Ho! Ho! Ho....Hum

Well. Here we are.

December 11.

Christmas is a mere two weeks away.

I have to be honest. I am having trouble feeling excited about Christmas this year.

While everyone around me is happily putting up their tree and decorations, I am slogging through holiday ups and downs.

In years past, when asked what she wanted for Christmas, my precious mother-in-law would answer without hesitation... 

"All I want is my kids home for Christmas!"

At that time in my life, it was impossible for me to totally comprehend the depth of her request.

This year I can honestly say, "I get it."

The little tree in my classroom

Last Saturday, I unpacked the dismantled Christmas tree. This is a job I haven't had to tackle since Abbi was old enough to organize her brothers. Together, they would sort the branches, eventually attaching them to the center post. Under their young hands, the tree would be transformed from a mangled heap of green into a regal Christmas tree. Afterwards, Abbi would take upon herself to carefully run the lights up and down the branches. 

I was going to ask Jacob to help me, but he was cleaning his room. I wasn't about to end that miracle, so I proceeded on my own. 

Sunday afternoon, I took out the strands of light and began attaching and arranging. With only the bottom third covered, my forward progress stopped. None of the remaining strands worked. 

In America, a quick trip to Walmart would easily remedy the situation. 

Not so here in Taiwan. A 100 light strand costs the equivalent of 30 American dollars.

Obviously, I needed to change my way of stringing the lights on in order to make the lights that did work cover the tree. So off the tree came the lights. Fortunately, a coworker shared a couple extra strands of light with me. 

The tree in the school atrium.

A wave of emotion threatened to surface as I lifted Nick, Ben, and Abbi's ornament boxes from the tree box. Each year, they hang their personal ornaments on the tree. Not so this year.

Only Jacob's ornaments will grace our tree this year.

Many of my coworkers' college children will be arriving throughout this week. I am so happy that their loved ones will be coming home for the holiday season. But, I must admit, I am a bit  jealous. 

While Carl, Jacob, and I will be celebrating Christ's birth here in Taiwan, Nick, Ben, and Abbi will be together in Ohio with our families. I guess this is what they call growing up. 

And about those ornaments? I decided to take some from Nick's and Ben's boxes and hang them up myself. Via modern technology, Abbi was able to choose a few from her box and helped me decide which branches they should hang on.  

Our tree finally completed.

I am so thankful for the technology that allows me share a tiny slice of tradition with my daughter.

It is the same technology that will allow me to be a part of their Christmas even though we are half a world apart. 

All this gives me a new respect for the missionaries who served before the internet existed. Only letters, cards, and brief phone calls allowed them connections with their families. I am only now beginning to understand the commitment and dedication it must have required.

So, as Christmas approaches, please take time to say a prayer for a missionary. It is during this season that the sacrifices they and their families have made are the most evident.

Thank you for supporting us through your thoughts and prayers!