Advent Adventures- Part 2

Four Christmas parties in a row equals a much needed jog! So off I went at 10:30 at night, when to my surprise people start turning off their Christmas lights. It really wasn't much of an attempt to burn the excess amount of calories as I started hacking up a storm after only about 15 minutes. Really, me and exercise have not been well acquainted the last few months and I'm noticing that needs to change. Anyway, on the flip side, the moon was shining super bright and the Chilliwack sky was clear and the winter air was crisp but not too cold. It really was such a blessing to be running in such a safe neighborhood with my health and my family cozy back home. I felt so richly blessed. Tonight I learned that my Grandma is in the hospital and not doing so great. As I jogged I prayed for her and my Grandpa and the rest of the family but couldn't help but get side tracked thinking just how precious life is. How important it is to live it to the fullest in God's plan for us. A dear sister said it quite simply. This is the only life we get, that's pretty serious. Sometimes, I forget to ask God where he wants me to go, what he wants me to do and who it is that he wants me to reach out to.

Anyway, enough of my little rant... here's what the last week has looked like.

Dec 8:

Shopping for gifts for the kids at the Education Center (our job was 4 preschool girls).

Dickens candy shop and Santa's Village visit with Rolanda and the girls then off to good ol' McD's for some happy meals.

Emily and Kara were rocked after a busy day

Daisy and Janelle are a normal passengers on our advent adventures and these two stayed awake!

Dec 9:
Laundry and low key day :)
The girls were babysat by Rolanda while we went to Dave's work party- a great night of good food and funny conversation with some of the docs and their spouses. The girls enjoyed their time with their new friends Daisy and Janelle who have been wonderful company to us over the last couple weeks.

Dec 10:
Toy Drive complete with a free picture from Santa and a nice lunch (that wasn't expected but was very much appreciated!)
Costco Run with Kara to do some last minute groceries before our Christmas party and to pick up our Christmas cards.

Christmas Outreach Banquet with my neighbor Shayley. It was a nice meal with great company and a beautiful and unique reminder of what Christ did for us starting with the manger and ending with his death and ressurection. There was a story teller and special guest singers who really made the night come to life. Shay and I had some good hearts to hearts that certainly help guide my prayers for my dear friend.


Dec 11:
Residency Dinner at our place. We had insane amounts of food! A funny gift exchange game and a photo was taken of the whole group. Overall, a nice reunion after many of them having been all over the map with different rotations.

23 adults for dinner (4 kiddos) makes one very tasty potlock! Turkey worked!

R1's (one of these things does not belong here....)

Dave and all the girls.

R2's (and partners) or most of them anyways.

The "Generosity Jeep" a new addition to our advent season.

Our home.... far more than we could ever deserve.

Our cozy fireplace warms me up many 6am prayer mornings with Sarah.

The girls having a good classic wrestle.

Nothing more warming to my heart than a house full of people eating and enjoying each other.

Dec 12:
Small Group Christmas Social. A simple night of just hanging out and getting to know each other better. Again, a huge spread of Christmas goodies.

The girls were quite pleased to finally