We hosted our team plus 2 extras for a dinner on Friday. The spread was incredible. I was quite impressed what people were able to whip up with fewer resources. While stuffing ourselves, we had a (taped) football game on. Hey--we had to do something to make it more real. :) When the food coma started to set in, we decided to pep things up with a card game, kemps. Super fun. It takes Michael and I back to the days of college when we were champion partners. No, we weren't flirting. Oh wait, I'm pretty sure I was. ;) Then ended the night watching Elf. Always a winner.
Saturday, we took our pot luck dishes into Beijing to celebrate with about 50 other people. Um, wow was there a lot of food! It was great to eat again--of course--but also hang out with people we don't see too often and hear how their work is going. Also, Josiah got to play with 2 other kiddos. Always a plus when he gets some kid interaction. :) Oh, and there was TURKEY!! Have I told you how excited I was to eat some??
The next day, I was ready to decorate for Christmas. Some families who lived here before us left us a few decorations. A 1-foot tree, some garland, and a few strands of lights. Our local grocery store put up a small display of decor and I got a few more things. Our place looks pretty wimpy at the moment, so I'm excited to get more. I'm hoping to go to an all-Christmas market (surprised it exists in a country that doesn't celebrate it!) next week. I think decorating will help make our Christmas special and (hopefully) not so hard. I'm definitely accepting any homemade ideas you have. But please remember--I have zero access to a Hobby Lobby or anything even close. :)
Today, a couple from our company came to visit us. Their sole purpose is to visit new families to make sure we're making it. What a blessing they are. They were encouraging and compassionate. I'm so thankful we're with a company who cares so much about us...and goes to such great lengths to take care of us.
So jealous of your turkey!!
ReplyDeleteGreen and Red Paper Chains. I just made two with what the students were thankful for to hang in the library. I even put in some white paper thinking about snow. I will post a picture of the "tree" I bought for Patrick and me soon. It's kind of fantastic in a "I can't believe you paid money for that" way.
you're looking stupidly cute in your little scarf there.
ReplyDeletemy goal is to send the package tomorrow. haha. we'll see.
I LOVE YOU!