29December2019 Memories not More Stuff

Over the next few days, particularly if you follow our Insta account, you're likely to see a few travel photos.  Some of you may ask, "Wait, they're traveling again?"  The short answer to that question is, "Yes, as often as possible."  Our thought process is two-fold.  One, we've realized that after living in the Middle East a few years, it's important for us to get out of this context periodically.  That doesn't mean we don't love living here it simply means sometimes we need to get away, eat different foods, see different sights and not be so different than those around us.  Living cross culturally impacts every facet of our lives, from plugging something into an electrical outlet, to the sounds we hear outside our bedroom windows, to the flavor of our toothpaste.  Aside from the spiritual warfare aspect, which can at times be completely overwhelming, it's just healthy for us to travel if we can make it happen.

Second, a few years ago we began to focus on the importance of memories rather than stuff, particularly when it comes to the kids.  Please dont label us Scrooges, we still fill stockings and buy the kids Christmas gifts, but we our focus is more on shared adventures rather than things will end up on the bargain table at our next yard sale.  So, we use grandparents' gift money, squirrel away money each month into Christmas savings and Travel savings accounts and #P is really into membership/frequent flier miles.  Also, we love RyanAir (Roundtrip airfare for $50?  Yes, please!)

So, come along with us this year or if you're up to it, come meet us in the middle.  

25December2019 The Most Beautiful Story

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,  and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them,

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,  

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”  So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Merry Christmas yall!

23December2018 Christmas Cookies

Few things say Merry Christmas like sprinkles all over the house and an aching sweet tooth.  Christmas cookies are a simple, fun tradition.  Some of the ingredients may be a little different (Who wants to pay $8 for a bag of mini-chocolate chips?) but our resourceful, expert baker made it happen.  Now if we could just find a gallon of 2% milk to wash them all down.

18December2018 Happy Tacoday

If you know anything about the beautiful lady in the middle of this photo, you know that D's love language is tacos.  Just in time for her birthday, we stumbled upon this pretty authentic joint.  Handmade salsa and pico de gallo plus guacamole made right at your table.  Now that screams Happy Birthday! 

15December2018 Joyful Noise

We are so proud of this young lady.  Not only because she rocker her piano recital yesterday but because in doing so she swallowed her fear, walked up in front of the crowd and did her thing. 

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.”

-FDR

1December2018 We're 5K Kool

What's the use of doing a 5K if we can't brag about it a little bit, right?  Actually it was a fun, albeit, chilly day, exercising, hanging with friends, enjoying our community.  A couple of us (#Z and #A) walked away with medals but we all walked away with smiles.