First Christmas away from home...(and last?)

Spending Christmas away from home has been bitter sweet. With it creeping up so fast this year there wasn't a lot of time to have it really "feel" like Christmas. Pete Greasley gave a fantastic message last Sunday titled "Home for Christmas" that was perfect for me this Holiday!

Pete explained with all the hype and build up over the Christmas season there is often a let down, disappointment, or sense of longing that comes after the family has left, the presents have been opened, and the food been eaten. He described this as Hiraeth a Welsh term that doesn't have a direct English translation, but describes a profound sense of longing. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' has a quote that communicates Hiraeth vividly:

It is difficult to define Hiraeth, but to me it means the consciousness of man being out of his home area and that which is dear to him. That is why it can be felt even among a host of peoples amidst nature's beauty. . . like a Christian yearning for Heaven. . .

Sunday's message pointed out the longing we feel at Christmas is the longing God put in us for the better life, the better world. Christmas was never meant to fulfill us. The longing goes deeper than just the temporary Christmas holiday, it is the longing for an eternal relationship with our heavenly Father. Ever since the beginning of time we have been exiled from God and rebelled against him. God has a plan to bring the rebel back and to satisfy the longing. All through sending his Son to be born in a stable as the Savior of the world!

As I am away this Holiday I get to experience firsthand the sadness that comes with being away from my Family. Despite the longing I am excited to be able to take a step back and focus on the truth of my Saviors birth and death for me!

A GAP team Christmas

This Friday was the Student Christmas party where we decorated Junction 26 all Christmas like.
There was a good turnout and we had so much fun playing charades, eating the delectable 11 pound cake I picked out, duck taping people to walls, and doing a Christmas quiz (my team won)! We also started watching the Christmas story which was randomly cut of in the middle.
We got home around 1 and had to be back at the church around 8:30 to be at Shock wave(a youth outreach) in the morning...

The Gap team Christmas photo was taken after the party, by Richard Saunders one of the students.

After the part I got dropped off in Newport City Center where I was able for the first time to explore Newport and all the shops! I ran into some friends and one of the students and her mom from Bettws high! It is so good to be able to continue building relationships outside of the school setting.

Yesterday night we went to Taylor Reese's 18th Birthday party. He is a fella from the Sr. teens. His dad Andy and my fellow life group leader did a great job honoring him. It was great getting to be around with our close friends from church!

This week I am looking forward to our "family" farewell Christmas dinner on Tuesday and not looking forward to my girls leaving Wednesday :(

Happy Birthday Mom!

Couldn't get a picture up this time, but didn't want to pass up wishing you a Happy Birthday!

Thanks for the way you faithfully pursue me and go out of your way to serve me! It amazes me how you look to serve without serving in return! Thanks for your expample of faithfully serving me and our family! Love you!

P.S. Sarah and I are a bit late in getting your card to you! Its in the mail.