Merry Christmas from the Jewel of the MeKong

I realize it's been a while since I last posted. Things have been very busy here lately. Traveling, school, and life in general.

We celebrated Thanksgiving last month and somehow managed to get our hands on a pretty amazing turkey breast from Thailand. Mmm Mmmm Good! I spent the holiday with friends who also live here. They function as my temporary family while I'm here. But, I was very thankful to have them here with me during a time that would normally be spent traveling to see my grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles around NC and SC.

Now, though, it's almost Christmas!!! Wow, how the time has flown by. 10 days and counting until we celebrate Emmanuel's birth. It's a very exciting time around my town. Our school is decorated, we're eating lots of treats and sweets, and the best part of all is that we can discuss the good news more freely at this time. In my class specifically, I'll have a Christmas party on the 18th. We're learning how to cut out snowflakes, pinning the nose on Rudolph, snacking, and doing a coloring page about Emmanuel. While my class is coloring, I will tell the story of him. After explaining how he is the gift to the world, I will then give them a small gift. I'm hoping that as others as well as myself are sharing during this time, doors will be opened in hearts, eyes, and ears.

Also, the locals have a chance to share during this time of the season. Many in the community are invited to come to a special service here coming up soon! This is VERY VERY exciting. Some will here about the news for the first time. They will also get to experience a service in their language, a praise dance in their style, sing in their language, and get to read the word in their language. How great is this opportunity! It is also the only time of the year that us white folks can attend with our families. It's truly a great opportunity for local sharing.

I'm very excited about all of these events to come!! Please lift every opportunity we have to share up to him. Every gift, song, story, conversation, dance, and word.

My one last tag on this note is for LMCO. People back home, you know what this is, right?? It's how about 500+ people are able to live and share around the world, including myself. If you feel led this season, I encourage you to support us and out cause by giving a gift to LMCO this year.

It's been hard to upload pictures, but I promise I will try to do that super soon. I've been taking a lot, so I will REALLY try to do that! Thank you for your kind thoughts and words to the big man upstairs. Love, grace, and peace.