Firsts...

With my 26th birthday on the horizon and this being my first Christmas away from home (ever), I was definitely a little nervous about what the homesickness would be like this holiday season. I got up early on my birthday so I could talk to my family first thing in the morning before school. As good as it was to talk to my family, I cried a little while talking to them, and then again when recounting it to my friends before school. I had a normal day of classes and then enjoyed a great Christmas lunch provided by the school. My afternoon was spent talking with family and friends, and doing a little bit of homework. Northing extremely exciting. I returned home to have dinner with my Guatemalan family, and knew that I was going out with some of the girls after dinner for dessert. Little did I know what was planned. Just after dinner, I was on the phone with Shelley when I heard tons of voices behind me singing, “We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy Birthday too!” I absolutely love Christmas caroling. I love caroling, I love when carolers come to my house, and I love being surprised! We went to another house for a birthday celebration on the roof complete with ice cream and cheesecake! Christine’s parents arrived from Colorado the night before and brought birthday and Christmas presents from my family. What a treat! I am so thankful for my missionary family in Guatemala. They made me feel so special on a day that I didn’t want to a huge deal out of because I was afraid of being homesick.

My great friends at my birthday celebration!

We spent Christmas day with a fellow missionary family in Antigua. The Stamps’ were so great to have us over for Thanksgiving dinner and still invited us back for Christmas day too! It was a great laid back day grazing over the food, hanging out together and taking turns calling home to talk with our families. I don’t think I took my camera Christmas day, so I don’t have any pictures to share. If I find some…I’ll post them later.

Stacie and I at Lake Atitlan.

My Christmas treat this year was a 2.5 day getaway to Lake Atitlan. Talk about beautiful! A bunch of us headed to the lake for the weekend, but stayed in different hotels because they were so fun. Aaron, Stacie and I took our time exploring some of the pueblos around the Lake Atitlan on Saturday, enjoyed some touristy shopping and complete relaxation. These were some of the most relaxing and restful days that I’ve had since arriving in Guatemala. If you should ever get a chance to come to Guatemala, don’t miss Lake Atitlan…especially at sunset!

This has gotten quite long, but I wanted to leave you with one of my favorite images from Lake Atitlan.

“I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; you faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heaves; let your glory be over all the earth.”
Psalm 57:911