Merry Christmas!

Just a little snowfall for you:

This Christmas has been different, but really nice. With a mix of rain and snow (on top of two weeks' worth of the junk) and worsening road conditions, church folks around here have been mostly home-bound. Because our town has zero snowplows and doesn't salt, it really hasn't been safe to drive. So, after much deliberation and talk with parishioners, Eric decided to cancel Christmas Eve services in Yamhill and Cornelius. It was hard to imagine Christmas without family or good friends OR church, but, as it turns out, Jesus shows up anyway.

We decided to walk to Fred Meyer again for some groceries and this time we borrowed a sled from a church member. It poured freezing rain on us, but we were amazed (and a little sad) to find a packed store--and parking lot! People don't want drive in bad conditions to get to church, yet will risk their lives to get those last-minute gifts under the tree! Sigh. Maybe I shouldn't say anything--we were at the store, too!

Here's the little contraption we came up with to keep our groceries dry in the rain:


On Christmas morning, we slept late, had a really nice breakfast, then walked to the gym. After making a delicious casserole, we headed across the street to Nancy and Jeff's place for a wonderful dinner. We are so thankful they invited us over even though they just met us--it was so great to get to know these neighbors better. Eric, Pat (Nancy's mom), Nancy, Jeff:


Later, we stopped by Concha and Feliciano's (our neighbors across the street the other way) for Guatemalan tamales and ate way too much (again). Eric left after a bit, but I ended up staying for this Bible study meeting at their house that was led by some guys from a nearby church. Afterward, more tamales were served (no more for me, thank you) and we talked at the table for quite a while. Concha and Feliciano have been such great neighbors! I love having folks I can just stop by and visit without making plans. Today, Concha came over with Giovanni and she and I started reading through her Spanish GED book. Though she only had three years of elementary school in Guatemala, she has studied English for some time and plans to take a GED class starting in January. I am impressed--that book is thick!

Goose and I have also enjoyed baking, watching lots of movies and old episodes of Friends while the snow falls outside. We hope things clear up so we can make it to Spokane on Sunday!

Amish friendship bread (anyone want some starter dough?):

You've got to admit that the snow is pretty:






There were about three days there where I was always either wearing my bathrobe or snow pants:

We hope this Christmas season is filled with joy and peace for you!