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Here are two pictures of the kids on Christmas morning just before opening the gifts...

Merry Christmas, 2011!

Christmas Eve we had 8 refugee friends over for a Mexican dinner, fellowship, prayer, carol singing,  Christmas games, and other family traditions.  There were two Iranians, two Afghans, 3 Pakistanis, and 1 Sudanese.  We had a great time and you'll enjoy hearing that one of our Afghani guests exclaimed with enthusiasm at the dinner table, "This is the first time in my life I have shared a meal in the home of high-class people!"  We told him, "This is the first time in our life we have been called 'high-class' people!"

This morning we opened our family gifts, and tonight the Helping Hands team will be coming over to celebrate together.

Ellie's First School Christmas Program (Kindergarten)

December 21, 2011

Today Ellie had her first character acting role as one of the "two" kings that visited the Christ child.  She didn't care for the crown they placed on her head.  She never cried but neither did she smile or laugh.  She mostly looked "concerned". 

The most impressive part to me was when Ellie's teacher opened the program quoting I Corinthians 13:4-7 (and got overcome with emotion while reading it).

The pics did not turn out great but here they are...

                                                         Mary and Joseph

                                            Mary and Joseph (AND baby Jesus)

                                                    Ellie the "Wise Man/King"

                                                    
                                                        Casual on the throne

                                                            

 
                                               A visit from Agios Vasillis (St. Bill)

                                         
                              Ellie with her teacher Mrs. Maria Loukou (whom we LOVE)

Some day I might even post some video clips from the program...maybe over Christmas vacation.