Full Days, Fuller Heart

'Twas the day before Christmas...and I went to the bank at 7:30 am. It was as filled with the magic and wonder of the season as it sounds. No, really! Regional Business Manager Stan & I got there before they opened and were 3rd in line. 

As if anything could top NOT waiting 2 hours, I made pumpkin baked oatmeal to fuel me for a marathon day. I knew it'd be a long haul, but I was giddy with excitement for each of 4 events: 

1. Lunch at the Shavers'. 

I got there early and put myself on sous chef duty...until this little cutie absconded with my apron. 

Kris's adorable place settings went up a notch with "under the plate gifts," a family tradition she decided to bring to the DR.

I made mashed potatoes for a bunch of Idahoans. I'm not sure how much stock to put in a 2 yr. old's opinion, but he was LICKING the bowl.

His idea to take a picture with Tía Erin, not mine 🥰

2. English Advent service at the regional office. 

3. Spanish service of Lessons & Carols at Iglesia Luterana de Pueblo Nuevo. 

Dominicans are traditionally with their families on Christmas Eve, not in church. The North American missionaries who grew up going to candlelight services, though, were clamoring for the Rev. Ross Shaver to hold one, and he obliged without [much] argument - especially when the Krey family plied him with an offer to supply candles. Deaconess Rosy (center) was the lone local member in attendance - honestly, a win.

4. Krey family Christmas Eve

This was my 4th Christmas Eve eating charcuterie; sitting around the living room to recite the Christmas story, sing, and pray; and exchanging gifts with the Krey family + other orphaned single missionaries :) My homemade gift from Lina was an adorable black cat ornament, and I'm pretty proud of the plate I embellished for Becca.

Christmas Day again saw me traipsing around town and around the neighborhood, albeit it at a less frenetic pace. The botanical garden was closed, but I went for a brisk walk at a local park before a 10:30 am Divine Service at my church. 

I hung out at the Shavers' all afternoon eating Christmas Eve leftovers, opening presents with the boys (ages 11 and 2), playing cards, making the 11 yr. old's Christmas pageant prop (keep scrolling), sorta kinda watching The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and baking stuffing for Christmas dinner. 

That evening, the Kreys again opened their home to me...and the entire missionary and seminary community. The kids staged a pageant, we shared a traditional meal of roasted suckling pig with all the fixins', and various families or other groupings led us in a multicultural, multilingual sing-a-long. 

Peep Ryan's gold Fun Foam-covered box - aka gold, frankincense, or myrrh...not sure which.

I was glad to be pulling into my garage just after 9 pm. Tirzah picked me up at 7:30 am the next morning to catch the 8:15 am bus to the capital...to catch my afternoon flight to Jamaica. A team from SD is in the air somewhere between Atlanta and Kingston for a week of Ministry Centre improvements as I write this. 

Until next time, blessings in Christ!