Jolly Jumpbuck in the Tuckerbag!

Hey!

  I hope you are all having a snuggly, Christmas'y', toasty week.  This is such a wonderful season.  Celebrating Jesus is the best time of year, no doubt!  Yes, it does get busy, but I think planning, is the best way to enjoy the season.  I am writing from halfway around the world, so I don't have as much going on in a culture that doesn't get really down with celebrating, but it is still busy.  
  Please be in prayer about two things.  One, we are having a Christmas party here at our home on the 18th.  We are focusing on the people in our community of Joho that we have had short or long-term relationships with over the past 3-4 years.  Pastor Yawd and his family are going to work with us on this.  We are going to have a simple meal, play a game, share Jesus, and send everyone home with  a gift.  Then, on the morning of Christmas Eve, John has been invited to share the Christmas Story with the students/staff of Ratchasima II. That means anywhere from 2,000-3,000 people (more or less?).  We are very excited about both of these open doors in the community.  If you would please join in prayer with us concerning these events we would greatly appreciate it.  God is ALIVE, working on the hearts of the people everywhere!  Pray that the hearts of the Thai people will be soft, that their ears will be able to understand, and that they will have understanding.  We are expecting great things!! 
 
  Well, our tree is far from perfect, it is actually quite annoying, but that's not what the season is all about anyway.  I do enjoy that part of it though, and I have had to get really creative with it. There are 11 plugs into our one strip outlet, the lights all do something different.  If I could only get them still :).  Nonetheless, we are thankful and happy.  At least I can get white lights!  I decorated this year with spices and dried fruits.  It is so beautiful to me!  Wish you could see it.  The garland above the kitchen sink is my favorite, by far.  I used some kind of cool-looking twine and strung it with dried bael fruit (the juice around here is one of my faves), sat oranges on it and added some cinnamon down the sides...HA-here's a pic:

So far, we have enjoyed 'Elf' and 'Holiday Inn' during the Christmas time movie nights.  It's been fun.  If you haven't seen Holiday Inn, it's an oldie, and definitely one of our favorites.  There ya go...a little peek of life from around here lately!  

Love you all and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!