It's been 4 1/2 months since we moved back to America. This morning I saw a page in my journal where I had written things I was looking forward to about America. It included air conditioning, couches, change of season, family, favorite foods, and reliable electricity. I've been fortunate enough to enjoy each of those things since we've been here- on an almost daily basis. I've also been fortunate enough to keep memories from the Philippines fresh in my mind. Memories that include sweat and brown-outs and rice 3x a day also include laughing until my cheeks hurt, deep community, and a sense of purpose. I miss the people and the simplicity. Especially this time of year.
We've been in our new home for a month now. It's really coming together. We've found some neat pieces of furniture on craigslist and should get things hung on the walls soon. It's cozy and I love it (I'll post pictures when we're more settled!) but I am really longing to get into this community more. I'm ready to have people over and be a part of their lives. I'm ready to do life with our neighbors and to share Jesus' love with the people around us. I'm missing that sense of community I experienced in the Philippines. The really neat thing? Hospitality kind of stressed me out pre-Philippines. I don't enjoy being the center of attention or person in charge. I can take that role if needed, but I don't thrive in it. But the problem was my understanding of hospitality. I thought it was about doing or giving or performing. What I learned from the Filipinos is that hospitality is about being. You don't have to offer an extravagant meal and your house doesn't have to be in tip-top shape. You don't have to have the funniest jokes to entertain with or the ability to make sure everyone is enjoying themselves at all times. I learned it's just about being with people. Let them into my heart and get into theirs. Sit and talk. Make them a part of what I'm doing. I loved that about the Philippines and I hope to cultivate that in my home here.
With that said, I'm enjoying this most wonderful time of the year. Our tree is up and gifts have been purchased. We've been doing an advent devotional (sort of- we keep missing days and then catching up!) and listening to Christmas music. But what I've really enjoyed about the season is that it hasn't been stressful. I've loved sharing this time with my guys and preparing my heart to adore my Savior even deeper. After tasting a couple of Christmases in a place where it's not as glamorous and over-marketed, I can't imagine turning back. It's so beautiful to just enjoy Jesus' birth. No more and no less- just celebrating the birth of Jesus. We give to celebrate HIM. We fellowship to celebrate HIM. We sing songs and we even decorate, to celebrate HIM. It really is a wonderful time of year. Emmanuel has been coming into my mind over and over again this Christmas season. I'm so humbled and grateful and excited that we serve a God who came. A God who redeems and sets us free. A God who's with us. Emmanuel.
I hope that some of my randomness encourages someone else today. I'm thankful this Christmas for a home to share, for a husband and a son, for my life experiences (in the Philippines and beyond), and for a Savior who came.
Merry Christmas!
