Merry Christmas from Guyana!

I had promised myself (and my mother…sorry Mom!) that I would give you all a Christmas gift with a blog post on December 25, but as you can tell I fell through with that. In a way though I am glad. By not posting right away about everything that has happened since the concerts I have given myself even more time to reflect on everything that has happened, and what a Christmas away from everything I have known and loved my whole life really means.

Last Sunday I was asked to give a talk at church. All they told me was that it should be something about Christmas, but other than that it was up to me. (They seem to decide that I get free reign of talk topics while they tell everyone else the topic, it is a little unnerving…) I talked about traditions that happen every year. I could play out the picture exactly. Christmas Eve comes and Mom, Dad, and I all go to Asbury for the Christmas Eve service, when it is over we head home to pick up some food and then head out to Grotewold’s where we usually have three soups. I even described types, smells, and tastes of each soup. On Christmas morning we wake up and have sweet cinnamon bread and egg bake before we open stockings, then gifts, and lastly cards. I also told them that this was my first Christmas out of the Midwest and away from my family. Traditions are good, but sometimes they can put you in a rut and you miss the real reason for the celebration. It is good for me to be completely away from traditions and family just to remind me what we really celebrate for and to give me a larger perspective on the world. I think that may have been one of my favorite talks I have ever given in church.

Christmas Eve is another giant party in New Amsterdam just like Town Day was. We walked around Main and Pitt Streets looking at all of the stores who were open for last minute shoppers. There were multiple people in Santa costumes as well as Spiderman, Dora the Explorer, and Elmo for picture opportunities. We went out three times, and each time we became smaller in numbers. The first time it was all six of us (Clarie’s family is here visiting), then just the three teachers, and finally just Dan and I. We ended up walking laps up and down the streets, talking, and seeing plenty of familiar faces. It was a great night. Christmas morning came bright and early at the music house. Everyone was up by 5:30 because church started at 6:00. It was a great Christmas morning service, but as soon as it was over we all came home and went back to bed. We ate breakfast around 11:00 and Eric and Vivian joined us for a little while (more on that later). We opened gifts and at lupper (lunch/supper) around 4:00 when we had finished all of the day’s festivities for the most part. We ended the day by watching two of the Star Wars movies. All in all it was a wonderful and quiet Christmas.

Eric and Vivian have decided to have a progressive gift for the twelve days of Christmas. So far we have had three red pens, two rubber gloves, and a cartridge in a bare tree. We look forward to seeing the Roberts this afternoon and find out what day four holds. It is rather fun to try to get in their heads and figure out what the next day might hold. So far I have been wrong every day, so if you have any great guesses let me know!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I pray for blessings on each and every one of you as you travel, see family, and celebrate with one another. Thank you for all of the support and your Christmas greetings! Have a safe rest of your 2014!