Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from sunny Sudan! We are blessed with cooler weather this year and I am so thankful. Last year it was unbearably hot, but this year it was bearably warm.

On Christmas Eve I had a slow, relaxing day. It was nice to have time to rest and read. In the evening, we had our White Elephant Gift exchange. Among some of the prizes was: a toy chicken, candy, pearls and a doll, a book and nail polish, a cat ornament, work out wrist bands in Rasta colors, a wild america bandana and toy gun. The candy was inevitably stolen. The chicken toy remained with it's original owner (sorry Amy!). Then we closed the night by watching "Christmas with the Kranks" and had homemade egg nog. It was just as good as the stuff in the carton!

Today was a nice day as well. We started the day with a yummy casserole and bacon (a rare treat). We had a few visitors stop by. For Christmas in Tonj, everyone dresses up in their best outfit. Then they walk around town showing off their clothes. They go from house to house and eat cookies. My favorite was Mario who came in a zoot suit and a pimp hat!

Then we opened a few gifts and had a church service. Sabet read about Jesus' birth and we had communion. After, the dinner preparations continued. Suzy brought everything we needed for a proper English Christmas dinner. I think I prepared about 1000 brussel sprouts! Around 2:00 we ate and boy was it delicious! We had turkey, stuffing, yorkshire pudding, roasted potatoes, carrots, brussel sprouts and rolls. Dessert followed which were mince meat pies - so good! Then more presents and hanging out. The evening ended with a light dinner of cheese, meat, bread, dips and crackers. We were not hungry, but ate the awesome food anyway. Then we sat around chatting and laughing. Among the things we discussed were where we were when significant events happened (like the Challenger blowing up, the Berlin wall coming down, Princess Diana's death, the OJ verdict, etc.) and what makes us irrationally angry (me - snoring. It's not the other person's fault, but I get enraged and want to hurt them!). It was really fun and a great Christmas day. If I couldn't be with my family and friends, it was nice to be with my Tonj family.

I pray you all have a Christmas filled with joy. Don't forget to remember the reason we celebrate - God sent Jesus to save the world. He is the free gift offered to everyone. If you haven't accepted it, do it today!