Today is Christmas Day! We just returned home from a drop-in. The walk there and back home was refreshing and cold. It’s nice to walk (if it’s not too far) with the family hand in hand to do different things. The girls don’t seem to mind and Todd would rather walk than drive anytime. I’ve learned to gauge the distance before venturing out on foot these days.
We had a nice, quiet Christmas. We drank hot tea and opened our gifts on Christmas Eve. Mikie and Emma had wrapped things from their room for both Todd and me. We got a nice variety of things and have no idea what to do with them. After the gifts were opened, Todd offered to take us to McDonald’s as a treat. We three girls always jump at the chance to get an American treat! So, on Christmas Eve, we had dinner at McDonald’s and listened to American Christmas music. We then went driving around looking at lights. The city is so big, with or without Christmas lights, there’s a lot to look at. It was a nice evening.
Todd had ventured out on Christmas Eve day exploring the city and taking pictures of churches for the blog. While he was out, the camera was stolen out of his coat by some young boys. So there won’t be any pictures of this Christmas. But I’ll write down the memories of this one. It’s the first Christmas that Mikie was able to read the Christmas story from the Bible herself. It’s one of the last Christmas’s that the girls will really believe in Santa Claus. Emma Grace got up in the night with eyes the size of saucers and said, “Mama, do you think he’s been here yet?” It’s the first of probably many in Bucharest, Romania. And it’s the last Christmas it will be just the four of us!
At Christmas time here, young people go around during the month of December caroling in the city. They will stop at random buildings, go in and knock on doors to sing for people just for the fun of it. I remember doing that as a child once! It was fun! We’ve always enjoyed this part of Christmas here. This year we had a “chronic” caroler! A little boy around age nine came and knocked on our door every night for about a week and sang the same chorus of one sung. The first night we gave him cookies. Surely, it wasn’t the cookies that brought him back each night! They weren’t that good.
Todd and I celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary on the 21st. A family from the school kept the girls while we went out for dinner. Ten years, two children and one on the way! We have grown so much as a couple and as individuals. I can truly say that I’m a better person because of Todd’s input in my life.
One week from today, the bed will arrive! No more mattress on the floor! Todd told someone that we were living like college students again. Mattress on the floor and boxes as coffee tables. I found out recently that one of my friends in SC paid for our bed. It’s so nice to see God provide in personal ways. My dad gave us a very generous Christmas present to help us get the apartment more livable. The Lord really uses him in our lives to bless us in many ways and we are grateful. But you know, the Lord uses all of you that read this rambling of mine! Because I know you pray for us often if not daily. That’s how our needs are met to live here. That’s how we are sustained here. Those prayers and the concern you have for our family is what encourages us and by His grace and mercy we are safe, warm and comfortable here! Even though you are there and we are here, I consider you a vital part of what we do. Thank you for keeping up with us this year. For loving us from a distance! I’m very thankful for each one of you and the part (big or small) you have played in my life.
Emma Grace wanted to add a few lines to this email. Here they are, as dictated to me:
“I am a member of the family. My mommy is having a baby. When it comes it will be a member of our family. I love my Mommy. This is Emma talking about Mommy. I am happy that Mommy is having a baby. And when it comes me and Mikie will feed it.”
Lisa<><
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