Very Close Neighbors

Our apartment building is very close to the apartment building next door. As a matter of fact, it sometimes seems like our neighbors are right in our apartment when they talk. Tonight I was standing in the kitchen when I sneezed. The neighbor girls in the next building called out, "salud," which is like the Spanish way of saying "bless you." Talk about close neighbors!

School Christmas Program

Here are a few of the first grade boys waiting for the Christmas program to start.

Excited about the program and about Christmas.

Each class did a song or two for the Christmas program. These are the fourth grade students doing the song "Mary Did You Know." It was beautiful.

It was different to be outside for a Christmas program. We wearing bug spray and short-sleeved shirts.

Mission Retreat

Last weekend we went to a Christian Reformed Mission retreat. It was a wonderful time of fellowship. We spent a lot of time worshipping God together and even celebrated the Lord's Supper together on Sunday.

It was wonderful to worship in English again, and it was so good to meet the missionaries. The retreat was led by a Christian Reformed pastor from Lansing, Michigan, and a few members of his church were able to come with him to spend the worship times with us. It was good to meet together in God's name.

Christmas Cookies

We had a great time baking, decorating and eating Christmas cookies tonight! What fun.

Carols and Car Alarms

We've heard that there's snow back home. Despite seeing holiday decorations in stores and in our neighborhood, it just doesn't feel like Christmas without cold weather, snow and hot chocolate. Tonight we turned on the Christmas music and decorated our cute little tree. Soon "Silent Night" was drowned out by our neighbor's car alarm. Thankfully we are now experiencing Peace on Earth and in our neighborhood.

Amy got the tree, lights, ornaments, and nutcracker from Brian's sister's family as a birthday present. Even though most days are sunny with warm temperatures and there's no chance of snow, we're feeling festive and look forward to seeing friends and family in just a few short weeks.