Merry Christmas!
“It's
the most wonderful time of the year
There'll
be much mistltoeing
And
hearts will be glowing
When
loved ones are near
It's
the most wonderful time of the year”
Snow, hot cocoa, the holidays, friends and family…what
could be better? It is a wonderful
blessing to be back in the USA for the holidays. Despite fitting in CE, speaking at events,
and traveling to visit friends and supporters during my furlough, I’ve managed
to plan Thanksgiving and Christmas at home this year. I want to get as much Christmas cheer as
possible while I’m here since it isn’t a big holiday in South Africa. At least, not like it is in America.
Most of the grocery stores in South Africa put up
Christmas garlands around the tills and play awful Christmas music and a few
stores have Christmas decorations and such, but there aren’t any craft fairs,
Black Friday or Christmas sales, Starbucks’ Christmas drinks, Pier 1 Christmas
decorations, gingerbread house building parties, or Christmas concerts.
It is also too hot there for Christmas! I just can’t get in the Christmas mood when
it is 95 degrees. And Christmas baking
is not nearly as much fun when it is that hot and I have no air
conditioning. To me, Christmas in SA
always feels like some weird Christmas in July holiday knock off. So, needless to say, I’m very excited to be
back in Washington for Christmas. Maybe
we will even get some snow while I’m back!
While I’m in on furlough, I’ll be in the San Francisco
area Nov 11-14, Los Angeles Dec 11-12, and San Diego Dec 13-16 (Fetch 360
continuing education conference). If you
will be in those areas while I’m around, it would be wonderful to meet up with
you. I’m also happy to speak to churches, Bible studies, home groups, etc.
about the work God is doing here at NWU.
I’m also planning a trip east (TX, GA, NC, DC, MI, WI)
in January and will put updates on Facebook with my itinerary once I’ve got it
nailed down.
Have a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
“It's the hap-happiest season of all
With
those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings
When
friends come to call
It's
the hap-happiest season of all”
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the
Year - Eddie Pola / George Wyle
