I made it through my first ever Christmas abroad. For the most part, I’ve really started to feel like this is home. I have pictures on the walls of my friends, decor that I put there myself. I’ve made a few trips to Ikea for me to start really feeling like this is home. But the reality is, this isn’t home, neither is Cary, NC. Home is somewhere else altogether, and I long for the day when I go There.

There are times here when I forget that I don’t speak the language of 99% of people that surround me in buses, on trams, walking down the street. When I go to the grocery store and there is an international section, which strangely, all of a sudden includes me. I am an international here.

Christmas was good. The American part of our team cooked up a big feast last night, and today we had real American pancakes for breakfast with syrup! (you can’t buy syrup here in a normal size bottle for less than $20). We also watched the christmas service from my church in it’s entirety, because it’s online! Then we watched Elf and Hairspray. Tonight we had dinner and watched It’s a Wonderful Life at the Theissens, a family here that serves with International Messengers. They have the coolest ministry. Tonight, there was a mother and a daughter that joined us from Afghanistan. How cool is that?

I talked to my mom a couple of times between yesterday and today and I haven’t talked with anyone else yet because we have only one magical american phone and someone is using it right now. But, I did receive several voicemails and I’m really thankful for them. I feel so loved. So thank you Renn&Roger, Su-Anne, Lauren, and Kirby I do appreciate them.

My mom shipped over a package full of gifts and it is here in Kosice, even if not yet in my possesion (although curiously enough, the package slip went to the guys place instead of to mine). I went yesterday morning early to try to pick it up, but the place was closed, and tomorrow Slovakia celebrates a 2nd Christmas day, so it will be closed again then.

I’ll get it eventually. In the words of my mom, “presents are presents any day I suppose.” And really, it helps to not get so many gifts on Christmas. It helped me to focus on the point of Christmas. Which is Jesus. The fact that Jesus came into the the world, all so that He could save us from sin. I love what Isaiah has to say about the coming of the Messiah.

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

I have some videos and pictures from the Christmas festivities that I’ll add later. For now I think it’s time to sleep. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

look at all that food! this is from Christmas Eve in my flat.