It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... all I can say is that I actually do miss the 24-hour Christmas radio station. It's been almost two weeks since I embarked on my Chilean journey and I feel so blessed. God has definitely given me the best gifts I could have ever wanted (this is in addition to the gift of Baby Jesus). Since I will not be celebrating Christmas this year with my biological family, I will be celebrating it with both my host family and JV community. Both have been so welcoming and warm. My host family (really, my Chilean family) has been incredible. There is not one word that is sufficient enough to describe them. I was stranger in a foreign place and they welcomed me with open arms into their home. They have cared for me and have given me so much love. I am not a visiter and I am no longer a stranger. I am a member of the family. They have given me my space, but at the same time, they bring me along to all family functions and even invite me to take part in some of their activities (yoga, jumping rope... I need to do this because they know that my vice is bread). I look forward to spending Christmas with them. As a gift to them (and I know it is not enough), I will be making them an American breakfast. I am going to make French toast and as a substitute for syrup, I will use honey (got to work with what I got) and powdered sugar. Simple, but nonetheless, it is the thought. I love them so much.
Also, I give thanks to God for the gift of community. This has been such a difficult year for many people and my family is no exception. Although we had some highs, there were also many lows. My grandmother’s health has declined drastically within the year, the death of a teacher and a family member, and my mother’s surgery. They have been great obstacles, but they can be taken on and overcome. Both my community mates have been there to hear me and have lend a shoulder to cry on. The did not have to say a word, but only listen. I love the both of them so dearly and I am fortunate and blessed to be a member of the JVC community. This year may have not been the greatest, but it definitely did have its great moments. I thank God for the gifts He has blessed me with. I thank him for my friends, communities, and my family. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope you are spending it with people who love you dearly and want nothing but the best for you.
Also, I hope that Santa Claus brings everything that you asked for. Peace and love.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God."
Jn 3:16-21
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