Surviving the Holidays

Well the holidays have come and gone, once again too quickly. The days were filled with family, food, and times of faith. As far as family goes, it was great to spend time with my immediate fam, aunts, uncles, and cousins. We had some serious chats, as well as some not so serious ones. In fact, our "Girls' movie night" Christmas night turned into "Oops the FIREPLACE!" as we failed to open the damper and smoked out the house.

For food, I think Momma Lu and I stayed in the Kitchen for two days straight. From divinity and pecan pies to sweet potato casserole and butterbeans, it was non-stop. At one point while the women were gathered in the kitchen, Aunt Jan commented on how presents and commercialization takes over Christmas. For me, this Christmas, cooking took over instead. Instead of focusing on the true meaning of the season, it seemed like we simply worried about making sure we had baked and cooked everything for everyone and then cleaned up perfectly behind ourselves. Perfection shouldn't be required, instead a simplicity and dedication to focusing on Christ's birth and its impact on the world is all that should be required. Why do we place other such burdens on ourselves?

Lastly, that brings me to faith. For me, the best part of Christmas is always the candlelight service at our church. The format never really changes from year to year, but there is comfort in the consistency. As the pastor reads through the various scripture surrounding Christ's birth, and the congregation sings corresponding hymns, a kind of peace settles in the soul. Knowing I am hearing words that have existed for centuries and knowing the majesty of the event has not diminished, never ceases to amaze me. Ending the service with lights dimmed and hushed voices singing "Silent Night" we all walk into the night, taking Christ's light to the world.

So, there you have it, my holiday synopsis. May you all be blessed until "The Season Rolls 'Round Again."

Christmastime is Coming!

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke 2:10-12



Not only one of my favorite scriptures for this season, but also the one I have most often spoken in public. Everytime I hear this scripture, not only do I flash to how blessed I am to have Christ in my life, but also to good ole "Sonshine Choir" programs. Without fail all years but one, kindergarten through 6th grade, guess what I got to be in the Christmas program? You guessed it, an angel :) My lines were always the same, year after year! I just spoke them a bit louder, got to wear more glitter, and my wings grew as I did. I wish I could find the old photos. During one of my finer moments, early on as an angel, I proceeded to steadily pick glitter off my gloves the entire program. Apparently I was a bit stage-shy. A few years later, my confidence had grown, and I actually got to stand in a chair next to the stable. What were they thinking? Hello! Clutzy Carrie! I distinctly remember some crashing and carrying on during dress rehearsal. And last but not least, 6th grade, my proudest moment, as archangel Gabriel. A flowing robe, lots of lines, and for the first time as an angel (since 2nd grade anyway) no glasses! Yay for contacts!

Moving back to present day, what is not to love about Christmas? The music, food, family, traditions, and focus on Christ, it truly is my favorite holiday. This year, its been a bit tough to get in the "Christmas spirit." Why you may ask? First, the fake Christmas tree, I hate fake trees. However, with the lack of funds, I made myself decorate it, though it is such a scrawny thing. I grew up in a house with a 10 foot or taller (sorry about your ceiling mom!) Virginia pine. Oh the smell, the heft of the branches. All your ornaments are safe, no fear of them crashing. Can't wait to head to CS, sit by the fire, and stare at the tree. By the way, with my glasses on the lights look really cool!

Second, I can't find all my Christmas music. In all my moving, apparently some of them have either gone by the way side or into my sister's cd case. So, I have had to get by with the periodic song on Ruston's radio stations.

Lastly, I hate "happy holidays." I know it is supposed to be politially correct, but so far all but one of my received Christmas cards has said it. It just truly annoys me. However, instead of ranting, I will direct you to someone who says/sings it better than I do: Brad Paisley's "Kung Pao Buckaroo Holiday." Just trust me, yes it is a little cheesy, but for anyone else who is annoyed by the censorship of "Christmas", you WILL laugh.

Okay so enough of that. Everything above being said, henceforth, today I decided to make my self get into the Christmas Spirit. Rather than write my exam for tomorrow, I turned my TV to the XM Holiday channel, put on my apron and got to work. Banana break, chocolate chip cookies, haystacks, yum! and then to further procrastinate wrapped and decorated the food. Now, since I had to sample all before giving it away, the clock finds me up way past my bedtime and playing on this danged computer.

So, to sign off, I will NOT say "happy holidays," but rather "Merry Christmas!" Enjoy this season; I pray each of you are blessed not with presents, but the presence of all those you hold dear.

Changes

Well, since June my life has experienced many changes. After a summer of living at home with the parents and frantically driving three hours to Ruston every time a new listing appeared, I am finally settled. I am again a home owner :) This time not quite as much space or quite as much yard....but more leaves! So far I have bagged 32 bags of leaves and I am not through yet. Oh for the country where you can just burn them...

Other changes, my sweet Rosoce P (black lab) kinda went a little crazy in my absence. He became fixated with the golf cart, what the heck? Basically he thought it was his and would bite anyone that pressed the accelerator. After many tears, he had to be put down. My sweet daddy took him for me, I couldn't have handled it. However on the flipside, I now have Miss Roux. She is a sweetheart, except for her affinity for shoes! Unfortunately, she has moved passed my old tenny pumps and has attacked several pairs of heels with a vengence, oh chewing please end soon.

Hmm, what else? Well though no photo, I am now firmly entrenched in Louisiana Tech's Speech Dept. It was a little weird at first learning a new campus, adjusting to the quarter system (don't get me started), learning new kiddos and course numbers, but with one quarter down, I am starting to get the hang of things. Just now counting down the days to Christmas break like any other sane teacher out there.

Lastly, a huge plus to Louisiana life...YUCATAN. I love being only an hour 15 from the lake as opposed to 4 (MSU) or forever (guate). I foresee myself doing a lot more porchsitting, boatriding, and raft floating in the future; if only warm weather would return soon. Well thats about it for now. As the holidays approach and students come up with silly reasons to skip my class ("I lost my umbrella and its raining") I am sure I'll be back. Be blessed this Christmas season!

As promised:

Okay folks, as promised below is my year in Xela, Guatemala, condensed into a select few pictures. Last year was filled with challenges, i.e. my lack of Spanish, lack of funds, and lack of History expertise! However, it was also filled with new experiences, new friends, and new travels. I would not trade the year for anything. I learned so much about myself. I learned I can do without many modern conveniences, I learned the Lord truly is with me in all circumstances, I learned some friends just keep re-appearing in my life, and I learned that there is a much bigger world out there than the USA.

So the pictures below, hmm, lets see. Some are pictures of Guatemalan countryside. There is Lake Aitilan, a rubber finca, Tikal, an active volcano and a dormant one (Santa Maria). There are pictures from an El Salvadorian Thanksgiving and a Roatan Semana Santa. And of course there are pictures of people. There are pictures of some of my students, pictures of incredible friends, and pictures from when Momma Lu came to visit. Lastly, a good time was had by all in Guate as evidenced by some of the more humerous pics below! Halloween saw the creation of "Las Flour Tortillas" Mariachi band; a trip to the Brodbeck's rubber finca resulted in "Marty's Angels"; and of course after visiting well stocked thrift stores the year ended with a "White Trash" tailgate and barbecue.

Overall the year was one of ups and downs, highs and lows, but I am ever thankful for the experience. As a child I never dreamed I would do such a thing, voluteer outside of the US. It only goes to show the Lord's plans are always much better than my own.

Prov. 16:9 "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."

2007-2008 Xela Review

Again....procrastination

So, with school and vacations again keeping me busy, the blog has been neglected. Plus, since I am technologically inept, I can't figure out how to post all the cool stuff that others do! But, I am going to keep trying. Since the year has been flying by, I have decided to post a year in review in pictures, stay tuned!

I'm a Slacker

After creating this blog back in November, I basically went home for Christmas and completely forgot about it! Now I've been back in Xela and have failed to post anything...I'll have to rectify this week. Second Semester has been busy, with hikes up volcanoes, an Intermissions conference, staff retreat etc. God is continuing to teach me how to deal with inconveniences daily and is showing how much I can actually live without. So, stay tuned more details to be posted this week. Y'all have a blessed day!