A slumberless party

João and I had a great Christmas! The Christmas eve service at church was so inspiring and very well attended. There was a real crowd, which is surprising with so many people travelling to visit families.
We enjoyed a "Brazilian Christmas" on Christmas eve with friends. That was really nice. On Christmas day we had a great dinner and visit with a couple from our church. Of course, throughout the day we called family and friends in the US and Brazil and had so many really good chats! It brought them closer to us.
Having Christmas on a Saturday sort of cut short our free time, as we needed to spend a good part of the day getting ready for Sunday morning. It was a chilly, chilly day, but it was good to back with God's people in worship.
I couldn't resist, however, getting in some after Christmas shopping. So I was up early and was at Best Buy by 6:45! It opened at 7:00 and about 300 of us stood outside in -20 weather waiting for our bargains. I got mine and consequently you'll be seeing more photos on this site - I got a digital camera -YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I also had to hit the store in the afternoon to get a stock of food for the sleepover that evening (and I also managed to find time to get my wrapping paper and cards for next year!). I invited 6 girls from the church to spend the night at my house. They arrived in stages on Sunday evening. Here's part of the crew right after they arrived:

We sat up until 3:00 eating pizza, ice cream and watching movies. Unfortunately they didn't sleep in the next morning, so there wasn't much sleep to be had. We spent all of Monday together just doing "girl" stuff. I love being with them. They are great kids and lot of fun.

I need to sleep. So I'll see you round the net!

Bah- Humbug!

You know this Ottawa weather may turn me into a Scrooge and say "Bah-hambug". Just kidding. But for the second year in a row it has rained all day at Christmas and flooded my basement. I hate wringing out towels and sheets and vacuuming constantly. In fact I'm writing this on one of my five minute breaks from mopping up. I would have rather had 15 cm of snow instead of rain. Snow is pretty. Rain is just cold and yucky.
Just had to complain about the rain. It's driving me nuts. And certainly has messed up the travel plans of so many people. But it all brings me back around to say that Christmas is not about turkey and family and presents. It's all about Jesus Christ. I confess that I sometimes lose sight of that and this little basement mop-up operation has reminded me of all the wonderful blessings God has given me. I do refuse to be down! I am joyous not in the season, but in my Saviour - giving thanks IN all things!
Merry Christmas.

A Really Not-So-Silent Night

My voice is back!!! I can talk and sing. So nothing is silent around here anymore. Nor was anything silent at our church on Sunday night. We presented our Christmas Pageant. Although it was advertised as an "instant" program, we had numerous rehearsals and were nervous down to the last rehearsal if everyone would ever get their part right. But once we put the costumes on everyone, the whole thing sprang to life. Five minutes to start, there were about 10 people in the church. Of course with about 15 people in the play, we knew we would have to invite a lot of people to come. When we finally made our grand entrance, the house was full. We know there were around 100 people and that was a wonderful blessing for us. And the "Not-So-Silent-Night" went off without a hitch. Everyone laughted (it was a comedy) in the right places. Afterward João was able to share a message of what Christmas was all about. Because the children were the "stars" of the play, lots of relatives and friends came out. I filled in as an angel (definitely NOT typecasting) at the last minute since Barb became a grandmother to twins that very morning.
Afterwards we had an International Potluck Dinner. Boy did people bring out the food. We had 4 tables laden down and even had some left-overs. I worked back in the kitchen, so I sampled lots of the food before it went onto the table. All delicious. The fellowship was marvelous as well. When João and I finally got home about 9:30 that evening, we were still on a real high. But believe you me, we were ready for a rest on Monday.
Although not very conducive for going out, since it was -25 (C), João went out early on Monday to help one of our members move. A lousy time of year to do that. I went out later that day to shop. But didn't last long, as it is some how tiring to shop clumping along in boots, coat, gloves, etc. It seems to weigh you down. Normally I leave that stuff in the car and make a dash for the stores, but it was just too cold for that. But that makes it feel all the more like Christmas.
Things are very quiet around here this year - such a contrast from last year when the whole family arrived to be with us. But it's kind of nice to have a break. The worst thing about Christmas this year is that boxing day falls on Sunday and I won't be able to do my customary all day shopping. Oh me oh my. Guess I'll survive!!!

Silence is Golden

It really does look at Christmas around here. We have had so much snow in the past week and now it's cold and the snow is hard and frozen and glistens in the sun that it almost looks unreal. Sometimes it feels like you are walking in tunnels as you walk along the sidewalks because the snow is piled up so high on either side of you with the 30 centimeters of snow that has fallen lately.
I haven't gotten out much to play in the snow because I am trying to stay home and be quiet. Literally very quiet! I have a case of laryngitis and am having some enforced silence. I am truly suffering with this, but have learned to just accept it and await the return of my voice.
Sunday we are excited about our Christmas pageant, called "The Not-So-Silent Night"and a potluck supper afterwards. We've invited lots of friends, so I am trying to cook extra to compensate. Do you think a ham, 2 lbs. of potato salad, cranberry sauce and a coconut cake will be enough? Yum, yum, I'm hungry already.
Tomorrow, I'm sure I'll be in a frenzy trying to finish my last minute gift shopping and grocery shopping. And I still haven't made any firm plans for what we are going to do for Christmas. Crazy, huh?
Yesterday we had an interesting experience. For some reason I made an extra large lunch of fried fish, manioc and mock mashed potatoes (cauliflower) and even had dessert. The guy who cleans our driveway stopped by to ask us to move the car so he could scrape the driveway. We invited him to stay for lunch. He did. And we had a nice long conversation (well, I listened). Another friend, Terry Orchard, dropped by as well and the upshot was both he and João were able to share much about Jesus with our friend and really present him with the challenge of accepting Jesus. He didn't make a decision, but the seed was planted. Who knew that fried fish could be useful in the Kingdom of God? All things for God's glory, right?

Let is Snow!

It's snowing, it's snowing and the old lady is snoring. It feels like winter has finally come to Canada. Gorgeous snowflakes are falling all day long here in Ottawa. It's not accumulating too much since it's only 32 and the snow if very wet. It looks so beautiful sticking to the trees. Since I put up my Christmas tree on Monday, now everything looks just right. I used so many candles in my decorating that João thought I was planning on burning the house down. I don't think I should like the twenty candles on my mantle. I needed something to cheer me up, since my sister left on Saturday night and my house seemed so empty after her departure. We had such a good time together and did a lot of fun things. It was especially sensuous to visit the Hershey chocolate factory. I think I got my chocolate dose for the year, just smelling the air.
I am feeling a little hectic right now trying to get ready for the Christmas program (The Not-So-Silent Night) and the New Year's Eve Program (my teen-agers are planning it and want to do a big bash!) Someday I may catch up. I want to do an open house, but I may just have to forget about it. I do so love getting together with people this time of year! Hope you are having as much fun as I am.