Christmas

Christmas is one of my favorite times of year.  For me it is a special time of year where you can gather as family and friends to celebrate the birth of Christ.  Prague puts on a good show for Christmas.  The Christmas markets are all set up selling a wide variety of things.  The city is all decked out in lights and Old Town Square has a huge Christmas tree lit up, as well as a stage where different acts perform throughout the Christmas season.  Nativity scenes and advent candles dot the landscape, as well.

I was lucky enough to get in on the first part of the Christmas season here in Prague.  I got to take advantage of the markets and the sites.  After that, however, I spent my Christmas at home.  My parents shelled out money for a plane ticket for me, so for the first time in 19 months, I stepped foot in the United States.  I had a bit of an adventure getting home, but that will be the focus of another post.  It was great to get back home and see so many friends and supporters.  The trip was, of course, too short, but I was glad to get back to Prague.

I was able to spend a lot of time with my family, which was a blessing.  My parents and brother, Seth, came for a visit last June and that was all I saw of my family for the last 19 months.  So it was nice to see everyone again.  I enjoyed the Christmas Eve service at church immensely.  Our church has changed a bit since I left.  I finally got to meet the new pastor, Tony, who is a great guy.  I was also able to meet up with some friends and younger supporters in Omaha during my time at home.

My schedule originally did not allow for meeting with too many members of my extended family.  Unfortunately, my aunt passed away while I was on my way home, so we went to the memorial service, where I was able to see many of my extended family.  It was good to see everybody, I just wish it could have been at a happier occasion.

One of the highlights for me was, of course, the food.  The food in Czech is good, but it is different and I don't eat near as much (my Czech friends will find that hard to believe).  When I got home, all bets were off.  I told some of my church friends in Prague to expect to see a much wider me when I got back.  They were charitable when they saw me, saying that I didn't gain any weight, but the snugness of my pants tell a different story.  My mom set out to spoil me and did an admirable job.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas holiday.  I pray that God blesses you in this new year.  Please continue to pray for our ministry here in Prague as we begin a new year, as well.  My life and ministry looks to have many changes on the horizon.  I look forward to an exciting 2013!