December ’15 Highlights (Photo Blog)

    I had the joy of spending the month of December in West Virginia with my family celebrating Christmas with them. I know this isn’t related to ministry in Nicaragua, but I still wanted to share my regular monthly highlights. So, here are my favorite Christmas gifts: 

  The main reason that I arrived in the States at the very beginning of December was because my best friend Steph and her husband Ryan were in the States. They are missionaries in Cambodia and I treasure those times when we are actually able to be in the States at the same time. It was so wonderful to have a week with the two of them in Beckley and even more wonderful that we were able to spend time with our other childhood best friend, Amanda. Steph, Amanda, and I (for the first time in years) were able to have our traditional Christmas potato breakfast and an entire morning for just the three of us to hang out. I am incredibly thankful for these women and our decades of friendship! I could not ask for better friends than these two lovely ladies. 

 

   One of my biggest blessings during my time in the States, was being invited to a missionary retreat with Adventures in Missions. It was such an incredible week of worship, prayer, reconnecting with old friends, dancing the night away at the Christmas party, meeting incredible new friends who are building the Kingdom around the world, and feeling more like part of the Adventures family. We stayed in a gorgeous lake house and just loved life together for the week. I’m so thankful for these people and being part of this tribe. (pictured above- incredible prayer and prophesy time from some warriors in the Kingdom). 

 

   After returning from GA, I was able to spend a couple of days with my dear friend Bev. We had two days filled with processing about life the last few months in Nicaragua and Brazil, coffee dates, hiking at Beauty Mountain, and a lot of laughter. I’m thankful for our 14 years of friendship filled with random adventures and pushing each other closer to the Lord.   

 

   Of course I had to make a trip to one of my favorite places in the world, Beauty Mountain. There is something about the beauty of this place that just makes my heart come alive and sets my soul at rest. 

 

   I was super excited to have time to spend with my adorable niece and nephews. I was even able to make a trip up to Pittsburgh to spend the night with my brother and his family. I have so much fun with these crazy kiddos! 

 

   Our first Christmas celebration was with some of my mom’s family. I loved spending time with Stacy and Amanda. I love having such deep friendship with my cousins! It was so much fun being with all of the kiddos and watching their joy as they opened gifts and danced around the house. I also had the chance to have a Christmas sleepover with Amanda’s three girls watching Christmas movies, playing games, and baking cookies for Santa. I love my time with these girls so much and it’s always a highlight of my time in the States. 

 

   My next Christmas celebration with with my dad’s family spending the day playing cards, eating delicious food, snuggling with my new baby cousin Kingston, and catching up with all of my family that was able to come. I love these people and am thankful for a family who enjoys their time together so much. 

 

   Finally I was able to celebrate Christmas with my entire family. It was a beautiful day spending a quiet morning with my mom and dad followed by a crazy, joy-filled evening once Joe, Karly and the kiddos arrived. I love these people more than words can express and I am so grateful for every Christmas we have together!