Birthdays and holidays

This has been a wonderful run of days. There has been much to think about and plan, and much celebration.
Saturday we had our Teen Club meeting and also a planning meeting after that. Lots of fun, many kids showed up and we had a lively day of it. I am really impressed by this club and really quite in love with the group of young ones who have joined. They are lively and funny, sometimes a little too rowdy but really lovable. They are so thrilled to have people fuss over them and frankly they deserve being fussed over.....
Saturday evening I was taken to a Christmas program by Carl and Melody, good good friends here. It was at their Lutheran church. I sat listening to the concert, and speakers and stared at the decorations. It seems so strange to be here at Christmas,especially with the heat. And I wondered whether being so far from home would bother me this first year here.
Strangely, I am actually joyful. I do not miss the craziness and bustle we create in America at this time. I do not miss glaring red and green lights and gaudy decorations. I do love decorated trees and some of the pretty colors. I do not miss having to shop last minute and worrying about everything being done.
One of the thoughts I had was that I may miss snow. After all, we were raised to love "white Christmases". I realized we were in the desert-no snow EVER. Then, I realized our weather here must be very similar to what the First Christmas had for climate. Jesus as an adult actually sought the wilderness to commune with His Father. Was snow really that necessary?
Yesterday, I celebrated my 50th birthday. It was so wonderful! It started early, about 730am with a visit from some of the teens from my church knocking at my gate on their way to work. I received a few visiotors, then went to Carl and Melody's house for what I thought was a small party. There were quite a few people there and I was rather overwhelmed. I received wonderful gifts but the most special gift of all was the love and friendship I received from this crowd. We sat out late on the porch, laughing and singing and just relaxing. There was a small group of children there and they of course made me smile. I looked around and thought about my blessings-there were several countries represented and age groups as well. My friend Busi made the cakes, yes, two cakes and we had ice cream much to the delight of both the young kids and the old kids. I finally got home very late and slept in........very happy.