Christmas break

My Christmas break was a wonderful one! I got to spend time with everyone in my family and enjoyed being able to update them on my life out in the wilderness!

So we were able to go “home” after we finished cleaning the camp on the 19^th. So for most of my Walkabout sisters and brothers home is where they grew up and where most of their moms and dads live. Well, being that I am older and have not “lived” at home in 7 years, home is still San Angelo… but home is not where all of my family is. Needless to say, a lot of my time over Christmas break would be spent traveling and spending intentional time with each one!

But, I got to say this past Christmas break was a very blessed and relaxing one! I am thankful for the great vehicle that I have been blessed with that allows me to be able to travel to see everyone. I am also thankful for those who support me financially to be able to help with the gas and traveling during these 9 months without work!

The first few days before Christmas break, I went home to San Angelo and spent time with my daddy and his girlfriend. We had a great time hanging out and finally going on our double date to a sushi place… we had been talking about this for a few years now!!! Time spent in San Angelo went by pretty fast! I was able to attend church with one of my good friends not too far from my house, maybe two blocks?! It was such a fun experience, seeing friends I grew up with (but didn’t know they attended this church), and learning about a church that meant so much to my friend’s life! The Lord is good.

After several days with my dad and my baby girl Mika… it was time to head to my sister’s house in Waco for Christmas! My dad and girlfriend would also be joining us, but I left a day early to be able to stop by a friend’s house and then complete the drive to Waco the next day. On Christmas Eve, I made it to my middle sister, Allie, and her husband’s house! Of course if you know me, you will also know that my only nephew also lives here!!!

Spending time with Allie, Ernie, and Garon was a great blessing. Watching my sister grow into a Godly mother and watching as her marriage is built stronger through many bonds that are being made was a very refreshing thing! It was a great reminder for me that the Lord watches over those we love, even when we can’t (even though He doesn’t need us to anyway)! Seeing the father that my brother in law has become is pretty stinkin’ awesome as well.  The commitment and discipline that these two demonstrate in raising my nephew right always makes me smile. I know my nephew is being taken care of and will be taught right from wrong. Gotta love them!!!

Time with my nephew is ALWAYS FUN!!! He is just a stinker and such a character. He and I had some fun bonding moments hiding behind the couch, sitting in my lap and running away from one another. It is the little moments that mean so much to me with my nephew. He may not get to see me very often, but it is my job to make the time spent with his Tia (that’s my name)… spent in laughter and in love. Perhaps he won’t remember all these moments in his life because he is so young, but I know that the memories we are building now.. mean the world to me. Not many people make me as happy as my nephew does! My prayer is that as he grows older physically and eventually spiritually… is that he knows he can come to his Tia for questions about our Father above and His Word to us (Bible). May my life be lived out, as an example to my nephew, in demonstration of what it means to live one’s life serving the Lord.

Also at our family’s Christmas was my big sister Jen! Those of you who know more of my story know about the times that I have lived with my sister and grown so close to her. You will also know Jen suffered a knee injury and had to have emergency surgery in which I was able to go spent some short amount of time with her. Well over this break, Jen got to drive for her first time in a few months and was able to catch me up on her rehab progress. I am so amazed at the strength and courage she has shown through this process. She has had her eyes opened to the coldness and cruelty of human nature. An understanding that most don’t have… what it feels like to be handicapped and shunned by the world. Jen is strong, mentally and physically… I don’t think I could go through all that she has and still be as positive and strong as she is today. Man I love my sister and am thankful for the listening ear she always has opened for me! We had a few late night talks as everyone else had gone to bed!

I’m thankful for the impact both of my sisters have on my life.

The blessings that they both are to me.

I hope that one day I can impact their lives the way they have impacted mine.

My mom and her boyfriend also made it to our Christmas! Again I can say that I am blessed to have a family that has been through a divorce, but is civil enough to one another… that for my nephew’s sake, we can celebrate as a family for Christmas. My mom and I didn’t have many deep talks, but being in the presence of one another was nice. The Lord is working through this relationship and there is slow progress, which is something to give Him praise for. It brings me great joy to see that she is happy in her life!!!

I also was surprised to see my Aunt Lynda, who I don’t get to always see on the holidays! I was glad she was there to be able to watch her physically open our gifts to her J We usually send them home with my mom and hear back from her later! It was nice to get to hug her neck and talk to her some over some delicious food! My Aunt has been such a strong sense of support in my life. Everything I have ever made a decision to do… Germany, NMMI, volleyball, WBU, Japan, soccer, teach, coach, Walkabout… you name is she has supported me through prayer, physically cheering, or financially! Thank you Lord for this sweet aunt… I desire to be more like her for my nephew J

Christmas morning and day were great… gifts and food. I can’t wait for the day that I have my own family… and am able to start my own Christmas traditions. The Lord has opened my eyes to the commercialism in the holiday of Christmas. The true reason we are to celebrate is for his birth… not for the gifts and the food. Though these things are a part of bringing family together and a common practice, the Lord continues to work on my thought process about the holiday and the purpose behind it all. It’s supposed to be about Him.

Christmas night, my sisters and I enjoyed a game night with one another. One thing I have learned to love from living in the wilderness- board games. It is such a blast, especially playing with those you love. I taught my sisters one of my favorite games, Takenoko. Talk about lots of laughs, embarrassing moments and relaxing times… this has been by far one of my favorite memories at Christmas with my sisters (add that to last year’s fun games at the kitchen table-only my family knows about this)! Allie seemed to really enjoy the game which made me super happy! And Jen seemed to not like it as much, partially because she played it wrong the whole night… hehe! Memories!

After Christmas, everyone returned home and I spent some extra time with my sisters before heading to a friend’s to celebrate my birthday on the 30^th! For those of you who didn’t read about my birthday present from Timmy, there is a blog about it! I went SKYDIVING!!! Go read and see the pictures if you want!

The remaining days before returning to camp, I focused on some reading I needed to do, as well as getting some last relaxing days before returning to the wilderness and that style of life!

Sweet friends I am praying for your new year. 

Who will you chose to serve this year?

I hope your Christmas was as refreshing and uplifting as mine was. 

I love you all…