Our 2007 Christmas

We just rang in the new year. And a few days ago, the girls and I watched a wedding precessional in our courtyard. A happy bride got into her waiting car as traditional musicians played beautiful music around the car.

Right behind these wedding festivities were some funeral tents. When someone passes away in this country, these large tents are set-up so that friends and family can come to mourn together.

Without Christmas, this endless cycle of life and death ... old years and New Year's ... weddings and funerals ... would have no meaning. Christmas changed everything. The birth of Jesus ushered forth hope, meaning and purpose ... and the promise that God has not abandoned us. What an awesome thing to celebrate!!!

Our Christmas was very special. Here are a few photos from our own celebrations ... and as always, you can click here for a few more Christmas shots!

Our relatives are fabulous about mailing us clothes ... but David's mom is the champion of finding matching outfits! The girls loved their new snowmen sweaters ... donning them for a Christmas party on Dec. 24th.


What an awesome blessing it was to have David's sister, Lynne, spend a week with us for Christmas. The girls still talk about missing Aunt Lynne and Annalise wonders, "Can she come back tomorrow?" Here we are enjoying Christmas Eve dinner at a friend's home.


Christmas Morning!!! Happy Birthday, Jesus! The girls are opening their first gift from Aunt Lynne. I just love celebrating holiday traditions with my family but the thing that really touches me is watching our girls (little by little) understand the true meaning behind Christmas.


David & Lynne toured the city a bit and enjoyed the unique sights this city has to offer. Later that evening, the girls and I joined them at a restaurant serving national fare. Our week fly by.


I was hoping Lynne would see some snow during her visit but the snow decided to wait until a week after she returned to Virginia. Please click here for some more snow photos! The girls have had a BLAST playing in 12-14 inches of snow!