Yes, we did have a wonderful Christmas Day! How about you?
Drew was out the door at 6am for the first of two services -- he sang with the English choir. The little guys and I followed at 7:45am. We had such a blast celebrating with the brothers and sisters here.
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| English choir randomly asked me to draw their shirt logo, like it? |
Between services we snuck two doors down to my friend's new coffee house and bookstore, where we skyped with Drew's huge family gathered at Grandma & Grandpas house. Thank you everyone for taking time out of your Christmas Eve party just to talk with us -- it was such special treatment when we are just one of many zillion Addingtons. It was wonderful to see you on the computer screen! We appreciate and love our family!!! You all are so supportive and kind.
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| coffee house entrepreneur friend |
After the service we went out for lunch with the most wonderful friends. The girl holding Michael (below) is my former student, our former babysitter. She is amazing with the kids -- and she's just a great person to have around. She came home with us after lunch.
Another friend, also an adult orphan from the welfare center, joined us for opening stockings and gifts. Again, really hoping that he feels that we are his family. Each of the boys received one gift (books and movies). I guess we just keep things simple. They were more than elated!
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| Mike's sweater was made by Great-Grandma Elvie, what a lovely gift. |
Of course, this was Jonathon's first time to celebrate Christmas! Year one he was still with his birth mother and father, year two he was in the state orphanage, soon to be transferred to the Butterfly Hospice in late January. Year three he's with us! Do take a look at what his old brothers & sisters at the Butterfly Home did for the holiday. So beautiful.
(p.s. This year, Drew's mom's family all pitched in for a special gift to the Butterfly Home. Thank you all for blessing those 13 precious kiddos. Very grateful!)
Little skypin' with some other family members, like this bro in Japan who was in the midst of a dog-sitting catastrophe. We had a fabulous time at the Smith (my family) dinner table today too. (Their dog was faring much better.)
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| well what would you do if the dog in your care bit a Japanese police officer? |
And Uncle Zhang came to visit. The kids love him. Drew loves him. I love him. We just love having Uncle Zhang in our house! And this is how you read a story to kids who are infected with pink eye. That's right, we have a pink eye epidemic, hence we had a red pink and green Christmas this year.
Finally, I just want to mention that we so enjoy celebrating Christmas in China. The cultural traditions (while those are cool too) and holiday stress (not so cool) are largely absent. Christmas is merely the Family getting together for a few hours to celebrate the birth of Jesus. We have this little treasure tucked into our weekend while life goes on as usual on Friday, then back to work on Monday. It's quiet but profoundly meaningful.
We miss our awesome parents and siblings, but they are so unwaveringly supportive. This is an amazing, liberating gift, to have their blessing, and we do not take it for granted... Thank you for releasing us to go where we are led. I got to believe that the Father is very pleased with your faith. We love you guys!!!
And Merry Christmas to you! Even if you are not celebrating the birth of Jesus, or if you don't celebrate Christmas at all, we hope you enjoyed a peaceful and special holiday, surrounded by loved ones and filled with good times. Much love.
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