If I were in the States today, I probably would be running around town, spending gift cards, making returns, and eating out after cleaning out the last of the Christmas leftovers. One of the nice things about being in Guatemala at this time of year is a slower pace of life. I slept in until 8, did some household chores, talked with Chad about some ministry/business related items and necessary property repairs, and then put on my big 'ole sun hat and sat in a hammock that my husband has ingeniously strung on our rooftop terrace. For an hour the intense sun warmed me as the chilly wind rocked me. Everyone has been curious about how our holidays have been so far away from "home." I would say like most things over the last six months, it has been good, if not a little bittersweet.
Part of the joy of the holidays is the comfort of the familiar. Going to my grandma's and to church on Christmas Eve (and then eating Chinese food at the Rohs!), or waking up to gifts and cinnamon rolls and leftover Christmas cookies on Christmas morning with our kids. And even though we have Skyped into several family gatherings, there have been times when I craved that familiar comfort. A few times I had a big lump in my throat and wanted to go pull the covers over my head and cry because I miss my mom, and because my nieces and nephews have grown so much in six months, and one has even been born who I haven't gotten to hold. But those moments were few and fleeting.
The joy of this year's holiday has been recognizing the friends around us who are like family that we can celebrate with, and learning that this adopted culture of ours really knows how to embrace celebration. After All Saint's Day on November 2, with no Thanksgiving to celebrate in between, it is time to start he Christmas partying! Beautiful displays of lights, delicious specialty foods, and you probably know what I'm going to say next…FIREWORKS. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I moved to the right place, because I love fireworks. And you just can't overstate how amazing the Christmas Eve fireworks are here. It is as if the entire city explodes for over an hour. It is awe inspiring. Guatemalans typically start the celebration late in the evening, eating tamales and ponche at midnight, enjoying the fireworks, then staying up late into the night or all night exchanging gifts, eating, and doing more fireworks throughout the night. We enjoyed a good time with great friends and a spectacular view of the city, but made it in bed by 1:30 and woke up to our usual gifts and cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning. So, we truly enjoyed both traditions.
Having Mammaw Krena and Pappaw Tom here has really helped the kids enjoy the holiday without missing a beat. They've been loved on and spoiled as per usual. Even in the States, we tried to be conservative at Christmas, usually giving each child three gifts. And we tended to stick along the lines of "something I want, something I need, something to wear, something to read," or close to it. This year we prepared the kids to expect even less than usual, considering our major life transition and drastic changes in family finances. But, of course, the grandparents, aunts, and uncles stepped in, and they had one of the greatest Christmas hauls ever. I sat wrapping presents in my room crying because of everyone's love and generosity that was literally delivered in suitcases to our doorstep.
Our school vacation is a little longer here than in the States, and it has been a huge blessing to get to spend a lot of time at home relaxing. We've been able to show Chad's parents a lot of what we do here and do some fun tourist things as well. The New Year promises fun celebration as well, and of course more fireworks, and Sterling turns three this week! So we have a lot more cross cultural celebrating ahead. We thank everybody for all your love and well wishes from afar. We miss and love you. Hopefully, at some point we'll get to enjoy the holidays nearby, but you are welcome to come and stay with us and experience the beauty of Christmas in Guatemala.
Part of the joy of the holidays is the comfort of the familiar. Going to my grandma's and to church on Christmas Eve (and then eating Chinese food at the Rohs!), or waking up to gifts and cinnamon rolls and leftover Christmas cookies on Christmas morning with our kids. And even though we have Skyped into several family gatherings, there have been times when I craved that familiar comfort. A few times I had a big lump in my throat and wanted to go pull the covers over my head and cry because I miss my mom, and because my nieces and nephews have grown so much in six months, and one has even been born who I haven't gotten to hold. But those moments were few and fleeting.
The joy of this year's holiday has been recognizing the friends around us who are like family that we can celebrate with, and learning that this adopted culture of ours really knows how to embrace celebration. After All Saint's Day on November 2, with no Thanksgiving to celebrate in between, it is time to start he Christmas partying! Beautiful displays of lights, delicious specialty foods, and you probably know what I'm going to say next…FIREWORKS. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I moved to the right place, because I love fireworks. And you just can't overstate how amazing the Christmas Eve fireworks are here. It is as if the entire city explodes for over an hour. It is awe inspiring. Guatemalans typically start the celebration late in the evening, eating tamales and ponche at midnight, enjoying the fireworks, then staying up late into the night or all night exchanging gifts, eating, and doing more fireworks throughout the night. We enjoyed a good time with great friends and a spectacular view of the city, but made it in bed by 1:30 and woke up to our usual gifts and cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning. So, we truly enjoyed both traditions.
Having Mammaw Krena and Pappaw Tom here has really helped the kids enjoy the holiday without missing a beat. They've been loved on and spoiled as per usual. Even in the States, we tried to be conservative at Christmas, usually giving each child three gifts. And we tended to stick along the lines of "something I want, something I need, something to wear, something to read," or close to it. This year we prepared the kids to expect even less than usual, considering our major life transition and drastic changes in family finances. But, of course, the grandparents, aunts, and uncles stepped in, and they had one of the greatest Christmas hauls ever. I sat wrapping presents in my room crying because of everyone's love and generosity that was literally delivered in suitcases to our doorstep.
Our school vacation is a little longer here than in the States, and it has been a huge blessing to get to spend a lot of time at home relaxing. We've been able to show Chad's parents a lot of what we do here and do some fun tourist things as well. The New Year promises fun celebration as well, and of course more fireworks, and Sterling turns three this week! So we have a lot more cross cultural celebrating ahead. We thank everybody for all your love and well wishes from afar. We miss and love you. Hopefully, at some point we'll get to enjoy the holidays nearby, but you are welcome to come and stay with us and experience the beauty of Christmas in Guatemala.
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