Joy to the world! All of it!

Merry Christmas!  Since Thanksgiving, Jesse and I have been soaking up as much holiday spirit as possible. We decorated our tree, went to Lights in the Heights, and he even took me to The Nutcracker (no, not the ballet. Jesse does not do the ballet, just The Nutcracker).  I baked and iced about a hundred gingerbread snowflakes while Jesse carefully selected white elephant gifts for our friends' annual party.  Singing Christmas carols at church on Sunday mornings in 80 degree weather is typical Houston, but it still put us in the spirit--I guarantee it wasn't snowing in Bethlehem, either.

This season has been more stressful than most, primarily because the Russian government decided to make things difficult. Waiting on our visas for the new assignment has been another test of patience--especially when dealing with three different time zones, language barriers, and the usual government bureaucracy.  Jesse got his paperwork a few weeks ago, while mine was delayed a month for no reason whatsoever. Because they needed him as soon as possible, Jesse left the week before Christmas, and I stayed here with no idea when my visa would arrive.  Finally on Christmas day I received the document we have been waiting on, but now the Russian Consulate in Houston is closed for a 10 day holiday, which means I have to wait two more weeks. Typical! Spending a month apart during the holidays is not ideal for either of us, but thanks to the internet and iphones, we have been able to communicate frequently. We also have a local Houston number in our new house in Sakhalin, so I can call him for free! In the meantime, I am decorating from afar...house #4 this year!

With a week to get things in order before Jesse's departure, he and I enjoyed a wonderful early Christmas with his family and had a "pretend" Christmas morning at our apartment.  Jesse had a very white Christmas in Russia, and I got to spend Christmas with my sister and brother-in-law and our families! The next day we all celebrated my grandmother's 95th birthday!

Above all, we are blessed to have such supportive families who go out of their way to work around our crazy lifestyle.  My sister is gracious to allow me to use her kitchen to bake cookies, and Jesse's parents let me come hang out with them when I need some company. My parents drive all over Texas to be with us--well maybe it is just a good excuse to go to Buccee's, but it is still very much appreciated!

The next few weeks will be be rough, but I look forward to our new adventures in Russia! Jesse is already enjoying his job and sends pictures daily.  Will post more on our new location soon.  I have a good feeling about 2013...

'Tis the season...

What always amazes me is how quickly we turn our attitudes from thanksgiving to coveting possessions in a matter of hours.  Only a few days after eating turkey, and I have fallen victim to the commercialism that clogs my inbox every morning with "40% off this and that" and "BIG SALE."  I confess to you now that I have completed most of my Christmas shopping with several gifts under the tree already. Efficient? Yes, but I think it is sadly a testament to my Cyber Monday shopping spree more than anything.

Confession:  my mom asks what I need for Christmas, and I cannot think of anything. Honestly. Jesse and I have been really convicted about how much money we have been spending in the last few weeks on winter clothes, shoes and "supplies" for our upcoming move to frigid Russia. Last night I told Jesse that we might as well wrap up our stuff and put it under the tree because we have already bought each most of our gifts in the form of ski pants, snowshoes, boots, etc.  Merry Christmas to us!

Okay, moving right along...
Thank the Lord that despite my own selfish desires, God uses the Christmas season to bring us back to his Son and the hope we have because of Christ's birth (and later his death and resurrection).  He also uses this time to shed light on those who are less fortunate.  If you are looking for some ways to make someone else's Christmas a little more cheerful, here are some great opportunities:

Salvation Army Angel Tree 2012 We do not have kids yet, so shopping for other little ones is so much fun!  There are still a ton of little angels who need gifts!


Noonday Collection  Buy some awesome gifts (think Anthropologie style) while benefiting the artisans abroad who make these pieces.


HOPE International  A great ministry that helps those living in poverty throughout 16 countries generate income using a micro-finance model.  For $30 you can purchase fabric and thread for a seamstress living in Rwanda so that she can grow her business and help others in her community! See website for more info.

Employee Matching  If you work for a large corporation, what you may not know is that they will match donations to certain non-profit organizations or schools. That is money just waiting to be allocated by YOU to someone who needs it.

Obviously there are more ways to bless people who really need our help, and by doing so we can show what Christmas is all about.  I'm not condemning shopping or giving gifts to our friends and relatives. This is a time to celebrate after all! Jesus came that we would have life to the full, but he also commands that we help others.

I'm loving my new boots and the creative presents that I have purchased for my family, but I try to remember that every good and perfect gift is from above...