A Holiday to Remember

Wow--how can I begin?  This month has been awesome.

I'll start out with describing my birthday, December 19.  At first, I wasn't sure how it would go, being that I am across the ocean, far from family and long-term relationships.  It turned out to be much more than I expected.  My birthday fell on a Saturday, which is a half-day at the school (yes, we have school on Saturday; our days off are Friday and Sunday).  After school, I went with a few friends to a restaurant nearby the school.  They treated me, and I was able to enjoy a hearty cheeseburger meal with fries.  I also received a couple of gifts, which I didn't expect at all.  To top it off, God blessed us with awesome weather.  It was warm, and the skies were blue (the day before, it was cloudy, dreary, and rainy).  It doesn't end here.  On Sunday, I went with friends to a local family's house service I usually attend.  They threw me a surprise party, got me a big birthday cake, made me an amazing meal, and blessed me with more gifts.  I truly was in awe.  I looked to God for a blessed birthday, and He gave me above and beyond all that I expected.  I know that I don't serve God for blessings--yet, these blessings were His way of letting me know how special I am to Him.

Next, the Lord opened up an amazing door on Wednesday, December 23.  I and the other American volunteers who stayed back for Christmas were invited to sing carols in Bethlehem, right on Manger Square, near the Church of the Nativity--the likely location of Christ's birth.  We formed a choir, and I played the guitar as we sang.  Before we sang, I had the opportunity to walk around the Church of the Nativity.  Certain areas looked like a manger/stable, probably to preserve the original atmosphere that surrounded Christ, Mary, and Joseph on that day.  It's really cool--having the opportunity to celebrate Christmas where it all began.

Yesterday was Christmas day, and I spent the earlier part of the day hanging out with a friend.  At 4 pm, my friend and I attended a Christmas party.  My friend and I then attended a Shabbat service, and I had the opportunity to meet a lot of good people there.  Indeed, this was a Christmas to remember.

P.S.- Much more pics to come soon!