What I've Been Waiting For...

On Thursday night and Friday morning, my brothers finally arrived. I'd been home a week already, and although it was nice to be home and see family and friends, it was my brothers' arrival that I anticipated the most. Everything is more fun when my brothers are home. It was great to be altogether again. Friday evening we had another little Christmas dinner since the boys were here - it's been 3 years since the last time we've been able to have Christmas dinner as a family, so it was very lovely!

"Christmas dinner" on Friday night

My cat has had a hard time with the huge influx of people in the house - he's been prowling around very grumpily with a sour look on his face....the picture says it all!

Sabbath was a busy day, too! I talked about what's been happening in Saipan in place of the usual mission story, Ron & I played our guitars and sang for Sabbath School and Church, and my brother Royce preached the sermon. Then the afternoon was filled with food, friends, and fellowship. It's so nice to have my brothers home for awhile. I didn't realized how much I missed them until they got here. There's nothing like laughing, joking, and hanging out with siblings! But I also really miss the deep, sincere passion that they have for Jesus and ministry. It's contagious and it always makes me want to become a better person and to do more to reach out to others for Christ.

Royce preaching on Sabbath morning.

Family pictures after church.

After sundown on Sabbath, we finally were able to open our Christmas presents! It was a lot of fun passing around the gifts while chatting and sharing a lot of laughs.

My "sisters" and me opening our Christmas presents.

Dad and Ronald.

Royce and me checking everything out.

But before long all the presents were doled out and us kids piled into the car and headed across the bridge over to some friends house. Now, you have to understand that these people aren't just any friends - these people have been our friends since before birth. There are 5 families, ours included, who all attended the same church when us kids were little. The 14 of us kids grew up together. We celebrated baptisms and graduations together, and now, this past summer we celebrated the first wedding of us kids when my brother got married. Most of us don't even live here anymore, but we always get together when everyone's in town to catch up, eat great food, play games, and make some noise. Saturday night wasn't any different! Afterwards, we ended with prayer and hugs all around. Hopefully we can keep the tradition going so our kids have the chance to grow up together like we did.

Playing Pictionary - my team won!

All of the kids, minus 3.... 1 was gone for the weekend and 2 had already left the party.

Sunday morning, after a delicious Indian breakfast of dahl and roti, we sprawled out in the living room to watch a Christmas movie. It was a very good movie, but kinda sad, so my eyes were still a little red and puffy when the first guests showed up. My mom had invited a bunch of friends to stop by anytime in throughout the afternoon to hang out and visit with us since it's rare that we're all in town at the same time. So, from about 3-9 there was constantly people coming and going. Again - lots of good food, friends and fellowship!

But all good things must come to an end. This afternoon, my brother Ronald and his wife Tiffany had to leave so he can make it back to work on time. It was a lot of fun to have them here, but the time passed way to quickly. Royce and his girlfriend Jennie will still be here for a few more days, so, for that I'm grateful!

Royce, giving me a piggy back.

Ronald and me before he left.