Christmas Day

For the first time in 28 years, there were no "kids" at our house on Christmas morning--no one excited for their gifts, no one to line up in the hall, no oohs or aahs. It was a little sad and lonely. Donald and I opened our gifts and although I was thrilled with my gift (a new sewing machine!), I really do miss the "magic" of Christmas.

Around 9am we headed over to Devin and Sarah's for a Christmas breakfast. It was fun to see the girls and see what they had gotten fro Christmas and to spend some time with them over a yummy breakfast. Then we headed back home as everyone was coming to our house for Christmas lunch, gift opening and THE phone call.

Enjoying food and conversation

Cute Sallie's first Christmas

Cousins
Opening gifts

Lunch was delightful, gifts were opened, and THE phone call was amazing. Darin sounds so good. He has a little accent--and I expect that to get stronger over the next 19 months. Life has changed drastically for him and I don't think we realized how much until we talked to him. El Salvador is a much poorer country than I realized. For instance, he hasn't seen a washing machine since he got there. His clothes are washed by a lady from church in a bucket with a scrub brush. He's met and worked with many families that don't have running water or electricity in their homes. But he's doing what he wants to do and he's doing it where the Lord wants him to be. What better Christmas gift could he give?