cookies (made by me), and jello fruit cups (made by her aunt); (Right) Aide blowing out her candles.
After Aide's birthday dinner and cake, we moved on to the Christmas celebration. In Mexico, the big day is Christmas Eve, not Christmas Day. So, they make their big meals and gather with the family and have their parties on that night. Ours was no different. We ate really great food, and enjoyed lots of loud music and fun fellowship.
All the women of the family 14 years and older participated in a gift exchange, and I was invited to take part in that as well. It was a lot of fun. Then right around midnight, the rest of us opened our Christmas gifts (the girls and I had gifts for each other and they as family had gifts for each other).
(Left) The women preparing for the gift exchange; (Right) Sandy and I with our matching braceletes & necklaces that her mom gave us for Christmas.
(Left) Aide with her birthday present from Sandy & I; (Right) The throw pillows the girls gave me for Christmas!!
We stayed up until almost 3 am around the camp fire outside, roasting marshmellows, laughing, and talking. Christmas morning we woke up and had breakfast together, extended family and all. Then we all piled in the truck and headed to Cofradia for the Christmas church service. It was a great service! The small children presented their poems and Christmas drama, and the older children sang "Angels We Have Heard on High" accompanied by one of them on the saxophone (he's a beginner, but doing VERY well). Then the adults were given the opportunity to share testimonies or praises and thanks. It was a really neat time as we all reflected on the last year and God's goodness to us in every moment of it!
When church was over, and I had a good time talking to my family on the phone. I always get a little melancholy later in the day because I miss them so much, but after talking and sharing about our days, it's always beter. :) One of these years "I'll be home for Christmas..." once again, but until then I hope you all enjoyed your own Christmas celebrations and that your 2009 will be full of the presence of the Risen Savior!
Recent Comments