Happy Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is a big deal in my family...a really big deal. It involves lots of family, friends, friends of friends, family that are friends and friends that are family. My grandma used to host until a few years ago when my mom took over. Its a really open evening - potluck style with few changes year to year. Lately there is always some sort of game or group activity and a "grown-up" ornament exchange.

I love the party on Christmas Eve cause you never really know who is going to show up. Sure, there are the regulars but there always seems to be some extended family friend or co-worker in the midst. It's a really nice way to meet new folks and re-connect with ones you only see once a year.

Being far away this year makes it a bittersweet time. But you know how that is - if we were in the States it would seem like a bigger deal to miss it - being in Africa seems like a pretty good excuse. This morning we went to a church that sponsors about 300 orphans. From what I understand the kids live with "foster" families at night but during the day they are on their own. We went and helped deliver all the toys for tots donations that the Marines had collected. It was a wonderful way to reconnect with the spirit of the holidays. We hung out with the kids for a couple of hours - watched them get their toys and ohhhed and ahhhed over each thing.

We bought ten locally made soccer balls. They are fantastic things made out of some kind of dried leaf and then packed together tightly into a ball shape and tied up with string. I know that the balls were not as flashy as some of the other donated toys but I know they last a long time and I know that kids here LOVE soccer.

Anyways, here's wishing you nothing but a heart full of peace and love tonight, tomorrow and always. We love and miss you all xo S E O Eric passing out candy canes...The three cutest boys in the bunch!

A mass of clapping singing kids - including O boy - if you look hard you can see him!

Before the chaos.