Christmas Spirit

It seems we have been celebrating Christmas all month long thus far in December, but I'm not complaining. Last week we held our small group Christmas party here at our house which was so much fun. We are very lucky to be part of such a great small group (which isn't so small anymore). Sometimes when we meet I just sit back in awe of the different backgrounds and places we have come from that have brought us all together here in little ole Blacksburg.

Also check out Paul's (next to Drew) homemade beard, made by fellow small groupie Beth. Awesome!

 



Last night and the Sunday night previously kicked off what Northstar calls December nights. We meet in an actual church building (which is not a regular thing for us) and don't meet until the evening. The church is decorated and so is downtown Christiansburg so Sunday nights have become extra special. During this month Jeff has been preaching on different "characters" surrounding Jesus' birth. Last week was the shepherds and last night was Herod. You can find podcasts here, I highly recommend them. We are to determine which character we identify the most with.

 

 

Friday night was the Christmas parade in Blacksburg but we got to do something more special than that,  we worked at the food pantry, which is always humbling but especially so this time of year. We always receive a blessing from the people who come through the lines there. They are in such high spirits and so grateful, I feel so blessed to be such a small part of that ministry.

 

After the food pantry Drew and I decided to have our own Christmas "parade" so we put on our pajamas loaded up Ike in the car and headed to Starbuck's before driving around town to look at Christmas lights. It is also noteworthy that Drew said the barista told him he was the fourth person to come into Starbucks in pajamas. I'm not sure what to make of that but I was pround of my sleepy little town. hehe

 

 

We saw some pretty impressive displays and also some dark neighborhoods who really lacked Christmas spirit.

 



 



Thursday was my last day of classes, (like how there is no order in which I am listing days of the week?) and as a result my night class ladies decided to go downtown to celebrate and we were so excited that our dear professor Dr. Morrison joined us. We had a great time and I am already sad that her class is over. Please excuse our demon eyes.

 

 

 

 

For now, I am trying to finish up all of my semester work. By Thursday I will have turned everything in and be free as a bird (with the notable exceptions of taking the PRAXIS II and continuing work on my research). I have several hours worth of crappy ABCFamily Christmas movies to catch up on which also serve as mini-Saved by the Bell/Sister Sister reunions. Christmas makes for strange bed fellows doesn't it Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Slater???

 

Also notable, I was feeling very proud of my Christmas decor until I watched the White House Christmas special this week so allow me to get over that before I post pictures of my now pathetic looking decorations.

 

Here's hoping I can get all of this work done and keep my sanity to continue enjoying this most festive month. I hope you all are enjoying festivities as well!