Josh had Friday off, so we prepared for our Christmas Eve dinner by cooking, going to the store, and watching a movie together. We watched The Help and LOVED it! I could write a whole post about that movie, but for now, I give it 2 thumbs up.
Saturday we had some friends over for dinner. We had turkey, potatoes, corn, stuffing, rolls, carrots, rice and gravy. My neighbor brought most of that stuff. It was my first time to make turkey, and thanks to Josh's mom, it was a success. The stuffing was a real hit with our Chinese friends (in case you ever have Chinese friends over for Thanksgiving/Christmas)...
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| Only half of the table! |
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| Does this picture look like it's from the seventies? |
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| Gotta love the shadows... |
Our friend took some pictures of us, but these are just pictures of the pictures...
We were all wearing red, but none of our reds matched. OOOPS!
After dinner, we went to a candle-light Christmas Eve service. I love those! Here is Anna and Josh before and after the service, and Anna in the car:
On Christmas morning, we read the Christmas story together and listened to Christmas music. Then, we delivered goodie bags to hotel workers, which is becoming one of our Christmas traditions. It's our way of giving a gift to Jesus on His birthday. From Matthew 25:
34 Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' 40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'
Here is a pic of Anna getting ready to go deliver bags and Josh and I afterwards (I love this sweet dress!):
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| Do you see Anna in the mirror? |
And here is one of us before we went on a walk (the weather was awesome!!) :
We came home and rested and reflected on a year of ups and downs. We acknowledged God's hand in the midst of our trials and how He has tested our faith this year. It was great to remember these things and recognize the Lord's provision through it all. (I hope to post on this later...)
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| Anna loves her hat and scarf from Aunt Roxie!!! |
We talked to our families, which made us miss them more. This was our first Christmas without family, but we needed the rest and down time to recoup from a whirl-wind fall.
And then we borrowed a puzzle from a neighbor, watched a movie, and chilled out. It was a great end to a great day.
I hope your Christmas was wonderful and that you reflected on God's goodness. New Year's is a great time to reflect as well!!
Love y'all!
Sounds peaceful and lovely. Love when you post!
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