The past two years, while in Kazakhstan, we’ve celebrated the holidays in many ways… we made oatmeal cookies for our host Mom the first year, and she devoured them. I had a Christmas Musical at my school the second year (after we celebrated in Thailand) and my girls’ club performed a cute little Christmas Skit when we got back. But… it just kind of came and went just like every other day. There wasn’t egg nog or freshly baked cookies for Santa. There weren’t any family members to share stories or memories or people to carol with… or carolers in general.
This year. Wow. This year has been incredible. It isn’t even Christmas yet, but I feel like Nick and I have been able to have three Christmases so far. First, we were able to visit my Grandparents in WI and share a whole week with them. Second, just being able to visit with friends that have kept in touch and making plans to meet friends in the next few weeks has just been incredible and heart warming. And third we were able to enjoy Christmas Town at Busch Gardens, which was absolutely beautiful. Tonight, Christmas Eve, I’ll play bells at church with my Mom and little bro. Then Nick and I will sit in the congregation to watch the service. It just feels so good to be home for this Christmas.
I really hope that during this holiday season you can remember all the people over seas away from their families and friends. Not only those in the military, but those serving in a different way. Peace Corps volunteers are all over the world, serving their country in a different way. They are trying to help communities in more ways that one and during the holidays, especially being in a culture that is totally foreign, celebrating the holidays is very difficult and often very sad and lonely.
So, this holiday season, please keep them in mind. Keep them in your thoughts.
I wish you a wonderful holiday season and I hope you were able to share it with someone special. I was lucky enough for the past two years to share each Christmas with my husband, which made Christmas time feel like Christmas time.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
ps. Here are some pictures from our trip home. Enjoy!
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