Our Women's Christmas Party

Thursday evening we had our church's Women's Christmas Party. Mary had everyone to her house for the party. Each of us brought a dish to share for dinner and a white elephant gift with the value of 100 baht. I noticed that when people got up for seconds on their servings of food...the Thai women went for another helping of the healthy main dishes while the American women went for the chocolate bars and sugar cookies (Yes I am guilty). The sugar cookies were an exciting highlight of the evening as sweets are not highly accessible around Bangkok. We socialized and then sang Christmas Songs together. I attached a video clip to this blog of the group singing Joy to the World in their natural language-Thai. You will also notice a picture of Ying with her guitar. She led us in song. Praise God(Shared as a prayer request in a previous blog)-Her interview at the Embassy went well (Thank you for your prayers) and she will be leaving for New York to take her nanny position. Please pray for her as she is nervous about the upcoming culture shock.

After we sang Christmas songs we played a few games. There is a picture of one of the games. We had two teams-Each behind the blue flooring. Each teams had to have someone put one of their teammates up to their side of the blue flooring. Then when they dropped it...the two players had to "race with words" in saying the person's name (on the opposite team) first. It was an adrenaline rush!!

Jan gave the Christmas Story; emphasizing the Gift of God's Son. I didn't understand most of it because it was in Thai...so good thing I already know this amazing Truth!!

As a group we played the white elephant game. My roommate told me to get dishes for the house. She said to bring these because the women of our church always love getting things for their kitchen. So, I found a glass pitcher and glasses (It was pretty)...My roommate ended up with it...I don't think she likes it--OOPS! Good thing she doesn't know it was my gift...shhhh! (I received a beautiful blue and white scarf...Fun, Fun, Fun!)

So, here I have been worried about my feelings on Christmas. This is my first Christmas away from my family. But, God is showing me the fun in enjoying Christmas with my Thai friends. It is a wonderful feeling of love, while bustling in excitement. This was our first Christmas Activity. We have three more Christmas parties for the different ministries and a missions trip to go on (Northern Thailand)before Christmas. I am excited to see what God reveals about Himself throughout this next week.

God-You have shown me that although, I am missing sharing this with my family back home...The celebration is over the moment when you sent your son, Jesus, into the world. In the form of an infant, He grew up amongst sinners. He was surrounded by evil, and 33yrs later paid the ultimate sacrifice (On the cross)-so that I can go to heaven with you one day. Jesus, your birth into the world is the perfect reason to celebrate-Help me keep my emotions out of the picture and my focus on you-celebrating YOU with those around me. I desire to shine your love and share this truth with the children, my peers, and my elders. Love you! Krystle