Growing up I've always been a big fan of secrets. Not the kind that hurt peoples feeling, not at all. I love the ones that are happy surprises! Ones that make peoples days a little easier or brighter.
I've been justifying a few little white lies to my family over the past few months. My justification was that it was for their good, that in the end it would be better if they didn't know...
know what?
Our big Christmas 2009 plans.
After my sister's baby, Carson, was born on August 3rd of this year plans changed a little.
We had been talking to my parents about them coming to South Asia for a visit over Christmas break. When we started to realize what that would mean for us, needing to do a visa run, and what it would mean for the rest of the family that wasn't coming, Daddy suggested a trip home instead. Initially we were against the idea, but after much prayer, consideration, and conversations with our supervisors we changed our minds. So on September 2, 2009, Joe and I got an early Christmas present from my parents.... a trip to America for Christmas!
We ended up only telling Joe's sis about our plans for coming, so that she could help us get all the plans worked out for his side of the family. We had no idea the job we had given her would be so difficult. Between Joe's birthday (Dec. 24th) traditions and Joe's mom wanting to plan trips to Minnesota to visit family, she had quite the chore of keeping everyone here! She did great. She even collected a box of goods from the fam and instead of sending them she just put them in her closet. hehe Thank you Katy!
My mom did the same thing... well tried anyway. My sis, Beth, was a little eager to send her own package, but thankfully we received it in SA the day before we left to come home for the holidays.
Two days before leaving SA, we thought that our plans from the months before were going to be cancelled due to visa issues. Thankful we were given special permission to continue on with the plans.
We flew into Little Rock on Friday, Dec. 18 to be greeted by "Welcome Home" signs from Mom, Dad, Brant, Katy, Jacob, and lil Owen. This was the start to a day of surprises!!!
We we able to surprise all the grandparents, parents, siblings and a few friends before the word got out that we were home. We've got it all on video. I may have to send that video in somewhere... surely we can make some money off of it!
Since being at home, we've been able to celebrate Joe's birthday tradition of Cracker Barrel breakfast, spend quality time with our families, go camping, and have enjoyed very opportunity we've had to share about our travels in South Asia.
This Christmas and holiday season has definitely been one that we will never forget. Not because of the presents or other commercial aspects of the holiday, but because of our Savior's birth. Being able to celebrate Christ's birth with our families truly makes us thankful for every blessing He has given us!
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17
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