As I sit here, the house cleaned up from the Christmas festivities, and 8 people staying in our small 2 bedroom apartment, I can't help but enjoy the quiet, the coffee, and the time to think. Time to reflect on our first Christmas away from home, and how blessed we are by the friends and family that love us so much all over the world. Thank you.
Christmas here came fast! As we tried to prepare, and celebrate, not wanting the season to pass us by. It was so fun to focus in on Jesus this Christmas season, and have Amirah so excited for Jesus birthday on Christmas. Christmas was full of presents, friends, and fun at church.
This week we rested. We had wonderful visitors last week, and played a lot, this week we enjoyed new toys, new games, and being together. I pray that this week, after the hustle and bustle of the holidays you found time to just enjoy the people around you, family and friends. Enjoy your spot, the place God has placed you in, and the people He has placed you with.
As I look back on 2017 I cannot believe all that has happened, at this time last year I was in a panic inside as we prepared to move our family in just a few short days. We were sick, man were the kids and I sick! Then on the 6th or 7th of January we landed here, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. (time gets a little fuzzy with those long flights...) We settled into our home over that weekend and began language school.
This year has been full of language learning, which will continue on, preparing to open the office, culture shock, culture exhaustion, culture learning, and building new friendships. We have found new routines, and new rhythms, and we have grown so much as a family unit. We have had many blessings, and are excited for 2018.
Looking ahead Chris will be beginning more projects, and I will continue to do teacher training at an NGO here, and help lead English classes at our church! (This is really fun for me!) Amirah will turn 5 in March, and Layla will be 3 in April! Chris and I will turn 3 decades old! Crazy.
Whatever you are doing tomorrow to ring in the New Year I hope you are with those you love, enjoying the people God has put around you. I pray that you have a great 2018, and draw closer to Jesus.