Feliz Navidad!

This year I celebrated my first international Christmas here in Fresnillo, and I am delighted to say it was a great one! Since it was also my first Christmas away from my family, I was a little worried about feeling homesick, but the Lord was so faithful to provide me with lots of joy and contentment. I could really tell people were specifically praying about this for me. Here are some "holiday highlights"....

Christmas Eve-In the morning, we handed out cookie plates to church families in the colonia. That evening, we had a Christmas Eve service at our church. Afterwards, Meredith, Felicia, and I went to different families' homes to celebrate. First, we went to our teammate and friend Ruth's house. We had both "rojo" and "verde" tamales and ponche (a delicious, hot drink made with fruit). Then, we went to Olga (and family)'s house. At Olga's, I chose to eat pozole (a yummy, red soup that has chicken and lots of other good stuff in it). Since "La Nochebuena" or Christmas Eve is the day more Mexicans celebrate than actual Christmas Day itself, it was lots of fun to visit with dear friends on this night.

Christmas Day-Felicia and I opened a few presents together by our quaint Christmas tree at the Patio and both enjoyed talking to our families on the phone that morning. Then, we went over to Meredith's for a delicious Christmas Day brunch--breakfast casserole, zucchini bread, pancakes, and pineapple. Later that afternoon, we went over to the Jones' house and were greeted by Sammy and Eric who were SO excited about their new dinosaur toys! :) We had a scrumptious feast Christy had prepared, complete with ham, potatoes, rolls from the U.S., a green salad, and a jello/fruit salad. After dinner, we read the Advent book, sang some Christmas carols, and had a birthday cake for Jesus. We also played cards and Catchphrase after the kids went to bed. What a great day!

The Day after Christmas-Saturday was a busy work day as usual, and I was on Torta (our free, weekly feeding program we have for kids and youth). That night, however, my mom was coming to visit. She had flown in to Guadalajara and then taken the bus from there. It was about 10 PM when she finally arrived, and she had quite the surprise with her...my dad and brother!!! I wish you could have seen the mixture of shock and excitement on my face or heard it in my voice, but those of you who know me well can probably imagine. ;) They didn't even know that they were all three coming until just a day or two before Christmas, and it's a neat story in itself (for another day) but full of God's sovereignty and the generosity of our sweet neighbors.

The Week After Christmas-My family stayed in Fresnillo from Saturday night to Thursday morning. On Thursday morning, we went to Guadalajara together. I spent Thursday night with them there and then came back on the bus Friday afternoon, and they flew home early Saturday morning. I am SO thankful they could all come--it was such a blessing and gift! Some of my favorite memories from their visit include: taking them to church and introducing them to so many people, us all going to a party at the house of one of my favorite family's from church, eating at the Italian restaurant in Zac, showing them the abandoned convent and throwing the frisbee with Paul there, having good talks with them individually and together as a family, and eating at Chili's on New Year's Eve and watching U.S. college football!