Maryann's Musings

Some of you may know that our Christmas was very different this year and we didn't open presents til the day AFTER Christmas. I told that to my friend and she said, "WHAT?" and a long explanation followed.  I'll try to give you one, and you can see the pictures! Christmas day dawned hot and humid, with layers of dust over the tables and furniture, and piles and piles and piles of juice boxes, cookies, soda cans, and bags all over our table. This is how we ate breakfast... :)  We were hosting a children's outreach for Christmas day. For many of these children this would be how they celebrated Christmas and most of them came by walking or on the back of a moped (a kind of motorcycle).  After breakfast we (Tristan, Aidan, Daddy, and I) all stood on chairs around the table so we could reach the top the the boxes better and put one can of soda, one sucker, and one package of cookies in a small plastic bag, double knotting it. I love Aidan's fa...

  Merry Christmas to all of you! For to us a child is born,      to us a son is given,      and the government  will be on his shoulders. And he will be called      Wonderful Counselor,  Mighty God,      Everlasting  Father,  Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6 Wishing all of you viewers a wonderful Christmas and may you see the true reason of it all.

Our friend :) with Jackson in the corner. .  Before the rest of the people arrived. It was the day before the day before Christmas Eve, and our International Bible Study had planned a two day Christmas.... thing. One was at Ms. Polly's house; a potluck meal, Secret Santa, and the children's Bible verse recitation. Yay! All the kids worked so hard on all four (long) verses. The reason you don't see Christianna or Daddy in this post is because Christianna was sick and Daddy stayed home with her. We missed you both! Lois. Lael. Danna (Jackson's mom) and Coco, who is part of their mission organisation. Jackson on the left making himself at home, FOOD! We had our potluck dinner, then Ms. Polly (below) (Ms. Polly...she's British) explained the Secret Santa rules: Everyone is given a number. #1 takes a present from under the tree and unwraps it, making sure everyone sees it; #2 can either steal #1's ...