Ah... good Christmas weekend. 
I just got home from Gainesville; I’m sitting in my living room with the Christmas tree lighting up the room and I’m listening to a Third Day song. Just want to take some time to unwind from the trip and unpacking before I head to sleep. I have just one day of work this week - not bad 
.
Christmas weekend in a nutshell…
Thursday – After work went with Joanna to have dinner and attend Christmas “eve” service at Northland with some ladies from my home group.
Friday – visited Kuya, Emily and Xander in Tampa for the day. Oh... my sweet nephew! 
So glad that I had some time to spend with Kuya and his family. While they wrapped Christmas presents, Xander and I played. We had lunch at Vallarta's (my favorite place to eat there) and also decorated some cookies.
New Year’s Resolution – see more of them!
Saturday – made last minute plans to have breakfast with SarahJoy. Had yummy French toast and good conversation. It was a VERY quick breakfast, but always good to spend time with SJ. Left SJ's and drove out to Northland. I volunteered at the noon service. I never realized how challenging scanning can be. I was glad to have been able to volunteer and do something – anything - at the church. It was also good to hear parts of the worship service again! 
Right after church I left for Gainesville. Got to see my newly engaged cousin, Leilani and her fiancée, Jeff. That night we all went to church at Trinity - Mama, Papa, Lani, Jeff, Ate, Kuya Dennis, Jasmine and Julie. After service we went home and had yummy ham, cheese, corn casserole, bean casserole and FRUIT salad. I know I'm forgetting more food that was there!
Sunday – woke up late, lunch at the Hilton buffet, gift-opening at Mama’s and Papa’s, watched TV, watch the girls plays PS2 with their Uncle Jeff, nap
Monday – woke up late, went to ate’s and while there visited with Marivel, Armand and Amanda. Mama, Ate, Lani and I left there and went to Jay's Bridal to look for Lani's wedding dress. Almost 10 years ago we shopped there for Ate's! It was a fun time. I can't believe Lani's getting married!! All the dresses really looked beautiful on her. It's going to be an "enchanted" wedding
I really missed my parents and Cindy this Christmas; I talked to them at least once every day this weekend, but of course I still missed them. This year we didn’t get to celebrate with the BIG family (all the aunts and cousins). Over the past few years we have been mostly all together for at least Christmas or New Year’s. This year we won’t have the chance to do that and it’s making me realize a few things:
1 – we’re all getting older and things are changing. It’s a sad thing sometimes because our family is growing and moving and we won’t always be able to all be together. I think it will become more challenging to see us ALL get together as years go by. We will all be getting married, having families of our own, in-laws, etc. All good, normal, fine things - BUT it will all contribute to the challenge of us all to staying connected - especially around the holidays.
2 - us "kids" are going to have to really take initiative to stay connected - with our own schedules, responsibilities, relationships, finances, etc., individually and collectively we're going to have to make the effort and commit to our family (immediate and extended) to continue close ties that our parents and Inay and Itay have started.
3 – Wherever, whenever, whatever God calls me to in life, there will be times when I will have to be “away” and while I’m called to live a life of faith and obedience, it doesn’t mean that it will always be easy, pleasant or comfortable. There will be times when I will be downright sad, alone and missing people.
I’m thankful for…
1 – my family; immediate, extended, friends…
2 – long drives to be able to listen to good music and think
3- cool weather so I can wear a jacket / sweatershirt
4 –God’s grace; humility, majesty and power embodied in the gift of Christ.
5 – time off from work starting Wednesday
6 – my cousins’ upcoming weddings; marriage
7 - kids; especially my nephew, Xander and "nieces" - Jasmine and Julie... it's fun watching them grow up and see the things they do and say. (like being impressed with themselves for walking backwards, saying "witty" things, crazy toys they play with - even freaky ones like Amazing Amanda
)
8 - cell phones...really...so many ways to stay easily connected with people these days!
9 - spinach dip - YUM!!!
10 - great song lyrics
Speaking of "great song lyrics" I mentioned the other day that there was an awesome song shared during Christmas Eve service at Northland. With a little searching on DogPile I finally found it.
"Here With Us"
by Joy Williams
featured on Come Let Us Adore Him
It's still a mystery to me
That the hands of God could be so small
How tiny fingers reaching in the night
Were the very hands that measured the sky
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Son of God, Servant King
Here with us, here with us.
It's a mystery to me
How His infant eye had seen the dawn of time
That His ears had heard an angel's symphony
Still Mary had to rock her Savior to sleep.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Son of God, Servant King
Here with us, here with us.
Jesus the Christ born in Bethlehem
Baby born to save, to save the souls of men
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Son of God, Servant King
Here with us, here with us.
What a glorious mystery is the grace of God.
Lord, that I might be captivated by it this Christmas (and always).
Lord, that I might be filled with grateful awe and wonder.
