Day 10: Christmas Down in Africa

Today was Christmas day! It came 9 hours sooner here than back in the States, so I felt like I was celebrating somewhat early. Haha :) Since we had celebrated as a family on Christmas Eve, we didn't do much at the Lowenberg house today. Instead we celebrated with a group of M's at Aunt Loretta's house.

After breakfast and some awesome laughter at one of the most dramatic Christmas songs we have ever heard, we decided to head over to the Windsor to walk. Although not expressly stated, I believe part of the goal was that if we exercised early in the day, we would feel less guilty for eating so much later on :) Julia, her mom, and I walked the 5K and Ruthie hit the gym. It was incredible seeing all of the monkeys again too. There were definitely more out than before, and we had some epic stare-downs with a couple of them.

Once back and cleaned up, we ventured over to the other AG complex to visit Aunt Loretta along with several other families who gathered to be together. The Penningtons, Beggs, Kuerts, and Loretta, Nancy, Beverly, and our family all were there. Aunt Loretta's house was beautifully decorated with a classy, Christmas-y feel plus a slight African twist of palm tree leaves and outdoor table settings. We ate out under the patio, and the food was served under canopied tents in the yard.

The rest of the day consisted of talking, playing games, meeting new friends, watching some Monk, and ending the evening with a grand display of fireworks. Rather, the grandness was in seeing Micah (13 years old) and his excitement in lighting them. Half the show was his eagerness to have fun. I'm constantly amazed at guys' fascination with fire, and tonight was no different. We had a wonderful time out under the stars, everyone's families gathered together with the sole purpose of making merry and celebrating the season together.

I have found a new family here. It's amazing how with some people you almost instantly feel welcomed - as if you were never a stranger or outsider. I'm fairly confident that most M's have this ability to reach out to others naturally and make them feel at ease. They have experienced so many things and met so many people that it's not difficult for them to conserve with anyone. I have loved how they have accepted me this break, and I know they will hold a place in my heart for the rest of my life. There is such a strong presence of love for one another that it just makes you comfortable to be with them in the center of it all.

I hope you all are having just as merry of a Christmas wherever you may be this year. Whether you're having a white Christmas or not, celebrating the birth of our Savior crosses all lines. It doesn't matter what culture or location you are in, we can be united by this reason. Jesus has made all the difference in my life - how I view the world and my place and reason to be in it. I wouldn't be the same person without him - I'm no longer just a sinner, but a sinner saved by grace. As we celebrate Christmas this year, I pray that you also rejoice in the blessing of knowing Jesus and growing in an ever-increasing love for him.