We celebrated by eating Thai food at home. I made Isaan-style chicken and sticky rice. We bought Penny's favorite spicy Isaan-style somtum (papaya salad). And I gave her one of her Christmas gifts early. I got her a Trac phone. It's one where you buy minutes as you go. She's been wanting one to feel safer in the big city if she's away from us, she'll be able to reach us. I thought it was a symbolic gift of how far our communication and connection has become in the last five years.
We also had a bittersweet celebration for Christmas and the last farewell service of the little Japanese bible fellowship congregation that has been meeting in Fort Collins for the last fourteen years. At least 11 of those years I was quite involved with their group, usually playing my flute or singing on the worship team. We saw several Japanese friends pass in and out of our group and members who were here getting older, moving on to other places or even to their heavenly home. Here are a few pictures of our special last service. Jay was able to sing, "O Holy Night" as a solo.
Afterwards, we went out to a Thai restaurant that is just blocks from both the church and Jay's parents' house. We had a really fun time of fellowship and it was fun having grandma there with us, as well. Penny even was able to speak Thai with the owner who was quite bilingual. It was so much fun, but made us sad about the many people we miss in Fort Collins.
It was especially fun to see Ruthie and Penny together, again, as they were both adopted while we were part of this little fellowship. To wrap our time up, Penny was thrilled to win our table arrangement, made by the pastor's wife.
A fun time was having a party with my new work staff from Arvada Covenant Church. We met at the Depot, where we enjoyed great food, fellowship and making graham cracker houses.
It was a date night for Jay and me, as Penny hung out with the family of our director of Home School Etc. It sounds like she made happy memories, too, hanging out with their family as they went to the mall.
Jay has been keeping busy with wrapping things up at school and having at least three Christmas concerts with groups of preschoolers and kindergartners. They were just so darn cute in their cute outfits, singing out their hearts. For many of them, this is the first year they've been learning English. They did a really great job. I'm so proud of what Jay has helped them learn
I do have to work on Mon and Tues. But, after that we plan to celebrate with my family. The cat is very helpful,
especially since she smelled the catnip left in the envelope from her vet. How sweet and thoughtful! Jenny LOVED her card and catnip. She rolled and rolled in it!
Now we're trying to wrap things up at home, literally. I've been trying to get last minute gifts and have been up early wrapping gifts, getting ready for our Christmas celebration we will have at our home tomorrow (Sunday) with Grandpa and Grandma Regan.
Well, here is wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
And may you know the Savior a little more this New Year, as we contemplate celebrating His birth!
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