So, we spent the last week on the Eastern Shore of Virginia where Erin grew up. Thanksgiving with the whole family was great, chaos at times, but great to be together. Our kids REALLY enjoy time with cousins and they don't get it often so it was a joy to watch them together.
Returning home to Ocala everyone was excited to decorate for Christmas. We were able to bring a few of our special Christmas decorations back to the states with us. We have 3 nativities, our tree ornaments, Jesse Tree ornaments, and some figurines. A few of our local friends surprised us with a tree and lights before Thanksgiving (God spoils us) so we were ready to go.
As I fluffed the tree today my mind went back over the past 5 years and I was reminded of the privilege we had to decorate our home with Central Asian friends, mostly college aged, who had never decorated a home for Christmas. They hadn't grown up in homes that celebrated the birth of Christ but Lord willing as they get married and grow family theirs will. We have many precious memories from those holidays spent far from home. I prayed for them as I fluffed my tree. And I pray now that this Christmas season we will share our home with those in our community that need to hear the story of our God, who came to Earth as a baby to save us from sin. Our location is VERY different but our purpose is exactly the same.
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| We were supposed to all be putting on an ornament but Isaac had a better idea...BIG heart, lots of love. |
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| A Wal-Mart run for decorations got them these. For $2 a piece I'd say we've already gotten our money's worth! |
